<CHAPTER 10>

I Thought I Was a Genius Relic Appraiser,

The Grand Hall of the Independence Hall of Korea.

Si-woo, dressed in a suit, sat in the audience looking toward the stage.

The grand hall was packed with reporters and officials.

The Independence Hall of Korea Director, the Cultural Heritage Administration Chief, the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and senior ruling and opposition party lawmakers all attended, lending gravitas to the occasion.

On the stage sat the Taegeukgi and mugunghwa decorations.

Cameras broadcast this moment live across the nation.

Kim Young-soo ascended the stage, signed the donation certificate, and stepped up to the microphone to begin his speech.

“These are the things my great-grandfather kept hidden his entire life.”

His voice trembled.

“If discovered during the Japanese occupation, the entire family would have been in danger. Even after Liberation, without proof, they remained only as stories passed down among the elders of our family.”

He paused to catch his breath, then continued.

“Before my father passed, he told me that his lifelong regret was failing to make Grandfather’s name known to the world. Those words have always remained in my heart…”

Kim Young-soo’s eyes reddened.

“It has been ninety years. After ninety years, my great-grandfather has finally come to light. How happy my father would have been if he were still alive. He must be watching from heaven.”

Sniffling could be heard from various seats in the audience—family members of independence activists.

“And I would like to take this opportunity to thank one person.”

Kim Young-soo looked toward one side of the audience.

“Mr. Kim Si-woo, who discovered these relics yet felt no greed and informed our family. Honestly, when I first received the call, I couldn’t believe it. I wondered if such people still existed in this world.”

He continued emotionally. “Without Kim Si-woo, these relics would never have seen the light of day. I am truly grateful.”

Applause burst out for Si-woo.

He stood up from his seat and bowed his head.

Madam Gong beside him wiped away tears.

After the donation ceremony ended, the award ceremony followed.

Si-woo’s name was called first. Straightening his clothes, he rose from his seat and walked forward.

“Si-woo, fighting!”

Madam Gong’s voice beside him gave him strength.

“For the merit of discovering and reporting cultural heritage, we present the Prime Minister’s Commendation to Mr. Kim Si-woo.”

Hundreds of cameras flashed simultaneously.

His face would be appearing on televisions across the country.

Countless eyes were directed at him.

He was incredibly nervous.

No thoughts came to mind at all.

Even during company interviews, he hadn’t been this nervous.

The Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs personally handed him the citation.

“You discovered historical relics and selflessly returned them to their owner. Because of young people like Mr. Kim Si-woo, the future of the Republic of Korea is bright.”

“Your words are too generous. Thank you.”

They shook hands.

Camera flashes erupted again without pause.

Along with the citation, the discovery reward money was also paid.

The reward for reporting discovered buried cultural property under the Act on Protection of Buried Cultural Heritage.

It was the legal maximum of 100 million won.

Next came the reward for the donation.

“Attorney Kim Young-soo, who donated national-treasure-level relics to the state, is awarded the Order of Cultural Merit.”

Kim Young-soo ascended the stage again.

As the Minister presented the decoration, he said, “You have donated precious relics of personal possession to the nation. We highly commend your intentions.”

“I believed that carrying on my great-grandfather’s will is the duty of a descendant.”

The donation reward was also determined.

Considering the value of the relics, a total of 500 million won would be paid.

It was the final sequence.

The hall grew solemn.

“Posthumously awarding the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal, to the late Kim Hak-jun.”

It was the moment he was recognized as an independence activist after ninety years.

The Patriotic Medal is the fourth grade of the five-grade Order of Merit for National Foundation, awarded to those with distinguished merits in dedicating themselves to the independence movement.

The Minister handed the medal to Kim Young-soo.

“Ninety years ago, this person risked his life to protect the country. Although belatedly, the Republic of Korea will remember his sacrifice.”

Kim Young-soo received the medal with both hands.

“…Thank you.”

That was all he could say, his throat choked with emotion.

It was the moment a nearly forgotten independence activist finally carved his name into history.

After the donation ceremony ended, follow-up articles poured out.

[Special Feature] Kim Hak-jun, the Independence Activist Who Saw Light After 90 Years—Who Was He?

[The late Kim Hak-jun, owner of the independence movement relics discovered in an abandoned house in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal.]

