I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 226

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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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226 – Transport
226.
En route from Cheongwadae to Zamboanga aboard a private jet.
Once the aircraft reached cruising altitude,
Scott leaned forward in his seat.
“Sir, you need to see this.”
Scott extended the tablet toward me.
Simon’s face dominated the screen.
[Damaya Rebel Group Declares War on Philippine Government]
– Demands expanded autonomy and independence guarantee for Mindanao.
I tapped on another article.
A video began playing immediately.
An anchor in the studio was reporting the situation with urgent urgency.
“Simon, leader of the Damaya Rebel Group operating in Southern Philippines, released a public statement today directed at the Philippine Government.”
Footage shot in the heart of the jungle appeared on screen.
Simon standing among armed soldiers.
A scene of Simon speaking directly to the camera.
His expression was utterly grave.
Seeing such a serious expression on Simon’s face made me laugh.
The anchor continued.
“Through his statement, Simon announced ten demands, including complete autonomy guarantees for the Mindanao region and political independence.”
“The major demands are reported to include the following:”
Recognition of extensive autonomy for the Mindanao region.
Phased withdrawal of central government military forces.
Guarantee of local government priority in regional resource development.
Release of political prisoners and resumption of peace negotiations.
The anchor continued speaking.
“Simon warned that if these demands are not accepted, he will escalate military action.”
The screen changed again.
Rockets were launched.
Flashes erupted over the dark sea.
“The Damaya Rebel Group conducted a military demonstration by launching dozens of rockets in Philippine waters near Zamboanga.”
“The Philippine Navy is currently blockading the area and assessing the situation.”
“Additionally, the rebel side claims to have kidnapped approximately twenty Korean workers today.”
The screen showed a road with control barriers and armed Philippine soldiers.
“The abducted personnel are reported to be employees of Dae Yeon Development who were working on a road construction project near Zamboanga.”
“Their exact location has not been confirmed.”
“The Philippine Government has designated this incident as a serious threat to national security.”
“The Philippine Military announced it has immediately reinforced troop deployments in the Mindanao region and is launching operations to track down the rebels.”
“Additionally, it officially announced that it is in close consultation with Dae Yeon Development and the South Korean Government to resolve the issue of the abducted Korean hostages.”
The video ended.
I handed the tablet back to Scott.
“That was fast.”
Scott chuckled softly.
“Simon is exceptionally skilled at this sort of thing, isn’t he?”
“Indeed.”
We gazed toward Zamboanga through the small window.
The game was only just beginning to unfold.
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.
Hours before the news would break.
A quiet visitor arrived at the home of a Dae Yeon Development employee.
The doorbell rang, and as the door opened,
men in black suits appeared.
“Hello.”
One of them quietly produced an identification card.
“We’re from the National Intelligence Service.”
The woman’s expression hardened instantly.
The National Intelligence Service.
People she never thought she’d encounter in her entire life
were now standing at her front door.
The agent lowered his voice.
“This may be shocking news—would it be alright if we discussed it inside?”
The woman nodded hesitantly.
Once inside the living room, the agents habitually scanned their surroundings,
then spoke calmly.
“In a few moments, the news will report the kidnapping of a Dae Yeon Development employee.”
The woman’s face went pale in an instant.
“What? That’s… what do you mean?”
Her voice trembled.
She barely managed to ask through her tears.
“Are you saying my husband… my husband has been kidnapped?”
The agent shook his head.
“There’s no need to worry. This is part of an operation being conducted jointly by the South Korean and Philippine governments. Your husband’s safety is being completely protected.”
The woman found some reassurance in the agent’s words.
Yet her expression remained anxious.
“Still… kidnapped, you say.”
“Yes. I understand your concern. That’s why we’re here to take you to where your husband is. This is a state-level operation, and the government will provide direct protection during its course. For your family as well.”
The woman fell silent for a moment.
I didn’t know what to do.
The agent told me what needed to be done.
“We’re departing immediately.”
“Now? Right this moment?”
