Chapter 106

The thought of that catastrophe in Shurima's history gave Chen Ce a headache so bad he felt like he couldn't bear to live anymore.

If Darkin like Aatrox, corrupted by the Void and lacking a true form, and weakened to some extent, can dominate Runeterra unchallenged, then wouldn't the Void, which crushed the Ascended army, easily destroy Runeterra?

In addition, it is no exaggeration to say that since the fall of the Shuriman Empire, the average combat strength on Runeterra has been declining.

Even at its peak, Runeterra was nearly wiped out by a small group of Void creatures; for the Void to annihilate Runeterra now would be even easier...

Looking across the entire universe, perhaps only beings of Aurelion Sol's Aurelion Sol could rival the Void...

But... the Aspects offended the Dragon King millions of years ago. Now, he's already being generous by not seeking revenge; how could he possibly help humanity fight against the Void?

There's no chance of winning, there's really no chance of winning...

Chen Ce slumped into a chair in despair.

Meanwhile, LeBlanc, unaware of what had happened, asked, "You look exhausted. Is the turbulent situation in Noxus and Ionia making you rack your brains?"

"..." Chen Ce was too lazy to respond. In the face of the Void, he suddenly felt that these so-called national conflicts were just like children playing house.

In the face of a global crisis of destruction, everything else becomes insignificant.

Even matters of national importance are no exception.

These are all minor matters...

"You don't need to worry, my dear Mr. Chen Ce." LeBlanc, of course, had no idea what the other was worried about; he was still thinking about her plan to "divide" Noxus. "I will pave the way for you; you just need to do as I say—if you are willing to trust me."

"Give me some time to think about it..." Chen Ce rubbed his temples in frustration, his mind not on such a "small problem" at all.

Once the Void descends, what can even a fraction of Noxus, or even ten or a hundred Noxus, do?

Are you worried that the Void creatures won't have enough to eat?

"You should go back now, LeBlanc... I'll give you an answer once I've thought it through."

"Hmm?" This answer surprised LeBlanc, but she wasn't in a hurry to get an answer right away. "No problem, you can think about it carefully—a few days is fine, a few months is fine, as long as you can give me the answer I want."

"Hmm..." Chen Ce simply closed his eyes.

But he waited for a while and still didn't hear the sound of high heels on the floor.

LeBlanc... obviously hasn't left yet.

"Why aren't you leaving?" he asked, his eyes still closed.

"I'll wait here for your reply," LeBlanc replied with a smile. "Anyway, this is just one of my countless clones, so it's not bad to keep you company."

"But your presence is distracting me from thinking."

"I can remain silent and out of your sight."

"You don't need to resort to such pointless methods to spy on me, LeBlanc."

"Mordekaiser... you made contact with him. On the battlefield."

"This does not affect our transaction."

"Hmm~ Who knows?" LeBlanc rested her chin on one hand, adopting an attitude of not wanting to leave. "Anyway, my clone will dissipate if I leave here, so I might as well spend more time with you—my dear Mr. Chen Ce."

Hearing this, Chen Ce was too lazy to argue about this pointless topic anymore. "Then go and cook for me. I think I can think better when I'm full."

"It's not impossible~" LeBlanc turned to look at the stew in the kitchen, surprisingly showing no resistance whatsoever. "My sincerity begins with becoming your personal maid~"

As she spoke, she actually went into the kitchen and got busy.

Chen Ce was somewhat surprised, but he was also happy to have some peace and quiet.

He opened his eyes again as the aroma of meat wafted through the air.

The warm-toned ceiling and the enticing aroma are right next to you.

Just like any other peaceful and beautiful night before.

So, things don't seem so bad after all—at least it's not truly over yet, is it?

He took a deep breath, and then a question arose from somewhere deep within his mind:

"How long until the Void descends?"

[The exact time is unknown; the time range is 1 to 100 years.]

At least one year...

"This world mission is the final one, does that mean there won't be any more world missions in the future?"

[...]

No response, which can be considered an admission...

"Will other functions still be available during this period?"

[Applicable.]

"Including interactive rewards, three-in-one features, etc."

[Applicable.]

Everything still applies...

So, it seems we haven't reached the point of utter despair yet...

What needs to be done now is to enhance oneself or one's power as much as possible before the Void descends, and to prevent the Void from descending and delay the arrival of the apocalypse as much as possible...

Hope... may still remain...

Even if it's just a tiny bit...

"There is still hope..."

Chen Ce let out another breath and looked at the piece of equipment that had inexplicably appeared in his hand—a small, reddish-brown protective gear.

[Heartsteel]

Without the slightest hesitation, he equipped himself with Heartsteel —judging from its shape, design, and size, it was probably a breastplate worn on the chest.

Click.

As the last metal ring snapped on, the system notification sounded again:

[Heartsteel: Provides the user with a high amount of [Vitality] and [Self-Healing] effects.]

[Unique Passive - Colossal Consumption: When a [Hero] is nearby, this skill continuously charges up a powerful attack against that hero over 3 seconds. The charged attack deals high bonus physical damage and grants the user a small, fixed amount of permanent maximum health. Has a 24-second cooldown per target.]

