Piltover--
In the private building belonging to Councilor Talis, a sickly-looking, pale-skinned young man with black hair, leaning on a cane, struggled to push open the laboratory door, his face etched with exhaustion.
"Viktor, what brings you here? You should get some rest."
In the lab, Jayce, who was reviewing documents, turned around when he heard the door open. He saw that it was Viktor who had entered, frowned, and said in a deep voice.
"Compared to me, you are the one who should rest more right now. Mel already told me, Jayce, haven't you rested for two days?" A gentle voice sounded, and Viktor looked up at the table and saw densely packed documents piled up haphazardly, with various notes made by Jayce on them.
Jayce sat in a chair, looking tired. He reached up to rub his forehead and said in a low voice, "I've been resting. You don't need to worry about me."
Walking to the table, Viktor reached out and touched the papers, a faint smile playing on his lips. He looked at Jayce and shook his head, saying, "Jayce, I don't care."
"But I care!" Jayce suddenly stood up, looked at Viktor, and said earnestly, "Don't give up, Viktor, I will help you perfect the Hexcore, I will succeed."
"Will you succeed?" Viktor nodded noncommittally and said softly, "I believe in you, Jayce. You will succeed. You are the most capable person I have ever met. But not now, Jayce. You have too many responsibilities on your shoulders right now."
"The professor is right. Hextech has led us astray. You were lost in the pursuit of reputation, and I was lost in the will to survive."
Viktor reached out and grabbed the paper draft Jayce had made, crumpling it into a ball. His lips parted slightly. "Remember, Jayce? We weren't like this before."
Jayce fell silent.
After a moment, he said to Viktor:
"I know, Viktor, I apologize to you. When you needed me most, I... I... Anyway, Viktor, I have already applied to resign from my position as a senator. I will no longer serve as a senator."
He understood what Viktor meant; he had indeed lost himself and forgotten what he originally wanted.
He lost himself in the pursuit of fame and fortune, but after learning about Viktor's physical condition, Jayce immediately focused all his attention on Viktor.
During this time, Jayce also became certain of one thing: becoming a senator and being the center of attention. He certainly enjoyed this honor, but the responsibilities that came with it, as well as the infighting among political interests, all of that made Jayce feel mentally exhausted.
When did he forget the initial joy?
It's roughly when you're dressed in a congressman's robes, walk onto the stage, put down the gavel, and become a politician.
"Jayce, that's not the issue." Viktor shook his head. "It's this thing; we really can't investigate it any further."
"Hextech is not as simple as we think, especially after being fused with runes. As the professor said, the Hexcore is something we cannot control."
"Then what do you want me to do!" Jayce roared at Viktor. After days of fruitless research, with all sorts of pressure on him and no rest, Jayce was seething with anger.
The problems of Piltover, the problems of Zaun, the problems of Noxus, the problems of Viktor
Becoming a member of parliament, yet facing numerous problems, none of which he could solve!
Especially Viktor's problem!
"Hextech doesn't belong to me, Jayce Talis, alone; it belongs to both of us! You say give up, Viktor, then what do you want me to do? Do you want me to just watch my best brother die in front of me? You want me to do nothing? Have you even considered my feelings?"
Viktor stared blankly at Jayce, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
Jayce stared at Viktor, stunned, then slumped back in his chair, burying his face in his hands, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Viktor, I didn't mean it. I've just been so confused lately."
"But Viktor, I won't listen to you on this. Please wait, wait for me to bring you good news."
Jayce didn't look at Viktor, but lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Enforcer!"
At Jayce's command, the law enforcement officer responsible for protecting him immediately entered.
He looked at Viktor and pleaded, "Leave me alone, Viktor."
Viktor sighed and nodded. "Take care, Jayce."
"I will."
Before leaving, Viktor glanced at Jayce and then departed from the laboratory.
Accompanied by law enforcement officers, Viktor gripped his cane more tightly.
Jayce was doing it for his own good, but Hexcore are really not something they can control.
Is the ability to evolve really a good thing?
A hint of confusion flashed in Viktor's eyes.
Late at night, Viktor sat on the edge of his bed, looking at the manuscript depicting the Hexcore. After much thought, Viktor finally sighed.
He said so many righteous words to Jayce today, but in the end, when faced with the Hexcore, he himself hesitated again.
A moment later, Viktor placed the manuscript on his bedside table and prepared to go to sleep.
His body can no longer support him sitting or working for extended periods.
Lying in bed, Viktor closed his eyes, clearing his mind of all distractions and calming his thoughts.
But then he suddenly heard a sound.
At first, Viktor thought it was law enforcement officers on patrol, but after closing his eyes and frowning as he listened carefully, Viktor realized something was amiss.
The rustling sounds... like people talking outside the door?
"Ekko, you're being a bit ruthless."
"Anyway, I won't die."
"Is this the door the professor was referring to?"
Let me see.
"This is the door, Boss, Viktor is inside."
Viktor woke up instantly, sat up, picked up his cane, and frowned as he looked at the iron gate.
They came looking for me, and they even knocked out the law enforcement officer?
This doesn't seem like something Piltover resident would do, but will the Zaunite cause him trouble?
No, that can't be. The Zaunite don't even know him. So, is Noxians?
Because Jayce rejected them, are they planning to take revenge on Jayce by sacrificing themselves?
Viktor took a deep breath, but he wasn't afraid, because the door was built by Jayce specifically to protect him.
Since his health problems started, Viktor has moved into Jayce's residence. Jayce has provided him with the best resources for everything, from his living arrangements to his security. Viktor's current treatment is better than that of a congressman.
The people outside were still talking, and they weren't even lowering their voices.
This further convinced Viktor that the Noxians.
Only they would be that arrogant.
"I can't open this door. It's not something I can break open. How did they do it? Wow, has Piltover's craftsmanship reached this level? Boss, you're right, we really should learn from Piltover."
"Move aside, Ekko, let me handle this."
After he said that, Viktor saw that things outside had quieted down, but immediately, the steel door that Jayce had built began to tremble.
"The commotion was too loud!"
"It's alright, just knock them out if they're discovered."
"."
Upon hearing this, Viktor saw the door trembling violently—no, the entire room was shaking. Seeing this, he got up, put on his coat, and, leaning on his cane, walked towards the door.
Reaching the edge of the door, Viktor said, "That's enough. I'll open the door myself."
As he spoke, Viktor reached out and pressed a button on the wall. Only when he got closer did Viktor realize that the wall was already cracked.
What would have happened if he had spoken a little later?
Viktor thought for a moment and figured that the door and the wall had probably been lifted together, but was that really something a human could do? Viktor didn't know the weight of the door, but he figured it must have been at least two thousand pounds.
With a whoosh, the door opened via a mechanism, and in the light of the hallway, Viktor saw two young men in front of him.
One had black hair, the other had white hair, and they were wearing... etc.
This is not Noxians!!!
Just then, the black-haired youth standing at the front, still holding the doorknob, looked at him and revealed a sunny smile.
Good evening, Viktor.
"Ekko, make your move!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the white-haired youth next to him took out a burlap sack, jumped in, and covered his head with it.
"Hmm--"
These were Viktor's last sounds before he fell into a coma.