I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 144

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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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144 – Ruler of the South
144.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Allow me to introduce myself once more. I’m Alex, the new Chairman of La Camara.”
I offered my greeting, but the response was silence.
If anything, their faces screamed: what kind of lunatic is this?
But I didn’t care.
“Thank you for choosing someone as inadequate as myself to be your Chairman.”
Their gazes remained cold and hostile.
Still didn’t matter to me.
I had work to do.
There was no reason to hesitate or falter.
My objective was singular.
Make Patrick President.
I became Chairman of La Camara for one reason alone—to make Patrick President.
“First, let me be clear: I am nothing like Celeste.”
“Though our first meeting was somewhat chaotic due to our mutual unfamiliarity, I’m confident we can develop a positive relationship.”
“I have a way for us to all benefit. If you’ll hear me out, it will be mutually advantageous.”
The man who’d just been swinging a club at them moments ago was now talking about building good relations—they looked at me as if I were spouting absolute nonsense.
“First, I respect all of you.”
“I have no intention of taking anything you possess. If anything, I want to give you more.”
“I guarantee your positions, your wealth, your rights. You can act as freely as you do now—even more freely.”
“I won’t interfere with you, nor will I coerce you.”
At my promise to guarantee everything they currently held, their expressions softened slightly.
This was the same man who’d called them bastards upon arrival, forced them to prostrate themselves, and wielded a club moments ago—so trust didn’t come easily.
But it was clear my words were touching a nerve, addressing their actual needs.
They seemed to appreciate how I differentiated myself from Celeste.
Celeste had demanded everything be done her way, even trivial matters.
She’d kept everything in an iron grip.
But the promise to let them operate freely seemed to earn me points.
“From now on, you don’t need to contribute funds to La Camara. I have plenty of money. I’ll cover it. If I’m sitting here for free, the least I can do is pay.”
“Don’t worry about money.”
“If you need capital for your operations, just say so. Depending on the situation, I can provide support, investment, financing, or low-interest loans.”
They looked bewildered—no contributions required, and loans available on demand.
They’d assumed he was after their money, thought he was obsessed with wealth, but that wasn’t it at all.
Instead, he was covering all expenses himself and offering loans whenever needed.
Unbelievable, yet refreshingly different.
The situation was spiraling in an unexpected direction.
The conversation was heading somewhere none of them had anticipated.
The council members found this situation irritating, yet they couldn’t help but pay attention.
It directly affected their interests.
I can’t get a word in edgewise.
“Then what should we do?”
One of the council members asked the question.
“Do your best in your respective positions. That’s all.”
“Is that really all?”
They asked back in disbelief.
What is this?
Celeste and I are so different that I’m losing my mind.
It’s like someone who had to ask permission for every action in prison, then suddenly given freedom in society, doesn’t know what to do with themselves.
“Yes, truly. And occasionally, I’ll give you missions within the broader framework, one at a time. You just need to do those. They won’t be particularly difficult tasks. And certainly not illegal ones. So you don’t need to worry. If you don’t like the missions we give you, you don’t have to do them.”
“Really?”
The senior council members were genuinely shocked.
“Of course. In return, I’ll reward those who do well. There are no punishments. However, you’ll fall quite far down the priority list. You understand that much, right?”
What I was saying was crystal clear.
I was saying I’d take care of those who listen well first.
Those who don’t listen won’t get work, won’t get money, and won’t get benefits.
You might think, what’s the big deal about that?
The larger the corporation, the closer its ties to the government.
But if I push them down the priority list?
A construction company doesn’t get government contracts for public works.
A media company doesn’t get government advertising?
They change the laws to their disadvantage?
For them, that’s quite troublesome.
It’s not a punishment, but their lifeline gets cut off.
There’s no idiot here stupid enough not to understand that much.
“What if an order comes and we say we’ll do it, but then don’t?”
“That’s also freedom. It could happen. But you’d have to take responsibility for it, wouldn’t you?”
“Responsibility?”
