Chapter 23

[Translator – Angel Dust][Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 23: Free Appraisal Office (3)

Youngwoon’s parents willingly accepted the request.

– Of course we will help!

– Oh, it feels like we’re in a spy movie. Son, your mother did some acting back in the day. You’re good at acting just like your mother!

Youngwoon shook his head as if he couldn’t stop them.

“Do you really understand the seriousness of the matter…?”

“I think he might be their son after all.”

Recalling Youngwoon’s reaction, it wasn’t appropriate for others to speak.

“Well, anyway. Please take care of my parents.”

“Understood. But didn’t you mention someone who wanted to see me through text before?”

“Oh! Right. Among the people I know, you’re quite skilled at appraising. When I told them about that incident, they said you’re either a con artist or a real genius.”

“Hahaha… then I could be a con artist?”

“Ah, I’ve seen your skill firsthand.”

With a nod, I got up from my seat.

“I’ll be in touch.”

Heading back home, I called Park Junpyo.

– Uh, what’s up?

“Sir, let’s work on something together.”

– Me? What kind of work?

“Um… are you good at acting?”

* * *

Woogil and Youngwoon headed to the house where Youngwoon’s parents lived.

“You live in a nice place.”

“That’s all debt too. I wanted to let my parents live in a good place, so I got it for them. We’re in deep red even with the lowered house prices.”

It was a nice apartment with the brand’s name imprinted.

“Please come in.”

Following Youngwoon’s guidance, we arrived on the 15th floor. When we rang the doorbell, Youngwoon’s parents welcomed us warmly.

“Welcome.”

“Sorry for suddenly asking for this.”

“Oh, no worries.”

Youngwoon’s mother replied with a smile.

“Come, have a seat.”

The four of us sat facing each other at the large dining table in the kitchen.

“I’m Shin Ahjeong, and Youngwoon’s dad is Lee Yeoljin. I may not look like it, but I’m over fifty…”

“Oh, you don’t have to introduce yourself like that.”

I quickly intervened, not knowing how far she would go with her introduction.

“Honey, that’s too much.”

“Oh, was I exaggerating?”

“No, you weren’t. It seems Youngwoon inherited all of his talents from you.”

“Oh, that’s true. He’s young, speaks well, and is talented… quite impressive.”

After a brief moment of exchanging glances, we got to the point.

“Could you please tell us more about what you mentioned last time?”

“Allow me. Over the past week, we kept hearing about something called the Free Appraisal Office.”

Free Appraisal Office. It finally came out. A name that can never be heard outside.

“Who told you about it?”

“The moms. I’m in a group of moms who recently discovered that their mirrors were actually crafted by skilled artisans. Well, when they examined the ring, it turned out to be an artifact from an ancient civilization… something like that. And they kept telling me to go and see for myself.”

“I heard about it from my colleagues over drinks. They all seemed to have gone at least once. It was mostly nonsense, but they said it’s worth a try, as there’s no harm in trying.”

As expected, the Free Appraisal Office wasn’t completely open but had settled as a place known only to those who heard about it through word of mouth.

Perhaps, it became like that due to requests to only tell close acquaintances.

However, regardless, it’s a favor received for free, and if one can’t even fulfill such a simple request, they might not receive that favor again.

And by the time they realize the truth, it might be too late to leave this place.

“Why haven’t you entrusted it to them yet?”

“It felt uncomfortable. Where in the world can you find a place that generously offers its services for free? In today’s world, acts of kindness without any exchange are rare.”

Yeoljin was a very rational person. If rumors of that extent circulated around him, he might have been tempted to give in, yet he hadn’t succumbed yet, suggesting he’s quite strong-willed.

“Even if it’s right in front of you, wouldn’t it take at least a day to appraise an item in detail? Moreover, with other items waiting in line, you can’t be sure when they’ll return it once you hand it over.”

Yeoljin was passionately explaining, as if to emphasize that he hadn’t needlessly avoided appraisal all this time.