A small, fixed, permanent maximum health...? This seems quite different from Heartsteel in the Rift...

The original Heartsteel should provide [a permanent maximum health equal to 10% of the damage dealt]...

Furthermore, the cooldown time for this Heartsteel against the same target is a full twenty-four hours...

So, the Rift and reality really can't be confused...

That makes sense, though. Otherwise, a single hit would grant 10% Heartsteel with only a 30-second cooldown, and anyone could easily find a "hero" Heartsteel user and achieve near-immortality in a short time.

Hmm... it looks like a pure nerf.

However... there's another point worth noting— the Heartsteel ability in the Rift only activates when there's an enemy champion within 700 yards, while this Heartsteel ability activates when there's a champion nearby.

In other words... this Heartsteel not only increases health when hitting enemies, but also increases the same amount of health when hitting teammates.

In addition, since the life-increasing effect of Heartsteel is fixed, there is no need to worry about wanting to absorb more life force while fearing that it will cause too much damage when "attacking" teammates.

The only question right now is... whether this [powerful attack] described is controllable, whether it deals the same amount of damage to everyone like in the original version, or whether it is determined by the user's own attack "intensity".

This requires a small test...

As Chen Ce was pondering, LeBlanc happened to walk over carrying a bowl of cooked stewed meat.

Suddenly, Chen Ce realized something.

He stared at her slender figure with burning desire.

This was certainly not because he was lusting after her body, but rather...

He saw a faint magical mark gradually appear on LeBlanc's body, visible only to him—the sign that Heartsteel's passive ability was activated.

He can now permanently increase his maximum vitality by simply striking the opponent... Well, that could be considered lusting after the opponent's body.

"What's wrong?" Perhaps sensing Chen Ce's intense gaze, LeBlanc turned around and revealed a charming smile. "Am I that pretty~?"

"It's beautiful." Chen Ce stared intently at the illusory magical mark and nodded sincerely.

Hearing this, LeBlanc felt a little strange and surprised, but still licked her lips in a flirtatious manner. "So, what do you want to do~"

Chen Ce was an honest man, and immediately said, "I want... I want to touch you..."

"Hmm~ How do you want to touch me~?"

"Just... a light... touch..."

"Where do you want to touch?"

"Where..." Chen Ce looked at the spot where the magic mark had been placed, and without hesitation pointed to the other person's heart. "There..."

"Here~?" LeBlanc looked down and saw her own snow-white, full breasts—she was dressed very... provocatively tonight.

"You said before that I was nothing in front of Miss Ahri, how come tonight... hmm~?"

"Because you look different today..." Chen Ce continued to stare intently at the magical mark of the Heartsteel, his mind filled with the clanging sound of steel.

"Oh~?" LeBlanc licked her lips seductively again, feeling a surge of satisfaction—not because the other party had praised her, but because she was pleased with her little scheme.

She deliberately changed into an exceptionally revealing outfit tonight, largely for this reason.

Whether it's coercion, enticement, or using a seductive tactic, as long as they can get what Chen Ce wants, that's all that matters.

Using this as a starting point, gradually control him...

LeBlanc once again admired her own intelligence.

"Come on, you can touch me~"

"Then... I won't stand on ceremony..." Chen Ce slowly reached out his hand towards the magic mark, already anticipating the test results—at worst, he would gain some life force, a test that was a sure win.

But just as he was about to touch her, LeBlanc smiled seductively and took a half-step back.

"Wait a minute, my dear Mr. Chen Ce ~" Her slender fingertips lightly traced her full breasts, maximizing her allure. "I haven't explained the 'rules of the game' to you yet~"

"You say..." Chen Ce was really getting impatient.

"The rule is... you can only touch it once~"

"Just once is enough, just once is enough..."

"Hmm~" LeBlanc had already imagined the scene of controlling the other party in the future—if she wanted her body, she would do things for her, but each time she would only give her a little bit of pitiful "perks".

Then he'll become increasingly itchy and yearning for her, and with the added influence of dark magic, he'll eventually become her complete slave...

How wonderful!

"Come on~" LeBlanc took the other's hand and slowly guided it to touch her beautiful body.

A sly glint appeared in her eyes.

She felt the other person's body temperature, so intense, so full of desire, and yet so...

In this way...

Etc...

Pain...?!

Clang! The iron pot was knocked to the ground by LeBlanc as she retreated, spilling stew all over the floor and emitting a fragrant aroma.

"What... what did you do to me...?!"

She clutched her aching chest, trying to understand the cause of the excruciating pain.

But Chen Ce remained completely calm—almost like the unique indifference of someone in a state of post-coital slumber.

Even his tone revealed a cold indifference, as if he'd pulled up his pants and then forgotten about her. "Will it hurt a lot? Or just a little? I didn't have much of an intention to attack you."

"..." LeBlanc was momentarily speechless, her gaze towards the other person resembling that of someone looking at a pervert.

After a moment, she finally told the truth, with great displeasure. "It didn't hurt much... just a little..."

"Real?"

"I have no reason to lie to you, you madman..."