I took a deep breath and recalled the instructions for the Bloodbathtub.
First, fill the tub with warm water.
1- Add clean water to the tub as much as you like.
(‘Bathtub of Youth – Foot Massage Edition’ is a product that does not support automatic water filling.)
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.
2- Once the water is filled to the desired level, pour at least 200ml of fresh blood over it.
The fresher the blood, especially from a healthy and lively subject, the better the effects.
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 placed the severed root against the edge of the Bloodbathtub.
And then, a remarkable sight unfolded.
Bubble, bubble.
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.
3- Submerge your body entirely in the bathwater and enjoy the experience.
(The Foot Massage Edition also restores vitality to the entire body.)
An eager voice came from beneath the dark bed.
– At last!
The laughter 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.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
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 splashing 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 placed 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.
========================
Usage Record #05
In the process of cleaning up the remnants of a bathbomb of a tenant (a half-Caucasian man in his 20s), the landlord (a man in his 40s) inevitably dipped his hand into the bathwater left behind. This lasted for about 30 seconds before he emptied the tub.
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.
That same night, he attempted to flee with the Bloodbathtub in his car but was apprehended.
========================
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!
Flash.
The shadow of the plush doll loomed large 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…
[AAAAACK! This punk, don’t grab the wild ginseng!!!]
[Mercy, noble one!! Spare me! Please spare me!!]
Ack, fucking hell!
Startled, I reflexively threw the wild ginseng.
Thunk.
The wild ginseng landed straight into the Bloodbathtub. It seemed to realize that its sap was being transformed into fragrant bathwater and let out a desperate scream.
[AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!]
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.
[Please spare me, noble one! Noble one!! I was wrong! I was wrong!]
[I’ll do my best! I’ll serve you!!]
– 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, Friend! 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.
Phew.
‘I almost ended up registering this under the Bloodbathtub’s irregular usage records.’
Not that the situation wasn’t already ridiculous.
From inside the tub came a pitiful, sobbing voice.
[Thank you… Thank you, savior.]
[Kind benefactor! Please, now get me out of here and save me from this ruthless monster’s hands…]
I crossed my arms.
“I never said I’d save you.”
[……?!]
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.
[Th-then…]
I sighed.
“Just prove you won’t harm anyone. Stay quiet.”
[……]
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!
Bang.
[GAAAHH!!]
A thunderous noise and a scream erupted from the tub.
This insane—!