Chapter 13

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: penny

Chapter: 13

Chapter Title: Massage for the Instructor (1)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

[Lust Absorption] skill and the Labyrinth...

Something told me there was a connection between the two skills. Honestly, it was just a hunch, but there was that saying in this world: when something weird happens, bet on the Labyrinth and you're usually right.

For now, the best way to investigate the skill seemed to be digging into the mechanics of gaining more experience in the Labyrinth. Scholars here must have researched experience points and Labyrinths ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠extensively, so there should be plenty of materials on it.

"Instructor, if I want to get info on the Labyrinth or skills, how should I go about it?"

"Wanting to gather information first? Good attitude. There's a library in the central district of Labyrinth City. It has countless books—not just on Labyrinths and skills, but history tomes, papers, books by otherworlders, tomes on the gods, you name it. I was planning to recommend it after training anyway."

Library... I'd heard of it. Three years ago, I'd thought about checking it out for clues on growth potential. But the entry fee was too steep, so I gave up and switched to asking patients at the clinic instead.

"I considered it back then, but the entry fee was too high, so I shelved it. If you're recommending it, though, it must be worth a visit."

"Ah... Did you try around two or three years ago?"

"Yes."

It was right around when I was hunting for growth clues. But how did she know?

"...As a member of the Labyrinth Guild, I apologize for the embarrassment. The librarian back then was arrested. Turns out he was blocking adventurers arbitrarily and extorting entry fees from clueless newbies."

What? That's what happened? Another adventurer paid to get in back then, so I thought it was legit!

"Floors two and up have entry requirements, but the first floor is free for any registered Labyrinth Guild adventurer. Info from there can save your life, after all."

Registration came with that perk? I thought the 10 silvers was just a Labyrinth entry fee rip-off. Man, the more I think about it, the madder I get. It wasn't even a permanent pass—just one silver per entry? Way over the line. Turns out the guy was just a thug.

"They tracked down victims and refunded them when he was caught, but compensating folks like trainees who never got in was tricky, so it got swept under the rug... I don't speak for the whole Labyrinth Guild, but as one of its adventurers, let me apologize on their behalf."

"...No, it's fine. It wasn't your fault, Alensia."

"This isn't just words. Knowledge is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠precious—one extra line can change your fate. You were robbed of that chance for over two years, so proper compensation is due."

...Ahem. I was just gonna shrug it off with mild regret, but if she's offering recompense, refusing would be rude.

"You mentioned entry conditions start on floor two? One qualifier for the second floor is a recommendation from an Advanced Adventurer. I'll vouch for you with my name and get you access. Sound good?"

Hmm... A second-floor library pass? Sounds... good? I knew info was valuable, but without even seeing the first floor, it was hard to feel the weight.

"For reference, you can buy a second-floor pass with money. It'll cost you 30 gold coins."

"Thank you!"

She gave a benchmark, and it hit home instantly. Nothing measures value like price. A 30-gold reward? No way I'm passing that up! And this was purely from her sense of responsibility—no obligation required.

"Good. From your questions, I figure you're curious about skills and experience points. Solid info starts on the second floor."

"Um, just out of curiosity—how many floors does the library have?"

Restrictions started from the second floor, so probably more than two.

Alensia gathered her thoughts and explained kindly.

"Might as well cover each floor."

-The library's first floor is open to all adventurers. It holds general literature, beginner Labyrinth info, and low-reliability reports.

-The second floor requires Intermediate Adventurer status or equivalent. Verified info starts here: minor research records, histories, otherworlder accounts, mid-Labyrinth details.

-Floors three and up can't be bought into. Need Advanced Adventurer-equivalent clearance. Holds upper-Labyrinth info, some classified data, mysteries unearthed from the Labyrinth, even Temple-banned tomes.

-Alensia can't access the fourth floor. Requires Labyrinth City committee approval.

Rumors swirl of a fifth floor, but so few reach the fourth that even its existence gets doubted.

"These divisions aren't absolute—key info hides on lower floors too. Still, second floor and up has verified stuff, so that's where you'll find what you need."

"You don't have to take responsibility... Thank you."

"Mm. If you're grateful, give me that massage at the mansion like I asked."

Right, she'd proposed that earlier. I'd panicked and said we'd decide at the mansion.

"I don't think my massages are worth that much..."

"No, they are. [Massage] skills aren't rare. But high-level [Massage]? Few have it."