He must’ve heard this question several times. From how effortlessly it flowed out, it felt unjust and frustrating.

“But were there others around you who didn’t get their items back?”

“…No, there weren’t. I also checked just in case, but there wasn’t a single person.”

“That’s the terrifying aspect of those people. You made the right choice.”

At my words, both of them sighed as if finally relieved.

“I was worried it might have been for nothing. Ah, I should tell others quickly-”

“Honey! Everyone will find out if you do that.”

“Oh, right.”

Their relationship seemed very close. Youngwoon’s cheerful personality was probably influenced by his parents.

It was nice to see.

“Do you happen to have any items with you? You said you were contemplating, so there must be something.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’ll go get it.”

Yeoljin went into the bedroom and brought something packed.

“It’s quite a lot.”

“I have a hobby of collecting items that seem valuable.”

The items were laid out on the table. From small plaster dolls to pottery, bracelets, gloves, paintings, and even worn-out leather clothes.

“Wow, Dad, where did you collect all these?”

Youngwoon asked, seemingly unaware of so many items in his house.

“I collected them from here and there.”

Family members really resembled each other. Youngwoon’s hobby seemed to be collecting antiques.

‘Let’s see…’

I quickly appraised Yeoljin’s items using insight.

‘Huh, I guess we don’t need Salvation’s help after all.’

“What is it?”

“Oh, no… um, they look pretty good. It’ll take some preparation to appraise them, so let’s come back tomorrow.”

Me and Youngwoon stood up together.

“Are you coming too?”

“I have to. I came here on a whim.”

“Well, you’re busy, so hurry up.”

“I won’t be able to come tomorrow either. Mom, Dad, please don’t get into any accidents. Got it?”

“Don’t worry and go.”

Although his parents said it was fine, Youngwoon couldn’t easily lift his foot, feeling uneasy.

“Don’t get into any accidents for real!”

“We got it.”

“Woogil, please be careful too. Next time, we’ll treat you to a delicious meal.”

“Sure. See you next time.”

As we moved away from the entrance and out of the apartment, Youngwoon asked.

“Did you see the items earlier? How were they? Are there any good ones?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

In response to that, I smiled slightly and replied.

“There are. It’s fortunate that none of them slipped through.”

* * *

The Next Day.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

“What’s that noise outside?”

“Did the neighbors next door come?”

The house next to Youngwoon’s parents’ place was practically vacant as the owner was overseas, despite being occupied only recently.

But hearing noise from the entrance meant the neighbors had arrived.

Ahjeong opened the door and looked outside.

“Oh, are you Youngwoon’s mother?”

A beautiful young woman in a snug dress and a cardigan greeted her.

“Yes? Who are you?”

“Oh my, have you already forgotten? I’m your next-door neighbor. Mam.”

She greeted Ahjeong so naturally that for a moment, Ahjeong even mistook her for someone else.

“Yes?”

At that moment, the door next to them opened, and a man came out sweating profusely.

“Excuse me, could you- Oh, hello there.”

The man was different from the one she knew. And quick-witted Ahjeong clapped her hands.

“Um, perhaps…?”

“Hehe, that ‘perhaps’ seems right, doesn’t it? Shall we go inside and talk?”

“Yes, please come in.”

Ahjeong ushered her in, and the man who sighed deeply from behind followed suit.

“Um, is this place also…?”

“Not me. I’m just an ordinary employee.”

It was Park Junpyo. He came here at Woogil’s request.

“Hurry up! Honey!”

The woman with them was Yang Jiwon, a new member of the surveillance team.

“…Don’t call me honey when you don’t have to.”

Junpyo muttered with a sigh.

Just as Junpyo was about to close the door, the elevator arrived on the 14th floor.

The door opened, and Woogil, who arrived just in time, entered the house with them.

* * *

Awkward silence filled the air.

I was silent, pondering about what to do next, while Junpyo couldn’t speak up in such an awkward situation with unfamiliar faces.

