Chapter 80: You Can Open a Chain Branch.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: You Can Open a Chain Branch.
“Hmm.”
-My pelvis hurts a little again, just like it did before the massage.
After sending Yeong-eun home, I reread Hyun-kyung’s text message one more time.
The fact that she had returned to the state she was in before the massage—that was what I focused on.
Was the massage merely a temporary fix?
‘This is a problem.’
I had started the massages to help rehabilitate Hyun-kyung’s uncomfortable pelvis. Of course, I didn't expect the massages to completely cure her body. I hadn't started this as a rehabilitation specialist in the first place.
‘But it’s troublesome if the pain returns after only a full day.’
However, she had clearly stated that she felt no pain immediately after the massage. There were smooth movements and precise pressure points. Was it just a temporary booster effect?
Of course, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing if the massage's effects only lasted a day. It meant Hyun-kyung would keep coming back.
The problem was that she had to fly abroad for a competition. Could I follow her? For a day or two, sure. But the competition itself lasted two weeks, and considering the time needed for local adjustment and other factors, she would have to leave much earlier.
It was impossible for me to follow her for that entire duration. I had my own life to lead.
‘And I have other members to look after.’
In the end, there was only one solution: installing the Medic Care Place.
To recruit Hyun-kyung as an official member, to ensure she could compete smoothly, and for my own convenience, the Medic Care Place was a necessity.
“So this is how you force me to buy it.”
I didn't like the system’s point policy. But it wasn't like I had a way out.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue.
“Convert all SP and purchase the Medic Care Place.”
[Purchasing Medic Care Place.]
[Gym Level has been upgraded to Level 7.]
[The overall size of the rooms, including the living room area, has increased.]
[Congratulations. As a reward for reaching Level 7, you can designate an arbitrary area as a gym-only space.]
[You can now install Private Rooms.]
Wait. What’s a gym-only space?
[You can separate the current square footage of your home to create a space dedicated exclusively to the gym.]
“Does this mean I can create an annex?”
[That is correct. The system classifies it as a Chain Branch.]
[A Chain Branch is recognized as a gym even by people who are not under hypnosis.]
An annex—no, a Chain Branch. It meant I could create a new space separate from my current home.
“Is there any benefit to that?”
[It is useful when a new space is created and you need to control multiple members simultaneously. Furthermore, upon establishing a Chain Branch, you can place a dedicated trainer under your command.]
“I can have a trainer other than myself?”
[Correct. However, only females are permitted.]
Only female trainers, huh? That wasn't bad. I had no intention of letting another man into my gym. Who could I bring on as a trainer? A few people came to mind.
“I’ll think about that later.”
Right now, inspecting the Medic Care Place was far more important. Hyun-kyung was coming tomorrow.
“Then, the Medic Care Place is…”
As soon as I thought about installing the Place, the system categorized the available spaces, just as it had for the changing room and shower room. I installed the Medic Care Place in the empty space next to the kitchen.
Thump!
With a sensation like the ground shaking, a new door appeared where I had installed the Place. I opened the door.
“Whoa.”
It was a vast space, looking to be about 40 pyeong. In this room, which was as large as the living room I had expanded through the system, various unfamiliar machines were already installed and waiting.
[The Medic Care Place is a space capable of athlete rehabilitation, member fatigue recovery, healing, and skin improvement. Separate rooms can be installed within it.]
“You said before it was only for athlete rehabilitation.”
[That function is the basic feature of the Medic Care Place.]
[The Trainer can currently only use the basic functions.]
[The following are the systems currently available in the Medic Care Place:]
[Rehabilitation Program]
[Massage Room – Added as an extra based on the Trainer’s traits.]
[Introducing the separate rooms that can be installed in the Place:]
[Sauna Room – Enables fatigue recovery and vitality enhancement.]
[Tanning Room – Skin care including regular tanning and white tanning.]
[Waxing Room – Body hair removal.]
