Settsetse! The Pirate Nemesis

Sett was a little curious.

Because the hero draft was closed in the previous system update, Mundo is now the only monster left in the League of Legends universe under Sett's command. Even without any training, Mundo's powerful life force allows him to entangle a general... of course, he can only entangle, not defeat.

Since we can't recruit them, it wouldn't be bad to create a few ourselves.

Immune to Devil Fruit attacks, incredibly tough, powerful, and possessing a massive body. If it could truly be artificially created, Sett was certain that Galio would be far more powerful than that damned Ancient Weapon—forget Uranus, Poseidon, or Hades. Can he be immune to Devil Fruits? Probably not. I can! And it's a wide-area silence!

Sett doesn't even want to talk about how overpowered the Silence skill was. Before the rework, Talon's Throat Slash had a no-cast-time dash silence, LeBlanc's Q skill had a second-stage detonation silence, and Kassadin's Q skill silence were all removed because they were too broken. The remaining silences are limited to a few, like Garen's Brainless Slash and Cho'Gath's Brainless Roar.

Assassin heroes, whether AP or AD, have had their silence ability removed... because this would mean that assassins would have a way to make it impossible for enemies to counter them during assassinations, which would be too overpowered.

If we're really talking about backstory, then Galio is definitely a character who can silence magic in a wide area.

In short, let's accumulate it slowly.

He placed three stones outside to prevent the anti-magic radiation from affecting the people inside. Sett continued browsing the game store.

The shop contains many items, including some unique knowledge. For example, the scroll behind the wandering mage Ryze, the torch in the hands of the weapon master Jax, and even the artifact forged by Ornn.

However, those items were also incredibly expensive, beyond Sett's current comprehension... While they weren't impossible to exchange for, once exchanged, he basically couldn't buy anything else. And whether these items would even be of any use to Sett was another matter—after returning to Antuo Island, the island's daily income and world reputation would be converted into exchange points proportionally. If that were the case... "Let's see what can quickly improve Antuo Island's overall efficiency."

Sett thought to himself—a solo adventure was fine, no need to worry about so much, laughter and tears flowed freely. No one could control Sett's thoughts. But now it was different. As the leader of Antuo Island, Sett now needed to prepare for the next stage of the entire group's development… If that was the case, simply grabbing whatever he wanted as before wouldn't work. The reason was simple: Sett didn't intend to become that shameful kind of pirate.

As he looked around, Sett suddenly noticed something interesting.

Hextech Crystal.

This thing has immense potential.

Sett himself had noticed something: in the system's skill pool, there was one area where hero skills had never appeared... that's right, Piltover. This is because heroes from Piltover primarily utilize Hextech Crystals to unlock their power. Take Jayce, for example; without his hammer, it's hard to imagine Jayce possessing any significant abilities. The same applies to Caitlyn and Vi. Their skills are all techniques derived from the technological creations they wield.

If Sett drew Mundo's Plague Blade, he could at least learn some throwing techniques, but if he drew a Piltover faction skill, he could only accept his bad luck. There's nothing he can do; even with the right techniques, without the right items, they're completely useless…

Without hesitation, I redeemed it. It was only the size of a fist, but its price was dozens of times that of a magic-blocking stone, which also illustrates the value of Hextech Crystals.

Sett held the gem, brimming with mysterious energy and emitting a faint blue glow, close to his ear. He could clearly hear a faint chanting. According to the system's description, this crystal could absorb and generate energy on its own. And this energy even possessed the potential to change the world… The most famous example is Ekko, the time assassin, who was able to control his own time because he accidentally discovered a crystal fragment in a junkyard.

It's safe to say that what Sett currently possesses, in terms of both ability and potential, far surpasses those Devil Fruits!

However, there is a prerequisite: that appropriate research must be conducted.

After browsing the system shop, Sett was somewhat disappointed to find that no other Hextech items had been added—the Hextech manufacturing process was a closely guarded secret. Even in Piltover, no two craftsmen would use the same methods to create them.

This is why, aside from standard-issue Hextech carbines and revolvers, the vast majority of Hextech gadgets are unique works of art with rare beauty. Each one is likely a custom-made item that has taken years to craft and refine.

In other words, if Sett wants to utilize it, he would have to start researching Hextech crystals from scratch—and Sett doesn't have that kind of patience.

While eating, Sett dialed a Den Den Mushi:

"Hello? Is this Judge?"

"I am, who are you?"

"I am Sett."

"Sett?" Judge was surprised to hear it was Sett, and asked seriously, "Is there something wrong? The power plant of Ark Maxim is still under construction!"

Clearly, Judge thought Sett had come to urge him to get things done—although the Ark Maxim had been completed, the time was too short for Judge to build a perfect power reactor in just one month. Relying on a steam engine to replace the energy produced by Enel's power plant was, in any case, asking too much.

