Past Life Returner

Ki-Cheol had been waiting for his dad, Seong-Il, to return from outer space ever since he left. However, when his dad finally came back, he couldn’t bring himself to speak to him. The sight of his dad standing still, facing the television, seemed somehow threatening.

It was different from the scary expression the bodyguard had shown, as it was more intimidating and looked dangerous. It seemed as if something invisible was coming out of his dad’s back and filling the entire living room. Although he could only see his dad’s back, he could tell that his dad was pissed.

The Awakened bodyguard froze as well after feeling the palpable tension. Then, Seong-Il sat down. When he stretched out his arm and said “remote control,” Ki-Cheol and the bodyguard flinched at the same time.

Ki-Cheol swallowed his saliva and finally got the answer to the question he had been wondering. His dad was an Awakened in the challenger section, just like the King of Hell. He was one of those who fought numerous battles in the Stage of Advent and dominated the Awakened with overwhelming power.

His dad could be scarier than anyone else when he was furious.

***

A while later, Seong-Il entered Ki-Cheol’s room. At that time, Ki-Cheol was immersed in a web document on his monitor.

Using a borrowed-name account is bad because it is used for illegal purposes. Bribing high-ranked people in society, hiding slush funds, and not paying taxes. That is why the law prohibits it..!

Suddenly, the door flung open loudly, and a gaze fell on Ki-Cheol’s head while emitting lots of pressure.

Heup!

Ki-Cheol looked up in surprise. His father was not smiling like he usually did. Instead, he had a stiff look on his face. Ki-Cheol could only see his back before, but he could now look up at his father’s face. He appeared to be a completely different person as his eyes were filled with fury. The person in front of him didn’t seem like his dad at all, and that was why Ki-Cheol was trembling.

It felt like something that looked like his dad had entered the room. The existence of what the mean comments were talking about the Awakened…

Seong-Il’s eyes shook at that moment. He tried to smile at Ki-Cheol, but his awkwardly forced smile only made things more uncomfortable.

“People get angry in life sometimes. You are always mad at your mom and me, so I have the right to get angry, son. I’m human, too.”

Seong-Il ruffled Ki-Cheol’s hair as he finished speaking. Ki-Cheol obediently stayed still.

“Let me use the computer.”

Ki-Cheol hurriedly moved away from his seat and looked at the living room. He was hesitant to go out there as the fury Seong-Il left still remained. The bodyguard Awakened was standing there too, extremely tense.

Ki-Cheol stood behind Seong-Il, and Seong-Il searched for and played the entire hearing clip. The point where he paused the video was when the King of Hell had just entered the room and sat down in front of the table. To be exact, it was when the reporters lost their minds and shoved all sorts of cameras at his face.

Seong-Il stared at it for a while before going back to the living room and turning on his phone. Once seated, he didn’t take his eyes off an Asian female reporter. Others might have missed it, but she was undoubtedly Mary.

She let those jerks do that? Motherfuckers.

However, she wasn’t picking up his call. Seong-Il said as he pointed at the monitor with his chin, “Hey, Ki-Cheol. I just have to go there right now, so why don’t you go stay with your mom?”

“I told you that I don’t like her place…”

Ki-Cheol couldn’t bring himself to ask if his father could get married again with his mom as it wasn’t the right time for that.

Seong-Il said, “Something might happen. So you should be with your mom, protecting her.”

As Ki-Cheol was about to reluctantly agree, Seong-Il’s phone rang.

「Caller: Tae-Han bro」

Seong-Il gestured to Ki-Cheol to go out to the living room, and Ki-Cheol left hesitantly.

