Chapter 15: The Heist (1)
Most of Vander's time was spent on running his bar, his gang and protecting the people of the Undercity. He had been dealt a rough hand as a single parent and usually relied on the eldest, Violet, to help raise the others. He loved his children very much but simply did not have the time to take care of them.
And when he saw Violet walk into the bar with two handsome boys and Powder was friendly with one of them the other day, he couldn't help but worry. He wanted to go over and talk to the boys, but as he had a bar to run, he missed the chance to do so.
More days passed, and Vander had seen the two boys come over frequently, especially the one with the pink hair. He noticed Powder liked him the most, and he was getting more concerned by the day.
A bright smile would always find itself on Powder's face as she would become more cheerful every time the pink-haired boy came over.
Vander didn't want this happening, but he knew forbidding his daughter from seeing the boy she liked would only make her upset. The only thing he could do was be supportive and meet this boy for himself.
***
In Art's opinion, there was one thing far scarier than almost getting shot in the head, far scarier than swimming in an ocean full of sharks... and that was a father's love for their children. They would do anything to protect their children, and right now, he was being targeted by such protection.
Just like what Art had been doing for the past month, he had gone to the Undercity after school to hang out with his new friends. This time he went alone as Ezreal couldn't go and was stuck at home doing homework his uncle gave him.
Today there were going out to eat at Jericho's again, but Art regretted coming today... Right now, he felt like he had a pistol shoved down his throat while a sniper with a red dot sight attachment was aiming straight for his forehead. He was nervous to the point he was drenched in sweat.
Vander had told Violet and the gang to do chores as he took this short time to be alone with Art upstairs at the bar counter. The burly man was staring at Art as if he had stolen something precious from him, making him very uncomfortable.
"Do you know who I am?" Vander asked, wiping a glass with a clean towel.
Art nodded and said, "Your Vander, Violet and the gang's dad, right?
"That's right," Vander replied.
"Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Art," Art introduced himself nervously.
Vander stayed silent and replied after a short silence. "No need to be nervous, kid. I just wanna talk to you a little about my daughter."
"Talk about what?" Art asked as he already had an idea of what he was going to ask.
"I don't know if it's the same for you, but Powder seems to like you very much," Vander said as his voice deepened the more he spoke. "You better treat her right, okay?"
Hearing this, Art was not surprised. Unlike dense, dickless, passive Japanese anime main characters, he had already known Powder's feelings for him. It was pretty obvious, well, at least for Art, as she would laugh at everything he said and took every opportunity to be close with him.
Art did not mean for this to happen, considering he was not trying to get arrested by the multiversal FBI anytime soon. Still, to quickly get out of this situation with Vander, he nodded his head and replied. "Okay, I will."
However, it was at this moment that Art heard a clinking sound behind him. Turning his head around, he saw Powder drop the cymbal monkey toy she was holding. Her face was flushed red from embarrassment and happiness before she ran off.
Oh no, I'm done for. The FBI will have a warrant for my arrest…
…Half an hour later, Art and the gang were on their way to Benzo's shop. The shop owner, Benzo, the best friend of Vander and who was like an uncle to Violet and the others, took Ekko under his wing and allowed him to work at his shop.
The gang were on their way to pick up Ekko to have dinner with him at Jericho's, but the atmosphere between Art and Powder couldn't have been any more awkward on the way to Benzo's.
Powder was silent and would occasionally sneak glances at the boy walking beside her. At the same time, Art was trying to occupy himself by talking to Mylo and Claggor. After causing a misunderstanding, he didn't know what to say to the girl and hoped to talk about it with her later.
However, no matter how much the two tried to hide it, it couldn't escape Violet's eyes…. Something must have happened, she thought as a smile could be seen on her face. Yet, despite her curiosity, she stayed silent and did not interfere with Powder's relationship. She didn't think she would be of any help, considering she hasn't been in a relationship herself.
Just like this, the gang continued to walk towards Benzo's shop. It was only a couple of minutes later, they found themselves standing before a small building.
This was Benzo's shop, and just like the surrounding buildings, it was small as its walls were red as the vestiges of time were evident on its surface.
Ekko's cyclone could be seen parked by the shop entrance, and coincidentally, so was he. He was carrying a brown carton box as he was preparing to carry it inside the shop.
Art stepped up and asked. "Yo, little man looks heavy. Need any help?"
"It's fine. This one should be the last one," Ekko shook his head energetically, but seeing the door closed, he changed his mind. "Actually, can you open the door for me?"
"Sure," Art smiled and opened the door.
Ekko went inside first, followed by Art and Violet, while the rest waited outside. As soon as they stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by a musty smell, the distinct smell of an old and vintage store. But, compared to the worst parts of the Undercity, such as the junk heap, this smell could be considered heavenly for the gang.
Candles dimly lit the inside, whilst the store's miscellaneous products were scattered all over the place.
