4 -4- Champion Witness System
Player: Linwin
Level: 15
Strength: 155 (Affects health, increases attack)
Agility: 70 (Enhances defense, increases speed)
Intelligence: 90 (Boosts magic affinity, accelerates chanting speed)
Psi: 0 (???)
Skills: [Advanced Repair], [Basic Swordsmanship], [Relentless Force]
Champion Card: [Piltover Enforcer ★★★]
Items: [Chrono Ring (10 meters)], [Doran's Blade ★], [Red Potion x3 ✩], [Damaged Unknown Rune Fragment x1]
Remaining Lottery Chances: x1
---
The Champion Witness System, this is Linwin's system in this world.
Rather than calling it a system, it's more like a real-life version of a strategy game because Linwin only needs to establish contact with the target champion, get on their good side, and activate the champion card. After increasing their affection, he can obtain experience points and attribute points.
When it comes to improving his strength, leveling up is not the best approach because each level-up only grants Linwin three points across his stats.
It's just like a card game.... does level really matter? In card games, it's all about the cards!
If you spend enough, going beyond and defeating higher-level enemies is basic strategy!
Linwin opened his champion card collection, and despite the cards being predominantly black silhouettes, it wasn't a challenge for Linwin, as he is well-versed in the game's champion.
Although Linwin's ranking in League of Legends didn't reach the top, only reaching Gold, his passion for the game and the number of matches he played made him extremely well-versed.
Above the card collection, the cards were roughly organized into three categories: Strength, Agility, and Intelligence.
Within each category, there were further subcategories for easier management, helping Linwin plan his collection and strategy.
For example, Strength-type champions were divided into Warriors and Tanks, Agility-type champions into Assassins and marksman, and Intelligence-type heroes into Mages and Supports.
Once he activated a card, Linwin gained a star-level corresponding to the champion's attributes.
A three-star card would provide 20 points across his attributes (Strength, Agility, and Intelligence, collectively referred to as attributes).
Four stars equaled 30 points, five stars meant 50 points, and six stars were the jackpot, granting 100 points for his attributes.
Cards also had primary and secondary attribute bonuses. For example, Vi, a Strength-type champion card, added 10 points to Strength, 5 points to Agility, and 5 points to Intelligence when activated.
Furthermore, when a hero's affection reached a certain level, Linwin earned a lottery chance.
After five years in Zaun, Linwin successfully activated four cards, and now he collected his first champion card.
Acquiring one card meant gaining the card's primary attribute bonus, and for a three-star card, the primary attribute bonus was... 100 points!
As a result, Linwin's Strength had now surpassed 155.
//// I don't quite understand this part. But I guess the attributes are different from main attributes? I usually just skip the part I can't warp my head around and enjoy the story so yeah, different people got different ways to understand it.////
It was an astonishing number. Before, Linwin's Strength was only 55, but even at that level, he could effortlessly lift things that required a mechanical arm for ordinary people. Now, Linwin wasn't sure how strong he had become, but he believed he had surpassed many human champion.
As for the remaining lottery chance... it was a reward for obtaining Vi's card, a high-level lottery.
"Let's just pull it, after all, probabilities are all about luck."
Linwin clicked on the "Use" button after selecting the lottery option. There were no flashy animations, just a simple ding sound. He received a notification of obtaining a half-star item, and in Linwin's system item inventory (solely for system items), a small green item resembling a mung bean appeared next to the Doran's Blade.
"Haha..."
Linwin twitched his mouth. It was a high-level lottery, but wasn't the probability of getting a half-star item only 5%? Yet, he ended up with this thing?
Opening its panel, Linwin was somewhat disappointed, but he nodded because he already figured out how to use this thing. From a certain perspective, it was exactly what Linwin needed right now.
He took it out, and a warm little bead immediately appeared in Linwin's hand. It was the size of a thumb, with a bright green color, warm to the touch.
[Rejuvenation Bead (Item)]
Quality: ✩
Effect: Wearer will continuously regenerate health (0.5 per hour)
"Not a bad item; I can give it to old Zoran." Linwin shrugged. With his exceptional strength and robust life force, this item was practically useless for him, but for someone with a weaker constitution, especially in a place like Zaun filled with toxic air, it could be quite beneficial. This item could reduce the harm caused by the toxins.
However, Linwin didn't return to Zoran immediately. Instead, he headed towards a corner, going deeper and deeper, with fewer and fewer people around.