“Yes. However, for security purposes, you must leave behind all electronic devices—your phone, laptop, tablet, and the like. You absolutely cannot disclose anything you’ve heard to anyone outside. Not to the media, not to acquaintances. Doing so could jeopardize the operation.”
“I understand.”
“Shall we depart then?”
“But I think I should notify my company. If I don’t show up for work···”
“The government will handle your company. We’ll process it as your participation in an emergency contingency program for kidnapping victims. It’s a program exclusively for families.”
“···. I understand.”
The agent bowed lightly.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
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The Woman in Cheongsam left her home in nothing but the clothes on her back.
She couldn’t even grab a change of underwear.
A black van waited in front of her house.
Inside were already several families in similar circumstances.
All wore expressions of tension.
The van departed quietly.
It drove to the airport, and from there a private jet carried them to the Philippines.
Hours later.
The moment I stepped out of the vehicle and followed them.
I paused mid-stride.
Before my eyes stretched a luxury resort overlooking the sea.
Palm trees swayed gently,
and the swimming pool glimmered in the sunlight.
“Honey!”
A familiar voice called from somewhere.
I turned my head,
and there stood a man in shorts, holding a beer.
He waved cheerfully.
My husband.
Tears welled up in my eyes in an instant.
During those hours flying to the Philippines, my mind had raced through countless thoughts.
Kidnapping. Guns. Jungle. Death.
The worst imaginable scenes had tormented my thoughts.
Though I’d been assured of safety,
I couldn’t entirely dispel the anxiety that lingered in the depths of my heart.
Yet her husband before her eyes was drinking beer with a serene expression.
It was both irritating and reassuring.
The Woman in Cheongsam rushed over and embraced her husband tightly.
Only then did the tension finally ease.
From that day forward, the Resort became an entirely different place.
They provided three meals a day, snacks, beverages, and alcohol,
and all Resort services were freely available.
The children dove into the swimming pool,
while the adults dined overlooking the sea and conversed.
They exercised and enjoyed water sports.
When night fell, they grilled barbecue and listened to music.
Just as they had been prevented from bringing anything,
all items including swimwear were provided.
They were far superior to what they normally used.
It was like an extended vacation.
It felt like paradise where anything was possible.
There was only one thing not permitted at this Resort.
The internet.
Powerful communication jamming equipment was installed throughout the Resort.
Even if someone had smuggled in a mobile phone, it would receive no signal.
All external communications were blocked.
The world was saying they had been kidnapped,
but they were enjoying a vacation.
The Resort was filled only with the laughter of children and the clinking of glasses.
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Cheongwadae, South Korea
An emergency security meeting was being held at Cheongwadae presided over by the President.
A large map of the Philippines was displayed on the conference room wall.
Red markers were densely scattered across the Mindanao and Zamboanga regions.
The air in the conference room was heavy.
The National Security Advisor spoke first.
“The situation is critical. Twenty South Korean nationals have been kidnapped by Rebel Forces in the Philippines.”
President Kim Min-su asked tersely.
“What are our countermeasures?”
“The UDT and 707 Special Missions Unit are standing by for immediate deployment. They can be deployed the moment you give the order.”
The Joint Chiefs of Staff official responded immediately.
“If we deploy them, can we secure the hostages?”
President Kim Min-su asked in a sharp voice.
The conference room fell silent.
No one could respond.
After a moment, a general opened his mouth.
“Zamboanga is the region within the Philippines where rebel forces hold the strongest foothold.”
He continued, gesturing toward the screen and map.
“During President Melchor’s tenure, the government military attempted an operation to seize control of Zamboanga. The result was a defeat bordering on annihilation.”
The general’s words made the already quiet conference room grow even more silent.
“Moreover, the number of hostages is substantial. Even if the rescue operation succeeds, safely evacuating all the hostages will not be easy.”
President Kim Min-su was silently taking notes on something.
“Are you saying that even deploying special forces would make a rescue difficult?”
“… Yes, that’s correct. And at present, we haven’t even pinpointed the exact location of the hostages.”
Bang.
President Kim Min-su slammed the table.
“What on earth are you doing? Our citizens have been abducted. Twenty of them, no less. Yet you haven’t even grasped the situation. Is this acceptable?”
