Side Story 11: The Next Day - President of Russia

It was still a challenging time for the leaders of the dictatorship regime as they were uncertain of what they could be sure of. It was a given fact that peace had been assured for humanity, but that meant a new crisis to their dictatorship.

The Russian president had stayed up all night at his office desk again. There was a thick stack of papers on his desk. It was an analysis of a speech Odin had given, which was over three minutes, and much of it was worn as he had read it countless times throughout the night from beginning to the end. The Russian president was lost in thought for a long time, resting his forehead on his hand.

Meanwhile, Rodugin, his old friend, was also in the office. Rodugin was preoccupied with something other than the president’s concerns.

“So, is it possible? Or is it not?”

His anger was swelling up to his throat. Considering the president’s feelings, he should have held back his rage, but his voice started to rise gradually.

<As you know, Panama’s tax and financial laws have been completely revised. We are also reviewing them as cooperatively as possible..>

It was the same thing again.

“Should I remind you who I am again? So, what do you want me to do for you?”

<We will contact you immediately once the review is complete. So, please wait.>

The daunted voice of the opponent did not comfort him at all.

“I will give you one hour. Find a way. Do you understand?”

Rodugin hung up the phone authoritatively. However, even Rodugin himself knew that he did not pose much of a threat to them, so he could not take any further action.

Nonetheless, asking for a connection to the higher-ups was also risky. Tax evasion factory, Mossak Fonseca. It had not been long since he discovered the true identity of the tax evasion hubs in Panama, including that one.

However, he did not only find out about Panama. They were also in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the British Royal Territories… The places that handled the secretive funds of global leaders and capitalists were operated by just one individual.

The Jeonil Club had risen to prominence after bringing down the old Bilderberg Club. The owner of such a club was a subject of terror for the Awakened and became a supernatural being after defeating the evil god. They were controlled by Him, Odin.

Rodugin turned to the president to inform that the astronomical off-the-books funds, which had been accumulated centering around Panama by the president and his closest aides, had gotten out of control.

Nevertheless, the president did not seem to care about this at all. He looked distressed, lost in his own painful worries.

Rodugin said, “Things in Panama seem to have gotten complicated since the hearing of the Jonathan Investment Finance Group. But I am looking for a solution, so don’t worry.”

The president still remained silent. What mattered to him was power, not money.

***

One’s fate was determined by the intention of a being who had become divine. If that being decided to eliminate Russia, they would disappear even if they used the entire human power and nuclear weapons they had.

The end of such a torment that started this way was meaningless.

Why was it not me? What was I not awakened? Why was I not chosen by the Old One? If only I had that opportunity…

None of the leaders of the major powers were chosen by the Old One. If they had a chance to participate in the Stage of Advent, then they would have at least caught Odin’s eye. They did not wish to be pre-Awakened at all. All they wanted was that.

What was the result when an ordinary middle-aged Korean grabbed Odin’s attention? The fact that he gained supernatural powers that could dominate almost everything was a secondary issue. The really important fact was that he was in a position to stand shoulder to shoulder with Odin, a guy who was called a ‘god’ now.

Analysts claimed that Odin no longer seemed to want to influence humanity, but that was only inferred from his short speech. Reviewing the past life of the Korean named Na Seon-Hu, it was not a reliable analysis.

Na Seon-Hu lived a ruler’s life from the age of thirteen. He governed the Jonathan Investment Finance Group, engulfed the privileges of Western European forces in his prime, and extended his power to the entire world.

He was indeed a natural-born ruler. He chose currency as a weapon because he had the foresight to see what the most powerful weapon of this age was. If he had been born in the past, then his approach would have been different.

Without a doubt, he was the first in human history to achieve the feat of unifying mankind. That in itself had the power to reshape the fate of all humanity, so it was not difficult to acknowledge his achievements and admire him.

If only he could awaken and earn His trust in the Stage of Advent, then he would not have had these regrets! He wondered how great He could have been that even the Old One, another god, had become a sacrifice while being on guard of Him.

If the Old One had awakened him before he died…

***

A new report came into the Russian president’s office, where an uncomfortable atmosphere was filling the space. It was about how Odin had made no significant moves since He visited His parents’ house located in Seoul, South Korea. This meant that Odin probably spent the night there.

This was crucial information. The Russian president checked the report several times, and the information remained unchanged.

The president felt as if his heart was finally beating. It felt like he had found a clue that was impossible to find. Who would have thought? That Odin would visit his parents’ house right after ending a long war. He even spent the night there.

