章 7: -7- Are you serious?
Ten minutes ago—
Inside the small room where Powder and Vi resided, Vander and Grayson sat facing each other.
There was no scent of gunpowder, unlike the tense atmosphere in the tavern earlier. Below ground, these two individuals—one from the Zaunite underworld and the other a law enforcement chief in Piltover—both had a similar expression on their faces.
The atmosphere was surprisingly quiet, even somewhat relaxed.
Both of them wore a slightly helpless look on their faces, but Vander was feeling quite a headache. He clutched a box of cigarettes and banged it against the table. His powerful arms were tensed, and he wasn't as relaxed as he appeared.
Grayson was feeling a headache as well. She had received a strict order from the council, instructing her to apprehend the culprit within a certain timeframe.
Piltover wouldn't allow dangerous unknown weapons to fall into Zaunite hands. For this reason, many had been arrested in connection with this incident, and even the young miss from the Kiramman family had been questioned. As for the instigator... he should be in custody, awaiting the council's judgment.
Therefore, even though Grayson didn't know what the culprit had taken, she was well aware that this was no minor matter and different from the usual small disturbances.
"Vander, you must hand over the culprit to me. The council has issued a strict order. If I don't find the culprit, the next individuals to come won't be as easy to negotiate with." Grayson looked at Vander, speaking seriously. "I understand. We both want to avoid troubles, but trouble will always find us."
"You want peace for Zaun, and I want stability for Piltover. In the past, I could turn a blind eye to the things you did, and you know that. This approach has kept our cooperation pleasant for years. But this time is different, Vander."
"I understand, but I can't hand the person over to you."
Vander shook his head bitterly.
Though Vander and Grayson weren't from the same city, they stood on the same side. Both of them were people who didn't want to incite war.
Vander wanted Zaun to prosper, and Grayson wanted Piltover to continue its peaceful development. She even hoped that the Undercity could improve. In Vander's eyes, Grayson was a good chief of police who understood the suffering of the Undercity's residents. She was willing to punish enforcers who acted wrongly.
Zaun's stability could be attributed to Vander on the surface, but behind the scenes, it was also due to the help of Grayson, the Piltover police chief.
After all, in the Bridge assault a few years ago, Vander had been scared, and so had Grayson.
So many lives were lost...
To point a gun at humans and personally kill them—this wasn't something everyone could enjoy. At least, Grayson didn't.
"Who are they to you?"
Grayson looked at Vander as she lit a cigarette. She spoke after a brief silence.
"You've already guessed, so there's no need to ask me."
"That's not a reason, Vander. I can't present this answer to the council."
Grayson picked up the box in front of Vander and pulled out a cigarette. She cut the front of the cigar, ignited it, and took a deep puff. She blew the smoke out, and the lingering mist mixed with the stifling air of Zaun—a bitter irony. The smoke from the cigar smelled even better than the air, and this was where the people of Zaun lived.
"Two boys and two short-haired girls. One has pink hair, the other blue. The one with black hair and the one with yellow hair are plump and skinny respectively. Finding replacements for them is impossible. Today, I saw at least a dozen enforcers chasing them in Piltover, and they were chased by a whole squad along the way, a total of six people!"
Grayson bit on the cigar.
"I..."
Vander looked at the table. On this worn wooden table, there were blue graffiti drawn by children. It was a crooked image of a rabbit and a monkey.
Powder had drawn it.
"Give me a few more days. A few days."
Grayson was silent for a while, then took a deep drag of the cigarette.
Then, she took out something. "Think it over and tell me."
"I can give you a maximum of five days."
Vander waved his hand. "Five days? That's enough."
And Grayson looked at him, as if she had guessed what this man was thinking. But just as Grayson was about to speak, she heard a loud rumbling noise. Instinctively, she looked up, and the next moment, both Grayson and Vander ran out.
Then...
Grayson witnessed a scene she would never forget.
An inconspicuous black-haired teenager from Zaun extended his hand expressionlessly, gripping Marcus by the neck and lifting him off the ground. Marcus struggled desperately, but it was in vain.
The Black Alley gangsters formed a blockade, intercepting the three enforcers trying to rescue Marcus.
Seeing this, Vander immediately pushed through the crowd and walked over.
——————
"Linwin, let go."
"Are you done talking?" Linwin turned his head, glanced at Vander, but quickly turned back. He didn't release Marcus as instructed by Vander; instead, he continued to grip Marcus's neck.
