I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 33

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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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033-Macau 2
33.
“Does bartering work here?”
“Bartering?”
“You don’t know? Bartering.”
“I know what it is. But you’re the first person to suggest bartering in a place like this. It’s actually amusing.”
“So it works?”
“We’ll see. But if the merchandise I put out doesn’t suit my taste, you’ll find it difficult to walk out of that corridor.”
Now that I thought about it, the narrow corridor I’d walked through on the way in did resemble a tunnel.
It was all deliberate design.
Cunning bastards.
By now, three burly men had materialized beside the woman in the cheongsam, their eyes fixed on me.
I turned my body and pretended to reach into my jacket, then produced a pistol, two magazines, and a box of fifty rounds.
“Will this suit your taste?”
The moment the woman in the cheongsam saw what I’d laid down, her expression shifted.
She’d expected gold or jewels, but instead—firearms.
Understandably shocking.
She was probably calculating the gun’s value in her head.
“At least you’ll be able to walk out that door. Kai Hong, check the gun.”
At the woman’s command, Kai Hong took the pistol I’d produced and examined it.
Whether it was a well-made toy or if it actually functioned.
Soon enough, Kai Hong’s head nodded in confirmation.
“If you want, you can even test fire it. But this is just a sample. I can get you as many more as you need.”
At my words, the icy expression on her face cracked.
Bringing even a single gun into Macau was difficult.
Macau was surprisingly strict about firearms.
But this was just a sample?
The woman in the cheongsam extended her hand toward me.
“I’m Lafei.”
“Can we skip the formal introductions? They feel so pedestrian.”
“True, names aren’t what matters—what you can provide is. But surely you need some way for me to address you, don’t you?”
“Hmm… Call me Candy Boy. Candy Boy.”
“Candy Boy?”
“Yeah. I have a sweet tooth.”
“It doesn’t suit you at all, but if that’s what you want, I’ll call you that.”
“Thanks.”
“But how did you manage to bring this in?”
“Heh, why ask when you already know I won’t answer?”
“I’m just curious. So how many more of these can you actually get?”
“How many do you need?”
“Do you happen to have rifles as well?”
“Oh~ you like stronger stuff than I expected. Yeah, I’ve got rifles and handguns.”
“Would you come back here tomorrow? Bring the guns.”
“Haha. You’re asking me to walk into the tiger’s den myself? Do you think I’d do that? You’d show up expecting me to have done something by then.”
“That’s not it, but from your perspective, it’s definitely a reasonable misunderstanding. So how do we handle the transaction?”
“I’ll let you know over the phone.”
I accepted the business card she handed me and pocketed it.
Han Min-su had given me one with purple coating,
but Lafei’s was black.
The colors were different,
but what was written on them was the same.
The Golden Lotus
This must be the name of the club, I figured.
The lotus flower, Macau’s symbol, even had gold around it.
She pulled out an envelope identical to the one she’d given Han Min-su and slid it toward me.
“That’s the price of the handgun.”
“Shouldn’t I be getting another envelope for the price to be right?”
I honestly didn’t know drug prices, but I’d learned not to just accept whatever was offered.
It was suspicious how readily she was handing it over.
The envelope felt far too light.
Hmm.
“The handgun and that one envelope are the right price. That one envelope is worth almost ten million won.”
“Really? I misunderstood then.”
Something this light is worth ten million won?
Drugs must be an incredibly high-margin business.
Handguns, on the other hand, are hard to get ten million won for even with good pricing.
In countries where firearms are legal, you can buy a new gun from a shop for about 300 to 600 dollars.
Even though Macau bans firearms,
and it’s difficult to smuggle them in,
there’s no way they’d price a handgun at ten million won.
“I’m not pricing that handgun at ten million won. Think of it as a kind of deposit. My sincerity in saying let’s do good work together?”
“I like that.”
“Besides, our client specifically requested it.”
She pulled out another identical envelope and slid it in front of me.
This makes me suspicious again—is it not ten million won but five million instead?
Who just casually hands out ten-million-won envelopes like this?
Something feels off.
“But let’s make sure the transaction is solid.”
“Fine. Then I’ll be going.”
“Wait.”
She called out to me as I was leaving.
What? What now?
Just in case, I pulled out a gun from my inventory and tucked it inside my jacket.
Ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
She handed me a box of fresh chocolate wrapped in elegant packaging.
“I eat these sometimes, and they taste wonderful. I thought they’d suit Candy Boy.”
The chocolate box, about the size of a palm, sat on the bar table.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy them.”
I picked up the chocolate box and left The Golden Lotus right away.
.
.
.
“Damn it, why are you so late?”
“Dior, are you going to keep doing this?”
“How am I supposed to like you if you act like this?”
The moment I arrived, Han Min-su was cursing in frustration, but
the instant he saw the package in my hand, he snatched it and disappeared into the room.
