Blood Stains the Long Bridge (Part 2)

The Rusted Claw and a seemingly magical Purple Scythe collided in mid-air. The claw was then cut in half without resistance, along with the user's hands. Ling Ying let out a sneer, twisting her wrist to change the Scythe's direction and sweep upwards. The head of a distorted mutant with a ferocious expression flew into the sky before rolling into the canal.

Despite their companion being so easily slain, the remaining mutants showed no fear or other negative emotions. Instead, they charged forward with increasing excitement. Ling Ying, naturally, welcomed this wholeheartedly. She stopped in her tracks, waiting for them to attack.

"Caw!"

Three mutants shrieked and leaped into the air. Their legs, far thicker than their bodies, gave them excellent jumping ability, allowing them to attack from above. However, weapons like steel pipes and daggers in their hands clearly couldn't harm Ling Ying. She yawned unhurriedly. As the three mutants closed in, she suddenly reversed her Scythe, and the strangely shaped hilt slammed into one of them, sending him flying. Facing the other two mutants who followed closely, Ling Ying suddenly vanished into the black mist. This maneuver left her attackers unsure of what to do. While they were stunned, Ling Ying, still hidden, emerged from the black mist behind them. She easily lifted the two unsuspecting mutants like chicks and slammed them onto the ground. The two powerless mutants fell headfirst from the air, landing on the hard bridge surface and dazing themselves. Before they could struggle to their feet, Ling Ying, who landed shortly after, kicked the Scythe she had left behind. The crescent-shaped blade spun across the bridge surface, cutting both unfortunate souls in half.

As the Scythe returned, Ling Ying turned to look at the other side. The mutant she had previously knocked away was impaled on her Doran's Blade, which was stuck in the ground, like a skewer. He was barely clinging to life.

Ling Ying let out a rare whistle, seemingly pleased with her little joke. This would have been impossible before, but now, she was deeply immersed in the ** from combat and slaughter, unable to extricate herself.

Unfortunately, her triumph didn't last long. A Mountain-like Giant Shadow swung past with the speed of a charge. Ling Ying, caught off guard, was sent flying like a cannonball. After tumbling in mid-air, she slammed into a pillar of the Long Bridge with a bang, chipping a corner of the marble carvings.

"Cough... cough..."

Ling Ying spat out a mouthful of phlegm mixed with blood. That blow had been quite unpleasant. She moved her limbs, confirming there were no serious injuries. She glanced down at the Big Mutant roaring at her below. It was clear this was his doing. Fortunately, her Voidification ability had significantly increased her body's toughness. Otherwise, an ordinary person would have been reduced to a bloody pulp by that impact. However, she was somewhat surprised by its agility, which didn't match its size. Taking advantage of the moment when it couldn't reach her, she observed it again. Soon, she noticed something unusual. The purple liquid filling the helmet-like object on the Big Mutant's head seemed lower, allowing her to glimpse a sliver of its bare scalp. However, the missing portion appeared to be slowly replenishing from an Implanted Infuser behind it.

"Some kind of Alchemical Potion?"

Ling Ying narrowed her eyes slightly. She had initially thought the liquid was some kind of life-sustaining nutrient and hadn't paid much attention, but now it seemed it might be a potion that greatly enhanced physical strength.

"Purple... it feels kind of disgusting on you guys," Ling Ying said lightly as she descended from the pillar, making a playful remark. Of course, the other party couldn't understand. It beat its chest with its arms like a gorilla and charged forward on all fours, like a Humanoid Tank. Its massive iron fist whistled through the air. Ling Ying naturally didn't choose to confront it directly. Her long Scythe, as agile as a dagger in her hands, twisted at a strange angle, grazing the iron fist before sharply flicking upwards. The sharp blade easily cut through its Metal Bracer and Shackles. Just as it was about to sever the arm beneath, the Big Mutant, having suffered a loss, reacted in time. It retracted its right fist and forcefully thrust its similarly armored shoulder forward, forcing Ling Ying to abandon her attack and dodge to the side.

