Past Life Returner

Until last year, the Bilderberg Club had stood as the world’s shadow government. Last year, they drafted the International Criminal Court, established a policy of containment against Russia as it was urgently necessary due to the Kosovo War, and resolved NAFTA[1] that was modeled based on the European Community. In addition, they had collected direct tax on crude oil this year, and they were planning to create the World Financial Organization to handle direct taxes on all international financial transactions next year. The big picture of the club was slowly being completed.

However, things had been going in an unexpected direction when the North American members launched the Iraq War. The atmosphere on the first day of the conference was serious. People had thought the mood couldn’t be aggravated, but that was only the beginning. A series of unbelievable incidents occurred, starting with the Karjans stabbing the back of their partner, the Goldstein family.

The man who was nominally entitled to serve as the chairman of the club said, “This occurred in the middle of the conference.”

He was certain he knew the reason why Joshua had sent a deputy attendant this year as the situation made it quite obvious. The Karjan family, the Gillian Group and the Rothschild family must have come to some kind of agreement before the meeting.

“The club’s harmony is breaking apart. Before worrying about whether the next year’s conference will be held normally, I’m concerned that this year’s meeting will get canceled.”

The man finished and waited for Joshua and Gillian to reply. Joshua responded coldly, “Is this why you’re interrogating us? For a simple matter? Let me remind you, the club exists to draw an agreement between members, not force them.”

“I apologize if you felt that way. I’m just trying to mediate the situation here,” the man answered.

Then, Gillian opened his mouth, “I can’t comment about the way our group invests money. As you know, it’s my second time participating in the club’s conference. I’m honestly disappointed with the reality as the club is totally different from what I’ve heard.”

As the man had expected, Joshua and Gillian were tough cookies.

The man continued, “France’s financial system was paralyzed in just two days. There’s a high possibility that the crisis will expand across the eurozone…”

When Gillian snorted, the man stopped. Gillian coldly said, “We are in an era where money is our weapon, not guns. However, money often doesn’t listen to its master. It’s like a living creature. It’s true that my group took action after seeing the profit from attacking the Goldsteins, but we didn’t expect the financial crisis would break out in the entire eurozone. Without hedge funds, our group becomes nothing. Have you forgotten about that?”

“Could you please withdraw it now?” the man pleaded.

“Loss… No. Are you going to guarantee the expected profit? No, you won’t,” Gillian retorted.

The man was in trouble. The U.S. members had already broken their promise last year, the British and European members were having conflicts, and on top of that, a truly unsavory incident happened.

“Thanks for telling me your opinion, Gillian. However, isn’t this event causing a lot of damage to the Karjans, Joshua? Most of the members are wondering,” the man asked.

“Let’s stop here,” Joshua said.

“Hmm…”

“It’s not a matter that the club can mediate. How are you dealing with yesterday’s case?”

That was the issue as no one wanted the jurisdiction to intervene in events that happened inside the club. Neither did the Rothschilds and the Goldsteins, who were claiming to be victims.

“There should be an agreement between the two families,” the man replied.

“What about this year’s conference?”

“Since your positions are firm, the club will eventually be disbanded.”

The meeting was over.

In the hallway, Gillian grabbed Joshua’s arm.

“Why did you do that?” Gillian asked.

“What are you talking about?” Joshua questioned back.

“You know it’s not the Rothschilds. The incident isn’t thorough enough to make it such that they were the ones behind all of this. Furthermore, your family has no reason to cooperate with them. Also, they are fighting back with all they can, but the situation has been aggravated already from the first counterattack.”

“Gillian?”

“I’ve been thinking about it ever since it happened. Why did the Karjans attack the Goldsteins? Nothing I thought of made sense because these attacks can ruin both families.” Gillian continued pouring out his thoughts, “I came to a conclusion that you guys must have received orders that told you not to focus on winning or losing the fight. The club members aren’t fools. They must be thinking the same way as I do.”

Then, he finally stopped talking.

Joshua stared at Gillian before dropping a bomb, “I’m sure you and I are following the same orders.”

He could feel Gillian’s impatience. In fact, he somehow felt a bit guilty towards the other man, who was extremely furious. In Joshua’s eyes, Gillian was nothing but Seon-Hu’s servant. It was clear that Gillian didn’t know the true identity of his top commander.

Joshua hesitated and decided to invite Gillian to his room. Gillian closed the door and asked a question instantly as he could no longer hold it in, “Is it Jonathan? Tell me. Is it really him?”

He let out his pent-out anger.

“Calm down, Gillian. Why are you bringing up his name?”

Joshua put Gillian on the couch as he was in a precarious state. He was like Cassandra. Although he wasn’t crying, he had the same look that she had when she was driven to her limit yesterday. Joshua wrapped an arm around Gillian’s shoulders, then Gillian said as if he was confessing, “I must be the biggest idiot in the world.”