<Seong-Il: Hey, I was about to call you. Get the plane ready because I’m going. You know what is going on, right?>

<Tae-Han: Calm down, Seong-Il.>

<Seong-Il: Calm down? I have an idea of what is happening. People shouldn’t do this to him. They are ungrateful like those bastards in the Stage of Advent.>

<Tae-Han: The King of Hell knows what he is doing.>

<Seong-Il: We were fighting against the Holy Knight and its corps, but they couldn’t stand it and started a protest instead? Those brats and the politician scumbags are all the same, and I will break their skulls open. They should be thankful to us for allowing them to stay warm and comfortable. These kinds of assholes need to taste blood to realize that.>

<Tae-Han: Are you at home? I will explain everything one by one.>

<Seong-Il: You would remember the preparation period for the Final Stage of Act One because you met Odin back then.>

<Tae-Han: Yes, I do.>

<Seong-Il: What was it like back then? You have only heard about it, so you wouldn’t know, but it wasn’t much different from now. Odin and I were back from the ox-heads’ mainland after dealing with them. Damn, I still remember that old guy’s name. Odin gave him the power and support to live well, but do you know what he said to us? He brought useless people over and said ‘I have twenty thousand behind me.’ Fucking ridiculous. He was just afraid that Odin would take away his power. If he had only brought the leadership along, I would have said nothing.>

<Tae-Han: Gosh, it’s amazing that you remember all this.>

<Seong-Il: How can I forget about that? The Sky Guild was disbanded on that day. The Ilsung Guild that you were in absorbed them, so even if everyone forgets, you should not.>

<Tae-Han: Okay.>

<Seong-Il: No matter what excuses they bring, it’s the same in the end. Those protesting do that because they are not getting that many benefits compared to the rich, and the politicians who support them just want to get more authority. We have dealt with situations like this multiple times on the Stage of Advent, right?>

<Tae-Han: Yes.>

<Seong-Il: And what happened when Odin was sealed for a long time? You and I had such a hard time handling the lower ones. If we start talking about that, then we will be able to talk about it for a week.>

<Tae-Han: That is true.>

<Seong-Il: Those ungrateful assholes are doing all of this for their own selfish reasons. It only gets worse when they do it in a group. If they were rich like the King of Hell, then they never would have started protesting. Seoul is in chaos now too.>

Seong-Il rambled on for a long time, and Lee Tae-Han responded only with short answers, waiting for Seong-Il’s rage to subside. However, Seong-Il didn't settle down easily.

<Seong-Il: Have you tried contacting Mary noona? She seems to be in the United States.>

<Tae-Han: I haven't tried yet.>

<Seong-Il: Ah, then what about Odin? If he gives the order, I will be at the frontline. You know what Odin values most, right? It’s obvious. Dragorin is not the problem right now.>

<Tae-Han: That is why.>

<Seong-Il: What do you mean?>

<Tae-Han: The King of Hell is following Odin’s will, so please calm down. There is a bigger world than you know.>

<Seong-Il: Are you talking about the club? Why wouldn’t I know? I have been with Odin for decades.>

<Tae-Han: No, you only know it by its name. I will come to pick you up and explain everything, so get some rest. I won’t take long.>

<Seong-Il: You drive me nuts, bro. Okay. I’ll see you soon.>

Seong-Il was now craving alcohol.

<Seong-Il: You better bring tons of soju. I can’t stand not drinking tonight.>

***

Tae-Han arrived shortly after he used a helicopter. Seong-Il was in the bathtub at that time, so Ki-Cheol and the bodyguard greeted Lee Tae-Han. Although Ki-Cheol had met Lee Tae-Han before, Tae-Han’s status was higher now than it was then. Ki-Cheol’s mind was filled with the sound of a huge bell as he stood in front of the other man.

Soon, Ki-Cheol came to his senses and bowed politely. When Lee Tae-Han patted his shoulder and passed by, Ki-Cheol touched the shoulder where Tae-Han’s hand had been and smiled faintly. He realized his dad had indeed been among these great people.

Seong-Il came out, only wearing underwear as he complained, “Why did you not bring anything? I told you to bring boxes of soju.”

On his chest was a large scar from the last battle in the Empire. Around the linear shallow wound that had been sliced by a sword, the skin tissue had shriveled to a dark color as the blood supply had been cut off.

