Chapter 62

62nd Chapter

Amateur Massage Therapist Hassan

Chapter 62: Amateur Massage Therapist Hassan #1

I organized in my mind the story I had heard from the deer.

The deer had been cursed for some reason, undergoing the terrible punishment of transforming from a human into a deer. And it seems that for breaking the curse, there is an odd necessity to collect items belonging to virgins.

And the deer promised to offer me an appropriate reward in return for my help breaking the curse.

Virgin belongings. Acquisition. Difficulty. Scam.

“Are you asking me to participate in a scam now?”

Nod, nod.

d*mn it, even if I do join this scam, it’s a surefire way to screw up my life. I could become the enemy of all women rather than a Gold Tier hero.

Still, I had a sense of deja vu when it came to breaking curses, recalling my experiences removing various curses such as my slave mark and Luna’s.

The problem is that the beast is a bit bothersome.

I remember curing the heartworm that plagued the great white cat when taking away Nemea’s ‘White One’. Perhaps it might work for animals as well.

“Alright, I won’t participate in the scam, but I’ll give breaking the curse a try.”

And thus, I grabbed the deer’s foreleg once again.

‘Actaeon lv. ?? 16

Condition: Diana’s Curse Immature Antler Hard Hooves’

Words such as “antler” and “hooves” appeared, but right now, the important thing isn’t those. The most significant issue seems to be this “Diana’s Curse.”

Where have I seen the name Diana? Considering she casts such a mischievous curse, she’s undoubtedly a nasty character.

Shhik-.

As I turned my eyes, red spots appeared floating over the pumpkin-colored hide of the deer’s back. Most of them clustered around what might be the animal’s spine or back.

If my father were here, he could have rattled off details on an animal’s vital pressure points like the back of his hand, but I was never interested enough to study beasts thoroughly.

But at this point, I regretted it a bit. Who would’ve guessed that I’d end up pressing on a deer’s back one day.

“Stay still.”

I moved behind the deer and placed my hands on its spine. Though the structure and shape were different from humans, pressing these red spots should work somehow.

Gwook-.

Pooorl!

The deer writhed in apparent pain. My mind went fuzzy for a moment as I realized what I was doing but quickly regained control.

It seemed that pressing the spots didn’t need to be long or forceful. Just a slight push, like pressing a button, seemed sufficient.

“Alright, let’s finish this quickly.”

Hoo-.

After taking a brief deep breath, I began striking the deer’s body with my thumb like a martial arts master striking pressure points in wuxia novels.

Phf, Pffftt, Pphh!

The deer’s body, beaten like a drum, emitted strange sounds.

But I ignored them and focused all my concentration on striking every point on its body!

Ding-.

‘Actaeon’s “Diana’s Curse” has been lifted.’

‘Mission Value + 10’

‘Current Mission Value: 77′

As the words confirming the curse was lifted appeared, my mission value also increased. Thus, I turned my gaze to the young deer to see what would happen next.

Greedily, the joints of the now-transforming deer made terrible, vivid cracking sounds as it twisted its body in all directions.

Wuud, Kwaddeuk.

Its front legs bent in impossible directions, and its head swirled around 180 degrees, a scene straight out of a horror movie, making me want to look away.

d*mn it, what did I just unleash? Did I accidentally press a place I shouldn’t have known about?

While I was worrying, the deer’s hide began to bulge as if inflating into the air. Then, it flapped off like molting skin.

Under the loose hide revealed a fairly white human complexion.

“Wow, my body’s back! I’ve really become human again!”

Actaeon, rising from his seat, shouted with joy. As a human, he was a handsome man with long, pumpkin-colored hair similar to a deer’s coat.

Except, d*mn it, he’s completely n*ked, which is really awkward. Honestly, I have no desire to describe the appearance of a n*ked man.

In any case, after Actaeon fondled his arms, legs, and body with his palms, he vigorously grabbed my shoulder.

“Samarian! You’ve saved my life! Goodness, lifting Lady Diana’s curse! I thought it was all over for me! Lately, I was also losing my sanity!”

Then he embraced me so hard I thought I’d break.

The extent of physical contact between men usually stops at the shoulder, so this was a clear overstep, making me feel uncomfortable. But he was too strong to resist!

