Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Tempering
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The outdoor foot bath was on the top floor of the building, offering a pretty nice view.
The interior had a slight Japanese vibe to it—perfect for a snowy night.
Splash—
"Whoa, it's nice and warm."
Su-hyeon's exclamation echoed from the middle of the foot bath.
It carried a vibe like her soul was bubbling up from within.
"Ugh... what is this, you're not some old guy."
Ga-eun waved Su-hyeon over as she tugged at her pant cuffs.
"Your pants are getting wet. Come here."
"Okay."
She parted the water and turned around.
While others only submerged up to their ankles, the water reached past Su-hyeon's shins to her knees.
No matter that it was kids'-size sauna wear—the hems were inevitably soaking up water bit by bit.
With Ga-eun's help, she rolled up the bottoms tightly and sat back down.
Her adorably tiny feet wiggled underwater.
Compared to an adult's fully grown feet, they were so small they looked just like a doll's.
"Is this a public bath? But the water's awfully shallow."
"This is just for soaking your feet. Hey, no, don't take it off!"
Su-hyeon hurriedly stopped Brüel, who was about to strip off her top before entering the water.
Ga-eun was so shocked she just gaped.
"What are you doing! Good thing no one's around!"
"My apologies."
"Uh, haha... I don't even know where to start criticizing this."
"Jjimjilbangs are places where men and women both go, so you can't undress!"
"Isn't a foot bath a type of bathhouse?"
A bathhouse was a place where you stripped naked to enter.
A foot bath was a bathhouse, so she figured she should undress...
It was the most logical yet utterly illogical reasoning.
For a moment, Su-hyeon even stuttered in response to the seemingly plausible logic.
"Ex...! That's...! No, you just need to soak your feet, so no need to take off more clothes!"
"Understood."
As Brüel obediently nodded, Ga-eun finally patted her chest in relief.
"Whoa, my brain just froze for a sec."
"...Mine too."
Wasn't she supposed to be a competent agent?
Turns out she's an idiot outside of combat...?
"Soaking just your feet in this much water—it's quite luxurious. A slight change in design could fit your whole body."
"Uh... y-yeah?"
"They probably used to do it at home with basins or tubs back in the day. In harsh winters, it was hard to soak your whole body."
"Hm, makes sense. Old necessities often evolve into luxuries over time."
"......"
In the midst of their chat, Ga-eun spoke up as if struck by a thought.
"But is foot-soaking okay?"
"Huh?"
"Your hair. Didn't it grow longer from the bath earlier?"
"Oh..."
She hurriedly brought her hand to her head, feeling the slightly damp towel.
Right, sheep hairdo.
She carefully removed the towel so it wouldn't unravel.
Hmm... doesn't seem longer yet.
"How's my hair?"
She asked, swaying her head side to side.
"As cute as ever."
Brüel leaned in close and replied.
"No! Not that! Does it look grown?"
"Hmm, it looks plump and fresh..."
As Su-hyeon incredulously smacked her knees at the absurd answer, Ga-eun began scrutinizing her hair.
"Compared to before entering the jjimjilbang, it's grown about 0.05 millimeters. Slightly faster than average hair growth, but factoring in humidity and Su-hyeon-nim's traits, it's still within normal range."
"Wait, you can measure hair length that precisely?"
"It's only natural as the one serving Su-hyeon-nim closest."
Brüel puffed out her chest triumphantly toward the dumbfounded Ga-eun.
"Doesn't seem grown enough yet... but just in case, should we head out?"
"Yeah, these places are best in winter anyway. No point coming midday in warm spring weather. Let's hit the jjimjilbang rooms."
Splash splash—
As they headed to the foot bath exit, Brüel knelt on one knee in front of Su-hyeon with a towel in hand.
"Su-hyeon-nim, allow me to dry your feet."
"Ah, no, I can do that myself."
But Brüel had already laid her thigh out and spread the towel atop it, placing Su-hyeon's soft, squishy foot there.
"Sigh... They give out individual foot towels for a reason. What if you use it like that?"
Ga-eun sighed reproachfully, but Brüel didn't bat an eye.
"I'm fine."
"Huh?"
Before Ga-eun could question it, the air ripped with a sharp sound.
Pop—
"Eek—"
Su-hyeon, who had approached with her own foot towel, startled and stepped back.
"This works."
Ga-eun stared wide-eyed at Brüel.
'Did she shake it off with a kick...?'
She could guess what happened just from the one leg raised.
"Just use mine for the other foot..."
"Thank you so much."
With that, the three prepared to enjoy some proper jjimjil.
After that, we didn't get to enjoy the jjimjil properly...
"Jjimjilbangs are all about the kiln rooms!"
At my bold declaration, Brüel voiced her doubt.
"Kiln...? Isn't a kiln what Korean kings rode in the past? Was there a tyrant executed by fire?"
"Uh, I think it's from 'kiln pot,' like a big cooking pot."
Heading to the kiln room while explaining went fine.
Ga-eun opened the door first, and a blast of hot air poured out.
