I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 173

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

173 – Low-Ranking Official
173.
“Yes. That place from last time.”
“See you then.”
Upon arriving in Gimpo, I called Hwang On-yu and arranged to meet.
It seemed I needed to share the situation with Hwang On-yu at the very least.
I had no way of knowing what countermeasures the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Science Research Institute, and the Foreign Ministry were devising within the National Intelligence Service.
But I needed at least one person to convey the situation to.
I needed someone to communicate that we possessed weapons of our own.
With proper information, one could forge proper weapons.
I despised being dragged along aimlessly.
Hwang On-yu was the only person I could entrust with this task.
So I arranged to meet with Hwang On-yu.
Kwon Ju-ah remained in the Philippines.
I suggested we return together, but she shook her head.
She said she would stay in the Philippines.
Being in Unity Town put her at ease, she explained,
and she wanted to take a bit more time to sort herself out before returning.
She said treating patients there was refreshing and she was learning so much.
She spoke of a new life opening before her as a doctor, asking to stay a while longer.
I respected her choice.
I told her to return once she had sorted things out.
That was all I said.
.
.
.
“Aren’t we meeting too often these days? Do you like me or something?”
Hwang On-yu spouted nonsense the moment he saw me.
Last time he was sitting there looking half-dead.
It seemed he’d recovered considerably.
Judging by the fact he was joking around.
“You’ve never dated, have you? That kind of delusion is a disease. Go to a hospital. Get treatment before it’s too late.”
My words struck a nerve—Hwang On-yu looked flustered for a moment before breaking into a quiet laugh.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. Extremely. It’s impossible not to notice.”
Hwang On-yu was laughing, but his eyes were crying.
Seeing him like that, I decided to get straight to the point.
“Anyway, what happened with Project Mangwol?”
Hwang On-yu took a sip of the whiskey in front of him before answering.
“That? Nothing new. No significant developments since then. Japan’s been quiet, we have no countermeasures, and we tried recovering the server, but it got switched out in the meantime. Hopeless. Now we just have to take whatever Japan throws at us.”
Hwang On-yu answered with a self-deprecating tone.
He seemed completely out of it.
Server recovery had been the last hope.
But even that had vanished.
He appeared to have no countermeasures regarding Project Mangwol.
I threw him a small hint, watching as he seemed to have given up on everything.
“What if… there were development logs?”
Hwang On-yu glanced at me briefly.
Then he answered flatly.
“We could refute Japan’s claims.”
“… And?”
“And what? That’s it. That’s the end. And how significant is that anyway? Just that alone is enormous.”
Hwang On-yu replied.
But I couldn’t understand his answer.
“But Japan attacked us. Are we just going to let it slide?”
“Then what do you want to do? Trade blows and fight?”
Hwang On-yu asked as if I were being ridiculous.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“What?”
“Think about it. Some bastard tried to punch me. But I dodged it, right? So nobody got hurt—should we just end it cleanly here? Is that what you’d do? Not me. I’d destroy them. Make sure they can never lift their head again. That way, they’ll never dare to try again.”
“Hahahaha. Are you in high school?”
Hwang On-yu laughed heartily at my words.
Enough to embarrass me.
“What?”
Hwang On-yu explained to me calmly, as if teaching a lesson.
“That’s something only hot-headed high schoolers do. Nations don’t operate that way.”
Hwang On-yu paused briefly before continuing.
“Diplomacy has conventions. I can’t just do whatever I want. A single word, a single phrase, a single gift—diplomacy assigns enormous significance to everything. I can’t act on impulse just because I’m upset. If we retaliated every time we were displeased, the entire world would be at war every single day.”
“So we just endure it?”
I don’t understand diplomacy.
But I know this isn’t right.
“It’s not about enduring—it’s about proper calibration. It’s about balance.”
I was disappointed by Hwang On-yu’s answer.
Honestly, very disappointed.
Extremely so.
I’d gone to the Philippines to help this man.
Self-loathing washed over me.
Truthfully, I’d convinced myself that I wasn’t helping Hwang On-yu,
but rather helping South Korea.
Still, I found myself reconsidering whether there might be another way.
There might be other ways to handle this,
but one thing was certain—Hwang On-yu’s approach didn’t align with mine.
So I pressed further.
“The Japanese do whatever they want? They keep poking at us even though we’ve done nothing wrong. Japan gets a pass but we don’t?”
“···. That’s…”
Hwang On-yu couldn’t find an answer.
“Forget it.”
I spoke as though I’d given up, dismissing the entire matter,
and Hwang On-yu tried to placate me.
“What now? And stop putting me in this position. I’m not the Foreign Minister—how am I supposed to make that decision? I’m just a low-level bureaucrat. I don’t have decision-making authority. I just collect data as a subordinate.”
