I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 20

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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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020-Rebel Base
20. Rebel Base
The operations continued relentlessly.
Patrols through Congo’s dangerous zones persisted,
and I accompanied the mobile hospital security operations.
Flooding struck the Uvira region, so we conducted rescue operations and disaster recovery efforts,
distributing relief supplies—food, medicine, and more.
We conducted several joint operations with local Police and military forces.
They were Rebel Forces suppression operations,
but the intelligence proved faulty; there were no Rebel Forces where we went.
In the meantime, I received a commendation.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“You played a tremendous role. You captured the Rebel Forces leader and uncovered the weapons smuggling operation’s headquarters. Thanks to you, our unit’s standing has risen considerably.”
“I believe it was the team’s effort, not mine alone.”
“You speak well too. It’s reassuring to have you here.”
“Thank you.”
I received the commendation before the entire unit and in front of the Battalion Commander,
and we even had tea time in the Battalion Commander’s office.
A sergeant like me having tea with the Battalion Commander—it was surreal.
My life had transformed completely from before.
The days when I stole beef from the Mart,
when I was a beggar—I could never have imagined this life then.
Now, no one sees me as an orphaned beggar anymore.
I exist only as a soldier protecting my nation.
******
“Today we conduct patrol and security operations near the eastern border. Given recent intelligence about increased weapons smuggling, move carefully and report immediately if anything occurs.”
“Understood.”
Today we executed security operations in the eastern region of Uvira.
Reports of weapons smuggling near Uvira had been coming in continuously.
We departed in armored vehicles along the route designated by the UN Peacekeeping Force for our security patrol.
The route took us from the base, past the turnaround point, and back to base via a different path.
This route was designated by the UN Peacekeeping Force.
It was the route with the highest probability of Rebel Forces activity.
“Nothing unusual here.”
“This sector is clear as well.”
The most dangerous route,
the one with the highest probability of Rebel Forces activity—
yet we achieved no significant results.
And that made sense.
Like a hamster wheel spinning endlessly, we traced the same route over and over again.
Even if I were a rebel, I’d avoid this path entirely.
The UN Peacekeeping Force conducted surveillance operations almost daily,
so would any Rebel Forces actually operate here?
In fact, it was the opposite—if we avoided this road, it meant the UN wasn’t there.
So the rebels would never come this way.
“Team Leader, what if we ventured deeper inland instead of sticking to this route?”
In a place where there was no sign of Rebel Forces whatsoever,
I cautiously suggested to the Team Leader while conducting yet another tedious surveillance operation.
“I’d like to, but the UN told us to go this way.”
“They recommended this route, but they didn’t mandate it, did they?”
“Well, that’s true, but you know how our superiors hate it when we cause trouble? If we change routes without permission, they’ll throw a fit.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The Team Leader’s words made perfect sense.
Our battalion’s staff officers—
the operations officers and intelligence officers—had no great desire for achievements.
Their goal was simply to complete the deployment operation without incident
and safely return all personnel to their home country.
It would be nice to capture Rebel Forces during a surveillance operation like last time,
but if not, they believed simply following the UN’s orders was sufficient.
No incidents was their top priority.
Capturing a few more Congo Rebel Forces wouldn’t stabilize the country anyway.
And if someone got injured while we were recklessly pursuing that goal?
That would be far more significant than any achievement.
Besides, this place was rife with firearms.
Stray bullets could find you.
This wasn’t South Korea.
This was Congo.
A deployment.
So rather than risking our lives by rushing into danger,
we simply did what we were told and prioritized safety.
I couldn’t call it wrong.
Even if it meant sacrificing achievements,
these were people who believed protecting their soldiers’ lives and safety came first.
They believed no incidents was the greatest achievement.
I understood.
But from the perspective of a team conducting surveillance operations,
the routine felt predictable, and I wanted to add some variety, you might say.
“Look at our Inbae, saying things like that. You want another medal or something?”
Im Deok-su teased me with a smirk.
“No, sir. I only mentioned it because we patrol the same route every day, so I thought the Rebel Forces would never come this way. I apologize.”
“Apologize? Team Leader.”
“Why?”
“Doesn’t something over there look suspicious?”
“Where?”
The Captain glanced around, asking in return.
“Well, there’s bound to be something suspicious somewhere. Hehehehe. Since we’ve spotted something suspicious, shouldn’t we investigate it?”
