I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 253

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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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253 – 3 Years Later (Complete)
253.
Three years later.
“There. The place visible straight ahead. That’s Emerald Canyon.”
The crystalline waters caught the sunlight, glimmering like glass.
The stream flowing through the deep, serene gorge shimmered in shades of emerald, true to its name.
I held a megaphone, leading the tour group forward.
My face bronzed by the sun.
Hawaiian shirt and shorts.
And a fedora.
The perfect guide’s attire.
And my favorite outfit to wear.
Here, no one recognized me as Alex.
Or rather, they didn’t connect me to Alex Group’s Alex.
I was at peace here, and I was smiling.
“We’ll have plenty of time for photos later.”
“For now, take it in with your eyes. Your eyes.”
“Commit it to memory. You’ll never forget this.”
“We’ll rest here for thirty minutes, then move on by boat.”
“If anyone wants to take photos during that time, please do. If anyone needs to use the restroom, feel free to go.”
“Beverages and alcohol are available over there for anyone who’d like some. Everything is complimentary.”
“We also have snacks and ice cream available.”
“Woooow~~~”
The tour group erupts in cheers at my words.
They seem pleased.
Watching the tourists enjoy themselves,
I find my own mood lifting.
Emerald Canyon’s popularity remains undiminished.
Even now, securing a tour reservation requires fierce competition.
For those who’ve fought through that cutthroat competition to book a spot, offering complimentary refreshments is the least I can do.
They’ve more than earned the right to enjoy free beverages.
Now that the tourists have scattered in all directions,
I made my way to the best viewpoint in Emerald Canyon and sat down.
This place never grows tiresome, no matter how many times I visit.
Each time feels fresh and beautiful, as if I’m seeing it for the first time.
For a moment, I let all my thoughts drift away as I gazed upon Emerald Canyon.
Nature is always changing.
That’s why there’s never a dull moment.
Then someone smoothly extended a bottle of water toward me.
It was Allen.
“Thanks.”
I took a sip of the bottled water Allen offered me.
The cold liquid slid down my throat.
The humid Philippine heat seemed to dissipate in an instant.
But Allen’s expression told a completely different story.
He looked utterly miserable.
“What’s wrong? Why do you look like that?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if we left this place now?”
“Why? This place is great. We’ve seen Emerald Canyon, visited Lumina Lake, done some guiding—how could it be better?”
“Don’t we matter to you?”
Allen spoke as if letting out a weary sigh.
I glanced around casually.
Disguised as couples, tourists, and families,
over thirty members of the Obsidian Unit were conducting discreet security operations.
“Hey! Isn’t this a bit much on your part? Who’s coming here that requires this level of protection?”
“We must be most cautious in the safest places. That’s what the Young Boss taught us.”
Petty bastard.
He’s complaining to me just because things are a little difficult.
I’m not generous enough to indulge such whining.
“Forget it. I’m continuing this.”
“The staff are uncomfortable. So let’s head back now. Haven’t you done enough?”
“I said I’m continuing. This is fun.”
I spoke to Allen like a spoiled child.
Just then, someone came rushing toward us, breathing heavily.
It was Scott.
This guy’s gotten fat again.
Whenever I let him off the hook for even a moment, he gains weight immediately.
I’ll have to put him through training again.
“Huff… huff… Boss… wait… let me catch my breath… huff… huff…”
“What is it?”
“We need to leave immediately.”
“What are you talking about? Can’t you see? I’m guiding right now.”
“You need to go to Cannes.”
“Cannes? Why Cannes?”
“The film we submitted to the Cannes Film Festival last time—My Lord Alex—is likely to win, and they’ve invited you as a guest.”
My Lord Alex was a work created by a student from K-ORIGIN SCHOOL who had adapted the story of Unity Town into a film.
Despite being fictional, it was receiving praise from critics for its authenticity.
“I’m not the one receiving the award, so why should I go?”
“Aren’t you the producer?”
“The producer is Dae-hun, not me. I opposed making this film in the first place. How embarrassing—My Lord Alex? Ugh, it gives me chills. Tell Dae-hun to go to Cannes instead.”
