Even if I fall into a ghost story, I still have to go to work
Chapter 58
I Guess I Have to Go to Work Even if I Fall Into a Ghost Story
I Guess I Have to Go to Work Even if I Fall Into a Ghost Story Episode 58
I Guess I Have to Go to Work Even if I Fall Into a Ghost Story Episode 058
Next to the underground parking lot, there is a small space that looks like the embodiment of a landlord's greed, wanting to squeeze in one more shop for rental income no matter what.
The tiny shop occupying that small space… is exactly where I intended to visit today.
A special tattoo shop.
======================
Darkness Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Moonlight Tattoo Shop]
: A ghost story appearing in <The Empty Unit>; no identification code from Baegil-mong Corporation.
Currently, the only official exploration record from Baegil-mong Corporation regarding this location is a one-time entry via 'The Unit is Empty (Qterw-C-818)'.
For more detailed information, one may consult
Document-#818-15623 (Civilian Interview Record),
though its credibility cannot be guaranteed.
======================
You might ask if it's dangerous since the description says credibility can't be guaranteed.
That's not the case.
In the first place, the ghost story 'The Unit is Empty', which serves as the basis for this one, is a satire on the human tendency to be unable to accept kindness as kindness and instead try to find a malicious reason for it.
In context, this place has to be a 'good' place that doesn't contradict the civilian interview records.
-Are you going in?
Yes.
I politely pressed the open button next to the opaque glass door.
Sshhh.
The door slid open, revealing the interior of the tattoo shop.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary and modest shop. The facilities were slightly worn but well-maintained, and a notice at the counter stated that they only took one client at a time.
However, light was beaming down onto the procedure chair in the center.
It was moonlight.
Strangely, a transparent LED panel had been installed exactly in the center of the ceiling so the moon could be seen. Artificial moonlight was pouring down from it.
'It's exactly as described.'
"Is anyone here?"
When I spoke, the owner, who had been sitting at the counter, walked out.
She was a woman in a sleeveless top with dense Hangul tattoos engraved on her neck. Her curly hair was tied back tightly, and her appearance immediately brought to mind keywords like technician or artist.
"I'd like a tattoo consultation. Is that possible?"
A nod.
"May I ask what the price range is?"
The tattooist pointed to the wall behind the counter with a somewhat naive expression.
[Only physical goods accepted.]
That's right.
They didn't accept standard cash here. Instead, payment was taken in various items that caught the owner's fancy...
And there was something they gave special preference to.
[Preferential Condition: Items related to the sea]
Thanks to this, civilians who happened to meet this condition sometimes had very rare experiences.
======================
Document-#818-15623
Citizen: Actually, I just took a wrong turn. I was trying to go to a tattoo shop in the shopping district near ■■ Station, but I must have gotten lost because I ended up in a neighborhood with lots of empty units.
And then I found that tattoo shop in the basement.
I thought it was very unique that they accepted items related to the sea. So, as a test, I showed them an hourglass keychain I had, and they accepted it.
Then I was guided to the procedure chair in the center.
======================
So, I've come prepared to meet this 'preferential condition' properly.
"Would something like this be alright?"
I took an item out of my briefcase.
When I opened the rectangular velvet case...
Brilliantly shimmering grains poured out reflected light.
"It's a pearl bead strand."
"...!"
It was an insanely expensive marine pearl.
An Akoya White-Green, 10mm in size, perfectly spherical with a pink aurora glow that made it look almost like a hologram—top quality.
'Actually, there were many more expensive items related to the sea, but...'
According to the records of the civilian who visited this place, this owner strangely seemed to prefer items that are significantly affected by the passage of time.
And pearls, being protein-based, are inevitably affected by time.
'Also, it was something I could buy quickly at a Jongno wholesaler during a one-hour lunch break after a day of searching.'
Just in case, I even excluded South Sea pearls, which are less affected by time, and specifically selected Akoya...
"How is it?"
"......."
Nod-nod-nod-nod-nod.
The reaction was intense.
The tattooist stared blankly at the luster of the pearl beads before carefully taking the case I offered.
A flash of joy crossed her simple eyes.
'I wonder what she uses them for.'
There was no way to know.
Regardless, as soon as the tattooist finished putting the case away inside the counter at incredible speed, she very politely guided me to the center.
To the chair where the moonlight was beaming down.
"Thank you."
Soon, the tattooist brought a large cup of lemon drink and a thick book.
Everything up to this point was according to the description.
She brought me a lemon drink and a book. It was like a collection of tattoo designs, and it said 'Basic No. 3'.
I chose a dolphin silhouette about the size of a fingernail and had it done. She told me to close my eyes during the procedure, and strangely, there was no pain.
I turned my eyes to the cover of the book.
If the design given to the person who gave an hourglass keychain was 'Basic No. 3', what would it be now that I've given pearls worth tens of millions of won?
Of course, this might be a too capitalistic way of thinking.
'After all, this is a small tattoo shop inside a ghost story; such material methods might not work on a mysterious owner...'
[Royal Special Premium No. 1 (Customizable)]
"......."
It worked... very well.
'Thank you.'
As expected, money is king everywhere.
Anyway, does this mean the designs in here are at the level I can receive with the physical goods I provided?
'Hmm.'
Let's look carefully.
I flipped through the book.
Constellations drawn by splashing water droplets, polar bear claws overlapping exquisitely with Inuit patterns, and even a nostalgic pastel-toned scenery of a beach at evening.
It was full of magnificent designs.
If I had really come here with a great passion for tattoos, I would have been admiring them and choosing carefully, but...
In truth, that wasn't what was important to me.
'Because this tattoo disappears the next day anyway.'
To be precise...
