Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 157

The tattoo shop I found again was darker than the last time.

Unlike before, when it felt like a warm space, today it seemed strangely chilly.

Maybe it was because I entered through the back door. Or maybe...

‘Is it because the moonlight is weak today?’

The round moonlight that came down from the massive central equipment in the middle today was shaped like a crescent.

‘...It doesn’t look like business hours.’

...I hadn’t seen a record like this before.

I carefully took a step inside and... met the eyes from the dark counter.

“…!”

A tattooist with curly hair and dense Korean tattoos covering their neck.

They were the owner of this place.

The tattooist looked at me with darker eyes than before, then raised a notice…

[Customers with fur must wear a gown before entering.]

Ah.

I quickly spat out the stamp from my mouth.

My body grew, returning to its human form. Of course, I stopped growing since I’m still a child. But anyway, as soon as my oral structure returned, I hurriedly opened my mouth.

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

“Sorry for coming through the back door…”

My face was caught.

“…!!”

The tattooist grabbed my face tightly with one hand, wearing black gloves, and began inspecting me, looking me over from every angle…

The black eyes were staring at me.

The pupils were dilated. They were pitch black. So dark, it felt strange. Don’t people usually have whites in their eyes? Why can’t I see the whites?

The tattooist was huge. They were growing bigger. The dark green curly hair grew longer, filling the air like seaweed.

The small but cozy and professional-looking tattoo shop now felt alien. It appeared to be a strange space with incomprehensible technology and style.

‘What’s going on? What’s going on?’

My head was filled with confusion, and the danger signals flooded my mind as I found myself in a ghost story…

No, I can’t.

“Excuse me.”

I moved my mouth.

“Should I stay in my cat form?”

……

Thud.

The tattooist let go of my face.

I quickly shoved the stamp back into my mouth. Without feeling the discomfort of chewing and spitting it out, my body shrank again and turned into a cat.

“...Meow.”

Everything returns.

I was once again in the cozy and professional small tattoo shop, facing the friendly and unique tattooist.

“Is this alright now?”

And then, I spoke in human language.

“…!”

No. I really spoke in human language.

“Uh… uh.”

The tattooist hurriedly rummaged through the counter and pointed to another notice.

[Comfortable communication guaranteed.]

“......”

Now that I think about it.

‘The owner at the Moonlight Tattoo Shop never said a word.’

And the sign I saw before entering here.

‘...It wasn’t in Korean.’

But I could read it. No, if it weren’t for this sense of unease, I would have thought it was in Korean the whole time.

The tattoo I thought was written in Korean on the tattooist’s neck... maybe...

“......”

Indeed. A bizarre occurrence typical of a ghost story.

‘Don’t let your guard down.’

The fact that the owner doesn’t mean harm only means they have no ill will while tattooing. Let that be clear.

However, I’m certain of something after that last reaction.

“…You were just inspecting me because I entered through the back door in my child form, right? ...Children are more dangerous if infected.”

!!

The tattooist raised their head.

Right.

‘This shop received things related to the sea in exchange for a price.’

Furthermore, there are sightings of this shop near the mermaid grave, and there’s a back door.

Considering that back doors are usually for ‘staff only,’ I had a hunch...

“…Boss.”

I cautiously extended my paw.

“…I discovered this shop’s back door in a ruined deep-sea city.”

The tattooist’s eyes whirl.

“Could it be… this shop originally existed there?”

Silence.

“Are you from that city?”

Silence.

“Why did that place become like that? Children are being tricked into death…”

Sadness fills the tattooist’s eyes.

Instead of a whirlpool, tears fill them.

I moistened my parched mouth and opened it.

“There are still children there. Could it be that these children are leaving through the front door via this shop…?”

Thud.

The wall trembled.

It was the sound of the tattooist slamming a pen against the wall.

The thick pen line trembled as it created enormous letters with all its might…

No.

“I see. Understood.”

Although my heart felt like it was about to burst, I successfully replied, as if my mouth was greased.

“…Is it correct that it’s not possible because I’m infected? If so….”

Please.

“Can you tell me about the source of the infection? The strange mass of flesh and the cluster...?”

……

The tattooist picked up the pen again.

And with trembling hands, they picked up a small post-it note from the counter and started writing something.

Tiny letters were pressed down, one by one.

Just two characters. The motion of the hand drawing the strokes could be seen.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

Finally, the tattooist turned the paper around, showing me the completed word.

■■

"......"

Huh?

Why can't I understand this?

But although I can't understand it, I feel like I can still pronounce it.

So... so...

"■■!"

A shock hit my head.

