Chapter 82

### Day 11 of Hikikomori Life

I took a bath in the middle of the day and gazed at the scenery of the meandering downstream.

Today is a day off.

I also have a meeting with someone here.

By the 10th day, the material collection on the western side had already extended to near the base, so the next step is to go deeper.

Or, we could hunt in the eastern area, roughly 500 to 1,000 meters away from the river.

I visited Alba and Mizuru to discuss this.

However, as soon as I found them, they started crying.

Even though it's profitable, they've never worked this many consecutive days.

So, they asked for a day off.

They are quite lacking in perseverance.

I personally think that if they're making money, they shouldn't complain until at least a month has passed, but apparently, the other party members who joined on the second day are also exhausted.

The frequency of orc appearances on the western side of the river has increased, and the weight of the selected materials is quite heavy, which is one of the reasons.

In that case, I can't say anything.

This isn't a safe desk job; it's a high-risk job where one wrong step could get you killed by a monster.

Even if material collection is the main focus, there are still battles with monsters that flow in, and I've seen people get injured and even turned into caterpillars by sticky threads.

If both the mind and body are worn out, the risk of fatalities increases, so I agreed.

I had said from the beginning that they could take a break whenever they wanted.

But then, what should I do?

I could hunt alone, but if I do, the orc meat in that area will definitely lose its freshness and go to waste.

We've already done that around the base, so it's not a good idea to hunt alone.

Going deeper is also honestly troublesome.

I'm also exhausted every day, so I'd prefer to hunt efficiently in a nearby area.

So, I thought—

If everyone is taking a break, I might as well take a break too, and that's why I decided to take a bath in the middle of the day.

By the way, the person I was waiting for was Alba and the others.

I didn't know how many would come, but I casually suggested, "Since we're taking a break, do you want to take a bath?"

When I said that, the members of Alba's 4th squad all looked like they had been hit by a bean gun, but when I explained that I had made the bath myself, that the base is about 1 km from the forest entrance along the river, that the surrounding monsters have been mostly cleared, and that I would guard them while taking a break, and that it would be a free bath, their eyes all changed.

After all, there are no baths or showers in the inn Billy Corn, and probably not in the individual homes either. It's unclear if there are any houses with baths in the town of Bezart.

Some people might know about baths but have never used one in their lives.

When they all started clamoring to take a bath, I told them that the bath was free, but they should bring their own soap and, if possible, some pots and vegetables, as I had some fish and plenty of orc meat, so we could eat while taking a bath.

Of course, everyone's eyes were burning.

They didn't look like people who were very tired and asking for a break.

Then, I noticed a group of armed people coming from behind.

I was a bit concerned about a few of them carrying baskets as usual, and it seemed like there were more than 30 people...

I had a feeling that things were going to be more complicated than expected, so when I saw a woman in the distance, I quickly got out of the bath and put my clothes back on.

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"..."

"This is a bath..."

"Wow, amazing!!"

"Building a bath in the middle of the river is insane!"

"It's much bigger than I imagined."

"Maybe three or four people can fit in at the same time?"

As everyone expressed their thoughts, I was in a daze next to the bath.

I immediately recognized Royce from Mizuru's party, but why were there multiple women?

In a place where men are usually present, wouldn't they be embarrassed and hold back?

Or were they imagining a separate area for men and women, like in modern public baths or spas?

But everyone seemed calm even though there was only one bath...

I really don't understand the morals and sense of shame in this world.

Moreover...

"Roki! You made something amazing!"

"I came!"

"Looking forward to my first bath!"

Why are Jink, Mei, and Potta here...?

This is the Lulub Forest, isn't it?

It's more dangerous than the Locker Plains, right!?

"Mei... You didn't just 'come'! This place is dangerous! Are you okay?"

"But Roki, you were taking a bath in the middle of the day in a dangerous place!"

"Mizuru invited us to take a free bath. The monsters have been reduced a lot, and there are a surprising number of guards."

"Exactly, that's why we came."

Indeed, there are a surprising number of guards...

Of course, since almost all the E-rank hunters who were collecting materials here are here, it's no wonder the guard request is a large guard group.

And the other unfamiliar people are probably wives or girlfriends?

There don't seem to be any very young children, but the people who clearly aren't hunters might be someone's family.

There are also a few F-rank and lower hunters who were invited and came without really understanding what was happening.

The people carrying baskets have leeks and burdock roots sticking out, so they must have brought ingredients.

It feels like a festival...

Well, it's fine.

The bath will be left here in a few days anyway.

It's better to use it meaningfully while it's still usable.

I've already burned plenty of stones, and with that fire, we can start cooking right away.

I can see a colander and a fishing rod in Mei's equipment, so we can catch some fish to supplement the ingredients.

If we need more meat, we can hunt, and with this many hunters, even if some monsters attack, they'll be quickly taken care of...

Yeah, there shouldn't be any major problems.

I'm starting to feel that way!

Then, I might as well enjoy it.

And so, a mysterious bath party was held in a corner of the Lulub Forest, which had not been visited for a long time.