Jiwon, intrigued, stared intently before speaking up.

“Um, Mr. Kim Woogil? Are you usually this quiet?”

“….”

“Well, darling, is this your first time seeing him?”

Boldly linking arms with Junpyo, she asked.

“Dar…ling?”

“You told me not to call you ‘honey,’ so I said ‘darling.'”

“Ahem! Right, that might be better.”

“Speak normally.”

“….Right.”

He looks like a husband who’s stuck with his wife.

I was worried that Junpyo would be found out because he couldn’t act, but he didn’t seem to have to worry about that.

‘Woogil, what on earth is this?’

Junpyo was taken aback by my sudden call, although he came over, he was quite bewildered.

To be involved in Salvation’s surveillance team’s operation. Moreover, he had to suddenly act as a husband.

Most surprising of all was how well-connected I was to be working with such people.

‘Is all of this just lies? Even the Salvation surveillance team, and Youngwoon’s parents….’

As Junpyo pondered, he shook his head. He realized he was being too unrealistic and jumping to conclusions.

In fact, it was even more implausible to think that all of this was a lie. What would I gain from deceiving others like this?

“Let’s start by appraising the items.”

Yeoljin brought out the items and spread them on the table.

Yang Jiwon stared intently at me, as if to gauge how well I could appraise items.

‘These kinds of items in an ordinary household… It’s something unimaginable even twenty years from now.’

Although I had seen them before, I meticulously examined each item.

It was because of Jiwon. If she showed exceptional appraisal skills, she might take even more interest in me than she does now.

I checked the items for almost an hour. I went through the useless things quickly and the important things more slowly.

Ahjeong and Yeoljin knew that appraisal takes a long time, so they waited while watching other things, but Yang Jiwon didn’t move.

Junpyo didn’t leave either. I guess he wanted to see how the appraiser did the appraisal.

‘You’re doing well.’

I purposely examined the items, showing Junpyo how to appraise them as if lecturing.

The life of an appraiser is meticulous. Since I had Insight, the process is greatly reduced, but an ordinary appraiser would have to look very carefully to not miss a single clue.

After appraising for almost an hour, Jiwon let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair.

The appraisal ended so quickly that it might have seemed like it was done hastily at first glance.

“The rest can be discarded. Just these two.”

A painting of a valley landscape and a worn-out leather jacket.

I placed those two items on the table.

“Before I explain, let me reiterate. Appraisal fees are standard for item appraisal.”

Although my words were directed at Jiwon, Ahjeong and Yeoljin nodded with a slightly bewildered expression.

They probably hadn’t considered paying appraisal fees here.

“I’ll pay.”

“No, there’s no need. You were forced to do this because of us. This will be handled as an expense by our Salvation surveillance team.”

She said this and looked at me, as if asking how much it would be.

“The appraisal value of the items will be determined by me. And my appraisal fee is 3% of the appraisal value, which increases to 4% if it’s judged as an artifact, and 5% if it’s judged as a relic.”

“What? Why is the appraisal fee so expensive?”

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to pay. This is my standard, and it won’t change under any circumstances.”

“Hah! That’s ridiculous-.”

“I’ll pay. We’ll pay.”

Ahjeong spoke up, and Yeoljin took out his wallet and placed it on the table.

“Hah, what kinda–… It’s okay! We’ll pay, so put it away.”

Jiwon confidently placed a black card on the table from her pocket.

“We’re rich, you know?”

“Oh, and one more thing. Even if it’s judged as a forgery, the initial appraisal value remains, and the appraisal fee is still charged.”

“What? Why would you charge that for a forgery?”

“Because I’m the one who discerned it’s a forgery. If you don’t want to-.”

“We’ll do it! We’ll pay!”

Jiwon handed over the card, and I smiled as I accepted it.

Of course, that smile was not visible to Jiwon.

‘It feels like I might collapse if I let my emotions in.’

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]