Time to Eat, Family! (update)

Question: What skills are needed to beg effectively?

If Link were a girl, he might have bought a pair of black stockings, taken some photos, edited them, and waited for the money to roll in.

Unfortunately, he was a ridiculously handsome guy.

So, the stockings strategy was out of the question.

But begging, at its core, came down to three things: boldness, attentiveness, and thick skin.

However, to seek help from beings in parallel universes through the Dimensional Mailbox, these three traits alone weren't enough.

He needed something more.

After a moment of thought, Link's eyes lit up.

That's it—emotional value!

Only by providing emotional value to those in parallel universes could he gain substantial rewards.

But how could he offer emotional value to someone in another world?

Link scratched his head in frustration, trying to recall, think, and connect the dots.

Suddenly, he remembered an episode from Arcane Season 2, where Ekko and Heimerdinger traveled to a world where Piltover and Zaun coexisted peacefully.

In that world, Vi didn't exist.

And because Vi was absent, the people of that world had taken a completely different path.

So, the question was: in a world without Vi, would anyone miss her?

Yes, and quite a few.

Jinx, Ekko, Benzo, Vander, Orel, Mylo, and maybe even Silco.

If he could help these people who missed Vi, giving them a chance to see her again—or even promise a better future for her—he could provide them with emotional value.

And that's where the opportunity lay.

So—

Link opened the Compose Mail module and began typing, his thoughts translating into words.

Three Rules for Begging Across Parallel Universes:

Be bold, attentive, and shameless.

Provide emotional value to the beings in parallel universes.

Get paid first, deliver later. Keep your promises and follow through.

After jotting down these rules, Link saved them as a draft, reminding himself to always adhere to them.

"Now, it's time to write the letter."

Link took a deep breath and started composing.

**[Dear Friend from a Parallel Universe,

I am Link Star, an apprentice who cares deeply for the Twin Cities.

Listen, I need your help.

After Jinx killed Silco, she spiraled into madness. She bombed Piltover's Council building, causing heavy casualties and spreading fear throughout the city.

Without Silco to keep Zaun in check, the undercity is bound to descend into chaos, with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

And let's not forget the Noxians watching from the shadows, and the Black Rose blooming in the darkness.

I don't know who will read this letter, but I beg you to help me. Whether it's money, knowledge, power, or even small gadgets for self-defense, anything would be of great help.

Of course, I won't take your help for free.

In my world, there might be loved ones you've lost, unrequited loves, or respected elders you wish you could see again.

I can help you fulfill unfinished wishes, mend regrets, and heal the cracks in your heart.

So, please, help me.]**

After writing the letter, Link reviewed it several times, then attached some scenic photos from the original owner's collection before sending it off.

"Begging letters should be short and to the point."

"Now, the real test begins!"

Link took a deep breath, copied the content ten times, and hit send.

Cast a wide net to catch more fish.

The letters folded into envelopes and disappeared into a blue vortex.

[Letters sent. Please wait for replies.]

"Done. Now, it's time to wait."

Link stretched, interlacing his fingers and raising his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Now, let's see what Link Star's life was like."

Link sat at the desk, pulling out design blueprints one by one to examine them.

"Clockwork tech?"

Link frowned as he studied the designs.

Clockwork tech was one of the three major technological systems in the Twin Cities, alongside Hextech and Chemtech.

Orianna, the Clockwork Lady, was the pinnacle of this technology.

But clockwork tech hadn't been mentioned in Arcane.

Yet, here it was in the original owner's designs. Did that mean this world was different from the one he knew?

If so, characters like Camille, Ezreal, Seraphine, Janna, Ziggs, Dr. Mundo, and Twitch might also exist here.

If not, then clockwork tech shouldn't be in these designs.

It seemed he'd need to explore the Twin Cities thoroughly to see how this world differed from the one he remembered.

As Link pondered, a notification popped up.

[You have a new letter. Please check your inbox.]

"A reply already?" Link's heart raced as he opened the interface and saw the letter.

[From: Anonymous]

Link nervously opened the letter, his fingers trembling.

His future in this world depended on this moment.

The letter contained just one sentence:

[Help me save the Twin Cities and change everyone's fate. Payment has been sent.]

Link's eyes widened as he saw the attachment at the end of the letter.

Did he... just succeed in begging?

He opened the attachment.

[You have received a gift from Anonymous: Talent—Cursed by Knowledge]

[Talent—Cursed by Knowledge

Effect: You are endlessly pursued by knowledge, granting you unlimited learning and comprehension abilities.

Note: The more you know, the more you realize how little you know.]

[Write talent into your system?]

"Yes," Link answered without hesitation.

The moment the notification flashed, Link's fingers clenched, his head tilted back, and his body shuddered as if electrocuted.

The gift was being written into his being, bringing both pain and an indescribable sense of relief.

It was like a blind man regaining his sight, a deaf man hearing again, or a mute finding his voice.

When Link opened his eyes, the world seemed clearer, as if a fog had lifted.

"Everything feels simpler and clearer now."

Link muttered to himself as he grabbed a book from the shelf.

"Introduction to Clockwork Tech: Basics and Beyond"

He flipped through the pages, absorbing the information at an astonishing speed.

In just moments, he finished the book and moved on to the next.

"Applications of Clockwork Tech"

"Top Ten Clockwork Creations"

"The History of Hextech"

"Memoirs of the Hexgate"

"The Connection Between Runes and Hextech"

"Hextech Applications Encyclopedia"

One by one, Link devoured the books, tossing them aside as he finished.

When he looked up, the shelf was empty.

Closing his eyes, Link returned to the desk and picked up the original owner's designs.

The more he looked, the more he frowned.

The original owner had been designing a clockwork device to help disabled people walk again—a device that could allow the paralyzed to stand and the weak to live freely.

But the original owner had hit a roadblock: he couldn't figure out how to design the power source.

After studying the blueprints, Link began making adjustments.

The power source was simple—just add a few pressure valves, a kinetic recovery gear system, and—

Half an hour later, Link set down the quill and looked at the completed design.

"Link Star, I've finished your design. I'll fulfill your dream, so rest easy."

"From now on, this is my life."

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Link opened it to find Tamara, one of the original owner's few friends.

She was fit and pretty, but her fingers were stained with oil and calloused from work.

"Link, have you heard? The Council building was attacked! Half of it was blown away. It's insane—and terrifying."

"If you mean the explosion earlier, then yes, I know."

"Link, you seem... different." Tamara leaned in, studying him.

"Maybe it's because my all-nighters finally paid off?" Link raised an eyebrow.

Tamara's eyes widened. "You finished it?"

"Mostly. I just need materials to build the prototype."

"Congratulations, then." Tamara smiled, but her expression quickly darkened. "But with the Council attack, the family auditions will probably be postponed."

Link blinked. The auditions were a chance for apprentices to showcase their inventions to Piltover's elite families.

If they impressed the right people, they could secure funding and rise to fame.

But this year's Progress Day had been ruined by a Zaunite lunatic, and the auditions had been delayed repeatedly.

"It's fine. The auditions being postponed isn't the end of the world."

Tamara smirked. "If you're so calm, how are you going to pay this month's rent and next month's living expenses?"

Link's calm facade cracked. The original owner's savings were meager, and without the auditions, he might be evicted.

"Ha!" Tamara laughed, slapping his shoulder. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. I didn't just come to tell you about the attack. I've got a money-making opportunity for you."

"Madam Norlin on Goldsea Street has a clockwork clock left by her late husband. It's broken, and no one's been able to fix it. She's raised the reward for anyone who can."

"So, interested?"