CHAPTER 70 - Huck
Huck's home is located in the lower half of the Mid-Layer Plaza, adjacent to the upper layer of the Undercity.
The air pollution there is much worse than in the Lanes, with occasional alchemical gas leaks or facility explosions—far from an ideal residence.
Perhaps due to his Undercity origins, Huck doesn't demand much from his living environment; he only seeks an affordable place to stay.
On their way to Huck's home, Powder sat in Li Lin's arms.
Claggor and Milo followed closely, proudly facing the astonished and envious eyes of other Zaun children. Vi walked ahead with a gloomy expression, leading the way.
Even though Powder called her several times, Vi casually responded without much attention.
However, the minds of Powder, Claggor, and Milo were focused on the Hextech armor, and they didn't pay much attention to Vi's unusual state.
Yet, Li Lin, with a mature mindset beyond his years, could sense her unease.
Does Vi resent me because I'm from the Upper City? He didn't dwell on this matter too much.
With his intervention, Vander, the guardian of the two sisters, wasn't taken for experimentation last time and wouldn't likely become the "Uncaged Wrath of Zaun" in the future.
As a result, Powder probably wouldn't transform into Jinx, and the two sisters wouldn't turn against each other.
This way, Vi would most likely not become Caitlyn's partner...
The butterfly's wings fluttered.
Just because of Li Lin's small intervention, the destinies of four heroes underwent a significant change.
This calculation didn't even include those he had contact with, like Jayce, Viktor, Ekko, Heimerdinger, Orianna, and Camille...
The gears of fate between Piltover and Zaun turned, and the future of the two city-states advanced towards an unknown direction.
Li Lin didn't know whether this future was good or bad, but he would do his best to make it better.
After all, his vision extended beyond the twin cities; it encompassed the entire Runeterra.
The twin cities were his starting point and, to some extent, could be considered his "headquarters."
If he couldn't manage the twin cities, which had the lowest starting difficulty in the Runeterra, how could he face the world crisis in the future?
As his thoughts were in turmoil, Vi in front of him stopped and said, "We're here."
They were currently standing on a bridge, about 10 meters above the ground, constructed from abandoned metal in the Lower Plaza.
The bridge was narrow, allowing only two people to walk side by side.
Some rusty metal handrails were covered with a layer of green moss-like plants, seemingly catalyzed by alchemical gas emissions from the workshops on the ground.
On the other side, Li Lin saw a cylindrical hut covered in mossy green, similar to the metal water towers on top of most buildings in Piltover.
"Because of the alchemical workshops below, the rent here is very cheap."
Vi casually introduced the situation here and nodded for Li Lin and the others to follow.
However, as Li Lin stepped onto the bridge, the oppressive weight of him, the Hextech armor, and Powder produced a squeaky metallic noise, making him feel somewhat uneasy.
Will this bridge collapse halfway under my weight? Li Lin subconsciously turned his head slightly and looked down.
It's over ten meters below...
After thinking about it, he decided to put Powder down and stepped back to the other side.
"My armor is too heavy. I'm afraid the bridge won't hold. I'll wait for you here."
Li Lin shouted to Vi, who had just reached the middle of the bridge and turned to look at him. Vi responded indifferently, "As you wish."
She gestured for Claggor and Milo to follow, leaving Powder by Li Lin's side.
Since they would be back soon, and Claggor had almost blocked the way, there was no use in going over. It was better to stay with Li Lin.
With this in mid, Powder opened her arms again, allowing Li Lin to pick her up again.
At Huck's doorstep, Vi, seemingly aware that her usually clingy sister hadn't followed, looked back as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately, her view was blocked by Claggor's robust figure.
"Claggor, you should lose weight," she sarcastically commented without any mercy.
In the bewildered expression of Claggor and the suppressed laughter of Milo, Vi struck the abandoned blast-resistant door assembled in front of them.
"Who, who's there..." A somewhat sharp male voice echoed in the room.
"It's me, Vi."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then, accompanied by a grating metal friction sound, the metal door slowly opened.
A middle-aged man with glasses, a slender figure, and a ponytail that rivaled a programmer's hairline emerged from behind the door.
"Vi, hehehe, what brings you here?"
Huck had a peculiar habit of laughing with a few "hehe" sounds, leaving a somewhat rustic impression.
This habit developed from his efforts to please others to avoid being bullied due to his naturally small stature.
"Vander has something for me. What about you, Huck?"
"Hmm, do you know Li Lin?"
Vi, not paying much attention to Huck's peculiar habit, nodded and gestured with her thumb towards the back, where only Claggor was visible.
"Li Lin... Hmm," he pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Hehehe, of course, a few days ago at Vander's pub, someone clad in steel armor, right? Hehe, I was there too."
Vi nodded and spoke calmly, "Yeah, he wants to explore the Undercity, needs a guide, and Vander thinks you're suitable."
"Of course, hehe, Vander's friend is my friend... Ready to go now?"
"Sure, Li Lin is waiting over there." Vi paused for a moment, "If you have the time."
"No problem, hehe, let me get ready."
Huck pushed up his glasses and turned to enter the house.
After two minutes, when he reappeared at the door, he had added a slightly worn-out coat.
Huck followed behind Claggor, Milo, and Vi, crossing the bridge. Huck and Li Lin exchanged greetings:
"Hehehe, Mr. Li Lin, may the haze not enter your home... You may not know me; hehe, I'm Huck."
Li Lin, noticing the somewhat hunched back and a timid appearance, vaguely remembered this man.
He had sat next to three troublemakers in the bar that day and seemed to be afraid of getting involved in their conflict, moving to a corner alone.
"May the haze not enter your home," Li Lin politely reciprocated.
"Alright, you've met him; we'll be heading back now... Powder." Vi called out to Powder, then waved to Claggor and Milo.
After that, she walked around Li Lin and descended the stairs.
"Uh, Vi, what's wrong with you today?" Claggor finally noticed her unusual state.
"I don't know... but women, you know, have those days once a month," Milo chuckled, covering his mouth.
"Alright, Milo, you dare to speak ill of your sister. I'll tell her that!" Powder jumped down from Li Lin's arms and made a face at Milo, shouting.
"I... I learned this knowledge from books!" Milo blushed, defending himself, "It's not badmouthing!"
However, fearing that Powder might say something to Vi, he rushed past Li Lin, bypassing him and catching up with Vi.
Claggor shook his head with a wry smile, his face showing a trace of helplessness. Following Li Lin, he said his goodbyes and caught up with the others.
Only Powder remained in place.
"Will you go to the tavern today?" She raised her little face, and her azure eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I... can't promise, but I'll try."
"Okay, agreed!"
Completely ignoring Li Lin's intended message, Powder skipped to the stairs, turned around, and winked at him.
"But don't lie to me again!"
With that, she waved goodbye to Li Lin, quickly catching up with the trio ahead.
"This kid..." Li Lin smiled helplessly.
Then, he redirected his gaze to Huck, who was standing nearby.
Huck, under Li Lin's scrutiny, lowered his head, rubbing his hands and emitting a few light laughs, "Hehehe..."
Why do I feel like I'm the bad guy who bullies honest people...
Looking at his appearance, Li Lin couldn't help but have this thought in his mind.
"Cough, alright." He shook off distracting thoughts and cleared his throat.
"I'm looking for a coast with a significant tidal range, a terrain that can store a large amount of seawater, and suitable for constructing some projects... Do you know a place like that?"
(End of this chapter)
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