I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 32
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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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032 — Macau
32.
I arrived at the AllDayGuard Training Center in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.
I was scheduled to undergo four weeks of intensive security training here.
Among various options, I ultimately chose AllDayGuard.
There were several reasons why I chose AllDayGuard,
but first and foremost, they desperately needed me.
We had a few more calls after that,
and each time, they expressed earnest desire for me to join.
I figured it was better to go where I’m actually wanted.
Second, they provided lodging, so I didn’t have many other worries.
Due to the nature of security work, a bodyguard’s residence can be extremely unstable depending on the client’s circumstances.
Because of this, AllDayGuard provides lodging during operations.
Even outside of operations, they offer dormitory facilities to those who want them.
The training center here was the same.
I had worried a lot about where to find housing,
but at least that burden was lifted for now.
The AllDayGuard Training Center consisted of one training building that looked like a warehouse.
One dormitory building for lodging and meals.
And an outdoor training ground.
I trained there together with the newly hired rookies on security protocols.
Though I called them rookies, I was actually the youngest of the group.
The security training itself was similar to what I’d received in the military.
I had to constantly observe my surroundings and maintain situational awareness.
I had to watch people carefully, remain sensitive to smells, sightlines, and sounds.
During all this, I had to maintain a proper distance so the client wouldn’t feel watched,
and I always had to know escape routes.
Not only that.
We did a lot of vehicle-based protection drills.
In modern security work, vehicle-based protection was absolutely essential.
We practiced protecting clients using vehicles, evasion techniques, and pursuit driving.
I also had to handle cutting-edge equipment I’d never seen in the military.
Computers were basic, along with CCTV operations, metal detectors, communication equipment, and control of mechanical rooms or security offices.
Even drones, thermal imaging cameras, and RF detectors.
It was unfamiliar, but interesting.
The main difference from the military, though,
was that our objective there was to find enemies and eliminate them,
whereas in security work, the priority was client safety and escape above all else.
Even if I could take down every threat present,
if the client gets hurt in the process, that security detail has failed.
The whole process turned out to be more interesting than expected, and I learned quickly.
.
.
“Good to meet you. I’m the Alpha Team Team Leader, Bae Hyun-seok.”
“Hello. I’m Gong In-bae, newly assigned to Alpha Team.”
“Welcome to our team. Let’s get along well.”
“Of course.”
“Ready to head in?”
Today was the day Alpha Team gathered.
After finishing the previous security operation and taking three days of rest, we were meeting again.
The Team Leader and I met in his office, exchanged brief greetings, and entered the conference room together.
The conference room looked like a meeting room in a study café.
One long table, eight chairs.
One projector.
And four men were already sitting in those chairs.
As Bae Hyun-seok looked at them, he spoke naturally.
“Did you get good rest?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Three days is too short.”
“You never know when you’ll be working next, so make the most of your rest. You’re seeing this place for the first time, right?”
“Yes.”
“This is Gong In-bae, our new Vice-Captain. Let’s give him a hand.”
Clap, clap, clap.
The half-hearted applause barely filled the small conference room.
When he introduced me as Vice-Captain, the way they looked at me became noticeably different.
“Hello everyone. Pleased to meet you. I’m Gong In-bae.”
“We can exchange pleasantries later. Let’s look at the new assignment first.”
As the Team Leader spoke, the lights dimmed and the projector came on.
“Han Min-su. Third son of KL Group. You know who that is, right?”
“Oh man.”
“I heard someone had a rough night sleeping.”
“This is seriously bad luck.”
“We got stuck with a brat.”
This was my first time seeing these faces, but they seemed familiar with the situation.
“You haven’t worked with him before, right Vice-Captain?”
“No.”
“Ever seen him on TV?”
“I don’t watch much TV.”
“He pops up in the news section sometimes. Han Min-su, third-generation heir of LK Group. Think of him as someone who does every bad thing a rich heir can do. Drunk driving is just the baseline—there’s violence, sexual harassment, drugs, and plenty more we don’t know about. His specialty? Abuse of power.”
From the Team Leader’s brief but impactful introduction, I immediately grasped who Han Min-su was.
Basically, a rich piece of garbage.
Not his money, not money he earned—just inherited wealth making some kid born with a silver spoon think he can do whatever he wants.
“But Team Leader, doesn’t Han Min-su already have a dedicated security team?”
“He does. Had one, rather. His whole team got fired after that assault incident last time. So he put together a new one in a rush, but Han Min-su doesn’t trust the new team. Says he can’t rely on them.”