Gillian realized that it wasn’t a coincidence that Jonathan and his investment positions had overlapped during the Russian financial war, the dotcom bubble, and after the establishment of the Oil Cartel Group. He was ashamed that he had been overwhelmed with joy, thinking that he had beaten Jonathan when his group became the top asset management company in the industry.

Gillian dropped his head down even more. He looked weak as if he would fall if someone touched him with one finger.

“Is it Jonathan?” Gillian asked.

Instead of answering, Joshua changed the topic.

“Where did your group’s capital come from?”

“I told you. It must be from the same people who are giving you directions. Jonathan…”

Joshua’s face became serious. What he knew so far was that Master Odin was the actual owner of Jonathan Group and that his decisions impacted the capitals of Gillian Group and London City.

However, if what Gillian said was true, then Master Odin was also the owner of Gillian and other capitals.

Jonathan, Gillian, Telestar, and Gold and Silver… All of them? Is that even possible? The Jonathan Group alone controls the world’s capital, but even the Gillian Group…

Joshua wondered what kind of person his master was to conceal his identity to that extent. He blinked his eyes.

“I must be right.”

Gillian was looking at Joshua, who was speechless. Joshua couldn’t decide how to respond.

“...Tell Jonathan that I’ll stop here.”

Gillian looked like his world had collapsed.

One of Master Odin’s secret servants is quitting?

Joshua had no choice but to burst into laughter after that last statement.

“Hahaha! Jonathan? Did you just say Jonathan? Do you really believe that he could give orders to you and me? Hahaha. No. It’s not him.”

“...”

“Gillian, you don’t know a thing. Jonathan is in the same boat as us.”

For a moment, Gillian was lost. All he did was stare at the floor with his eyes wide open. Then, his head moved slowly. Joshua stretched out his hand before Gillian’s mouth opened.

“Anyway, we are comrades, Gillian.”

However, Gillian didn’t hold Joshua’s hand. Instead, he spat out one name, “Ethan?”

Joshua shrugged. “Who’s that? I don’t know him, but he must be our comrade too.”

Gillian hissed heatedly, “Then, where the hell is the end of this? You must know.”

Joshua hesitated as he felt like he shouldn’t stand silently by a person who was falling to the bottom of his world. Master wouldn’t want to lose Gillian even if he had to exceed his authority. Joshua made up his mind.

“We call him… Odin…”

That was the name of a god in Northern European mythology.

Then, Gillian’s eyes flashed as if he was no longer dying.

“You call Jonathan Group’s real owner by that name? The unidentified Korean, right? Or is he also in the same position as us?”

Gillian was staring at Joshua in order to not miss a single emotional change on his face. However, it was easy for Joshua to hide his innermost thoughts as he had organized them.

“Do you think I know everything he does? I’m like you too,” Joshua replied as if Gillian’s question was too absurd and embarrassing. “Gillian, a new order is being created. Stop doubting and simply accept it. I’m trying my best to do so.”

Gillian’s eyes lost focus. The capitals in the Jonathan Group and my group… and those in the City and the Isle of Man… Also, the Karjan… After attacking Goldstein…

The Bilderberg Club had gathered to pursue each member’s interests, but the organization formed under the man called Odin was clearly made to fulfill his personal goals. People called the core families of Bilderberg ‘the heavens above the sky,’ but there was another divine layer that was even above them!

Gillian felt like the entire universe was pouring down on him.

“I’d like to meet Odin,” he said.

“He would’ve called you earlier if he wanted you to see him. Gillian, stop putting me in a tight spot. This is already enough,” Joshua replied.

“Then, please set up a meeting with his directing department.”

“What do you mean? Ah… Gillian… I think you are about to cross the line. Master wouldn’t want us to have a conversation like this.”

Gillian got up helplessly as Joshua was correct. He went back to his room and grabbed his phone. However, he stopped himself from contacting either Ethan or Jonathan. Then, he remembered someone he sought whenever he encountered difficulties. It was Jessica. She had an awkward relationship with him as she couldn’t be considered his lover, colleague or disciple.

<Gillian: Hey, it’s me.>

<Jessica: Why are you so down again?>

<Gillian: The world is scary.>

<Jessica: Are you talking about what happened inside the Bilderberg confidential?>

<Gillian: It’s not about that.>

<Jessica: Ah, I’m sick of it. It must be about Jonathan again.>

<Gillian: Jessica, how’s work over there?>

<Jessica: Be clear. Are you curious about my work? Or did you call me because you wanted to hear my voice?>

<Gillian: I’m sorry. I’ll call you back when I return to the City.>

<Jessica: I’m glad you know you’re sorry. Then, make sure you don’t feel sorry again.>

<Gillian: Huh?>

<Jessica: Let’s get married. I can only tolerate your whining in bed.>

1. North American Free Trade Agreement ☜