Jinx (update)

"What the hell is this?" Sevika couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

The stranger, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, removed his hood to reveal a black-and-red helmet. The black base was accented with crimson streaks, giving it a menacing and mysterious aura. Six glowing red compound eyes, arranged in a triangular pattern across the upper half of the helmet, shimmered ominously in the dimly lit room. The lower half of the face was replaced by two respirator filters, pulsating with a faint blue light.

But the most unsettling feature was the eight spider-like legs extending from the sides of the helmet, trembling slightly with each breath from the respirator.

"Meh, I've seen scarier," Jinx rolled her eyes, shrugging her slender shoulders.

"Heh—" Link let out a faint, ambiguous chuckle.

This helmet was a device he had specifically designed after concocting the Shimmer formula. It functioned similarly to a gas mask, with the left filter purifying the air and the right one vaporizing Shimmer. Compared to oral ingestion or injection, inhaling Shimmer placed less strain on the body, reduced side effects, and allowed the substance to quickly reach the heart and lungs, enhancing physical capabilities.

Shimmer granted him faster reflexes and improved regeneration. The enhanced reflexes allowed him to better utilize the augmentations provided by his exoskeleton, while the regeneration protected him from the burns caused by the exoskeleton's overheating and the physical strain it imposed.

Additionally, Link had incorporated night-vision technology into the helmet, giving him a broader and clearer field of vision than an ordinary person. The eight spider legs weren't just for show either—they served as storage units for Shimmer.

"So, Mr. Mysterious Spider, what brings you here?" Jinx swung her legs off the table, her right hand casually holding a gun resting on her shoulder, her finger lazily hooked around the trigger guard.

"I'm looking for someone," Link replied tersely.

Jinx narrowed her eyes and smirked at Sevika. "Big sis, I didn't know you were this popular!"

"Who sent you?" Sevika's expression darkened.

Link shook his head. "I'm not affiliated with any of the Chem-Barons. I just need your help."

"Help?" Sevika's eyes narrowed further. "Is this how you ask for help?"

"I understand that manners aren't exactly a priority in Zaun, but is your ability to discern the situation this weak too?" Link sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. He then pointed at Jinx. "Wasn't she the one who started it?"

Sevika glanced at Jinx, who blinked back at her innocently.

Sevika felt a headache coming on. The Chem-Barons were constantly scheming, fighting over territory, and she was stuck in the middle, trying to mediate. It was exhausting.

Just when she thought she could catch a break and chat with Jinx, this helmet-wearing stranger barged in.

What was happening to Zaun? Could they ever return to the peaceful days when everyone simply minded their own business?

"Regardless of who started it, this is the Black Lanes. If you're here, you follow our rules!" Sevika took a heavy step forward, her expression fierce.

Jinx hopped off the table, tiptoed over to Sevika, and slung an arm over her shoulder. "Yeah, the Black Lanes' rules!"

"I'll trade you information," Link said bluntly. "I have intel on Renee and the recent attack at the memorial service."

"What do you want from me?" Sevika asked, her tone sharp but willing to negotiate.

"I need to meet Dr. Singed."

"Singed?" Sevika's brows furrowed. "Why him?"

"That's my business. So, do we have a deal?" Link spoke slowly. "If not, I'll find him myself. It'll just take a bit longer."

"Also, if word gets out that a wanted criminal from Piltover is at the Last Drop, how many Zaunites do you think will come running?"

Link's voice remained calm, but Sevika clenched her teeth.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Not a threat. Just making things simpler." Link sighed. "Honestly, I'm pressed for time. I don't have the luxury to waste it on idle chatter."

"So, for both our sakes, just help me out, big sis."

Link mimicked Jinx's way of addressing Sevika. Sevika's expression shifted between anger and hesitation before she finally relented and gave him the location of Singed's lab.

"Thanks," Link said, relieved. If he could recruit Singed, disrupting the timeline would become much easier. By altering key events, he could change the fates of those involved.

From there, he could work on reshaping the Twin Cities. And once that was done, he'd have all the time he needed for his research.

After all, the Twin Cities were just a small part of Runeterra. The world beyond was far more vast and intriguing.

With the information he needed, Link shared the details about Renee and the memorial attack before turning to leave.

As for Jinx, he'd approach her later. Running into her now was a stroke of luck, and he couldn't pass up the chance to talk to her.

Most importantly, Jinx held a piece of information that was crucial to Link's plans.

Watching Link leave so abruptly, Sevika exhaled deeply, her tension easing. She stumbled over to the table, grabbed a bottle of liquor, and took a long swig.

"What's happening to Zaun? Freaks like him are popping up everywhere now."

"That guy's shady as hell. Definitely up to no good," Jinx said, holstering her gun and crossing her arms. Sevika shot her a look and rolled her eyes.

You're one to talk. You're not exactly a saint either.

"Jinx—" Sevika composed herself and set the bottle down. "Zaun needs someone to step up now."

"It used to be Vander, then Silco, and now—" Sevika looked at Jinx with hope in her eyes. "I want it to be you."

At the mention of Vander and Silco, Jinx's expression darkened, a shadow passing over her eyes.

"He's gone, and the whole world's gone to hell."

"His dreams, everything he built—are you just going to let it all crumble to dust?"

"Jinx!"

Sevika locked eyes with Jinx, but Jinx avoided her gaze, instead picking up a mechanical arm and fiddling with it.

"You were the one he cared about the most. You're the only one who can carry on his legacy."

"If you're willing, there are plenty of people who'd follow you."

"Booooring—" Jinx drawled, her tone dripping with disinterest.

Sevika's face fell. "What did you say?"

"I said it's boring. So boring!" Jinx pointed the mechanical arm at Sevika. "Why bother with all that? Let it all burn to ashes!"

A short while later, the back door of the Last Drop creaked open.

Jinx, now wearing a half-cloak with the hood up and carrying the mechanical arm wrapped in cloth, stepped out. She had no interest in dealing with Sevika's problems, but fixing her arm was simple enough.

As soon as she stepped outside, however, she spotted the spider-like figure leaning against the wall across from her.

Frowning, Jinx pushed back her hood, one hand holding the wrapped mechanical arm and the other hidden beneath her cloak.

"What do you want? Still sore about getting shot and looking for payback?"

"I just want to talk, Jinx," Link said, lowering his arms. "You have information I need, and I have something you'll find interesting. How about a trade?"

"Pfft, what could you possibly have that I'd care about?" Jinx turned her head away, scoffing.

"Information about Vi."

In an instant, Jinx's head snapped back, her eyes wide as she stared at Link, her grip tightening on the mechanical arm.