Hwang On-yu began making excuses.
“I understand. Really.”
I decided to accept Hwang On-yu’s excuses.
What could I expect from someone of his caliber?
“Thanks for understanding.”
“A low-level bureaucrat won’t need something like this.”
I pulled a memory card from my pocket and showed it to Team Leader Hwang On-yu.
Team Leader Hwang On-yu stared at it with a puzzled expression, as if asking what it was.
He simply gazed blankly at the memory card, clueless about what I’d produced.
“If you’re going to respond like that, you won’t need this. Might as well just take the beating.”
“What is that?”
“This? What you’ve been searching for so desperately.”
In that instant, Hwang On-yu’s eyes changed.
He seemed to realize what was contained on the memory card.
“No… surely not.”
“That’s right. Project Mangwol’s development log.”
Hwang On-yu’s eyes widened.
“How do you have that?”
“Does it matter? What matters is that I have it.”
“You’re incredible. Thank you.”
“For what?”
Hwang On-yu’s face brightened.
His expression suggested all problems had been solved.
“With this, I can cleanly resolve the radar issue···”
But as Hwang On-yu spoke, he caught sight of In-bae’s expression and stopped mid-sentence.
His face looked very displeased.
He quickly replayed the conversation in his mind.
Only then did he realize what he’d just said.
He remembered saying he’d resolve this situation with the development log and be done with it.
That he would merely evade the opponent’s attack without truly countering.
In-bae didn’t like it.
He wanted to fight.
Since we’d been hit once,
he said we should land a punch in return.
I understood his sentiment,
but I couldn’t agree with him.
The problem was that this wasn’t something I could handle on a whim—it involved relations between nations.
Moreover, Hwang On-yu was a Team Leader at the National Intelligence Service.
He wasn’t in a position to make decisions like this.
I’d merely explained the government’s general direction,
and In-bae seemed deeply disappointed by that answer.
Part of me wanted to throw caution aside and fight it out like In-bae wanted,
but that would cost me more than it would gain.
Resolving this with as little trouble as possible was the best approach.
That’s how I’d learned to operate.
Hwang On-yu decided to try persuading In-bae.
“I get that you’re angry, but let me handle this. I’ll work it out.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“What?”
“I said no. I can’t give it to you because I don’t trust you.”
“What’s this about trust? The nation is in crisis. We need to resolve this quickly.”
“Didn’t you say this would just handle the radar issue and be done? I can’t let such valuable data be used like that.”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know! I said I don’t know. But this doesn’t feel right.”
“Sigh. Isn’t this just stubbornness? How can you hold your ground when you don’t even know what to do?”
“Damn it, why should I know that? Am I a civil servant? You’re the civil servant. Isn’t this what you get paid taxes for?”
I’d been holding back, but it finally burst out.
I couldn’t tell if Hwang On-yu was frustrated or if I was frustrated with South Korea itself, but either way, I didn’t like it.
“Nothing’s changed from last time. When I found Shin Jung-gi, you acted like it was obvious I’d bring him to you. It’s the same now. I went through every channel to get this data, and now you want me to hand it over? This is ridiculous. Is this all the National Intelligence Service can do?”
My voice had grown louder without my realizing it.
I was worked up.
“Calm down. Look, I’m sorry. I don’t have the authority. If you give me the data, I’ll appeal as strongly as I can. I mean it.”
“Get out.”
Hwang On-yu looked at me.
I took a breath to compose myself.
“I don’t know how diplomacy works, what meaning gifts carry, or what nuance words hold. But I’m not good-natured enough to sweet-talk someone who’s picking a fight with me and send them off peacefully. At least when someone throws a punch, I throw one back. That’s my way.”
Hwang On-yu spoke to me in a gentle, persuasive tone.
“Still… shouldn’t we solve the problem first?”
That irritated me even more.
What had he been listening to all this time?
“Is that my problem? Huh? Tell me. Stop dumping your issues on me. I’m already holding back a lot right now.”
Hwang On-yu’s mouth clamped shut.
“Once we decide how to use this material, come back then.”
“······.”
“Team Leader Hwang. Don’t linger here—go prepare a solid plan. If you bring me something half-baked, you won’t get the material. Figure out how to strike Japan, how to wound them, and bring me a well-crafted operation. I’ll decide after reviewing it. Team Leader.”
Hwang On-yu seemed to have much to say but couldn’t speak.
“By the way, if you hit carelessly, you’ll get hit back several times over. Bring something strong enough to knock them out cold. Otherwise, it’s better to pretend the material doesn’t exist and just take the beating.”
Hwang On-yu kept his head down and said nothing.
“Then I’ll see you later.”
I rose from my seat without hesitation.
The memory card was safely stored in my inventory.
******
“Dae-hun, what are you doing this weekend?”