“Dae-hun is coming too, I hear.”
“Then that settles it.”
“The Director really wants to be with you, sir. And since you’re Alex, shouldn’t you go?”
“… No. I’m not going.”
I threw another tantrum.
But it seemed no one was listening to me.
“And we’ll need to stop by Mexico after Cannes.”
“Mexico? Why?”
“Shin Jung-gi has something to tell you, sir.”
“These bastards—if they have something to say, shouldn’t you lot come to me?”
“My apologies. There’s something we need to show you.”
“Hmm… is that so? Then I suppose I have to go.”
“How is Shin Jung-gi doing?”
I asked casually.
“His power has already grown far greater than it was under Rodrigo. Especially the medicine Edward created—it’s become incredibly popular there.”
At Scott’s answer, I let out a quiet laugh.
“I really can’t understand it.”
Three years since the Rodrigo incident.
We had returned to our daily lives.
Everyone was doing what they did best.
Edward was manufacturing medicine,
Tian Zihao was manipulating the odds at GoGo Casino even more subtly,
and Leon was selling weapons internationally.
Simon had transcended his role as rebel commander and become the mayor of Zamboanga,
while Patrick remained President.
The upcoming presidential election showed very high odds of his reelection.
Ana had transformed Taerim Insurance into an international insurance company.
With massive capital backing her payouts,
insurance enrollment began surging to an almost unmanageable degree.
Taerim Insurance had become a global brand.
Magiting had been appointed as the Philippine Energy Minister and now managed not just electricity but all energy resources in the Philippines.
Shin Jung-gi wanted to pioneer South America himself,
so he departed with Toto.
The results were a spectacular success.
His influence now spanned not just South America but Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Sandro had completely unified the Philippine Criminal Organization.
Commanding numerous subordinate factions, he ruled the shadows of the Philippines.
Du Man-sik of the Triad Society and Kurokawa of the Yakuza had each established their own formidable power bases.
These three operated independently, yet sometimes formed alliances,
maximizing their collective influence.
I took control of Asia and moved forward.
Sometimes Shin Jung-gi moved with me as well.
Kang Jae-ho was conducting construction projects in the Philippines,
while Lim Yu-na continued creating merchandise and developing new products.
And the fact that those two looked like lovers was probably just my imagination.
Scott had gained weight,
and Allen still never strayed more than ten meters from my side.
He was always by my side.
Everyone pursued their own work,
yet remained tightly bound together.
I thought guiding was my true calling and wanted to continue, but it wasn’t easy.
The moment I spent any time at it, Scott and Allen would appear.
For one reason or another, they said I had to stop and fulfill my schedule.
Under Scott and Allen’s coercion,
I reluctantly descended the mountain.
I wanted to stay longer,
but there was no choice.
When I came down, Ana was waiting.
“Ana? What brings you here?”
“I stopped by on my way back from Mexico.”
“Why? Is something wrong? Did you come to meet someone?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“You, sir!”
“What? Me?!”
“Yes. Since the major shareholder refuses to attend meetings, the CEO came in person to pay his respects.”
“I gave you all voting rights. You can just handle it yourself.”
“Anyway, revenue increased significantly this time.”
“Why? Again?”
“Thanks to Jung-gi, we launched insurance products in South America, and they’re performing exceptionally well. The investments we made with them also show impressive returns.”
“What kind of products?”
“Integrated conflict zone risk coverage—a product that includes kidnapping, explosions, and armed conflicts involving firearms.”
“Who designed it? Shin Jung-gi?”
“No, Toto designed this one.”
I smiled slightly.
It felt good seeing everyone living with such dedication.
Everyone was living earnestly,
so surely I could afford to coast along a bit, right?
But,
that was wishful thinking.
No one around me leaves me alone.
I had to manage a grueling schedule.
Though I didn’t particularly like it,
I found it good nonetheless.
I hated having so much work,
but being able to do it alongside these people—that was good.
Suddenly, my father’s funeral came to mind.
Those who had sent off my father at the funeral hall were still by my side.
My vow to live alongside them, to want to live with them,
seemed to be holding true.