After that, the difficulty of our security duties dropped exponentially.
Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun never left the hotel room.
Since our clients remained in their suite, we had nothing to do.
Only one person stood watch while the rest of us rested.
We bodyguards are neither guardians nor teachers.
We don’t concern ourselves with what our clients do, nor do we interfere.
We simply protect their lives and safety.
“It’s your first time in Macau—want to go out for a bit? You have about three hours.”
“Then I’ll step out for a while and come back.”
With the Team Leader’s suggestion to go out, I was able to leave the hotel.
I had intended to tell the Team Leader about today’s transaction,
but fortunately he mentioned it first, and I was grateful.
As soon as I left, I contacted Lafei using a public phone,
and we were able to communicate through a messenger app.
I had no choice but to show Lafei my face,
but I didn’t want to reveal my name or phone number.
Twenty rifles and thirty handguns.
Magazines and ammunition included.
That was the quantity Lafei wanted.
Was she planning a war?
Three million won per rifle.
One point five million won per handgun.
I provided an appropriate amount of magazines and ammunition.
After using them when I killed Dior last time and giving some to Poapi,
once I sold the rest, what remained were five rifles and roughly ten handguns.
In truth, even this quantity was more than sufficient for me, so I felt no concern about the reduction in firearms.
When would I ever need to use guns in South Korea?
Rather, I was relieved to finally clear out weapons that had been cluttering my inventory for so long.
They had been nagging at me, if I’m honest.
I received payment in drugs and dollars.
Twenty rifles at 3 million won each came to 60 million won.
Thirty handguns at 1.5 million won each came to 45 million won.
A total of 105 million won, but I agreed to receive half in dollars and half in drugs.
The transaction was straightforward.
I simply had to hide the goods and inform the other party of their location.
I cleverly concealed a bag containing the firearms in a corner of the underground parking lot of a nearby hotel—not ours—and sent a photograph.
Shortly after, I received confirmation that they’d found it, and instructions to go to the London Hotel lobby and ask for someone named Candyboy, who would hand over a bag.
I immediately took a taxi to the London Hotel.
When I mentioned Candyboy’s name in the lobby, they handed me a 007 bag.
I sat in an empty chair in the first-floor lobby, opened the bag halfway, and verified its contents.
It contained bundles of dollars and several paper envelopes I’d received from The Golden Lotus.
I quietly placed the bag into my inventory in a secluded area, then returned to the hotel.
On the way back, I sent Lafei a message saying it had been a good deal.
Lafei agreed it was a good deal and expressed hope that we could do business again in the future.
I told her to contact me anytime if she needed help, and we concluded our first transaction on good terms.
The morning of departure.
The two of them still hadn’t left their room.
The occasional room service that went in was the only evidence they were alive.
We’d need to leave soon,
yet there was still no word from inside the room.
Just as I was thinking I should probably go check on them,
the door opened and Han Min-su emerged, looking haggard.
“Let’s go to the hospital. I need to get an IV.”
“An IV? Right now?”
“There’s a good hospital around here, but I can’t remember where… Call Choi Secretary and ask him. He’ll know a place that does IVs well.”
We were supposed to head to the airport, but at Han Min-su’s suggestion to get an IV at a hospital first, the Alpha Team members’ expressions soured.
There was a set schedule, but Han Min-su, our director, was the type to do whatever he pleased regardless of such plans.
Though he’d also be the one to complain if things didn’t go according to schedule.
Bae Hyun-seok, the Team Leader, stepped in front of the frustrated team members.
“I’ll confirm the details and escort him.”
Bae Hyun-seok quickly pulled out his phone, called Choi Secretary to relay the request, and arranged to receive relevant information by text.
“We’re ready to move.”
We immediately brought the vehicle to the front entrance and completed our preparations for departure.
Since we had used the hotel’s vehicle, we had to explain the situation to the hotel as well.
All of this fell on our shoulders.
If Choi Secretary had been there, he would have handled it.
Now I understood why Choi Secretary had slipped me that envelope of cash.
“We’re heading to the Hospital.”
Since Macau itself wasn’t large, it was only about ten minutes to the Hospital.
Whether Choi Secretary had made arrangements beforehand or not, we were able to get an IV started the moment we arrived.
Seeing him lying flat in the Hospital bed, already asleep while receiving an IV, irritation surged through me.
On top of that, there wasn’t much time left before departure.
It was roughly thirty minutes to the airport.
One hour until the flight took off.
“We’ll finish the remaining IV in the car and move out.”
We explained the situation to the Hospital staff and began moving to the car with the IV still in place.
The faces of the hotel employees driving us showed considerable irritation.
There was nothing for it but to slip them cash as well.
Barely, frantically, we arrived at the airport.
We managed to complete the check-in and board the plane just in time.
As the plane took off, all the strength drained from my body.
