Return of the Irregular Appraiser Chapter 35

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HEL SCANS

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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Chapter 35: Operation (4)

A Dilemma, trapped on all sides.

This is perhaps how Haruka is feeling right now.

Lee Jincheol thought that the appraiser named K’s appraisal skills were good, but his ability to take control of the situation was unusual.

Haruka would have to endure great losses no matter which option she chooses. Giving one of the collections as a bet with K was no longer a big deal.

She had no choice but to either tarnish the honor of the Sword Dragon Unit and slightly concede the negotiating rights for the Spiter Colony raid operation, or to admit that she had tried to carry out a covert operation against the Korean military.

In fact, there was only one choice. It must be her pride that is preventing her from answering right away.

‘This is the skill of an appraisal specialist who has delved into the field of appraisal for decades. To find what even Dr. Yoon couldn’t find in this way.’

It is difficult to estimate his age because his face is covered and his voice is distorted, but he must be at least middle-aged.

This evaluation was actually just a formality. No one really thought there was a problem with the Voice of Enchantment.

It had already been used twice in actual combat within Japan.

But then an appraiser named K suddenly appeared and found a problem with the Voice of Enchantment.

Lee Jincheol felt his heart pounding.

It is rare for an outstanding Awakened to play a major role in negotiations between countries.

However, that was something that had nothing to do with Korea until now. No, maybe it was possible in the past, but it is impossible now. That impossible thing was happening now.

‘I feel like my heart is about to explode.’

After the plan of Salvation’s Korean branch fell through, they made a humiliating deal to receive help from Japan in exchange for handing over more than 30% of the resources from the Spiter Colony.

This was a negotiation that had to be made in a situation where the Spiter Colony had to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

But who knew that the situation would turn around like this?

“Yutaro.”

Haruka asked Yutaro if the appraisal result was correct, and Yutaro nodded after looking back and forth between the Voice of Enchantment and K as if he were out of his mind.

“I’m sure… it is.”

Haruka’s eyebrows twitched and she bowed her head to the Korean Awakened.

“I’m sorry. We didn’t properly check the ability of the artifact on our side. I sincerely apologize.”

“If it were a personal matter, it would be different, but this is a matter that has been concluded in negotiations between countries.”

Woogil said, and she bit her lip and nodded.

“The negotiation will have to be recalibrated. This is a big mistake on Japan’s part.”

“I know.”

“And originally I would have to be paid an appraisal fee, but since I came here at Kim Junghyun’s request, I won’t take it. But the negotiation will have to be that much. Japan can’t be said to have lost money just by finding out the true ability of an Grade-A artifact. No, I don’t know if we should consider it Grade-A anymore. It’s at a level where it’s okay to consider it Grade-S.”

Her face hardened even more at those words.

If he hadn’t said it, she might have thought, but now that he’d said he’d leave the appraisal fee up for negotiation, the Korean side would take that into account and try to get a bigger cut.

“For your information, my appraisal fee is 3% of the appraised value, 4% if it’s determined to be an artifact, and 5% if it’s determined to be a relic.”

“…”

She was about to argue that the appraisal fee was too expensive, but then she stopped.

I just saw that appraisal skill, and 5% is a bargain. With that level of skill, there’s no need to really consider appraisal failures.

“And about the collection earlier.”

“Yes. Speak. Shall I send you a list separately?”

“No, I’ve already decided. There’s an ancient book, so I’ll use that.”

She must not have expected me to choose the ancient book, as her eyes shook like an earthquake.

“Why… the ancient book?”

“I don’t know, and I’d appreciate it if you could send it over quickly. By the way, I’m quite confident in ancient languages, so you’d better not try to scam me. If you don’t want to be embarrassed again, that is.”

She, who was dazed by this, replied that she understood, unable to contain her anger, and then left the room.

Atsumasa, who remained in the room, hurriedly grabbed the Voice of Enchantment and followed her out.

However, Yutaro did not leave right away, but stared at me and then approached me.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“Well…”

He fumbled through his pocket, took out his phone, and handed it to me.