“I need to catch up on web novels. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been able to keep up with the new releases.”
I was speechless at Dae-hun’s answer.
Every time I came to the office, he was sitting on the sofa watching web novels.
And yet he needed to binge-watch web novels on the weekend?
Is that something the Chairman of the group should be saying?
Dae-hun, you should at least get your act together.
If everyone plays around and you play along with them···
No, thinking about it, Dae-hun had been consistently playing around.
He said his job was to give people a kick in the rear.
Yet what was strange was,
even with Dae-hun playing around, Dae Yeon Development kept thriving.
It was already bringing in massive profits from the Philippines.
With Patrick’s help, we’d secured nearly every construction project in Zamboanga,
and now we were expanding our reach across the entire Philippines.
The liquor business and establishments that the Dae-hoon Faction had been running generated cash.
The entertainment business wasn’t bad either.
All operations were running smoothly.
Moreover, unlike other organizations, the loyalty of our members was exceptional.
Part of it was due to good employee benefits,
but the training institute seemed to be the real force.
Everyone who went through there came back transformed.
Their loyalty maxed out.
Anyway.
I was about to ask Dae-hun if he wanted to work on something new together,
or rather, to ask for his help, but I wasn’t sure if it would work out.
Standing before Dae-hun now, I found myself hesitating.
“What’s up? Why are you hesitating? That’s not like you, Alex.”
“No… I was worried I’d interrupt you while you were watching webtoons.”
“Sigh… just tell me what’s on your mind.”
Dae-hoon set down his phone with a heavy exhale.
I deliberated for a moment before speaking.
“I was just thinking… if you’re free this weekend, why don’t we go to Japan?”
“Japan?”
His response carried a note of surprise.
“Yeah. Japan.”
“Why are you hesitating so much over something like that? Just say it and we’ll go.”
“Thanks.”
“But why Japan? To eat udon? Sushi? Or is there something else?”
Dae-hoon asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“No, to meet with the yakuza.”
“Cough. What?”
Dae-hoon’s expression froze in shock
.
.
.
Tap tap tap tap tap tap.
On the private jet, Dae-hoon continued bouncing his leg restlessly.
“Stop tapping your foot.”
“Aren’t you nervous?”
“Not at all. Not even a little.”
“How can you not be nervous? All the Japanese yakuza are gathering.”
“If all the yakuza are gathering, why should you be the one nervous? They’re the ones who should be nervous.”
“With all the yakuza assembled, the atmosphere must be incredibly tense. One wrong move and I could get stabbed.”
“The most menacing thing here is your face. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“Really?”
Dae-hoon broke into a bright grin at my promise of protection.
After a brief silence, he asked.
“But do you think it’ll work out?”
“Who knows? At worst, we lose nothing. We’ll just have to see how it goes.”
.
.
.
And so we arrived at the designated location.
An aged building standing in the heart of Tokyo.
Its exterior alone radiated an ominous presence.
The entrance was already crowded with people.
They were unmistakably yakuza.
Black suit, menacing face.
He scanned the surroundings in silence.
What appeared to be a katana hung from his waist.
We proceeded directly toward the building guarded by the yakuza.
I wasn’t intimidated.
Our numbers were substantial as well.
The Obsidian Unit had come with us.
Several members from the Dae-hoon Faction accompanied us too.
The yakuza grew restless at our arrival.
They couldn’t help but be startled by the sudden appearance of so many people.
As we moved to enter the building,
the yakuza attempted to block our path.
But the man who appeared to be the highest-ranking shook his head.
And he approached us.
“You are the ones who came from South Korea?”
“That’s correct.”
“Please, allow me to escort you.”
He guided us with courtesy.
We feigned composure and followed his lead into the building.
Only Dae-hun and I could enter the building.
The rest had to remain outside like the other yakuza.
Now I understood why there were so many yakuza at the entrance.
We took the elevator to the top floor of the building.
As the elevator numbers changed and we ascended higher,
my heart seemed to race in tandem.
Honestly, I was a bit nervous.
Ding.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened to reveal a short corridor.
At the end of that corridor stood a single door.
The door opened.
Inside were gathered all the bosses of Japan’s yakuza organizations.
I became a magnate of the black market through my inventory.
173 – A Low-Ranking Civil Servant.
E-book Publication
/ January 16, 2026
Author
/ Black Card
Publisher
/ Son Je-ho
Published by
/ Munpia
Address
/ Doosan Landmark Tower 12F, 308 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
List Price
/ 100 Won
https://munpia.com
[email protected]
© Black Card, 2026
This e-book is
Munpia
published in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder, and
Munpia
this e-book and its contents may not be used in any form or by any means without written permission from Munpia.
This e-book is a copyrighted work protected by copyright law, and unauthorized reproduction or copying may result in legal liability.
979-11-11-99634-4

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