Linwin had entered a place he shouldn't have. In the undercity of Zaun, there were various gangs and factions.
This place was chaotic, dirty, and bustling. This was also where the culture of modern Zaun originated.
Linwin held his breath as green toxic fumes, mixed with metal particles, entered his lungs. It burned his airways, scalding his organs. Even after living in Zaun for five years, he still couldn't get used to this cursed haze.
Even little Powder seemed to handle it better... Could it be because he wasn't born here?
The air in Zaun...
Linwin sighed. He can't do anything about it now.
Compared to this air tainted with rust, the deteriorating visibility is the most troublesome thing.
Well, I'll have to ask for some help.
"Hey, can't you come out and help me?"
Linwin suddenly spoke, even though there was no one around.
He removed his gray hat and continued, "You know, I really hate this haze. It seems like you enjoy it, but you can't impose your preferences on me, can you? After all, you don't need to breathe."
Linwin paused and added, "Of course, don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just have some things to say to him. You don't need to worry that I'll kill him."
"You know, if I want to, even if he has a hundred lives and has modified himself a hundred times, he's still doomed."
"But this time is different. The Topsiders are sending people. Taking advantage of the chaos in the Undercity, he'll definitely try something. I've deal with him so many times, I'm familiar with his ways."
"I, like you, love Zaun. I certainly don't want this place to descend into chaos. But if Vander gets into trouble and doesn't have time to manage the Back Alley anymore, the depths of Zaun will surely become chaotic. You wouldn't want to see that happen, would you?"
Linwin spoke to the sky, but through the heavy haze, apart from faintly visible abyssal rifts, there was a massive bridge connecting the Piltovan Plaza with the lowest parts of Piltover.
This was the origin of the distinction between the Upper and Lower cities.
But in reality, Zaun and the Piltover folks had different perspectives. After living here for five years, Linwin understood the strengths of Zaun.
It was inclusive, resilient, and its citizens were tenacious and diligent.
In the face of abandonment, mockery, exclusion, and oppression, the people of Zaun used their intelligence to help Zaun rise again.
When Linwin talked about "them," he wasn't referring to the brutal gangsters who took advantage of others, nor the pioneers who ventured to the Lower City for smuggling or forbidden technology research.
He was talking about people like old Zoran.
People who were willing to endure hardship to make Zaun a better place, even at the cost of their own suffering.
Linwin halted and waited for something.
Soon, a gentle breeze brushed by, and Linwin's face broke into a smile.
Turning around, he saw a blue bird that had appeared behind him, seemingly out of nowhere.
It was a stunning bird, not a flesh-and-blood creature, nor a mechanical bird crafted by the tech in Zaun or Piltover. It was a bird composed of energy.
It tilted its head, using its beak to groom its feathers. It didn't need to look at Linwin with its bird-like eyes; it acted as if it didn't care about Linwin at all.
"Don't be like this; I can swear to you that I won't harm anyone," Linwin raised his hand and swore to the bird.
The scene was strange.
A young man who had entered someone else's territory, and was now swearing to a bird that he wouldn't hurt anyone. It was a rather theatrical scene.
"You said that last time, and the time before that, but you still acted. You broke their mechanical arms and legs and pushed them into the ditch, although they didn't die, they were left with lingering injuries," the bird said, and in its bird-like eyes, there were emotions, just like those of a human—anger.
It seemed to be expressing its dissatisfaction, and it put its wings on Linwin's head before using it to slap Linwin's head.
Linwin spread his hands and shrugged, allowing it to peck him.
Then he said confidently, "They deserved it. After all, they tried to harm a few kids from my family. Zaunites shouldn't deceive Zaunites, but what did they do? They took advantage of their superior position and tried to bully a few kids."
"Linwin, you can't protect them forever. One day, you will leave Zaun. I have this premonition, and by that time, without your protection, what will they do?"
The azure bird shook its head and spoke gently, its voice soothing and gentle, like a soft breeze. In Zaun, this was a miracle—a miracle that was impossible to encounter.
Due to the haze in Zaun, the voices of Zaunites may sound somewhat hoarse, which is a sign of damage to their lungs and throats.
"Nonsense, I'm a Zaunite, why would I leave Zaun?"
"Why are you saying this again? I didn't say you're not a Zaunite."
"Because you always say I will leave. You've been saying that at least a hundred times since I've known you for three years,"
After a moment, a gentle breeze blew, and the bird landed on Linwin's shoulder. It looked at him seriously. "But I have this premonition."
