-20- Loyalty 

"Roar!"

He opened his mouth to roar, but the next moment, he was firmly pressed to the ground, followed by a punch to the back of the head, burying his whole head and upper body into the soil.

"Eat dirt, your mouth stinks!"

Linwen said while turning his head, dodging a claw from behind. He moved his legs, followed suit, and lifted his hand to deliver a sharp punch. However, due to the opponent's body transformation, which had increased their height to almost three meters, Linwen's punch landed on the massive thigh, comparable to his own waist. Although the stabbing punch, effective when hitting the face, had directly forced the person to kneel on the ground.

"1, 2, 1, 2."

After kneeling down, their height became more manageable. Linwen started with a left hook hitting the person's big face, and as their head swung fast, he followed up with a right hook, directly hitting their head. He repeated this combo twice, then grabbed their head and thrust it with his knee.

"How many days has it been?"

Linwen muttered. He was well aware of what these guys had just drinked, and the effects were clearly abnormal. Linwen had seen the Shimmer before and knew it couldn't grant such strength to people. Now, these people's physique was evidently superior to Vander's.

From this, it was apparent that this was Shimmer 2.0.

Linwen took a breath, feeling impressed. If they could eliminate the side effects, this thing could indeed be a significant weapon. If they could create hundreds of these warriors, a night raid on Piltover might genuinely destroy a considerable part of the city. Currently, Hextech technology was still in the research phase, but Silco and Singed had already developed Shimmer to version 2.0.

"Silco, you've really surprised me."

Linwen quipped as he continued his combo.

However, physical bodies couldn't match those with weapons. Linwen retrieved the iron sword he had thrown earlier and charged forward.

[Basic Swordsmanship]

Quality: ★

Effect: Increases strength and agility by 5% when using sword weapons.

One swing, and a massive arm flew off.

Linwen felt no pressure. Even though each of these guys had become beings that could overpower Vander, there was still a massive gap between them and Linwen.

In a one-on-one situation, although their physical capabilities surpassed Vander's, if Vander wore his iron gauntlets, he would still be able to defeat them.

Rich combat experience and good weapons were no weaker than powerful physique.

Moreover, these people who had undergone a transformation due to Shimmer were still human at the end of the day.

Within the realm of humanity, Linwen could test his strength against all but a few.

Soon, Linwen had dealt with everything in front of him and stood in front of the baron.

"Uh, no, please, Master Enforcer, I know I was wrong, please give me another chance! It was Silco who misled me. I won't make such a mistake again. I'll manage this place well, I swear, I won't, won't let my people step into Black Alley again."

Fearing for his life, Fiden knelt before Linwen, begging.

And as Linwen finished off these guys in five minutes, Sevika also quieted down outside. She then walked in, holding two thugs who had been knocked unconscious by her.

But when she saw the blood on the ground, the limbs, intestines, and those creatures that were obviously not human, with dark purple skin, muscles coiling like snakes, she was still shocked despite being prepared. Seeing Fiden trembling in front of Linwen, she was astonished.

Indeed, following Linwen was the right choice.

Linwen is Zaun's hope.

With him around, Zaun will surely regain its lost dignity.

Watching Linwen, who had taken off his own mask, stand before Fiden, Sevika believed strongly in this.

"Yo-You're..."

Fydin looked at Linwen in disbelief. The face was so clean, except for the somewhat cold gaze, this face was quite ordinary, somewhat good looking, and had an affable look.

This was the face that most young people in Zaun had.

"Fiden, I've already given you a chance."

Linwen sighed, pressing down on one of Fiden's hands with his foot. Linwen applied pressure, and Fiden let out a painful howl. One hand was quickly crushed into a black-red pulp by Linwen's foot.

"I know I was wrong, I really know! Please, give me another chance! It was Silco who misled me. If not for him, I wouldn't have opposed Vander. Please spare me!"

"I'm willing to be your subordinate. I... I can give you all my wealth."

Linwen frowned.

Hearing the name 'Silco' from Fiden's mouth made Linwen uncomfortable.

He had warned him, that guy.

Really, did he want to die that badly?

"Where did you get your gun?"

Fiden immediately answered, "My men stole it. It was stolen from an upper city warehouse. Those guns were old models that were no longer in military use."

"Oh, that makes sense. Even if the enforcers from the upper city are daring, they wouldn't willingly sell guns to Zaun. After all, the people above fear us having weapons," Linwen nodded.

Then, Linwen asked, "What did Silco tell you?"

"He said you broke ties with Vander and went to the upper city, and most likely won't come back."

Fiden imitated Silco's tone: "The Piltovian officers treat the Undercity as their own, invading at will, wantonly destroying. They are wrecking our Undercity. Are you going to turn a blind eye to this? All of this is because of Vander. It's all because he sheltered a few kids. Vander betrayed Zaun, causing the entire Zaun to suffer for a few children."

Fiden moaned in pain, "Silco said we should resist together."

Linwen nodded. This sounded very much like something Silco would say.

So... did this guy really disregard his warning?

But, to be honest, if he thought about killing Silco, Linwen felt a bit regretful. Silco was truly a talented individual.

If, without himself, Vander would absolutely lose to Silco. Linwen dared to think that.

Because Silco was ruthless, not only to enemies but to himself as well. Such a person could achieve great things. Moreover, Silco had a broad vision. After being betrayed by Vander and threatened by Linwen, he didn't think of becoming enemies with Vander and Linwen but wanted to recruit him to fight for Zaun.

But... seeing that just a few days after he left, Silco intervened for a few days, and Fiden's territory changed like this, Linwen was convinced of one thing—Zaun should never be handed over to someone like Silco for management. Perhaps he could lead Zaun to rise, but on his path to elevate Zaun, too many Zaunites would suffer under him.

Before succeeding, Silco wouldn't care about the lives of the poor in the Undercity. Perhaps in his eyes, reform might lead to sacrifices.

And that was definitely not the result Linwen wanted.

"Fiden, how did I instruct you last time?"

"You said not to cause trouble while the enforcers are in the Undercity."

"But did you listen to my words?"

"I'm sorry."

"How did Vander treat you?"

Fiden hesitated for a moment, looked up at Linwen, and seeing his expressionless face, he panicked and spoke the truth, "Vander is a good person, but, sir, good people cannot manage Zaun. Under his management, we are getting poorer. He is forcing us..."

"But he kept his promise, he didn't bring people to snatch your territory."

Sevika came to Linwen's side and stood quietly.

"Fiden, what has enabled Zaun to survive and thrive for two hundred years after the Progress Day?"

Fiden remained silent.

He dared not look at Linwen's expression.

His body trembled.

"Tell me, is it because of those strange inventions? Or the gas-filtering masks? Or the expanding black market?"

"None of those."

Linwen's face was cold.

"It's loyalty."

Linwen handed his sword to Sevika.

Sevika took the sword, and Linwen had already wiped his hands, walking outside.

Behind him came Fiden's desperate plea.

"I was wrong, please..."

Accompanied by Sevika's cold sneer.

"Repent in the depths of hell!"

"Ah!!!!"