Im Deok-su answered with a cunning smile.
Only then did the Captain grasp the meaning behind Im Deok-su’s words.
Deviating from the established route wasn’t easy, but
discovering strange traces or something suspicious didn’t pose a problem. We could investigate.
Besides, that was the primary objective of this operation anyway.
There’s something suspicious.
We’ll investigate it.
And the result becomes either “nothing unusual” or “success.”
The issue was creating the suspicion.
Im Deok-su was suggesting we manufacture it.
Whether it’s a tree, a pile of grass, or ruins—we just claim it looks suspicious.
There’s no problem with that.
“Okay. But what about the others?”
“I’m in.”
“I was bored anyway. This sounds fun.”
“Then we execute the operation.”
Upon hearing the Captain’s order, Jang Seong-o, the communications specialist, immediately coordinated and sent a transmission to headquarters.
“This is Meerkat Two, Meerkat Two. Headquarters, come in.”
“Roger, headquarters. Meerkat Two, go ahead.”
“During patrol operations on R.D Route 4, we’ve spotted suspicious terrain and wish to investigate.”
“Understood. Investigate and report back.”
“Understood.”
After finishing the transmission, Jang Seong-o smirked slightly, finding the situation amusing.
The lie flowed seamlessly, perfectly aligned.
The tedious patrol operation was becoming slightly entertaining.
“Then let’s head a bit further north from the Burundi Border area.”
“Yes, sir.”
.
.
.
Something felt wrong.
At the end of where the armored vehicle had moved covertly lay a Rebel Base.
After turning the armored vehicle around on R.D Route 4,
I followed the path where vehicles had passed through, and this is what I found.
What started as a lark.
What was supposed to be a minor detour had spiraled into something far larger.
I’d hoped the Police Officer would patrol the neighborhood and catch some local thugs,
but instead, I’d stumbled upon what appeared to be a drug trafficking operation.
The reason this was possible was simple.
Congo’s climate.
The hot, humid environment had created a tropical rainforest,
and just beyond the road, the dense canopy obscured everything—you couldn’t see what lay hidden within the forest.
I never imagined a Rebel Base would be this close.
“This is Meerkat Two, Meerkat Two. Base, come in.”
“This is Base. Meerkat Two, go ahead.”
“Rebel Forces base discovered. Estimated thirty personnel. Requesting support.”
“Understood. We’ll dispatch reinforcements as quickly as possible. Hold position in the rear until support arrives.”
“Understood. Transmitting coordinates.”
“Coordinates confirmed.”
That’s when it happened.
A sharp clang rang out against the armored vehicle.
The Rebel Forces had spotted us and opened fire.
“Enemy fire incoming. Returning fire according to protocol.”
My team members tore the sky-blue covers from their helmets.
The UN Peacekeeping Force wore sky-blue helmets to remain visible from a distance.
But in active combat, those conspicuous sky-blue helmets were essentially a death wish.
So before dismounting, I’d already stripped the sky-blue covers from our helmets.
With covers removed, my team rapidly exited the vehicle, took cover, and immediately returned fire.
I seized the machine gun mounted on the armored vehicle’s roof.
“Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat.”
The machine gun roared to life.
The gun mounted on the armored vehicle fired 12.7x99mm rounds.
Cartridge length: 138mm.
Thirteen centimeters—no, fourteen centimeters long.
Fourteen centimeters: the length of a smartphone.
Those massive rounds poured relentlessly into the Rebel Base.
Those wearing body armor,
those hiding behind walls,
those crouched behind vehicles—all became equal before the 12.7x99mm round.
The high-penetration 12.7x99mm rounds pierced through everything, dropping enemies in their tracks.
Meanwhile, my team spread out and began suppressing the enemy.
“Bang bang bang bang. Bang bang bang bang.”
The Rebel Forces fell helplessly.
My team, which had learned to fight according to circumstances and terrain through countless drills,
faced no real challenge against Rebel Forces who had only learned to pull a trigger without proper military training.
“Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat”
“Bang bang bang. Bang bang bang bang.”
Gunfire erupted from all directions,
and flames shot upward.
The enemy fell helplessly.
“Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat”
“Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat”
I had fired the machine gun so relentlessly that its barrel glowed a bright crimson.
I couldn’t push it any further.
I had to wait for it to cool.
But I couldn’t just sit in the armored vehicle waiting for the barrel to cool.