“So we’re protecting him instead?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m assuming it’s not long-term. Where’s the destination?”
“Macau.”
“Team Leader, can’t we take a different assignment? Something dangerous would be better than this. I really hate this guy.”
“Since when do we pick and choose our clients?”
“But Alpha Team should at least get some consideration, shouldn’t we? We handle the hard jobs—can’t the company at least spare us the dirty ones? Isn’t that reasonable?”
“There are no other available teams. If we don’t take it, there’s no one else to handle Han Min-su. Are you suggesting we turn down the job?”
“…..”
“I know how you feel. The last incident was big. I’ve already communicated our concerns to Han Min-su’s people, so things should go more smoothly. Besides, it’s a short three-day, four-night assignment. Once you get there, he’ll probably be glued to the casino anyway. We just need to rotate through security shifts. Not bad at all. As far as missions go, this one’s fairly easy. And honestly, Han Min-su isn’t an important figure. He gets protection because he demands it, not because anyone’s actually after him. No real threats. Relax.”
“We can’t just do a half-hearted job though, can we?”
“Of course not.”
The team seemed deeply unhappy with Han Min-su being the next assignment.
And the Team Leader skillfully soothed his team’s frustrations.
“Anyway, the next operation is confirmed as Han Min-su, so prepare accordingly. Departure in one week.”
“Understood.”
The meeting ended and the team members rushed out en masse. The Team Leader shook his head in disbelief at the sight, but left the conference room quietly without further comment.
I was left alone in the empty conference room.
Is this how it’s supposed to be on the first day?
Aren’t we on the same team?
A bitter laugh escaped me.
I hadn’t done anything,
just attended the meeting, and yet I felt disliked by the team.
I couldn’t sit in the empty conference room forever though.
After organizing the documents, I headed out and found the Alpha Team gathered in front of a vending machine.
Four of them, excluding the Team Leader.
“Sir, are you really just going to let this slide?”
“And what if I don’t?”
“We need to do something. As long as you keep quiet, those bastards think it’s normal and keep disrespecting you, don’t they?”
“Watch your words, Dong-hyun.”
“Did I say something I shouldn’t have? How long have you been around Alpha Team? You should’ve naturally gotten the Vice-Captain position if it opened up. Why would they bring in someone from outside? And at twenty-four years old? Does it make any sense to stick some brat like that in as Vice-Captain?”
“Stop it.”
The man called “sir” told him to stop, but his body language said otherwise.
“Dong-hyun’s right. We need to file a strong complaint. Honestly, I’m disappointed in the Team Leader too. Even if they were bringing someone from outside, the Team Leader should’ve rejected it. How can he just accept it like that?”
“That’s right. The Team Leader messed up.”
“Twenty-four is younger than me. Honestly, I can’t accept him as Vice-Captain.”
“This situation can’t just be swept under the rug.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Whatever it takes. Either we drive that bastard out, or I walk.”
From their conversation, it seemed they had a misunderstanding about me.
They thought I was a parachute appointment.
They didn’t know I was only here for five months to learn.
After five months, I’d be leaving to form my own team.
I briefly considered whether I should explain.
But was it really necessary to explain myself to these guys?
They made their own assumptions,
and I’m supposed to clear them up?
Why should I?
Whether they misunderstand or not—
it wasn’t my concern.
.
.
.
From the next day on, we trained according to the situation.
Airport security, casino security, vehicle movement security.
Because Alpha Team had so much experience,
their movements clicked into place perfectly,
while I alone couldn’t blend in and lagged behind.
“Let’s try again.”
The Team Leader said.
But problems kept cropping up repeatedly.
It wasn’t a skill issue—it was a positioning problem.
Someone kept blocking my path.
.
.
Departure day.
I dressed in a suit from the morning and came to the office.
Work attire was formal wear,
but the only suit I owned was a luxury brand I’d bought years ago during a leave.
I wore it anyway.
I couldn’t exactly go without it.
When I arrived at the assembly point, the team was already gathered.
They all looked surprised seeing me.
Even the Team Leader seemed slightly taken aback.
Luxury items really do make a difference.
While we waited for the car that would take us,
the Team Leader quietly approached and whispered to me.
“Vice-Captain, the suit looks good on you, but for work, could you wear something more ordinary rather than designer brands?”
“Oh, I apologize. I didn’t realize. This is all I have.”
“We’ll let it slide this time. Just remember for next time.”
The Team Leader patted my shoulder,
and just then the car arrived. We got in and drove off.
