Return of the Irregular Appraiser
Chapter 15

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – ChiSync]

Chapter 15: Aura Stone (2)

Salvation Korea Branch Emotion Division 2.

The world outside the window was filled with darkness. The sun had long set, and the clock already pointed to 1 o’clock, yet not a single employee of Division 2 had left work.

Bang!!

At that moment, with a rough push, the door of the supervisor’s office swung open, and Chief Park Man-deuk burst out, clutching what little hair remained on his head and cursing aloud.

“Aaaaah!!”

However, the employees, seemingly accustomed to such scenes, merely watched without surprise or alarm.

Yet, as they observed the Chief’s outburst, their faces filled with a bit more concern.

‘Well… Will I end up like that if I work ten more years here?’

‘My hair is already starting to fall out. Should I start taking hair loss medicine from now on?’

‘The world has changed so much, why hasn’t baldness been solved yet!’

The sound of keyboards clacking incessantly echoed throughout the office. This time, it was a newly discovered ore: Aura Stone. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Since discovering the name and effects of the yellow mineral in ancient texts, they had been dedicated to research, but progress had been slow.

Because of that, the atmosphere between the employees and the Chief was tense.

Not just Division 2, but every other department was the same.

Whenever a large-scale deal like this emerged, the emotions were always on high alert.

“What’s wrong, Chief?”

The team leader of Division 2 approached him and asked. Unless they were at the level of team leader, no one could speak to the Chief, who was known for his short temper.

“The office director wants the report finalized by next week. Team Leader. Do you think this makes any sense?”

“I absolutely don’t think it does.”

“But why do you keep insisting on something that doesn’t make sense?”

“…Because he trusts us that much-.”

“If he trusts us, then he should listen when we say it’s not feasible!! Don’t you know it’s not feasible!!”

In response to Chief Park Man-deuk’s loud voice that rang in their ears, the team leader flinched and quickly nodded in agreement.

“Yes.”

“No, does the Emotion Division think they’re all-powerful? Just because you look at it and a system window pops up in thin air showing the effects, side effects, principles, and materials of this mineral?”

“Still, since the Emotion Division gathers the best talents in South Korea-.”

“Best talents my foot! They’re all idiots! Nothing but fools! What’s the point of bringing in smart people from academia? They can’t even properly analyze emotions like this! Right? Isn’t that right, Team Leader?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Today, for some reason, he seemed even more stressed than usual.

Normally, he would just vent a few frustrations after receiving a call from the office director and then return as if nothing had happened, but today, he seemed more irritated and his expression was even worse.

Did he lose an unusually large amount of hair today?

“Why are you acting like this, Chief? Is there something more in this evaluation?”

“They’re going to showcase that yellow rock in next month’s Spiter colony raid operation.”

“What? They going to use something that hasn’t even been properly validated in a real operation? Are they insane?”

“Insane indeed. Utterly insane. Blinded by results, that’s what it is.”

Not only the team leader but also all the team members who overheard their conversation understood the Chief’s hysteria.

And they understood the despairing future that awaited them.

“If that goes wrong, won’t all the blame fall on us?”

“Not all, but surely some responsibility will be ours. You’ve been through a lot dealing with this annoying Chief’s hysteria.”

As if relieved of his burden, the Chief bid farewell to his team members.

“Hey! Why are you doing this, Chief! Where are you going?”

“Yeah, we’ve gotten used to the hysteria now, so it’ll be disappointing if you stop.”

“What are you talking about stopping? You should keep working with us, Chief.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll handle the emotions properly until then! Chief!”

The team members comforted him.

“Yeah, thankfully you’re here. Ugh, I should get back to work too. Team Leader, order some snacks for the kids with this.”

Park Man-deuk pulled out his personal card and handed it to him.

“Are you sure? The kids will eat a lot.”

“Just use it, damn it. What’s the point of having money if you don’t spend it? I don’t have time to spend it! No time!! Ugh!”

As Park Man-deuk sighed deeply and entered his office, the subdued atmosphere among the team members revived.

“You heard that? Chief is treating us to snacks with his own money, so you guys better work properly.”

“Of course, Team Leader!”

“Just trust us!”

“Hey, if the Chief gets fired, one of us has to become the Chief next, but I don’t want to lose my hair without getting married.”

Team Leader shook his head and said to the Chiefs of Teams 2 and 3.

“Oof! If the position opens up, you’re next in line.”

“What are you talking about? Hey hey!! You guys better work quickly! If the Chief gets fired, you’ll all be dead in my hands.”

As Team Leader admonished his team members, those who took their places like lightning began to work diligently.

“Conduct a thorough investigation, and find any minor side effects to prevent it from being used in actual combat.”

Though the night’s heat was gradually cooling off, the office of Division 2 was heating up more and more.

* * *

I recently wore a mask I purchased online.

[Voice Modulation Mask]

The mask, adorned with dark green and gold colors, is delicately engraved with magical patterns and symbols. Made with the creator’s intricate design and lightweight, durable materials, it provides comfort to the wearer. Reacting to the wearer’s mana and adjusting accordingly, the mask modulates voices based on the intricately engraved mana circuit within. Depending on the precise mana manipulation, the voice modulation varies.

∥ Solar Year 2034, September 14th

∥ Voice Modulation

“Oh.”

A mask with quite an impressive design.

