Past Life Returner

Chapter 363 – (Part 1)

「Electronic Disclosure - Data Analysis, Retrieval, and Transfer System

Subject to Disclosure: DaehyunCA

Name of the Report: Entry Agreement

Submitted by: DaehyunCA

Date of Submission: May 29th

1. Contract classification: Entry Authorization

- Contract Name: Dungeon (F-301 Land of Whirlpool) Entry Approval

2. Contractor: World Awakened Association (Korean Branch)

3. Contract period: Start Date 2018-06-01 / End Date 2018-06-05

4. Contract date: 2018-05-23

5. Key points related to determining the value of investment: Same contracts for other companies, majority of rights in the occupied territories 」

「 2018.05.30 : KRW 37,150

Net change/↑ KRW 8,550 + 30.00%

2018.05.29 : KRW 28,600

Net change/↑ KRW 6,600 + 30.00% 」

As of today, June 1st, the agency of Daehyun Group has been consistently reaching the upper limit for the past three days. Furthermore, the fall of the Franklin Dukedom resulted in an increased focus on entry into the Land of Whirlpool, causing related stock prices to surge.

With the June 10th deadline fast approaching for Doom Kaos, Joshua was under pressure to produce results, particularly given the unexpected challenge posed by Jonathan’s inability to adjust to his return. This had caused him to wander aimlessly.

At that time, the sound of footsteps got closer and someone knocked on the door. It was Lee Tae-Han.

“The girl is not someone who would say nonsense.”

He was talking about Lucy, the girl he sent as Jessica’s residential bodyguard. After Jessica’s conversion was confirmed, the association left a separate job for that girl. They ordered her to find out the path of the crypto channel where Jessica was leaking information.

Lucy sent everything without knowing the nature of the data being shared, including a private chat network that was used between financiers like Jessica. While the data contained various miscellaneous information, it also included the specific item that we had been searching for.

As a result, Bastian, a reporter for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, was apprehended by the association’s security team, as he met Lee Tae-Han, whom he believed to be Jessica.

“What about him?” I asked.

“It cost a bit to deal with him. May I tell you my opinion?”

“Of course.”

“We are sending security agents to him.”

While he clearly wanted to kill Bastian, such an act would have presented complications. The last thing I wanted was for Jessica to discover that I had made contact with them. Ultimately, there was something much more important at stake than the life of a surveillance journalist like Bastian, who had sold out his principles for a mere ten million dollars.

The next day, I received a call that Gillian’s private plane had arrived at Incheon Airport while I was putting together the information that was brought back by returned mercenaries from the Franklin Duchy and the Land of Whirlpool. However, he didn’t immediately return to the association as I had ordered him to come in on time with his wife.

***

Gillian had a hunch that Odin would call him upon realizing that Brian Kim’s associates had not only ransacked Mossack Fonseca but also the Carl and Jane Accounting Law Firm. He had a feeling that the data that was obtained through their internal source was aimed at Jessica. That was why they were here today.

He had made every effort to contact his wife but ultimately failed. He actually entrusted his Chinese work to his elite subordinates and flew to the Isle of Man where his wife lived. However, her bodyguards stood in front and didn’t let him in. She didn’t respond to any phone calls or texts. For reasons that were entirely unknown, she had retreated into a cave and was evidently undergoing a process of self-destruction.

So why the hell? Jessica!

He knew she was suffering from severe depression. Nevertheless, the sense of accomplishment he had gained by protecting the market on the Day of Advent was immense, so he thought Jessica would feel the same way and recover to a certain level.

We saved billions of people in the world.

No… He believed she would be completely cured of the depression from that alone.

However, he noticed that his wife had remained the same at this year’s club meeting. While she put on a smile and engaged with other members, he could detect that she was still struggling with depression. This was evidenced by her avoidance of him and the occasional shadow that fell across her face. He should have held on to her then as that had clearly been the last chance.

Gillian gazed out the car window, which was heavily tinted and made even the midday appear dark, much like the overwhelming sense of heartbreak that he was experiencing.