President Kim Min-su’s voice cut sharply through the conference room.
All the bureaucrats hung their heads.
But President Kim Min-su knew the truth.
He had already received photographs of the hostages from Gong In-bae.
Images of them frolicking on white sandy beaches.
Lounging on sun beds, drinking beer.
For a moment, the place was so beautiful that he found himself wishing he could become a hostage too.
But here, one must attend to the matters at hand.
“Why is there no response? Tell me—what should we do?”
At President Kim Min-su’s outburst, a Foreign Ministry official cautiously spoke up.
“Currently, it would be far more effective for us to collaborate with the Philippine government and provide support, rather than conducting an independent operation.”
“Continue.”
“As it happens, the Philippine government has submitted a weapons purchase request. If we provide weapons to the Philippines and bundle it as an emergency military cooperation program, it should work out.”
“Is it feasible?”
“Yes, it is. By proceeding this way, we sell weapons, strengthen our alliance, and can also involve ourselves in the hostage rescue operation.”
“Are there other options?”
“At present, the emergency military cooperation program is the most realistic approach.”
President Kim Min-su, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded.
He made his decision.
“Excellent. Proceed immediately.”
“Understood.”
“Our citizens’ lives are at stake. Streamline procedures as much as possible. Time is life.”
“Understood.”
“Send the equipment from the warehouse first. Include all spare equipment, inventory stock, anything we’re not using immediately. We’ll bill them later. Let’s clear out our inventory while we’re at it. The Philippines has requested inventory as well.”
“Understood.”
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration official answered with a slight smile.
“And start the production lines immediately. Our nation is already hearing criticism about insufficient artillery, so manufacture enough that no one can claim we’re short on firepower.”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
The moment the President’s order fell, the conference room erupted into activity.
People rose from their seats and began making calls.
Documents were exchanged, and transport plans were drafted.
The South Korean government began moving at a pace rivaling that of wartime mobilization.
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That evening.
The runway of a South Korean Air Force Base blazed with brilliant light.
Massive transport aircraft began moving onto the runway one after another.
Armed personnel moved about with purpose, verifying the weapons being loaded.
Moments later.
A C-130 transport aircraft began its takeoff run first.
With a thunderous roar, the aircraft lifted into the sky.
The cargo hold was packed densely with military supplies and weapons of every kind.
From anti-tank missiles to ammunition, armored vehicle components, and communications equipment.
Military equipment hastily assembled was crammed inside.
But that was not the end.
The transport aircraft did not stop.
After arriving in the Philippines and unloading the equipment, they returned to South Korea.
They loaded weapons again.
The transport aircraft began shuttling back and forth between South Korea and the Philippines.
At the Philippine Government’s request, weapons were delivered to an Air Force Base located in northern Mindanao.
The next day, maritime transport operations commenced.
A massive container ship began moving slowly out of Busan Port.
The containers held even more military supplies and weapons.
Artillery shells, missiles, vehicle components, and various equipment.
As the container ship left the harbor,
warships immediately flanked its side.
They were destroyers and frigates of the South Korean Navy.
The container ship, under naval protection,
began advancing toward the Philippines.
The massive container ship departed laden with weapons bound for the Philippines.
Alongside it, South Korean Navy destroyers and frigates provided escort.
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Cheongwadae Conference Room.
The conference room was filled with ongoing situation reports.
“The first aerial transport has been completed.”
“The container ship being transported by sea is scheduled to arrive at port tomorrow.”
President Kim Min-su nodded.
After glancing around the conference room for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.
And spoke quietly.
“Excellent. You’ve all responded remarkably well to this crisis. I believe you’ve demonstrated how the government must act in times of emergency, and how we must think of our people.”
President Kim Min-su bowed his head slightly.
“Thank you for your hard work, and I look forward to your continued efforts.”
The people in the conference room also bowed their heads quietly.
Yet no one in the conference room relaxed their vigilance.
Even at this very moment, South Korea’s transport aircraft were cutting through the sky,
and the container ship was cleaving through the sea toward the Philippines.

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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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