I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 243

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

243 – The Funeral
243.
The night before the funeral.
I sat across from Allen and Tian Zihao.
Blueprints of the cathedral lay spread across the table.
Zurich St. Cathedral Church.
An ancient structure.
Thick stone walls, limited exits.
Simple in design, yet excellent for control.
I studied the blueprints in silence for a long moment.
“How many people do you think Rodrigo will plant inside the funeral venue?”
“At most ten.”
“That’s not many.”
“Mateo blocked them all. He refused to issue credentials to anyone except essential personnel. And of course, neither Pablo nor Carlos will be attending.”
“What? Why?”
“Pablo went to Mauritius, and Carlos… I’m not sure. He’s simply not attending. He says he’ll be handling perimeter security that day.”
“That’s strange.”
“It seems they suspect Carlos. They believe he’s the internal traitor. But without evidence, they can’t make a decision, so they’re keeping him at a distance.”
“Hmm…”
I nodded.
It was entirely plausible.
“What about Eduardo?”
“He arrived from South America this afternoon.”
“How many people?”
“Less than a hundred.”
“Even after scraping together everyone from South America?”
“They couldn’t obtain passports.”
“Huh…”
“Even those hundred were barely scraped together using connections.”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Unable to attend such a critical operation because of missing passports.
It was absurd, yet I couldn’t laugh.
In work like this, all manner of complications arise.
Especially when operating on such a tight schedule.
Still, it was fortunate.
If too many people had arrived,
Rodrigo’s position would have grown far too strong.
With overwhelming numbers pushing forward,
the scale—and the casualties—would inevitably multiply.
“They won’t be able to enter the funeral venue anyway, right?”
“Yes. They can’t enter inside. It seems they’re positioning forces on the perimeter, ready to strike the moment something happens.”
For now, the personnel from South America can’t get into the church.
Let’s focus on the church.
“What about weapons?”
“There’s only one entrance. Security screening at the entry point. Bringing weapons in will be difficult. But there’s a possibility they’ve already planted weapons inside the church.”
“Check it beforehand.”
“Already in progress.”
I examined the church blueprints again.
Rodrigo was planning to strike Mateo at the funeral service.
I knew that.
I could stop it or let it happen.
I could capture Rodrigo,
or let Mateo die.
But my plan was to eliminate them both.
If I only caught Rodrigo, the remnants of South American forces would remain.
Eduardo exists, and the cartel’s network stays intact.
Cutting off just the head means the body can always grow back.
It had to end in one stroke.
“Here’s how we’ll operate.”
I placed my finger on the blueprint.
“Starting tomorrow morning, leak information.”
“What kind of information?”
“That at Mateo’s memorial service today, Rodrigo will be publicly expelled and executed.”
“What?”
Allen’s expression hardened.
“You’re spreading false information?”
Tian Zihao asked.
“Yeah. Once Rodrigo hears that, he won’t be able to hold back. He’ll definitely try to strike Mateo.”
“Won’t that turn the funeral into chaos?”
“We use that chaos. Make Rodrigo draw his blade first, let Mateo act out his independent stance. The moment they sink their teeth into each other’s throats, we dispose of them both.”
The air in the conference room grew cold and still.
Allen and Tian Zihao seemed to read my resolve from my words and gaze.
A brief silence passed before Allen spoke.
“What about the Obsidian Unit deployment?”
“Two at the entrance, one on the flank. Two at the altar, the rest all on external perimeter.”
“Is it because of Shin Jung-gi?”
Tian Zihao asked.
“I’m not sure. Something feels off. Shin Jung-gi’s location isn’t being pinpointed either. So let’s be careful.”
“Understood.”
“Keep drones in the air constantly to monitor the situation.”
“Yes.”
Tian Zihao and Allen left the room.
Left alone, I folded the blueprints and leaned back in my chair.
By tomorrow, it would all be over.
It had to be over.
Yet for some reason, that certainty felt incomplete.
******
The day of the funeral.
3 AM.
Zurich St. Cathedral Church blazed with brilliant light.
The cathedral inside and out bustled with funeral preparations.
Even the smallest item brought in
had to pass through meticulous security screening.
Metal detectors, portable scanners, personnel verification.
It appeared to be perfect control.
Within that control, Shin Jung-gi was present.
His hat pulled low,
his face concealed behind a mask,
dressed in worn work clothes, he silently passed through the security checkpoint as instructed.
Like just another laborer, he ceaselessly carried items.
He carried flower boxes, lighting equipment, chairs.
