abcnovels
Chapter 58
Chapter 58:
[Meditation]
"(Zabaa~! Zabasha~!… Brrrr!)" Inhales deeply "Phew~!"
I emerged from the salt sauna. Without realizing it, an hour and a half had passed. That would be enough to kill someone. Good kids should never try to imitate it.
Leaving the salt sauna, I rinsed off the slimy mixture of sweat and dissolved salt with a wooden bucket from the water pot flavored with a hint of watermelon. Ahh, I feel refreshed. The unpleasant and uneasy aura I had experienced in the dungeon had completely disappeared.
"But if I continue like this, I might suffer from dehydration."
However, this super public bath has a wonderful oasis. It's a cold water dispenser, installed at the entrance of the bathing area for times like these. I gulp down water from the dispenser and then relax on one of the reclining chairs lined up outdoors, allowing the natural heat to dissipation.
(Ahh~ It feels so good.)
Despite basking in the scorching summer sun, the gentle breeze passing through feels incredibly pleasant.
Moreover, lazing around in the super public bath on a weekday afternoon is pure bliss. I'm not born into a wealthy family, so I can't imagine a greater luxury.
(……)
The burning sensation of the sun on my skin is soothing, and the coolness of the wind soothes the heat radiating from my body.
(But, what was that earlier?)
I try to recall the impact I felt during the salt meditation in the sauna, but the memories are hazy. Vivid yet dreamlike. Was it real or was it just a dream?
However, while pondering over such matters, I shift my focus to my stats and realize that I have gained a new skill.
Current Previous
Level 37 36
Race: Human
Strength 212 200
Stamina 218 201
Intelligence 215 202
Spirit 240 220josei
Agility 220 208
Luck 133 103
Dexterity 221 200
Skills:
[Acid 1.1] · [Agility] · [Disease Resistance 5] · [Usurpation] · [Mucus 2] · [Space 2] · [Strong Luck 1.3] · [Footwork] · [Meditation]
Title:
[Bug King]
Meditation, I had acquired the skill [Meditation]. Through salt meditation, I gained it. I've always had a deep interest in spiritual matters. But I never really took the time to meditate. The daily grind of work and everyday life kept me busy, and I never even considered slowing down to meditate. It was merely a coincidence that my recent lifestyle change led me to incorporate meditation.
Nevertheless, I'm grateful.
Meditation is something that strong characters do daily to maintain their condition at a high level.
If I can incorporate it into my routine, it'd be wonderful. The exact effects are still unknown, but I expect it to be good.
Anyway, I left the bath. I spent too much time, an hour and a half, in the salt sauna. I would quickly settle the bill and leave, but this time I decided to take a break on the sofa while enjoying a drink.
The entrance to the men's and women's baths in this super public bath faces each other, and in the middle, there is a counter selling drinks and ice cream.
If I'm alone, I wouldn't use it. But today is an exception. They had a lineup of juices that claimed to be good for beauty and health, so I chose a blueberry-based fruit mix juice that was gentle on the eyes and quenched my thirst.
(Now, I'm looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of skill [Meditation] is. I hope it's a healing skill.)
As I was thinking about that while relaxing on the sofa…
"Oh?"
A woman passing by behind me suddenly spoke, directing her voice toward me.
Moreover, I recognized that voice, so I immediately reacted and turned around.
"Hm…?"
"Hello, are you alone today?"
Twisting my body and turning to face the woman behind me, I saw a staff member from a massage parlor holding some luggage, looking down at me.
"Oh, thank you. Yes, I'm alone today."
I answered the question with a greeting, even though it didn't matter.
It was more like a social exchange that naturally came out of my mouth, honed during my salaryman days.
"Oh, in that case… How about getting a massage today as well?"
The staff member leaned forward, trying to make a sales pitch.
"Hmm, I wonder…"
I want to go home quickly and research [Meditation].
"Oh, oh! If you don't have much time, we have a quick course! It's only 20 minutes, so it's fast! I'm in charge now, and you can do it without waiting! So, how about it!?"
The pressure from the staff member was strong.
But, I don't dislike this kind of assertive staff member.
She had a head of dirty blonde hair that made her look trendy at first glance, but her work seemed meticulous and carried the demeanor of a skilled artisan. Maybe she approached me just because she was enthusiastic about sales, but she also could stir the heart of a guy who's usually alone. It's not the same as having a companion. Well, maybe it's different.
