Return of the Irregular Appraiser
Chapter 25

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 25: Free Appraisal Office (5)

All conditions for this operation are prepared.

Now we just need to lure the Taejin faction into bringing in an appraiser, and then use that as an excuse to bring in Taejin’s boss, Jung Taejin, and catch him in the act.

If we arrest Jung Taejin, we can find out about his relationship with Kang Chanwook and even connections with Congressman Chae.

Vrrr- Vrrr-

The phone vibrated.

[Lee Yeoljin]

It was Lee Youngwoon’s father.

Click.

“Hello?”

– Oh, yes. Mr. Appraiser. As you said, I received a call right away after I told them I would be getting an appraisal.

“Just act as usual and do as they say.”

– Understood.

The call ended, and soon another call came in.

[Inspection Team 3, Yang Jiwon]

Click.

“Hello?”

– No, Mr. Woogil. Can Lee Yeoljin go alone? Isn’t it dangerous?

“Then who will follow?”

– We will. Isn’t that why we put him next door?

“That’s true, but not now. This time, nothing special will happen. And if suddenly the newlywed couple next door, who have been empty for a few months, say they want to go together, it might make you look suspicious.”

– I don’t know about that. I don’t think the Taejin faction even knows about the house next door?

“That may be true. However, caution is necessary. Unlike activities in the provinces, this time we have to move discreetly, considering the possibility of them catching on.”

– Hmm…, understood. Since the team leader entrusted you, so I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on.

“Great idea. When you two come back, naturally join in and listen to the conversation. Then gradually make contact and naturally get closer.”

– Understood. Uh, by the way, there’s Park Junpyo, right?

“Yes, what about him?”

– …Ah, no, nothing. I’ll hang up.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

‘Why cut off without saying anything to make people curious?’

Is it deliberate? Trying to annoy me out of curiosity?

‘Anyway, I wonder if Junpyo can do well.’

There are three reasons why I chose Park Junpyo.

First, in order to keep him by my side in the future, I need to figure out what kind of person he is.

Second, because he and Yang Jiwon are at the perfect age to be a married couple. The man was 38 years old and Yang Jiwon was 31, so they got along well.

Of course, Junpyo looked young because he dressed up neatly, and it was nice that he didn’t stand out because he had the face of a commonly seen office worker in his 30s.

Yang Jiwon has a mature image, so even though she looks young, she looks her age.

Thirdly, it is to show the scene to Junpyo and to enhance his senses. It would be helpful to learn things about appraisals through practical training.

“I guess I’ll just have to do my own thing in the meantime.”

Checking the materials received from Oh Geomsu, I organized information about Taejin Faction and Salvation’s appraisers.

If one becomes an appraiser for Salvation, it means they graduated from Salvation Academy, followed the elite course, and even obtained a Class 1 appraiser license.

Is there a reason to work with guys like Taejin Faction to earn more money?

Salvation’s appraisers receive almost the highest salary in Korea, excluding hunters who play on the battlefield.

Usually people will be satisfied with it, but sometimes there are people who are not.

“Sung Daehyun…, age 31, Salvation Appraisal Department 5 and Team 3 Leader. Huh? Did he become a team leader at the age of 31? Certainly seems like an elite.”

This translation captures the essence of the conversation while ensuring clarity and cultural relevance for English readers.

Looking at the record of Team 1 Leader Yang Wonho of Appraisal Department 2, it’s evident that he’s a remarkable elite. The fact that he holds the same team leader position as Yang Wonho, who is five years younger than him, speaks volumes about his exceptional abilities.

‘How impressive…’

As I turned to the next page of the document, I came across an astonishing record.

“…He ranked 5th in the Elton Cup, a global Appraisal competition, when he was still an academy student?”

This record left me speechless. With just that line, the reason for his promotion to team leader at a young age became clear.

Elton Rupert.

Elton Rupert, a world-renowned appraiser and the first scholar to appraise relics of the ancient magic civilization, held a world appraisal competition named after himself.

The World Appraisal Elton Cup (WAEC), one of the world’s three most prestigious appraisal competitions, is a competition in which many of the world’s top young appraisers participate.

Of course, there is an age limit, and the types of items submitted are different each time, and the variety is so diverse that even the most skilled appraiser can lose to an unknown appraiser if it is not his/her main field, but the Korea Academy cadet ranked 5th. Getting high grades is really not easy.

“This person is also a genius.”

Come to think of it, I remember seeing him on the internet when he was younger. An article about a 20-something academy student ranking 5th in the WAEC.

Why would someone like that choose to work with guys like Taejin Faction and walk the dangerous tightrope?

While others might have succumbed to the temptation of money, he was different.

If it were for money, the moment he ranked 5th in the WAEC, he would have received offers from all over the world, with substantial salaries awaiting him in countries like the USA, China, or the UK.

‘The more I think about it, the more suspicious it seems… Could it be that Team Leader Oh Geomsu made a mistake?’

Could it be that the appraiser cooperating with Taejin Faction is not Sung Daehyun?

Team Leader Oh Geomsu mentioned that his suspicions about Sung Daehyun arose from an anonymous tip-off.

Of course, after multiple cross-checks, they deemed the tip-off reliable, leading to the investigation.

However, no matter how I think about it, Sung Daehyun’s skills seemed too valuable to be wasted on working with Taejin Faction.

If he were caught violating Salvation’s regulations, he could lose his appraiser license, and his high honor would be jeopardized.

‘Well, it’s not wise to judge hastily.’

Throughout my life, I encountered all sorts of human characters.

Upon closer inspection, they all had their reasons.