Her attack unsuccessful, Ling Ying didn't seem anxious. After a moment of eye contact with the enemy, she suddenly accelerated forward. Before the Big Mutant could react, she instantly changed direction and leaped onto a nearby bridge pillar. She took several steps on it, using it as leverage, and with dazzling speed, spun in mid-air to land behind the Big Mutant. From this angle, she could clearly see the entire Alchemical Infuser system connected to its helmet. The device reminded her of Warwick, the Mutated Wolf she had encountered in the Bottom City; he had a similar set of equipment.

"Do these two... have any connection?"

The thought crossed her mind, but her actions didn't pause. Twisting her wrist, she brought the Scythe down vertically towards the mutant's back. The Big Mutant, clearly sensing Ling Ying's move, roared and grabbed behind itself with both hands to stop her. The curved blade, however, like a venomous snake, nimbly dodged his grasping fists and struck its target.

"Bang!"

The severed Infuser exploded with a bang, and purple liquid splattered out like a fountain. The portion that landed on the bridge evaporated and dissipated at a visible rate. The liquid inside the Big Mutant's grotesque helmet changed, bubbling rapidly as the level receded. Seconds later, a fierce-looking but still within the bounds of normal human appearance, male face appeared before Ling Ying. A long scar ran from his forehead to his chin, suggesting he might have been a killer or bodyguard in the past. Of course, regardless of his former identity, he was now an undeniable monster. Neither Zaun nor Piltover would ever accept him; the only place for him was hell.

Ling Ying stood to the side, watching the man roar and clutch his head with both fists, slamming it against the ground in pain. The strange Alchemical Potion seemed to be having a profound effect on him. After observing for a while and seeing that he had no capacity to attack her, Ling Ying subtly moved behind him. The blade of her Scythe ignited with clear Void Flames. The curved blade sliced through the air with a sharp sound, striking towards the back of his neck.

"?"

The expected scene of a head falling did not occur because all the Purple Markings on the Big Mutant's body lit up like Neon Lights. This sudden change caused Ling Ying a moment of disorientation. When she came to her senses, she found the Big Mutant turning towards her with unexpected speed. Its muscular arm grabbed Ling Ying, who couldn't dodge in time. Its fingers, as thick as steel pipes, clamped down.

"Crack."

An ominous crisp sound echoed. Ling Ying grunted and quickly tilted her body, spinning her Scythe in a crescent shape. A flash of cold light cut through the air, and three of the Big Mutant's five fingers were severed, allowing Ling Ying to break free from its grasp and fall to the ground.

"Hiss."

Stumbling several times and nearly falling, Ling Ying finally regained her footing. The intense pain in her body made her grit her teeth, and the playful look in her eyes when she looked at the Big Mutant was gone. She didn't know why things weren't developing as she expected. Having lost its Implanted Infuser and the remaining Alchemical Potion, the Big Mutant's physical abilities were even greater than before, reaching a level that could genuinely threaten Ling Ying.

"Does the human body truly possess such potential?"

Ling Ying clutched her abdomen, which was in searing pain, and looked up at the Brute. Likewise, the Brute's eyes, which seemed to burn with two balls of purple flame, gazed down at Ling Ying from above. The next second, Ling Ying rapidly merged into the black mist. The Brute snapped off a streetlamp by the bridge and swung it in a wide circle around him, forcing Ling Ying, who hadn't managed to escape far, to retreat in disarray. At the same time, a strange howl from behind sent a chill down Ling Ying's spine.

"Caw!!"

Several dark figures suddenly leaped out from behind her. They were the other Mutants who had been following the Brute. With the Brute drawing most of her attention, Ling Ying hadn't noticed these guys had dispersed and circled around her. Then, simultaneously, they launched a surprise attack from the corners, pillars, and even from beneath the bridge. Ling Ying, while dodging the Brute's attack, was caught at an awkward angle.

Bang!

