Chapter 31

Here’s the English translation of the provided novel excerpt, adhering to the given glossary and maintaining the original tone and style:

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Episode 31

The Lion Takes Pride.

031 ? The Lion Takes Pride. #2

“Uh, Miss Witch? Wh-what is this…?”

“My experiment table—! I dissect things here—! And prepare ingredients—!”

I get that it’s something like an operating or experiment table, but why are you lying face down on it? Of course, I didn’t have the guts to ask that.

Because from afar, a white-furred cat was glaring daggers at me.

“Relax—! Our Whitey here is sweet—! She won’t bite—!”

The hell? That just makes it scarier. Being in the same room as a lion I was just fighting moments ago is unnerving as hell.

Lick—

H-hey, is that b*stard savoring its meal right now?

“C’mon, friend—! My shoulders have been so stiff lately—! Can’t focus on work—! Mind loosening them up—? I’ll pay properly—! 1 silver—!”

1 silver? You’re telling me I can earn that much just by massaging a girl’s shoulders?

A miraculous wave of greed surges within me, overpowering my fear of the lion.

So, I slowly reached out toward the witch Nemea, who was sprawled out on what could be called an operating table, experiment table, or whatever.

Right then—

Grrrrrl—!

The massive white-furred cat bared its fangs and growled.

“Be good, Whitey—.”

“Uh, just asking—is that thing male?”

“Nope, she’s a girl—! Like a little sister to me—! Anyway, lying like this is uncomfortable—! Hurry up and rub—!”

“Ah, y-yes—.”

And so, my hands finally reached the witch’s shoulders.

“Hah—! Ugh—! Hhh—! Y-you’re too strong—!”

“…I haven’t even pressed down yet.”

“Joking—! You’re way too tense—! Like someone’s about to eat you—? Relax—! I won’t eat you yet—!”

“‘Yet’ means you will eat me someday?”

“….”

Wait, why the hell aren’t you answering that?

Anyway, the sheer horror of sharing a space with a giant cat that looked ready to claw me any second made me decide to finish this job and bolt. Plus, the sewer stench clinging to me was unbearable—I needed a wash.

“Uh, then let me check your wrist for a moment… I’ll take your pulse.”

“Pulse—? Sure—.”

Ding—.

『Name: Nemea Lv. ??

Status: Chronic Fatigue》 Back Pain》 Shoulder Stiffness》 ????》 ????》 ????》 ????》 ????》 ????》 ????』

What? There are more statuses than last time. Wait, didn’t I cure her chronic fatigue before? Why’s it back?

Maybe it’s a typo, but that’s probably not the case.

“Miss Witch, does your back hurt?”

“Wow—! Amazing—! Friend—! You can tell just from my pulse—?”

“And your body’s fatigued too—?”

“Yep—! After you massaged me last time, I felt light for a while, but then it all came crashing back—! If I’d always been heavy, fine—! But going from light back to heavy? Ugh, it’s torture—.”

“Ah—.”

That’s how massages and chiropractic work.

Right after, you feel light as a feather, but within hours—or days—your body sags back to its usual state. Fatigue doesn’t vanish from a few rubs.

But people chase that fleeting lightness, rushing back to massage parlors. And the more you go, the better it feels.

Anyway, chronic conditions aren’t so easily cured. Another lesson learned.

“I’ll start with your shoulders, then.”

I pressed my thumbs into the reddened spots at the base of her neck—Fengchi points. I remember the name but forgot what pressing them does.

“Hng—! Y-you said shoulders, but you’re pressing my neck—?”

“The body’s all connected. Shoulder pain might not be from the shoulders. Do you jut your chin forward often?”

“My chin—?”

“If you keep sticking it out like a turtle, your neck muscles strain, and that tension spreads to your shoulders.”

“Even the shoulders—?”

“And if your shoulders tire, your whole body feels it.”

Sounds convincing, but it’s pure bullshit.

I have no medical knowledge—just half-baked stuff I picked up. But my dad said health center clients eat up plausible explanations.

“Makes sense—! I do lean forward—! My chest is big—! My whole body tilts—! Is that the issue—? Ah—! Hah—! So refreshing…! My spine’s tingling—!”

The witch trembled, making old-man noises. Whatever I was doing, she loved it.

At this point, I wondered how effective my massage really was. I prefer receiving massages, but the feeling of someone else’s hands is worlds apart from doing it yourself.

Anyway, I kept kneading her slender neck, nape, and shoulders.

Compared to Elpride’s firm muscles or Luna’s doughy softness, Nemea’s thin neck and shoulders sank under my fingers like marshmallows.

Ding—.

『Cured Nemea’s Chronic Fatigue》.