I wondered if I had been dreaming. I definitely got a tattoo, but it was completely gone when I woke up.
But do you know what's even stranger?
The tattoo received here is 'absorbed' by the recipient.
I suddenly became good at sea swimming.
Just like the dolphin I had tattooed.
In other words, it grants the person a special ability based on the tattoo design!
'I must not miss this opportunity.'
In <The Empty Unit>, there must be dozens, if not hundreds, of ghost stories that grant talents or abilities to humans.
But there are almost none that can be received in such a gentle way, without losing anything, and through an active method.
In this world full of crazy ghost stories where you have to sell your body, your soul, or at least your conscience to gain anything.
The 'Moonlight Tattoo Shop' was truly like a ray of light in the darkness.
'I'm definitely walking away with something good.'
I flipped through the pages of the book, fiercely deducing the abilities of the designs.
-Mr. Roe Deer, I'd like to take a closer look as well!
Ah. Right. Brown might be able to read more into them.
I carefully took the doll out of my pocket and placed it in front of the book.
-Oh, the artist's aesthetic sense is quite good. In my opinion... hm?
The tattooist stared intently at Brown with sparkling eyes.
Then she picked Brown up.
"...! Wa-wait..."
[Service]
"......."
-Wait a moment. Please handle me with care, my body is filled with cotton so I don't move well... hmmm, mmm, hmm...
The tattooist put Brown into a basin she brought, then skillfully applied aroma oil to her hands and massaged the doll, shaping it.
...A massage?
-Whew.... The fatigue from filming is washing away.......
The doll was making sounds like a celebrity exhausted from their schedule...
It was certainly a shocking sight that wouldn't be seen in any other ghost story.
Is this... heartwarming?
'...Let's just pick a design.'
After thanking the tattooist as she carefully handed back the now-glossy Brown, I went back to fiercely flipping through the pages.
However, there were no designs where an ability could be easily inferred. It just felt strange that there were so many related to the sea.
Well, in that case.
"Do you have any recommendations?"
What if I just ask outright?
"Is there a symbol in here related to courage, or the boldness to step forward without fear?"
Yes. Ultimately, that seemed to be what I needed most.
'Escape from being a coward...!'
I was tempted by the various abilities I could gain here, but in the end, my most fundamental and powerful special ability is <The Empty Unit>.
It's information.
And to use that information properly, the top priority was to have a mental state capable of rational judgment.
'I can't live any longer with a heart that feels like it'll faint at the slightest thing...!'
Think about how many times I've been on the verge of death because of this coward's heart!
'The opportunity to enter the Moonlight Tattoo Shop through this ghost story is only once.'
If so, it's right to use it for the most urgent matter!
I was a bit nervous because asking directly like this wasn't in the records, but fortunately, the tattooist readily flipped through the book and pointed to a design.
That design was...
"......A tomato?"
That's right.
It was a tree with tomatoes hanging from it.
Vigorous lines with a somewhat crude pen-nib feel were dynamically drawing branches, leaves, and fruit.
It was lonely, rough, and lyrical.
Color was only expressed in those red fruits. The tomatoes.
'Why on earth is this related to courage?'
To be honest, I didn't really know, but since this tattooist only communicated through the pre-written book, I couldn't hear a detailed explanation.
Still, it's the practitioner's recommendation, so it must be certain.
"Yes. I'll take this one."
The tattooist nodded pleasantly and took back the book.
"Ah, for the location, here..."
I rolled up my left sleeve.
If I was going to get it anyway, I intended to get it near where I already had tattoos...
"...!"
The tattooist's expression suddenly changed, and she stood up from her seat.
'What is it?'
Then she quickly pointed to a notice posted on the wall.
[Procedures may be refused for specific reasons.]
She pointed to my arm repeatedly.
"...!"
No way.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"...Can you see these characters?"
Nod-nod.
She had an expression that asked why I was asking something so obvious. I guess she really is a resident of the ghost story world too.
No, that's not what's important right now.
"Is it because of these characters that I can't get a new tattoo?"
Nod.
"Is it not possible to get it on my other arm or my back either?"
Nod.
"......Then, does that mean there's no way for me to get a new tattoo at all right now?"
No...d.
Dammit!
"I didn't even engrave these characters because I wanted to, is there really no other way? I really wanted to get one..."
I slumped my shoulders as if greatly discouraged.
The tattooist looked flustered and seemed to be contemplating something, then finally pulled something out from the counter.
'An advertising pamphlet?'
The tattooist flipped through the pamphlet and quickly pointed to a phrase on a page.
[Cover-ups available]
[We help your existing tattoos transform into something new.]
"...!!"
[※ Moonlight Tattoo Shop's cover-ups do not hide existing tattoos, but proceed in a direction that maximizes their charm.
Keep the meaning entirely as it is, and encounter a new beauty.]
Wait a minute.
So, does this mean... she'll give me an enhancement procedure?
-That's good! The tattoos engraved by a theme park mascot and a mountain lodge worker were a bit much. Wouldn't it be better to make a more aesthetic choice for yourself?
-Nightjars, constellations, the eight trigrams... there were many beautiful patterns! It would be good to cover them up magnificently!
I looked down at my arm.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"Can I get both done?"
The tattooist nodded.
'I can only get one new tattoo, but cover-ups are an exception, so she'll do both?'
But I had an instinctive gut feeling.
'Choosing only one will result in a better job.'
Since this is a shop, it's naturally a place that provides a better tattoo in proportion to the price paid.
Rather than splitting the value in two, it was better to choose just one if possible.
"......."
I deliberated.
And then...
"I'd like you to cover only this one."
I pointed to one of the tattoos with my finger.
