CHAPTER 49 - Guests in the Shadows

Led by Caitlyn, Li Lin, and Jayce, the trio explored the deserted brewery for over half an hour.

Finally, in a large room resembling a workers' dormitory, they discovered Mr. and Mrs. Kiramman, bound to chairs, their faces lowered, and unconscious.

Caitlyn's eyes instantly reddened, rushing forward to check their condition.

They were still breathing; they were alive!

Overwhelmed with joy, Caitlyn exclaimed, "Mom, Dad... thank goodness!"

Quickly, she retrieved a folding knife from her waist pouch, cutting the ropes that bound them.

Li Lin approached, crouching down, allowing the Kiramman couple to lean against him. Simultaneously, he activated "Data Mind" to assess their physical condition:

- Name: Cassandra Kiramman

- Personal Status: Mild Poisoning, Unconscious

- Effects:

 1. Lose 3 health points per minute, lasting 4 hours and 24 minutes (non-lethal, minimum 227 health points).

 2. Completely lose consciousness, deep sleep continues for 6 hours and 48 minutes (cannot be awakened by external force).

...

- Name: Tobias Kiramman

- Personal Status: Mild Poisoning, Unconscious

- Effects:

 1. Lose 1 health point per minute, lasting 3 hours and 19 minutes (non-lethal, minimum 259 health points).

 2. Completely lose consciousness, deep sleep continues for 5 hours and 35 minutes (cannot be awakened by external force).

Their condition was not too severe, similar to those poisoned in the Piltover Hall.

However, a notable difference was that their "deep sleep" state couldn't be disrupted by external force.

Perhaps the dosage of the hypnotic flower pollen used by C was different, Li Lin thought.

However, Caitlyn, lacking a system panel and the "Data Mind" skill, was unaware of her parents' current status.

After repeatedly calling and lightly tapping their faces with no response, she grew anxious. "Why won't they wake up..."

"It's probably a different poison C used. Don't worry; Mrs. Cassandra and Mr. Tobias will be fine," Li Lin reassured.

He wanted to pat Caitlyn's shoulder but refrained due to the inconvenience of his power armor.

"Let's quickly take them home. It's not safe here. After returning, we can have a doctor examine them. That's the most important thing."

As a prominent political and financial family in Piltover, the Kiramman family had a complete set of top-notch medical facilities and professional medical staff, no less inferior to the largest hospital in the city.

Jayce quickly added, "Li Lin is right, Caitlyn. We're not equipped to handle the next steps. Let the enforcers take care of it."

"I understand," Caitlyn nodded, wiping away the tears on her face, her voice choked.

"The enforcers should have some members handling the alchemical potions in Hextech. Let's go find someone to update Sheriff Grayson, and the rest can be left to her."

...

...

Over three hours later, the Kiramman residence buzzed with activity in the early morning.

Upon learning of the Kiramman couple's rescue, including Heimerdinger, the council members gathered at the Kiramman residence.

They gathered in the main reception hall of the mansion, where the steward and servants were busy attending to them.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Grayson and her deputy Marcus stood in one corner of the hall.

Having just been criticized by the council members, they felt a bit embarrassed.

Almost two-thirds of the enforcers from the Piltover Enforcer Headquarters had been dispatched, only to be beaten to finding the Kiramman couple by Miss Kiramman and two artisans from their family.

A large group of police officers, graduates from the academy, specialized in handling criminal cases and ensuring the safety of the citizens, surprisingly had their investigative abilities outmatched by a young lady from a prominent family.

This slap in the face was humiliating for all the enforcers of the Piltover Enforcer Headquarters.

Since the enforcers couldn't make much progress in finding the Kiramman couple, Sheriff Grayson had to make amends in other ways.

For example, the enforcers inspected all of Silco's completed and semi-completed shimmer drug products. They also arrested Silco's underlings who hadn't escaped from the beating by Li Lin, Caitlyn, and Jayce.

Furthermore, the body of C had been collected by the enforcers. Under Sheriff Grayson's strict requirements, C's identity was quickly investigated.

Corina Veraza, a woman from Shurima whose family's merchant ship was plundered by Noxus four years ago, fortunately escaped to Piltover.

In these years, Corina wandered the streets doing odd jobs. In the clock store where she worked the longest, she fell in love with the young and handsome owner.

However, during a surprise inspection by the enforcers, the owner was arrested for secretly selling Hextech technology devices researched by the Kiramman family.

Later, unable to endure the bullying by other inmates and the harsh environment in prison, he committed suicide.

Corina learned of this news and harbored a deep grudge against the Kiramman family since then.

The enforcers received verification from the prison warden that indeed there was a prisoner who committed suicide.

At the same time, they visited the surroundings of the clock store in the southern city district, interviewed those who still remembered the incident, and promptly revealed Corina's identity.

A young girl from Shurima driven by love and vengeance...

However, this was just a temporary summary to satisfy the council members.

As for other details, further investigation was needed, as a mere Corina was not enough to withstand the anger of the council members.

Recently, some Chem-barons in the Undercity were illegally selling military supplies obtained by any means necessary, which affected the interests of the Bolbok and Shoola families.

At the request and hint of the two council members, the enforcers were instructed to crackdown on Zaun severely. They even tried to shift the blame for this matter onto these ungrateful folks...

In the short term, this significant case couldn't be resolved.

In the reception hall, the council members discussed the frightening events of tonight and exchanged concerned greetings.

Unconsciously, their conversation turned to Li Lin's developed power armor and Jayce's transforming hammer.

Although most of the council members, except Heimerdinger, had their own ulterior motives, at least they appeared amicable on the surface.

Especially after experiencing what happened tonight.

On the other hand, the examination results for the Kiramman couple came out quickly.

As the only daughter of Councilor Kiramman, Caitlyn had the duty to entertain the visiting council members.

After receiving the examination results, she had no time to accompany her still unconscious parents or rest; she hurriedly returned to the main mansion's reception hall to socialize.

Jayce, not very interested in politics and fearing that his mother would worry about him, greeted Caitlyn and went home.

Li Lin, on the other hand, worried that these council members might be using the excuse of visiting the Kiramman couple to inquire about his power armor's splendid performance tonight.

Therefore, while waiting with Caitlyn for the examination results of the Kiramman couple, he also took the opportunity to explain to her and then retreated to his room.

However, as soon as he returned to his room and locked the door, the system panel unexpectedly gave him a prompt:

"Congratulations! You have interacted with ten champions, gained two levels, and received 2 skill points!"

There were other people in this room!

At this moment, a somewhat familiar and curious female voice with a hint of recognition slowly sounded:

"Li Lin, the genius artisan of the Kiramman family, I finally have the opportunity to meet you."

(End of this chapter)