After all, we're just going downstairs.
…..
"All right, please have a seat here."
In front of me, as I was guided into the massage parlor, some chairs looked like fitness equipment. Hmm, so this is where I sit.
"Like this…?"
"Yes, please lean forward… and place your face here…"
For the quick 20-minute massage, I would sit in this chair-like fitness equipment and have my shoulders and back massaged. I sit on the seat and lean my body against the cushion that supports my arms and chest. My face also rests on a cushion but gets covered with a paper sheet for hygiene purposes.
"Oh, I see. She has this kind of setup too…"
I'm receiving a massage while sitting. It feels much more comfortable than sitting upright since I can lean back on the chair. As I enjoy the comfortable seating of the massage chair, I suddenly feel a warm sensation on my back.
"(Hishii… Fuyon… Gyuuhhhh… Guri guri guri…)"
(Is this!?)
No, don't be fooled, me. The person behind me is a professional massage therapist. Even though it feels like she's hugging my back, there must be some purpose behind it.
(Hah! I see!!)
I understand now! She truly is a professional massage therapist. It seems that this staff member is also a skilled user of chakra. Well, she works as a masseuse, so it's not strange for her to be involved in yoga or similar practices. It's probably my immaturity that I couldn't recognize that from her great physique.
Without knowing this, I'm getting embraced from behind. I couldn't help but feel a little excited. How embarrassing.
"(Kunka kunka… Suu~ Haaah… Ah, sturdy…)"
(Mmm… Some unique breathing techniques!?…)
I see. Yoga means "connection" in Sanskrit. By pressing her forehead against my back and bringing us into close contact with the sixth chakra, Ajna, located in the forehead, and not hesitating to make direct contact with the fourth chakra, Anahata, the heart chakra located in the chest, she can intuitively sense the condition of the target and perform a pre-treatment examination.
"That's… amazing."
"Haa… It's amazing (Haa haa)."
As I thought. Hah! Could it be? Usually, the staff member from the massage parlor is on the first floor, but today, just today, she was on the second floor. Perhaps she sensed my burst of chakra from the salt meditation, Salt Meditation, in some way and came to investigate the cause. Oh, she's incredible, that staff member. Who knew she was such an amazing chakra user?
"Haa haa… Well, then I will start the treatment now (Gyuuhhh!)."
Whoa, she's here! An immediate attack on my shoulder pressure points. Her four slender fingers grip my trapezius muscle, and her thumb digs deep into the pressure point between my shoulder blades. Moreover, it seems the staff is concentrating on using her body weight for the acupressure technique, as her chest is pressed tightly against my back, rubbing against it, completely unaware.
(Suri suri surii… Kosu kosu kosuu…)
Uh… Along with the stimulation of the massage, I can feel the sensation of her chest. And to make matters worse, lately, I've been giving Sera rides on my bike a lot, so my sensitivity in the back area has increased rapidly.
"Haa haa haa… (Gyuuhhh!)"
Ah, what a pathetic guy I am. Despite the staff member doing her best to massage me, even though she's breathing heavily, all I can think about are lewd things.
"Haa haa… By the way, what happened to the usual companions you bring with you?"
"Oh, we're going on a trip to the beach in Izu over the weekend. Today, we had a meeting about that—"
"A beach trip!? (Thump!)"
It seems like the staff member has latched onto the beach topic.
"Huh? Well, they wanted to enjoy their last summer, so they insisted—"
"Wait, wait a moment! I-I know a lot about Izu!"
Saying that the staff member left me sitting in the chair and hurriedly left the area. But after about 2-3 minutes, she returned and told me about a recommended beach in Izu. She's going above and beyond, this staff member. She's so customer-oriented.
Today's massage felt really good. My impure thoughts got in the way, so I couldn't fully appreciate her techniques. That was a loss.
"Here you go♪ This is your membership card. When you visit here, please drop by our place too, Ezuki-san."
She recommended I create a membership card since I'd use her services frequently. The staff member handed me the massage parlor's membership card, holding my hand as she did so. It seems that this staff member, just like Serai-san, is skilled in friendly touches.
If I weren't used to Serai-san, I would have misunderstood it and thought, "Could this woman be interested in me?" It's so bothersome.