I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 130

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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130 – Melchor
130.
On the road to Bohol.
It had been a while since I visited Bohol.
I was going to Bohol, but not to my home.
I was heading to Bohol to meet Melchor.
Meeting Melchor was no ordinary affair.
The kid had so many fears, I couldn’t fathom them all.
He refused to leave Malacañan Palace.
He despised every other location.
He insisted I come to Malacañan Palace without exception.
He said he would guarantee my safety if I came to Malacañan Palace.
Heh heh.
You know how a guarantee of safety sounds even more dangerous?
It felt like he was asking me to walk in with my mouth wide open. There was no way I could do that.
So I countered by telling him I would guarantee his safety if he came to Mindanao instead.
He was absolutely terrified.
He said he absolutely couldn’t come.
Because of that, choosing a location wasn’t easy.
The most promising option was Cebu.
It was a midpoint between Mindanao and Manila, a major city in the Philippines with plenty of hotels, and safe.
But at the last moment, Melchor changed the location.
He suggested Bohol instead, the island right next to it.
I didn’t mind either way.
Melchor didn’t know.
My true territory wasn’t Zamboanga—it was Bohol.
.
.
.
On the outskirts of Bohol, Philippines.
A solar power plant was being constructed there.
Currently, solar power plants were under construction in three locations: Mindanao and Bohol.
Once these were completed, they would provide tremendous help in reducing electricity costs for the Mindanao and Bohol regions.
The Philippines, if only typhoons could be avoided, had abundant sunlight—ideal for solar power generation.
There was plenty of undeveloped, vacant land, and electricity rates were high, making the economic viability excellent.
Once the power plants were completed, the electricity would be supplied exclusively to regions where Akbayan’s candidates were elected.
Only to regions where they won with vote shares exceeding 70%.
I wished we could supply electricity to all regions where Akbayan’s candidates won, but since there were so many, we had no choice but to prioritize service to areas with the highest vote shares first.
Those were Mindanao and Bohol.
We planned to supply electricity to regions with higher vote shares first, then gradually expand.
That it wasn’t fair.
That public resources shouldn’t be operated this way.
That efficiency had to be considered.
That priorities were necessary.
There were such arguments, but I paid them no mind.
It didn’t matter.
I intended to operate things openly and favorably.
Why would I provide electricity to those who didn’t vote for me?
Even in Mindanao, there are districts where Akbayan didn’t win.
I won’t supply electricity to those areas.
To be precise, I’m postponing it.
I’ll do it someday.
Perhaps when Akbayan gets elected?
I don’t give extra rice cakes to children I dislike.
We barely have enough rice cakes for ourselves.
I don’t understand why anyone would give those cakes to someone they hate.
I don’t think that’s right, and so I won’t do it.
Didn’t those people who didn’t want electricity refuse to vote for Akbayan?
There’s no reason to supply electricity at cheap rates to such people.
Giving something to those who don’t want it isn’t a benefit—it’s violence.
If I’m being honest, even in districts where Akbayan won, I’d like to supply electricity only to those who voted for Akbayan.
The electricity going to those who didn’t vote for Akbayan feels like a waste.
With things as they are, providing electricity to districts where Akbayan’s candidate wasn’t even elected?
That’s ridiculous.
No matter what words I attach—equality, representation, efficiency, justice, fairness, public goods—it won’t work.
It’s my decision.
These solar panels were procured by selling Assand with great effort.
I’ll sell the electricity I generate to whoever I want to sell it to—what could anyone say about that?
If they complain, I only need to say one thing.
The system isn’t in place yet, so it’s impossible.
The infrastructure hasn’t been built, so service is unavailable.
If they push further, I can just pull out a gun or money—one or the other.
******
I surveyed the construction site and headed toward the meeting place.
The place I’d arranged to meet Melchor was Tagbilaran City Hall.
Given how terrified they were, security was incredibly tight.
It seemed they’d mobilized not just the Presidential Security Command but also the military unit from Bohol.
Soldiers surrounded Tagbilaran City Hall, the meeting place.
Still, the Bohol military unit would listen to me better anyway.
As I tried to enter the meeting place, the Battalion Commander attempted to salute me, so I shook my head to stop him.
I’ve been searched countless times just getting to the conference room at Tagbilaran City Hall where we agreed to meet.
The entire route was packed with agents and soldiers.
When I entered the conference room where we’d talk, armed soldiers were escorting Melchor.
Melchor, whom I’d gone through such lengths to meet.
There was nothing particularly special about him.
He looked exactly as he did on television.
Or perhaps I should say he appeared slightly smaller in person?
His frame was diminutive, but his gaze was fierce.
Melchor greeted me first.
“Welcome.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
We exchanged the customary pleasantries and sat across from each other at a rectangular table.
“I am Melchor, President of the Philippines.”
“I am Simon, Leader of the Rebel Forces.”
“I am…”
I felt somewhat flustered.
This had never happened before.
No one had ever introduced me anywhere.