People who suddenly rose to stardom one day could fall to the bottom the next, and someone considered the worst criminal could turn out to be trying to save the world.

It’s important to understand the underlying reasons behind every event.

While checking Sung Daehyun’s data, I came across information about his father.

Name: Sung Hanwook

Two years ago, he fell victim to an assault and now is in a vegetative state. He’s currently undergoing treatment at Oh Sung Hospital.

However, with current medical technology, there’s no way to revert a vegetative state back to normal.

“Tsk.”

Every time I see such things, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Did Sung Daehyun join hands with Taejin Faction to treat his father?

But having money doesn’t necessarily mean treatment is possible. If it requires relics to treat a vegetative state, then connections are more important than just money.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to go abroad now, build wealth by interacting with global figures, and gather information on relics?

‘Maybe he obtained such relics from the Taejin Faction.’

I went to Oh Sung Hospital, where Sung Daehyun’s father was being treated. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Visiting patient Sung Hanwook? Someone is currently visiting. You can visit after they’re done.”

“There’s already a visitor?”

“Yes. His son is here.”

Of course, Sung Daehyun would be there.

I sat in the lobby of the floor where the hospital room was, waiting for Sung Daehyun to come out.

Swoosh—

The door opened, and Sung Daehyun came out.

“Mr. Sung Daehyun.”

“…Who?”

“I’m Kim Woogil. Can we talk for a moment? I’d like to interview you.”

He looked at me hesitantly, then nodded.

“Sure.”

The two of us left the hospital and entered a nearby café. It was quiet inside, likely due to the late hour.

As we sat down facing each other, Sung Daehyun looked at me with suspicion.

“I apologize for the delayed introduction. I’m Kim Woogil, not yet affiliated with the Korean Appraisal Association… but I’m planning to join.”

“Planning? Ah, is it because of the thesis material?”

At the mention of affiliation with the association, Sung Daehyun’s expression softened.

“Yes. When joining the association, newcomers are required to submit a thesis on a topic related to the broad field of appraisal.”

“I’m aware. I have an acquaintance there too.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Given Sung Daehyun’s status, it was only natural for him to have such connections.

Well, it didn’t matter. As long as Sung Daehyun doesn’t get suspicious and investigate me as soon as we part ways.

Considering Sung Daehyun’s position, such occurrences were probably quite common, so he wouldn’t suspect anything.

Moreover, until the list of successful candidates was announced, only a select few in the association would know who passed.

By the time the newcomers were announced, the incident would have already passed.

“I apologize for coming to you so suddenly. I’m in the middle of researching WAEC, and I thought there wouldn’t be anyone better to interview in Korea than Sung Daehyun. You’re truly an impressive appraiser, Mr. Sung Daehyun!”

I portrayed myself as an enthusiastic novice appraiser.

“Hmm… How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-three.”

“Oh… You’re a genius too? We’re in the same league then.”

“Haha… Compared to Mr. Sung Daehyun, I’m just a new blood.”

Joining the Korean Appraisal Association is not as difficult as becoming a Salvation appraiser, but it’s still quite challenging.

After all, the number of people selected is not that large, and one must possess extensive knowledge in the field of appraisal.

If there’s a difference between Salvation and the association, it’s that the association educates scholars rather than appraisers.

“Don’t you want to become an Awakened?”

“…I prefer being a scholar. While becoming an Awakened and an appraiser is certainly impressive, it’s the scholars supporting them that contribute to the development of appraisal, isn’t it?”

It seemed like a satisfying answer, as a smile blossomed on Sung Daehyun’s face.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a promising junior like you. Ask me anything.”

“Okay, how did you feel participating in WAEC?”

“Well, at that time…”

Surprisingly, Sung Daehyun earnestly answered the questions. He discussed whether he expected to rank 5th, what was the most difficult item to appraise, who he was most concerned about, and whether he thought the judging process was fair, and so on.

As I gradually posed more probing questions, Sung Daehyun responded smoothly, as if he were already accustomed to them.

In his seemingly arrogant demeanor, traces of regret from past failures also surfaced.

“Now, for the final question. Why did you reject all the overseas offers?”

“…?”

For the first time, Sung Daehyun’s mouth didn’t immediately open in response to that question.

He must have heard similar questions countless times already. Would his reaction be the same for others?

His gaze seemed slightly different from before.

“Did you say your name was Kim Woogil? Do you consider yourself a genius?”

“…To be honest, I believe I belong in the same category as you.”

I chuckled as I said that.

“They say modesty is not a virtue these days, right?”

“Indeed, humility is not considered a virtue these days, but one must know how to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. It’s advice from a senior.”

Sung Daehyun stood up from his seat.

“Why didn’t I go to WAEC? Because at that time, I thought Korea was a good country.”

I chuckled at the unexpected answer.

“Do you still think so now?”

He didn’t answer, just gave a wry smile in response to that question.

“If you join the association, let’s grab a meal sometime. Kim Woogil, my junior.”

He handed over his business card and left the café.

‘Are you really helping Taejin Faction?’

I pondered, gazing at his retreating figure.

Several days passed.

Four days after Lee Youngwoon’s parents asked for an appraisal for the landscape painting depicting a valley, a man from the Taejin Faction arrived.

Ring- Ring-

[Surveillance and Inspection Team, Yang Jiwon]

Beep.

“This is Kim Woogil.”

Yang Jiwon called me.

– Mr. Appraiser? You should come and see. We have something to confirm.

With the bait set, Taejin Faction had begun to move in earnest.

“Alright. Where should I go?”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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