-123- How do you want to die?

"Fire!"

Grayson stood at the forefront of the frontline, accompanied by dozens of enforcers, all wielding guns, firing towards the enemy.

A row of bullets hit the shields, not piercing their defense but halting the advance of Noxian forces.

Mel was also commanding on the frontline. As a member of the Medarda family, Mel was not unfamiliar with the scene before her. Despite being expelled from the family, Mel had witnessed too much about war.

She stood behind Grayson, calmly directing the battle.

Unlike Mel's composure, Lady Kiramman, also a councilor, appeared somewhat flustered. 

Although part of the political elite in Piltover, this councilor was encountering war for the first time. 

However, after a brief panic, this formidable woman quickly changed her demeanor.

"Everyone, grab whatever you can. If you don't have a gun, pick up rocks, use anything! In any case, we can't sit idly; we need to buy enough time for our fellow citizens heading to Zaun!"

"At the same time, reinforcements from Zaun are on their way!"

"Hold on, victory will be ours!"

Councilor Kiramman rallied everyone present with her eloquence.

To defend for the escape of their loved ones.

Yet also to persist until the reinforcements arrive.

To find ways to survive!

Mel heard her words, her eyes revealing a hint of helplessness, but she remained silent.

Reinforcements? 

Zaun's reinforcements, even if they arrived, what difference would it make? Mel didn't believe that the arrival of Zaunites would change the current situation.

Mel even doubted that Piltover, targeted by the Noxian Imperial forces, could overcome this crisis.

A thousand Noxian soldiers, that was just a drop in the ocean for the Empire!

They weren't even considered the elite forces of Noxus, yet in just a few hours, they had taken over half of Piltover.

The people of Piltover were now pushed to the west.

But just as Mel was thinking this, the sky suddenly lit up.

A strange light flashed over the sky of Piltover. 

Faintly, Mel seemed to see a woman, a woman with long ears.

But soon, the light disappeared.

Just as Mel thought she might have been mistaken, a strong wind blew, and above the Bridge, a bunch of small blue dots suddenly appeared.

And these blue dots were rapidly expanding.

They were a group of people!

A group of people flying rapidly towards them!

Leading this group was a black-haired young man, and behind him, nearly a hundred people followed.

Mel looked at this scene in amazement—the flying blue light was too obvious; it was Hextech!

Apart from Piltover, the only other place with Hextech was Zaun.

The Zaunites had arrived!

Then, a loud roar echoed over the skies of Piltover.

"Quickly disperse, act independently, and be cautious!"

"Vi, Kai'Sa, both of you land quickly and assist the Piltover residents trapped in the battlefield!"

"Yes!"

Vi responded.

On Linwin's back, Kai'Sa released her hands from around Linwin's neck, then flew backward towards the ground. 

In mid-air, she gave a look towards Linwin and even gave him a thumbs up, saying, "Don't worry."

Linwin nodded; with Kai'Sa around, he wasn't concerned about Vi's safety.

Moreover, Vi, equipped with a set of Hextech gear, was undoubtedly a superwoman.

So, Linwin chose to have Vi and Kai'Sa land directly above the Noxian forces, right in the front lines.

At this moment, there were more than four hundred Noxian soldiers in that location.

Vi and Kai'Sa descended right into the heart of the enemy.

Mel raised her head, watching the group of people on hoverboards.

She also saw the face of the leader.

It was someone. Mel was very familiar with that face.

"Linwin!"

Mel subconsciously called out.

Beside Mel, Lady Kiramman's voice also sounded, "Caitlyn, is that Vi?"

Standing next to Lady Gillermaine, the tall girl raised a sniper rifle, turned her head at the sound, nodded, then raised her gun again.

Standing straight, with a steady heartbeat, every shot Caitlyn took could penetrate shields and armor, hitting the enemies in lethal positions.

Although she only held a regular sniper rifle, thanks to Caitlyn, more than a dozen Noxian soldiers had fallen in this short time.

Linwin landed quickly in front of Mel and looked around.

"Where's Jayce?"

Mel looked at Linwin, bewildered by how he could fly without a hoverboard, and instinctively asked, "You..Linwin, you came here in person?"

"Any problem?" Linwin looked at Mel, puzzled.