The Stage of Advent had isolated the Awakened from the current world for a while. The Awakened led a new life as entities independent of humanity. It was estimated that Odin had lived there for at least fifty-five years. Therefore, it was hard to visit one’s parents immediately after finishing a major task even without the event called the Stage of Advent.

However, what Odin showed was special. It was special because it was Odin. Soon, the president was able to receive a profile of Odin’s father.

“Na Jeon-Il. He served as the first bank president of Jeonil…”

The Russian president cut off the report. He was looking into the eyes of his close friend Rodugin. Rodugin also noticed something strange and widened his eyes. There were only the president and Rodugin inside the office, who knew about the existence of the Jeonil Club, which was virtually a world government.

Jeonil Club. Jeonil Group. And Na Jeon-Il.

The president thought that this was not just a hint.

Na Jeon-Il!

This was his last chance to change his unstable position. From the starting point where Odin revealed his warrior-like dignity to the end, he always held onto his father’s name.

But the Korean president tried to meet him before and failed?

The attached files provided clear circumstantial evidence. The Korean Awakened Lee Young, probably a citizen of the Savior’s City, sent the Korean president back. Although the exact words exchanged between them were not detailed, the attitude of the Awakened was definitely threatening.

Of course, it appeared that even he would not easily be able to meet Odin’s father, Na Jeon-Il. The Russian president sent everyone away, leaving only his close friend.

Rodugin said, “This is…oh gosh… Then, how about awarding the Орден Дружбы[1] to open up an opportunity?”

Just with that?

The Russian president felt his anger rise to his throat. When he was about to burst into rage, he made eye contact with his close friend.

Rodugin was one of the few who did not desire the fall of a dictator, so he was one of the few figures who had proven the value of trust for so long. That was probably why he was invited to the Kremlin even in this perilous time.

He even came on the day when the evil god Doom Kaos appeared.

Of course. They were old now. When they drove a Lada[2] through the streets of Leningrad at night in their youth, friendship was an essential part of their lives. However, they each had wives, children, and grandchildren. The president greatly appreciated Rodugin coming in, leaving behind those he loved so dearly.

He could not treat his friend as a subordinate.

“We, and Russia, need to show our best. Whatever that may be. A medal might not be enough to please Him.”

It was not important whether ‘He’ referred to Odin or Odin’s father.

Rodugin replied, “But is it not too much to plan something directly? If Odin feels uncomfortable, then it might backfire. Of course, this is just my opinion.”

The Russian president wished he could bring Odin’s father if he could. This was the only way for him, who was not an original member of the club, to establish a connection with Odin.

However, it was true that offering the same medal that had been given to numerous foreigners seemed a bit plain. If they were to give a medal, it should have been of the highest honor like the Order of Saint Andrew. And for Odin’s mother, the Order of Saint Catherine should have been given.

No, this is not the way.

The president changed his mind. It was true that Russia had awarded its highest honors regardless of nationality for great achievements in various fields such as culture, defense, economy, and education. However, if they gave these to Odin’s parents as well, it could have looked like Russia regarded them and previous awardees the same.

Moreover, it could be problematic in keeping the origins of the Order of Saint Andrew.

“You are right. The main thing is to open up the connection with Him. I am thinking of creating a new top honor above the Order of Saint Andrew. What do you think?”

The president asked, and Rodugin agreed it was a great idea. What privileges to give to the awardee was a matter to discuss later. At least ‘the privilege of exemption from liability for one’s speech in the National Assembly’ should have been the basis.

Shortly after the order to create the new highest honor was given, something else occurred.

“Sir.”

The secretary entered the president’s office with a dark expression. The president frowned upon watching the video on the laptop. It was a North Korean news broadcast. While watching the young chairman, the Russian president felt uneasy.

“Our great Odin! In unjust circumstances, He demonstrated heroic spirit and unimaginable power for world peace and the safety of the people! Doom Kaos, who audaciously tried to destroy international peace and annihilate the people, has met its brutal end! The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea hereby expresses its gratitude to the parents of the great Odin and decrees the following…”

The chairman continued, “First, we will create the title ‘Supreme Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’ and award it to both parents as a start and will reward them a thousandfold more. Second…”

The young chairman seemed nonchalant. The president did not understand what he was saying, but he definitely grasped that the chairman was praising Odin’s great achievements.

What is this??

When the president looked quizzically at the secretary, he began a long explanation. However, there was not much to say. The Russian president reprimanded the secretary to speed things up, then rubbed his forehead. His head was already throbbing.

He couldn’t believe he was outdone by such petty idiots.

1. Order of Friendship ?

2. A small Russian car. ?