I felt a strange sense of relief.
******
Cannes, France
A hotel near the venue where the Cannes Film Festival was held.
The day [My Lord Alex] was screened.
In Cannes, the standing ovation lasted over ten minutes.
We congratulated the director who won the Grand Prix,
then quietly slipped away.
We found ourselves sitting by the sea in front of Cannes.
Moonlight shattered across the gentle waves.
On the table sat wine instead of soju.
Caviar instead of freshly caught sashimi,
yet our hearts remained unchanged from when we gazed out at the waters before Gunsan, drinking soju.
We were still young, still foolish, and we still loved the sea.
“Thank you.”
“For your film winning the Grand Prix? Tell that to the director. He really captured the Alex spirit perfectly.”
“Not that.”
“Then what?”
“Just… for coming all this way with me.”
“You’re insane.”
Dae-hoon chuckled and took a sip of wine.
In that single word, all the days we had spent together seemed to flash before me.
Starting from the special forces school,
the time we took over Gunsan,
holding my father’s funeral.
The expedition to conquer Busan, Geun-su’s wedding, and K-ORIGIN SCHOOL.
There had been so many things,
and we had faced them all together.
We entrusted each other without hesitation,
and we carved our way through this jungle of a world.
Memories flashed before me in an instant, and I found myself thinking of soju.
“Why is this drink so bland? Don’t you have soju? This is the kind of night for soju by the sea. What a shame.”
Dae-hoon grumbled.
“A shame, indeed.”
I pulled a bag from my inventory.
More precisely, it was an ice box.
Inside were bottles of soju and various snacks packed to the brim.
Crack.
I retrieved the soju, twisted off the cap, and poured a glass for Dae-hoon.
I took one for myself, clinked glasses with him, and downed it in one gulp.
The sharp burn of alcohol traced down my esophagus.
Indeed, soju is what the night sea demands.
That rule holds true even in Cannes.
“Ahh, now this is it.”
“This is perfect.”
The cold soju paired beautifully with the Cannes sea.
Dae-hoon casually pulled out a cigarette and lit it before asking nonchalantly.
“What about marriage? You’re not going to do it?”
“Marriage, huh…”
“You should. You have to think about Kwon Ju-ah too. It’s selfish to keep seeing her without any intention of marriage.”
“I know. But… I’m not confident.”
“That’s insane. Who gets married with confidence? You just do it. You just live day by day, adjusting to each other as you go.”
“If you know it so well, why don’t you do it yourself?”
“Haha. If I got married, I’d have to settle down. I think that would be difficult for me. Too many women are looking for me.”
“You’re crazy.”
Before the waters of Cannes, we tilted our soju glasses until the sun rose.
Trading nostalgic stories,
we laughed and talked through the night.
Yet even as we did, thoughts of Kwon Ju-ah never left a corner of my mind.
.
.
.
Myanmar Sagaing.
Before a hastily erected clinic.
A white tent bore a red cross painted across its canvas,
and before it, countless patients stood in line.
From those suffering gunshot wounds from the civil war to those with common colds.
People injured by shrapnel, children burning with fever, elderly men wracked with coughs.
A diverse array of people sought treatment at the clinic.
Yet the clinic’s doctors were woefully insufficient in number.
The doctors moved frantically, yet treating so many patients was overwhelming.
Already over twelve hours into consultations today,
yet patients still filled the area in front of the tent.
But compared to what lay inside the clinic, it was nothing.
The inside of the clinic resembled a war zone.
The stench of blood and disinfectant assaulted my nostrils.
Groans and cries never ceased.
Those wounded by the civil war cried out in agony.
Emergency patients continued to pour in relentlessly.
There was no system,
no order.
The only certainty was that if I didn’t treat them now,
they would die—one hundred percent.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Gunfire echoed even inside the clinic.
And as soon as those shots rang out, patients inevitably surged in.
Kwon Ju-ah was seeing patients in that examination room.
Stopping hemorrhages, suturing wounds, administering painkillers.
That was all I could do here.
Equipment and medications were critically scarce.
But what I lacked most was sleep.
