I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 156

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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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156 – Audit Inspection
156.
“What? Alex has been hospitalized?”
Dae-hun shot to his feet the moment he heard the news of Alex’s hospitalization.
Though his expression seemed to burn with fury, shock was the more accurate description of what he felt.
“Yes. It appears he went to the Emergency Room last night due to vomiting and fever symptoms.”
A brief silence.
He didn’t ask further.
“Let’s go now. Get the men ready.”
Right now, the most pressing matter wasn’t to determine the cause of the incident.
It was to confirm Alex’s condition.
“I’ll prepare immediately.”
Geun-su answered curtly.
Dozens of black luxury sedans lined up and entered the hospital.
The sight alone exuded an overwhelming sense of menace.
As the vehicles came to a halt, men in black suits descended in unison and formed a rigid line.
Their movements were swift, their actions economical, their words and gazes absent.
It was oppressive in itself.
Ordinarily, Dae-hun would have despised such theatrical displays and ceremonial protocol.
But today was different.
The hospital staff needed to know who was admitted here.
They needed a warning of what might happen if they dared treat Alex carelessly.
It needed to be etched into their minds.
Dae-hun walked slowly through the rows of suited men.
Geun-su followed behind him.
“Room 2308.”
Geun-su whispered quietly from behind.
The elevator was already secured.
Dae-hun stepped slowly into the open elevator.
Hospital staff and patients alike could only watch in silence.
There was an aura that no one dared to challenge or question.
Above all, it was magnificent.
Room 2308.
Upon arrival, it was a VVIP suite.
That put my mind somewhat at ease.
If he’d been placed in a six-bed ward, I would have had words, but Scott handled it well.
As I opened the hospital room door, Alex came into view.
In just a day, Alex’s face seemed to have hollowed out.
“How did things come to this?”
“Something I ate yesterday must not have agreed with me.”
Dae-hun’s brow furrowed.
“I’m going to deal with these bastards..”
“What are you planning?”
“We need to beat down the guys who sold this yesterday. Just leave it?”
“Why beat them down?”
“Because they sold us this garbage. They sold us spoiled food.”
“You’re insane. If the food was spoiled, you’d all be sick too. Why am I the only one? We all ate the same thing.”
“Huh?”
Now that I thought about it, that made sense.
“I guess my guard dropped after finally coming back to South Korea and relaxing. Thanks to that, I’m resting well. So don’t do anything pointless.”
“Hmm.”
Just then, the door opened and Kwon Ju-ah entered.
Kwon Ju-ah frowned slightly upon seeing the men in black suits filling the hospital room, then continued speaking.
“I mentioned yesterday that it’s inconvenient when there are too many people here?”
“We—”
About to respond angrily to her words, Dae-hun felt Scott grab his arm.
Scott leaned close to Dae-hun’s ear and spoke in a very low voice.
“His ex-girlfriend. Still has feelings for him. Potential future sister-in-law.”
Dae-hun’s eyes widened.
I looked at Scott, then at Alex, then alternated my gaze between them and Kwon Ju-ah.
A future sister-in-law?
Alex had a girlfriend like that?
A doctor girlfriend who was that beautiful?
I felt a slight sense of betrayal.
I’d thought we’d both be single forever.
Before I could even voice my disappointment, the hospital room door opened again and the Hospital Director appeared.
“Chairman. It’s an honor that you’ve visited us in person.”
The Hospital Director bowed respectfully to Dae-hun.
“Ah.. You’re the Hospital Director here?”
“Yes. I serve as the Hospital Director here.”
The Hospital Director answered with a forced smile.
Dae-hun and the Hospital Director had met at some gathering before.
They’d become acquainted then.
But they weren’t close.
Rather, it was the Hospital Director’s strong desire to build a closer relationship with Dae-hun, who was close to the Foundation’s chairman, that drove his actions.
That’s why he’d come all this way in person.
“Please take good care of this patient.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll arrange the best doctors for you.”
Dae-hun shook his head.
“Not the best doctors. Is it possible for her to be the attending physician?”
Dae-hoon pointed at Kwon Ju-ah and asked.
The Hospital Director didn’t hesitate for even a second.
“Of course. Absolutely possible.”
“Then I’ll take your word for it. Thank you for your help.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it well.”
Dae-hoon exchanged a glance with In-bae, gave the Hospital Director’s shoulder a light pat, and left the hospital room.
All the men in black suits left the hospital room as well.
Only then could the hospital room find peace.
.
.
.
After two more days of hospitalization, I was discharged.
My condition had already improved, but I felt like I needed proper rest, so I stayed a bit longer.
While I was there, I also had a comprehensive health checkup.
I’m healthy, they said.
