Vi, She's Here

The Gutter has been unstable these past few days. First, two major disturbances erupted in the Upper City, causing tensions between Piltover and Zaun to rise again. Now, the Gutter has openly revealed its other side to Piltover without any pretense.

Starting a few days ago, ordinary residents of the Gutter stayed indoors, but even so, Gang Members would violently kick down their doors, claiming it was a safety inspection before proceeding to ransack their homes. Those with sticky fingers would take things from their houses. The residents of the Gutter dared not speak out despite their anger.

Piltover Enforcers did not directly intervene in this incident in the Gutter. The Enforcers were well aware that the situation deep within Zaun was very troublesome and dangerous. Without a direct order from their superiors, they wouldn't risk their lives on daily patrols.

How much salary do they get in a month? Is it worth risking their lives?

As for the people of Zaun themselves, this incident was merely another display of Silco's methods after his rise to power. Ever since Silco took charge, Zaun had completely changed. It had become richer, but also more chaotic.

As long as power remained in his hands, he didn't care about the infighting among his subordinates, especially the Minor Gangs. Silco would even intentionally instigate such conflicts, using the hatred between these Minor Gangs to divert their hatred away from himself, thereby maintaining his status and power.

Under these circumstances, a new gang appeared in the Gutter.

A group of young people, formerly from the Black Alley, gathered together. Wielding weapons that looked crude but were powerful, they began rapidly seizing territory and establishing their own influence.

And on the territory they seized, there would often be a Blue-Pink Flower Graffiti.

But no one paid it any mind, because new gangs appeared in Zaun every day.

On the second floor of the Fugen Tavern, Silco looked at Sevika before him, his tone filled with anger.

"I ask you, how many days has it been?"

"It's been ten days," Sevika replied, lowering her head. Most of the graffiti on her face had disappeared, but some traces remained. The patterns Jinx, that brat, had drawn on her face with a highlighter marker were quite long-lasting.

Silco picked up a document from the Western Glow Factory on the table. Looking at the records, he frowned and asked Sevika, "Where is she?"

Sevika replied, "They are no longer in the Gutter. I've searched everywhere I could think of. We've turned over every house, and we didn't even spare the Orphanage. There's no trace of them."

"I thought you weren't one to make excuses, but what are you doing now? This is the second time."

Tapping his fingers on the table, Silco put down the document and looked at Sevika. "You've searched the Gutter, so go search the Mid-level Plaza. If she's not in the Mid-level Plaza, then go to the Dance Hall. Do I need to teach you how to do this simple task step by step?"

Sevika fell silent. After a long pause, she looked up and met Silco's gaze. "And then what? If Jinx isn't found in the Mid-level Plaza or the Dance Hall, will you send people to the Upper City to look for her?"

Silco: "..."

Silco's good eye narrowed, and his voice turned cold. "Can I assume now that you have an issue with me?"

"What else? Ever since that brat grew up, whenever she caused some trouble, you've been cleaning up her mess. Do you really think she sees you as a father? Or have you become unable to do without this daughter?" Sevika took a deep breath, faced Silco, and continued, "At this time, you want to send people to the Mid-level Plaza and the Dance Hall to find her? Our smuggled goods are still in the Piltover authorities' custody, and many people are locked up in prison."

"Silco, in your heart, is she more important, or is Zaun more important? Do you still remember what you told me back then?" Sevika asked the question she had wanted to ask for years.

Since Jinx grew up... no, she hasn't even grown up yet. Jinx is still just a child.

But precisely because she was a child who loved to cause trouble, Sevika had to help Jinx deal with her messes countless times. The troubles she caused, the messes she left behind, Silco would always have Sevika clean them up.

"Damn it, am I a fucking toilet paper?"

"Enough." Silco's eyes were filled with coldness, and he looked at Sevika like a venomous snake.

"I'll forgive you, this time, just for that arm." Silco looked at Sevika's hand, then continued, "But if there's a next time, you won't be able to stand here and talk to me."

Silco looked at Sevika very seriously and said, "I mean what I say."

Silco's threat silenced Sevika.

But she immediately said, "Oh really? Then I really don't know what choice Jinx will make then."

"Choice?"

Sevika was implying whether Jinx would choose Li Ke or him?

Silco sneered and said casually, "Her being with that boy is just temporary. That's just her personality, playful and carefree."

"But I'm not talking about Li Ke."

"What do you mean? Speak clearly." Silco frowned.

"It's Vi. She's back." Sevika said coldly.

As Sevika finished speaking, Silco's pupils contracted sharply.

In a street in Black Alley, Caitlyn paced back and forth with her hands behind her back, her face downcast and worried.

Should I give up on her?

No, I can't. She's someone I brought down here, so I have to take her back.

But in Zaun, what can I do alone?

I hated the power brought by the Giramann Family, believing everyone was equal. But now, without the power of my family, I can't do anything.

Caitlyn felt conflicted, and from a corner nearby, a weak voice sounded.

"Can you stop pacing in front of me? It's annoying, understand?"

"What should I do?" Hearing Vi's voice, Caitlyn quickly walked over and crouched down to look at her.

Vi opened her eyes and coughed, saying, "What do you mean, 'what should I do'? How would I know what you should do?"

As she spoke, Vi suddenly looked dazed and glanced behind Caitlyn. She seemed to see something, her eyes drifted, and she said softly, "I shouldn't have left you..."

Caitlyn's expression faltered. She took out a towel and pressed it against Vi's abdomen, saying softly, "It's okay. I can see that you're a kind person."

As Caitlyn finished speaking, Vi's eyes slowly closed.

Seeing Vi fall unconscious again, Caitlyn stood up, feeling a bit lost.

But just as Caitlyn was dazed, a group of people suddenly emerged and surrounded them.

They wore tattered clothes and were clearly from Zaun, but their mental state was different from the people Caitlyn had encountered on her journey.

They looked thin, but their spirits were high. Especially the brown-haired youth leading them – was he not poisoned by Glow?

Seeing them surround her, Caitlyn quickly drew her gun and aimed forward.

"Stop!"

"I am Enforcer Caitlyn!"

Caitlyn said nervously.

For some reason, at this moment, she suddenly remembered Vi's words when they first left Stillwater Prison, that she would be completely devoured by the people of Zaun.

"Enforcer?"

"Don't be nervous, Cop, we mean no harm." The youth at the front raised his hands and took another step forward.

"I said stop! I'll shoot if you come any closer!"

"Wait, please listen to me!"

"I'm Malson, Vi's friend. The one behind you, that's Vi, right?"

"We know her."

Caitlyn froze, blinking.

Malson, the youth at the front, had a sincere expression.

Seeing this, Caitlyn slowly lowered her gun.

"She's injured," Caitlyn said.

"I know, I've been following you. I know how to treat her. Weila, Manzu, help Vi up, we need to go back," Malson instructed.

Caitlyn stood quietly to the side, not interfering.