Back in the inn, many people were checking out the new buildings. The inn’s area wasn’t too big, and with the current popularity, if everyone there decided to see something at the same time, then it could get really crowded. As was the case now.
There were already queues to use the new buildings. Most of the late comers (who arrived after the buildings were already up) had no choice but to kill time by killing monsters, giving enough time for everyone to use the facilities without growing impatient.
Finn saw this and couldn’t help but chuckle. Who’d have thought that the ’entertainment’ for his amenities’ waiting line would be killing monsters?
The next building to explore was the [Bathhouse]. Like the [Clinic], it only had one floor, at least for now.
It was unsurprisingly much more vast though, about a few clinics combined together.
Entering, there was a lobby of sorts with benches, and then there were two doors with signs for female and male. There was no notification that appeared until someone went to these doors.
[Would you like to enter the bathhouse? 2 gold for 2 hours.]
[Remaining slots: 20 for male, 20 for female]
"What is a bathhouse?"
"What does it do?" It was a bit costly, too.
Although the plumbing in this continent did exist, large-scale bathhouses and other large-scale entertainment areas never really evolved outside of the capital cities.
This was all due to the aphelion phase. Every few years, big monsters would attack the settlements, limiting development and creativity. At best, there would be some pools, but that wasn’t something most people had access to.
The clueless guests looked at Finn, who shrugged. "I’m not the one building these," he said, alluding to that mysterious master. "According to its description, it’s apparently for a relaxing bath," he said.
Except for the private bathrooms of the upgraded and luxury bedrooms, the bathrooms in the inn were all shower types. He wondered how the bath culture here was, though. Was the bathtub even a thing outside of the noble circles?
Anyway, this was the first time aborigines had seen something like this, and he wondered if they’d be fine completely bare with strangers.
He did not have the chance to ask because an arm wrapped around his shoulders, dragging him to the male’s area.
"So what do we do?" Marcus asked, very willing to ’dive into the unknown’.
Interestingly, upon entry and payment, instructions appeared for everyone in the form of system screens.
To summarize the instructions: First, take off your clothes. Second, take a shower to cleanse. Finally, soak as needed and as allowed (2 hrs per session per day).
Marcus shrugged and then dragged Finn in. His eyes twitched, almost scared that the careless dude would undress him himself.
Fortunately, no such thing happened. Instead, they just did as per instructions before heading to the pool.
"So is there a similar thing in towns?" Finn asked.
"In Lotus town, no, but I heard some towns and cities that have a nearby water source have something similar."
At this, Victor, who was undressing right next to them, nodded. "There are pools, but they’re accessible to nobles only and some higher ups in the guilds.
"I’m not sure how exactly they look or how they work," he said. "Most of those people were snobbish and wouldn’t want to mix bath water with commoners, after all."
In that case, Finn looked at the elder who was already relaxing in the pool.
"..."
"Well, it looks like some are still down to earth."
...
At the women’s side, it was much less crowded. After all, there were far fewer females among the adventurers or mercenaries.
Syl went in with Lily, who wanted to toddle to the area, but it was a wet area, so Syl made sure never to let go of her hand.
Nona and Leiah followed closely after, though they couldn’t help but look at Syl’s smooth and curvaceous skin. Leiah was also considered a beauty, but she really couldn’t compare to the other woman.
It must be so smooth to touch. Finn sure was a lucky guy...
Nona, never had much tact in the first place, walked next to Syl after she settled Lily at the edge. She was quite curious.
"You’re really a sight to behold. Have you and Finn done the deed yet?"
Syl blinked, almost slipping down, though she fortunately had enough reflexes not to.
"???"
...
On the male’s side, the whole 20 slots had been consumed within three minutes. While many of them were aware of nobles’ pools in some cities and rich towns, but because they had never seen them— nor were they friends with people who had them—there wasn’t much curiosity about them.
Who would find sharing bath water with other people exciting, anyway?
Now, they were very curious!
The pool was nice, relatively large, and could indeed comfortably accommodate 20 people. They could spread out their arms and stretch their feet, and they wouldn’t bother other people too much.
Finn smiled and nodded, relaxing with them. The temperature was comfortably warm, like hotsprings, though not as warm nor was there that sulfur smell. However, it was still very soothing, especially for the men who hadn’t tried this set up before.
They didn’t hear that the baths in those water-rich towns and cities were this comfortable.
Anyway, since it was so nice, the chatters also flowed well. He gained a lot of gossip. For example, Leez was getting close with a noble from the east, and he was very handsome.
Another piece of gossip was that Remus’s ex-wife’s sister actually found him in Lotus Town and caused a scene! Fortunately, she was not unreasonable and after explaining that there was no foul play involved, finally left them alone.
Finally, Nona and Marcus were finally together-together!
Marcus looked over the moon when he described this. It was interesting because their dynamic was the same as before. Finn wouldn’t have guessed that there was actual progress that happened!
"Hmn, all we do when we’re alone together is—"
"STOP!"
"We didn’t ask!"
"Don’t overshare, damnit!"
Anyway, time passed quickly and soon an hour passed by. When one was having fun, time ran rather fast. They did not expect to receive notifications, however.
[Received! +10% Strength Buff. Valid: 14:59:59]
Interestingly, not everyone received the same buff.
The strength buff was for Marcus and Victor. For mages, it was a Clarity buff, which increased their clarity when doing spells!
"What..."
"Buff!"
"We got a freaking buff!" a pause, realizing where it was from. "From bathing ?!"
Finn’s eyebrows rose as high as they could be.
Well...wasn’t this better than he thought!?