Even those already built were half steam engine and half electric engine. They were compromises resulting from unexpected events during research and development, forcing a temporary halt to the project.

As for the unexpected event—it was none other than the Mary Geoise tragedy.

In response, Sett said, "It's not about the power plant... well, sort of."

Sett thought to himself, "If it's Hextech crystal, it should be easy to replace steam power, right?"

Thinking this, Sett said, "Come to me right now, I have something for you. Your upcoming research will likely be closely related to this thing."

"Oh, and don't forget to call your team."

"understood."

Judge wasn't too surprised to hear that Sett wanted him to bring his team of scholars—many people were envious of his team. But so what? Who else could provide such excellent research conditions as Judge?

Based on those notorious pirates? Don't be ridiculous. Pirates are short-sighted opportunists; they may seem powerful, but they're all incredibly narrow-minded. In the end, those scholars will politely decline without even saying a word!

Thinking this, Judge felt a little smug—no matter how strong you are, so what? When it comes to science, I, Judge, am the strongest!

No one can steal my man!!!

------------

Someone asked me why there was one less update yesterday, so let me explain, my buddies.

Last night, when I was preparing to write, Sett told me that he was going to study with Tina to improve his skills, so he had to go back from the set first because he had something to do.

There's nothing I can do; the lead actor quit, so I can't force myself to write it. The quality of actors these days is getting lower and lower. I suggest you criticize him, not me.

232·Poaching

It was noon—and like other nightclubs, the Casino of the Wrist was closed in the morning. With nothing much to do, Sett simply retreated to his office to study the new items from the system update.

I almost forgot, Piercing Force is also a Piltover skill. However, due to system adjustments, Piercing Force has been changed from being an Atlas Gauntlet-exclusive skill to one that can amplify power output through Heroic Spirit. Therefore, it has moved beyond the scope of Hextech.

The lore of League of Legends has undergone several revisions—the most obvious being the story of Vi, the Piltover Enforcer. In the original lore, Vi's gloves were simply modified mining rig gauntlets, a ridiculously low-tier design. However, in the rework, they became the powerful and rare Hextech item, the Atlas Gauntlets, a special piece of equipment that greatly enhances the user's agility and strength.

Clearly, the Atlas Gauntlets aren't Vi's own weapon. Although they're gauntlets, Sett isn't tempted. The reason is simple: they lack the raw, visceral thrill of hand-to-hand combat. According to Sett's outrageous logic, men should engage in brutal, visceral boxing. Any fancy equipment diminishes the essence. And for someone like Vi, who needs support from a special organization in Piltover to fight… well, it doesn't matter. It's common knowledge that female boxers do indeed require special support.

Having exchanged three Hextech Crystals, Sett's finances were suddenly stretched thin. However, Sett wasn't too upset, as he knew very well how immense the crystals' potential was—the sooner such research was undertaken, the better. Ekko, the Time Assassin, could activate Hextech Crystals through Z-Drive, allowing him to explore other branches of the real world's possibilities. He could also break his own timeline, restoring his body and state to a world several seconds earlier.

As the description says, the only thing that can limit Hextech crystals is imagination and creativity.

What if we combined Hextech Crystals with Anti-Magic Stones?

Sett fell into thought—the Anti-Magic Stone could contain abnormal power, including but not limited to magic, Devil Fruit fluctuations, and so on. The only problem was that the Anti-Magic Stone's capacity was too enormous; Galio had undergone over a hundred years of continuous charging from its creation to gaining his own consciousness. If that was the case, could the infinitely generated energy of the Hextech Crystal accelerate this process?

In that case, it can't be called the Colossus of Justice... it should be called the Hextech Golem.

It's worth a try, but first, you need to have enough research results on Hextech crystals.

"I'm here, Sett!!"

Judge walked in from outside, still looking the same as before. He was 2.72 meters tall, with thick, fluffy golden hair like a lion's. He wore a helmet, and his sideburns were straight up to the sky, giving the impression of two sharp blades.

Beside her were the remaining four members of the Vinsmore family—Sanji's three brothers and his sister.

Unlike Judge, whose eyes were filled with disgust due to their biological modifications—they still couldn't forget Sett's personal insults—Reiju's eyes, however, were filled with complex emotions.

Despite the genetic modifications, Reiju hadn't lost her humanity; she knew perfectly well how Sett was perceived on the high seas. In essence, Sett was now a walking nuclear bomb, someone even the World Government dared not easily provoke. This was evident in her father's attitude towards Sett—before, her father had been quite disdainful of him.

But now, Father values ​​Sett immensely. Because in Father's eyes, Sett is more capable than the World Government of restoring the Vinsmoke family to its former glory.