"Alright, forget it. Can you help me disperse this toxic air then?" Linwin sighed.
"..."
The bird blinked and lightly pecked Linwin's face with its beak, as if expressing its discontent.
Then it said, "You promised not to kill."
With that, it opened its wings, gently waved them, and a gust of wind rose from under Linwin's feet, carrying the surrounding haze up into the sky.
Afterward, Linwin revealed a bright smile, showing his white teeth.
"Haha, it's about time for those topsiders to taste the air down here."
"After all, this is a specialty made by their hands."
As the haze dissipated, Linwin could see his surroundings clearly.
He had arrived in what seemed to be an abandoned factory.
Walking towards that direction, Linwin contemplated while he moved.
Should he take some action?
If he did, without killing that person, it might only create trouble. But if he killed him... that would complicate matters on the other side.
After some thought, Linwin slapped his palm, "Of course, let's prioritize that."
---
"How effective is it?"
In an abandoned and spacious factory in the depths of the Undercity, a cold voice rang out.
A thin man stood upright in front of a glass window, looking at the enormous sea monster outside, and asked softly.
"It's in the final stages now. Now, it's time to test the results," replied a man with a thin face, sunken eye sockets, and yellowing irises.
He was wearing a coat typical of an alchemist and walked over to him, gently shaking a test tube in his hand. The glass tube was filled with purple fluorescent liquid, and he glanced sideways at the room.
Nodding, the thin man walked toward the thug tied up in the center of the room.
"Hello there."
Reaching out and grabbing the man's head, he slowly squatted down, and Silco stared into the man's eyes.
"I told you to follow them... but why are you and your little buddies are all sleeping there?"
"I... I, they had reinforcements."
"Reinforcements?"
"Yes," the tied man stuttered, trembling and staring fearfully at the man in front of him.
The thin, scar-covered face of the man held no expression, and the most severe scar appeared to run through one of his eye sockets. His one eye was a terrifying deep red prosthetic.
"Speak up. After all, this will determine whether I... have a reason to spare you," Silco said calmly, staring at him.
"A person in a robe showed up, and he knocked all of us out. Yes, yes, Vander's daughter recognized him. He must be one of the bouncers at the Last Drop, he must be working for Vander."
A yellow-haired man struggled to convey the information, afraid that one wrong move would end his life.
"Robe?"
"Yes, a grayish-white robe. He was very skilled, I'm sure he..."
Yellow Hair tried to supplement the information he saw before fainting, hoping to save himself.
"..."
However, Silco suddenly sighed and interrupted him. "Tell me, how did you end up here?"
Yellow Hair was puzzled, but he answered, "I.... I was brought here by your guy."
The alchemist beside him walked up, rubbing his chin, and looked at Silco.
Silco knew what he wanted to say and shook his head, then stood up and kicked over the chair, breaking one of the chair legs. Yellow Hair also took this opportunity to stand up.
"You... You're not gonna kill me?"
"I can't blame this on you," Silco waved his hand. "You've done what you can. He's not within your jurisdiction. Get lost."
Hearing Silco's words, the alchemist next to him was stunned.
The hand that was shaking the potion also stopped.
"No need to look. Abandon this place, pack up quickly, and leave as soon as possible."
Silco walked up to the table, which had a round red button embedded in it. He opened the protective glass device on the table and pressed the button.
It was an emergency siren, and Silco quickly pressed it three times.
Soon, in the underground of the factory, a group of topless men, after a few seconds of confusion, quickly began to gather up the surrounding equipment.
"Boom!"
Just as Silco was about to turn and check if the door was closed, the previously fleeing Yellow Hair flew back and landed directly in front of him.
He had once again fallen unconscious.
Instead of foaming at the mouth, blood mixed with a shade of dark green dribbled from his lips.
"Well he was faster than I expected,"
Silco remarked, unfazed. He adjusted his leather gloves calmly and advanced forward.
There was a voice from ahead, carrying a somewhat youthful tone.
"Hey, Silco, if I were you, I'd put down the short-barreled rifle. You've seen it before; you know this thing is useless against me."
The newcomer wore a gray-white robe, walked on sandhogskin boots, and his attire appeared modest compared to most Zaunites.
He approached Silco with a friendly smile, as if greeting an old friend, exceptionally amiable.
"I'm here to discuss something,"
Silco watched him silently, but in the next moment, he swiftly drew his rifle and fired it forward. Accompanied by a deafening blast, a large burst of fireballs was unleashed. However, the young man who had been standing there had suddenly disappeared.
