ight twisted. Space did a cartwheel. Lucien blinked once and landed in another world.
A world so dead silent, even a cricket wouldn't dare chirp.
The sky above was a purple soup. The ground was cracked like a stale biscuit. Floating rocks just hung in the air like confused balloons, and in the distance, ominous ancient ruins screamed, "Here lies your upcoming trauma."
Welcome to Sambhala.
---
The Hidden Land of Sambhala
Rumored to exist in the void, the kind of place old mages spoke about after downing seven beers and a fire mana potion. According to the novel, this was where Ignis Vaelthorn—the protagonist and Lucien's future punching bag—gained one of his biggest cheats.
Here, Ignis upgraded his SS+ Trait "Combat Genius" to full-blown SSS. He got legacy techniques, weapons forged by ancient sages, and enough plot armor to survive thirteen assassination arcs.
Lucien's Plan: Rob him blind.
With a grin on his face, Lucien strolled forward, stepping confidently through the deadlands.
---
Eventually, he reached it.
The Gate of Trials.
A huge floating stone monument, pulsing with light like it was having a rave on mute. Giant runes glowed. A teleportation orb floated at the center like an overworked disco ball.
And standing guard…
Was him.
The Guardian of Sambhala.
A towering figure, covered in mismatched armor like he dressed in the dark. Weapons floated behind him: a massive sword, a hammer the size of a cow, and for some reason… a giant fork?
His helmet looked like someone stuck a colander on a pumpkin. The runes on his chest occasionally flickered like cheap LED lights, and when he moved, it sounded like a rusted microwave turning on.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Okay... are you the ancient Guardian of Secrets or the final boss of a bootleg JRPG?"
The Guardian did not answer.
Instead, he stepped forward with a deep, echoing voice.
"You are not the Flame Child. And yet... you reek of fate."
Lucien squinted. "And you reek of poor life choices and expired mana oil."
The Guardian's weapons flared behind him—fork included.
"Silence, Mortal. I am the Eternal Sentinel, the One Who Waits, the Keeper of—"
Lucien cut in, "Yeah, yeah. Dramatic titles. Cool cosplay, bro. You done?"
The Guardian paused. It almost looked like he sighed.
Then, he spoke again, slower this time: "If you defeat me, you shall gain access to the Legacy Chamber."
Lucien smirked. "You had me at 'gain.' Let's dance, discount Optimus Prime."
The Guardian's weapons aligned. The ground trembled. A thunderous pressure descended.
Lucien's grin widened.
He cracked his knuckles.
"Let's go, Guardian. I've got destiny to hijack and a red-haired protagonist to humble."
---