It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story 058

Next to the underground parking lot, there’s a small space that seems to reflect the landlord’s desire to somehow build another shopping complex to rake in rental income.

The small shop occupying that space… is the place I’m planning to visit today.

Special Tattoo Shop.

———————=

Dark Exploration Records / Horror Story

[Moonlight Tattoo Shop]

: The horror story appearing in <Dark Exploration Records> has no identification code from Daydream Corporation.

Currently, the official exploration record of this location by Daydream Corporation is limited to single-entry documentation through ‘It is Vacant (Qterw-C-818)’.

For more detailed information, you may access Document-#818-15623 (Civilian Interview Records), but its credibility cannot be guaranteed.

———————=

Isn’t the statement about not being able to guarantee credibility a bit dangerous?

Not at all.

The very foundation of this horror story, ‘It is Vacant’, satirizes the human tendency to not accept good will at face value and always look for a negative reason.

In context, this is undoubtedly a ‘good’ location that doesn’t contradict the civilian interview records.

– Are you entering?

Yeah.

I politely pressed the open button next to the translucent glass door.

Swoosh.

As the door opened, the interior of the tattoo shop was revealed.

At a glance, it seemed like an ordinary and modest shop. A bit shabby but well-maintained, and there was a notice at the counter indicating that they only perform one-person procedures.

However, light was pouring down from above the central treatment chair.

It was moonlight.

Strangely, a transparent LED panel had been installed such that only the center was visible, allowing the moon to shine through. Artificial moonlight was cascading down from there.

‘Just as described.’

“Is anyone there?”

As I called out, the owner, who had been sitting at the counter, walked out.

She was a woman with densely inked Korean tattoos on her neck, wearing a sleeveless outfit. Her curly hair tied back immediately suggested she was some sort of technician or artist.

“I’d like to have a tattoo consultation. Is that possible?”

Nod.

“By any chance, what is the price range?”

The tattooist pointed to the wall of the counter with a rather innocent expression.

[Only goods payment is accepted.]

That’s right.

Here, regular cash isn’t accepted. Instead, payments are made with various items that appeal to the owner’s taste…

And there are special preferential conditions as well.

[Preferential Condition: Items related to the sea]

Thanks to that, civilians who accidentally meet this preferential condition can have a truly rare experience.

———————=

Document-#818-15623

Citizen: I was actually just lost. I was headed to a tattoo shop near ■■ station, but somehow I ended up in a neighborhood with a lot of vacancies.

And then I discovered that tattoo shop underground.

They said they accept items related to the sea, which I thought was really unique. So, I showed them a sandglass keyring I had just for kicks, and they accepted it?

Then, I was guided to the central treatment chair.

———————=

So I came here ready to meet this ‘preferential condition’… properly.

“Is this okay too?”

I pulled an object I had prepared from my document bag.

As I opened a rectangular case made of velvet…

Glistening, iridescent beads reflected the light.

“They’re pearl beads.”

“…!”

They were absurdly expensive ocean pearls.

Perfectly spherical, 10mm Akoya white-green pearls, displaying a pink aurora that made them almost look holographic.

‘Actually, there are even more expensive items related to the sea….’

According to records of civilians who visited this place, it seems that this owner has a peculiar preference for items significantly affected by the passage of time.

And pearls, being made of protein, are definitely influenced by the passage of time.

‘They are also items I can quickly grab at the Jongno wholesale market during lunch break—’

Just to be safe, I avoided southern pearls that are less affected by the passage of time and chose the Akoya instead…

“So, what do you think?”

“…….”

Nod, nod, nod, nod, nod.

There was an explosive reaction.

The tattooist stared blankly at the sheen of the pearl beads and carefully accepted the case I offered.

Joy flickered in her pure eyes.

‘What could it be used for?’

I couldn’t tell.

Anyway, the tattooist quickly organized the case behind the counter, and then very politely guided me to the center.

To the place with the chair basking in moonlight.

“Thank you.”

Soon, the tattooist brought me a large lemon drink and a significant-looking book.

It was just as described so far.

She brought me a lemon drink and a book. It seemed to be a collection of tattoo designs, and it said ‘Basic 3’.

I picked a silhouette the size of a fingernail of a dolphin to get tattooed. During the procedure, I was told to close my eyes, but strangely, there was no pain.

I shifted my gaze to the cover of the book.

If the person who gave the sandglass keyring received the ‘Basic 3’ design, what would I get for giving pearls worth millions?

Of course, this might be a rather capitalistic thought.

‘This is a small tattoo shop within a horror story, and it’s possible that a mystical owner might not deal in materialistic ways….’

[Royal Special Premium 1 (Custom Possible)]

“…….”

Wow… it worked.

‘Thank you.’

Indeed, money talks everywhere.

Anyway, this means that the designs available in this book can be obtained in exchange for what I provided.

‘Hmm.’

Let’s take a careful look.

I flipped through the book.

There were designs featuring droplets creating constellations, claws of polar bears intricately interwoven with Inuit patterns, and dreamy pastel tone landscapes of seaside evenings.

A dazzling array of fantastic designs.

If I had serious intentions about getting a tattoo, I would have admired and carefully chosen one, but….

To be honest, that wasn’t important to me.

‘Anyway, this tattoo will disappear by the next day.’

To be precise…

I wondered if I had dreamt it. I definitely got a tattoo, but it had completely vanished.

But do you know what’s even stranger?

