‘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 them, she picked up Braun.
“……!
[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 they’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 they stood up from their seat.
‘What’s going on?’
They quickly pointed to a notice on the wall.
[Tattoo services may be refused for specific reasons.]
Then, they 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… they’re 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.