Arcane: Winds of Change

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Chapter 2: Conflict

Back at the factory, Silco tasted the lamb hotpot Phil had prepared. It was the happiest meal Phil had enjoyed since arriving here; he still couldn't accept eclectic creatures like swamp frogs as food.

After dinner, Phil took the materials back to his room. Now that he had everything he needed, he was ready to research and tackle the intricate shotgun design. Creating it wasn't particularly difficult since materials were easy to gather in Zaun, and Phil had excellent science grades back on his planet, even winning first prize at a provincial robotics competition. With the support of the system, it was only a matter of time before he figured it out.

Time flew by, and Phil worked tirelessly through the night. Finally, by the next afternoon, he had results. Under Phil's craftsmanship, a heavy and imposing shotgun, standing over a meter tall, was born. Phil eagerly carried the tall shotgun to the door: "Silco! I did it! I finally made it!"

In Piltover, weapon control was strict, and guns rarely fell into the hands of people in the undercity. Even enforcers didn't carry weapons at all times. The true significance of this weapon wasn't just its immense power; it represented huge interests and an essential force for rebellion. Phil knew of Silco's ideals.

"Silco? Silco!" Phil called out a few more times, but there was no response. He walked out of the room and asked the guard on duty, learning that Silco hadn't returned since going out last night.

Upon hearing this, Phil had a bad feeling. Although the possibility was low, he didn't waste any time. He hid the shotgun and grabbed a steel pipe before rushing out the door.

Phil first ran to the Last Drop, grabbing a short, thin man with glasses. Phil knew he was one of Vander's men: "Have you seen Silco?" 

"Silco? I saw him. He was rude to Vander. I don't know what he was thinking." 

"Where is he now?"

"How would I know? I have no authority over him. Kid, show some respect when you talk to others." The man in glasses was getting angry.

Phil couldn't care less and drew a small knife from his waist, pressing it against the man's neck until he drew blood. "I asked, where is he?"

Phil clearly valued Silco greatly. Having never met his biological parents in either of his lives, Phil cherished this relationship dearly, even though it had only been three short months. Silco always treated him like a son.

The other people in the tavern noticed the commotion and stood up, turning their attention to the situation. The atmosphere grew tense.

Suddenly, the tavern door opened. Vander returned, holding his wounded side. Seeing Vander injured made Phil even more agitated: "Where is Silco, Vander?"

Vander was taken aback. Perhaps out of guilt or maybe out of lingering fraternal feelings, he slowly uttered three words: "By the river."

Phil retracted his knife, grabbed the metal pipe, and headed outside. Along the way, two tall men blocked Phil's path. Phil gripped the pipe tightly. "Let him go," Vander said.

Only then did the two men slowly step aside. Passing by Vander, Phil remarked starkly, "Silco better be okay. You've gone too far." His cold and composed tone was not something one would expect from a ten-year-old child.

Vander didn't respond. As Phil walked out, Vi and her group were heading towards the tavern. Powder (Jinx, the blue-haired girl from earlier) recognized Phil: "Is it you?"

Phil ignored her, walking straight past them toward the river. Soon, Phil arrived at the riverbank and found Silco lying on a pier.

Silco was covered in blood, and his wounds had festered after being submerged in the already heavily polluted water, especially his left eye, which was clearly beyond saving.

Tears rolled down Phil's cheeks as he knelt beside Silco, calling his name.

Phil picked Silco up and began to walk back toward the factory. He knew that without money, no doctor in Zaun would help, and every minute wasted increased the danger to Silco. Phil's small frame struggled a bit under Silco's weight, but he pressed on with determination. Upon reaching the factory, he instructed the yellow-haired guy at the entrance to carry Silco, while he retrieved his newly made shotgun and a small bag of gold coins from his room.

"Let's go to the best clinic in Zaun. You lead the way." Although the distance wasn't great, each step felt long to Phil. Upon arrival at the clinic, Phil glanced at the filthy environment and felt a stronger alignment with Silco's vision for change. The doctor examined Silco's injuries: "What a pity. If you had come earlier, the eye might have been saved." 

"Enough talking. Do what you can," Phil interrupted, noticing the doctor's smirk. "Of course, I can save him, but the cost..." Instead of tending to Silco, the doctor brought up the price first. Without hesitation, Phil removed the safety from his shotgun and fired a shot at the ground. The power of the shotgun shocked even him, forcing him back a few steps from the recoil. Then, he tossed the bag of coins to the doctor.

"Fix him, and the gun is yours. If not, the bullet is yours." Phil's words were succinct and clear. The doctor swallowed, showing a hint of caution but more desire for the gold. "Understood," he said, then proceeded to move Silco onto a bed. Phil watched from the side as the doctor sterilized the wounds. Observing Silco's furrowed brows gradually relax, Phil, who hadn't slept for over two days, succumbed to sleep beside Silco's bed.

When he woke again, it was completely dark outside. Phil saw that Silco had regained consciousness and called out, "Doctor! Bring some food. I'm hungry." The awakened doctor grumbled, "This is a clinic, not a canteen, for heaven's sake," but went to get some food nonetheless. The taste of the food was forgettable, but it served its purpose.

Seeing the dimming look in Silco's eyes, Phil said, "It's okay. You can get a prosthetic eye." 

"Vander betrayed us. He's become cowardly and weak. That fight stole his spirit," Silco replied, ignoring Phil's comment. "We sacrificed so much and finally saw hope, only to have him turn into this for comfort." At this moment, his eyes were filled with resentment; the pride and admiration he once felt had vanished.

Phil noticed the change in Silco's demeanor: "He will pay for it." 

"I will make him regret it, absolutely. Vander, just wait and see," Silco's eyes burned with hatred and defiance.