Wondering what it was, I looked at the screen and saw the search bar of Stargram open.

“Do you use Stargram? Follow me!”

“…What?”

I was momentarily confused, for the first time since I came here, at the completely unexpected request.

* * *

The appraisal session was over like that, and a sudden meeting was held in the military strategy planning room.

Jincheol, Dr. Yoon, and Kim Junghyun, who were seated there, explained the situation exactly as it happened, watching the video through the cameras installed there.

“…That’s how we were able to gain an advantageous position in this renegotiation.”

Eight appraisers were seated there. Among them was Park Man-deuk, the section chief of Appraisal Team 2.

‘…This looks exactly like watching Kim Woogil.’

He glanced at Kim Junghyun. Kim Junghyun’s expression didn’t change an inch.

“Hunter Kim Junghyun, who is that appraiser?”

“He’s an appraiser I happened to know.”

“I’m asking who he is.”

“I can’t tell you.”

Kim Junghyun was adamant, and the director of the strategy planning room narrowed his eyes.

“Is he a criminal?”

“No.”

“Then why can’t you tell me?”

“He said it’s not time for him to reveal his identity yet.”

“…Some kind of hidden hero?”

His sarcastic remark was met with a few stifled chuckles from those around him, but Kim Junghyun remained unfazed.

Knowing that once Kim Junghyun made up his mind, there was no turning back, the director of the strategy planning room gave up on hearing the identity.

“Well, I’m sure he’s not a suspicious person, right?”

“I’m sure. In fact, he might even be helpful to the country.”

“Then how about bringing him to Salvation?”

“I’d like to do that too, but he doesn’t want to.”

“That’s a shame. Play that appraisal scene again.”

The employee turned the screen back to the part where Woogil was using his emotions.

– A series of small rings overlapping…

As if to say that this is what appraisers are for, he leisurely finished his appraisal and showed off his ability.

Although it was impossible to see his face properly because his head was covered in cloth, the experience and composure he showed were something that even the section chief-level appraisers here couldn’t easily show.

– That’s nonsense! The Voice of Enchantment shouldn’t be audible to humans…

Yutaro’s frank expression of disbelief was captured on camera, and Haruka’s distorted expression gave everyone in the room a sense of satisfaction.

– Then answer me. Is this situation because of your incompetence, or did the Japanese Defense Agency, which knew all these facts, deliberately put this dangerous artifact into the Korean operation?

With those words, which Kim Woogil punctuated with the final period, the screen stopped and a low hum and silence filled the meeting room.

Some people’s faces lit up a little and a smile appeared on their lips.

Jincheol and Kim Junghyun were the same. This negotiation was a situation where Korea had no choice but to be dragged around by Japan.

And then the negotiation ends up being a bitter pill to swallow.

But the existence of an appraiser named K turned the situation around in an instant.

The director of the strategy planning room barely suppressed his rising excitement and said.

“Okay, let’s get back to it.”

The team leader of the strategy planning room nodded and explained the situation.

“Yes, in the previous negotiation, we agreed to provide 30% of the resources from the Spiter Colony to the Japanese Salvation for three years, but we plan to renegotiate to reduce the term to one year and the percentage to 10%.”

“What are the conditions?”

“We plan to continue receiving support from the Sword Dragon Unit and the right to use the Voice of Enchantment, just like before.”

“Didn’t K say that the Voice of Enchantment could be problematic?”

“I’ll explain that.”

Kim Junghyun stepped forward and said.

“K has offered to teach us how to use the Voice of Enchantment without problems.”

“Oh, really? Can we trust that?”

“Why wouldn’t we be able to trust him? We plan to verify the method separately.”

“Alright, I’d like to hear the opinions of the appraisers. What do you all think?”

The eight appraisers, including Dr. Yoon, were hesitant to answer.

After all, they all saw Woogil’s appraisal but still couldn’t understand the principle of the Voice of Enchantment.

In fact, they wanted to go to him right away and ask him how he had done it.

“I’m in favor.”

Dr. Yoon was the first to speak.