A large and obese man with a mutton chop beard stood in the middle of the room behind the store counter. He gave the gang a glance as they entered. "If any of yous break anything, better prepare to pay for it," he said before turning his attention to the mysterious object he was holding.
"Yeah yeah, we got it," Violet rolled her eyes before turning to Ekko. "So how long till your done, Little Man?"
"Just wait outside, Vi. I'll be done in a minute," Ekko replied, dropping the box he was holding on the floor.
"Alright, we'll be waiting outside." Violet nodded and began to walk out the door, but when she saw Art was standing still and staring at some items in the corner of the room, she stopped by the door and asked. "You coming, handsome?"
"Uhh, yeahhh, just having a look. I'll come out soon," replied Art, his eyes glued to the items before him.
Violet thought nothing of Art's words. She shrugged her shoulders slightly before walking out the door.
Seeing her leave, Art turned to the items displayed on the store shelves. "I can't believe I would find items this early," he said to himself.
Items for a League of Legends player were like air to a human being: it was essential to learn what items could do for a player to be considered good at the game. Items could provide buffs to the champions a player plays in the game. Some buffs improve the champion's stats, while others offer other types of benefits.
These benefits could increase how fast a champion can attack, deal damage magically and physically, increase a champion's health, etc. Some items could even give an ability to champion that isn't part of their kit.
Ever since reincarnating into this world, Art had always wondered; would items in this world have the same effects as it does in the game?
There were so many questions he wanted to be answered. So, when the opportunity finally arose, he could not help but get excited. Rabadon's Deathcap was one of the game's strongest magic-based items in the game, and it was just within an arm's reach away.
If I were to put this in my head, what would exactly happen to me? Will I be able to lift bigger objects with telekinesis magic? Get more swole using body enhancement magic? Create more swords with creation magic?
This thought excited Art, only to die down the next second upon a sudden realisation... I shouldn't get my hopes up too high. Finding such a powerful item in a place like this is very unlikely.
Although Art was doubtful, there was still a little bit of hope in his eyes. He reached for the seemingly ordinary and oversized purple hat placed up in one of the in-walls displays. He put it on his head and waited, and waited, and waited until a half a second passed.
But just as he expected, there was no reaction other than looking goofy as the hat was too big for him. There was no power-up, no sudden surge of energy, his hair didn't turn yellow and spike up. It was just a plain, old, ordinary hat.
Well, one thing happened, and that was getting a laugh out of Ekko who had just come out from the back. "Hehe, Art, you look so stupid," he said.
"Yeah, I know. Anyway, let's go," Art sighed and put the oversized hat back on its display… I knew it! It was too good to be true.
Art and Ekko left Benzo's shop and made their way to Jericho's with the gang.
Ten minutes later, they arrived and ordered.
As usual, when the food came out, it looked disgusting as ever. But when he took a bite, the taste was addicting as ever. "Oh, Jericho, how do you make it so delicious," exclaimed Art. "You should be on MasterChef."
"Mwhahahaha," replied Jericho. "Yaga, ya, oga."
Art shook his head. "I still don't understand what your saying," he then turned to Powder. "What about you?"
"Nope," Violet shook her head.
Art turned to the others and was given the same response. "How can you tell—"
"We don't. You can tell what he's saying after a while," Violet interrupted before turning to Ekko. "So, little man, you got any tip for our next job?"
Art's ears perked up upon hearing this. From what he was told after gaining their trust, the gang would rob houses belonging to rich topsiders and sell the stolen goods at Benzo's. As a topsider, he should have detested such acts, but he did not mind them doing this, especially after discovering the horrible living conditions in the Undercity.
As long as no one was seriously hurt or killed and it was not affecting his family or friends, Art could care less about what they do. But, on the off chance they would coincidentally target his house, he used [Body Enhancement Magic] to improve his hearing and listened in to their conversation.
"Yeah, I've got a really good one. It's in the University of Piltover dorms," said Ekko excitedly. "I've got a really good feeling about this one, Vi."
"Good job," Violet smiled. "I'll tell the others about the job later."
"Okay, and oh, are you going to bring Art and Ezreal with you guys?" Ekko asked curiously.
Violet nodded, taking a bite of the food in front of her. "Sure, why not. I'm sure those two will want to come along just for fun."
Mhhh, she ain't wrong about that. Although I doubt Ezreal will be able to come, that asshole of an uncle will keep him locked up at home, Art thought before turning off [Body Enhancement Magic] to stop listing to their conversation.
The rest of dinner was spent making small talk with Mylo and Powder beside him before going back to the hideout.
Violet hopped on the punching machine. Powder, Ekko and Art were having a competition at the shooting range, with Powder winning every round by a landslide, whilst Mylo and Claggor were relaxing on the couch at the side.
Not much was happening, but it was little moments like these that Art would remember for the rest of his life.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone