The gutters had been anything but peaceful lately. The "Up City" had already experienced two major disturbances, further straining the relationship between Piltover and Zaun. Now, the gutters had brazenly exposed their other side directly to Piltover.
For the past few days, ordinary people in the gutters had remained indoors, hiding in their homes. But even so, gang members would violently kick open their doors, then proceed to ransack their homes under the guise of "safety searches," taking whatever they could get their hands on. The residents of the gutters dared not voice their anger.
Piltover's Enforcers had not directly intervened in this incident in the gutters, because they understood very well that the trouble deep within Zaun this time was immense and dangerous. Without a direct command from higher-ups, they wouldn't risk their lives performing daily patrols.
How much did they get paid a month? Was it worth dying for?
As for the Zaunites themselves, this incident was just another display of Silco's methods since he came to power. Ever since Silco took control, Zaun had completely transformed: it had become richer, but also more chaotic.
As long as power remained in his hands, he didn't care about his subordinates, especially the clashes between smaller gangs. In fact, Silco would even intentionally instigate such conflicts, using the hatred these minor gangs had for each other to divert their hatred from himself, thus maintaining his status and power.
And under such circumstances, a new gang appeared in the gutters...
A group of young people, once from the Black Alley, had gathered together, wielding seemingly dilapidated but highly effective weapons, and rapidly began seizing territory, establishing their own force.
On the territories they claimed, there was often a blue and pink flower petal graffiti.
But no one paid attention, because a new gang appeared in Zaun every day.
...
On the second floor of The Last Drop, Silco looked at Sevika, his voice filled with anger.
"Tell me, how many days has it been now?"
"It's the tenth day," Sevika replied, lowering her head. Most of the graffiti on her face had faded, but some traces remained. That damn Jinx's fluorescent pen drawings on her face certainly lasted a long time.
Silco picked up a document from a shimmer factory in the west that was on his desk. He frowned at the records within and questioned Sevika.
"Where is she?"
Sevika replied, "They're no longer in the gutters. I've searched every place I could. We've flipped every household, even the orphanages, but there's no trace of them."
"I thought you weren't one to make excuses, but what are you doing now? This is the second time."
Tapping his finger on the desk, he set the document down and looked at Sevika: "If the gutters are searched, then look in the mid-level plaza. If she's not in the mid-level plaza, then go to Stillwater Hold. Do I need to teach you how to do something this simple hand-by-hand?"
Sevika fell silent. After a long pause, she looked up and met Silco's gaze: "And then? If you still can't find Jinx in the mid-level plaza and Stillwater Hold, are you going to send people to search in the Up City?"
Silco: "..."
His undamaged eye narrowed slightly, Silco's voice was cold: "Am I to assume you have an objection to me now?"
"What else? Ever since that damn girl grew up—no, she hasn't even grown up yet, Jinx is still just a child—but precisely because she's a troublesome child, you've been cleaning up all her messes. Do you truly believe she sees you as a father? Or have you become so dependent on this daughter of yours now?" Sevika took a deep breath, meeting Silco's stare, then continued: "At this time, you want to send people to the mid-level plaza and Stillwater Hold to find her? Our damn smuggled goods are still stuck in the Up City's precinct, and many of our people are imprisoned."
"Silco, in your heart, which is more important: her, or Zaun? Do you even remember what you told me back then?" Sevika asked the question she had wanted to ask for years.
Ever since Jinx grew up... no, she hasn't really grown up yet, Jinx is still just a child.
But precisely because she was a troublesome child, Sevika had helped Jinx deal with her troubles countless times. The messes Jinx made, the consequences she couldn't clean up herself, Silco would always make Sevika handle.
Damn it, am I just toilet paper?!
"Enough." Silco's eyes were full of sinister coldness, looking at Sevika like a venomous snake.
"I will forgive you, this time, for that arm." Silco looked at Sevika's arm, then added: "But if there's a next time, you won't be able to stand here and talk to me."
Silco looked at Sevika very seriously and said, "I will make good on my word."
Silco's threat silenced Sevika.
But she immediately spoke again: "Really? Then I truly don't know what choice Jinx will make when the time comes."
"Choice?"
Sevika was saying that Jinx would choose Leo, or him?
Silco seemed disdainful, casually saying, "Her being with that boy is only temporary. That's just her personality; she's playful and spontaneous."
"But I wasn't talking about Leo."
"What do you mean? Be clear." Silco frowned.
"It's Vi. She's back," Sevika said coldly.
As Sevika's words fell, Silco's pupils suddenly constricted.
On a street in Black Alley, Caitlyn paced back and forth, hands behind her back, her face downcast and worried.
Should I give up on her?
No, I can't. She's the person I brought down here, so I must bring her back.
But in Zaun, what can I do alone?
I detest the power that comes with the Kiramman name, believing all people are equal, but now, without that power from my family, I can't do anything.
Caitlyn felt conflicted, and in a corner nearby, a weak voice spoke.
"Can you stop pacing in front of me? It's really annoying, okay?"
"What should I do?" Hearing Vi's voice, Caitlyn quickly walked over, crouched down, and looked at her.
Vi opened her eyes, coughed, and said, "What do you mean, 'what to do'... How would I know what you should do?"
As she spoke, Vi suddenly looked dazed, gazing behind Caitlyn. She seemed to see something, her eyes unfocused, her voice soft: "I shouldn't have left you behind..."
Caitlyn's expression faltered. She took out a towel and pressed it to Vi's abdomen, whispering, "It's okay. I can tell you're a kind person."
With Caitlyn's words, Vi's eyes gradually closed.
Seeing Vi fall back into unconsciousness, Caitlyn stood up, feeling somewhat lost.
But just as Caitlyn was dazed, a group of people suddenly emerged and surrounded them.
They wore ragged clothes, clearly Zaunites, but their demeanor was different from the people Caitlyn had encountered on her journey.
They... looked thin, but their spirits were high, especially the brown-haired young man leading them. He wasn't... poisoned by Shimmer?
Seeing them surround her, Caitlyn quickly drew her gun and aimed it forward.
"Stop!"
"I am Enforcer Caitlyn!"
Caitlyn said nervously.
Somehow, at that moment, she suddenly remembered Vi's warning when they had just left Stillwater Prison: that she would be completely exploited by the Zaunites.
"Enforcer?"
"Don't be nervous, cop. We mean no harm." The leading young man raised his hands and took another step forward.
"I said stop! One more step and I'll shoot!"
"Wait, please listen to me!"
"I'm Marsen. I'm Vi's friend. The one behind you, that's Vi, right?"
"We know her."
Caitlyn froze, blinking.
The leading young man, Marsen, had a sincere expression.
Seeing this, Caitlyn slowly lowered her gun.
"She's injured," Caitlyn said.
"I know. I've been following you."
"I know how to treat her. Willa, Manchu, help Vi up. We need to go back." Marsen commanded.
And Caitlyn stood quietly to the side, not stopping them.