My eyelids grew heavy.
I probably hadn’t slept in thirty hours.
Even during Emergency Room shifts, it was never this bad.
Yet there was no choice.
If I slept now, the patient before me would die.
So I couldn’t sleep.
Of all the places I could have gone, why here?
Regret mingled with the profound satisfaction of saving so many lives.
.
.
.
The gunfire that had been ringing out continuously suddenly stopped.
The shots vanished as if they’d never existed.
The patients stopped coming.
An unsettlingly peaceful silence descended.
“What? Why is this happening? All of a sudden?”
Kwon Ju-ah asked the doctor beside me anxiously.
“You. That’s···”
“What?”
“Then accidents are bound to happen.”
As I spoke, the site manager responsible for the clinic’s safety entered.
The doctor working with me shut his eyes tightly at the sight.
Something must have happened.
“A VIP is coming now.”
“A VIP?”
“Because a VIP is coming, they’ve even called a ceasefire in the civil war. They’ve decided to maintain at least a 48-hour truce.”
“What? Really?”
“Must be someone important. They’re calling a ceasefire just because this person is coming?”
“Whoever it is, I’m incredibly grateful.”
“Yeah. So go rest for a bit now.”
“Okay. I really need to sleep. I can’t keep my eyes open.”
The site manager’s words prompted my colleague to speak.
Kwon Ju-ah was drowsy too, but she deferred to her colleague’s words.
Her colleague’s condition was absolutely terrible.
“Alright, sleep and take over when you wake up.”
“Okay.”
As the doctor moved toward the lodging, an Escalade suddenly slid to a stop in front of the clinic.
Personnel in tactical gear descended and secured the perimeter.
“What? Who is it?”
My colleague whispered the question.
But no one could answer.
Once the area was secured, the door of the sedan in the middle opened.
Kwon Ju-ah’s eyes widened at the sight of who stepped out.
A familiar silhouette.
“In-bae.”
.
.
.
Ju-ah and I headed to a restaurant nearby.
The dimly lit atmosphere was pleasant enough, and the food was decent, but
Kwon Ju-ah barely touched anything.
“Why aren’t you eating? Is the food not good? Should we go somewhere else?”
“No, it’s just that I’m drowsy. Sleep comes before food.”
Kwon Ju-ah’s eyes were half-closed.
“You look exhausted. Let’s finish this and get moving right away.”
“Okay.”
Kwon Ju-ah forced herself to chew and swallow the food.
The sight of her struggling was heartbreaking.
“If it’s that difficult, how about heading back to South Korea?”
“I like it here. I want to stay a bit longer.”
Kwon Ju-ah shook her head.
“Isn’t it exhausting?”
“Even so, I’m saving lives. I became a doctor to preserve life. That’s enough for me.”
I let out a soft chuckle.
“Oh~~ Now you’re sounding like a proper doctor?”
“I was always a doctor.”
Kwon Ju-ah pouted slightly.
Even that gesture was impossibly cute and endearing.
Yet I continued to dance around what I truly wanted to say.
I kept dwelling on meaningless topics.
That’s when it happened.
“You have something to say. Just say it already.”
Kwon Ju-ah spoke first.
“Huh?”
I looked at her in mild surprise.
“You came here to talk about marriage, didn’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“We’ve been together for five years. How could I not know?”
Kwon Ju-ah spoke matter-of-factly.
“You knew? That I’ve been postponing marriage?”
“Of course I knew. I know everything.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
Kwon Ju-ah paused for a moment before answering.
“I figured you must have your reasons.”
“So? You’re fine continuing like this?”
“It’s not bad, but I think I’d be okay with change too.”
“Change… even if it turns out negatively?”
“There’s no such thing as negativity in life. It’s just direction. There are paths that align with me and paths that don’t. You’re walking your path well, and I’m walking mine well too. If our paths overlap, if we can walk together, that’s enough. Otherwise… we’d just walk separate paths and check in on each other occasionally.”
I was taken aback by Kwon Ju-ah’s answer.
It was remarkably bold and courageous.