I already knew I was healthy, but getting it confirmed didn’t feel bad at all.
Discharge day.
Kwon Ju-ah came out of the hospital to see me off.
“Stay in touch. Let’s grab a meal sometime.”
Kwon Ju-ah said.
“Yeah. I’ll definitely reach out.”
I nodded.
I got into a vehicle prepared by the Obsidian Unit and headed home.
I found myself smiling without realizing it.
*******
“After expanding the analysis of Park Do-jin’s corporate card transactions over two years, there are 102 transactions requiring explanation, totaling 82.1 million won. That concludes my report.”
Investigator Jung Woo-seok set down the prepared report and looked at Director Baek Do-yoon.
The report contained Park Do-jin’s two years of corporate card statements, with problematic transactions marked in red.
Red marks filled the report densely.
Director Baek Do-yoon spoke while looking at Investigator Jung Woo-seok.
“Dig deeper. Keep digging.”
“Pardon?”
What came from Director Baek Do-yoon’s mouth was completely different from what Investigator Jung Woo-seok had anticipated.
Did I mishear?
Keep digging?
Usually, the order to stop comes at this point.
‘I understand your suspicions. But shouldn’t we show some understanding?’
‘Let’s wrap this up quietly.’
‘Let’s just give them a warning and call it done.’
‘Why would we civil servants turn our blades on each other?’
‘They must have their reasons too.’
But Baek Do-yoon’s response was entirely unexpected.
“Dig all the way to the bottom. Let’s see how far this goes. Have you prepared an on-site inspection plan?”
“Pardon? No, not yet…”
“Go. Get out there and turn everything upside down.”
“But if we announce an on-site inspection, won’t they refuse to hand over documents? They’ll claim it’s classified.”
“Even better~”
Baek Do-yoon smiled faintly as he answered.
He seemed to be thinking of something else entirely.
Baek Do-yoon saw this as an excellent opportunity.
The Board of Audit and Inspection’s image was abysmal.
The reason was simple: it wasn’t performing its role properly.
It was a board that showed strength against the weak and weakness against the strong.
A government agency that turned a blind eye to high-ranking officials and powerful departments, while applying rules strictly only to low-level civil servants.
That was the perception people had formed.
If the Board of Audit and Inspection was created to handle wrongdoing, why bother if it would operate this way?
That’s why the National Assembly was debating whether the Board of Audit and Inspection was even necessary.
But it wasn’t that the Board wanted to be this way.
The Board Director himself was a parachute appointee from somewhere else.
When the Director says not to do something, how can a civil servant defy that?
Defying him meant becoming an audit target yourself.
Board employees would be audited.
As a result, the Board of Audit and Inspection had become like this.
Powerless.
Conversely, the National Intelligence Service had lost some power, but still wielded tremendous authority.
Especially since their work involved many secrets, everything the National Intelligence Service used was classified as confidential.
It was de facto immunity.
To punish wrongdoing, you need evidence of it,
but all evidence of their wrongdoing was classified by law, making it inaccessible.
But several years ago, the situation changed.
Concrete evidence emerged that the National Intelligence Service had interfered in domestic politics.
Through a National Assembly resolution, National Intelligence Service documents were forcibly disclosed, and those who reviewed them were shocked.
“We will never again interfere in domestic politics.”
The newly appointed National Intelligence Service Director made this statement, but no one truly believed it.
The National Intelligence Service continued to heavily involve itself in domestic politics.
It had become a lapdog of power.
But then the administration changed.
The new president wanted the National Intelligence Service to truly focus on its duties as an intelligence agency.
He wanted it to normalize.
Baek Do-yoon decided to touch on this very point.
With the backing of the new government, I decided to take on the National Intelligence Service.
A direct confrontation with the National Intelligence Service, once the pinnacle of power itself.
With just that, the Board of Audit and Inspection could stand as an equal to the National Intelligence Service.
The evidence seemed sufficient.
Park Do-jin’s credit card transaction history looked suspicious to anyone who examined it.
Even if it were official business, it wouldn’t matter.
The Board of Audit and Inspection could claim the symbolism of having done its duty.
By standing against the formidable National Intelligence Service and performing its function, it could secure an image as an agency that does what it must.
For the Board of Audit and Inspection, it was a profitable venture either way.
Conversely, the National Intelligence Service, by refusing to submit to investigation openly and hiding behind claims of confidentiality and classified status, could only back itself further into a corner.
Public perception of the National Intelligence Service was already poor.
Baek Do-yoon decided to see this through to the end this time.
“Go ahead. Contact me directly if you need anything. I’ll push as hard as I can.”
“Thank you.”
Jung Woo-seok gathered his documents and headed to the National Intelligence Service for the on-site inspection.
