Bouncing Bomb

Silco's base was hidden in the lowest level of Zaun.

It was a cluster of buildings submerged beneath the sea; through the glass, many giant marine creatures could be seen swimming by.

In fact, the waters around the Twin Cities were considered low-risk compared to other sea regions, as no deep-sea monsters resided there; otherwise, port trade would not have flourished so much.

Silco had spent a vast amount of time and energy constructing his base back then.

This, of course, was not without the support of the Alchemists from the lower levels.

To oppose Vander, they had collectively developed an alchemical concoction called "shimmer."

It was indeed a good thing; if taken in very small doses and neutralized with other alchemical agents, it could rapidly heal flesh wounds.

If consumed directly, it could drastically enhance the user's physical attributes, granting an extraordinary physique for a period of time, but the side effects were quite severe, mutating the user's body and mind.

Furthermore, testing showed that "shimmer" was somewhat addictive.

However, in Silco's view, this wasn't a side effect; if popularized, he could use it to control all of Zaun.

Silco knew very well that he wasn't like Vander; he didn't have that stable foundation of rule, so to achieve his goal of controlling Zaun, he had to take extreme measures.

But before that, Silco needed to wait for an opportunity.

"shimmer" could increase the individual combat power of Silco's side, but he currently had very few men—he could count them on his fingers.

Even if every one of them was fed "shimmer" until they became monsters, they couldn't face Vander's side head-on, because that would mean fighting all of Zaun.

Unless Vander was abandoned by the people of Zaun.

However, before Silco could wait for his chance, he hadn't expected Vander to be the first to break their original tacit understanding, attempting to move into the lower levels to mine ore veins.

This undoubtedly touched Silco's already sensitive nerves.

The living space in the lower levels was already so limited; if Vander squeezed him further, his fate was predictable.

So, Silco set a factory on fire as a warning.

To his surprise, Vander had no intention of stopping.

Faced with Vander leading a suppression force, Silco had no choice but to inject his men with "shimmer."

The results far exceeded expectations.

In the narrow and complex environment of the lower levels, the Enforcer's strength was fully utilized, not only repelling Vander and his group but also seriously wounding him.

Seizing this rare opportunity, Silco began expanding his influence, taking control of several chemical plants and converting them into alchemical factories for producing "shimmer."

Silco knew very well that this was his last chance; if he couldn't turn the tide now, once Vander recovered, he would certainly be no match for his opponent.

"Have you heard any news yet?"

Silco asked his subordinates with a touch of irritability.

Vander's condition determined his next course of action; without enough intelligence, it was difficult for him to judge the situation.

Silco's occupation of the middle-level factories had already caused strong dissatisfaction among the surrounding Zaunites.

Originally, he still held some prestige among the Zaunites, symbolizing a tough and rebellious side; even if he was hostile to Vander, he generally stood on the side of Zaun against Piltover.

However, this series of actions by Silco had pushed him to the brink of being a terrorist.

He was naturally aware of this, but Silco was an unscrupulous person by nature; as long as he could achieve his goals, he didn't care about the methods used.

"No, ever since Vander was injured, the Fuggen Bar has been closed, and our people can't get in at all."

Silco's subordinate replied.

"How is the setup of the shimmer production line coming along?"

"Production has already begun."

"How many men have been gathered?"

"Less than thirty, all just lower-level thugs; if a real fight breaks out, they probably won't be of much use."

"As long as they are human, it's fine. Once they take shimmer, what they do won't be up to them to decide anymore."

Silco said in a cold voice.

"shimmer" was currently his greatest source of confidence against Vander.

The current situation was not what Silco wanted to see; things had spiraled out of his control at some point, and now he could only follow this dark path to the end... Fuggen Bar.

Vander's upper body was covered in bandages, with only his head showing, and there were even Powder's doodles on the bandages.

This was a young girl's well-wishes, probably?

Well, no one could truly grasp the thoughts inside Powder's head.

As for the bandages, they were Vi's handiwork; she simply believed they would help Vander recover.

"Smoking even in this state?"

Vi snatched the pipe from Vander's hand and stuffed it into her clothes.

