I would have abandoned South Korea and changed my nationality after everything the government had done to me, such as the atrocities it committed before and after the Day of Advent. However, I couldn't do much about it since I was born here and my parents’ lives were irrevocably connected with Korea. Their loved ones were Korean citizens and spending time with them definitely made them happy.

I came to this realization when I left my country with my mother in my past life. Although my mother lived in a luxury mansion with servants, her nostalgia for Korea was indescribable. I managed to find my aunt and bring her with us, but my mother’s homesickness remained the same. It actually got worse as my aunt began to get homesick too. She missed the people, the food, and her memories of Korea, which was why I was paying close attention to my country now.

I saw an expensive sedan manufactured by Daehoo arrive at the meeting place, and the driver got out of the car. He must have worked for Jamie similar to how Almighty worked for Jonathan. He was bulky and looked tough. He bowed as if he was greeting his boss.

“The CEO asked me to be your chauffeur and express her appreciation for your understanding,” he said.

Jamie could no longer visit my office even with her hood on, so she suggested this alternative to me. The driver remained silent and didn’t even check the rearview mirror. We headed to Gangbuk[1], then went into the underground parking lot of an old building. I met Jamie there, and we moved into another vehicle. The other men who were in the driver and passenger seat moved to the car I came in so we could be alone.

“This was the only way I could meet you.”

Jamie studied my face.

“The Korean Government is watching us more closely,” she added.

“What steps have they taken?” I asked.

She replied, “They had been wiretapping and tailing our executives. We’ll take countermeasures that will be effective soon. I can guarantee to you that your clients don’t need to be worried about anything.”

“Let’s see the document first,” I replied.

Jamie had prepared documents about Jeon-il’s property management status. She was uncomfortable with sending them through email, so she wanted to hand them to me in person.

「Jeon-il Investment. Asset Management Report.」

The results were satisfactory. In the meantime, a total of thirty-five billion dollars had been funneled into Jeon-il, and the amount had doubled as the exchange rate skyrocketed. According to the ‘Current Status of the Largest and Major Shareholders,’ we now owned major market shares of more than two hundred and thirty items out of nine hundred and two items that were listed on KOSPI[2].

It was inevitable that the government would surveil us as Jeon-il was a foreign firm despite its Korean name. While Korea was being suffocated by the IMF’s unreasonable demands, Jeon-il had bought twenty-five percent of the Korean economy, ranging from real estate, buildings, and non-commercial land assets. Jeon-il had swallowed everything like the Abaddon Ants. From the government’s perspective, Jeon-il was a bigger problem than the IMF. It would be evident to them that Jeon-il may pull out after reaching their profit goal. Then a second economic crisis would start.

“I heard that Park Choong-Sik is called the President of Finance,” I said.

“...I can explain that.”

Jamie was bewildered.

“No, support him until people call him the Emperor of Finance,” I replied.

Jamie’s eyes flickered for a second.

I added, “That won’t change your position as a CEO. No matter what, he’s still Korean, and there’s no way a Korean would become the CEO of Jeon-il.”

“You might think I’m overstepping boundaries, but there’s one question I’d like to ask,” she said.

“Go ahead.” I looked at her.

“Do your clients have any plans to pull out the group from this country?” she asked bluntly.

I turned the report to the front page where Jamie had mentioned Jeon-il’s estimated profits. It as if she was trying to appeal by using her achievements.

「Jeon-il’s estimated value: $149,620,000,000」

I said while pointing at the number, “Not for just this amount.”

When calculating the exchange rate and the national budget for the year, Jeon-il’s assets were enough to operate Korea for two years.

“Don’t reserve funds and invest in the Korean market. Let’s do it for the long term. And…”

I handed out today’s daily paper after speaking, and she was already aware of the article.

「Jeon-il Group. Serious Outflow of National Wealth.

