Zaun, a sprawling subterranean district, nestled beneath the winding ravines and canyons surrounding Piltover.
To reach Zaun, one had to take the Public Hexdraulic Descender, often referred to as the "Rising Howl," from Piltover. The northern part of Piltover was the affluent sector, and most didn't need a reason to venture into Zaun. Therefore, the majority of Public Hexdraulic Descender were stationed in the southern city area.
At the entrance to the great chasm of Piltover, Li Lin reached into his pocket and produced two copper rings, placing them in the hands of a statue of an official clad in robes. With a mechanical clank, the copper coins vanished, serving as the toll for crossing the bridge.
Then, he and Caitlyn navigated through the crowded bridge, weaving through more than a dozen turns in the streets of the southern city area until they reached a winding cobblestone road built along the canyon.
Due to the fact that the public Hextech Pressure Transport at the end of the street often roared to life well into the night, this road was commonly known as Airdrop Street, and it was the route most people took to get to Zaun.
The districts of Zaun could roughly be divided into three parts:
The Danceway Corridor and the Border Market, adjacent to the lower city of Piltover and running parallel to the upper levels of Zaun, bore distinct architectural styles that prevented confusion between the two.
The Mid-Level Plaza, situated in the middle of Zaun, was where most ordinary Zaunites lived, scraping by and occasionally catching a glimpse of sunlight on days when the smog wasn't too thick.
As for the lowest level of Zaun, it was aptly named the Undercity, a place frequented only by the destitute, those driven to desperation, and scavengers. There, the sky was a perpetual stranger, and it harbored numerous alchemical facilities tainted with toxins and pollution, along with countless ore mines. The region was shrouded in severe chemical contamination and choking smog, making it unbearable even for those accustomed to Zaun's murky air, unless they had breathing filters.
Different social strata had varying needs when it came to the elevators. The elevator cabins had multiple tiers, with three vertical tracks as the main support structure, running parallel to the ground.
Generally, the workers commuting to and from work would only spend a dozen or so copper rings, or even half a silver wheel, to ride the lowest level of the elevator—a dirty, crowded cabin.
On the other hand, merchants attending bustling markets or those with the means to afford tickets for family members spent three to five silver wheels to ride the mid-level cabins, offering a relatively cleaner and more comfortable environment.
Wealthy Zaunites, who often visited the Danceway Corridor for shopping, dining, or exchanging goods and supplies in the lower city of Piltover, frequently spent six to nine silver wheels to enjoy the best conditions in the upper-level cabins.
However, there was a group of "stowaways" who preferred not to spend money. They regularly risked their lives, climbing along the external vertical tracks of the elevator to heights of tens of meters before leaping onto the top of the elevator for a free ride. Although there were quite a few deaths from these falls each year, they remained undeterred.
The families that managed the elevators couldn't be bothered to deal with these orphans from the depths of Zaun. After all, human lives held little value, and hiring guards would require spending money.
Li Lin handed over fourteen silver wheels at the ticket booth to purchase two upper-level cabin tickets. He and Caitlyn then passed through a diamond-shaped iron gate, entering the iron-framed cabin of the Rising Howl and ascending to the top level.
Lanes, located in the mid-level area of Zaun, was at least half an hour's journey from there.
"This must be your first time on the Rising Howl, right?" Li Lin glanced at Caitlyn, who stood beside him in silence, looking somewhat uneasy. "How does it feel?"
Caitlyn frowned slightly but didn't say a word.
Li Lin handed over 14 silver wheels at the ticket booth to purchase two upper-level cabin tickets. Then, together with Caitlyn, he passed through the diamond-shaped iron gate and entered the iron-framed cabin of the Transporter, ascending to the top level.
It wasn't because of Li Lin, but rather due to the fact that the elevator was a completely enclosed space, with various odors mixing together, making the air murky and uncomfortable.
Apart from that, the diverse life stories of the people from the lower levels, she sensed inside the elevator, gave her a strong impression.
The Piltover she remembered was a well-ordered, glamorous city. But now, everything in front of her seemed to shake that memory.
Is this really the Piltover I remember...
Caitlyn looked out of the window at the bustling streets below and couldn't help clenching her fists.
"Have you heard the story of the Rising Howl?" Li Lin, noticing Caitlyn's less than ideal mood, attempted to shift her attention and asked.
"Isn't it just because of the sound?" Caitlyn responded with little enthusiasm. "I know, it's the sound of cold wind blowing through the canyons beneath the city."
"No, no, no, there's actually more to it than that," Li Lin spoke with a hint of excitement.
"According to Zaun's version, the elevator is called the 'Rising Howl' because there's a statue of a howling lone wolf on its top." He pointed upwards. "But what I want to tell you is a different legend."
Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, her azure eyes shifting towards the young man beside her. She was indeed quite interested in these curious stories.
"Elevator, descending!"
With the administrator's bell-like shout from a corner, the roaring steam began to operate, and various mechanical parts and gears meshed together, emitting a metallic grating noise.
Soon after, the elevator slowly descended into the nearly lightless tunnel.
Li Lin paused for a moment, reorganizing the background story that had faded in his mind, leaving only faint impressions. Then, he took a deep breath and spoke mysteriously:
"In truth, inside this cabin, there's a specter from Zaun, a veiled attendant in black. Whenever far away from home and loved ones, the attendant's restless spirit shakes the elevator's metallic core."
"If you're trying to scare me... Well, I'm afraid I've outgrown the age for ghost stories," Caitlyn quipped, her mood clearly improving.
"I'm not trying to scare you. Have you not heard of the tale of Kindred?" Li Lin smiled.
"Compared to that legend, I still prefer the version the lower city folks call 'The Lone Wolf Howl.'"
Caitlyn turned to look at Li Lin again, a smile playing on her lips. "But thank you; your story has made me feel much better."
Over the next twenty minutes or so, the two conversed about various topics, ranging from mundane family matters to exotic customs from different countries. As they chatted, their enthusiasm grew.
Although Li Lin had never actually been to these places, his understanding of the backgrounds combined with his original memories allowed him to narrate convincingly.
"Current stop, Mid-Level Plaza!"
"Hey, Li Lin, you haven't finished telling me the story of the ancient terror yet!" Caitlyn complained, following closely behind Li Lin as they stepped out of the iron-framed cabin.
"Alright, we've reached our destination, I'll tell you next time when we have the chance," his voice slightly hoarse, Li Lin waved dismissively.
"You can also... cough cough..."
Just as Caitlyn was about to continue speaking, she abruptly began to cough violently.
Li Lin gently patted her back to ease her discomfort, while also furrowing his brow, attempting to slow his own breathing and adapt to the stifling and polluted air that was difficult to inhale.
After a while, Caitlyn, her complexion somewhat worse for wear, finally calmed down.
"Th-thank you..."
"See, it's not that I didn't want to tell you, it's just that it's really hard in this environment."
Li Lin rubbed his slightly uncomfortable throat, realizing that Zaun's atmosphere was even worse than he had imagined. And this was only the mid-level.
Caitlyn wiped away a tear that had escaped due to her coughing fit and covered her mouth and nose with her hand.
Feeling somewhat better, she surveyed the scene before her with a surprised expression.
"Is this what the Undercity looks like?"
"Exactly." Li Lin turned to her, and suddenly, a classic phrase came to his mind, causing a sly smile to curl up at the corner of his lips. "Welcome to the Lanes!"