Luka stood frozen in place, completely stunned, while the Loki before him maintained a cheerful smile.
"Well then, let's get your identity verified first."
As he spoke, God Loki raised a finger and gently pointed. A streak of emerald light shot toward Luka and coiled around him, swirling gently until it enveloped his whole body before finally dissipating.
All of this happened in an instant—Luka didn't even have time to react.
But when he came back to his senses, he distinctly felt that the strange sense of disconnect he'd had with this world for the past two months was rapidly fading.
Luka was certain—this wasn't his imagination. And when he looked back at Loki, the god simply waved his hand casually.
"You know, sitting on that throne all alone with no one to talk to gets a bit boring."
"So when someone asked me for a favor, I thought—why not give you a second chance? After all, the reason you're here now was because you misunderstood my presence in this world~"
Luka fell silent again.
Yes, the reason he'd risked everything to come here was largely due to fear—fear that the timeline would be destroyed and he'd vanish along with it.
Had he known Loki had already taken the throne and that the Sacred Timeline was no longer a threat, he might've just stayed home and waited for the Battle of New York to end.
But now, with God Loki standing before him, confirming the world was safe, there was no longer any need to take such risks.
Still, Luka's thoughts quickly turned to another issue.
"So, can you tell me who asked you to come?"
Clearly, anyone who could call upon God Loki warranted serious attention.
After all, Loki had said that people like Luka weren't exactly rare—so what made him so special that someone powerful would take notice?
Yet when Luka asked, Loki just smiled mysteriously. He placed one hand over his chest and gave a theatrical bow.
"I've said all I need to. What happens next is your decision~"
"Crisis and opportunity go hand in hand. Thank you for coming to this world~"
As his words fell, God Loki dissolved into countless specks of soft green light—vanishing like a dream.
With his departure, time began to move once more.
But as Luka felt the flow of time resume, he remained rooted in place, frowning deeply.
"Damn it! I hate cryptic people the most!"
But no sooner had he said that than he froze again.
Because the world—just now restarted—was once again eerily still.
Even the people on the street hadn't moved an inch from before.
Luka's face fell. He quickly muttered under his breath:
"I didn't mean it… I wasn't complaining… Please come back…"
But instead of time resuming, a crackling sound of static—like electricity sparking—echoed behind him.
Then a woman's voice rang out:
"Has His Grace already left?"
Luka tensed and instinctively spun around, bracing himself.
But when he saw the newcomer, he blurted out without thinking:
"Gabriel?!"
Even the woman seemed taken aback.
"???"
Then Luka noticed the plain yellow monk robes and the glowing golden portal behind her.
He quickly realized his mistake and gave an awkward cough.
"Uh… the Ancient One?"
Yes, the newcomer was Earth's protector, the Sorcerer Supreme—the Ancient One.
Only…
Wait a sec… Why does this Ancient One have hair?!
Luka tried to avert his gaze but couldn't help peeking at her short golden-blond hair.
Clearly, she noticed his glance.
"You've seen other versions of me?" she asked with a smile, fingers lightly twirling a lock of her hair.
"Gotta keep things distinct across universes, right?"
Looking at this version of the Ancient One—who not only had a different hairstyle but also seemed younger and more carefree than he remembered—Luka grumbled inwardly:
If you'd shown up earlier, maybe I wouldn't have mistaken this universe for the wrong one…
He turned to glance through the portal behind her.
Even there, time remained frozen. He could see Bruce Banner—the Hulk—still lying motionless on a rooftop.
Noticing his distracted gaze, the Ancient One gently pulled the conversation back.
"So, has His Grace already left?"
Luka quickly reined in his wandering eyes and, unsure of her temperament in this version, answered honestly:
"Lord Loki should be gone now. Were you looking for him?"
But the Ancient One shook her head slightly.
"I couldn't reach someone like him, even if I tried. I'm here for you."
Luka frowned.
Can't reach? Or isn't allowed to?
Combined with everything Loki had said earlier, Luka grew even more suspicious.
And now the Ancient One said she was looking for him?
After everything that had happened today, his nerves were fried. And now another big shot had shown up…
What am I, some kind of golden ticket?
Rubbing his temples, Luka gave up on trying to decode all the cryptic hints and got straight to the point.
"What does the Ancient One want with me?"
Don't tell me Loki spared me, only for Earth's protector to kick me out instead?
But the Ancient One simply smiled and gave her answer:
"I'm here to offer you a deal."
That made Luka shiver involuntarily.
That line sounds way too familiar…
He didn't reply immediately, instead waiting for her to continue.
With a small hand gesture, one of Luka's [Hextech Crystals] floated out of his pack.
Luka immediately recognized it—it was the core component needed to synthesize the [Hextech Core].
But since a bigwig wanted it, Luka, a mere extra in the grand scheme, knew his place. He offered it up without hesitation.
"Please, no need to call it a deal, Ancient One. If you want it, it's yours."
But the Ancient One shook her head and gently placed the crystal back in Luka's hand.
"No need. I don't need the crystal—I need the final product you'll create from it. When that time comes, I'll offer a reward you'll find very… satisfying~"
Looking at the "weighty" [Hextech Crystal] in his hand, Luka could only sigh inwardly.
Seriously? How does everyone already know what I can do?
"So then…"
As he looked up, just about to speak, the Ancient One had already vanished.
Time resumed its natural flow, and the noisy city sounds once again crashed into Luka's ears.