Arcane: Let's Burn Down Runeterra!

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"Although this place is disgusting... to be honest, as soon as I get here, it feels like coming home." Justin and his group were making their way through the sewer, where the stench was overwhelming, and they had to watch their step to avoid stepping on some unknown revolting thing. However, this was a safe route to the undercity, as Piltover's sewers were vast and labyrinthine. The dignified enforcers from the upper city rarely pursued anyone here due to their arrogance. Every time Justin and Jinx caused a commotion in the upper city, they escaped to the sewers to evade capture. 

"The terrain here is complicated; everyone stay close, don't fall behind!" Having been a teacher in his past life, Justin was now leading like a field trip organizer. This group of unruly prisoners—who were now free—were surprisingly obedient like elementary school students. 

"Ah!" One of the injured men, having lost a leg, slipped and collapsed despite being supported by someone else, having exhausted his strength. 

"Are you okay?" Someone nearby unexpectedly reached out to help him up, saying, "Sorry, my grip slipped just now." 

"It's okay, thank you." 

Such a conversation occurring among the prisoners of the undercity... a strange chill ran through everyone once they realized it. Finally, they reached the undercity.

"That wasn't easy," Justin was drenched in sweat and blood from the series of battles. During the trek through the sewers, the fluids had cooled, and now in the open air, he felt both discomfort and fatigue. "Thank you, everyone." 

Justin took out all the money from his pocket, which he had conveniently snagged from the warden's office earlier: "Share this among the injured, find a doctor to treat your wounds. Everyone, disperse. Dreams make life exciting!" 

"Thanks, mate!"

"Come to the Fugen Tavern sometime, I'll buy you a drink!"

Justin bid them farewell one by one. He felt a bit shy in the face of their genuine gratitude. In a place where conspiracy and violence were the norm, the sudden appearance of unity and kindness made him somewhat uncomfortable. It was like someone who had long lived in dark, damp corners suddenly exposed to sunlight. Yet, to these people, he was the sunlight. 

"You really enjoy doing these strange things, don't you?" Vi leaned against the wall, observing her former companion. He hadn't changed at all; since the day they met, she had thought this "upper city's young master" would gradually abandon his excess kindness and gentleness in the harsh environment of the undercity, but until now, he still played the role of the good guy. 

"What's wrong? Didn't we also escape from Stillwater Hold with their help?" Justin chuckled. "Besides, I'm not the only one doing 'unnecessary things.' Look, those 'thugs' and 'scoundrels' are doing unnecessary things too, aren't they?"

Even though they couldn't even call each other by name and would fight over a meal in prison, and even though each of them was a vicious thug, at this moment, they were willingly helping the injured as they headed to the hospital. Even Vi, upon seeing this scene, couldn't help but smile, "Soon we'll probably see them bragging and drinking at the Fugen Tavern." 

"Fugen Tavern, huh... Best to stay away from there; that's Silco's turf."

"Hmm?" Vi's gaze sharpened and then dimmed again. "That bastard..."

"Silco practically owns the entirety of the undercity now," Justin sighed. "Let's not dwell on that now. Let's go find Jinx. When she sees you, she'll be over the moon — though she's already a bit mad..." 

Vi lowered her head, falling silent. Her eyes flickered like the river reflecting moonlight; her heart was unsettled. As the moment of reunion approached, she grew increasingly anxious.

"Huh, who knew that determined face of yours could show such a soft expression," Justin teased. "Are you worried Jinx won't recognize you as her sister? Don't worry, the kid's a bit of a tsundere. She talks bad about you during the day, but when she lies in my arms at night, she frequently whispers your name."

"That's good... Wait, she lies in your arms at night?"

"Well, given the circumstances..." Justin's smile turned a bit awkward. On the most dangerous night, he and Jinx huddled together in an abandoned room's bathtub to avoid Silco's pursuit, trembling together. As a result, Jinx grew attached to him and the bathtub, unable to sleep without holding him.

"You two are together?" Vi's gaze turned somewhat hostile, though Justin wasn't exactly a bad choice...

"Relationships between people aren't something that can be explained in a sentence or two," Justin spread his hands. "In short... we sleep in each other's arms, depend on each other, and support each other. That's how it is."

Justin shifted the topic: "Instead of brooding over my relationship with her, why not think about yourself? The last time you two met was years ago, and you slapped her."

"I know!" Vi crossed her arms and paced. "But I can't just meet her like this, covered in blood. What if I scare Powder?"

"Well, she's not that afraid of blood anymore..." Justin had thought Vi would be eager to see Jinx, but surprisingly, she was hesitant. "How about I take you for a bath first?"

"Alright."

"Okay then." Justin rolled his eyes. Although Vi wasn't anxious, he certainly was. Since that night, he and Jinx hadn't been apart for more than a day. Although she was often annoying by always hanging around him, he got used to it, and now he felt a bit unsettled when he couldn't see this mad beauty for too long.