Chapter 3
Maiden of The Sanctuary
All Zi-Cheng wanted was to rest his legs at a quiet tavern, sample some of this world’s food, and maybe, finally, get a real night’s sleep at an inn. But with Julia’s sudden appearance, nothing seemed to go as planned. Every move this woman made, every word she spoke, was aimed squarely at him – as if he’d somehow earned her animosity on his very first day in this strange new world.
(What’s the deal with her?)
He forced himself to play dumb, hoping to gauge her intention. “I’m being honest here! Are you really going to harass an innocent traveler?”
“Oh, that’s how we’re playing it, huh?” Julia’s smile turned to steel. “Well, let’s start with this, then: you claimed you came here with family, right? Funny thing – my guards at the gate reported a total stranger entering our city, lounging in the back of Silver Axe’s cart.”
(They’ve been watching me since then?)
“Well… I got separated with my family outside the city, and Chris was kind enough to offer me a ride. How’s that a crime?”
“Sure, I’ll humor your story,” Julia crossed her arms, “but you said you came to Hazelton to watch the tournament?”
“Yeah! You have a problem with that?”
Zi-Cheng’s defiance only fueled her, like a cat finally setting its paw on a prey. She flashed a smile, clearly delighted. “No problem at all, I’m just fascinated.” She tilted her head, voice laced with mockery. “Every city has its own arena, so unless you’re part of a merchant caravan or one among the Royal Guards, which I doubt you are, no one would risks the wilderness just to watch a game.”
“That...that’s my family’s business… Why should it concern you?”
As Julia watched his temper flare, her smile only grew sharper. He was right where she wanted him.
“Oh, it’s family matter, is it? Then do tell me, which city you’re from and the names of these family members of yours who risked their lives so you could attend our humble little tournament?”
Then it dawned on Zi-Cheng, outwitting this “Golden Fox” was a terrible idea from the start, but it was too late, and too far to turn back now.
In a split second, he bent his knee, preparing for his next move. But just as quickly, Julia closed the gap, her blade practically whispering from its sheath.
“Going somewhere? I believe you owe me a full explanation, Ventus.”
Her taunt rang in his ears, her sword unsheathed, flashing under the afternoon sun.
Yet, even with odds stacked against him, Zi-Cheng didn’t flinch. He knew if Julia meant to kill him, she would’ve already done so already. This was a game of intimidation – she wanted answers, and her pride and confidence in her own skills and wits would provide the perfect opening.
Even if that opening lasted only half a second, it would be enough.
Smooch ––––!
In that instant, Zi-Cheng’s lips landed right on Julia’s cheek.
“You –– bastard!”
Julia recoiled, her eyes widening in shock as a crimson blush spread across her face. She pushed the scoundrel before her, instinctively swinging her hand to slap him.
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But Zi-Cheng was one step ahead, catching the edge of a passing carriage, and vaulting himself onto its roof, flashing her a triumphant grin as he sped away.
“Get back here, you little –––!!”
Julia’s shout faded as the carriage hurtled down the street, leaving her behind in a cloud of dust.
(I can’t believe I pulled off a trick straight out of a manga… and it worked!)
A laugh escaped him as he climbed into the carriage, but his grin quickly froze as he noticed the passengers around gaped in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.
“That guy actually kissed the Golden Fox?”
“No way! Is he insane?”
“Who’d risk their life just to smooch her?”
“Did you see the way she chased him? They’re totally in love!”
“So even she has a boyfriend now?”
As the passengers continued their chatter, Zi-Cheng suddenly realize what he had gotten himself into. Who would have guessed that vice-captain was such a prominent figure?
With the gossip swirling around him, Zi-Cheng only wished he could dig a hole in the carriage and bury himself. Nonetheless, the carriage was packed, and he could only brace himself, turn his head to the scenery outside, and pretend he hadn’t heard a word.
The carriage rumbled past narrow, timber-framed houses with steeply pitched roofs, a striking contrast to the skyscrapers Zi-Cheng was used to, and a constant reminder that he was truly a stranger in this foreign land.
Lost in thought, he glanced down at his hands, a strange tingling sensation spreading through them. Back in his world, he’d been an indoors person, spending countless hours typing away at his computer, chasing his dreams since college. Could these hands, hands that had rarely left the keyboard, really have pulled off such an incredible stunt with an agility he’d never known before?
Something didn’t add up, but he didn’t have the time to sort it out.
“We are arriving at Sanctuary Station. All passengers, please prepare to disembark.”
The driver’s announcement rang out from the front, snapping Zi-Cheng from his thoughts as the passengers around him began shifting, stretching and grabbing their belongings impatiently. The moment the carriage door swung open, everyone surged forward, sweeping Zi-Cheng along like an unrelenting current.
Stumbling off onto a stone-paved square, Zi-Cheng looked up to find himself in a vast, bustling plaza. The space seemed endless, alive with movement, flanked by grand arches and towering statues that cast long shadows in the afternoon sun.
“So… this is the Sanctuary,” he murmured, taking in the vastness. “The place Chris was talking about…”
The mention of “Sanctuary” brought back memories of an old manga from Zi-Cheng’s childhood. Although the Sanctuary before him didn’t feature a towering Greek goddess statue, the stone temple beneath the sunset sky was still breathtakingly majestic. The golden glow from the setting sun bathed the entire structure, lending it an ethereal warmth.
Along the main avenue to the temple stood twelve statues, each over ten meters tall and holding a torch. Their flames flickered against the evening sky, casting an almost sacred aura over the entire plaza—just like a scene straight from the manga Zi-Cheng had read as a child.
image [https://i.imgur.com/aWwUxMO.png]
“Chris mentioned this Sanctuary was built by a hero, not a king,” Zi-Cheng remarked, still marveling at the architecture as he stood in the plaza’s center. His gaze shifted to the massive Sanctuary Temple at the far end, the very place where a ritual known as the “Invocation” was performed.
Supposedly, this ceremony bestowed heavenly blessings upon the arena combatants, granting them all the riches and resources needed for a path to glory. Thanks to this “Invocation,” the people of Hazelton gained access to rare supplies without ever having to venture beyond the city walls into the monster-filled wilderness.
“So, in a way, this whole ‘Invocation’ business is just the gacha mechanic from a mobile game in disguise.” Zi-Cheng shrugged with a smirk as he realize he was stepping into one of the oldest trope. “Makes sense... it’s not like gacha pulls are rare in isekai novels anyway.”
However, if this “Invocation” was really a kind of gacha pull, then maybe, just maybe, a newcomer like Zi-Cheng could try his luck with a “free first-time pull.”
(The hero getting his power from a mysterious gacha... Yep, nothing screams ‘overused trope’ more than that.)
“Still, I’ll take it if it gets me a hero’s perks!” Grinning, Zi-Cheng pushed open the temple doors, stepping forward only to be met with a wave of solemn air within.