"No, uh, right, there's no problem." Mel took a deep breath and quickly explained the current situation to Linwin.

"Wait, you mean Jayce is currently facing the general of this army alone?"

Linwin was shocked after hearing Mel's words.

"Where is Jayce now?" Linwin quickly asked Mel.

What's he thinking? That arrogant guy, who appears strong but can't fight at all, is now facing a hundred Noxian soldiers and a Noxian general?

Is he out of his mind? Is he seeking death?

Mel quickly informed Linwin of Jayce's location.

She was, of course, worried about Jayce's safety.

"I'll go find him now."

"Wait!" Lady Kiramman stood beside Mel, listening to their conversation. She turned and stopped Linwin, loudly saying, "You're leaving now?"

In a stern tone, Lady Kiramman continued, "If you leave with the people, what about those two girls?"

Lady Kiramman frowned and asked Linwin.

She had just witnessed Linwin sending two young girls into the center of the enemy.

Two girls?

Linwin was momentarily stunned, then said, "Oh," nodding, "Don't worry, Councilor."

"Kai'Sa and Vi will handle everything."

"What? Are you kidding me?"

"And Senator, don't worry, I don't intend to take anyone with me. These people will stay here to help you."

Linwin took a deep breath, stamped on the ground, and flew out in front of Lady Kiramman.

Now, Linwin didn't need to hide his abilities anymore.

"I can handle this alone."

Soon, Linwin disappeared into the pitch-black night.

"Is he crazy?!"

Lady Kiramman stomped her foot, holding a shotgun. Standing in a high position, she couldn't comprehend it at all.

Are all Zaunites crazy?

Doesn't he even care about the safety of those two girls?

"No, Lady Kiramman, Linwin isn't crazy," Mel said softly, looking at the battlefield not far away. "But I think I'm the one going crazy...."

Lady Kiramman, upon hearing Mel's words, paused and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Come and see for yourself," Mel gestured, making room for Lady Kiramman.

As she moved closer, Lady Kiramman witnessed a stunning scene. Above the center of the battlefield, Zaunites on hoverboards maneuvered through Noxian forces, creating intricate flight paths as if planning something.

In the heart of the Noxian army, an unexpectedly wide space had cleared.

"Vault Breaker!"

In the crowd, Vi shouted. The Hextech gauntlets she wore hummed loudly. Firing on all cylinders, flames burst from the gauntlets, steam billowed, propelling Vi's body as she threw a powerful punch.

Each of Vi's punches effortlessly sent a Noxian soldier flying. Even against soldiers carrying giant shields, Vi just needed to raise her hand, then bring it down to knock them senseless.

In just a short minute, Vi had knocked down more than twenty Noxian soldiers.

Surround her?

I'll just smash their faces!

Watching the terrifying Vi, even the formidable Noxian soldiers felt fear.

One punch at a time. She's even more formidable than the general!

On the other side, the terror escalated.

Waving hands enveloped in plasma, Kai'Sa made a barrier around her, and as she approached, the crowd autonomously dispersed.

No one could stop Kai'Sa, even though she didn't unleash her full firepower like Vi. Nevertheless, Kai'Sa quickly gained control of the battlefield.

"Zaun-Zaunites, do they have this kind of strength?" Lady Kiramman murmured.

These... Zaunites?

The poor and backward Zaunites that Piltoverans look down on?

Yes and no.

Their overwhelming power made Lady Kiramman feel unfamiliar.

"Everyone, prepare the ice balls!"

At this moment, a group of Zaunites in enforcer uniforms was ready.

Leading on a Hextech hoverboard, the head Zaunite shouted, "Release!"

Swoosh!

Clang clang clang!!!

Nearly a hundred soft ice balls descended. In a matter of breaths, a small ice mountain appeared in front of Mel and Lady Kiramman.

Inside, over a hundred Noxian soldiers were frozen!

"This... this is the power of Hextech!"

Lady Kiramman exclaimed, looking at the "ice mountain" that had appeared before her. Joy and sorrow floated on her face.

On one hand, Lady Kiramman didn't expect the Zaunites to be so powerful; such advanced technology could indeed drive away the Noxian forces. 