No one suspected Shin Jung-gi.
His movements were natural, his pace measured, utterly unremarkable.
Here, he was merely one among many workers.
It was past 4 AM.
The interior of the cathedral had grown somewhat quieter.
The shift change—
the moment when vigilance waned most.
Shin Jung-gi moved naturally toward the central altar.
He walked to where the empty casket lay.
While pretending to arrange flowers,
he retrieved the object he had concealed within the lighting equipment he’d brought.
A small object, no larger than a palm.
He slipped it between the flowers.
A high-performance bomb that wouldn’t trigger security detection.
He moved toward the electrical panel.
The moment he opened the panel and examined its interior.
“Hey, what are you doing there?”
“I’m checking the lighting lines. This cable looks loose. If the lights go out during the funeral, it would be a disaster.”
“I’m checking the lighting lines. The cable here looks loose. It would be a big problem if the lights went out during the funeral.”
Shin Jung-gi spoke with perfect composure, betraying no hint of tension.
His hands moved with the practiced precision of a true professional.
Even as he spoke, his fingers continued their methodical work.
“Make sure it’s done right.”
“Yes, sir. Don’t worry.”
The security guard asked nothing further.
Instead, he simply reminded Shin Jung-gi to be thorough before departing.
The moment the guard left,
Shin Jung-gi slipped a small explosive device into the gap.
What followed was repetition.
Dressed in work clothes,
I moved through the Church,
methodically inserting thin, compact explosives into every crevice and gap.
The high-performance devices were so seamlessly integrated that no one would ever suspect their presence.
I intended to transform this Church into one colossal tomb.
I planted explosives everywhere—thoroughly, meticulously, without exception.
Behind pillars, beneath wall decorations, wedged into the gaps of the pipe organ.
Invisible to every eye.
For me, today’s funeral service was
the perfect opportunity to eliminate that garbage called Parallax in one decisive stroke.
Along with every dog who’d been feeding off Parallax’s scraps.
I almost felt grateful to Adrian for arranging this gathering.
I quietly exited the Church and made my way to the prepared observation post nearby.
I set up the sniper rifle and checked the drone systems.
Everything was ready.
*******
The day of Adrian’s funeral service.
Zurich St. Cathedral Church
The sky hung heavy and overcast.
There was no wind, only a fine mist beginning to fall.
It didn’t so much descend as hover suspended in the air.
Like being submerged underwater.
The atmosphere felt oppressive.
Already, crowds had gathered before Zurich St. Cathedral Church.
Though the funeral service wouldn’t begin for some time yet,
staff members were busy with preparations.
Dressed in black,
they wore armbands identifying them as event staff.
They moved with purposeful efficiency, orchestrating every detail.
.
.
.
[10:00 AM]
Mateo arrived first.
He didn’t pause as he stepped out of the car.
The moment he arrived, he circled the Church’s exterior once.
He inspected whether any problems had arisen,
whether anything had changed.
He stepped inside.
The Church remained hushed.
An empty casket lay before the altar.
Behind it hung Adrian’s photograph, surrounded by lit candles.
Adrian’s personal belongings were arranged there,
along with items bearing Parallax’s history.
Mateo stood before the altar.
He gazed at Adrian’s photograph for a long while.
“Adrian. From now on, Parallax is mine. Watch closely how I’ll lead Parallax forward. Today is my day.”
Mateo murmured quietly.
He adjusted his signet ring.
He surveyed the Church once more.
Everything was exactly as I had designed it.
Once the eulogy ends, everything will change.
This isn’t Alex’s script.
This is a funeral I personally orchestrated and directed.
I will announce Parallax’s independent operations.
I will personally define our relationship with the Alex Group.
We will cooperate, but not submit.
I need only declare it here.
One more thing.
I will expel Rodrigo and sever him publicly.
With that, Parallax becomes mine.
Mateo’s lips curved upward in a subtle smile.
All preparations were complete.
Thinking of the perfect Parallax I would lead, my heart soared with anticipation.
.
.
.
[10:15 AM]
Rodrigo appeared at the funeral venue.
His face was ashen, dark circles etched beneath his eyes.
I looked haggard, as though I hadn’t slept in days.
Eduardo and a bodyguard flanked me on either side.
A security officer extended his hand at the entrance.
“I’ll need to check you.”
I complied without resistance to the security officer’s search request.
I passed through the security checkpoint without complaint.
Clean.
No weapons.
But I had already made my preparations.
I’d hidden a pistol inside the ventilation shaft of the Church restroom.
I didn’t need much.
