Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: First Massage (1)
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About a week had passed, and I'd spent that time exploring my abilities.
The first thing I did, naturally, was head to a brothel. This world's brothels came in legal and illegal varieties, and my choice was obviously the legal one.
They paid their taxes as required and collaborated with the temple or mage tower for reliable contraception and STD prevention. Sure, the prices were steep because of it, but there was no risk of getting ripped off or stabbed in the back.
I was shocked by the brothel's rates, but thinking of it as an investment in my future, I shelled out ten silver coins for the cheapest prostitute available. Not even an overnight stay—just one hour.
My plan was to rack up experience with the [Lust Absorption] skill, unlock a bunch of new skills, and level up the ones I already had. Of course, I wouldn't get full on the first bite, but compared to that brief ten-minute chest grope, a full hour of proper sex should net me way more experience, or so I thought.
-You acquire a minuscule amount of experience from the [Lust Absorption lv.1] effect.
'A minuscule amount' of experience. And this wasn't even a popup during the act—it showed up after I dragged it out for a full hour, covering foreplay, insertion, and cleanup. The result of all that for just 'minuscule' experience? The cost-benefit was way off. Hell, even when Hiss swallowed that one drop of semen, I'd gotten 'a small amount' of experience!
The only silver lining was confirming the other effect tied to [Lust Absorption]. I could feel my stamina increase, however slightly. I'd already blown once with Hiss that day, yet I managed twice more. My technique might've improved too? Hard to say since it was my first time.
I had no idea why [Lust Absorption] performed so differently on Hiss versus the brothel girl. My info was still too limited. At least the skill's penalty decreased normally—that was a relief.
With my plan to farm experience via [Lust Absorption] in ruins, I turned my attention next to the [Sensory Block] skill. After three years stuck at level 1, it had finally hit level 2 and gifted me two derivative skills.
I still wasn't sure if the level-up came from the latent effect of [Lust Absorption], or if sexual activity itself was the trigger. Maybe blocking the [Lust Absorption] penalty did it, or perhaps the system message specifically calling out 'sexual sensation' blockage pointed to the latter.
For starters, the skill's range—which used to be about forearm-length—had roughly doubled. I could already tweak the range a bit within limits before, so now I figured I could expand it even further.
Duration had doubled too, from a max of about ten minutes. It had no cooldown anyway, so I'd just recast after it ended... but with plans to use it more often ahead, this meant less mana drain. A solid upgrade.
And the 'increased Sensory Block range' wasn't just about the skill's coverage area. It was more about the effect's potency.
'[Sensory Block]. Block the sensation of sweetness.'
I cast it on myself and sipped the sugar water I'd prepared. The sweetness I definitely tasted beforehand was gone, leaving just the feel of plain water—actually, more like tasteless, off water? Same result with the fruit juice water nearby.
There are multiple compounds that produce sweetness, yet lumping them as 'sweetness block' erased it all. Nitpicking scientific accuracy in a skill felt silly anyway.
Oh, and if I overloaded the sugar, the skill failed. Power had increased, but its definition of 'below a certain amount' felt arbitrary. Was sugar water more stimulating than kneading breasts...?
Whatever. Skill growth was encouraging. If it kept progressing, maybe I could revive my dream of becoming a Labyrinth adventurer...
"Ian, come to the treatment room for a sec!"
"Yes! Coming!"
Ah, right—work first. Gotta keep the job.
"We meet again?"
As the day's work wound down, Hiss showed up after a week. She'd apparently gotten cursed in the Labyrinth again. This time, a 'lowest-grade petrification curse.' Was her constant bad luck a curse in itself, or was she lucky it was always the weakest tier...?
Anyway, the lowest-grade petrification curse didn't turn the body to stone—it just stiffened the muscles. Wait, then why not call it 'stiffness curse' or something?
Luckily, the clinic had holy water left, so treatment went smoothly.
"This time it hit your leg?"
"Yeah, stepped on a trap..."
"How'd you get out of the Labyrinth with your leg locked up?"
