25 -25- Ways

"You say, is this considered deceiving them?"

Before separating for their mission, the Black Alley members were gathered together, and Vander stood at the forefront. He lightly tapped his fists together and looked at Linwin, who was slightly shorter and wearing a faceless mask, dressed in a clean white robe.

"Of course not. You should know that guarding the Black Alley is an extremely important task. It's because I believe in Vi that I let her and Powder stay."

Linwin didn't really believe his own words.

But, you know, it's just talk.

..

Vander extended a big hand and patted Linwin's back, saying with complexity, "Linwin, has someone ever told you that you're very good at arguing?"

Linwin shrugged indifferently, smiling, "Of course. But becoming like this, I owe it all to old Zoran."

"Zoran, huh." Vander gave a smile and nodded. "He indeed is a persuasive talker. You share this trait with him. Both of you are people who can argue without reason but still be righteous about it."

Leaving Powder and Vi at the last drop was a thought Linwin had last night.

He wouldn't bring Vi and Powder along, not because he couldn't protect them, but because Linwin didn't want to.

Because if it was just Vi accompanying him, that would be okay, but if Powder insisted on coming too, Linwin would definitely refuse.

Linwin wouldn't wanna let Powder face "death" too early.

But looking at Powder's innocent expression, if he didn't agree, she would definitely cry, so Linwin pretended to have made up his mind.

Now, taking a look... Hm, it's not a bad thing to have the two little ones stay at the tavern.

After all, Vi wanted to accompany Linwin to gain more experience, to join him in setting rules and reasoning with people. Vander would definitely not agree. He wouldn't let Vi go to dangerous places. The reason he put on his gauntlets again was precisely to ensure Powder and Vi could live more safely.

And this time is different.

Fighting and killing are fundamentally different. For this mission, Vander was very clear; it was destined that a few people would die.

He wasn't afraid of deaths, and neither was Linwin.

Vander might look like a goofy uncle, but the number of lives he and his subordinates have taken is easily in the dozens. Linwin, on the other hand, is even more formidable. Although he rarely resorts to killing, he has given a good beating to many who violated the rules over the years.

After all, he was the enforcer of the Undercity.

This title holds much more weight than being an enforcer of Piltover.

Early exposure to life and death is undoubtedly helpful for Powder and Vi's growth. It helps them mature faster, be more obedient, and learn to survive in Zaun sooner.

But is it necessary? Absolutely not.

Considering Linwin's current rate of growth, he believes that with the addition of Ekko card, he could easily stride through both cities.

Initially, Linwin thought his attribute growth was slow, even a six-star card onlg give a total of 100 to all stats. But later on, he realized he was wrong.

With a 100 increase in all stats, an ordinary person would become a superhuman.

The impact of attribute enhancement is not something a mere number can capture. Crossing the threshold of 100, Linwin felt like he had broken through a barrier. What changes would occur when he crosses a thousand?

In any case, Linwin's rate of growth is accelerating.

However, at the same time, he becomes more cautious.

Because in terms of strength across the continent, Piltover and Zaun are undoubtedly at the bottom, and this is not Linwin being pessimistic.

Piltover, known as the "City of Progress," is the technological hub of the entire continent, with various titles such as the core of maritime traffic, the bridge between Valoran and Shurima, and more. 

At first glance, Piltover seems impressive, far surpassing the impoverished tribes of the Freljord or the pirate city of Bilgewater. But when comparing comprehensive strength, Zaun and Piltover are undeniably at the bottom.

Especially the monsters from the Freljord; leaving aside the three demi-gods (Probably Volibear, Anivia and Ornn) of the elements or the ancient tri-sisters(Avarosa, Serylda, and Lissandra) and their formidable abilities, even some local residents with ice-born bloodlines, those individuals with magical abilities, are like atomic bombs in both Piltover and Zaun.

Most individuals with ice-born bloodlines in the Freljord possess magic. Considering Piltover's fear of magic, anyone with magical abilities already surpasses the category of "human."

In Bilgewater, while their overall strength is lacking due to low-level technology and magic, the individual soldier's quality is high. In the horrifying event of the Harrowing, they resisted it, but in reality, it was just one person who resisted the Harrowing, the Kraken Priestess—Illaoi.

Behind Illaoi stood an omnipotent unknown god.

And Zaun? Piltover?

Let's forget about Piltover.

As for Zaun, there is a god too, albeit her prestige doesn't seem as high as the one on the island.

However, Zaun and Piltover have tremendous future potential.

Piltover is developing Hextech technology in the Upper City, while the Under City is actively pursuing alchemy science. The two unparalleled geniuses, Jayce and Viktor, will later empower Zaun and Piltover.

So, although weak now, it doesn't mean they will always be weak.

"Alright, I'll go alone."

Linwin patted Vander on the back and said to him, "Stay safe, don't get shot."

"The normal spray guns isn't much, it's the machine guns and gas-operated rifles that are worrisome," Vander said in a serious tone.

Zaun has very few firearms, mostly old-fashioned spray guns. Those require getting quite close to be lethal, but because of this, people from Piltover look down on people from Zaun.

Not to mention that they don't even have decent weapons. Dreaming of independence? What a joke!

Vander looked ahead at his trusted subordinates. They were carrying slim, oiled machine guns. "Fiden's guns are quite handy. Look, you don't even need to fire, and they already have a good deterrent effect."

Linwin nodded, acknowledging, "Anyway, I'll go talk to those few individuals first. I think they'll agree."

Fiden's body was found by someone yesterday, and the news quickly spread throughout various parts of Zaun through various "rats." Many people now knew that the enforcer of the Undercity had returned.

He didn't sever ties with Vander.

And his return indicated a warning to those who wanted to make some moves, especially those who had already been up to something in secret.

Vander nodded.

Linwin immediately added, "After this, I'll go talk to Silco."

"Silco? You might be disappointed. I've had people searching for information about him for four days now, but we haven't found anything. Linwin, since you last met him, he's vanished and we don't know where he's hiding."

"It's alright; I have my ways."