Unlike us, whose minds had completely shattered,
Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun, having received their IVs and recovered their condition, had begun
giggling and laughing again.
Damn it, I couldn’t stand the sight of them.
I felt like making them suffer.
That way, I’d never have to deal with these bastards again.
As I pondered this, I pulled out a paper envelope containing drugs from my inventory.
.
.
.
Incheon Airport arrival hall.
The moment the plane landed, Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun rushed out ahead.
What was their hurry?
The Security Team followed behind them.
But not long after, an airport detection dog began barking as it pursued Han Min-su,
and an airport Police Officer approached Han Min-su.
“Hello, sir? This is the Airport Police. We’ll be conducting a brief inspection under the Aviation Security Act.”
“What? An inspection? Who gave you the right to inspect me?”
“Sir, you shouldn’t act like this. If you refuse, we’ll have no choice but to arrest you by force.”
“Arrest? Look at these bastards. Hey, which organization are you with?”
Bae Hyun-seok, the Team Leader, stepped forward as he observed the situation.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“Under aviation security law, we need to conduct a search. If you refuse, we can arrest you immediately.”
“Why are you trying to search me?”
“Our detection dog picked up a scent and started barking. We have a duty to investigate.”
“So you just need to do a simple search, correct?”
“Yes. If we find nothing, we’ll let you through right away.”
Bae Hyun-seok pulled Han Min-su aside and spoke in a voice too quiet for anyone else to hear.
“Director, do you happen to be carrying anything you shouldn’t be bringing in?”
“Anything I shouldn’t be bringing in?”
Han Min-su paused briefly in thought before shaking his head and answering.
“Nothing like that. I’m clean. I only have this one small bag as luggage.”
Han Min-su held up the small bag in his hand.
“Would it be alright if we took a look at this?”
“That’s all you need to see?”
“Yes.”
“Then show them and let’s finish this quickly.”
When the bag was opened, a familiar paper envelope emerged from inside.
The moment Han Min-su and Kang Ye-eun saw that envelope, their faces drained of all color.
The airport police officer opened the paper envelope and immediately radioed in.
“Suspect caught in possession of narcotics. Proceeding with immediate arrest.”
Then he placed handcuffs on Han Min-su.
“You are under arrest as a current offender for violation of the Narcotics Control Act. You have the right to retain a lawyer, the right to make a statement, and the right to request a detention review hearing at a later date.”
The airport police officer read him his rights.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
Kang Ye-eun, who was standing nearby, and all of us on the security team were dragged away for questioning as well.
In drug cases, entire groups often use together, so everyone in the party undergoes drug testing.
As we were being moved, we immediately contacted Choi Secretary and informed him of the situation.
After that, it would be his problem to handle.
“I don’t know that person. I only sat next to him on the plane. Please let me go.”
“You don’t know him?”
“No. After we conduct urine, hair, and blood tests, we’ll send you on your way. Don’t worry.”
Kang Ye-eun kept insisting she didn’t know the man.
She’d never seen him before. She only met him on the plane. She kept repeating this, but
the police simply responded with reassurance. Don’t worry. Just take the test and you can go. No problem.
Among us, Kang Ye-eun had the darkest expression.
Han Min-su had his family backing, so they would cover for him somehow.
Our security team hadn’t used drugs and we were security personnel, after all.
But Kang Ye-eun was different.
She was an entertainer.
A rising newcomer.
An existence that feeds on people’s attention.
If caught as a drug offender in the act, not only would I be written out of the drama currently airing, but the likelihood of complete expulsion from the entertainment industry was extremely high.
So by any means necessary, I had to draw a clear line between myself and Han Min-su.
“That bastard? I don’t know him. First time seeing him. But why did you drag me in too?”
“Damn it, can the police just arrest innocent people? Huh?”
“What’s your name? I’m reporting all of you.”
That’s what Han Min-su said.
Kang Ye-eun was too soft-hearted, which was a big problem.
Even puppies can’t be separated from her.
But Han Min-su separates himself just fine.
For three nights and four days, the two of them were barely apart for even an hour,
yet now he claims he’s never seen her before.
Kang Ye-eun, who can’t separate even from puppies, separates from Han Min-su without any problem.
The two of them seem like a match made in heaven.
I hope they get along well.
Our team was able to leave the airport after a simple preliminary screening.
Not before hearing a stern warning that we could be called back depending on the results later.
Opening the airport doors and stepping out into the cold air, my senses snapped back into focus.
It was a short but impactful project.
If every project was like this, I’d seriously have to consider resigning.
I pulled out the chocolate Lafei had given me from my pocket and took a bite.
The smooth and rich flavor of the fresh chocolate filled my mouth.
It’s delicious.
I offered the chocolate to my teammates beside me, but they all shook their heads.
I’ll just enjoy it myself then.
I popped another piece of chocolate into my mouth.

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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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