Chapter 33

[Translator – Angel Dust][Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 33: Operation (2)

The next day, Kim Junghyun sent me the information about the artifact.

“To think this came out here…”

A familiar pendant appeared on the computer monitor.

The body of the pendant was crafted from obsidian, with a green light crystal core embedded in the center. Intricate patterns carved around it exuded a mysterious aura.

A pendant hung on a chain of overlapping small loops. It was called the Voice of Enchantment artifact.

Named for the eerie sound emanating from the pendant, said to mesmerize the beholder.

Like a faint ghostly voice, unheard until recognized, but once perceived, it never left the mind.

An artifact necklace made in the 30th century B.CD, previously rated as Grade-S in my previous life. Now evaluated as Grade-A.

Though I had never seen it in person, it was a well-known item. It was said to emit special wavelengths that mesmerized living beings.

The problem was that the pendant had once been in the hands of the worst criminal organization.

‘Were they not in possession of the Voice of Enchantment back then?’

The fact that they were calling in appraisers again hinted that they still didn’t fully understand the true capabilities of this artifact.

“Hah…”

There was never anything ordinary about the cases that came in. If it is something that the criminal organization has had since then…

‘It needs to be taken away or destroyed.’

If not, they should track it down and stamp it out before their sprouts grew into a full-blown problem.

‘It’s even more frustrating that I can’t be a part of this operation myself. ’

The news that Kim Junghyun would be joining the operation was a relief, but it also brought anxiety.

The assault on the Spiter Colony involved not only the side effects of the Aura Stone but also Named-class monsters guarding the place, putting the hunters in jeopardy.

In addition, considering the possible involvement of a criminal organization, the risk increased several-fold.

Though Kim Junghyun’s knowledge of the Triple Ring’s true usage had greatly increased compared to the past, it was still a dangerous situation.

In a situation where external enemies were dangerous enough, would Kim Junghyun and the Korean hunters be able to handle internal threats as well?

‘I can’t let South Korea fall apart like it used to’

Although Korea was now among the leading appraisal advanced nations, it was gradually declining over time.

Was it due to someone’s manipulation, or simply a lack of capability?

‘I’m sure the director is working on it somewhere.’

The Director always said he loved Korea. But he found it pathetic to helplessly watch Korea crumble.

In the tomb-raiding group I belonged to, there were only the Director and me as Koreans, and that made us close.

We had always pledged to one another. Someday, we would acquire outstanding artifacts, improve our skills, and return to Korea.

And we would revive Korea, which was crumbling.

Although we ultimately failed to realize our resolution, perhaps heaven heard our earnest wish and gave me another chance.

[Mana Wavelength and Substances]

A beam of pure white light still flows along the borders of the book. Today, this beam of light would also disappear.

‘Somehow, I ended up reading this first.’

「The study of mana goes beyond simply understanding unknown energy. It is a journey to explore our world and its fundamental laws. By observing the interaction between mana waves and waves with the material world, we reveal the invisible order of dimensions and redefine our own position within it. Remembering that our knowledge is as vast and endless as the deep sea of mana, we must be constantly prepared to explore new horizons.」

Thud.

Closing the final page, once again, white beams of light burst forth along the edges, wrapping around my body and rotating before plunging into my left eye.

“Ugh!”

A sensation of heat in the eyeball. Simultaneously, I felt an unknown floating sensation, and my vision began to fade away.

[Mana Wavelengths Visualized.]

It was a simple statement, but its meaning was far from simple.

“This is insane…”

Waves emanating from various objects. More precisely, waves of various lengths and colors began to overwhelm the world in a chaotic manner.

* * *

Yang Jiwon checked her tablet incessantly as she knocked on the door of the team leader’s office.

Knock. Knock.

“Come in.”

Giving a slight nod to Oh Geomsu, Yang Jiwon resumed looking at her tablet.

Seeing her like that, Oh Geomsu let out a deep sigh and motioned for her to sit by tapping the table.