“Every action in this world comes with responsibility. Act within the limits of what you can take responsibility for. If you cross the line and we step in, then we won’t be talking with smiles like we are now.”
“Then what?”
“Some of you may know my profession, but my occupation is that of a gangster and a rebel. It’s a profession specialized in holding people accountable. We operate separately from law, procedure, and rights. So before you act, think deeply and make your decision.”
“You keep talking about responsibility, but what exactly is it?”
“Is there a fixed definition? It varies depending on the situation. If you embezzle money, you spit it back out. If you try to destroy the organization, we’ll destroy it. If you tried to kill someone, you pay with your life. Of course, there’s interest on top of that. Quite a lot of it, actually.”
I explained very kindly.
But they’re damn slow to understand.
I’m basically saying in fancy terms that if you betray me or lie, I’ll kill you all.
Is my language that difficult?
Why do they keep asking back?
Does this bastard have betrayal in his DNA too?
Sandro said it—those who are going to betray are the ones most interested in betrayal.
What did he call it? Projection, was it?
I need to keep an eye on that bastard.
“Hmm.”
“Do whatever you want. We’re prepared to handle it, and we’re prepared to hold you accountable.”
“I’ve told people that betrayal won’t work—that it’ll end like this, or like that. No matter what I say, it doesn’t matter. Betrayal is in the DNA; those who are meant to do it will do it. Just don’t get caught. Because then there’s truly no going back.”
*Gulp.*
The committee members’ faces were filled with tension.
He wasn’t shouting, wasn’t even raising his voice—he spoke calmly and quietly, and that made it all the more terrifying.
Go ahead and try.
It was as if he were saying that no matter what they did, he already knew everything.
“If you understand, nod your head and give me an answer, will you?”
Bituin was the first to respond, followed by Rafael.
“Yes.”
“… Yes.”
Rafael had heard stories like this before.
There was a man named Alex in the South, they said.
Everything he touched turned out well.
That’s why they called him the Totem.
If you stood on the same side as him and walked forward, nothing could stop you.
Many people wanted to stand behind him and walk alongside him.
The strange thing about him was that he had no interest in any path other than the one he was taking.
Whatever happened elsewhere, whatever people did—he didn’t care.
That’s why many people didn’t know who Alex was.
But if anything stood in the way of his path, he would eliminate it or destroy it.
So if you met him, either follow him or get out of the way.
At the very least, don’t show the foolishness of standing against him.
When he first heard these stories, he thought they were just common urban legends.
But they weren’t.
The man before him seemed more than capable of living up to that reputation.
So Rafael decided not to show the foolishness of standing against Alex.
He decided to walk alongside him instead.
The others, swept up by the atmosphere, gave their answers as well.
“Yes…”
“Yes…”
“…”
“Good answers. Now let me tell you what you’ll be doing.”
A photograph appeared on the large screen.
The committee members tilted their heads, as if looking at a stranger.
Their faces showed they had no idea who it was.
“Patrick Lloyd. The current mayor of Zamboanga. I’m going to make this man president.”
“What? What did you say?”
“Does that even make sense?”
“You’re going to make someone president when you don’t even know who they are?”
Everything was spinning.
For the top executives of La Camara, it was truly a bewildering day.
Bituin returns alive, and now he wants to make a complete stranger president.
The day was filled with nothing but surprises.
“True, we don’t know who they are now, but by the time the presidential election comes around, everyone will know exactly who they are.”
“But still, no matter what, making a complete unknown the president? There isn’t much time left until the presidential election.”
From La Camara’s perspective, it was utterly absurd.
Making the mayor of Zamboanga, some remote provincial city, into a president.
It was like saying they’d make the mayor of some small city in Jeolla Province or Gyeongsang Province president in Korean terms.
And not even someone with high public recognition at that.
“There’s no need to worry too much. All the materials are already prepared.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Do nothing. Just don’t interfere and simply watch. In return, if you help us, the rewards will be sweet.”
“Remember. Our goal is to make Patrick president.”
********
After finishing the La Camara meeting, I headed to the Del Rosario Group.
An executive board meeting of the Del Rosario Group was scheduled.