*****
National Intelligence Service mini conference room.
Jung Woo-seok and Park Do-jin sat across from each other.
“I’m investigator Jung Woo-seok. I’d appreciate your cooperation for this on-site inspection.”
Jung Woo-seok opened his report and made his request politely to Park Do-jin.
But the response that came back was different.
“You’ve come a long way, but I’m afraid I have no answer to give you.”
“Pardon?”
Jung Woo-seok asked in disbelief.
He hadn’t even asked anything yet.
Yet there was no answer to give.
The arrogance was staggering.
“Classified.”
Park Do-jin uttered a single word as if displaying his ultimate technique.
It was the supreme skill that could nullify all attacks.
Jung Woo-seok spoke once more to such a Park Do-jin, this time with even greater courtesy.
“We received a tip, so if you could just clarify that aspect, I’d like to close this as unfounded. I have no desire to drag this out either.”
Jung Woo-seok spoke gently.
He had opened an exit.
But it didn’t work on Park Do-jin.
“You’ve come from far away, and I’m sorry I can’t give you a better answer. Since you’re here, why don’t you grab a meal before you go? Our cafeteria is quite good.”
Park Do-jin spoke in a playful tone.
Jung Woo-seok suppressed his anger.
He had seen many rude people like this before.
If he let himself be swept up by this, then it becomes about attitude rather than substance.
I had no intention of giving him any room to maneuver.
“Then may I take this conversation as an official statement?”
“That’s entirely up to you. It’s not my place to meddle in such matters—wouldn’t that be overstepping my authority? We each stick to our own responsibilities.”
Park Do-jin answered with a sneer.
“I understand. Thank you for making time for me.”
Jung Woo-seok bowed once more and rose from his seat.
That evening’s news.
[National Intelligence Service Corporate Card Controversy – Audit Impossible Due to ‘Classified’ Status]
[National Intelligence Service Responds to Board of Audit and Inspection’s Request for Corporate Card Usage Details – ‘Classified’]
[A Shield Called ‘Classified’ – Why Is the National Intelligence Service Beyond Verification?]
[National Intelligence Service Corporate Card – Public Funds or Extraterritorial Privilege?]
[National Intelligence Service Corporate Card, Board of Audit and Inspection’s Request Dismissed as ‘Classified’ – Can It Be Controlled?]
[National Intelligence Service Corporate Card, No One Can Verify Usage Details.]
Park Do-jin’s face hardened as he checked the news.
He immediately called Jung Woo-seok.
– This is Jung Woo-seok.
“Hey. What the hell are you doing?”
– Who is this?
“Damn it. It’s Park Do-jin, you bastard.”
Park Do-jin growled as if he could devour him through the phone.
But the voice on the other end of the line was remarkably composed.
– Ah… but what’s this about?
“Don’t play dumb. This is your doing, isn’t it? You leaked the article?”
– I’m not a media company, and how could I possibly meddle in such matters? Wouldn’t that be overstepping my authority?
“What?”
Jung Woo-seok’s tone was dismissive.
He simply threw Park Do-jin’s own words from earlier back at him.
Park Do-jin’s fury reached a boiling point.
“I merely reported the facts as they are. That nothing can be answered due to ‘classified’ status. Isn’t that exactly what the news reported? That nothing can be done because it’s ‘classified’? The article was written according to my response. Is there something you find unfair about that?”
“You… this…”
Despite Jung Woo-seok’s blatant mockery, Park Do-jin couldn’t utter a single word.
– Then I’ll end the call here. It’s quitting time.
Click.
Damn it.
Furious, Park Do-jin hurled the phone away.
Only then did Park Do-jin realize it.
That saying nothing sometimes speaks the loudest.
******
The situation had escalated.
The President, upon learning of the news, immediately ordered a thorough and substantive investigation.
A special investigation unit was formed, and verification began on not only corporate card statements of all National Intelligence Service personnel, but also special activity funds.
There wasn’t a single clean person among the National Intelligence Service staff.
Not one National Intelligence Service employee had refrained from using corporate cards and special activity funds as if they were their own money.
They all hid behind the perfect shield of confidentiality, freely spending taxpayer money.
But now that shield had shattered.
Because of Park Do-jin.
The resentment of every National Intelligence Service member was directed at Park Do-jin.
Because of Park Do-jin, the honeypot had broken.
Everyone looked at Park Do-jin with eyes full of resentment.
Park Do-jin was subjected to an internal audit.
The National Intelligence Service itself was taking this matter seriously.
It couldn’t be covered up.
The National Intelligence Service was no longer a shield for Park Do-jin.
Until the internal audit was complete, Park Do-jin was banned from coming to work.
He was completely excluded from his duties.