His deer horns growing out of his head especially annoyed me. Somehow, he didn’t fully transform back into a human.

But since he didn’t seem to care, I kept silent.

“Let me go!”

“Wow, lifting that dreadful curse! Truly remarkable! Even among Kairos’ apprentices, none possess such curse-breaking abilities! You’re truly my hero!”

Regardless, it was evident the man was extremely pleased.

Seeing him rejoice like someone given a new life, the doubts and hostilities I had earlier dissipated, and my heart softened somewhat.

“d*mn, so why did you turn into a deer?”

“For violating a taboo. But beyond that, I can’t say. Anyway, I’m genuinely thankful to you. Are you an adventurer from the Mars Guild? What’s your name?”

Guuuuk-.

His grip on my shoulder was so strong it felt like it was going to be torn off.

Moreover, this n*ked man was not only strong but also radiated an intimidating aura, making it clear he was no ordinary person.

“I’m Hassan of Samaria.”

“Is that so, Hassan of Samaria. I am Actaeon, a disciple of Kairos and a member of the Argus Expedition Team. I’m a Gold Tier adventurer from the Minerva Guild.”

“Gold Tier?”

At the mention of Gold Tier, I felt dizzy. I never imagined meeting an actual Gold Tier adventurer that I’d only heard about.

Though, the idea of a n*ked, jubilant homosexual was making me feel a bit dirty. Maybe I should’ve left him as a deer. A deer that talks like a human would have been far more valuable.

“In any case, I won’t forget this favor. For now, the best reward I can offer is this.”

The man showed me the junk piled up in his cave.

But they were utterly useless junk items, which seemed like things even a variety store or antique shop might refuse.

“I don’t really want those. How about giving me back some of the money you took from Luna yesterday?”

“Luuna? Do you mean Kore with the pink hair? That money? My partner Phar probably spent it all already. It got costly dealing with the curse removal and all.”

“d*mn it, then quietly come with me to the guard station.”

*

“Wow, isn’t this Actaeon? He was reported missing, and many believed he was dead! Why are you n*ked? And what’s with the horns on your head?”

The guards were visibly shocked when they saw Actaeon dragged in by me.

Apparently, Actaeon was a very famous Gold Tier adventurer in Sodomora, known for his great skills.

It made sense that people were surprised to see him suddenly appear and held captive, although there were various reasons for it.

“In short, it’s a long story. Sorry for the trouble. Pharaoh and I will accept our punishment. Don’t ask any more questions.”

“Guuuuh….”

Pharaoh, with her cheeks puffed up, answered. She had been beaten up by Rene and was bruised all over, looking quite battered.

“By accident, we got the reward money. Samarian.”

The deer scam group’s 50 silver reward. Rene got 25 silver as her share for capturing Pharaoh. Although it’s a bit frustrating, that’s how the bureaucratic procedures work with the guild.

Still, the 25 silver I received was a substantial amount. My pocket, now filled with approximately 47 silver, felt heavier.

Of course, heavier pockets always bring better moods.

Anyway, having finished all my business at the guard station, there was nothing left to do here. As I was about to leave, Actaeon called out from behind me.

“Samarian of Hassan. I’ll never forget the favor you’ve done for me until the day I d*e. Please take this.”

When I looked at what he was offering, it turned out to be a deer skin with luxurious fur that gleamed brilliantly. It was much larger than an ordinary deer skin and was long and flowing like a carpet.

As I nonchalantly took it, Actaeon added a few more words.

“If Master Kairos were still alive, I could have also recommended you for a referral. It’s a shame, but I believe we’ll meet again.”

With that, Luna and I left the guard station. Naturally, we made our way to the barn Luna had purchased for three gold pieces.

Upon entering the locked barn, we found it stark and dismal without any furniture or wallpaper.

I thinly spread some straw onto the cold floor and unfurled the deer hide I had just received. It seemed to add a bit of warmth to this coarse space.

“Warm! Amazingly soft! We don’t need anything else on the floor with just this!”

Luna, lying down on it, grinned widely in satisfaction, showing her white teeth. She appeared extremely pleased with it.

I was also content to finally have something suitable to place on the floor. After all, a warm and soft floor gives the feeling of human livability.

“You should probably take off your shoes before coming inside.”

“Should I?”