On the other hand, Lady Kiramman began to worry. With Zaun's strength, would it be challenging for them to take over Piltover once the war ended? 

Especially considering that many Piltovan citizens had fled to Zaun. Zaun could use them as hostages to make demands. 

Would Piltover still be Piltover in the future?

Meanwhile, in the battle between Jayce and Wilton:

"Councilor Talis, I must admit, you're a talent. Join Noxus! A talent like you should join Noxus!" Wilton looked at Jayce, and the mockery on his face had vanished. He now admired Jayce.

"Come, join us!"

"Jayce Talis!"

Wilton roared, and then an axe slammed in front of Jayce. 

Gasping, Jayce raised his hand with the Hextech-powered strength, blocking Wilton's attack. 

Exhausted, Jayce tried to lift his hammer, attempting to strike back.

One touch, just one touch, and Jayce could shatter his bones.

But Jayce couldn't touch him.

Wilton's agility was beyond belief, inconsistent with his appearance.

In contrast, Jayce was completely exhausted. Even the strength to grip the hammer was fading.

Wilton looked at Jayce, saying, "Surrender, Jayce Talis, and join us! You've already lost. I don't need to wait for your miraculous weapon to run out of energy. I can see you can't hold on any longer. Your hands are almost unable to lift, right?"

Wilton spoke, tossing his axe toward Jayce.

"Buzz!"

The yellow barrier appeared again, but its brightness, range, and obvious power were significantly reduced.

"No need for more words."

Jayce stood, gripping the hammer. 

"It's a pity."

Wilton gazed into Jayce's eyes for a while, shaking his head. "A guy like you... if you can't serve the empire, then you should die."

"Charge! Crush him!"

Behind Jayce, Noxian soldiers appeared. In front, Wilton took a giant axe from his subordinate and approached Jayce.

Front and back. Enemies on both sides?

Jayce sighed bitterly.

He didn't expect his first fight to be like this.

To be honest, he suddenly regretted it.

He should have run away with Mel and the others.

But regret only lasted for a moment. Soon, Jayce shook his head, dismissing those thoughts.

Because if he did that, he wouldn't be able to run away alone.

Lifting the hammer again, Jayce held the Murcury hammer with both hands, bent his body, and then took a step forward.

In Wilton's astonished gaze, Jayce took the initiative, raising the Murcury hammer to charge at Wilton.

The cannon form was powerful, but it wasn't convenient for defense. Moreover, in the narrow environment, Jayce couldn't use the cannon form.

"Thud!"

The giant axe struck the Mercury Hammer, and the sensation conveyed back made Wilton grin fiercely. Then he raised his foot, heavily kicking Jayce.

"Buzz!"

Gritting his teeth, Jayce pressed a button, and the hammer's head produced a buzzing sound. The electric field appeared again. 

Wilton, already familiar with Jayce's three-trick combo, quickly retracted his foot, stepping on the ground. Then, Wilton raised his shoulder and pressed down, using the giant axe to suppress Jayce.

In terms of individual strength, even ten Jayces couldn't match Wilton.

In Wilton's view, Jayce was able to persist until now thanks to this magical hammer.

Without this hammer, Jayce couldn't even beat a single Noxian soldier.

So, Hextech was something the empire must obtain!

"Your combat experience is just too poor!"

Wilton said while lifting the axe again, delivering another heavy blow.

Jayce raised his hand to block, but behind him, a short axe also chopped toward his shoulder.

"Ugh!"

With a muffled groan, Jayce staggered forward. In this short period, he suffered his first real injury.

Soon, Jayce suffered a second injury.

Wilton's foot finally landed on Jayce once.

Wilton swung his foot forcefully, kicking Jayce several meters away until he collided with a soldier's shield, finally coming to a stop.

"Ugh!"

A mouthful of blood spurted out as Jayce struggled to stand on the ground.

"Crack."

A subtle sound echoed; Jayce knew it was the sound of his bones breaking.

Rib pain pierced through his lungs. Jayce, in the midst of breathing, detected the scent of blood.

It was the smell of his own blood.

Jayce reached out, laboriously twisting the hammer again.

"Buzz!!!"

Under Jayce's control, the Mercury Hammer emitted a yellow light again.

