Twin Cities: Who says scientists can't be conquerors?

Chapter 34 So this is what it feels like to recruit talent

Sizzle—sizzle—sizzle—

Snapped!

With a final, soft pop, the streetlights outside Fugen Tavern, which had been broken by the armored monster, were miraculously relit.

Even though the filament structure inside the light bulb had been destroyed, the electric current still obediently flickered back and forth around the simple copper wire, releasing warm and intense internal energy.

Calling it a "miracle" is not an exaggeration.

"Last one, done!"

Zeli wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and happily looked at the fruits of her labor that morning—all the broken light bulbs on the entire block were now lit up.

She jumped down the ladder, satisfied.

Standing behind her, Hilko stood with his hands behind his back, silently watching the girl's unreasonable "repair" behavior, a faint smile on his face.

Aaron and his two companions, who had set off early in the morning, were still somewhat conscientious and specifically asked Zeli if she wanted to go to Piltover together.

However, Zeli refused.

Like most Zaunites, Zeli didn't have much affection for Piltover.

For Zeli, who comes from a middle-class family that is extremely rare in Zaun and has lived in the Dance Corridor area next to the Bridge of Progress for many years, she doesn't even have any special feelings about Piltover and has no interest in getting involved in taking Caitlyn home.

So while Aaron and the others were putting on a show with Jess and his group at the Giraman Manor, Zeli, who was staying at the Fugen Tavern, naturally started to have a good time.

She first made her way around to the prototype mecha, trying to do something with her unstable electric magic.

However, the fine insulating coating on the mecha quickly made Zeli hesitate.

Then she seized another opportunity and found Hilco, who had just finished cleaning up the corpses scattered in the streets and had a chance to catch his breath.

Zeli pestered Hilko, hoping he would tell her the story of Aaron—she always felt that she had a special talent for mechanical manufacturing, and the only peer she admired was Aaron!

In recent years, as Aaron got stuck in a dead end in his research on mechs, he began to frequently invent various items for the people of Zaun in order to change his thinking.

Although those items were merely byproducts of Aaron's research into mechs, their superior quality and affordability greatly benefited the poorest people.

Even Zeli's proud modified electrician's gun was essentially a product of Aaron's wisdom.

Therefore, the little girl naturally had an unparalleled adoration for Aaron.

And what about Hilko?

Hilco hadn't originally intended to give Zeli any special treatment.

He's not a nanny; raising two children is tiring enough, why should he also cater to a teenage kid with vivid fantasies...?

"Well done, Zeli."

Hilko clapped his hands lightly twice as a gesture of applause.

"You are very talented. You can do these things very well, even things that Aaron couldn't do."

"Really?!"

Zeli's eyes widened in surprise.

She quickly packed up the ladder and ran happily to Hilko's side.

As Aaron's "little fangirl," even if Hilko's tone was a bit perfunctory, as long as she mentioned the keyword "Aaron," she could still immediately grasp Zeli's emotions.

"Yes."

Hilko gave an affirmative answer again.

Looking at the lively blonde girl and the light bulb that lit up completely outside the basic laws of physics, the little thought that had previously prompted him to pay more attention to Zeli burned even brighter in his heart.

Aaron was right again.

That's what Hilco was thinking.

A long time ago, Aaron had seriously mentioned the so-called "Zaun three-step strategy" to Hilko—

The first step is to integrate the loose organizational structure so that the entire team can follow orders and act accordingly.

The second step is to develop productivity to obtain new sources of revenue and gradually abandon the extremely harmful practice of micro-light smuggling.

The third step is to focus on attracting and cultivating talent, enabling the organization to become self-sustaining.

In Aaron's vision, if Hilko continued to rely on the inferior Glow Potion with its severe side effects and the violence he used in the underworld to rule Zaun, the final result would definitely not be good.

At first, Hilco thought Aaron was still a child and naturally dismissed these words.

But as time went on, and through Aaron's own tireless efforts, Hill gradually discovered that many things had indeed proven Aaron's words true:

If Aaron hadn't streamlined and consolidated Hilko's men, even more people would have died in the battle in the city.

If Aaron hadn't invented those best-selling products, Hilcor would still be heavily reliant on smuggling through the Glimmer and wouldn't have the confidence to face Caitlin's arrival.

if not……

Hilko glanced at the excited Zeli and thought to himself: This must be the third step Aaron was talking about, right?

She has no prejudice against Hilko, possesses magical powers, and has a natural desire to join the organization.

No matter how you look at it, Zeli, a native of Zu'an, should definitely be a high-quality talent.

When this girl became attached to him and kept expressing her admiration for her adopted son.

Hilco discovered that he simply couldn't be as "tough" as he had been when arguing with Aaron, and push away such an easily attainable talent.

He couldn't wait to get Zeli to move to the Fugen Tavern!

"Alright, now that all the streetlights are fixed, I should go home."

"Otherwise, my parents will... oh right!"

Zeli tilted her head, then suddenly remembered something important. She nudged Hilko's arm somewhat shyly and said, "Uncle, could you please write me a note or something?"

"What's wrong?"

"I need to prove that I didn't intentionally stay away from home."

Zeli blinked and bit her lip, clearly embarrassed to talk about her family situation.

"Such a big thing happened down there, and I haven't been home at all. My parents must be worried sick, so..."

Oh.

Hilko understood.

Zeli needs to provide proof that the girl did not intentionally disappear to fool around.

"Okay, come to my office."

Hilko readily agreed, but at the same time, she also felt the injustice of the world—

As someone who spends most of her time in the mid-level plaza and occasionally ventures into the trenches to avoid the attention of Piltover, Zeli is a rare "child with both parents" to Hielko.

After staying out all night, how do I explain this to my parents?

This kind of problem almost never exists among the people that Hilko frequently comes into contact with!

"I wonder if a kid from a well-off family would really end up like me, hanging around in the lower rungs of Zaun?"

In an instant, Hilko began to doubt himself again, and his newly ignited desire to recruit was dampened.

He admitted that he now really thought highly of this girl who could use magic. This was evident from his resolute refusal to let Singed have any contact with Zeli.

Hopefully...

On the way back to the office with Zeli, Hilko couldn't help but glance back at the composed blonde girl.

He discovered that Zeli wasn't like some of the guys desperate to get into Piltover; she didn't seem bothered by the tavern's shabby decor at all. She even watched with interest as Hilko spread out a yellowed notebook on the table, tore off a page, and began to write:

[Zeli was amazing, she helped us defeat the monsters - Hilko]

"Okay, your parents will be proud of you."

Hilco handed the note to Zeli.

Seeing Zeli's pleased expression, Hilko's confidence grew even more.

She herself would definitely be happy to do so.

And if I had this girl's help, would I be able to...?

Tap, tap—

Just as I was pondering this, there was a sudden, urgent knocking on the door.

"Enter."

Hilcone, who was already considering how to use Zeli's innate talent, didn't even think about avoiding Zeli and casually let the person knocking on the door come in.

Since they'll most likely be on our side in the future anyway, there's no need to...

"How is it you?!"

Looking up, Hilko was surprised to find that the person who rushed into the room was not one of his men, but someone deliberately dressed in a black robe, with a stiff expression...

"Marcus?"