"Actually, I've mostly recovered."

Vander smacked his lips, wanting to argue his case, but under Vi's firm gaze, he could only yield. He looked at Benson and asked,

"Has that guy Silco been making a lot of noise lately?"

"He's about to turn the middle levels upside down."

Benson said complainingly, his tone carrying a strong sense of dissatisfaction directed at Silco.

Back when they were all in the same gang, Benson couldn't get along with Silco; the latter's methods were too ruthless, which Benson found very distasteful.

"If you don't make a move soon, that guy is really going to take root in the factory district."

Sevika couldn't help but interject.

She actually quite admired Silco's attitude toward Piltover, but she hadn't given up on Vander yet, so her loyalty had not wavered.

Moreover, the injuries on Vander's body were sustained while shielding Sevika.

To be honest, lately when Sevika changed Vander's medicine, the way she looked at him was a bit... off.

Vi, being young and naive, couldn't pick up on it, but Benson saw it clearly.

One could only say this middle-aged melodrama was quite entertaining.

"It's not time yet. Have you figured out that shimmer?"

Vander remained calm; going to war with Silco now, even if they won, would be a pyrrhic victory. That "shimmer" enhancement potion was too effective in Zaun's environment.

Ordinary weapons could hardly compete with an Enforcer.

If they deployed battlefield weapons like "Alchemical Bombs," the little productivity Zaun had finally restored would likely be destroyed along with them.

Silco had anticipated this mindset of Vander's and acted accordingly, aiming to hold Zaun's middle levels hostage and force the other side into a close-quarters brawl.

"Then you'll have to ask that kid from Piltover."

Sevika didn't even want to mention Chen Nuo's name; her rejection of Piltover people was mixed with the debt of gratitude for his medical help, creating a twisted attitude.

Even though she didn't have blonde twin-tails, it didn't stop her from being a tsundere.

"I have a name. Either call me Mr. Levick, or you can call me Nuo."

Chen Nuo pushed open the door and entered the bar, looking at Sevika as he spoke.

Ever since this woman found out he was from Piltover, she hadn't looked him in the eye once.

"Tch."

Sevika curled her lip, masking her inner awkwardness and guilt.

She couldn't help but mutter in her heart.

The brat's ears are quite sharp.

"You finally came down. Any later and I was going to have Vi go up and find you."

Vander let out a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing a bit.

Evidently, the pressure Silco put on him was not small.

Who would have thought alchemy could pull off such a trick.

Previously, the Chemists of Zaun only thought about how to increase the power of Alchemical Bombs.

What was it that art is?

There was an Alchemist who used to mutter that all the time.

"shimmer is extremely dangerous. If it stays in Silco's hands, it will cause unimaginable destruction to Zaun; it can destroy not just people's bodies, but their will as well."

Chen Nuo took out a "shimmer" potion kept in a test tube.

This was something Vander had someone steal from the factory and hand over to Chen Nuo for research.

Most Zaunites were still on Vander's side; with Silco's current manpower, doing small things under his nose was something he couldn't detect at all.

"You make it sound quite terrifying."

Sevika was somewhat dismissive; with her education level, she naturally couldn't realize the potential danger of "shimmer."

"The manufacturing process for this thing is simple. If there's enough raw material, it can be mass-produced. The key is its strong addictiveness. Think about what Zaunites will become if they are controlled by this stuff."

Chen Nuo said as he walked up to Vander; with this man's experience and knowledge, he believed he could imagine that scene.

Zaun would truly fall into hell.

"Silco must die!"

Vander's breathing grew a bit heavier.

In the past, he still held some old sentiment and guilt, but at this moment, there was only intense regret in his heart.

If he had successfully killed Silco back then, none of these troubles would exist.

Who would have thought that to oppose Piltover, Silco would actually be willing to doom Zaun forever.

"I've said it long ago, he's a menace."

Benson nodded forcefully.

"However, shimmer also has its good side; it just depends on how you use it."

Chen Nuo said as he took out a syringe. The liquid inside glinted with faint purple light as he jabbed it into Vander's chest.

"What is this?"

