Chapter 58: Ch 58: Enhancement
Next to the underground parking lot, there was a small space that seemed to
embody a landlord’s desperate attempt to squeeze in one more rental shop
for extra income.
That small space was occupied by the little shop I had planned to visit
today:
A special tattoo shop.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Moonlight Tattoo Shop]
: A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>
: Daydream Inc. identification code – N/A
The only official record from Daydream Inc. about this location is a
one-off entry titled ’It Is Empty (Qterw-C-818)’.
For more details, Document #818-15623 (Civilian Interview Record)
can be accessed, though its credibility is not guaranteed.
========================
Does the note about ’credibility not guaranteed’ mean it’s dangerous?
No.
The foundational story of ’It Is Empty’ is a satire of humanity’s tendency to
twist benevolence into something sinister by looking for hidden negative
reasons.
Contextually, this place has to be a ’good’ location that aligns with civilian
interview accounts.
– Are you going in?
Yup.
I pressed the button next to the frosted glass door.
Srrrk—
The door slid open, revealing the interior of the tattoo shop.
At a glance, it looked like an ordinary, modest shop. The facilities were
slightly shabby but clean and well-maintained. A notice on the counter
stated that she only performed one-on-one procedures.
However, light streamed down onto the central tattoo chair.
It was moonlight.
Curiously, the ceiling above the chair featured a transparent LED panel that
allowed the moon to be visible, creating artificial moonlight that poured
down in a focused beam.
’Just as described.’
"Is anyone here?"
When I called out, the shop owner emerged from behind the counter.
It was a woman with dense Korean-script tattoos on her neck, wearing a
sleeveless shirt. Her tied-back curly hair and confident demeanor
immediately evoked the impression of a skilled technician or artist.
"I’d like to have a tattoo consultation. Is that possible?"
Nod.
"Could you let me know the price range?"
The tattooist pointed at the wall behind the counter with a somewhat
unassuming expression.
[We only accept payments in kind.]
Indeed.
This shop didn’t accept cash. Instead, payment was made with items that
the owner found appealing, with a particular preference.
[Special Condition : Items related to the sea.]
Because of this, civilians who happened to meet this condition often had
rare and extraordinary experiences.
========================
Document #818-15623
Civilian : Honestly, I just took a wrong turn. I was trying to find a
tattoo shop near ■■ Station, but somehow, I ended up in this area full
of empty spaces.
Then I found the tattoo shop in the basement.
When I saw they accepted items related to the sea, I thought it was
really unique. So, just to try it out, I showed them a sand timer
keychain I happened to have. They accepted it!
Afterward, they directed me to the central tattoo chair.
========================
So, I had prepared for this ’special condition’ in advance.
"Would this be acceptable?"
I opened the velvet-covered rectangular box I had brought in my briefcase.
Inside, shimmering beads of light reflected brilliantly.
"These are pearl beads."
"...!"
These were extremely expensive marine pearls.
Perfectly spherical Akoya white-green pearls, 10mm in size, with a pink
aurora sheen that gave them a near-holographic appearance. It was a top-
class item.
’Technically, there are more expensive sea-related items, but...’
According to the civilian’s account, the shop owner seemed particularly
drawn to items influenced by the passage of time.
Pearls, being organic and composed of protein, were inherently shaped by
time.
’Besides, I managed to pick these up during a quick lunch break at a
wholesaler in Jongno.’
I had even excluded South Sea pearls, which were less affected by time, in
favor of these Akoya pearls.
"How about this?"
"..."
Nod, nod, nod, nod, nod.
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
The tattooist stared in awe at the gleaming pearls before carefully accepting
the box I offered. For a brief moment, joy flickered in her otherwise modest
eyes.
’What could she possibly use them for?’
I had no idea.
In any case, after organizing the box with incredible speed behind the
counter, the tattooist politely gestured for me to proceed to the central chair,
bathed in moonlight.
"Thank you."
The tattooist soon brought over a large lemon drink and a thick booklet.
So far, everything was as described in the accounts.
She brought me a lemon drink and a booklet, which seemed like a
collection of tattoo designs. One was labeled ’Basic Design #3’.
I chose a tiny dolphin silhouette the size of a fingernail and got it done.
During the process, she gestured for me to close my eyes, and strangely, I
felt no pain.
I glanced at the cover of the booklet.
If the person who gave a mother-of-pearl keychain received ’Basic Design
#3’, what could I expect after offering pearls worth millions of won?
Granted, this might be an overly materialistic way of thinking.
’This is a small tattoo shop in a ghost story. A mystical shop owner might
not respond to material offerings...’
[Royal Special Premium #1 (Customizable)]
"..."
Well, that worked.
"Thank you."
Money wins, once again.
Anyway, the designs here seemed to reflect what my offering could earn
me.
’Hmm.’
I turned the pages of the booklet.
Designs included constellations drawn with water droplets, a fusion of polar
bear claws and Inuit patterns, and a wistful pastel-toned seascape at sunset.
The collection was stunning.
If I’d come here for the express purpose of getting a meaningful tattoo, I’d
be poring over these designs with awe.
But that wasn’t my primary concern.
The tattoo disappears the next day anyway.
To be more precise...
It would feel like you had dreamed it. You clearly got a tattoo, but it would
be completely gone the next morning.
But do you know what’s stranger?
The tattoo received here is ’absorbed’ into the person.
I suddenly became great at swimming in the ocean.