“Aren’t you afraid of breaking up?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m scared, I’m terrified. But dragging out a relationship out of fear wouldn’t be better for us either. I don’t want to cling to something by force.”
Kwon Ju-ah’s words were light, yet resolute.
“… I have no confidence.”
“Confidence in what?”
“I’ve never experienced a proper family. I grew up with a mother whose face I’ve never seen and a father who beat me whenever he drank. So often I don’t know what to do or how to do it. The work I’m doing now can hardly be called safe. I constantly wonder if it’s right to pull you into my life like this. I’m terrified of losing you.”
I spoke honestly.
I’m trying hard not to lose the people around me,
and that’s what I worry about most,
The experience of losing those closest to me was not easily healed.
I still worried—wasn’t it dangerous for anyone to get close to me?
“Hehe, my boyfriend is really something. He stops civil wars just by visiting, and you’re worried about what?”
Kwon Ju-ah laughed.
“I’m dangerous. I’m doing dangerous things, and I don’t know what could happen or when. You could become a target. That’s what scares me the most.”
“I know. But you didn’t create that danger in the first place. It’s better than just taking the hits and doing nothing. Besides, you’re going to protect me.”
“Well, that’s obvious…”
“Then that’s settled.”
Now that I thought about it, Kwon Ju-ah was the only person I could be completely comfortable with, the only one I could bare my soul to.
Kwon Ju-ah hadn’t changed.
She was the same now as she was in high school.
Her appearance, her personality, her loveliness—all the same.
The words came out before I could stop myself.
“Let’s get married.”
I was surprised at myself.
Kwon Ju-ah’s eyes met mine at my words.
She’d thought about it before, but it seemed unexpected.
Her eyes widened.
Then she slowly nodded her head.
.
.
.
Seoul Unity Village.
The day my wedding with Ju-ah was being held.
Unity Village was covered entirely in flowers.
White flowers and pink blossoms lined the pathways,
and decorations adorned the buildings and trees.
This was no longer reality,
but had transformed into a village from a fairy tale.
My wedding was not a simple event.
It was becoming a national affair.
The government had requested that I hold the wedding to coincide with the G20 summit.
It was to coordinate the attendance of state guests.
Former President Kim Min-su, and current President Choi Jin-seok.
Chinese Chairman Wei Zhonglin,
Philippine President Patrick,
and this time even the Mexican President said they would attend.
Beyond that, prominent figures from business and politics announced their attendance.
No one had been invited, yet many said they would come.
Our wedding had become something beyond a promise between two people.
The security was correspondingly thorough.
From the outer perimeter of Unity Village to its heart,
meticulous security and vigilance extended throughout.
Yet the moment we stepped inside, no one felt a trace of tension.
I felt genuinely happy.
Scott and Dae-hoon had handled all the wedding preparations themselves.
I stood dressed in a tuxedo.
People came to me offering their congratulations.
Sandro was there, of course, along with everyone I knew—they had all come.
I was so overwhelmed by the flood of well-wishes that I could barely think straight.
Though Unity Village was spacious, today it felt intimate and small.
That was when someone took my hand.
It was Kwon Sang-yeol.
No longer my director, but soon to be my father-in-law.
He said nothing.
He simply squeezed my hand firmly.
I bowed my head slightly.
“I humbly ask for your blessing.”
“That’s my line. Please take good care of our Ju-ah.”
His words were brief, yet they carried profound meaning.
Music began to play,
and all eyes turned in one direction.
At the end of that gaze stood Kwon Ju-ah in a white dress.
It was not extravagant, yet so beautiful I could not tear my eyes away.
We held hands.
In that moment, all the time I had lived through flashed before me.
Gunfire and explosions.
Blood and death.
An endless chain of incidents and tragedies.
It all felt as though it existed for this single moment.
I looked at Kwon Ju-ah and smiled.
I was truly happy.
We walked slowly down the aisle together.
Hand in hand, slowly.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Applause erupted.
Flower petals scattered, and fireworks burst into the sky.
Some laughed, others wept.
I held Kwon Ju-ah’s hand even tighter.
And together, we walked forward.
In the same direction.
– END –

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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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