“I can’t focus at all. I know you’re busy, but taking breaks is also part of the job.”

“There’s just too much to do.”

“Close the tablet.”

“…Yes.”

I reluctantly closed the tablet and swallowed hard, feeling as if I was doing something forbidden.

“Overworking. You haven’t properly rested since the Taejin faction incident ended.”

“It’s okay. It’s not just me. I even felt better when I was handling the Taejin faction mission.”

Agreeing with her, Oh Geomsu smiled.

“Yeah, sometimes being in the field feels better, doesn’t it? Anyway, tell me about this mission.”

“Wasn’t that all in the report? You’ve read and confirmed it too.”

“Besides that, I’m talking about Kim Woogil.”

“Ah…”

Yang Jiwon hesitated, touching her chin for a moment before speaking up.

“We might need to catch him before he crosses the border.”

“Is that so?”

Yang Jiwon was serious, and Oh Geomsu seemed surprised as he asked.

“Yes, although it wasn’t mentioned in the report, he said something.”

“What did he say?”

“He said if you consider the Valley of Peace as ordinary goods, it’s a third-rate appraiser, an artifact as a second-rate appraiser, and if you evaluate it as a relic, it’s a first-rate appraiser.”

“Oh…”

Oh Geomsu exclaimed with an intrigued expression.

It sounded plausible. Especially considering the appraisal method he had used.

Moreover, hadn’t Sung Daehyun evaluated it as not a relic?

In the process, other appraisers didn’t realize it was a relic, hence giving a false appraisal as an artifact.

“But it wasn’t actually a relic.”

“That’s right. It was a forgery. So, do you know what you said to Kim Woogil when you appraised the forgery?”

“What did I say?”

“…You called him a con artist.”

Even now, Yang Jiwon couldn’t believe it as she recounted, while Oh Geomsu furrowed his brow as if asking what she meant.

Yang Jiwon repeated exactly what she had heard.

“He said it was a coincidence. Apparently, he had seen a similar forgery before, and it was similar, so he guessed right out of luck.”

“What? Really?”

“I don’t know. It could be true or not.”

“What kind of talk is that?”

“After that, I met Sung Daehyun. I asked him what he would do if I were to come out. He said he would dedicate himself to studying appraisals for a while.” Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ N0ᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Why would he suddenly say that?”

Curious, Oh Geomsu’s expression was amusing, causing Yang Jiwon to hesitate with a chuckle.

“Curious?”

“You want to do more work?”

“Hehe! Team leader, what a dreadful thing to say. No, I asked him where he plans to study. I can’t do Salvation appraiser work for a year and can’t access related information, so what am I supposed to do? So, he said he’s going to visit Kim Woogil.”

“Kim Woogil?”

Oh Geomsu never thought Sung Daehyun would say such words, so he couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Yes! Kim Woogil! Can you believe that the great Sung Daehyun is going to another appraiser to learn about appraisal?

“I don’t believe it. He discerned the Elaris necklace forgery too.”

“That’s right. And even though he didn’t use extraordinary magic during the fight, it seems he used a variety of magic types more than expected. They were all basic spells though.”

“Does he seem powerful in combat?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure. He seems to hide it, or maybe not. But one thing’s for sure, his appraisal ability is top-notch. Didn’t you tell me to watch closely? He looked like a golden thread to me.”

Oh Geomsu’s eyes swirled. In fact, he had evaluated Kim Woogil’s abilities as excellent, but he had never seen him appraising in person.

But if Yang Jiwon, who had seen him several times, was so confident, it must be somewhat proven.

Kim Junghyun actively assisting him alone was proof enough of his worth.

“Okay, we’re going to focus on not letting go of that golden thread, and if we can, we’re going to bond it as tightly as we can.”

“There’s a saying that the network of one excellent appraiser is worth ten hunters.”

Saying that, Oh Geomsu nodded.

“A top-notch appraiser is worth a hundred hunters.”

