NoveLight ™
Next to the underground parking lot was a small space, almost as if it were born from the landlord's relentless desire to squeeze in just one more shop for rent.
That tiny space was occupied by the shop I had planned to visit today.
A special tattoo parlor.
Dark Exploration Records / Urban Legend
[Moonlight Tattoo Parlor]
Unreliable documentation? Doesn’t that make it dangerous?
Not at all.
The basis of this urban legend, "Vacant", is a critique of humanity’s tendency to misinterpret good intentions as something malicious. It’s a satirical take on how people always find ways to justify suspicion.
Given that context, this place must align with the “positive” civilian accounts.
- Are you going in?
Yes.
I politely pressed the door-opening button located beside the opaque glass door.
Whirr.
The door slid open, revealing the tattoo parlor’s interior.
At first glance, it looked like a modest, unassuming shop. The facilities were slightly worn but meticulously maintained. A notice on the counter stated that they only accepted one client at a time.
In the center of the room was a tattoo chair, bathed in a unique light.
Moonlight.
Eerily, the ceiling featured a transparent LED panel, arranged in such a way that only the center spot allowed a view of the moon. Artificial moonlight cascaded perfectly down onto the chair.
"Exactly as described."
"Is anyone here?" I called out.
From behind the counter, the shop’s owner emerged.
She was a woman with tattoos written in dense Korean script along her neck, wearing a sleeveless top. Her tied-back curly hair and her demeanor exuded the vibe of a skilled artisan or technician.
"I’d like to consult about getting a tattoo. Is that possible?"
She nodded silently.
"May I ask about the price range?"
Without a word, the tattooist gestured toward a sign on the wall behind the counter.
[Only accepts bartered goods.]
That’s right.
This shop doesn’t accept conventional payment. Instead, the owner takes items that catch her interest as payment.
And there’s a special preference here:
[Preferred Payment: Items related to the sea.]
This unique condition has occasionally led to ordinary civilians stumbling upon a rare and extraordinary experience.
Document-#818-15623
Civilian:
"I actually got lost. I was trying to find a tattoo shop near ■■ Station but ended up in this area with a lot of vacant buildings.
Then, I found this tattoo shop in the basement.
They only accepted items related to the sea as payment, which I thought was pretty unique. So I decided to show them a sand-timer keychain I happened to have, and they accepted it!
Afterward, they led me to the tattoo chair in the center."
I glanced over at the chair, my heart racing slightly.
This was where it all began.
So, I decided to fully commit to the "preferred payment" condition.
"Would this be acceptable?" I asked, pulling the item I had prepared from my briefcase.
When I opened the velvet-lined rectangular box, shimmering beads reflected light in a dazzling display.
"Pearl beads."
"...!"
Specifically, insanely expensive marine pearls.
They were Akoya pearls, perfect spherical 10mm beads with a white-green base and a faint pink aurora, appearing almost holographic.
‘Sure, there were pricier ocean-related items out there...’
But based on the records from a civilian who had visited this shop, the tattooist seemed to prefer objects that were significantly affected by the passage of time.
And pearls, being organic material, were inherently time-sensitive.
‘Plus, it was something I could acquire quickly during my lunch break by making a speedy trip to a wholesale jeweler in Jongno.’
To be cautious, I even avoided South Sea pearls, which are less affected by time, and specifically selected Akoya pearls for this.
"What do you think?"
The tattooist’s reaction was immediate and intense.
She stared, almost mesmerized, at the glossy pearls before carefully taking the box from me. A subtle, joyful glimmer appeared in her previously neutral expression.
‘What does she even do with these?’
I couldn’t begin to guess.
After swiftly securing the pearl beads behind the counter, she gestured for me to follow her to the central chair under the moonlight.
"Thank you."
She soon returned with a large glass of lemon-infused drink and a thick book.
This was just as described in the records.
“She brought me a lemon drink and a booklet. It looked like a tattoo design catalog, with the phrase ‘Basic No. 3’ written on one page.”
The civilian had chosen a small dolphin silhouette for their tattoo, and the procedure was painless.
I glanced at the booklet’s cover.
If a sand-timer keychain got someone "Basic No. 3," I couldn’t help but wonder what a million-won’s worth of pearls would fetch.
Maybe this was too materialistic of me, but—
[Royal Special Premium No. 1 (Customizable)]
"..."
It worked.
"Thank you," I muttered internally.
Money really does solve everything.
So, these were the designs I could select with the value of the pearls I’d offered?
"Hmm."
I flipped through the pages carefully.
The designs were incredible: constellations drawn with splashes of water, patterns combining polar bear claws with Inuit motifs, and a dreamlike pastel depiction of a seaside sunset.
If I had come here genuinely wanting a tattoo, I would have been admiring these options and taking my time choosing one.
But for me, the tattoo’s aesthetic wasn’t the point.
‘The thing about these tattoos is that they disappear by the next day.’
More specifically:
“It felt like a dream. I was sure I got the tattoo, but when I woke up, it was completely gone.”