Now that I’m trying to introduce myself, I’m not entirely sure what I do.
I have no title.
Simon came with the title of Rebel Leader, but what about me?
I have the profession of Candy Tour guide, but it was difficult to sit at a negotiation table with a president under the name of a travel agency guide.
Representative of Vicente Palace or Emerald Resort?
Could I sit here as the representative of Emerald Resort?
And besides, the representative of Emerald Resort is Sandro.
O Eul-tteum and Tian Zihao run GoGo Casino, and Ana manages TrustBit well.
Simon oversees the Rebel Forces base and the gold mine, Kang Jae-ho manages the Construction Company, and Edward handles Assand.
Dennis and Shin Jung-gi handle weapons trafficking, and Magiting manages solar power.
I’m merely a meddler.
I can’t even call my profession a totem.
The only proper title I truly possess is that of a Candy Tour guide.
A neighborhood busybody offering unsolicited advice while working as a guide? That was me.
It was difficult to describe myself with anything.
So is that disappointing?
Not at all.
In fact, I prefer it this way.
I am a stranger.
I am not from here.
I’m someone who can leave at any time.
Yet despite that, I’ve remained here for so long.
I was grateful to these people.
They always cared for me by my side.
I was thankful they were always there whenever I needed them.
I remained here simply because it felt comfortable to be treated by them without pretense.
So I thought it was fortunate.
Things seemed to run smoothly even without me.
I was glad that I didn’t seem to matter.
It was somewhat embarrassing that there was no appropriate title to introduce myself here, but it didn’t matter.
A title doesn’t represent who I am.
So I decided to answer honestly.
Just as a citizen of Zamboanga.
I was going to say I came as a representative of the citizens.
“I am···”
“This is someone I serve. He is the supreme leader who actually commands the Rebel Forces, our spiritual pillar, and the highest decision-maker. Mindanao wouldn’t function without him.”
Something must have gone wrong with Simon’s tongue.
He spouted nonsense naturally.
“I’ve heard about it too. That there’s a big shot in Mindanao. I suspect it might be this person.”
What kind of ridiculous rumor is spreading?
A big shot, no less.
First, let me introduce myself.
“I’m Alex.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
President Melchor greeted me lightly.
“Then before we start talking, how about we remove those screens behind you and begin our conversation?”
I spoke with utmost courtesy.
“Why? Are you scared?”
Melchor spoke with a mocking tone.
This bastard.
I was trying to spare you embarrassment.
You don’t even realize I’m being considerate.
“No, that’s not it… I’m just not sure if those people should hear our conversation. We don’t mind. I was speaking out of consideration for you, Mr. President. If those people can know everything you’ve done anyway, then it’s fine for them to stay. If they’re going to be here anyway, it would be uncomfortable for them to stand—wouldn’t it be better to bring them chairs?”
Melchor seemed flustered by my words.
Did he not expect me to push back?
If you’re already flustered, what will happen? We haven’t even started yet.
“Hmm. You all leave.”
“Yes.”
Once the Presidential Security Command left, only the three of us remained in the conference room.
Melchor spoke first.
“I received the gift you sent. You sent quite an unwelcome gift.”
Once the security team left, Melchor’s tone and demeanor changed.
Is there no one watching?
Then I’m comfortable too.
“I’m glad you received it. I was so worried you might not have.”
“That was unnecessary. I have more than enough reason to kill you without going to such lengths.”
“It seems killing is your hobby? You kill soldiers, you kill Rebel Forces, you kill your own citizens, and now you’re trying to kill us too. I respect your hobbies, Mr. President, but I have no desire to join in. And even less desire to be on the receiving end.”
“Haha. Does the world work out the way you want? Even when you know what’s coming, you still have to endure it.”
“Is that so? I’m ignorant, so I don’t know much about such things. I always welcome such advice. So, are you finished with the threats?”
“What?”
“If the threats are over, let’s talk business.”
“What did you say?”
Melchor’s voice rose slightly, as if he were somewhat angry.
“We didn’t come here to die. We came to talk. And we need some compensation as well.”
“Compensation?”
“Because you sent the military, our damages are enormous. If you strike innocent people going about their lives without warning, you have to compensate them.”
In truth, there was no damage.
None whatsoever.
In fact, I gained far more.
But shouldn’t I play up the suffering a bit in a situation like this?
It’s ridiculous to demand compensation when I’ve lost nothing.
I need to whine about pain for them to give me anything.
These fools can’t even tally their own damages, so why would they care about ours?
“Haha. The world has become quite something. Rebel scum who should be executed on the spot are making demands with such confidence? Surely you don’t actually think this will work?”
“What? I thought it would definitely work. Don’t you have any awareness of your own actions?”
“No, I’m fully aware. I know exactly what I’m capable of. That’s precisely why I can do this.”
“Right, you can do it. But if you take action, you have to take responsibility for it. Don’t you agree?”
“Responsibility? As president, I’ve merely fulfilled my duties. What responsibility?”