Since I had received everything Celeste possessed, I had to fulfill that role faithfully.
I said the same thing here.
You will all remain in your positions.
There will be no interference.
Do what you can do.
You’re the top experts—why are you getting approval from amateurs? It’s unnecessary.
We will only look at results.
Embezzlement? Go ahead if you can.
But if you get caught, expect something.
A reality beyond imagination will be waiting for you.
Being smart people, they understood quickly.
Now I just needed to monitor them slowly.
Tian Zihao would examine communication records and computers,
and Ana would examine the ledgers—that would catch almost everything.
I’d already created the program.
This way, I’d put out the immediate fire.
I’d organized things roughly for now.
Now, if any issues arise, I can handle them accordingly.
No matter how much I plan ahead, everything tends to fall apart anyway.
For now, I’d removed all visible obstacles to Patrick becoming president.
The next step was necessary.
Now it was time to introduce Patrick to the people.
.
.
.
We began packaging the positive developments happening in Zamboanga and Unity Town as Patrick’s achievements and distributing them as shorts.
“Reduce your electricity burden.”
– In our Zamboanga, you can use electricity at a 50% discount compared to the Philippine average rate.
“A city great for raising children.”
– We’re running childcare support funds and free vaccination programs for households with children aged 0-5.
“There’s a city where school uniforms are free?”
– In our Zamboanga, all middle and high school students receive free uniforms.
“Students get free lunch too?”
– Free meals with nutritionists involved. Packed with the nutrients growing children need.
“Zamboanga is this clean?”
– We supply clean water by replacing aging water pipes.
“We’ve opened online lectures and learning centers for students who want to study.”
“It’s this bright even at night? – LED streetlights doubled. We’ve illuminated the dark nights brightly.”
“Women’s safe ride home service?”
“We provide newborn vouchers and maternal health checkups for families with newborns.”
“Security has dramatically improved.”
“Elderly people can visit the hospital for free too?”
“City Hall helps young people find employment. Come to the Youth Employment Center.”
“Traffic congestion has decreased? – Through road expansion and smart traffic signal systems, congestion has been reduced.”
“The city environment has noticeably improved through a comprehensive overhaul of waste management methods.”
“Citizens come first.”
.
.
.
The advantages of Zamboanga and Unity Town began being made into shorts and uploaded.
Looking at what we’d created, I was amazed at how many advantages there were.
I realized Patrick had done an impressive amount of work all this time.
But what went up as shorts was truly only a fraction.
Only the aspects citizens could tangibly feel.
The parts that resonated with them were what we made into shorts and released.
But Patrick’s true value lay elsewhere.
He had focused on improving the major aspects people couldn’t see.
It was the most crucial part for maintaining a city.
The area he paid the most attention to was improving security.
Zamboanga was the most notorious city in the Philippines for its poor security.
The Damaya Rebel Group resolved it all at once when they took control of the city.
Even as the Sandro Group absorbed the gangsters, Zamboanga became safer than any other city.
Anyone who acted recklessly would vanish without a trace—no one would know what happened.
Zamboanga was a place where gangsters and rebels lived more quietly than ordinary citizens.
I invested considerable effort in improving the transportation and road systems.
The traffic congestion in the Philippines was beyond imagination.
I wanted to prevent people from wasting their time on the roads.
I introduced a smart traffic signal system and improved the road network.
As a result, traffic congestion decreased dramatically.
Zamboanga is a port city with a major harbor.
I wanted to leverage that advantage.
I focused on refurbishing the port and increasing cargo throughput.
Increased cargo naturally leads to more jobs and improved infrastructure.
Tourism and culture flourished as well.
As someone with a background as Secretary General of Candy Tour, I collaborated with them to discover new tourist destinations and develop tour programs.
Zamboanga and Mindanao had many spectacular landscapes rivaling those of Bohol.
I created tour programs and partnered with Candy Tour to begin constructing large resorts.
Patrick continued to carry out massive work that remained invisible.
Though people couldn’t directly feel it, I continued projects that gradually made their lives more convenient.
