♈︎ ♉︎ ♊︎ ♋︎ ♌︎ ♍︎ ♎︎ ♏︎ ♐︎ ♑︎ ♒︎

I will stand here strong

Now, II'm never falling down

♈︎ ♉︎ ♊︎ ♋︎ ♌︎ ♍︎ ♎︎ ♏︎ ♐︎ ♑︎ ♒︎ ♓︎

Namjoon pov

Namjoon couldn't hold back his amazement at meeting his fiancé in this universe. However, 'Heo Yun-Ok,' appears to only acknowledge him as a member of Daeho's four dynasties. She was likewise oblivious of his time travel, as were the rest of the others present.

Namjoon became frustrated when he discovered he had been here for nearly two months but had no idea of how rapidly time passed. He only arrived in this realm a week ago, yet it seemed like he had been here for two months. So many things have happened so quickly.

Master Lee brought Namjoon to his cave home, which only Yul could recall. Despite the fact that Dan-Gu had been invited, he discovered that Jang-Uk and his servant girl, to whom he appeared to be deeply devoted, would accompany him.

Namjoon couldn't understand why he suddenly had mixed feelings for the cheerful and naive Dan-Gu. Perhaps it was because he was beginning to romance Arin in this reality, and Arin appeared to be fascinated with him.

Namjoon was nervous as he observed the two moving closer. It did not set well with him. He and 'Arin' have to leave this era or risk jeopardizing their fate and destiny. What if it acted like a butterfly effect? What if a change in the timeline erased his existence? His heart began to panic, and he grew breathless.

To relax himself, he swiftly sat down on a nearby rock. His brother and Jang-Uk, who were walking in front of him, exchanged concerned looks. Namjoon seemed out of harmony with his environment, as if something extremely awful is gnawing at him. Yul dashed up to him and looked at his thoughtful demeanor.

He was shocked by his little brother's empty eyes.

"Nam-joon, are you okay? You look like you're about to throw up."He feels Nam-joon's forehead, which is normal and has a cold texture.

Namjoon was startled by something, but he immediately recovered his calm and composed self and did not want his brother to question him, "I am fine...I believe it is a lack of exercise or a loss of memory, perhaps..."

Jang-Uk smiled, "Oh really, what happened to all those training sessions with Hoseok?" He and Yul began to snicker as Nam-joon glanced at them in confusion.

Dan-gu grinned," Fortunately, he forgot... Let's not disgrace him any more".He was chuckling into his fist. What was so funny?

Nam-joon looked a little sour as he gazed at Dan-Gu," No, tell me! ...please refresh my memory."

Yul snorted softly, "Hoseok made you sweat. His swordsmanship and his footwork are beyond this realm. You both had a duel, and let's say...you lost..."

Dan-gu chuckled as he looked at the confusion in Nam-joon's eyes, "He made you work...and you fell over and broke your ankle. Hoseok is one of Songrim's well-skilled mages, just like Yul. His energy gate is on a higher power level, and he has already reached Jipsu-it's the ability to gather water energy in the first stage. You must draw energy from both yourself and the water. As long as the gate to their power is open, all mages have the inherent ability to master this step. Yul and Hoseok have already mastered it," he proudly states.

Jang-Uk frowned, saying, "If my father hadn't closed my energy gate when I was a baby, I would have mastered it by now."

Yul just patted him on the back.," Your dad was too powerful; other masters couldn't even open up your energy gate. They must be able to reach Jipsu first, as Dan-gu has already explained. Ryusu allows mages to gain energy from a flowing stream of water. Tansu, the third stage, is when a mage can use Ryusu power to slice a single water droplet with their sword, emitting a fatal energy blow, but Chisu is the most challenging stage, requiring the ability to control energy in the atmosphere. Learning takes years, and few well-trained mages have succeeded. Only I and Hoseok, of all the young mages, have mastered Chisu. We can master the control of atmosphere and water." He smiles, not in the least boastful but just stating a fact.

Jang-uk smirked and looked teasingly at Nam-joon, "At least you could master Jipsu, the first stage."

Namjoon smirked, "Well, right now, I clearly forgot all these power stages and how to harness them. So, I would rather leave those complicated levels to you."

Yul nodded as he urged the group on to move, " Come, Master Lee is at the cave, and Jang-uk's servant girl is helping with the cooking." A strange expression reached Yuls' eyes that made Namjoon wonder if he knows this Muduek.

When they reached the mountain cave, Master Lee was in a deep conversation with the servant girl, Mudeuk, who kept herself busy with chopping veggies. The guys were chuckling because this girl got a very sassy attitude, and she was cheeky with her master, who liked to boss her around.

But Namjoon couldn't get rid of the uncanny feeling that something about her and Yul doesn't sit right. It was as if she somewhat knew Yul, but Yul was tight-lipped. He could see the discreet looks they gave each other.

She even tried to avoid his gaze on her, and when Yul suddenly decided to help her prepare the veggies, she strangely let him help reluctantly. Namjoon was snickering because Jang-uk was clearly jealous of the two together. She was very exasperated as she explained to Yul how to cut the veggies. Namjoon was snickering because Yul is clearly slow at the skill.The other guys sat down, keeping the cook company.

Master Lee's small, round eyes gestured for him to follow him into the forest just to gather some herbs for Master Yeo's medicine cabinet. Namjoon has a feeling that Master Lee has a hunch about his current dilemma. He is stuck in this particular time period.