[Powder Room – Enables the production of protein and cosmetics using the Trainer’s semen.]
[Healing Room – A place to take a rest(?) in various senses of the word.]
…
[All additional rooms that can be installed are private-style rooms. General weight and cardio-related rooms can be installed separately in the living room.]
“Wow… It feels like I’m finally using the main functions properly.”
Is that why the system insisted I install it? There were all sorts of rooms. There was even…
[SM Room – A room for members who wish to suffer more through exercise.]
Why on earth is this needed in a gym?
The private rooms in the living room had things like this too. After admiring the absurdly diverse private rooms for a while, I finally snapped out of it and looked at the Medic Care Place.
From simple massage machines to supports for leg rehab, devices for finger rehab, treadmills designed for professional athletes, and machines to test cardiopulmonary endurance—there was every kind of equipment imaginable.
[Rehabilitation Program – Increases basic rehabilitation effects by 2x. Repeating the same treatment a specific number of times results in permanent recovery.]
[Massage Room – Increases massage effects by 4x.]
“Holy crap.”
A fourfold increase in effects? And permanent rehabilitation? This was perfect for Hyun-kyung. I’d have to check how many repetitions were required, but the key was that the effects could become permanent. Buying this was definitely the right choice.
“This is great. Really great.”
With this, I had laid the foundation so I wouldn't have to worry when Hyun-kyung arrived.
“Right, I need to bring Hyun-kyung to the gym…”
She’d find it strange if a room that wasn't in my house suddenly appeared.
“I should separate it right away.”
Now was the time to utilize the Chain Branch I gained through the Medic Care service.
“Let’s open a Chain Branch.”
[Creating a Women-Only Gym Chain Branch.]
[Current available square footage of the house – Living Room 38 pyeong, Bedroom 12 pyeong, Game Room 10 pyeong, Kitchen 10 pyeong, Medic Care 40 pyeong…]
Including the shower and changing rooms, it was nearly 150 pyeong. Wait, my house was that big? Wow. It had expanded bit by bit, so I hadn't realized how massive it had become.
It was monstrous. Lately, the only rooms I actually used were the bedroom and the living room. I didn't even think of the shower or changing rooms as part of the "house" unless I was organizing clothes.
‘I haven't even touched the game room since I got the system.’
150 pyeong was large enough to run a massive restaurant.
“First, let’s take half of the Medic Care Place for the Chain Branch, and move the game room to the Chain Branch entirely.”
I also split the shower and changing rooms in half and allocated them to the Chain Branch. Finally, by moving 10 pyeong of the living room, I established my first Chain Branch.
[Opening Chain Branch.]
[You can assign a trainer. 0/1]
[No trainers currently owned.]
I could see my house shrinking in real-time.
“The Chain Branch is made. So, how do I get into it?”
[The Trainer can move through the door connected to the game room.]
“Is that so?”
Following the system’s instructions, I opened the door connected to the game room. There, along with the game room, the new gym I had pieced together as a Chain Branch unfolded before my eyes.
“Heh…”
A few machines were placed in a small living area, and there were two doors connected to it. One would be the game room, and the other the Medic Care Place.
“It’d be a waste to just throw away the computers, so I should remodel that room into an office.”
But then again.
“I can move here, but how do other people get here?”
[It is simple.]
The system then displayed an address.
[Gwanak-gu, Seoul…]
It looked like an address near my house.
[This is the current address of the Chain Branch. Temporary members and civilians invited by the Trainer can visit the Gwanak Branch by entering the building at this address.]
“So I just show them this address and tell them to come?”
[Correct.]
Understood. It wasn't a bad system. You really do have a plan for everything, don't you?
*
“Is it here?”
Hyun-kyung arrived at the address Jae-ho had sent, accompanied by her manager. It was a small building in the downtown area of Gwanak-gu. Jae-ho’s gym was supposedly in this building, which didn't even have a sign.
“Doing business without a sign in this day and age.”