A truly different voice echoed out. Upon examining the mana circuit, it became clear that initially, the mana circuit activates with the supply of mana, after which further supply is unnecessary. The principle behind the voice change lies in the varying amplification levels depending on the amount of mana supplied.

“Not bad.”

It was an item ordered in case there was ever a need to conceal one’s identity.

Although it wasn’t needed right away, with the insight ability, I could personally project mana and verify the design of the item, making it a good study opportunity.

“The method using mana waves and frequencies… seems worth studying.”

I placed it on the desk and left the house.

‘Aura Stone…, perhaps this is also fate.’

The first commission that came to me, as an appraiser, was the “Aura Stone.”

It felt like sending a mechanic to fix a misaligned gear. Indeed, the crack in Salvation Korea Branch started with the Aura Stone incident.

“Don’t worry about unnecessary things. I’ll just do my job.”

I headed to ‘Sunting,’ a private room in Gangnam. There’s really no place like here for a truly private meeting.

“Welcome.”

As always, the friendly staff checked the reservation number and guided him. Today’s meeting place was a private room on the 10th floor.

Kim Junghyun and the Appraisal Division Chief were already seated.

“You’re the Appraisal investigator.”

With Kim Junghyun’s introduction, the Chief observed me slowly. A glance as if questioning, ‘Who is this guy that Kim Junghyun recommended so strongly?’

“I’m Park Man-deuk, Chief of the Logistics Support Division 2.”

“Hello. I’m Kim Woogil.”

Park Man-deuk’s expression stiffened, then he looked at Kim Junghyun.

A face that seemed to ask, ‘What on earth is this?’ Well, it might be hard to understand for someone who’s introduced as just a young man in his early to mid-20s despite being introduced as an excellent appraiser.

After all, appraisers accumulate knowledge and insight over time as they gain experience.

“Come, please take a seat.”

With Kim Junghyun’s mediation, I sat down. A bell sound echoed from within the room. When Kim Junghyun pressed the tablet on the table, a staff member entered, placed coffee, and left again.

“You look young… if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

“I’m twenty-three.”

“…Are you perhaps a student at Salvation Academy?”

“No.”

“Then you would have graduated already… if you had.”

His expression twisted suddenly. He seemed like he might storm out of the room at any moment. But with Kim Junghyun’s silent insistence to stay put, he seemed to be holding back.

“Since time is short, let’s get to the point.”

I said so, and Park Man-deuk sighed deeply, nodding helplessly.

He had a face that didn’t seem particularly expectant. It was understandable. Being a regular private appraiser, not a graduate of Salvation Academy, it was a natural reaction.

Globally, there may be exceptional private appraisers, but in Korea, they are scarce.

It’s well-known that they rarely leave their workplaces due to constant internal item evaluations. Their tight schedules are understandable.

Given the murderous workload at the Appraisal Division, it’s no wonder. Even just looking at his dark circles extending down to his jawline and his disheveled hair, you could tell.

“I heard from Hunter Kim Junghyun that you have remarkable Appraisal skills.”

“…I’m just decent at it.”

“Oh, I see.”

Park Man-deuk replied with a snort, already convinced that he was dealing with an unremarkable appraiser.

“As mentioned earlier, would you please show the Appraisal item?”

“Yes.”

I took out the [Faded Dimensional Dagger[ from my bag and placed it on the table.

“Let’s check it out.”

Park Man-deuk took the dagger and meticulously examined it, comparing it with the records stored on the tablet he brought.

‘He’s quite thorough.’

While Park Man-deuk scrutinized the dagger for almost five minutes, I and Kim Junghyun watched silently.

“Hmm… it’s authentic.”

Park Man-deuk placed the dagger back on the table.

“So, are you saying this E-grade ordinary dagger is actually an A-grade artifact?”

Park Man-deuk glanced at Kim Junghyun as if he couldn’t believe it. It was a look questioning if they had brought in a swindler.

Kim Junghyun smiled lightly as if understanding and waited quietly.

“That’s correct. It’s an A-grade artifact.”

“Was that your judgment?”

“Isn’t that what an Appraiser is supposed to do?”

With my nonchalant attitude, the Chief, who had been scrutinizing me, leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, as if suggesting he give it a try.

“Fine! If this is really an A-grade artifact, then I’ll leave this matter entirely to Mr. Woogil. We’ll provide all the support you need.”

An attitude that implied it would never happen. Perhaps it was due to the typical arrogance of the Appraisal Division.

‘The Appraisal Division boasts that only the best from the Academy go there. They must be very proud. But… this attitude is uncalled for.’

This was akin to disrespecting Kim Junghyun who brought Woogil in.

Whether Kim Junghyun was deceived or he deceived the Chief, if he introduced him, at least until his abilities are proven, this attitude shouldn’t be shown.

I understand. I do understand completely. In this day and age, among appraisers who aren’t graduates of the Academy, there are hardly any decent ones to speak of.

But isn’t it annoying nonetheless?

“Tsk.”

I openly expressed my annoyance as I picked up the old dagger.

As I lightly infused mana into it.

Humming—

He chanted the activation command and thrust the dagger into the air, then turned it.

“Teykebeje (თიყბზ).”

Wheeiiing!

A space splitting around the dagger. Along the boundary, tiny mana sparks popped out.

“W-what, what, what’s this? A v-void… a space? Dimensional space? This dagger?”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – ChiSync]

Sᴇarch the NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.