The next morning.

Donggun woke up feeling like his old self again, so he decided to go to the temple to meet Jinpyo. He needed answers and Jinpyo was the only one who knew the whole story. He went directly to the temple asking for Jinpyo but stopped by Iksoon who immediately ran to him the moment he saw him stepping inside the temple. Donggun walked past him, Iksoon followed him and shouted, “Donggun!”

He slowed his steps and said, “Where is Jinpyo?”

“You feel normal again?” Iksoon said and stood in front of him forcing Donggun to face him. He was about to move but stopped when Iksoon grabbed his arm and said, “Donggun, are you okay?” Iksoon anxiously eyed him.

Donggun didn’t answer and walked the moment he glimpsed Jinpyo. He went running toward him leaving Iksoon staring at his running body.

Donggun screamed his name, and Jinpyo welcomed him with an appealing smile. “I need answers!” Donggun said louder than he intended. Jinpyo chuckled and told Donggun to follow him, Donggun sighed and followed him with irritation written all over his face.

Jinpyo took Donggun to a quieter room in the temple and served him a cup of warm herbs mixed with flowers. Donggun told him everything he read. “Jien knew if I touched him… I will know everything,” Jinpyo said.

“How? I don’t know if what happened to Eisai is the same thing that happened to me, I don’t remember anything,” Donggun said, looking at the ground.

“In this world, some people are gifted more than others, those gifted ones are different from one another; like you and me. You are a time traveler just like Eisai and I’m telepathic”— Jinpyo poured a teacup of warm herbs for himself— “when I touch someone’s skin, I see their soul, their emotions, and memories. Eisai had another gift that was much stronger, his mind. It could oversee what was happening to him faster than any other man. Jien wrote these letters for those who need guidance and a path to follow.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“But… why me? Why can’t I be normal?” Donggun asked.

“No one chose who he is, yet he can choose who he becomes,” Jinpyo said, looking at Donggun’s hesitant face. Donggun stared at the ground underneath him thinking deeply at the life-changing path he was about to take.

“What am I supposed to do with my gift?” Donggun asked after a long minute.

“Use it wisely, use it to help people,” Jinpyo said. “I gave you Jien’s papers for a reason, follow Eisai’s path, and meet the man who helped him, he might have the answers you need.”

“I don’t know how he did it,” Donggun said, sighing loudly.

“Drink.” Jinpyo pointed at the cup and continued, “Think about the man’s name, close your eyes, and try to imagine him.” Donggun did what he was told. He began to breathe heavily, it felt like he was drowning, he was about to open his mouth, but Jinpyo stopped him. “Don’t say anything…just breathe.”

Tremendous vibrations came from beneath him in rhythm with his irregular breaths. In a matter of seconds, everything went completely quiet. His breath became regular, He was about to open his eyes but stopped his track when suddenly he felt a strong mighty wind take over his body vibrating and invading each cell in his shaking body. He kept his eyes tightly shut with his body jerked uncontrollably.

Strong heat hit his body aching every inch of it. He opened his eyes; slack-jawed. He was lying on warm ground, he looked up to find a man in his twenties standing across his body. He was tall, muscled toned with bright olive skin, hazel eyes with long thick eyelashes, black thick wavy hair, and a full black beard.

Donggun felt out of breath and extremely tired, he blinked several times faster than normal, and he widened his eyes to look around and again at the tall man.

He was wearing a white linen tunic, white linen shendyt around his waist that covered his legs till his knees, and a gold broad collar filled with multiple-colored gemstones around his neck.

The man smiled at Donggun and extended his hand to help him get up, Donggun curiously looked at the man. “I guess my father was right.” The man said with some laughter in his voice and continued, “Donggun?”

“Are you… Nebuaui?!” he said, taking his hand to stand up. The man shook his head no, Donggun stood up, staring at him, and said, “But he should be the one to help me as he did with—”

“Eisai? Unfortunately, my father doesn’t have any free time after his new position,” the man said.

“New position?!” Donggun said, frowning.

“Yes, he is the high priest of Osiris now,” the man said and looked around. “let’s go, I’m Addaya by the way,” he said and pointed at himself.

“How did he know I would be here?” Donggun asked, still frowning.