Images swirl around. A strange creature descends from the shining surface, silently attaching itself to the outskirts and growing like a tick, tearing it off, but it grows back and infiltrates. Researchers in the city of the great waves, suicides, death, the pollution spreading from the underground, attempts to escape, the sinking of the last ark, the clamshell... No! The infected children, children, the umbilical cords cut, screams, be careful of the children, it's hell, move the clamshell, don't trust it, the infection is rampaging...

"Cough."

Blood burst out.

Not just from my mouth, but from my nose and eyes, everywhere. Every hole with mucous membranes bursts out from the shock.

The tattooist, startled, immediately poured a lemon drink into a cup and offered it to me. I’m not sure if it’s safe for a cat to drink, but I drank it.

Focusing on the sensation of drinking the beverage with my tongue, I tried to shake off the overwhelming imagery...

It tasted like blood and lemonade.

And a few flashes of insight flickered through my confused mind.

‘Just now.’

The massive meaning behind those two characters had exploded like a bombardment.

Is this the language of the mermaid grave? I don’t think I fully understood it. No, if I could understand it, I wouldn't be human.

But one thing I was certain of.

‘That tattooist originally came from the mermaid grave ghost story.’

And for some reason...

‘The clamshell.’

That item, known as "the angel’s sigh," was deeply connected to this situation...

What’s strange is that these two extremely opposite images, "healing" and "death," were combined in the clamshell.

It sent a chill down my spine.

...What would the clamshell look like from the perspective of a child?

"...Tattooist."

I swallowed the sour and blood taste.

"By any chance… what do you think of the clamshell-shaped item you just thought of?"

The tattooist moved their lips... showing only the pronunciation.

I figured it out.

If I were to translate this into words I could understand...

Filth.

Impurity. A disturbing feeling. Even though I know logically it isn't a threat, it’s a powerful residual image from a terrible incident that leaves a fatal trace. Disgust.

And the space around the tattooist starts to shimmer again…

"I see. Understood. …Thank you."

Is this the end?

Having calmed the tattooist, I slowly started piecing together the clues I’d gathered so far in my head.

"......"

My plan, which had only a vague methodology before, started to fit together like a detailed puzzle.

Of course, it was a hypothesis I had created.

‘But if this is right.’

Narrowly, using every last bit of it... there were still things I could try.

‘Alright.’

My mind cleared.

Now, what I needed were the conditions to back up this plan.

And the abilities to fulfill those conditions.

By chance, I had entered a shop where I might be able to purchase those abilities.

"I’d like to talk about tattoos now..."

The tattooist nodded as if they understood and quickly showed me another notice.

[Consent of the guardian is required for procedures on immature individuals.]

"...Yes. I’m not planning to get a tattoo right now."

Considering the crazy power of the tomato tree tattoo sticker, I thought it would be extremely important to be cautious when getting a tattoo here...

Even if the other person has good intentions, the standards are subjective, and irreversible results can happen, as I’ve seen.

So, instead of a permanent tattoo, I requested a short-term effect again.

"…Are there, by any chance, stickers for tattoos like this one?"

The tattooist tilted their head and tried to bring a book with tattoo designs. It was the same one I had last time with the ‘Royal Special Premium No.1 (Customizable)…’

No!

"It’s fine. Just the basic design, please."

Finally, a very ordinary book came out. Phew.

‘I don’t have money to pay for this...’

I’m such a beggar…

I can’t even afford pearls. I considered taking something from the mermaid grave, but seeing the tattooist’s reaction, I’m glad I didn’t.

I nodded at the simple tattoo design the tattooist pointed to.

"Alright. Please do that."

Then, I entered the real issue.

I struggled to open my mouth.

"I... the cost..."

Tap tap.

The tattooist tapped a notice.

[Write a review and get 3 free tattoo stickers (basic edition only).]

...!

...

"U-where do I write it?"

Thus, I had the rare experience of writing a review with the gist of "The owner is kind and professional" using my paw.

Where my review would end up... Well, let’s not think about that right now...

The important thing is this.

‘Escape safely from the craziest ghost story with the most people.’

And just now, I obtained the ability that would form the basis for it.

I politely bowed in my four-legged form and finished my second visit to the Moonlight Tattoo Shop.

The scheduled time with the agents was approaching.

***

"Bronze Agent."

Ryu Jaegwan turned his head.

His superior, who had just waved goodbye after playing with the kids, was approaching.

"Agent Choi."

The moment the children disappeared from sight, the smile faded from Agent Choi’s face.

"They’re gone."

"......"

"This time, there’s really nothing we can do. Bronze."

"I... I told you, didn’t I, that we should have left the day of...!"