“Why is that?”

“I’ve been studying the history of ancient civilizations for over a decade. At this level, I can feel something even from just a few words. That person has a depth of knowledge that is different.”

Several appraisers nodded at Dr. Yoon’s words of almost praise.

Then another person raised their hand.

“I’m in favor too.”

It was Park Man-deuk.

“Why?”

“It was an appraisal that left me speechless. I agree with Dr. Yoon’s opinion.”

He almost said Kim Woogil by mistake, but he managed to catch himself and breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, he felt a gaze and his eyes met Kim Junghyun’s for a brief moment.

It was a look that seemed to say, ‘Did you get it?’

Man-deuk, who saw it, was sure of it.

The fact that K was Kim Woogil. And he realized that he was not on a luxury cruise but on an aircraft carrier.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t properly thanked him for the Aura Stone. Should I send him a set of the best Korean beef?’

“Then next is…”

* * *

“It’s definitely strange.”

Even after this meeting, I couldn’t easily find any clues about the criminal organization.

Haruka, Atsumasa, and Yutaro also seemed to be surprised that the Voice of Enchantment could have such an effect.

Although the owner of the Voice of Enchantment is Atsumasa, he is bound to Salvation and Grade-A artifacts are actually managed by Salvation, so he cannot use it freely.

Could it really have nothing to do with that criminal group? Atsumasa looked like an ordinary A-Rank hunter on the surface.

‘I hope it’s not related, but if he’s involved with those guys, it’s going to be a pain.’

The reason I hid my identity this time was because of a possible situation.

The criminal organization ‘Nexa Order’.

They are the worst criminal organization in human history. They believe that Awakened are the next stage of human evolution and that non-Awakened should be eliminated and Awakened should lead the world. They are crazy.

The Voice of Enchantment was also an artifact used by a member of the Nexa Order called the ‘Enchantress’.

That’s why I was suspicious. If this was a plot by the Nexa Order, both Korea and Japan would be at their mercy.

The Nexa Order won’t fully emerge until later, but it’s possible they’re already working behind the scenes.

I can’t just sit here and do nothing.

I called Kim Junghyun.

Ring.

– Yes, this is Kim Junghyun.

“Junghyun, is it possible to investigate the Sword Dragon Unit?”

– The Sword Dragon Unit is a special force of Awakened in Japan. There may be some limitations to the information you’re looking for.

“Even a little is fine. I’d appreciate it if you could at least look into Atsumasa or Haruka.”

– I understand. I’ll do my best.

“Thank you.”

– Oh, and thanks to you, we’re going to get a big reward from Salvation this time.

“Great.”

– Alright, I’ll be in touch.

Click.

The phone hung up and I plopped down on the bed.

‘Is this all I can do right now? I hope the ancient book comes soon.’

The ancient book I obtained from Haruka could help me supplement my combat power, which was lacking.

While Kartia was a theoretical expert, Arcana was a magician who only dealt with practical matters.

It’s fine for now, but as the war with interdimensional monsters intensifies, appraisers will also be required to have combat power as time goes on.

That means they need to at least be able to protect themselves. If the ancient book comes, I plan to focus on reading it for the time being.

“I have a lot to do.”

A few more days passed.

I confirmed the location of the appraisal office and various preparations with Mr. Junpyo, and organized the list of unappraised items I received from Park Man-deuk.

Time passed quickly, and I received the ancient book that Haruka had sent through Junghyun.

[Principles of Wave Magic]

Author: Arcana Pandmorelindro Fiennes

[Insight Activated]

A stream of pure white light flowed around the border of the ancient book. It was undoubtedly the original. And it was still undeciphered by anyone.

‘Haruka will regret handing this over.’

She was certainly aware of the value of the ancient book to some extent. But she didn’t know the true value that lay within it.

Perhaps if she had known the true value, she would have tried everything in her power not to hand over the ancient book.

“Wave magic…”

What is Arcana’s legacy? With such anticipation, I immediately opened the first page of the ancient book.

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HEL SCANS

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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