Does he not want to make money? No, that’s not it. He’s so confident in his skills that he doesn't feel the need for a sign. Just look. He only gave me the gym’s address after inviting me to his house once and making me desperate.
“A scary man.”
Ever since she had received that massage from him, she had become a prisoner of Jae-ho’s fingers. She bit her lip. Her entire body flushed with sensitivity at the thought of receiving that massage again today. What kind of massage, what kind of rehab training would he give her this time? She began to look forward to it.
“Ah, you wait around here. If there’s nowhere to rest, use the money I gave you to rent a motel room for a few hours.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll wait in a nearby cafe.”
“Make sure you get some proper rest.”
After sending her manager away, Hyun-kyung entered Jae-ho’s gym. Passing through a somewhat shabby staircase and entering a room that looked like a gym through a transparent glass door…
“You’re here?”
Jae-ho was waiting, in the middle of a workout.
“There’s… no one else here?”
“Yes, you’re the first guest today, Hyun-kyung.”
“Ah, I see…”
“For now, we primarily offer one-on-one customized service.”
“Aha.”
Was it the kind of gym that only a few select members could use?
“I’ve prepared a few rehabilitation-specific machines just for you, Hyun-kyung.”
“Rehab machines?”
“Yes, would you like to see?”
“I’d love to. But more than that, the massage…”
“Ah, so you liked the massage. Haha, then shall we register your membership before we start?”
“Ah, membership… I should. Of course.”
If she could receive Jae-ho’s massage, she would register her membership as many times as it took.
“Now, please sign here… and could you look at my phone for a moment?”
“Your phone?”
Hyun-kyung looked at Jae-ho’s phone. On the screen was an icon of a small girl holding a dumbbell. And around that girl, a spiral pattern was spinning.
Every time she saw that pattern, the strength drained from her body and her eyelids grew heavy. The feeling of her entire body going limp was like being buried in clouds. It felt good. She didn't want to leave the feeling of being warmly embraced. A comfortable, soft sensation.
She closed her eyes without realizing it.
“Hyun-kyung?”
At Jae-ho’s voice, Hyun-kyung’s eyes snapped open.
“Ah, yes?”
“Are you okay?”
“Oh, sorry. I just felt a sudden wave of sleepiness.”
“Well, you signed properly, and now that you’re officially registered, you are a member of our gym.”
“I’m… a member of the gym…?”
“Yes.”
Jae-ho continued with a refreshing smile.
“Now, since you’re a member, what should we do before the massage?”
“Ah, that would be…”
Changing clothes, right? She had to wear clothes suitable for receiving a massage. But what clothes was she supposed to wear? It was strange. She was sure she had brought some clothes with her. She couldn't remember. What clothes had she brought?
Hyun-kyung opened the gym bag she had brought. Inside were a white cotton T-shirt and short pants.
“Eek!”
Why did she bring these clothes? How shameless. Was she too excited about working out? She had brought embarrassing clothes that she shouldn't have. To think she brought clothes she’d only wear alone at home—she must have lost her mind.
“I-I’m sorry. I think I brought the wrong clothes…”
“Ah, that can happen. Then change into this. It’s the best outfit for a massage.”
What Jae-ho held out… was a leather harness and a garter belt.
“T-This is…?”
“Did you forget? To get a massage, you have to take off all your underwear and only wear this. We need to minimize the area covered by fabric.”
“Ah… W-Was that it?”
“Did you forget?”
“N-No way.”
Hyun-kyung looked at the harness and garter belt with trembling eyes.
“I have to take off my panties and bra too, right?”
“Of course.”
“I understand.”
Having finished speaking, Hyun-kyung boldly pulled off her T-shirt. As she removed her top, her chest, tightly wrapped in bandages, was revealed.
“Huh?”
Jae-ho’s expression turned strange. He looked surprised.
“What is it?”
“What’s with the bandages?”
“Oh, that. I have a complex about my chest. So…”
With a shy smile, Hyun-kyung began to unwrap the bandages. And then…