“If Kim Woogil is at that level, he might be at the top in about ten years.”

“Alright! Take a half day off today! You’ve worked hard, so rest today.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You haven’t visited Park Junpyo since the last mission where he got injured, have you?”

“I’ve been really busy.”

“Exactly. Take this opportunity to visit him.”

“Got it. Am I really leaving work?”

“Yes. If anyone asks, tell them I sent you.”

“Okay! Then…”

She flipped the tablet on the table upside down and handed it to Oh Geomsu.

“I have to finish this by today, so please take care of it. Hehe.”

Laughing with a cute voice, she quickly left the office.

“…She should save that cuteness for Park Junpyo.”

Oh Geomsu said that and flipped the tablet back over.

* * *

The operational meeting room for the Spiter Colony Assault Operation.

There, team leader-level personnel participating in this operation and the appraisers they brought together took their seats.

Three personnel from Japan and four from the Korean Salvation. A total of seven people.

“Nakazawa Haruka. The team leader.”

Her voice, automatically translated through the earpiece, was heard.

She was a woman with a strong impression, sporting short brown hair. Her manner of speaking was crisp and tough. She was the leader of the Japanese Special Forces, the Kensoryu, supporting this operation.

“And this is Narikawa Atsumasa. The owner of the artifact we brought this time.”

A young-looking man with a buzz cut. However, contrary to his appearance, he was an Rank-A hunter who showed a reckless attitude in actual combat.

‘He’s the owner of the artifact?’

Woogil looked closely at Atsumasa. Outwardly, he seemed like a mild-mannered man.

“This is the appraiser I brought with me this time.”

A young and handsome appraiser spoke, sweeping back his yellowish bangs.

“I’m Shimakoto Yutaro. Haha! I never thought I’d end up in a place like this!”

Shimakoto Yutaro was a highly renowned appraiser in Japan.

I’ve heard his name a few times on social media, as he was quite active there.

“Let’s introduce this side as well.”

Lee Jincheol, the leader of the Awakening Special Forces Team 1, affiliated with the Korean Salvation, stepped forward and introduced himself and the appraisers he brought.

Dr. Yun was an appraiser affiliated with the Salvation. He was a middle-aged man whose hair was beginning to gray.

After the introductions, everyone’s gaze shifted to Kim Junghyun and Woogil.

Junghyun introduced Woogil calmly.

“I’m Kim Junghyun, the team leader of the Awakening Special Support Unit 2. And this person here is the appraiser I brought.”

Adjusting the mask covering my entire head and modulating my voice using the mask’s frequency, I spoke.

“I’m Appraiser K.”

Even though my face was not visible, others felt uncomfortable, but Kim Junghyun, who noticed this, stepped forward to intervene.

“He prefers to keep his identity hidden due to certain circumstances.”

“How arrogant do you have to be to hide your identity?”

Haruka asked pointedly, and Junghyun bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. I’ll guarantee his identity, and if there’s a problem, I’ll take responsibility.”

“Hunter Kim Junghyun. I don’t trust him. I don’t know how long he’s going to keep pretending to be good and just, but I don’t talk to people who wear masks.”

As Haruka said this and stood up, the others followed her lead, watching her expression.

“I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”

At my muttered words, Haruka turned back with a stern face.

“What?”

“You’ve already received the appraisal data, so why are you leaving now, saying you don’t believe it? If you were going to do that, you should have said so from the beginning. And isn’t this place supposed to be just for exchanging appraisal evaluations of this artifact? Are you trying to run away because you’re afraid the artifact’s flaws might be exposed?”

Although my face was not visible under the mask, no one in the room failed to detect the mockery in my voice.

Haruka was no exception. With her face flushed red with anger, she stared at me and said.

“Say that again.”

Her voice was full of anger, despite her efforts to calm down.

I remained unfazed and continued to speak.

“Let’s talk with appraisals. Why? Are you not confident?”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]