"I had party members with me—they helped me out. Lowest-grade means it wasn't total paralysis."
Apparently, it felt like a leg wrapped tight in bandages. Stiff, but forcible movement was possible.
"Even after treatment, the muscles stayed tense, so the priest let me rest in bed."
Ah, that explained it. She lay there fidgeting, kneading her leg. The muscles were pretty tight—each press furrowed her brow in pain.
Not the leggings from last time, but something closer to hot pants, exposing her snow-white legs. Hard to believe they belonged to a Labyrinth adventurer—smooth as could be. I'd wondered if Catkin had fur, but no, they were sleek and flawless.
I got lost watching her legs yield to her touch, and without thinking—brain bypassing filters entirely—I blurted it out.
"Would you like me to help with a massage?"
"Pardon?"
Damn. My dick-brain spoke before my real one again. I scrambled to cover.
"I-I mean, I've worked here three years and helped muscle-stiffened patients before. Done a few massages, and y-you know my skill? It could ease the pain..."
I strung together excuses to sound legit, but it was all hot air. Muscle patients? Just occasional shoulder rubs for elders.
Ease pain with my skill? Theoretically yes, but her pained expression suggested my output couldn't block that level of hurt.
"Oh, really? Mind if I take you up on that?"
"...?"
It worked.
Like last time, this woman had zero guard up. With her looks, shouldn't she be wary of men? Sleeping in front of me before, accepting a massage on the spot...
Whatever my feelings, I'd said it, so I prepped. I'd mentioned skills, so I had to cast one, but it clearly wouldn't work on that pain level. I fetched a warm damp towel for a light compress first—to loosen muscles and dull the ache.
I didn't know the curse details, but treating it like soreness seemed fine.
Then I positioned her comfortably and grabbed some vegetable oil from the herb storage. Meant for irritated skin, but it'd double as massage oil.
Honestly, no real massage knowledge—just winging it from media. Should've gotten one back on Earth...
"Whoa... a pro's prep is on another level?"
Yet Hiss was impressed by my amateur setup. Anyone could've done this. Pro, my ass.
"Ahem. Let's begin. Tell me if it hurts or feels off."
"Sure!"
Her sparkling eyes said she'd rave even at basic rubs, but I'd committed, so skill time.
"[Sensory Block]. Uh... block pain sensation?"
-[Sensory Block lv.2] is applied.
The skill took hold. It worked at level 1 even on curses, but without one now, I'd worried. First step cleared.
"Alright! Here we go."
I oiled my hands and gripped her calf, pressing with controlled force.
First sensation: her body heat, warmer than my hands. Then the smooth skin texture. And the subtle muscle tone proving her adventurer creds. Definitely tense, but not as knotted as feared.
Key was whether Hiss felt pain. If yes, apologize and bail...
"Nyaa..."
My worries evaporated. What reached my ears was a feminine moan blended with a cat's purr. Looked like the massage pleased her.
"Any pain at all?"
"None... feels lighter than usual even..."
Skill worked fine. Warm towel and oil relaxed her, light pressure, not-too-stiff muscles—all within effect range.
Relieved, I savored the tactile feedback and kept going. Couldn't resist sneaking peeks at her bare thighs—win-win, right? Wasn't usually this impulsive... [Lust Absorption] side effect?
"Muscles aren't as knotted as I thought."
"Nya... Catkin are naturally flexible—muscles rarely stiffen. This is just the curse..."
Ah, made sense. Her body's inherent suppleness kept knots minimal. Without Catkin physiology, might've exceeded my skill.
"........."
Knead knead
"........."
"Nya..."
Honestly, the massage pitch was pure lust-driven impulse, but it stayed wholesome. No room for more anyway.
Mid-massage, my gaze drifted to a shocking sight.
'...Wait, is that wet?'
The mound in her tight pants had darkened slightly from moisture. Oblivious, Hiss just purred low.
Witnessing it snapped my rationality again. Words escaped unfiltered.
"Staring up like that must strain your eyes. Want me to cover them for you?"
Once more. Dark desire swelled.