Thank You for Coming to This World

Luca was completely dumbfounded, while Loki across from him still wore a smile.

"Let's authenticate your identity first."

As he spoke, God Loki reached out and gently tapped the air. A streak of emerald light shot straight toward Luca and swirled around him until the green band had encircled him completely, then faded away.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Even Luca himself hadn't reacted in time.

But when he came back to his senses, he had a vague feeling that the sense of separation he'd felt between himself and this world over the past two months was rapidly disappearing.

Luca was certain it wasn't just his imagination. But when he looked back at God Loki, the other man merely waved a hand dismissively.

"Well, you know how it is. Sitting alone in that position, with no one to talk to, can get a little boring."

"Since someone asked me, I certainly don't mind giving you a chance to choose again~ After all, you came here because you knew I existed and made the wrong call, didn't you~"

Luca fell silent again.

Yes, the reason he'd taken the enormous risk of coming here was not only that his adventurous streak had gotten the better of him. More importantly, he was afraid that if the timeline were destroyed, he'd vanish along with it.

If he'd known that God Loki had already taken the throne and that the so-called Sacred Timeline no longer existed, Luca might have just stayed home and waited for the Battle of New York to end.

Now that God Loki was standing right in front of him, and he knew the world wouldn't be destroyed because of him, there didn't seem to be any need to risk his life stopping Loki.

But then Luca's attention shifted to something else.

"So, can you tell me who asked you to come?"

Clearly, whoever could call upon someone like God Loki was just as worthy of attention as what God Loki was doing now.

After all, he'd just said that people like Luca weren't all that rare. What had Luca done to deserve the attention of some big shot who could call upon God Loki?

But at Luca's question, God Loki's face took on an inscrutable smile. Then he placed one hand theatrically against his chest and gave a slight bow.

"I've said all I need to say. What you choose to do next is up to you~"

"Crisis and opportunity go hand in hand. Thank you for coming to this world~"

As his voice faded, God Loki's body broke into countless pale green lights and vanished like a fleeting dream.

The world, which had been frozen in place, gradually came alive again as he disappeared.

Feeling that time had started flowing once more, Luca stood rooted to the spot, still frowning.

"Damn it! I hate people who talk in riddles!"

But as soon as he said it, Luca froze.

The world, which had seemed to come back to life, had mysteriously stopped again.

Even the people walking along the street hadn't moved an inch.

Luca grimaced and hurriedly muttered under his breath, "I don't hate it, I don't... I shouldn't have run my mouth! Please, just go back already..."

But the world remained frozen. Instead, a crackling sound, like sparks popping, came from behind him.

Then a woman's voice reached Luca's ears.

"Has that lord already left?"

Luca's heart tightened. He immediately turned around and took a defensive stance.

But when he saw who it was, the words slipped out before he could stop them.

"Gabriel!"

Even the person behind him froze for a moment.

"???"

But when he noticed the plain yellow monk's robe and the golden ring of a portal behind her, Luca immediately realized he'd gotten it wrong. He gave an awkward cough.

"Ancient One?"

That was right. The person before him was the Sorcerer Supreme, Earth's protector, the greatest sorcerer of all—Ancient One.

But...

"No! Wait... why does this Ancient One have hair?!"

Luca tried his best to control where he was looking, but his gaze still drifted toward the woman's short, pale blond hair.

Ancient One had obviously noticed where Luca was looking.

"You've met another version of me from a different world?"

As she spoke, she gently twirled one of her curls and replied with a smile, "We have to find some way to tell ourselves apart from the versions in other worlds, don't we?"

Looking at this Ancient One, whose hairstyle was different and whose attitude seemed much younger than the version he remembered, Luca couldn't help thinking, If you'd shown up earlier, there's no way I'd have mistaken you for someone from this world!!!

Luca glanced toward the portal behind Ancient One.

Time had stopped there, too. He could even see Bruce Banner, the Hulk from downstairs at Luca's apartment, lying still on the rooftop behind the portal.

Seeing Luca's gaze wander again, Ancient One with hair simply brought the conversation back to the point and asked, "Has that lord already left?"

Luca quickly turned his eyes back to her. He wasn't sure what this world's Ancient One was like, so he kept his composure and answered honestly.

"Mr. Loki should have left already. Did you need something from him?"

But Ancient One gave a slight shake of her head.

"I can't reach that lord. I came to see you!"

Luca frowned.

"Can't reach him?"

"Do you mean you can't, or you're not allowed to?"

Thinking back to what God Loki had told him earlier, Luca was sure there was something strange going on.

But now Ancient One said she'd come to see him...

He'd already had more than enough surprises today, and now another big shot had come looking for him...

Am I really that popular?

Luca was getting a bit of a headache. He couldn't be bothered with any more riddles, so he simply asked, "What did you want to see me about, Ancient One?"

"Don't tell me God Loki couldn't be bothered to drive me out, so now Earth's protector is going to do it instead?"

Looking at the young man in front of her, who was frowning and seemed a little hesitant, Ancient One's lips curled up. She gave him a straightforward answer.

"I'm here to make a deal with you."

Luca shivered.

"That sounds kind of familiar."

But he didn't rush to speak. He simply waited quietly for Ancient One to continue.

Ancient One curled a finger, and the [Hextech Crystal] Luca had carefully wrapped up immediately floated out of his bag, wobbling gently as it rose.

Luca took a closer look. It was the "Core Component" that could be combined to make a [Hexcore].

But if a big shot needed it, Luca wasn't going to be foolish enough to refuse. He was, of course, happy to offer it with both hands.

"You're joking, Ancient One. If you want it, there's no need to talk about a deal. You can have it for free."

But Ancient One shook her head again. She gently took hold of the [Hextech Crystal] and placed it back in Luca's hand.

"No need. It's not this crystal I want, but the finished product once you've completed it. In return, I'll give you a reward you'll be happy with. A reward you'll be very happy with~"

Looking at the "weighty" [Hextech Crystal] in his hand, Luca felt speechless.

Well, great... How did everyone seem to know what little I could do?

"Then..."

Luca looked up and was about to speak, but Ancient One had silently disappeared too.

At the same time, time began to flow again, and the noise of the world rushed back into his ears.