Usually, we drive ourselves on domestic operations,
but for overseas trips, we sometimes get rides to the airport.
Hannam-dong.
One SUV and one luxury sedan pulled into an apartment complex.
Someone in the distance waved a hand.
“There’s Choi Secretary. We can stop right ahead.”
The car stopped in front of Choi Secretary, and we all got out to wait for the client.
As we stepped out, Choi Secretary hurried toward the Team Leader.
“Team Leader Bae, thank you for all your trouble.”
“Not at all. Choi Secretary, you’re the one who works hard.”
“Please take good care of our Headquarters Manager.”
“Excuse me?”
“I wish I could go with you, but there are urgent matters at the company. It’s not much, but please enjoy a meal on me.”
Choi Secretary pulled an envelope from his pocket and slipped it into Team Leader Bae’s jacket pocket.
The startled Team Leader looked at Choi Secretary with an expression of bewilderment.
Choi Secretary avoided that gaze and pulled out his phone to make a call.
“Yes, Manager. You’ve come down? Yes, yes, I’m right out front.”
“The Manager’s coming down.”
At Choi Secretary’s words, we immediately shifted into work mode.
We opened the waiting car door and watched for any possible threats in the area.
Soon, the apartment entrance opened and Han Min-su the Manager stepped out.
Pristine white skin, bursting with vanity.
A cheerful expression of someone who’d never known hardship.
Well-groomed hair, a smile etched on his face.
He wore linen pants and a cardigan in impeccable style.
The moment he emerged, he greeted us casually.
“Hey there~”
“We’re ready to escort you.”
The Team Leader was escorting him when our eyes met.
“Oh~~ Dior!!”
“Wow, even bodyguards wearing Dior. That’s something.”
“Fun. You, sit in here with me.”
The original plan was for only the Team Leader to ride in the sedan, with everyone else in the SUV,
but I was now placed in the sedan with them as well.
The moment we got in the car, Han Min-su spoke.
“Let’s stop by Sangam-dong on the way—I got a friend who wants to come to Macau with me. Kang Ye-eun, you probably know her, right? She’s on that weekend drama series. We’ve gotten pretty close lately, and she wanted to come along.”
He said it with such a carefree smile, spouting something ridiculous.
He’d complained about hating to wait at the airport and pressed us for a tight schedule,
yet now he wanted to stop by Sangam-dong.
Two hours remained until the flight departure.
If we stopped by Sangam-dong, the schedule would be tight.
But here, saying yes or no—
we couldn’t refuse.
The Team Leader quickly radioed ahead to the car in front.
“New stop added. New stop—we’re going through Sangam-dong first. Since flight time is tight, move quickly.”
The car started moving before the Team Leader even finished radioing.
The Team Leader’s face was already filled with concern.
Ah, so this is why they call it abuse of power.
Real abuse of power, delivered with the world’s most innocent expression.
He delivered it as if there was no problem whatsoever.
Abuse of power without a shred of malice.
In Han Min-su’s world, it was completely normal.
He lives in a world where all you have to do is speak.
How? Why should Han Min-su worry about such things?
Those are things the people being paid to work have to handle and figure out.
Han Min-su didn’t need to be concerned about any of it.
All that mattered was stopping by Sangam-dong on the way and picking someone up.
And then getting on the plane.
“What’s the problem? It’s on the way anyway, right?”
“It’s fine. We’ll move as quickly as possible.”
Going west doesn’t mean we pass through all western locations.
“But you—the Dior man—I’ve never seen your face before, have I?”
“I was assigned today.”
“Your family must be doing well. If you’re wearing something like this, you must be loaded? Your face looks young too though?”
“Not at all.”
“What’s not at all? Your family not being well-off? You not being young?”
“…..”
“Why aren’t you answering? Do you want to tell me how much your family has? I’m not even curious about that. It’s just small talk.”
“……”
“Why are you being so stiff? I’m trying to get friendly here. I like you, that’s why. Why are you putting up such a wall? You never know—you might become my personal security.”
He was spewing out something I didn’t want to imagine.
“Manager, the road is congested, so we’ll take an alternate route. The car may shake a bit more.”
“Ah~ I don’t like the shaking.”
Only then did he grab the overhead handle and close his eyes.
Even in a Maybach, the car was being driven so fast and roughly that it shook considerably.
I was also bracing my core, helping the car shake even more.
After running several red lights, we arrived at Kang Ye-eun’s place.
“Hey babe, I’m here. Come on down.”
“Got it.”
But five minutes passed, then ten, and still she didn’t come down.
The Team Leader gently tried to hurry things along.