Seong-Il spoke nonchalantly as Ki-Cheol and Lee Tae-Han widened their eyes in surprise.

“It’s nothing. It will heal on its own. The opponent was weaker than the one Osiris faced.”

“But still…” Lee Tae-Han said.

Seong-Il shrugged. “I killed all of them, so the empire is mine now.”

Seong-Il recalled the Holy Knight, who used to be the emperor of the empire and his followers. Then, he clicked his tongue.

“Congratulations.”

“Kwon Ki-Cheol. Tae-Han is like my real brother. Did you say hi?”

“Yes, I did,” Ki-Cheol replied.

“Then, go back to your room. He and I have lots to talk about.”

Seong-Il also sent the bodyguard into his room.

“Kids these days have no manners, and I won’t let my son have that attitude. Did he actually say hi? I just want him to be kind and welcoming toward others.”

“Yes, he did,” Tae-Han answered.

“Okay, then. Did you come by helicopter?” asked Seong-Il.

“Yes.”

“It must be around here then.”

Seong-Il’s muscles swelled for a moment. Lee Tae-Han grasped the signal and switched to telepathic communication. He went straight to the main point of why he had to come to see Seong-Il in person.

- Tae-Han: The King of Hell identified himself as John Doe, but John Doe is actually Odin.

- Seong-Il: Did you think I didn’t know that?

- Tae-Han: Odin’s assets are not limited to the Jonathan Investment Finance Group. The revealed property is just the tip of an iceberg. There is nothing in the global major and all areas that aren’t his.

- Seong-Il: So, the protestors are making a fuss just by looking at a speck of his money, right? Things would get worse if more gets revealed.

- Tae-Han: Yes, with just that, there were voices saying that Jonathan Group should be dismantled for society’s sake. They probably tried to achieve their ultimate goal by starting with John Doe. But, in a broader perspective, that is just a small beginning.

- Seong-Il: I see. Then, how powerful is the club?

- Tae-Han: They lead global issues in politics, economics, and culture. Influential politicians, entrepreneurs, and military officials from around the world are members of the club. The King of Hell and Osiris have been supporting Odin as club members for years before the Day of Advent.

- Seong-Il: What about you?

- Tae-Han: As you know, I first met Odin in the preparation period of the Final Stage of Act.

- Seong-Il: But you were the CEO of Ilsung.

- Tae-Han: Ilsung is nothing compared to them.

- Seong-Il: Jeonil… Jamie… She seemed to have a deep connection with Odin.

- Tae-Han: She is also a member of the club.

- Seong-Il: So, the club is where all the influential people are gathered, right?

- Tae-Han: Mmm…not all the influential people because they are only about a hundred. It is where only the top of the top come together to rule the world. What you need to know is that the club is Odin’s control mechanism. His orders there are absolute. Before discussing the power of the Awakened, Odin has been ruling the world even before the Day of Advent. In this hearing, the King of Hell…

- Seong-Il: Then, what about the President of the United States? Is he under Odin’s influence as well?

- Tae-Han: Yes.

Seong-Il quickly blinked.

- Seong-Il: What about the President of Korea?

- Tae-Han: No, he is not in the position to ever join the club.

- Seong-Il: Russia?

- Tae-Han: Although he is not a club member, Russia is influenced directly through their representative in the club.

- Seong-Il: Then… China?

- Tae-Han: You can still check the consequences of challenging the club’s authority on television every day. They have almost been destroyed.

- Seong-Il: Japan?

- Tae-Han: They are also not in the position to join the club.

Seong-Il recalled the scene of the Holy Knight dying. The other man faced his end as blood flowed out of his mouth and nose with eyes filled with horror. He seemed incredulous about his own death and appeared to have come to the realization that there was a higher power at play.

Seong-Il thought that he had the same look in his eyes right now. He was aware of the club, but not to this extent…

- Seong-Il: But why are Odin and the club staying quiet?

- Tae-Han: Odin believes things are going well at the moment.

- Seong-Il: Even though randos are protesting and being annoying?