At the same time, the father's arrogance remained... because he knew very well that he was irreplaceable to Sett. After all, on this sea teeming with pirates, many possessed power and Devil Fruits, but those with wisdom were few and far between.

Upon meeting Judge, Sett didn't hide anything. He took out a Hextech crystal and handed it to Judge.

"This is your next research direction."

"...This? A piece of glowing crystal?"

Looking at what Sett held in his hand, Judge felt an instinctive sense of disgust—he hated ignorance. Especially something like this. After a quick glance, Judge said, "Just a very ordinary glowing stone. I can make you more if you want. But you'd better not carry it around, because its radiation can affect the physiological structure of normal people."

Upon hearing Judge's words, Sett shook his head and said, "This isn't a glowing stone... you can call it a Hextech Crystal."

"Hextech Crystal?"

“That’s right, Hextech Crystal,” Sett said calmly. “A special mineral that can continuously generate energy by absorbing free elements in space.”

"That's impossible! Such a thing couldn't exist in nature. You've been fooled!"

Judge didn't believe Sett's words—he'd seen plenty of powerful but brainless people. In his view, Sett, though strong, was probably no different from anyone else now, susceptible to being deceived by charlatans masquerading as scientists.

To this, Sett replied, "Why don't you try it yourself and see?"

Upon hearing this, Judge was somewhat surprised by Sett's calmness. Although he had some doubts, considering Sett's power, Judge patiently took out the measuring instruments he carried with him and began to study them.

A lens automatically extended from the eye socket of the golden helmet. In front of Sett, Judge's gaze went from casual to surprised, then to complicated, and finally to shocked in less than five minutes.

Just five minutes later, Judge quickly said, "Reiju! Bring over those measuring instruments I brought!"

"Yes, Father!"

Hearing her father's stern words, Reiju didn't hesitate for a moment. She stood up and ran outside to get other measuring instruments. Sett didn't stop her, and just sat there watching Judge continue his research.

A moment later, having retrieved the equipment, Judge removed his technological armor under Sett's gaze and changed into a clean, simple, and loose-fitting white isolation suit. Then came the more precise operations.

"Can I have a small piece of it?"

Upon hearing this, Sett didn't say anything, but simply reached out and broke off a small piece the size of a fingernail from the fist-sized Hextech crystal.

"You can do whatever you want with these."

"That's too little. There's simply not enough for the experiments."

After hearing Judge's words, Sett scoffed and said, "Stop lying. What I want is your research ability... A piece the size of a fingernail is enough to produce a beam that can cut through steel. More than enough for research. Want more? It's simple, produce results."

Sett, seeing Judge's displeased expression after his lie was exposed, said, "You really think I came to you without any understanding of this thing after just getting my hands on it? Don't dream. I know better than you how much potential Hextech Crystals have. I can give it to you, but remember, only I have it. Want to research it? Want to equip it? No problem. Trade me your findings!"

As he spoke, Sett pressed the doorbell. Robin rushed over from outside.

Faced with Robin's questioning gaze, Sett pointed to the fingernail-sized Hextech crystal shard that had been placed in the test tube.

“I need to number them, then measure their weight and shape and record them in the archives. I need to know the whereabouts of every single Hextech crystal, even the fragments.”

Piltover's prosperity is inextricably linked to Hextech Crystals, and Sett is well aware of the nature of the predators on these seas—Sett will not let them get away with it. Especially now that Sett himself possesses sufficient power, he absolutely cannot allow any other force to have the means to threaten him.

Upon hearing this, Robin didn't hesitate for a moment—from Sett's order and Judge's unpleasant expression, Robin could guess that this pale blue crystal shard might possess immense value. The only thing that puzzled Robin was just how valuable it was.

The efficiency of the Casino of the High Rollers is quite high—which is also related to its structure. Because it is a casino, the Casino of the High Rollers has its own department for measuring and valuing precious metals.

"This crystal shard weighs three grams, which is enough for your research. If you want more, then produce some results."

Hearing Sett's words, Judge, though resentful, ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of this "endless energy." He snorted coldly, then took out his small safe and carefully sealed the test tube containing the crystal shards, preparing to go home and study it carefully.

But just as Judge was about to leave, Sett suddenly said, "By the way, you brought your research team with you, right?"

Although it was a question, the voice was full of certainty—which made Judge's expression extremely ugly.

Previously, Judge was certain that no matter how tempting Sett was, he would never be able to poach his researchers. Because in terms of environment, compensation, and existing achievements, Sett could not match what he could offer.

But now, after seeing the Hextech Crystal, Judge wavered...

Judge knew very well what endless energy represented.

Especially with Hextech Crystals, such a high-quality energy source... According to Sett, even three grams of Originium Crystal the size of a fingernail can create a beam that can easily cut through steel. Therefore, with proper development, this will undoubtedly be the starting point of a new world!