A gunshot suddenly rang out. A ball of electrified energy flew a hundred meters like lightning before suddenly exploding and expanding into a large net. Accelerated by its remaining kinetic energy, it ensnared two leaping Mutants, dragging them forcefully from mid-air to the ground. Ling Ying turned her head in surprise. She saw Chief Constable Caitlyn stylishly resting one leg on the twisted metal railing, pulling back the bolt of her ivory-white Hextech rifle with her right hand. A specially made casing rolled out of the chamber, clattering onto the ground.

"Vi..."

"Aha! Heavy punch incoming!"

Before Caitlyn could finish, Vi, with her signature Hextech Gauntlets, dashed in from the side and slammed her Punishment fist into a Mutant. The already hunched figure instantly curled up like a shrimp and was sent flying. On the other side, with the pressure suddenly reduced, Ling Ying easily slashed and killed the Mutants attacking her head-on. She surged forward, breaking through the encirclement. Her Scythe swung upwards, hooking the unlucky Mutant's stomach, and then she yanked backward.

Screech!

The Mutant's body was sliced in half from the middle by the Scythe, sending blood and guts flying everywhere.

"Whoa."

Even though she had fought and seen blood before, Vi rarely experienced such a stimulating scene. She stared at the bloody mess, momentarily stunned. Ling Ying, however, stood up calmly, flicking the blood off her Scythe with her right hand.

"Hey! What's going on?"

Forcing herself to ignore the discomfort, Vi took a step closer and asked Ling Ying.

"I don't know."

Ling Ying's expression was blank.

"But clearly, these guys aren't subject to your usual laws for punishing criminals."

"Ah, I figured."

Vi looked at the three-meter-tall Humanoid Tank opposite them with a complex expression.

"Looks like I'll have to throw a few more punches to get any answers."

"Then you'll have to put in a lot of effort... Careful."

Ling Ying shoved Vi aside and swung her Scythe forward with her other hand, cleaving the incoming metal streetlamp in two. Seeing his attack neutralized, the Brute roared and yanked another streetlamp pole from beside him with one hand. As he swung it around to throw, another gunshot rang out. The bullet, moving too fast to track, pierced the strange helmet and struck the Brute directly in his left eye.

"Oww!"

The Brute screamed and flung the streetlamp away, instinctively covering his left eye with his hand. Perhaps he had used too much force, as he smashed his own helmet with his palm. Numerous glass-like shards scattered, instantly exposing his head to everyone's view without any protection.

"Open fire!"

Caitlyn waved her hand and gave the order. Dense gunfire erupted the next moment, like rain, bullets poured towards the Brute. Most were deflected by his metal-like defense. A smaller portion, following Caitlyn's trajectory, hit the Brute's face, causing significant secondary damage.

"Vi! Throw me!"

Ling Ying, well aware that striking while the iron is hot was the way to go, turned to Vi beside her. The latter immediately understood. The heat dissipation vents above the Hextech Gauntlets suddenly opened to their maximum, accompanied by the roar of internal micro-engines. Puffs of scorching gas spewed out. Ling Ying leaped back, and Vi, in perfect sync, grabbed her legs with her gauntlets and flung her forward like a discus.

"Whoosh!"

Ling Ying shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. In mere seconds, she closed the distance to the Brute. He naturally sensed Ling Ying's intent and swiped at her with his free hand. Ling Ying, flying at high speed, instantly performed a series of agile rolls, transforming into a Little Top as she glided along his arm to his back. She hooked her Scythe, and the blade sliced through the Brute's armpit, severing it cleanly. The Brute's mountain-like body trembled, swaying to one side amidst a spray of blood.

"Eat my fist!"

Whether it was taking advantage of his weakened state or not, Vi leaped forward and delivered a powerfully charged punch from her Hextech Gauntlets to the Brute's face.

"Bang!"