Just like the dolphin I had tattooed.
In other words, these tattoos grant special abilities based on the design!
’I can’t miss this opportunity.’
In the <Dark Exploration Records>, there must be hundreds of ghost stories
that grant people talents or powers.
But very few do so in such a gentle and harmless way.
In a world of ghost stories where you must sell your body, soul, or at least
your conscience to gain anything, Moonlight Tattoo Shop was truly a rare
beacon of light.
’I need to pick something worthwhile.’
I flipped through the pages with determination, deducing the abilities that
each design might offer.
– Mr. Roe Deer, I’d like to take a closer look too!
Ah, right. Braun might be able to glean more from this than I could.
Carefully, I pulled the doll out of my pocket and placed it before the
booklet.
– Oh, the artist’s aesthetic sense is quite good. Let me think... hmm?
The tattooist suddenly stared at Braun with sparkling eyes. Then, before I
could stop her, she picked up Braun.
"...! W-Wait..."
[Complimentary Service]
"..."
– Careful. Please handle me gently. My body is filled with cotton, so I can’t
move very... hmm, mmmh, hm...
The tattooist placed Braun into a small basin she’d brought over, expertly
applied aromatic oils, and started massaging the doll’s fabric with practiced
hands.
...Is this a spa treatment?
– Huuuuu... the fatigue from filming is melting away...
The plush doll sounded like an exhausted celebrity enjoying a high-end
treatment.
It was truly a surreal sight, one I’d never encountered in any ghost story.
Was this... heartwarming?
’...Let’s just pick a design.’
After the tattooist handed back a gleaming, revitalized Braun, I thanked her
politely and returned to flipping through the booklet with vigor.
Unfortunately, none of the designs had clear indications of their abilities.
There was only a curious abundance of sea-related motifs.
If that’s the case...
"Do you have any recommendations?"
How about asking outright?
"Are there any designs related to courage or boldness—symbols of
fearlessness?"
Yes, this was what I needed most.
’To escape being a coward...!’
As tempting as the other abilities were, my most fundamental and powerful
’special ability’ was my knowledge from the <Dark Exploration Records>.
That information was my greatest asset.
But to use it effectively, I needed a rational mindset capable of sound
judgment.
’I can’t keep living with a heart that feels like it might stop from sheer
panic...!’
How many times had I almost died because of this cowardly heart?
’This is probably my one and only chance to visit Moonlight Tattoo Shop.’
It made sense to address my most urgent need first.
Asking directly wasn’t something covered in the records, so I was a little
nervous. But the tattooist readily flipped through the booklet and pointed to
a design.
The design was...
"...Tomato?"
Yes.
It was a tree bearing tomatoes.
The design depicted dynamic branches, leaves, and fruit, drawn with bold,
rustic strokes that resembled the marks of a well-worn pen nib.
It was melancholic, rough, and poetic.
The only color in the design was the bright red of the fruit—the tomatoes.
’How does this relate to courage?’
Honestly, I didn’t understand, but since the tattooist communicated
exclusively through the designs in the booklet, I couldn’t get a detailed
explanation.
Still, it was a recommendation from the professional, so I figured it must be
significant.
"Alright. I’ll take this one."
The tattooist nodded happily and retrieved the booklet.
"Oh, the placement will be here..."
I rolled up my left sleeve.
If I was getting it, I thought I’d place it near an existing tattoo anyway.
"...!"
Suddenly, the tattooist’s expression shifted, and she stood up from her seat.
’What’s going on?’
She quickly pointed to a notice on the wall.
[Tattoo services may be refused for specific reasons.]
Then, she pointed directly at my arm.
"...!"
No way.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"You can see these markings?"
The tattooist nodded, looking at me as if it were the most obvious question
in the world.
Of course, she would see them—she’s part of a ghost story, too.
But that wasn’t the issue right now.
"Are these markings the reason I can’t get a new tattoo?"
Nod.
"Does that mean I also can’t get one on my other arm or back?"
Nod.
"...So, there’s no way for me to get a new tattoo right now?"
N...od.
Damn it!
"I didn’t even choose to have these markings in the first place. Isn’t there
any other way? I really want this..."
I let my shoulders slump, feigning disappointment.
The tattooist seemed taken aback and started contemplating something.
After a moment, she pulled something out from behind the counter.
’A promotional pamphlet?’
The tattooist flipped through it quickly and pointed to a specific line on the
page.
[Cover-ups available]
[Transform your old tattoos into something new.]
"...!!"
[※ Moonlight Tattoo Shop’s cover-ups don’t conceal the original tattoo.
Instead, they amplify its charm.
Retain its full meaning while discovering a new beauty.]
Wait a minute.
Does this mean... she’s offering to enhance my existing tattoos?
– Not bad! The theme park mascot and lodge caretaker tattoos were a bit
much anyway. You should consider a more artistic choice.
– A nightjar, a constellation, the Eight Trigrams... There are plenty of
beautiful designs! It’s better to cover them up with something stylish.
I glanced down at my arm.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"I can have either of these enhanced?"
The tattooist nodded.
’So, I can only get one new tattoo, but cover-ups are considered exceptions,
allowing either to be enhanced.’
Still, I instinctively felt that choosing only one would yield better results.
’This shop clearly offers higher quality tattoos based on what you give.
Dividing the value between two might dilute the outcome.’
"..."
I deliberated.
And then...
"Please enhance this one."
I pointed at one of the tattoos on my arm.
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