Thus, Luna untied the straps of her sandals and neatly placed them in the corner.

Sap, sap.

“Feels incredible!”

Watching her cute barefoot steps tap gently on the deer carpet, a certain part of me inexplicably began to grow. After all, Luna’s exposed skin was quite stimulating to me, and thus it was understandable.

In any case, I turned my eyes away to calm my mind. The floor looked pretty decent now with the carpet, but everything else still looked quite barren.

“We should patch up the ceiling and walls. This time, I’ll help you.”

“Um, are you sure it’s alright? I feel guilty…”

Luna looked genuinely remorseful, struggling to continue her sentence.

Thinking of something, I pulled out a bundle of coins from my pocket, extracted 13 pieces of silver coins, and placed them in Luna’s hands.

“The 5 silver you lost, plus 30% of the mission reward, 8 silver, making it 13 silver.”

“13 silver? I-I can’t believe you’re giving me so much!?”

“Fixing this place will cost a fair bit of money anyway. Next time, don’t fall for scams and let’s go shopping together.”

Who knows, she might fall for another scam. It’s better if I watch over her from close by for some reassurance.

Anyway, lying on the plush deer hide, we spent some time sharing dried meat given by the guards and other things.

As it was getting time to sleep, Luna hesitantly spoke to me.

“Hassan, … I have a favor to ask….”

“Request?”

Luna usually had a strong sense of independence. Although she depended on me for many things, she always insisted on handling things by herself, which is why it was quite surprising to receive her request.

“What is it?”

“C-Could you… massage my legs for me? They’re sore…”

“Massage your legs?”

“…”

Luna, with a deeply flushed face, didn’t reply further. She had probably already exhausted her patience and embarrassment just by asking for the massage.

“Alright, lie down on the carpet.”

Swoosh.

At my request, Luna lay face down on the carpet with her back facing the ceiling. Consequently, the whiteness of the back of her knees and soles of her feet caught my eye piercingly.

I never imagined I’d have another chance to touch her soft body.

This is just a massage, not a medical act or any kind of obscene behavior. So there’s no problem with it regarding any chastity oath or Clepios law.

Even so, I kept getting nervous, and my palms started sweating. In an attempt to control it, I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants and said,

“Then I’ll start pressing.”

Thus, my hands gently touched Luna’s little feet.

Flinch.

Perhaps unfamiliar with the sensation, her legs quivered momentarily, but Luna didn’t withdraw or resist and relaxed her legs.

After encasing Luna’s diminutive feet with both my hands, I used my thumbs to gently push the soles of her feet, moving upward as if pressing.

“Bh-… It’s a bit painful….”

“Your soles are a bit swollen.”

Luna must’ve been walking a lot today, either in the forest or the market. Massaging her legs will help prevent swelling tomorrow.

“Ang… Hmm… Initially, it hurt, but now this pain feels good… Hmmu…”

“Isn’t that why?”

Luna’s warm and soft soles were incredibly pliable. I felt like I could just keep touching them forever.

Kkeokk.

“Hey, don’t sniff…!”

“It’s not, I’m just checking your health status. You’re healthy.”

Of course, the health check was a lie. But it’s true that some famous quacks reportedly determine health by the taste of sweat or body odor.

Nevertheless, to reinforce that this is a massage, I didn’t forget to press on the hollow parts of the soles or stretch her toes out gently.

Gwuk, gwuuuk.

Especially when applying acupressure, I stubbornly stimulated the soles’ central “Yongcheon” point, which is also a pressure point responsible for several functional aspects in women.

“Aaah….”

This is a highly stimulating area on a woman.

“Hm… Hmmu… Head… Hmm! Hassan, it feels strange!!”

Judging by the sounds echoing in the darkness, my massage seemed to please her. Soon, Luna started convulsing, flailing her body as if she had a seizure.

“No, stop, Hassan! I-I-I can’t bear it! I’ll go to the bathroom!”

Before I could respond, she slipped her foot out of my hand and hastily left the barn. It seemed like she had an urgent need to go.

Did I take the atmosphere a bit too far and make a mistake? Right at that moment, I was slightly self-critical.

A few minutes later, Luna re-entered the barn with her cheeks blushed red and said to me.

“Hassan, this time I’ll do it for you.”

“For me?”

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