The tattoos received here ‘absorb’ into the recipient.

I suddenly found that I could swim in the ocean better.

Just like the dolphin I had tattooed.

In other words, the tattoos grant the person special abilities based on their designs!

‘I can’t miss this opportunity.’

<Dark Exploration Records> must have dozens, if not hundreds, of horror stories that provide talents or abilities.

However, there’s hardly any way to receive them in such a benign manner without losing anything.

In this world filled with insane stories where you have to sell your body, soul, or at least your conscience to gain something.

Moonlight Tattoo Shop was like a single ray of light in the darkness.

‘I’m definitely going to pick up something good.’

I eagerly flipped through the pages while deducing the abilities of the designs.

– Doe, I’d like to take a closer look too!

Ah, right. Brown might reveal something more.

I carefully took the doll out of my pocket and placed it in front of the book.

– Oh, the artist has good aesthetic sense. I think… hmm?

The tattooist stared intently at Brown with sparkling eyes.

Then she picked up Brown.

“…! W-wait a minute….”

[Service]

“…….”

– Just a moment. Please handle it carefully; my body is stuffed with cotton and doesn’t move well… huh, hohum, hmm….

The tattooist dipped Brown into a basin and skillfully applied aroma oil to her hands, kneading the doll into a proper shape.

… Is it acupressure?

– Huuuh… all the fatigue from the shoot just vanished…

The doll was making sounds similar to an entertainer exhausted from their schedule…

It was indeed a shocking sight not found in any horror story.

Is it… warm?

‘…let’s just pick a design.’

After thanking the tattooist for gently handing Brown back, I intensely resumed flipping through the pages.

But there were no designs that particularly hinted at abilities. There were many that were related to the sea, which felt suspicious.

Well, in that case.

“Do you have any recommendations?”

How about asking openly?

“Are there symbols related to courage or boldness without fear inside this book?”

Yes. What I need most right now must be this, after all.

‘Escape the cowardice…!’

Although I was envious of the variety of abilities I could gain here, my most fundamental and powerful special ability is <Dark Exploration Records>.

Information, that is.

And to use that information properly, it’s paramount to have a rational mind.

‘There’s no way I can live with this cowardly heart nearly causing me to die several times!’

Do you think I’m exaggerating about the number of times my cowardly heart put me in danger through this horror story?

‘This opportunity to access the Moonlight Tattoo Shop through this horror story comes just once.’

So it’s essential to use it wisely!

However, directly asking felt a bit daring, but fortunately, the tattooist readily flipped through the book and pointed to a particular design.

The design was….

“……a tomato?”

That’s right.

It was a tree bearing tomatoes.

With a somewhat crude pen-like line that energetically extended to illustrate branches, leaves, and the fruit dynamically.

Lonely, coarse, and lyrical.

The color was expressed solely through that red fruit. Tomatoes, you see.

‘What on earth does this have to do with courage?’

Honestly, I had no clue, but since the tattooist only communicates through the existing designs, I couldn’t get a detailed explanation.

Still, it must be something solid if recommended by the artist.

“Yes. I’ll get this.”

The tattooist nodded happily and collected the book.

“Oh, the placement will be here…”

I rolled up my left arm.

Since I was getting it anyway, I intended to place it near the existing tattoo….

“…!”

The tattooist’s expression suddenly changed, and she got up from her seat.

‘What’s going on?’

Then she pointed quickly at a guide notice stuck to the wall.

[Due to specific reasons, procedures may be refused.]

She consecutively pointed to my arm.

“…!”

No way.

: Socius :

: 恩主 :

“… Can you see these letters?”

I nodded.

She raised an eyebrow as if questioning why I was asking such an obvious thing. Indeed, it seems she’s part of the horror story community.

No, what’s important now is not this.

“Is it because of these letters that I can’t get a new tattoo?”

Nod.

“Can’t I get one on the other arm or on my back?”

Nod.

“……So, do I have no option to get a new tattoo right now?”

Nod… nod.

Damn!

“Those letters aren’t something I chose to carve; is there really no other way? I really wanted to get one…”

I slumped my shoulders, feeling utterly defeated.

The tattooist, looking flustered, appeared to contemplate something before finally pulling out something from the counter.

‘A promotional pamphlet?’

She hurriedly turned the pamphlet and pointed out a specific phrase.

[Cover-up available]

[We assist in transforming your existing tattoo.]

“…!!”

[※ Moonlight Tattoo Shop’s cover-up doesn’t conceal existing tattoos; it enhances their appeal.

The meaning remains intact, experience a new beauty.]

Wait a second.

So, this essentially means… is she offering to perform enhancement procedures?

– That’s good! The tattoo of the theme park mascot and the lodge worker is a bit too much. Wouldn’t it be better for you to choose a more aesthetic option?

– There are beautiful patterns like bats, constellations, and palaces! It would be nice to cover it stylishly!

I lowered my head.

: Socius :

: 恩主 :

“Can I get both?”

The tattooist nodded.

‘You can only get one new tattoo, but she’ll make an exception to give me both for the cover-up.’

But my instincts told me.

‘Choosing just one will likely result in a more substantial design.’

It’s a shop, after all, so they’re naturally likely to provide better tattoos that match the payment received.

It’s generally better to choose just one than to divide the value into two.

“…….”

I pondered.

And….

“I’d like you to cover just this one.”

I pointed to one of my tattoos.