A cool breeze blew over him, carrying a lovely scent with it. He noticed the weather was different from where they were before; it was much colder and fresher.

Donggun felt more at ease because the environment was quiet and there were few sounds. “Open your eyes,” Meritamun said as she moved her hand away from his grip. Donggun opened his eyes, jaw-dropping at the sight in front of him.

They were standing on the Mediterranean Sea’s sand. The waves were gently drenching the white-golden sand with its dormant strength and clear blue water. Nothing but the calming sound of the waves and the number of birds flying playfully above the sea surface could be heard as Donggun moved his head right and left.

Meritamun stood silently watching Donggun’s amazed expression. His gaze was finally drawn to Meritamun’s bright smile. “Where are we?” Donggun asked, returning his gaze to the breathtaking scenery.

“This is our Rhakotis,” Meritamun replied, spreading her arms wide open. Donggun looked at her and frowned slightly, not understanding what she was saying. “Remember when Addaya told you about Eisai’s meeting with the old lady?” Donggun gave a nod. “We’re in it now,” she said, smiling once more.

“Eisai was here!” Donggun said, spinning around as if looking for evidence to prove Eisai’s existence.

“Not exactly here, but here,” Meritamun said wryly.

“Huh?” Donggun said, looking at her even more puzzled than before.

“Hey! Come inside!” Addaya yelled from a distance. Donggun and Meritamun both turned to face the direction of Addaya’s voice. He was standing next to a medium-sized building surrounded by doum palm trees, mulberry trees, willow trees, and acacia trees. The building was white, and Addaya stood beside it, looking oddly small in comparison to the size of the building.

Meritamun smiled and waved her hands at Addaya. “I’ll explain everything,” she said, taking his hand again as they began walking. As they walked, Addaya kept his gaze on them.

Donggun couldn’t concentrate because Meritamun’s hand was clutching around his, and his gaze was fixed on their hands. Donggun was startled when she came to a halt, and he looked up to catch Addaya’s gaze. He quickly removed his hand from Meritamun’s grip, and his face flushed once more.

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“What’s wrong again with your face?” Addaya asked casually. Donggun looked at him with pure struggle written all over his face, unable to answer him.

“He’s just overwhelmed with everything,” Meritamun explained, tapping Donggun on the shoulder. She entered the building, leaving them alone outside.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you with everything,” Addaya said as he wrapped his arm around Donggun’s shoulder and led him inside. Donggun looked around to see what they were about to walk into.

The building he saw from the outside was just a massive wall surrounded by a courtyard with one room at the end. The courtyard is surrounded by a variety of flowers and trees. A two-meter-long swimming pool is in the middle of the courtyard.

Even the ground was covered in inscriptions. Donggun was intimidated by the environment; he had never seen anything like it before. “What is this place?” he inquired as he began to walk around, touching everything with his hands.

“This is our Rhakotis,” Addaya replied, following him.

“Can you explain Rhakotis to me?” Donggun said, looking at Addaya, then at Meritamun, who was sitting on the pool’s edge.

“Rhakotis is a quiet city, and this is our alternate version of it,” Addaya explained.

“Alternate version?” Donggun echoed the words in a hesitant tone.

“In the astral world,” Meritamun confirmed. Donggun’s face betrayed his obvious confusion. “Some people have actual power and access to the astral world, while others, like Addaya, have access to it due to his position as the higher guardian,” she said, crossing her arms. Donggun’s expression remained unchanged. “He doesn’t understand anything we say,” she said to Addaya.

Addaya gave him a look. “Do not move,” he said, taking a deep breath. He brought his hands closer to his chest and pressed his palms firmly together before slowly moving his right hand until his right fingers were pressing on his left palm.

He said a few words, then moved his right pinky and thumb outward, pressing on his left pinky and thumb. Shining blue strings filled the empty space between his fingers and the rest of his hand as he moved his fingers.

He said other words loudly that sounded weird to Donggun. Addaya slowly opened his hands, revealing the strong shining strings; he raised his hands above Donggun’s face, then placed both of his hands on Donggun’s forehead in a quick movement.

Donggun took a step back, attempting to rebalance himself in the aftermath of Addaya’s sudden move as he felt some sort of pain run through his mind and body. The strings began to move from Addaya’s hand to Donggun’s head, completely covering it.

Donggun let out a deep groan as he felt a sharp pain run through his body without warning. Addaya mumbled more words, increasing the pain; Donggun’s entire body shivered, and appeared to be about to faint; Meritamun quickly got up and held his waist from behind to keep him from falling while Addaya closed his eyes and concentrated on casting the spell.

Donggun screamed in agony as Addaya’s final words were spoken before collapsing into Meritamun’s arms. Taken aback by how heavy he was, she didn’t move when he passed out. Addaya chuckled as he saw what had happened to Donggun and took Donggun’s arm from Meritamun’s grasp.