Chapter 39.1


    I took a deep breath and recalled the instructions for the Bloodbathtub.


    First, fill the tub with warm water.


    <b>1- Add clean water to the tub as much as you like.</b>


    <b>(‘Bathtub of Youth – Foot Massage Edition’ is a product that does not support automatic water filling.)</b>


    As instructed, I poured enough warm water from the sink into the tub to submerge a plush doll.


    Then…


    This is where the main process begins.


    <b>2- Once the water is filled to the desired level, pour at least 200ml of fresh blood over it.</b>


    <b>The fresher the blood, especially from a healthy and lively subject, the better the effects.</b> The very idea that such nonsense was written in a polite and friendly font seemed absurd, but thankfully, I had a substitute.


    I lifted the wild ginseng.


    With scissors, I cut off one of the medium-sized outer roots.


    ‘Ugh.’


    Dark purple sap, nauseating to look at, oozed from the severed root.


    I was immensely grateful for the rubber gloves I wore.


    Careful not to touch the sap, I ced the severed root against the edge of the Bloodbathtub.


    And then, a remarkable sight unfolded.


    <i>Bubble, bubble.</i>


    The sap that touched the water began to froth, releasing a fantastic aroma.


    “……!”


    The nauseating, dark purple sap transformed into a rich, beautiful, rose-colored cream that shimmered brilliantly.


    It was bizarre and mesmerizing.


    The luxurious and inviting bathwater that anyone would be tempted to step into was now prepared.


    <b>3- Submerge your body entirely in the bathwater and enjoy the experience.</b>


    <b>(The Foot Massage Edition also restores vitality to the entire body.)</b>


    An eager voice came from beneath the dark bed.


    – Atst!


    Theughter of the plush doll.


    – Ah, there’s no need to carry me, Mr. Roe Deer.


    – Just don’t turn around.


    I froze on the spot.


    …Behind me, I heard a sound.


    <i>Thump.</i>


    <i>Thump.</i>


    <i>Thump.</i>


    The sound of footsteps.


    No, was it the plush doll?


    The sound resembled a man’s heavy, rhythmic leather shoes, slightly lively yet weighty. It passed right behind me and stopped.


    Then came the sound of something sshing into the tub.


    – You may look now.


    I turned my head.


    The plush doll, soaked in the bathwater in the small tub, floated there with its unchanged, smiling mascot-like face.


    “…Braun?”


    There was no response.


    Of course, there wouldn’t be. Talking face-to-face with a plush doll wasn’t something possible in reality.


    But I knew it was listening.


    “Well, I’ll clean up the wild ginseng for now. Enjoy your bath.”


    I ced the wild ginseng, which had stopped oozing sap, back on the desk and turned to look at the tub, recalling the records of those who had used the Bloodbathtub.


    <b>========================</b>


    <b>Usage Record #05</b>


    <b>In the process of cleaning up the remnants of a bathbomb of a tenant (a half-Caucasian man in his 20s), thendlord (a man in his 40s) inevitably dipped his hand into the bathwater left behind. Thissted for about 30 seconds before he emptied the tub.</b>


    <b>Immediately, the skin and muscle tissues of his hand regressed to the condition of his mid-30s. Signs of vitality were observed throughout his body.</b>


    <b>That same night, he attempted to flee with the Bloodbathtub in his car but was apprehended.</b>


    <b>========================</b>


    Hmm, nothing like that seemed to be happening here.


    ‘Maybe it doesn’t work on dolls after all.’


    I should grab a towel.


    As I turned toward the dresser—


    – Ooooh!


    A voice?


    I turned my head.


    From the seemingly empty tub, faint sparks crackled like an old TV screen short-circuiting.


    – Light is entering my powerless limbs!


    <i>sh.</i>


    The shadow of the plush doll loomedrge over the tub as its small arms were raised triumphantly.


    What was that?


    – Mr. Roe Deer!


    Don’t call me!


    – This is such a fascinating artifact! Haha, hahahaha!


    I swallowed nervously as I watched.


    ‘…Could he really be regaining power?’


    There was no record of the Bloodbathtub’s rejuvenation effects extending this far. This was unprecedented.


    – More bath salts! Pour in more!


    Bath salts.


    Without thinking, I grabbed the wild ginseng from the desk…


    <i>[AAAAACK! This punk, </i>don’t<i> grab the wild ginseng!!!]</i>


    <i>[Mercy, noble one!! Spare me! Please spare me!!]</i>


    Ack, fucking hell!


    Startled, I reflexively threw the wild ginseng.


    <i>Thunk.</i>


    The wild ginsengnded straight into the Bloodbathtub. It seemed to realize that its sap was being transformed into fragrant bathwater and let out a desperate scream.


    <i>[AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!]</i>


    But that was all.


    The wild ginseng didn’t seem capable of causing trouble as before.


    Whether the bathtub’s mysterious power was suppressing it, or Braun had done something, I couldn’t tell.


    A desperate cry echoed.


    <i>[Please spare me, noble one! Noble one!! I was wrong! I was wrong!]</i>


    <i>[I’ll do my best! I’ll serve you!!]</i>


    – How rude and noisy!


    More sparks crackled from the Bloodbathtub.


    It resembled a TV screen with its signals scrambled.


    From within, the booming voice of an irate announcer rang out.


    – Slice its neck, <i>Friend!</i> Silence it! Don’t ruin this scene!


    “……”


    I straightened up.


    Without looking into the tub, I said,


    “You don’t have to go that far to quiet it down.”


    – ……


    “There’s no need for such extreme methods.”


    – In a show, a single moment or timing can dictate all the reactions and feelings.


    “But this isn’t a show, is it?”


    – That is…


    The electricity sparking from the tub began to subside.


    – You’re right. Yes, that’s true.


    <i>Phew.</i>


    ‘I almost ended up registering this under the Bloodbathtub’s irregr usage records.’


    Not that the situation wasn’t already ridiculous.


    From inside the tub came a pitiful, sobbing voice.


    <i>[Thank you… Thank you, savior.]</i>


    <i>[Kind benefactor! Please, now get me out of here and save me from this ruthless monster’s hands…]</i>


    I crossed my arms.


    “I never said I’d save you.”


    <i>[……?!]</i>


    Who ends up as the victim in the middle of a ghost story?


    It’s always the kind-hearted person who lets their guard down at moments like this!


    ‘When a ghost starts crying, and you get soft-hearted, that’s exactly when something scary happens!’


    At times like this, you must stay calm and act firmly. I stared at the wild ginseng abandoned in the tub, past the ceramic edge.


    “If I save you, how do I know you won’t cause trouble?”


    A sobbing sound followed.


    [Then, in that case… uh, how about this? A field! I’ll tell you about the rare treasures around the field where I lived!]


    “I don’t need it.”


    It was bound to be some cursed, haunted item anyway.


    <i>[Th-then…]</i>


    I sighed.


    “Just prove you won’t harm anyone. Stay quiet.”


    <i>[……]</i>


    The wild ginseng fell silent.


    At least I’d bought some time.


    A few minutes passed in a tense silence (though possibly enjoyable for Braun).


    ‘Ten minutes.’


    That’s how long I had been keeping track when—


    – Hm. That was a fine bath.


    “……”


    Is it over?


    I was about to turn my head, thinking I might need to lift Braun out of the tub.


    – Ah, splendid… Thank you, Mr. Roe Deer.


    The plush doll’s voice had turned sly.


    – For waiting until my bath was finished!


    <i>Bang.</i>


    <i>[GAAAHH!!]</i>


    A thunderous noise and a scream erupted from the tub.


    This insane—!