Cured Nemea’s Shoulder Stiffness.

Quest Progress + 20』

Nice—two statuses cured at once. This ability’s efficiency is insane. Maybe the body is all connected like my nonsense suggested.

“Nnngh…! W-wow, so good—! This—! This—! Once you know this feeling—! You can’t go back—! My head’s so clear—!”

The witch slumped on the table like a microwaved bun, utterly blissed out. My confidence in my skills grew.

“Now, your lower back. May I lift your clothes a bit?”

“My oh my—! How lewd—! Undressing me—?”

“D-direct contact works better…”

“Hehe, you’re quite the pervert—! But I trust you—! Can you fix my back—? I tweaked it moving stuff—.”

“I’ll try.”

“Great—.”

I expected her to hike her skirt, but Nemea untied her off-shoulder dress, baring her shoulders, back, and waist.

Her skin was porcelain-smooth, gleaming under the lamp. And—holy sh*t—even from the back, her sideboob was visible. How big are those things?

No wonder her body aches. Carrying those melons around must be exhausting. Mine weigh me down daily.

“Ready—! I don’t show this to just anyone—! Count yourself honored, friend—.”

“Uh, then… I’ll begin.”

Red spots dotted her lower back near her hips. As I touched them—

“Hyaaah—!?”

Nemea’s shriek made me yank my hands back.

“S-sorry—!”

sh*t, if she cries s*xual harassment, I’m screwed. This world’s punishments for that are horrific.

“N-no—! Just startled—! Keep going—! Joking—!”

Her voice was calm again, but that scream didn’t sound like a joke.

“Faster—!”

“Y-yes—.”

I placed my palms back on her waist. Just that contact made her shudder violently.

“Pressing now—.”

Squish—.

“Ooh—! Nngh—!”

Something unbelievable happened. As I pressed, Nemea’s pelvis floated up, her plump rear lifting skyward.

“M-Miss Witch?”

“Fine—! Keep going—! And—! Slap it—! With your palm—!”

“L-like this?”

Pat, pat—.

“Hngaaah—! Th-this can’t be—! How—!”

Slapping her waist? What kind of massage is this? But she seemed way into it, breath ragged. Is she a freak?

I pondered diverse species’ diverse tastes as I kept slapping. With each pat, her breathing grew wilder.

“Hn—! H-harder—! Yes—! Like that—!”

Wait, this feels familiar.

Grrrl—.

The giant cat grooming itself in the corner meowed softly. Cat + waist slapping = ?

Then it hit me—two years ago, back when I binged YouTube, I’d seen a video about feline erogenous zones.

Holy sh*t, is this a cat’s sweet spot?

Her arched back and trembling b*tt looked exactly like cats getting b*tt pats.

“Hah—! Ah—! No way—! This is—!”

She rubbed her thighs together, breathing heavily. This felt way too much like touching somewhere inappropriate.

“Nnnngh—! Hhhh—!”

Soon, Nemea was making sounds no human should.

Her long red hair swayed as she thrashed. I managed to ask:

“Uh, s-should I stop?”

“Nooo—! Keep going—!”

Brrr—.

Minutes later, her b*tt was practically touching the ceiling—less a massage recipient, more a sprinter in starting blocks.

Ding—.

『Cured Nemea’s Back Pain》.』

“Grrraaah—!”

With the notification, Nemea roared.

I nearly pissed myself.

Predator cries make prey freeze or wet themselves—and I was this close to doing both. Thank god I’d already used the sewer.

“Ah—! Uh—! Wh-what was—! Hnn—! So weird—!”

Nemea sat up, rearranging her dress. Backlit, only her red eyes and long fangs gleamed unnaturally.

Whoosh, clatter—.

Wind blew through the rattling window, her crimson hair swaying like a beast’s mane.

“Friend—! Why so dazed—? Get up—.”

She yanked me upright with inhuman strength—more like plucking a radish than helping.

“Friend—! You’ve got quite the skill—! Are those hands special—?”

She sniffed my palms, her feral demeanor sending shivers down my spine.

“Dunno—! But getting closer to you sounds fun—! It’s been years since I’ve felt this hot—! But—.”

Sniff sniff—.

“You stink—! Ugh—! I can’t stand it—! My nose is sharper than Hamelin’s—!”

“Uh, c-can I go then? I need to wash up…”

“No.”

“Huh?”

Her voice wasn’t lazy or soft—it was a growl from deep within.

“Grrrr, I can’t hold back.”

Oh f*ck, she’s literally growling!

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[Author’s Note]

Likes, shares, coupons, and comments!!!!!!! Always grateful!!!!!! Whip this word-slave Mitchew!!!!!

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