“And here’s the strange part: I suddenly became good at swimming in the ocean, like the dolphin I had tattooed.”
The tattoos you receive here grant you abilities based on the design.
‘I can’t afford to waste this opportunity.’
In the Dark Exploration Records, there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of urban legends that grant people abilities or talents.
But very few do so in such a peaceful and harmless way.
In a world where most supernatural gifts require selling your body, soul, or at least your conscience, Moonlight Tattoo Parlor was a true beacon of light in the darkness.
‘I have to pick the best one.’
I turned the pages, analyzing each design for potential abilities.
- Deer, let me take a closer look!
Ah, right. Braun might be able to help interpret the designs further.
I carefully placed the plush toy on the table, positioning him in front of the catalog.
- Oh, the artist’s aesthetic sense is impressive. I think this one could—hmm?
The tattooist, intrigued, picked up Braun and examined him closely.
"...! W-Wait..."
[Service]
"..."
- Just a moment. Please handle me carefully; my stuffing doesn’t allow for much flexibility—oh, oh my, that’s... quite nice.
The tattooist placed Braun in a basin, skillfully applied aromatic oils, and began massaging him, smoothing out his seams and fluff.
...Was this a spa treatment?
- Hahhh... the stress of all these filming schedules just melts away...
The plush toy sounded like an exhausted celebrity enjoying a luxurious retreat.
It was absurd—something straight out of the Dark Exploration Records. Heartwarming, maybe, but definitely absurd.
‘Let’s just focus on choosing a design.’
After retrieving a freshly polished Braun, I flipped through the catalog again.
Most of the designs hinted at sea-related abilities, though nothing stood out as particularly groundbreaking.
Hmm, in that case—
"Do you have any recommendations?" I asked directly.
"Something symbolic of courage or boldness, perhaps?"
Yes. What I needed most was bravery.
‘No more cowardice...!’
While many of the abilities tempted me, my greatest asset was the Dark Exploration Records itself.
Knowledge.
And to use that knowledge effectively, I needed a clear and rational mind, unshaken by fear.
‘I can’t keep living with a heart that might give out at any moment!’
How many times had my cowardice almost gotten me killed?
‘This might be my only chance to visit Moonlight Tattoo Parlor.’
So it made sense to use it for my most urgent need.
Though asking so directly wasn’t mentioned in the records, the tattooist nodded without hesitation and flipped to a specific design.
It was—
"A tomato?"
Indeed.
The design depicted a tomato plant, its branches and leaves drawn in bold, rustic lines, with only the vibrant red fruit colored in. The style felt rough yet melancholic, a touch of nostalgia infused into the piece.
‘How is this related to courage?’
I couldn’t tell. The tattooist, who communicated solely through the catalog, didn’t provide any explanation.
Still, I trusted her recommendation.
"Alright, I’ll go with this."
The tattooist nodded with satisfaction and took the catalog back.
"Oh, and the placement..." I began, rolling up my left sleeve.
If I was going to get this tattoo, I figured it should go near an existing one.
"...!"
The tattooist’s expression changed abruptly. She stood and pointed at a notice on the wall.
[Tattoos may be refused for specific reasons.]
Then, she pointed at my arm.
"...!"
No way.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"...Do you see these markings?" I asked.
She nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Of course. She’s part of an urban legend, so naturally, she could see them.
But that wasn’t the issue.
"Are these markings why I can’t get a new tattoo?"
Nod.
"Would it be impossible to place it on my other arm? Or my back?"
Nod.
"So, I can’t get a new tattoo at all?"
Nod.
Damn it!
"I didn’t even choose to have these markings. Is there really no other way? I was really hoping to get this...."
I let my shoulders slump in exaggerated defeat.
The tattooist, seemingly conflicted, hesitated for a moment before pulling something from the counter.
‘A pamphlet?’
She flipped through it quickly and pointed to a line.
[Cover-ups available]
[Transform your existing tattoos into something extraordinary.]
"...!!"
[※ Cover-ups at Moonlight Tattoo Parlor do not hide old tattoos but enhance their beauty.
The original meaning remains intact, with added artistry to elevate it further.]
Wait a second.
Does this mean... she’s offering to upgrade my current tattoos?
- Not bad! Those mascot-like markings from the theme park and the mountain lodge worker’s brand are a bit much. Perhaps you could go for something more refined?
- Larks, constellations, the Eight Trigrams... there are many elegant designs to choose from! It’s time for an upgrade!
I glanced down.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"Can I upgrade both of these?"
The tattooist nodded.
‘So, while I can only receive one new tattoo, cover-ups seem to be an exception. She’ll let me enhance both.’
But instinctively, I knew.
‘It’s better to focus on just one.’
This shop operates on equivalent exchange. The better the offering, the better the tattoo.
Splitting the value between two would dilute the quality. It was smarter to choose one and ensure the best possible result.
"..."
I deliberated for a moment.
Then—
"Please enhance this one," I said, pointing to one of the markings.