The master silently followed Namjoon behind. He knew that as a soulshifter, Master Lee could sense his soul wasn't fit to be here.When they reached a secluded place, Master Lee turned around with raised eyebrows."So, young master Seo Nam-joon, why do I have this strange aura around you? I sense that your physical body belongs here, but your soul is from another time."

"Do you sense it, too?"Namjoon looked around nervously. "Master Lee, it will be too fantastical if I have to explain it... You're right, I am not from this world, but I strangely feel at home around the people here..."

A surprised expression was flashing over Master Lee's face as he smiled brightly, "Could you please explain...how your soul was displaced?"

Namjoon sighed dejectedly, "Like I said, it is too good to be true, but I'll try to explain..." Namjoon gestured to the master to better sit and make himself comfortable on a nearby rock.

Namjoon sighed deeply as he started recounting the tale of time travel.Master Lee was flabbergasted but also amazed,"  What a tale! So a relic from our time found itself in a history museum in your time, 3000 years in the future." His eyes were wide with awe.

Namjoon swallowed," Yes, and the young lady, Cho-yeon. The Mage Yul, Hoseok, Master Park, Dan-gu, two other young trainee mages, and Lady Heo are all part of the future, but I saw that they were unaware that they were part of time travel. I just can't understand...why only I am aware."

Master Lee shook his head, astounded. "You were the one that touched the cursed relic, so you could still sense your surroundings. The rest are in a state of nescience. They are unaware or oblivious.And you said the relic is lost, but it looked like all the spirit plagues that open Songrim's portal gate. "

Namjoon nodded, his expression more dejected than ever,"  I have a life outside this timeline. I just need to find the relic..."

Master Lee was stroking his chin in deep thought, "Well, Lady Cho-yeon is part of the Jin dynasty. They are the safe guardian keepers of dangerous and rare artifacts. You might ask Lady Cha-yeon. Their family is the only one that can access those relics. ---"

Namjoon's eyes widen. "Seriously...wow! So you think you could help me into Jinyoung."

Master Lee nodded, but with a little caution, "Yes, but it's virtually impossible to enter Jinyowon without an invitation or valid reason for your visit."

Then, with a frown and a calculated expression, Namjoon looked at Master Lee, understanding,"  I'm a bit puzzled by what I have heard; what is that? Those strange soul shifters will run wild when they are exposed to long in a body, but why didn't you run wild...?"

Master Lee smirked as his eyes beamed, "Well, young master... I'm over 100 years old, and there is no gap between my soul and the soul of my shifter. I didn't "run wild" because I'm actually the soul of Seo Gyeong, a powerful mage who deliberately chose to suppress his emotions and desires by consuming a special tea; we called it chaste tea, which effectively prevented me from experiencing the intense soul clashes that could lead to "running wild." You do know that it means where a soul shifter loses control due to a mismatch with their body, often resulting in petrification. I'm the perfect match and soul of Seo Gyeong.An ancestor of your Seo dynasty."

Namjoon's eyes widen as he nods in awe, "Wow...so you will never run wild?"

Master Lee softly smirked, "Drinking chaste tea and mastering my intense emotions can keep me from petrification."

Namjoon looked impressed. "You are truly a magnificent mage."

Master Lee just looked smugly and nodded to Namjoon, "Yes, I am...but back to your dilemma. You might find the curse relic in the Jinyowon chamber of protection. Lady Cho-yeon is the perfect person to help you in this regard."

Namjoon sighed deeply, "That will be a little complicated---"

Master Lee looked at Namjoon with a discreet glint in his eyes. "I sense a suppressed affection for the young Jin heir." He raised his eyebrows, indicating his understanding of the current situation.

Namjoon flushes a bit. "Er...our relationship is very complex. We were lovers in our past lives, which she can't remember, but a huge misunderstanding led to a lot of pain and suffering. And right now in our future selves, she bears a suffocating hatred for me. I'm actually scared that she will awaken from her nescience and refuse to help me or leave this timeline. She seems so relaxed and happy here. She's powerful and hails from a prominent dynasty. I don't think she would want to go back to the future." Namjoon sighed with despondence.

Master Lee nodded, "You must seek her help; their sacred cave is off-limits to anyone. Dangerous relics reside there that could potentially kill you in this dispensation. And...it seems Lady Cho-yeon and Dan-gu seem serious in their courting. A marriage might be unlikely...and when she bonds souls in this timeline, she can't transition back to the future...my young master, it seems you don't have much time..." He looked regretful.

Namjoon experienced a sudden loss of breath. His face grew uncharacteristically pale as he looked at Master Lee with shock,"W...what, Arin...I mean, Cho-yeon plans to marry Dan-gu." He stifled his words. His tone was filled with disbelief.

Oh my word! If Arin and Dan-gu bond through marriage, they will never leave this place.

Does she love Dan-gu genuinely? Namjoon felt his body grow cold. The realization hit him squarely in the face. Will he lose her and be stuck here forever?

No! No! He can't let that happen because...

He loves her!

..♈︎ ♉︎ ♊︎ ♋︎ ♌︎ ♍︎ ♎︎ ♏︎ ♐︎ ♑︎ ♒︎ ..

A/n: Master Lee shed light on Namjoons state.

Thank you so much for all the faithful reads.I truly appreciate it by your voting, reading and even commenting.

1. Do you think 'Arin' is still in nescience?

2. Will Namjoon be able to stop the romance between 'Arin' and Dan-gu?

3. Will 'Arin 'help him find the curse relic in time?

4. Do you feel pity for Namjoon?