The secretary said when Gillian lowered his window, “She just got here!”

“Jessica?”

“Yes, sir!”

Jessica followed Odin’s instructions and arrived in Korea promptly. Gillian caught sight of her walking alongside her bodyguards from afar.

“Can I take the ride with you?” she asked.

Gillian opened the door for her, then moved closer to her side.

“Why are you looking at me with such surprised eyes? Did you think I would ignore his order?”

He shook his head. “Not that. I didn’t expect you would ask for a ride together.”

She responded, “This is the last time.”

“...”

“It’s none of your concern. I will ensure that nothing happens to you. That’s why I’m here,” she reassured him.

“Yes. You have to make sure I’m not removed from his line.”

Gillian felt a throbbing headache and rubbed his forehead with the thick part of his palm.

“Do you have a headache?” she asked.

He nodded morosely. “Yes. How could we fill your spot? Who can replace you?”

“Are you not worried about me?”

“You’ve always been like this. Your thoughts are often too complex for me to understand, and it is no different this time. I have absolutely no idea what you are thinking…”

Gillian felt like he would become emotional if he spoke any more. It was too early to shed tears. In order to protect Jessica in front of him, he needed to grasp her intention first.

As the car began to move. Gillian realized that the time until they reached the association headquarters could be his final moment with his wife. He gazed at Jessica with a complex expression in his eyes, unable to bear the weight of his emotions. The intensity of his feelings was akin to the swirls of emotions that the four priests had evoked during the ceremony.

Worry.

According to the Awakened, Odin was a ruthless man in the Stage of Advent. Many strong Awakened had tried to assassinate his lover Mary in the Final Stage, but they all died without mercy. He never showed forgiveness to those who conspired behind his back even before the Day of Advent.

His wife…could die with the love, friendship, and respect she shared with Gillian.

Rage.

Why do you think the current civilization is still intact and maintained? How was the world saved?

The memory of Odin explaining why he had been named after a god had remained etched in Gillian’s mind.

“I hope you are prepared to save the world. If that proves to be too difficult, then take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished so far. We have always managed to thrive during times of global economic crisis, and the upcoming crisis…it could very well be the worst one. But we are already getting ready for it.”

Odin was driven by a noble purpose, rather than greed. Moreover, he had never taken any actions that contravened this purpose, both before and after entering the Stage of Advent.

His actions were entirely focused on ensuring the stability and well-being of humanity. When the suggestion was made at this year’s club meeting to revive Project Tessera and install wiretapping devices in all of humanity, Odin immediately dismissed it. Instead, he restricted it to the Awakened, a source of anxiety within society. This was a prime example of his righteousness.

His wisdom lay in the creation of a financial empire that was instrumental in defending the Day of Advent, as well as his wise management of the Awakened following the Day of Advent. Despite being the wealthiest person in human history, he didn’t spend the money on himself. Instead, his decade-long focus on the dungeons prior to entering the Stage of Advent was a testament to his moderation.

While he was fearful of the potential collapse of civilization on the Day of Advent, he was unafraid to take on the old Bilderberg Club. This demonstrated his courage in understanding what to fear and what not to fear.

Odin embodied the characteristic of a Philosopher King[1], as described in Plato’s ideals. Also, this world paralleled the utopian society envisioned by Plato’s concept of a Philosopher King ruler.

However, his wife Jessica turned her back on a world she would never see again. Gillian still couldn’t understand why. It was unacceptable for any reason!

Self-reproach.

He should have taken care of his wife. He had to do the same as his wife had taken care of him in the days when he was wandering without being able to hold his mind together. Every time the procedure failed, he at least needed to try to understand her feelings. Although it was urgent to prevent the destruction of mankind, he should have focused on her well-being.

Jessica was such a competent financier that he completely forgot that she was also his woman. However, it was too late.

1. A ruler who possesses both a love of wisdom and a desire to live a just life and is, therefore, best suited to govern society. ?