I created jobs and attracted people to the city.
But since people couldn’t directly experience these aspects, I couldn’t turn them into shorts.
That was somewhat disappointing.
However, there was someone who soothed my disappointment.
It was Sergio.
He was a top executive of La Camara and controlled the media landscape.
He created and aired a program.
[How Did Zamboanga Become the Philippines’ Greatest City?]
He produced a documentary focusing on Zamboanga’s transformation.
It was a documentary showing how a city once infested with rebels became the most livable city in the Philippines.
It showed how the city had changed,
and how efficient systems could transform a city.
It also revealed the process of implementing these efficient systems and the scattered problems that arose.
And Patrick, solving them.
Whenever problems arose, he presented efficient, smart, and localized solutions.
The documentary said that was what changed Zamboanga.
It said that one capable leader had transformed the city.
Though Patrick didn’t step into the spotlight, Zamboanga’s transformation couldn’t be discussed without him.
Patrick was at the beginning and center of Zamboanga’s transformation.
Zamboanga, a city that had been a small town in the South,
a city plagued by unstable security with rebels running rampant.
The documentary said that Patrick was instrumental in transforming Zamboanga into the finest city for people to live in.
It was entirely different from the Shorts format.
Once professionals were involved, the delivery was on another level.
They crafted the program to be sophisticated yet accessible.
Sergio’s store +1.
Those who watched it began to think something.
If Zamboanga is the Philippines?
If Patrick were president?
Then could our Philippines also transform like Zamboanga?
Could we too live cleanly like Zamboanga, use electricity freely, and live without fear of the night?
Even if it never came to pass, the mere imagination brought happiness.
Patrick’s name was woven into that imagination.
The man who creates all change.
The man who solves all problems.
Patrick had become an icon of hope.
It was a perfect launch as a presidential candidate.
******
– What are you doing?
“Just relaxing.”
I’d finally heard from Dae-hun.
And I answered him honestly.
Relaxing.
I was genuinely relaxing.
Wrapping up La Camara and the Del Rosario Group.
After finishing Patrick’s presidential campaign to a certain extent, my body had gone limp.
I had no energy left.
So I’d been holed up sleeping all day.
When I was in Bohol, people kept coming and going, so I came to Mindanao.
But people keep coming and going here too.
Starting with Edward, then Dennis, Simon, and even Magiting.
Why is Magiting even coming?
There’s truly nowhere to hide.
Boom!!!
And occasionally, there’s the sound of explosions from Shin Jung-gi.
That bastard’s having the time of his life with that.
Should I go back to Bohol?
While I was mulling it over, Dae-hun contacted me.
– You’ve got it good.
“Then come to the Philippines too. Let’s have fun together.”
– You could just come back to South Korea.
“That’s true. Should we go?”
– Of course. Were you planning not to come?
“I’ll go, but the timing is···”
– What? You’re not coming to Geun-su’s wedding?
“Huh? Whose wedding?”
– Geun-su’s wedding! You didn’t know?
“No. First I’m hearing of it.”
– Sigh~ You crazy bastard. I told Alex to tell you directly. He said he was sorry to bother someone so far away with such a trivial matter, but apparently he didn’t say anything.
“Geun-su’s getting married? When?”
– Next Saturday
“I’ll go. It’s Geun-su’s wedding, so I have to.”
– When are you coming? Hurry and get here.
“I bought a private jet. I can get there quickly.”
– You bought a private jet?
“Yeah.”
Though I used it for purposes somewhat different from what people might think.
I used it far more for intimidation than for transportation, but a private jet is still a private jet.
– Really? You’ll make it by Saturday?
Dae-hun asked with an excited voice.
“This bastard Geun-su. He didn’t even mention something this important, so I need to get there quickly to give him a hard time.”
– So when?
“Now?”
I decided to head to South Korea right then.
My sudden decision had the Obsidian Unit, as well as Scott who was eating, scrambling.
I had become a major player in the black market through my inventory.
144 – Ruler of the South
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/ December 14, 2025
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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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