All Park Do-jin could do was drink.
A bright future at the National Intelligence Service had been guaranteed,
or rather, he thought it had been guaranteed, but it all vanished in an instant.
Even if the internal audit results came back as exoneration, promotion would be difficult.
The National Intelligence Service never promoted people with blemishes on their records.
That’s the kind of organization it is.
On top of that, he was receiving the resentment of National Intelligence Service members.
He might have to write a resignation letter.
And there was no way exoneration would come.
The truth was, he had used it for personal reasons.
He’d swiped the corporate card at nice restaurants with women he wanted to impress.
He’d swiped the corporate card while dining with people he wanted to entertain.
The National Intelligence Service couldn’t possibly not know about it.
Angry, he drank another glass.
There was nothing he could do.
He felt powerless.
Lost in his own thoughts while drinking, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
The pojangmacha that had been bustling with people became quiet at some point.
When he looked up, there was no one in the pojangmacha except Park Do-jin.
Not even the owner running the place.
Sensing something was wrong and trying to leave, someone walks in.
“Uh… uh?? Uh… uh. You… Gong In-bae.”
A person he’d seen on the monitor several times over the past few days walks in.
It felt surreal.
“Team Leader, how have you been?”
Gong In-bae greeted me with a smile.
“How did you get here?”
“Good grief. You should shave—what’s with that stubble? It’s not even a handsome beard. That’s just a shabby one.”
Gong In-bae spoke in a teasing tone.
But I had no patience for this.
“Just leave. If you want to drink, go somewhere else.”
“What? I came to see you, Team Leader. How can I go somewhere else?”
“What?”
Park Do-jin stared at Gong In-bae in shock.
A chilling sensation swept across my mind.
Could it be… could it really be…?
“You… you’re the one?”
Park Do-jin forced the words out with difficulty.
“Correct.”
Gong In-bae answered cheerfully.
Park Do-jin was furious.
I tried to stand up to throw a punch, but I couldn’t rise.
Someone was standing behind me.
He pressed down on my shoulder, preventing me from standing.
I exerted force, but I couldn’t overcome it.
Eventually, I gave up trying to stand.
Park Do-jin, who had trained quite a bit.
A slight collision would tell you.
Whether you could win or not.
The man standing behind me was someone I couldn’t defeat.
I gave up on hitting Gong In-bae.
Instead, I vented my anger and rage at him.
“Do you know what happened because of you right now? Huh? The National Intelligence Service is in chaos. How are you going to take responsibility for this? Huh? How?”
“What responsibility do I need to take?”
Gong In-bae answered dismissively.
That attitude was infuriating.
“You need to take responsibility for creating this mess.”
“That’s what I’m asking. What did I do wrong? Usually, people take responsibility for their own actions, don’t they?”
I had nothing to say to that.
When I thought about what Gong In-bae had actually done wrong, there was nothing specific.
“You did it, didn’t you? So you need to take responsibility.”
“I’ll take responsibility for the tip I provided. But I didn’t commit the fraud—you did. I didn’t go drinking with a woman, eat meals, and swipe the corporate card. So what responsibility should I take?”
“That’s…”
“Ah… all this time, people were stealing and no one said anything. I reported it and they got caught? So it’s my fault?”
“···.”
“So you know you’re a thief?”
Park Do-jin had nothing to say in response to Gong In-bae’s words.
That’s when I really wanted to ask what I was curious about.
“But why did you stab me? There’s no reason for this.”
“You’re just like me.”
“What?”
“I just wanted to give you some grief. You said you wanted to give me some grief. I just wanted to return the favor. But I didn’t know it would snowball into something this big and come back to me.”
“Huh…”
Park Do-jin’s expression turned incredulous.
“Anyway, stop eating for today.”
“Why?”
“Because I have something you need to eat later, and you won’t be able to eat if you’re full.”
Park Do-jin’s expression changed.
Ominous thoughts flooded my mind.
Terror consumed me.
Gong In-bae’s expression was dangerous.
I wanted to beg for my life.
But the words wouldn’t come out.
“When you want to ruin someone else’s life, you need to keep in mind that your own life can be ruined too. Don’t you agree?”
“.. Please don’t…”
“Have one last shot of soju. I’ve prepared cement as a side dish.”
“…”
“I’ll feed you until you’re full. Until your stomach bursts. It works better when you eat it while you’re still alive.”
“… Please…”
“When you go to hell, don’t play games with other people’s lives—live with integrity.”
“Please… save me.”
The rigid, arrogant Park Do-jin fell to his knees.
And he begged.
“Please save me.”
“Then I’ll see you in hell.”
Through the inventory, I became a magnate of the black market.
156 – Field Audit
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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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