When Viktor woke up, he was lying in a bed with a furrowed brow. He coughed as he got up and sat on the edge of the bed, looking around.
This is a small room, decorated in a retro style, exuding a warm atmosphere. Various odds and ends are piled on the table, but it doesn't look messy. A pile of clothes is hung on a shelf in the corner, and a photo frame is in front of the small cabinet by the bed.
A white-haired boy and a chubby man.
"Is that Ekko?" Viktor recognized the boy in the photo; he was the one who had kidnapped him along with another dark-haired youth.
Looking around, Viktor determined where he was.
It's Zaun.
He went back to Zaun.
"Awake?"
The door opened, and the white-haired boy handed Viktor a cup, saying, "Viktor, have some water first."
Viktor silently reached out and took the glass, glanced at it, took two sips, and then looked at Ekko, asking, "What is your purpose in bringing me here?"
"Don't be nervous, we won't hurt you. As for our purpose, you'll have to ask our Boss." Ekko smiled at Viktor. He knew Viktor was from Zaunite, so Ekko had no prejudice against Viktor.
As for Viktor, he went to Piltover.
To be honest, not every Zaunite goes to Piltover is a traitor. There's nothing wrong with people going to better places for a better life.
However, one cannot say that one's hometown is bad. Viktor is not that kind of person. Ekko learned about Viktor's character from Singed. He knew that Viktor was ostracized in Piltover, but he also protected the interests of Zaun students at Piltover University and spoke up for Zaun.
Such a person deserves Ekko's respect.
How long have I been asleep?
"The sack was filled with sleeping pills all night, sorry."
After Ekko finished speaking, he clapped his hands, stood up, looked at Viktor, and said, "Can you stand up by yourself? I'll take you to see our Boss now; he's been waiting for you for a long time."
Viktor nodded, reached for his cane beside the bed, and propped himself up on his thin frame.
As Viktor walked out the door with Ekko, he saw the scene outside and his eyes widened in shock.
Because what lay before him was not the dilapidated Zaun he remembered.
Instead, it was a place with fresh, clean air, wide and clean streets, walls covered with beautiful graffiti, children running and playing on the road, women selling homemade snacks, and men walking together in groups wearing different styles of work clothes, their faces beaming with smiles.
"This..." Viktor's eyes widened, his mouth agape in disbelief.
No, you call this "Zaun"?
Is this still the Zaun region?
"This is Zaun's Hope Community. What, you've never seen Zaun like this before?" Ekko saw Viktor's expression, smiled proudly, and said loudly as he looked up.
"Viktor, Zaun has changed. It's not the Zaun of the past anymore. Now, Zaun the gangs have to cower and hide in Zaun."
Now, people no longer have to worry about being harmed for returning home late at night, and merchants no longer have to worry about being extorted for protection money. Moreover, Zaun is opening various factories, and every Zaunite, as long as they are willing to work, can find a good job and no longer need to Piltover to make a living.
"Did your Boss make this?" Viktor reached out and tugged at Ekko's arm, his eyes filled with excitement.
"Yes, he changed Zaun." Ekko nodded with a smile.
"And now, he needs your help, Viktor."
Viktor was shocked by what he saw. He had always wanted to make Zaun a better place, but his voice carried little weight. He had hoped to rely on Jayce to get the two cities to cooperate and eliminate the barriers between them, but in the end, he failed.
But now Zaun has suddenly become better?
This caused Viktor's body to tremble involuntarily, and his fatigue was somewhat dispelled by excitement. He looked at Ekko: "Take me to see him."
"No problem." Ekko waved and walked forward, gesturing for Viktor to follow him.
Half an hour later, it wouldn't actually take that long to get from Hope Community to the Lian Hua Gang's stronghold, but Viktor's physical condition was very poor, so Ekko slowed down.
After greeting the Lian Hua Gang members guarding the gate, Ekko led Viktor inside the Lian Hua Gang.
"You guys, are you also a gang?" Viktor asked, looking at the Lian Hua Gang members who were dressed differently, had tattoos, and wore clothes with petal patterns.
"It used to be, but it's not anymore," Ekko said after thinking for a moment.
"You killed the law enforcement officer and altered the water pipes, did you do that too?"
"Yes, we're the biggest in Zaun right now," Ekko nodded.
"Alright, Viktor, if you have any questions, go talk to our Boss." Seeing that Viktor was about to speak, Ekko interrupted him.
Then, he led Viktor to the largest house in the settlement. Manzu was on guard duty that day. Upon seeing Ekko, he smiled and nodded, then looked at Viktor and greeted him, "This must be Viktor, right? Hey, Viktor, welcome back to Zaun."
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Viktor didn't say anything, he just followed Ekko. On the way, Viktor couldn't help but wonder what kind of person the Boss of the Lian Hua Gang would be.
It's said that the Piltover council members conducted a special investigation and initiated a project against him after that incident, but Viktor didn't get any information about the Lian Hua Gang Boss from Jayce because Jayce didn't want Viktor to know these things, fearing that it would make Viktor's health worse.
Therefore, Viktor began to speculate about the appearance of the Lian Hua Gang Boss. Given his control over Zaun, he must possess immense fighting prowess. Was he muscular or obese?
He must be quite old, hopefully middle-aged rather than elderly. Having accomplished this in his prime, Viktor has reason to believe he will make Zaun a better place in the coming decades—provided, of course, that he's still alive.
With this thought in mind, Viktor entered the gate, and after turning two corners, Viktor was led by Ekko to a door. Ekko reached out and knocked on the door, and a young voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Viktor paused, realizing the voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Ekko pushed open the door, then looked at Viktor. "Go in, the Boss is inside."
Viktor, leaning on his cane, went inside, and then he froze.
He guessed wrong. He guessed everything wrong!
Inside the house, there wasn't just one person, but a group of people.
A gigantic, wolf-like monster, a gaunt, black-haired man with half his face disfigured, a short, hairy, blond man waving to him, and a man with a cloth strip wrapped around his chin.
It's Professor Heimerdinger and Professor Singed!
The most eye-catching one was a pretty girl with blue hair tied in a long braid, sitting there crunching away on cookies. Her cute face puffed up like a squirrel's, and her white, glowing hands kept grabbing cookies and stuffing them into her mouth.
Beside her stood a cool-looking woman with red hair and a jacket, and sitting between them was a young man with a smiling face, smooth black hair, delicate features, and a gentle temperament, who seemed very approachable.
Viktor had just met this man last night.
"Viktor, I'm sorry for forcibly bringing you to Zaun last night." The young man stood up, looked at Viktor, and said.
Viktor harbored resentment; anyone who is abducted without a word would almost certainly feel resentment.
But now, seeing the young man smile at him during the day, had Viktor's resentment dissipated?
Instead, I found myself liking him a lot?!
No, what's going on?
Li Ke smiled and walked towards Viktor, extending his hand.
"Let me formally introduce myself."
"My name is Li Ke, I am the Boss of the Lian Hua Gang, and the current leader of Zaun."
"It's a pleasure to meet you in Zaun, Viktor."