[According to the discovered military fund ledger, Kim Hak-jun collected independence funds in the Gyeongsangbuk-do region during the 1930s and delivered them to the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. In addition to the ledger, five unpublished poems by poet Yi Yuk-sa and a handwritten letter from Kim Gu were also discovered, drawing academic attention.]

[The National Institute of Korean History stated, “There is a high possibility that Kim Hak-jun was not simply a fundraiser but a core executive directly connected to the Provisional Government.” They also raised the opinion that follow-up research is necessary regarding the substance of the ‘domestic secret organization’ mentioned in Kim Gu’s letter.]

[Professor Kim Jeong-ho of Seoul National University’s Department of Korean History stated, “This discovery is historical material significant enough to rewrite the history of the independence movement during the Japanese colonial period,” adding, “There appear to be more hidden independence activists who worked alongside Kim Hak-jun.”]

[Follow-up] Relic Discoverer Kim Si-woo Awarded Prime Minister’s Commendation… Reward of 100 Million Won is Highest on Record

-Watched the live broadcast, so jealous. What was I doing at 28?

Kim Si-woo achieved a lifetime accomplishment in his 20s lololololol

I mastered Stone at 28 (brag)

ㄴThat’s an accomplishment, acknowledged lolololol

ㄴI mastered how to cook ramen deliciously at 28

-Isn’t 100 million won too little?

The legal maximum is 100 million, and this is exceptionally high

ㄴHow much after taxes?

ㄴThis kind of reward is tax-free

If it’s 100 million tax-free, I’d have to save for 5 years

5 years is generous, I couldn’t do it in 8 years

ㄴWith this level of publicity, is 100 million the issue? He’ll get tons of offers from conglomerates for various advertisements, that’s huge

-He looks good on camera, even better looking than in photos!

ㄴThe way he’s frozen from nervousness is kinda cute? Might be my type?

ㄴSi-woo, I know you’ve worked hard, but please grow up now

-Prime Minister’s Commendation on top of conglomerate leave and relic appraiser? What kind of specs are those? Plus 100 million, insane lolol

And returning the relics certified his character to the entire nation

ㄴBecause it’s not my item!

-Attorney Kim Young-soo is amazing too, donating the 500 million and using his own money to establish a foundation

ㄴDoes a lawyer have that kind of money?

That’s Kim Young-soo, representative of Kim Young-soo Law Office. He has more than enough money to establish it

That was THAT Kim Young-soo? I just realized now ㄷㄷ

Since the donation ceremony, his phone had started ringing loudly again. It had been noisy for a while due to Katō Kiyomasa, and had just started to quiet down.

At first, calls came from the broadcasting industry.

Offers to appear on various talk shows, YouTube collaboration calls, interview requests.

At this point, it felt like his number had become public property.

He could gladly accept such offers.

The problem was that unknown organizations were also flooding him with calls.

Various associations and hobby clubs—lately, he hesitated to answer the phone.

‘Si-woo, I urgently need money…’

‘Hey, we’re close, right? Lend me some. I’ll definitely pay you back later!’

‘Let’s do business together. 100 million is enough.’

People he had only exchanged a few words with during school.

People who hadn’t contacted him once since graduation.

Even people whose names he couldn’t remember.

Reading through those messages one by one, he eventually pressed the block button.

One person, two people, three people—before he knew it, the block list exceeded twenty.

‘So this is how human relationships end?’

A lonely thought occurred to him.

Seeing people contact him because of money, something in his heart crumbled. Was this all the relationships he had built up? He stopped while browsing through news articles.

[Relic appraiser Kim Si-woo…]

[Kim Si-woo, who has been active as a relic appraiser while on leave…]

Some reporters had arbitrarily exaggerated, and now several articles had his name with “relic appraiser” attached. Reading the content, he looked like an incredible person who had already achieved various accomplishments in archaeology. They even stated he had graduated from Hankuk University’s Department of Archaeology.

‘I graduated from Hankuk University?’

Wouldn’t others misunderstand?

He had said he was interested in relics, but he had never called himself an appraiser.

Should he request corrections?

Then a KakaoTalk notification popped up.

It was Reporter Han Ji-yeon.

[Han Ji-yeon: I watched the live broadcast! It was really moving. Congratulations on the commendation!!! :)]

[Kim Si-woo: Not at all. It’s thanks to you writing such a good article.]