Makes sense. You might pick up the skill after years as a masseuse, but leveling it without a Labyrinth is brutal. Can't exactly open a massage parlor in one, so yeah.

"And those with high-level [Massage] are mostly beastkin."

"Beastkin are just naturally better at it?"

"Strong hands, keen senses for sore spots... But mostly, races with paw pads dominate because their massages are popular. Top masseuses level up naturally, people prefer high-level ones, and it snowballs. Now, high-level masseuses are almost all beastkin."

Circumstances like that? I'd want paw-pad massages too—beast the size of a person kneading with jelly paws? Sounds tempting. Gotta try one when I'm loaded.

"Their high levels make them good, sure. But they're all similar races, so massages feel samey everywhere. Makes you crave variety."

Fair. Paw pads versus firm hands would feel different. And honestly, my skill might top theirs.

She was begging this hard, so normally I'd agree... but elves sensing "malice" was the hitch.

Alensia trusted me enough to request this, unconcerned about touch, because she hadn't sensed malice even when I massaged her sleeping last night.

But unlike her assumption, I'd get hard the instant I touched her, filthy thoughts flooding in. [Heavenly Touch] might dull her senses like yesterday, but awake versus asleep? Totally different. Plus, I'd pulled away the second she stirred.

Tricky spot. She was showing goodwill, I wanted to reciprocate, but I'd pop one mid-massage and get caught.

Just brazen it out? "Can't help getting hard touching a woman!" Yeah, that'd shatter all built-up favor.

Refuse? But she'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hooked me up with the library pass...

I stewed in silence as training wrapped. Time to exit the Labyrinth and head back to the mansion.

Back at the mansion, showered and in my room, I mulled it over.

My conclusion: Make an excuse and decline. Too risky to proceed. Screw risk—I just couldn't trust myself to hold back. Alensia was drop-dead gorgeous. Always expressionless, blending with that elven aura into classic ice-beauty vibes.

Rubbing down a beauty like that? No way lewd thoughts wouldn't hit. I couldn't resist pawing Hiss either—could I really hold out? Better refuse.

I racked my sluggish brain for a solid excuse.

"Alensia, sorry, but massage is out. Fine on a sleeping target, but it's still my skill. Too iffy showing it off."

"I know. That's why I'll blindfold myself and curtain off below the neck. Many masseuses use that for 'trade secrets.'"

"...Massage needs tools. Don't have 'em..."

"What do you need?"

"Uh... Scented oils, clean cloths, stones of the right size, tools to heat them, some herbs."

"All in storage. I'll fetch them."

Everything bounced off. Confess it'd make me horny as hell?

...Nah, a new idea sparked.

"...All right, Alensia. I'll do the massage."

Not sure it'd work, but...

We moved to a small room with a single-person bed.

Alensia wore light clothes, blindfolded, and lay on the bed. A magic tool at neck level created a transparent barrier.

"Standard masseuse gear. Client can't see the technique. For those who hate skill exposure."

"...If you can't see below, isn't that risky? What if something happens?"

"Those masseuses are picky with clients. Their patrons sense trouble without eyes. Only trusted shops use these anyway."

What about me? I wanted to ask but held back. That bed... Otherworlder invention? Felt like something from adult vids.

Deep breath. Prepped, stood before her.

"Here we go."

'[Sensory Block]'

Announced start, cast the skill—not on her (it wouldn't stick anyway). On myself.

'Block tactile sensation from my hands.'

Hands numbed to touch. My solution: No feel means no reaction.

Eyes closed. No sight, no sensation—lewd thoughts shouldn't spark. Plugged ears tempting, but she might talk, so no.

Rest to the skills. Last time, [Heavenly Touch] guided my hands flawlessly, even as pleasure dazed me.

Blindfolded skill use? Should still work.

Eyes shut, no system messages visible. But I felt the skills activate.

My body moved like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pro masseuse's despite the blindfold, starting the massage. [Sensory Block] perfectly numbed hand sensations. No sight, no feel—no arousal.

...I focused on other thoughts too. Dwelling on it being Alensia could still trigger something. Men can get hard on imagination alone.

"Impressive, indeed."

Worked like a charm—she accepted it without complaint. Just keep this up. Massage without lust taking over.

Head full of distractions, eyes covered, I missed the system messages.

An effect that hadn't popped when Ian massaged himself—forgotten amid the oversight.

No "malice," no lust—he performed purely. The skill's effects seeped into Alensia.