- Tae-Han: That is unfortunate, but punishing them is not what he wants. I don’t know all of his intentions, but…

- Seong-Il: But, what?

Lee Tae-Han maintained a calmer tone than usual to avoid provoking Seong-Il.

- Tae-Han: The reason why Odin entrusted the full authority of the club to the King of Hell was perhaps that he believed that the King of Hell would carry out his wishes better than anyone else.

- Seong-Il: He entrusted the club’s full authority to him?

- Tae-Han: Yes. Neither you nor I know much about the King of Hell, but we have heard of how he ruled his corps up to the Final Stage. He was the Lord of Terror. Why would such a person suppress his anger?

- Seong-Il: Then this is not a matter…that I should intervene in. So, what do you think will happen from now on? When these bastards group together, they will think that they are powerful enough to confront us. It won’t be easy to console them unless we kill them all.

- Tae-Han: The King of Hell has focused everyone’s attention on himself through the trial. He wants to make sure no one talks about other issues anymore.

- Seong-Il: So, he has drawn their attention quite well, right?

- Tae-Han: Yes. I think he will organize the media outlets that support our side and prolong the trial until the public’s fatigue reaches its peak. That is what I would do. By that time, the public’s enthusiasm won’t be the same.

- Seong-Il: …I actually don’t know. Do we really need to care this much about these protesting assholes? Listening to you, we don’t even need to go as far as using the Awakened. The U.S. President is a puppet, right? It would be the same for our country. So, what is your stance?

- Tae-Han: What do you mean..?

- Seong-Il: I just want to know what you honestly think. I think we could just push them away with the police without using the Awakened. Or I could handle it all by myself.

- Tae-Han: I only follow Odin’s orders…

- Seong-Il: Who doesn’t know that? Same for me. I only do as I am told.

- Tae-Han: I think the current situation is better. Even without using force to control the world, Odin is already the ruler. It is just not visible on the surface, so why bother unifying the world with force?

- Seong-Il: No, I am not talking about conquering the world, but dealing with the protestors.

- Tae-Han: Once we crush the public, it is only natural to follow that path. Then, we will end up suppressing them with greater force, and there will always be more resistance. Eventually, the moment will come when we think it will be better to unify the flags of the world.

- Seong-Il: To that extent?

- Tae-Han: The protests triggered this time have the potential to explode into a massive uprising. If the public unites, then Odin will have no choice but to make a decision. Either to listen to the public’s voice or silence them with a sword. Odin doesn’t want it to come to that situation, so the King of Hell is carrying out that wish right now. This is the conclusion I have reached.

- Seong-Il: Hmm. Ruling the world is not an easy task. He must be facing so many difficulties.

- Tae-Han: So, you should never say that you will go to America, okay?

Seong-Il felt that the situation the King of Hell was facing wasn’t someone else’s business. The King of Hell had been preparing for the Day of Advent with Odin for a long time, and his feelings must have been even deeper and greater than Seong-Il’s.

- Seong-Il: Didn’t you hear me? I just do what I am told. Anyway, the King of Hell must be going through a tough time. Going through a trial in front of losers doesn’t sound fun. His pride felt as high as that of Osiris. Tsk, tsk. I can’t imagine how pissed he would be. I wish I could crack all those bastards’ skulls.

Seong-Il suddenly stopped talking and turned his head back toward where Lee Tae-Han’s gaze was fixed on the television. The volume had been minimized, so there was hardly any sound coming out.

A Korean news channel was using a recorded video from a foreign news source, showing a scene where a large crowd poured out as the hearing ended.

Seong-Il caught a glimpse of two familiar faces in the crowd, even though they quickly passed by. It wasn’t just Mary noona who had been watching the hearing. There was one more person who had disappeared into the crowd with her.

Lee Tae-Han said, “...Odin was also watching.”

He noticed that the blood-red energy of Doom Entegasto and his energy mixed together were not captured on camera, it seemed that the bone ring had completely become his possession.

Odin had returned after completing the Dragorin hunt.