One pistol would suffice.
Hell, even a single bullet would do.
I surveyed the interior of the Church.
Mateo was near the altar.
I hadn’t seen his face in ages.
The rat had been running for so long.
There were several people around him.
They looked like bodyguards.
I ran through the scenario in my mind.
I’d go to the restroom before the ceremony started and retrieve the gun.
From that point on, I’d execute the plan the moment an opportunity presented itself.
It was time to go to the restroom.
That was when it happened.
Eduardo had heard something from somewhere, and his face had gone deathly pale.
We spoke in hushed, barely audible whispers.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Eduardo leaned in close and spoke.
“What I just heard… they’re saying they’re going to expel you from the council today.”
“What?”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
In an instant, all eyes turned toward me.
I couldn’t control my expression.
Expulsion? Here?
Now? At a funeral?
Rage consumed me.
Fury boiled within my chest.
I wanted nothing more than to draw my gun and fire at the man sitting before me.
But the bodyguards surrounded me front and back, making it impossible.
I knew I had to calm down and compose myself, but—
That’s proving difficult.
A cigarette came to mind.
But not now.
Now I’ll hold back,
and after I kill Mateo,
I’ll light one very slowly, savoring his death at my leisure.
[10:30 AM]
Mourners began arriving at the funeral chapel.
People dressed in black suits appeared one by one.
Politicians, businessmen, warlords, black market dealers.
All had come for Adrian’s funeral.
On the surface, it was condolence,
but in reality, each harbored their own calculations.
Invitations were verified at the entrance.
Security screening was conducted to ensure no weapons were carried.
It took considerable time.
There were too many people relative to the security checkpoint capacity.
But no one complained.
Those who passed security screening entered the cathedral quietly and took their seats.
The atmosphere was no different from any other funeral.
There were no tears or displays of sorrow,
yet everyone’s eyes reflected contemplation of the past.
They all appeared lost in thought.
[10:50 AM]
I arrived timed for the funeral service beginning at eleven.
Zurich St. Cathedral Church was already packed with mourners.
Were there really this many dogs tied to Parallax?
I was genuinely surprised.
Upon arrival, I immediately confirmed the positions of Mateo and Rodrigo.
Mateo sat in the front row,
while Rodrigo sat three rows back from Mateo.
In terms of distance, it was only five to six meters apart—quite close.
It seemed designed for a direct shot.
But with bodyguards and
so many people around, a direct approach would be difficult.
– Position confirmed.
Tian Zihao’s voice came through the miniature Earset in my ear.
I didn’t respond.
I simply nodded.
That was sufficient.
Somewhere out there, Tian Zihao would be watching.
[11:00 AM]
The funeral service had begun.
Mateo stood before the altar.
The Church fell silent.
Mateo opened his mouth quietly.
“I thank everyone who has come to be with us today.”
“Adrian was a dear friend and colleague to us all.”
“It pains me deeply to bid him farewell.”
“But we cannot remain here, dwelling in sorrow.”
“We must move forward toward the future.”
“Parallax too shall change.”
“We pledge a rigorous transformation of our organization.”
“And as a result···.”
It was the moment Mateo was about to speak something crucial.
Tian Zihao’s voice crackled through the Earset.
– Young Boss. Something’s wrong outside.
“What is it?”
I muttered softly.
– Several drones have risen into the air.
“Why? Aren’t those surveillance drones we’re operating?”
– No. They’re not showing up on radar.
Drones hovering in the sky, yet invisible to radar?
In that instant, only one thing came to mind.
Phantom Grid.
Shin Jung-gi had come.
I was certain of it.
Then came a small sound as the electrical panel exploded.
The power went out.
The lights died, and the Church fell into darkness.
But it was not complete darkness.
Sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows gave the Church an eerie, ethereal atmosphere.
Mateo continued speaking afterward,
but the microphone had ceased functioning without power.
His words could not be heard.
Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
I did not hesitate.
I quickly rose from my seat and bolted toward the exit.
– Young Boss, you should evacuate immediately.
“Already on my way.”
I leaped to my feet and bolted toward the exit,
several people turning to stare at me with bewildered expressions.
But I paid their gazes no mind.
I simply ran.
Someone else caught on and began sprinting toward the exit alongside me.
Moments later, a drone collided with the outer wall of the church.
The impact erupted with a deafening boom.
And simultaneously—
Boom.
Explosions tore through the interior.
Pillars, ceilings, walls—everything detonated at once.
In an instant, Zurich St. Cathedral Church descended into absolute chaos.

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