[Han Ji-yeon: If I do well this time, I might be selected for Reporter of the Year. And I got promoted! Meeting you was really lucky. Please contact me anytime if you have another story!]

A cat emoji bowing its head came at the end.

He chuckled at her bold message.

She really had an active personality.

[Kim Si-woo: Congratulations on your promotion. I’ll contact you if something comes up.]

After sending the message, his smartphone rang.

Was it the reporter calling?

The name on the phone screen was

Shin A-young.

He had saved the number from the business card she gave him.

He hadn’t expected her to call first.

What was this about?

He answered the phone.

“Hello?”

-Mr. Si-woo, congratulations. I watched the broadcast.

A soft, gentle voice.

It was Shin A-young.

“Thank you. But how did you get my number?”

-I found out through Advisor Jeong Hae-won. I should have texted you beforehand, sorry.

“No, it’s fine.”

-I’ll get straight to the point. Would you like to have a meal together?

He was bewildered.

A sudden call asking him to a meal.

“Excuse me? A meal?”

-Yes. You identified it as Katō Kiyomasa’s sword, right? It’s partly to express gratitude, and we’re planning to heavily promote this case at our gallery. I’d like you to participate in the event as well. It feels empty without the person who identified it present.

The Japanese sword he had appraised with his status window at the gallery.

-There’s been reaction from Japan. Since the sword’s owner is none other than Katō Kiyomasa, it’s inevitable. We’ve received many contacts from various places. Articles will be coming out soon.

“I see.”

When his reaction was lukewarm, strength entered Shin A-young’s voice.

-Wouldn’t you like to participate? If it weren’t for you, it would have remained buried in history undiscovered.

When he didn’t respond, Shin A-young quickly added.

-You identified the original owner by following the strokes of the swordsmith’s hidden name inside the hilt, right? Everyone is amazed. Many appraisers had seen that sword for a long time, but none could identify it, yet you found it.

“I was lucky. You’re giving me too much credit.”

-It’s not too much credit. Advisor Jeong Hae-won was talking about you too. Said you’re a young man with rare eyes these days, and seeing the articles, you seem to have sufficient capability in relic appraisal? With this discovery alone, you’re already recognized in the industry.

Jeong Hae-won had said that about him?

He had already searched for him.

Professor at Hankuk University’s Department of Cultural Heritage, appraisal advisor at Eterna Gallery, former member of the National Museum of Korea’s relic appraisal committee, and former advisor to the Cultural Heritage Administration.

A person with significant influence in the industry.

-Japan continues to want to verify the sword’s authenticity and historical context. But we have no reason to agree to that.

“That’s true.”

He drank water to moisten his throat and asked the question. “Is it my publicity you need?”

He asked honestly.

He knew his name had been frequently appearing in the news lately.

If she was trying to use that, there was no need to hide it.

-Of course, publicity is necessary too. If we say you played a major role in appraising it as Katō Kiyomasa’s sword, we can ride the current issue. But please understand that I’m not calling you for that reason alone.

Shin A-young admitted without hesitation.

-I have a proposal.

“A proposal?”

-I’ll tell you when we meet. It’s not appropriate to do it over the phone.

He wasn’t offended by her trying to use his publicity.

Business is like that.

Rather, he was grateful she didn’t hide it.

“Understood. Please contact me anytime.”

-Yes. I’ll text you as soon as possible.

He hung up.

He was curious what Shin A-young would propose. It wasn’t bad that she was showing interest. She owned a large gallery at a young age,

After the call ended, he ate a light lunch and habitually entered the relic gallery as usual. Lately, as his discoveries became a hot topic, everyone had started posting photos of antiques from their homes, and the gallery had become active. He checked it whenever he had time, wondering if there might be any glowing items.

[Is this pottery in my house authentic? (Photo attached)]

-Isn’t that from Daiso? ㄴIt has all the characteristics of a fake, this is definitely fake

If it’s authentic, I’ll cut off my hand

[Found this while organizing Grandfather’s warehouse, what do you think?]

-Oh, this looks like it has some vibe? The font is modern

ㄴNo, isn’t this real? Get it appraised

ㄴThe gallery appraisal team has arrived lololol

ㄴDon’t trust appraisals here

[ㅋㅋㅋ We have Japanese colonial period relics at my house too]

-Oh what is it?

ㄴGreat-grandfather’s military police uniform

ㄴlolololol Hey, is that something to brag about?