“Wow, look at this shameless bastard. You tried to wipe out innocent civilians with bombs and you call that fulfilling your duties? Is that a president’s duty? Killing innocent people? Do you have to be this shameless to be president? I couldn’t do it.”
Melchor, who had been calmly claiming he was innocent, reacted oversensitively to being called a bastard.
He can’t stand being insulted?
“Bastard? I’d appreciate it if you chose your words more carefully. A single word like that could bring death.”
“Haha. See? This bastard’s hobby is definitely killing people.”
Melchor glared at me.
“I took time out of my schedule to come here, and if you’re just going to spout nonsense, I’m leaving. I’ll send you another gift. A stronger one this time.”
“Why so eager? Want to run away?”
“I have no interest in playing along with your cheap provocations.”
Melchor started to stand.
“Wait. We haven’t even gotten to the main point yet. What’s the rush? Is Tala waiting?”
When I mentioned the name of Melchor’s mistress, he froze.
“Did you think we wouldn’t know? We know everything. You think I only know about your mistress? We’ll overlook the casino and the farm since we shared those. But shall we talk about the bribes and the budget you embezzled? Or should we discuss the shell companies? Or maybe the PPP?”
“You know about PPP too?”
Melchor was startled by the mention of PPP.
He truly hadn’t expected me to know about it.
PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
It refers to the government and private sector forming partnerships to venture into infrastructure and public service sectors.
Simply put, it’s a form of privatization.
My solar energy business could also be called a PPP.
Though admittedly, ours was an unusual PPP where distribution took priority over profit.
Melchor had established shell companies to acquire operational management rights over several public facilities.
The income was quite substantial.
“You know—Manila Airport? Or the Skyway elevated highway? Luzon Expressway? LRT?”
Melchor’s expression shifted as he confirmed that I knew the exact details.
Shock and surprise mingled together.
Indeed, the enemy within is always the most terrifying.
Truth be told, I hadn’t known any of this—Laksa had informed me.
Laksa is genuinely meticulous.
He even brought along the evidence.
Recruiting Laksa had been remarkably easy.
I wanted to eliminate Melchor.
When I told him that if Melchor were removed, all of Melchor’s assets that Laksa had been managing would go to him, he cooperated with extraordinary enthusiasm.
He brought entire boxes of Melchor’s secrets I’d never even thought to ask about.
That’s how I learned everything.
How Melchor made his money, who he met with, what crimes he committed.
Without me asking, Laksa brought it all.
Laksa harbored considerable resentment toward Melchor.
“That… that is…”
“Enough. Don’t bother with excuses. Professionals don’t make pitiful excuses to each other.”
“That’s not what I—”
“I said enough. I understand. So here’s the one thing I want to say.”
“What is it?”
“Retire.”
“What?”
“I’m telling you to retire. You’ve earned enough money, gathered everything you needed—you could retire now. Living as a natural person, away from all this, might not be so bad.”
Melchor appeared deeply angered by the word “retire.”
Was he absolutely unwilling to let go?
“That’s quite harsh.”
“If it’s difficult for you to decide alone, shall we help you along? Force you into retirement?”
“That’s absurd.”
“Here’s my plan. Starting today, I’ll flood the media with scandal articles about you. The press will be saturated with stories about you—your corruption, your private life, everything. You won’t be able to bear the pressure, and you’ll end your own life. What do you think? Rather elegant scenario, isn’t it?”
“You’re insane…”
“Why don’t you like it? I put considerable thought into crafting this scenario.”
“This is unpleasant. I don’t think further conversation is necessary.”
Melchor rose from his seat.
“Sit down.”
I said.
But Melchor ignored me and headed straight for the door.
He left without hesitation, not even glancing back, as if there was nothing left for him here.
When Melchor opened the conference room door to exit, he couldn’t help but be taken aback.
The Security Team he expected to be waiting outside were all bound and kneeling.
And beside them, the Bohol military was guarding them.
The Bohol military had subdued and were now holding the Security Team in place.
Even if the Security Team was exceptional, they couldn’t overcome the difference in numbers.
The Security Team that had followed us this far numbered around thirty, while the Bohol military mobilized today exceeded five hundred—being subdued was inevitable.
As I stepped outside the door, the Bohol soldiers saluted me.
I acknowledged them lightly this time.
Then I looked at Melchor and spoke.
“Ah, I forgot to mention that. If you open that door, you die.”
“What?”
Melchor’s panic was unmistakable.
But he’d already opened the door.
He seemed to have realized there was no one here to protect him.
His body trembled violently.
“That’s why I told you to sit down. Why do you ignore what people say? This tragedy happens because you don’t listen to others.”
I took a gun from one of the Bohol soldiers.
“Farewell, and in your next life, I hope you live virtuously. Don’t live so filthily that you meet someone like me.”
“Ugh···.”
“Well then, let’s end it here. We’ll take care of the rest.”
“That can’t be. Absolutely not. It can’t be like this.”
“Haha. Does the world ever work out the way you want? That’s life—knowing what’s coming and still having to face it.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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