Frowning, Grayson stood beside Vander. "Let go."
Linwin looked at her, then at Vander.
"The head of the cops, the police chief from the upper city," Vander spoke up.
This was to tell Linwin that if he continued, it would be trouble.
Linwin certainly understood Vander's meaning. He clicked his tongue and then casually threw Marcus out, easily tossing an adult man, taller than himself, several meters away and overturning several tables in the tavern.
Three enforcers approached, and one of them, not pleased, pointed at Linwin, "You!"
"Enough!" Grayson shouted and pressed down the enforcer's hand, looking at Linwin. She said, "Take Marcus away."
"But Captain, you..."
"Didn't you hear me? Do I have to repeat myself?"
"Yes, Captain."
Once the three enforcers carried Marcus away, Grayson looked at Linwin.
"Vander, care to introduce?"
Vander took a drag of his cigarette, exhaled, and took a few steps past Grayson. He stood behind Linwin, lowered his head, and stared at Grayson.
Soon, the gang members also stood behind Vander.
Vander calmly said, "My second-in-command, the future successor of the Undercity's Black Alley."
"...," Grayson responded.
"I understand," Grayson said meaningfully, looking at Linwin for a few moments, then turned and walked out of the tavern.
With Linwin's voice, "Take care, Captain."
Once Grayson and the enforcers left, Vander looked at Linwin. Seeing Linwin looking at him, he smiled, showing a gentle expression. Vander, facing this young man whose strength likely surpassed his, said, "Attacking without a mask and with such rage, how did he offend you?"
"I was just sitting here having a drink, but he decided to shoot at me."
"Well, then he got what he deserved. But Grayson is different."
"Grayson?"
"The Captain."
"Oh..." Linwin stretched the tone, teasingly looking at Vander.
"Don't give me that look, you brat."
Vander waved his hand, and soon, the people in the tavern left, leaving only Linwin and Vander.
"How are Vi and the others doing now?"
The two sat side by side at the bar. From behind, Vander's back looked three to four times wider than Linwin's.
He was really as broad as a bear.
But now, this bear had retracted his claws.
Linwin looked up at the metallic knuckles hanging above. They were old-fashioned equipment from many years ago, outdated and unable to keep up with the times.
From what Old Zoran heard, Vander hadn't worn these knuckles for several years.
"I gave them a lesson. They're behaving much better now. She's a kid who can listen to reason."
Vander handed a cup of alcohol to Linwin. Seeing Linwin still somewhat repelled, he snorted heavily.
"You won't drink this?!"
"The alcohol content is too..."
"Are you a man?"
"Fine, give me!"
Linwin took the cup, poured a sip for himself, and then turned the cup upside down. Two droplets of foam fell on the bar. Seeing this, Vander laughed.
Linwin knew Vander had something on his mind.
Linwin had been in this world for five years, and Old Zoran was the kindest person to him. Next to him was Vander, or rather, Vander was a very good person to everyone in the Black Alley, and to everyone in Zaun.
He was like a patriarch; in places he didn't govern, people still respected him.
So, Linwin was quite familiar with Vander.
"This matter is not so easily resolved..."
Vander sipped his alcohol and said, "I was originally planning to go talk to Benzo, but you returned just in time."
"This time, it's not just annoying the enforcers. If it were only them, it would be fine, but the council is involved."
Linwin looked at Vander; he was staring straight ahead, holding his cup.
"What's your relationship with Grayson?"
"Is it funny?" Vander turned around, propping his hand on the bar, looking at Linwin with a smile, and said teasingly, "The mob boss actually teams up with a cop."
"..."
"I made a deal with her. I will handle the people in the Undercity, and she will turn a blind eye to Undercity matters. In other words, Linwin, as a Zaunite leading Zaunites, I have been cooperating with the person Zaunites hate the most."
Linwin remained silent for a moment and then said, "Vi is with me now. I've also warned Silco and the barons, so you don't need to worry about them. If the topsiders want to come down and search, just let them. They won't find anyone."
"That's not possible."
Vander shook his head and told Linwin, "I won't hand Vi over to them, and I won't let them search the Undercity. The Undercity can't withstand a search."
Vander said nonchalantly, "They won't dare to kill me. If I die, the Undercity will become even more chaotic. Grayson will assist us from within. So, the worst-case scenario is being imprisoned for a few years."
Linwin looked at Vander, raising an eyebrow, and said, "Are you serious?"
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