"You're fast,"
Silco remarked, discarding the gun without emotion. "What brings Vander's lapdog to my door today?"
"Also, why isn't the little puppy wearing the mask his master gave him?"
Linwin reappeared above and landed in front of Silco. He sniffed and looked at Silco disapprovingly. "Although I don't intend to kill you, if you keep running your mouth, you might experience some pain."
Silco relaxed the hand holding the dagger behind his back, placing both hands over his shoulders. He wore an inscrutable smile and calmly said, "I'm just joking with you."
Then, he gave Linwin a polite bow and placed his hand over his chest. He spoke, "A pleasure, Enforcer of the undercity....."
These words were emphasized oddly by Silco.
Linwin knew what Silco meant.
"Silco, I've come to deal with two matters."
Without intending to engage in further banter with Silco, Linwin directly stated his purpose for coming here.
"Speak, and I'll comply," Silco nodded and took a few steps back, leaning against a desk, his hands clasped in front of him. He gazed at Linwin calmly. "After all, I don't have the right to refuse now, do I?"
"I like that about you. Although I don't know why you've broken ties with Vander, it's much easier to talk to you than him."
Linwin crouched on the ground, smiling, "First, while the Enforcers from the topside are here in Zaun, you must not take any actions. You can't leave this factory, and you cannot contact anyone."
"Why?" Silco asked.
Linwin pointed at the ground where Yellow Hair lay, "We can go on, but it won't be fun."
"You better not try it. I'm afraid you might stir up trouble. After all, your talent for causing chaos is too strong, and I'm worried you might make some noise,"
Silco, who had clashed with Linwin numerous times before, knew exactly what Linwin meant by "stirring up trouble."
When Silco heard Linwin's words, he chuckled lightly and replied, "But compared to me, aren't some people even more dangerous? Look, I have just this little group of..."
However, Silco's words were cut short by Linwin.
"Enough of that. I know it, and you know it too. You're more dangerous than them all because you have this." He pointed to his own head. "But don't worry, I'll also go and warn those guys."
Though Linwin said this, he knew that invoking Vander's name would be enough to control them.
Silco nodded slightly, indicating his agreement, but he couldn't help but express a hint of regret.
"A shame...."
"Don't dwell on it," Linwin retorted. "If it weren't for certain reasons, you would have been dead in my hands ten times over. Don't think I'm oblivious to your secret dealings."
Silco shrugged indifferently, "You mean the two workshops that disappeared. Wasn't it your handiwork?"
Linwin grinned widely, "You got the message?"
Silco looked at Linwin but remained silent.
Silco had nothing to say, and Linwin continued, "The second matter: your potion. Is it ready? If it's ready, show it to me."
Silco didn't hesitate and tossed a bottle of the potion to Linwin. Then, he said, "You shouldn't be associating with people like Vander. You should join us."
"With you on our side, together, we can make Piltover fear us, make them stop discriminating against and enslaving us," Silco said with determination.
Linwin raised his hand and looked at the potion. He muttered, "Idiot."
Even after being insulted by Linwin, Silco remained unfazed.
"No, Silco, do you really think that with this stuff, you can defeat the people of Piltover? Don't you realize how powerful they are now?"
"I don't need to defeat them. I know I can't. I just want the people of the topside to fear us. I want them to know that we aren't their doormats," Silco replied calmly.
He was well aware of the vast disparity between Zaun and Piltover, but that wasn't a reason to surrender without a fight. Silco vehemently rejected that notion. What he sought wasn't conquest or status; it was dignity, the dignity of the people of Zaun.
"Haha, you really are a fool," Linwin scoffed. "You talk about righteousness, but in reality, you're leading people to their deaths."
At the same time, the data for the potion came up.
[Shimmer (Item)]
Quality: ✩
Effect: After use, the consumer will gain an increase of 8 Strength and 5 Agility. They will enter an excited state, disregarding some pain. The duration is directly proportional to the consumer's physical fitness.
Side effects: Damages bodily functions. Repeated use will damage brain cells and lead to mutations.
"Silco, promise me one more thing," Linwin said, handing the elixir back to Silco and looking at him earnestly.
Silco frowned, "What is it?"
"You and your alchemist friend here must absolutely not consume this potion," Linwin stated seriously.
"Why?" Silco inquired.
"This thing damages the human brain," Linwin replied calmly, hands behind his back.