Vander didn't think for a second that Chen Nuo would harm him, not even making a move to dodge.

"You can call it Shimmer Type A. I've made some improvements; it can help heal wounds and boost spirits."

Chen Nuo explained.

The alchemical notes Vander helped collect weren't for nothing; Chen Nuo was now considered an Alchemist himself. Combining knowledge from other worlds, he had reconstructed "shimmer" in just a few days.

"Phew~ this feeling isn't bad at all."

Vander could clearly feel the changes in his body at this moment and couldn't help but let out a comfortable sound.

Chen Nuo didn't speak, prying open Vander's eyelids to observe.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, this is the first time I've experimented on a human. I'm seeing if the effect reaches expectations and if there are any side effects."

"..."

"Don't be nervous. I've tested it on rats, and they're all still alive and well. You have to believe in your own vitality."

"..."

Vander's expression was stiff; he didn't want to talk.

You really know how to comfort people.

Hearing this, Vi stood up and removed the bandages from Vander's body. Everyone was stunned for a moment because the original wounds had all healed, and even the scars had faded to the point of being nearly invisible.

Such a healing effect was simply comparable to magic.

"Are there any more? Give me a few more to keep for later!"

Vander asked excitedly; with this effect, who cared about side effects? Saving lives was the most important thing.

"Only three injections left. They're all yours."

Chen Nuo said as he took out the syringes, and Vander tucked them away like precious treasures.

Of course, Vander hadn't waited all these days just for these three injections; that was just a pleasant surprise. What he was really waiting for were the weapons and equipment Chen Nuo had prepared.

Mylo and Claggor dragged heavy crates back into the bar.

The contents were the real surprise Chen Nuo had prepared for Silco.

"Just this little?"

Sevika couldn't help but complain.

She knew Vander had handed over his entire fortune to Chen Nuo, and this was all he got?

"This doesn't look like Enforcer weaponry?"

Vi lifted the lid and picked up a firearm inside, feeling that these looked more like artworks displayed in a craft shop; how could weapons be so exquisite?

"I never said I was preparing Enforcer equipment for you. Do you guys really want me to go to jail that badly?"

Chen Nuo looked at Vi and the others speechlessly.

Were these Zaunites thinking too wishfully? If Enforcer weapons really flowed into Zaun, then Vander would probably have to worry about something other than Silco's trouble.

"Then these are?"

Vi looked at Chen Nuo, a guess suddenly forming in her heart.

"They are all my works."

"..."

"So cool!!"

Powder's voice sounded exceptionally loud at this moment.

"It has to be you who has good taste."

Chen Nuo reached out and rubbed Powder's head.

"Is this an Alchemical Bomb? What are these runes on it?"

Powder was like a curious student, holding up a bomb and asking.

Just as Vi thought.

This bomb was as exquisite as a piece of art; a fist-sized sphere of unibody construction, with almost no visible seams, overall bright silver, with a protruding knob switch in the center.

In Vi's eyes, it seemed to be crafted from silver.

"Not entirely. Although I did use alchemy. As for the runes on it, that's a bit of little magic I added. I've named it the chomper bomb."

Chen Nuo said as he turned the knob, adjusted the activation time, pressed the button firmly, and tossed it out.

Under everyone's gaze, the bomb activated silently.

Then, with the bomb as the center, the space within a one-meter radius suddenly collapsed into a pitch-black, lightless node.

The original bluestone-paved ground looked as if someone had scooped out a hemispherical chunk with a spoon, so smooth it could reflect light.

All of this happened in an instant.

If the marks on the ground hadn't proven what just happened, everyone would have truly doubted whether what they saw was an illusion.

Wait, brother, is this really a bomb?

Through Chen Nuo's experiments, the alchemical agents originally used to make Alchemical Bombs could, after adjustment, accept energy from the Runic Arc Reactor, much like charging a battery.

This alchemical agent containing magical energy, when combined with the runes arranged on the mithril surface, became a type of spatial magic.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"How come there's no 'chomper' sound?"

Powder looked at Chen Nuo in confusion. Where was the 'chomper' sound he promised?