There have been negative views toward how the foreign stock investment limit has increased to fifty percent per stock. There are two hundred and fifty companies where foreigners have acquired more than five percent of their shares. The combined foreginer-owned shares have far exceeded the large shareholders stake in the thirty listed firms, such as Il-sung Electronics, Korea Telecom, and Daehyun Construction. Since the ‘pre-approval system of the board executives who own more than ten percent of the stake’ was abolished, foreigners can now control the management of Korea’s leading companies just by combining their holdings. Domestic companies are now defenseless against ‘corporate hunting’ as the internal stake of the foreigners’ combined holdings have now exceeded twenty-five percent in those thirty listed firms. Contrary to the general perception that foreign capital entering Korea would only be pure funds, the Jeon-il Group, the famous takeover bidders of Daehoo Group and Korea Exchange Bank, are slowly taking over…」

“I recruited you so this kind of news wouldn’t pop up,” I said.

Jamie lowered her gaze to the floor. “This is from a progressive newspaper in Korea… I’m sorry. You’ll be able to see an article rebutting this tomorrow.”

I stared at her before continuing, “I didn’t hire you to keep parroting that foreign funds have helped Korea in overcoming the IMF crisis. Your Korean board members should be the ones taking care of that.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Jamie, you looked good on camera during the gold-gathering campaign. Why don’t you use your beauty and charm?” I suggested.

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I know you are busy, but I’m sure that you know your priorities. Appear on TV, the current affairs programs and documentaries,” I said firmly.

“...Okay.”

I emphasized, “Keep in mind that we shouldn’t look like foreigners despite being a foreign firm.”

She needed to appear so, at least, to the Korean public.

“Don’t let me down again,” I said.

***

This would be the last homemade meal I would have in a while, so my mother cooked a lot today. The table was full of dishes as if it was for a birthday supper, and Father had come home earlier than usual.

“Where are you going to stay?” father asked.

“They got me a room next to the office,” I replied.

“That means you are staying in Manhattan. They must really like you. You’re going places, kid.” He smiled.

“Stop drinking. Are you going to get drunk on the last day before your son’s departure?”

Mother didn’t really mean it as she poured him another glass and poured one for herself.

“You should take a glass today,” father said while pouring another glass for her.

“Then, when will you be back?” he asked.

“On the day of the qualification exams once you submit my application,” I answered.

“Okay. I was worried that you wouldn’t care about graduating high school and entering prestigious universities due to the current situation,” he said.

“Yes, I do care about them,” I replied.

He continued, “I heard that graduating from an Ivy League school is essential to get a place on Wall Street. I heard that they care about your educational background more than they do in Korea. The admission boards will look favorably on an internship.”

“Don’t pressure him too much, honey. He’s leaving tomorrow,” Mother stopped him.

“It’s reality. Also, what did I tell you to do when you get sick or in a jam?” he asked.

I responded, “Don’t worry. I’ll call your friend.”

“I know you… You should really do that instead of just saying it, okay? He’s my best friend, so visit him right away. I’ve stopped him from coming to the airport since you wouldn’t like that,” he said.

I had changed my plans because of this. Instead of conquering Korean dungeons first, I was now going to conquer the American dungeons. However, in the grand scheme of things, the order didn’t matter. I replied to him with a smile, “Okay, Father.”

“Do you want to take a shot?” he asked.

“Honey.” Mother stared at him.

“I started drinking at Seon-Hu’s age. He should learn it here,” he reassured her.

This was the first time I was going to drink with my father in this lifetime, and it felt weird. In the past, this occurred when I was stuck at home after being defeated on Wall Street, but now I was already entering Wall Street at this age. I recalled the days that I had drunk with Father while looking at the clear liquid filled in the glass. Why had I broken his heart so much back then? I was immature and only thought of myself. Looking back, my father had always prepared the table to drink.

Father was pleasantly drunk, and my mother’s cheeks had become flushed.

“Son, I haven’t lived my entire life yet, but this quote has been very impressive. ‘Life is like climbing a mountain.’ What do you usually do when having a hard time climbing? You don’t blame yourself or despair that the mountain is too high, right?”

This was his motto of life, and he often comforted me by saying this when I was a loser in the past.

“You take a rest and move up again, or climb down to go to another one if you want,” he added.

He took the last glass and looked at me. My parents often checked the time and looked at me with eyes full of concern.

“If you cannot go on, you can just come down. There’re so many mountains all over the world. So, just come back home when you face your limits and have a hard time overcoming them. Your mother and I’ll be always waiting for you here,” he said.

1. An area on the north side of the Han River. Opposite from Gangnam. ☜

2. Korea Composite Stock Price Index. ☜