"Whoa, it's scorching."
"Indeed, this is the feeling."
Seeing the two express anticipation as they entered, I had to follow suit.
Hiss—
"Eek!"
My feet felt like they were cooking on the wooden floor.
Like greens blanching in boiling water.
"What're you doing? Come in."
"Uh? Y-yeah..."
As Ga-eun tilted her head while holding the door, I took a deep breath and dashed in.
"Ugh... hot."
"Should we try somewhere else?"
"No, it's still okay. Just a bit longer..."
You had to sweat it out fully in the kiln once when at a jjimjilbang, then hit other rooms.
Besides, it was Brüel's first time today.
It'd be rude if she couldn't enjoy it properly because of me.
Especially since she couldn't come often.
"Still bearable."
About a minute in?
Sweat started pouring like rain.
"Hah hah hah hah"
'Huh? This is way harder than I thought?'
"So, to work as a Hunter, you have to join a guild?"
"That's the norm? But a broadcaster like me as main gig... not sure who'd take me."
"Quite restrictive. Forcing personal actions and careers, essentially."
"Haha, yeah, big power means big responsibility vibe."
Three minutes in.
Ga-eun and Brüel were still chatting leisurely.
But I was truly at my limit now.
"Heeeek, hooeeek..."
Even inhaling was a struggle.
Lungs felt boiled through.
'Save me, Dryad...'
Instinctively, I lunged toward the cold.
Squish—
"Hm?"
Ga-eun checked the damp, soft thing pressing her forearm.
"...Su-hyeon? You okay?"
Squish squish.
No strength to reply, just shook my head—and immediately regretted it.
'Uwuk.'
Head shook, vision went black.
"Su-hyeon-nim!"
Cold sensation on both cheeks.
Probably Brüel's hands.
"Your face is way too pale!"
"Her body's still young, that's why. Better get out quick!"
Clatter crash—
Lifted in an instant, then cool air enveloped me.
"Water...!"
"Over there first! I'll grab water!"
"Ughhh..."
Inhaling brought cool air rushing through my nose.
"You with us?"
As I groaned and sat up, Ga-eun asked.
Flap flap flap—
Brüel was vigorously fanning with some hand fan she'd gotten from who-knows-where.
"Where's this?"
"Ice room."
"Ah..."
Only then did I notice the ice-like decorations on walls and ceiling.
Cool chill seeped into my palms on the floor.
A towel was spread lengthwise beneath me.
Probably to buffer the cold—couldn't use Brüel's, so Ga-eun's.
"Sorry... couldn't enjoy properly because of me."
"Don't say that again!"
"Guhk—"
Cheeks squished by both hands into a fish pout.
"If it's tough, say so—no stubbornness. That was close to disaster."
I nodded.
"Sorry, back when I was human, I handled this fine."
"Mind may be adult, but Dryad body is quite young—must be cautious."
"Yeah..."
Back then, I'd compete with friends on endurance...
Time is merciless.
Even as my body got younger.
As I wallowed in self-reproach, Brüel smiled softly and comforted me.
"No need to apologize at all. Long-lived social species are vulnerable in youth. Us elves need aid until 50."
"I see... I'll be careful."
Elves treated as adults around 50?
Anyway, my young body was sensitive to temperature shifts.
Not just heat—cold places like this hit hard too.
"Speaking of... I'm feeling kinda cold."
I rubbed the goosebumps on my arms.
Instantly, Brüel wrapped me in a towel burrito and carried me out.
"All good?"
"...Wasn't that urgent."
I mumbled from her embrace.
Felt like being swaddled in a sling.
"Better to act at first sign of issue."
"Yeah, was gonna head out soon anyway—sweated a ton."
Ga-eun followed belatedly.
"Thanks for cleanup."
"No biggie, we were together. Nothing used up."
Those two seem totally used to it now...
Out of the ice room, we stood in the hall, looking around.
I felt a twinge of guilt in Brüel's arms.
"Sigh..."
Hot places: no.
Cold places: no.
I'd confidently suggested coming, yet blocking their fun.
"Anywhere uncomfortable?"
"...Nah, nothing."
"If something bothers you, tell us. Your safety comes first."
"Us? You and Ga-eun?"
I tilted my head; Ga-eun turned.
"Duh? Nearly keeled over in the kiln—how could we not worry?"
"......Yeah."
I'd wondered if 'us' meant elves, but...
Guess I looked pretty serious.
Seeing them worry like this...
Pout.
Trying to stop my lip from drooping just made it puff out naturally.
Definitely got weaker tear ducts since this body.
Not that I'm crying now.
"...Gonna cry?"
"...No?"
Raised hands to cover eyes, but towel swaddle trapped my arms.
So I snapped my head away toward Brüel!
"Hehe, total baby. Acting like that makes you more babyish."
"Stop!"
"......Hoo, heuuu."
Every time I burrowed from Ga-eun's pokes into her embrace, Brüel's body stiffened rigid.
Like holding her breath, slowly exhaling.