"Retreat!"

Wilton waved his big hand.

In fact, Wilton didn't need to say it; Noxian soldiers already knew how to avoid Jayce's attacks. After all, Jayce had only a few moves, and they had long figured out his combat style.

"Jayce Talis, you've done well enough."

Wilton looked at Jayce, who was still enduring intense pain, standing up with difficulty.

This time, Wilton's admiration turned into recognition and respect for Jayce.

"Just... it's a pity you're not one of us."

Wilton sighed, raising the giant axe and approaching Jayce.

Jayce lowered his eyes, gripping the hammer, watching Wilton blocking his vision like a small mountain.

Wilton didn't try to persuade Jayce to join Noxus anymore.

He knew this young man wouldn't join Noxus.

From Jayce's eyes, Wilton saw the belief.

Piltover... it was Jayce's faith.

Too bad.

"What a pity."

"However, Jayce Talis, I'll give you a quick death, and I'll leave you with a complete corpse. Your weapon will be my trophy, and I'll use it well to conquer and achieve greatness!"

"I won't forget your name."

"Jayce Talis!"

Wilton raised the giant axe, bringing it down heavily.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle."

The familiar sound echoed, causing Wilton to furrow his brow.

At this point, was Talis still unwilling to give up?

Wilton looked at Jayce with admiration. "That sound, just like you, is already running on fumes. Give it up, Jayce."

"Not sorry, General, this time it wasn't me."

Jayce also heard the sizzling sound.

He raised his head, coughed, and addressed Wilton. 

Then Jayce saw behind Wilton.

In the night sky, under the moonlight, the dark clouds dispersed on both sides.

"This time, it really wasn't me."

Wilton furrowed his brow, unable to understand Jayce's words. But soon, his heart skipped a beat. Wilton, who had fought on the battlefield for many years, felt a deep emotion called fear.

He quickly turned around, seeing a streak of clouds forming in his airspace.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle."

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle."

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!!!!"

"Sizzle!"

It was the sound that followed when the air was cut.

It was a person!

"Relentless Force!"

Accompanied by the cold voice.

A fist extended from the sky, "smashing" towards here.

It was an ordinary and unremarkable fist.

Then...

"Boom!!!"

"Boom!!!"

Except for Wilton and a few Noxian soldiers near Jayce, all the other Noxians present, in an instant, seemed to be subjected to an invisible attack.

Nearly a hundred Noxian soldiers, their number instantly shortened by half.

Then, something terrifying happened.

Spines pierced out from their lower backs, and heads were crushed into their necks.

And the ground beneath them collapsed.

In a range of nearly forty meters, large stones were thrown into the air, as if gravity had disappeared.

In front of Wilton, the large stones shattered.

Then, they turned into powder.

Afterward, they were blown away by the wind.

Within a radius of one meter from Jayce, everything around instantly shrank by dozens of meters!

Wilton instantly felt like he was standing on a "cliff."

But Wilton knew it wasn't that his position had risen; it was that other places had sunk.

When he turned around, he saw a young man next to Jayce.

He was supporting Jayce, pouring a bottle of potion into Jayce's mouth.

After a moment, a health color of red appeared on Jayce's pale face.

"I thought... I wouldn't see you again."

Jayce looked at him, weakly smiling.

"I arrived just in time, didn't I?"

"Cough, barely."

Jayce coughed and, looking around, his eyes revealed a hint of surprise and helplessness.

Jayce whispered to him, "Always so reckless... You'll have to compensate for the damage, Linwin."

"I'll compensate you with a punch."

"Alright, stop talking. Rest for a while."

"No, I'm really tired now."

"Feeling tired is a good sign. It means Shimmer is working in your body," Linwin smiled at Jayce. "Sleep, you'll be fine after you wake up."

Jayce nodded at Linwin and slowly drifted into sleep.

Linwin looked at the sleeping Jayce and then, supporting him, he looked up at Wilton, who was a head taller and had a pale face.

Linwin's face turned ashen.

Just one second...

Just one more second...

Jayce could have died.

At this moment, Linwin's eyes showed endless coldness. As if using all his strength, Linwin squeezed out a few words to the Noxian general in front of him:

"You."

"How do you want to die?"