I exited the armored vehicle and rejoined my team.
“Bang bang. Bang bang bang bang.”
I waited behind a tree, confirmed the enemy’s position, and opened fire.
I shifted position and fired again. Bang bang bang.
It was an endless cycle.
Before long, the gunfire gradually subsided,
and there were no more Rebel Forces standing.
My team members searched for any remaining enemies, but the area was clean.
“Clear.”
The operation ended before reinforcements even arrived.
Everyone’s adrenaline was surging from the rare firefight, and their expressions showed a hint of excitement.
We restrained the enemies and began searching the base.
“Make sure we don’t run short on cable ties.”
“Tie them up with rope.”
We subdued the Rebel Forces who had surrendered their weapons.
The Captain spoke.
“Jang Seong-o, take In-bae and conduct a search operation. Check for any hazardous materials.”
“Understood.”
We entered the few buildings that existed—
structures that barely deserved the name “building,”
hastily constructed from corrugated metal sheets—and began our search.
“Nothing unusual. There’s nothing here.”
“It appears to have been a barracks. There’s nothing but beds.”
“This is a dining area.”
We searched through about ten buildings.
Due to Congo’s lack of electricity, we had to rely on flashlights for our search.
My nerves were more on edge than I expected, and it was exhausting.
Something might pop out, so be careful.
With the search nearly complete, only one building remained.
The one in the very center, and the largest one.
When I entered, it appeared to be a temporary command post.
A large table sat in the middle, and a map was drawn across its surface.
But that was all.
There were no other suspicious items.
Jang Seong-o spoke to me.
“Clean, right?”
“Yes. It’s clean.”
“Then let’s head out. I’m dying for a cigarette.”
“Understood.”
The two of us stepped back outside the Rebel Forces command post.
But once we were outside, something felt off.
The exterior size of the building didn’t seem to match the interior.
Inside, there was only a large round table and a few chairs,
but from out here, it looked bigger than that.
Was it just my imagination?
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to check once more.
I’d just quietly verify and come back out.
Jang Seong-o seemed on edge from the search as well,
drawing deeply on his cigarette.
“Jang Seong-o.”
“What?”
“I think I left my gloves inside. I’ll go grab them.”
“You’re careless. Go on, get them.”
Jang Seong-o, savoring his cigarette,
waved his hand dismissively, signaling me to go ahead.
I entered the command post building again.
The same familiar sight.
The round table and a few chairs.
I tapped on the suspicious areas like knocking.
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump.
Moving to another spot and trying again.
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump.
Moving to another spot and trying again.
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump.
Just as I was beginning to wonder if I’d been mistaken,
“Thump, thump.”
The hollow sound echoed from within the wall.
Perhaps here?
I continued tapping methodically, checking the perimeter,
and soon discovered a tiny handle.
Pushing it open revealed a cramped space, perhaps twenty square feet.
Shining my flashlight inside, I found dozens of bags stacked in one corner.
If someone had hidden things in such a secretive space,
they had to be items of considerable importance—things no one else could touch.
I cautiously approached and opened one of the bags.
My breath caught!
Inside were hundred-dollar bills rolled tightly, filling the entire bag.
I opened another bag.
It was packed with firearms.
What is this?
What’s going on?
I checked another bag.
It too was filled with weapons.
Rifles, pistols, ammunition, grenades, explosives—all neatly distributed.
I began to piece it together.
Why would such bags be here?
This was a Rebel Base.
If weapons were smuggled in from elsewhere and distributed from this location,
then this was a Wholesale Market?
So they’d divided everything into manageable weights for a single person to carry, mixing rifles and pistols in each bag?
The money bags were either funding for the Rebel Forces or payment for the weapons?
It didn’t matter which.
Only one thing was certain.
This was not something I could afford to leave behind.
In an instant, I transferred every bag into my inventory.
.
.
.
“What took you so long?”
As I exited the command post, Jang Seong-o grumbled.
“My apologies. I thought I’d left the gloves on the round table, but they were somewhere completely different. I spent quite a while searching.”
“Is that so? But why are you sweating so much?”
“I was anxious to find them quickly, and since I couldn’t locate them, I suppose the stress got to me.”
“I see. Understood. Let’s go. They’re calling us to assemble. The reinforcements have arrived.”
“Yes, understood.”
I quietly made my way back to the Military Base.

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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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