"......"

"Breaking the rules and giving unnecessary hope... "

"I know."

Agent Choi made a habitual gesture, as if to light a cigarette, but then realized he was in his child form and lowered his hand, laughing lightly.

"Still, if you try until the end, you won’t have any regrets."

"......"

"I think so."

Ryu Jaegwan silently clenched his fist.

"And, you didn’t break the really important rule. ...You didn’t reveal what this place really is."

"......"

That’s right.

Even the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau already knows.

The sparkling Dragon Palace is an illusion caused by hypnosis.

Many agents confirmed this during their missions.

And while they all tried to rescue the children in their adult forms, they all failed miserably.

When infected children are forcibly put on an escape vessel, acute shedding occurs, causing ulcers to grow on their bodies and leading to the loss of all vital signs.

Do not attempt this under any circumstances.

The children turn into regular infected entities, their bodies bursting and dying.

After that, the agent who tried to rescue them was afflicted with severe mental trauma and nightmares, never to return. The Disaster Management Bureau doesn’t reveal the truth to the newly deployed agents.

"Po-do doesn’t know yet."

"......"

"Let’s keep it that way. Understood?"

Ryu Jaegwan nodded.

At that moment...

Whoosh.

A small shadow moved near the alley.

The two agents immediately turned around and adopted a defensive stance.

Ryu Jaegwan squinted his eyes.

"A shadow like a cat just moved..."

"A cat?"

Agent Choi chuckled.

"Heh, I guess it’s just... one of those things that looks like a cat."

"......"

That’s right.

In this place, you can’t trust appearances.

The intoxicating sight of a child’s form can’t be trusted because I’ve already seen what lies behind it.

Ryu Jaegwan slowly lowered his steps and checked beyond the alley.

And… he saw something unexpected.

Human-sized wind-up doll decorations walking through the alley.

"...Daydream."

"...!"

The field research team from Dreamland Corporation.

Because of the eerie animal masks, they always appeared as the peculiar "cute animal decoration drinking fountains," so they were very distinct even from a child's perspective.

It was the same this time.

A beautiful butterfly, a cute pony, and a friendly goat.

To a child’s eyes, they seemed like cute decorations.

But...

"Hmm."

Agent Choi, silently approaching, pulled out something sparkling in the shape of wings.

It was a sun catcher made from glasswork.

A sunlight catcher.

Though it looked clumsy, like something made by a child, it emitted a strange light even without sunlight. When brought near the eyes...

The truth is revealed.

"...I see. Wow, their ability is good. They look fine, don’t they?"

Ryu Jaegwan, too, raised the sun catcher, also known as the sunlight catcher, and examined them.

Three people in suits. Animal masks. Butterfly, pony, and...

Goat.

"......"

That...

Ryu Jaegwan felt his blood freeze as he gripped the glass tightly.

He recognized them.

‘Kim Soleum’s coworkers...!’

It was the man with the black goat mask from Seokwang Industrial High School.

Thinking back to his conversation with the person wearing the bison mask, it was clear that this man had quite a close acquaintance with Kim Soleum.

‘Then...’

...If by any chance, if he recognized Kim Soleum’s appearance from the child’s features...

And if he looked into it further...

‘No.’

He couldn’t just leave it like that—he couldn’t let that damn company pull someone who had finally pulled themselves together back into their cult-like den...!

Ryu Jaegwan’s mouth involuntarily opened.

"Agent."

"Huh?"

"Wouldn’t it be better to subdue them and chase them away now?"

"Oh."

Agent Choi shrugged.

"Bronze, there’s only one day left, why make a fuss over something like that?"

Of course, the Disaster Management Bureau knew that the damned company had been sneaking in through their own hidden channels. But they decided to wait, judging that confrontation would only result in civilian casualties.

The manpower should be used where it could save more people, where it could more effectively end the supernatural disaster.

"Just in case, let’s keep an eye on the kids."

"......"

"...That’s what we should say!"

A twisted smile spread across Agent Choi’s face.

He looked at one of the staff members.

The butterfly mask. The gold-marked one.

"...An elite team is here."

A fiery look flashed in Agent Choi’s eyes.

"That person, if we throw them in a glass prison for obstructing official duties, we should get some juicy info."

"......!"

"Let’s go."

The agents moved.

***

"Deputy!"

Jin Nasol grabbed her messy hair, watching the foolish kid running toward her.

"Hey, hey...!"

And behind him, the mermaid kids were following.

But they had no tails.

"It’s a special type."

Jin Nasol’s index and thumb stretched out, revealing the sharp, silvery lines running through them.

"Annoying."