“Manager, we really need to depart now. The flight time is running very tight.”
“Why is she taking so long?”
“Hello? Hey, why so slow? What? The dog won’t let go? Put it down and come on. We’re going to miss the flight.”
He hung up and spoke as if for our benefit.
“She’s so soft-hearted. It’s a real problem.”
Soon after, Kang Ye-eun came out dragging a suitcase that looked bigger than herself, struggling.
So this is what a celebrity looks like.
She was certainly pretty.
We immediately took her suitcase and put it in the trunk,
confirmed both passengers were loaded, and immediately departed.
We attached an emergency light to the security vehicle.
Illegal, but unavoidable.
The company would pay the fine anyway.
“Step on it.”
We arrived at the airport.
Moving straight to the check-in counter, we barely made it in time.
Everyone else was gasping for breath,
but only Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun remained relaxed.
Laughing and joking away.
Did these bastards actually enjoy this?
We were seriously stressed.
If we missed the flight, it becomes a real problem.
That’s why we drove like maniacs to make it.
So next time, will they think this is standard?
Will they think two hours is plenty of time to stop by Sangam-dong and still make it to Incheon?
Will they think we can shave more time off?
My head was already starting to throb.
But there was an even bigger headache coming.
On the plane heading to Macau.
We gathered briefly for an emergency meeting about security formations.
Single-person protection and two-person protection operate on completely different principles.
We’d been practicing single-person protection, just protecting Han Min-su,
but now we had to protect two people.
We couldn’t just ignore Kang Ye-eun because we were paid for Han Min-su.
We hastily revised our positions and schedule on the plane.
We landed at Macau Airport.
A car from the hotel was waiting.
Before getting in, we did a quick inspection of the vehicle and headed to the hotel.
While we were exhausted, Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun headed straight for the casino, fresh as daisies.
Being wealthy must mean eating well—their stamina was impressive.
We split into two-person teams and quietly provided security around Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun.
Watching for suspicious people in the area.
Checking for anything that could be a threat.
We remained constantly vigilant and observant.
Jung Dong-hyun, my partner on this shift, didn’t say a single word to me.
He simply watched quietly, keeping an eye on Han Min-su and the people around him.
I had nothing to say either, so I kept silent.
Whether they noticed our efforts or not,
Han Min-su, having lost money constantly, became increasingly irritable.
“Damn it, what the hell is this? Keep losing.”
“With odds like this, shouldn’t I hit something eventually?”
“Damn it, nothing works. Hell, forget it. I’m done.”
Despite his words, his hands kept tapping the table, asking for more cards.
“Hey~ Dior man, go exchange this for chips.”
“Damn it, go exchange this too.”
“Are we running out of money?”
We rotated in two-hour shifts—working, resting, then back to work.
It wasn’t physically demanding, but it was more exhausting than expected.
We had to constantly watch and assess our surroundings.
In my case, being on my first assignment,
I didn’t have prior knowledge of which things needed attention
and which could be overlooked, so it was even more draining.
As our shift was ending and we were about to hand off to the next team,
“Damn, this really won’t work.”
Han Min-su crumpled the card.
“Oppa, I’m tired.”
“Should we call it a day?”
“Yeah, let’s get some rest.”
“We’re done for today. Let’s head up.”
“Principal is moving.”
“No issues with the route. Proceed directly to the hotel room.”
“Copy that.”
We radioed that Han Min-su was moving,
and the waiting team confirmed there were no issues with the route and told us to proceed to the room.
As Han Min-su exited the casino, he handed me a slip of paper like a business card.
It was coated in shimmering purple.
Wondering what it was, I looked at Han Min-su.
“Go to the address written there, and they’ll give you an envelope. Just pick it up.”
I glanced sideways at Jung Dong-hyun.
Jung Dong-hyun gave a subtle nod.
I accepted the note and headed to the address written on it.
It was a club not far from the hotel.
When I tried to enter, the guards blocked me.
I told them I was there to pick something up and showed them the note Han Min-su had given me. They let me through.
They even escorted me.
Past the area where people gathered to dance,
down into the basement where several private rooms were hidden,
through a narrow corridor barely wide enough for one person,
and another bar appeared.
Numerous bottles of alcohol were on display,
and in front of them sat a woman in a cheongsam.
She checked the note in my hand and handed me a paper envelope.
Then she immediately looked away from me.
Business concluded.
But not for me.
“Is there anything else you can sell?”
“If the money’s good.”
“Would you do a trade?”
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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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This chapter has the same content as chapter 31