Acquiring the Core

"How the f*ck does this work?"

I'm very frustrated right now.

I follow the instructions on the blueprint to the tee, yet the lamp still didn't activate.

I have every single materials needed, well, according to the blueprint at least.

I have a jar. I have a bulb. I have a connector. I have pretty much everything needed.

It's just that...

The battery won't f*cking work.

I tried connecting the bulb with a direct outlet, but it still didn't work.

I, to my great shame, also tried to shove the bulb directly into the outlet.

Don't know why I thought that would've worked.

Anyways, there IS one thing that I haven't tried yet.

Magic, more specifically, hextech.

Hextech is elemental and spirit magic combined with technology, in order to advance it.

It works as a power source for ALMOST anything.

It's a sound plan. Use a hextech core as fuel for my lamp.

There's just a small problem; I don't know how to get them.

"Well sh*t... what do I do now?"

I COULD steal it from my parents... the problem with that is; they have a very limited supply of it. One that is crucial to their work as well.

'I need someone to provide for me.'

Option #1 was a no-go.

As for Option #2?

Just a slight bit more dangerous.

I'll have to steal from a processing plant.

As with every plans, there must be a flaw.

The flaw is that I'm weak. Way too weak. There's no chance of me surprising the guards.

Even if I somehow got past the guards, there are the security alarm and robots as well.

But... what if I hire someone to do it?

That could work. Just need to head a little bit deep into Zaun.

...

I got out of my house and I headed straight for the boundary between Zaun and Piltover.

Well, not like there WAS a boundary, just an invisible line.

Anyways, the moment I crossed that, I noticed many things that are different.

#1 was the air. The air was contaminated with smog. Green smog.

Well, I don't feel safe at all, but can't back out now.

#2 was the buildings. Unlike Piltover's modernistic style, Zaun was more of... towery-ish?

The buildings were stacked atop each other, and it's a wonder how people get outside.

I COULD spend a whole day talking about the differences, but no, I have a job to do.

I went straight to a pub. That wasn't my safest idea, but it was the most efficient idea.

I entered the pub, and I was surprised when no one looked at me.

'Welp, everything can't go like a novel I suppose.'

One thing that surprised me was the ages of the patrons.

They were all young; just like me, with a few exceptions of course.

I walked up to the bar and the bartender asked in a gruff tone, "Service or Request?"

I considered his words for a few moments, then went with the one that made the most sense.

"Request."

He rose an eyebrow at me, evidently surprised.

"What kind?"

"Stealing."

He chuckled, then motioned me to the table closest to the bar.

Slouching on the chair was a middle-aged man who was drinking out of a mug.

When I sat down at the table, he looked up from his drink and asked me with a disinterested tone, "What do you need me to acquire?"

"A small hextech core."

Now he was interested.

He sat up straight and locked eyes with me.

"What can you offer? You'd know that it's not an easy job."

I'm aware that it isn't. Problem is, I have nothing to offer.

F*ck... I'd feel like such a scumbag for doing this.

"My parents work at the prestigious Piltover Academy. I can call in a favor for you with them. You KNOW that they would be able to give something to you.

They can't, because they don't even work there.

"How can I guarantee that you'll keep your promise?"

"I'll give you my contact & location. You can come for me if I don't keep my promise."

"Deal."

No, there's no deals here.

This guy was lying to me. I can see it in his eyes. He's not the type of person to do something without reassurance.

"When will you get the core?"

"3 days from now. You can meet me anywhere, as long as it's in Zaun. I'm not crossing over to Piltover any time soon."

'Is he on a run from someone? That was the first thing that came to mind, but I buried it.'

Now was not the time to question his past, but the time to set up a trap.

I'd definitely feel guilty for this later on...

...

After leaving the pub, I went around searching for someone.

No, more like someTHING.

It was Warwick. I know a little bit of its lore. It was formerly a gangster who wanted to live a better life, but was captured and experimented on by Singed, the mad alchemist.

Although now he kills people, he only kill ones who are stained with blood.

I'm sure my hired man is a man stained with blood.

Warwick, and even Singed, likely has no interest in hextech things.

If he brings the core with him to my planned location, he'll likely be killed by Warwick.

Now... where IS Warwick?

Let's start with alleyways. You're much more likely to find something like Warwick in an alleyway anywa-

AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Welp, there he was.

I tracked the source of the sound, and noted the street name and any special defining features it has.

Cool. I know where to send the dude now. I'll come exactly 30 minutes after the designated time. Hopefully he dies by then.

I headed back to the pub and told the bartender the location of our meeting, and asked him to relay the news to my man.

Have a good last request, Mr. I-Don't-Know-Your-Name.