Scorching steam spread out from the back of his head. Vi's charged punch had completely deformed the Brute's face. His entire right cheek caved inward. After this "cosmetic surgery," his body finally lost its balance and toppled backward. At this moment, Ling Ying, who had already moved behind him, launched a surprise attack with a Shadow Dance, her blade falling swiftly to sever the Brute's head.

"Boom!"

Like a heavy hammer hitting the ground, a three-meter-tall Decapitated Corpse inflicted yet another hardship upon the ill-fated Long Bridge. Without comprehensive and systematic repairs, this bridge would likely be unusable.

"Team One, maintain vigilance. Teams Two and Three, spread out and search for survivors."

Seeing the Brute fall, Caitlyn finally breathed a sigh of relief. She waved her hand, signaling the officers to follow her orders. Then, she lowered her rifle and, with an expression of extreme caution, stepped carefully across the blood-soaked, corpse-strewn bridge towards Ling Ying and Vi in the center.

"Is the Young Lady not scared senseless by this scene?"

Ling Ying's killing intent gradually dissipated, and the human light in her Vertical Pupils gradually returned. Her tone carried a hint of teasing.

"You always seem to run into rather extraordinary things."

Facing Ling Ying's teasing, Caitlyn merely shook her head with a helpless smile. But then, she added with a touch of relief.

"Fortunately, you were here. If an attack of this magnitude hadn't been stopped in time, I can't imagine the casualties it would have inflicted on the citizens of the Borders District. It's just a pity about these innocent people on the bridge."

Sighing with a worried expression, Caitlyn turned to look at the Brute's corpse and said, still shaken.

"What was that? Do you have any idea?"

"I'm not sure either."

Ling Ying shook her head decisively.

"But I can be sure of one thing: although this guy looked exaggerated, he hadn't completely stepped outside the realm of humanity. So... if I had to guess, perhaps some kind of Bio-engineered Human? As for how it was done, I suspect it's related to an Alchemical Potion, a purple one, with a bit of fluorescence..."

"You mean this was... a modified human? But this..."

"Perhaps it's possible..."

As Ling Ying and Caitlyn were talking, Vi suddenly walked over to the Brute's corpse, muttering to herself, and squatted down to observe it. This clearly attracted the attention of the two.

"What? Did you find something?"

"I don't know if it counts as a discovery."

Vi stared at the corpse for a while, then stood up and replied to Caitlyn.

"When I was patrolling Bottom City before, I found that an Alchemical Potion was popular there. After taking it, it could temporarily enhance human physical functions. Of course, it wasn't as exaggerated as these guys. According to them, it might strengthen a person to fight ten. The most obvious side effect of that thing was that it caused the user's body to develop patterns similar to this corpse, and temporary weakness after the effect wore off. If I remember correctly, the name of that thing was Glimmer."

"Glimmer? A name that sounds... very uninspired..."

Caitlyn murmured, stroking her chin in thought.

"So, this attack might have been planned by people from Bottom City? To cause this level of chaos, these guys can already be considered some kind of biological weapon, right? Has Bottom City's bio-technology reached this level?"

"Well, Bottom City's views are indeed different from Piltover's. For example, most of them don't think it's inhumane to use all sorts of Alchemical Potions on the human body, nor do they think there's anything wrong with replacing their arms and legs with Alchemical Prosthetics. So, in terms of bio-technology, Bottom City might not necessarily be inferior to Piltover. Of course, it's still too early to conclude and convict Bottom City based on this, right? After all, they have no motive to launch an attack at this critical juncture."

"Indeed."

Caitlyn nodded slightly, agreeing with Vi's statement.

"However, the investigation into Zaun is unavoidable, as they are the most suspicious. Afterwards, the Twin Cities Joint Management Committee will intervene, and our detectives will be dispatched to Bottom City for investigation. In short, the Alchemy Barons must provide an explanation for this incident. At least an explanation that the citizens of the Twin Cities can accept."

As she spoke, Caitlyn suddenly looked towards the other end of the Long Bridge with a wry smile.

"I have a feeling that after this incident, a storm that cannot be easily quelled may be waiting for us."