ARCANE:Diary of a Zaun Lunatic

According to Durin's experience, a single-handed weapon proficiency of 48 points was no small feat. He could handle a knife with remarkable flair—far better than most gang members, not to mention butchers.

His running proficiency of 36 points allowed him to outpace ordinary people when lightly equipped and carry slightly heavier loads than the average person, with a maximum capacity exceeding 60 kilograms.

However, Durin noticed that increasing proficiency, whether in single-handed weapons or running, depended on the target. For instance, slaughtering poultry required hundreds of repetitive motions just to gain a single point of proficiency—and even then, sometimes not. On the other hand, violent confrontations with people guaranteed a significant proficiency boost, far surpassing the gains from butchering animals.

In Zaun, however, engaging in violence could be life-threatening.

Slaughtering poultry was safer—and it paid.

Durin, valuing his life, avoided unnecessary conflicts. He preferred not to risk his safety for trivial disputes.

That said, proficiency became harder to increase as it grew. Character leveling followed the same principle.

Additionally, every 25 proficiency points in a skill granted him a related perk.

For example, when his single-handed weapon proficiency reached 25 points, he was given the choice between two perks:

Handle Wrap Mastery: Increases personal weapon handling by 20%; as a team leader, slightly enhances the combat skills of teammates.Shield Bash: Increases stun duration and damage from shield attacks by 50%; as a team leader, reduces teammate damage taken by 4% in shield-wall formations.

Durin had chosen Handle Wrap Mastery without hesitation. It was thanks to this passive perk that he excelled in his current job slaughtering poultry.

Similarly, when his running proficiency reached 25 points, he had chosen between:

Daily Jogging: Increases personal movement speed by 3%; as a team leader, enhances teammate movement speed by 5%.Strong Constitution: Increases personal maximum health by 5; as a team leader, enhances teammate health by 5.

Recognizing his frail physique, Durin opted for Strong Constitution to bolster his endurance.

Durin's character card system resembled a martial arts game. Basic attributes were akin to strength, intelligence, and agility, while individual skills were comparable to martial arts techniques. Perks acted as buffs that enhanced his abilities.

However, the system offered only potential. It didn't grant instant success, let alone magic.

After struggling for half a year since arriving in this world, Durin had only one goal: escape the slums of the Lower City. He aspired to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the Mid-Tier Plaza, where he could breathe cleaner air and live without constant fear after work.

The Mid-Tier Plaza, located beneath the ambiguous boundary between Piltover and Zaun, was a bustling area filled with marketplaces, restaurants, lecture halls, and even fireworks shows. It was one of Zaun's most densely populated districts.

This made it a hub for Piltover residents seeking entertainment, prompting the alchemical barons of Zaun to form an alliance. They deployed gangs to maintain 24-hour security in the area with rotating shifts, ensuring order across the district.

But Durin knew his current job as a poultry slaughterer wouldn't suffice to improve his circumstances, not even over a lifetime. To change his fate, he needed to save 18 silver coins and become a blacksmith's apprentice, enhancing his forging skills and earning a stable income.

Someday, he hoped to afford a luxurious home in Zaun's elite Dance Hall or even start anew in Piltover as one of its refined citizens.

The lower levels of Zaun were crowded and chaotic, with every space converted into workshops or income-generating properties dominated by gangs.

The path from the slaughterhouse to the outside world passed through rudimentary gang-repaired roads—barely navigable.

Streetlamps leaned precariously, illuminating twisted, asymmetrical pipes that snaked through walls or became part of the buildings themselves. The cluttered signs and cramped structures resembled a dystopian Kowloon Walled City.

Yet the air here was toxic.

Durin carefully avoided a glass tanker rumbling past. The massive tank held a viscous purple liquid marked by three green stripes—a symbol of the powerful Silco family, Zaun's most influential criminal syndicate.

Durin lived in the Ninth Avenue slum, the most chaotic part of Zaun's Lower City. Dim lights flickered from low, crammed houses perched precariously on towering cliffs. The air reeked of decaying garbage scattered throughout the neighborhood, creating a labyrinthine maze impossible for outsiders to navigate.

As he trudged through narrow alleys filled with stagnant industrial wastewater, Durin made his way home. The faint glow of kerosene lamps and candles lit the area, as electricity was too expensive for most residents.

After navigating the confusing streets, Durin reached a small corner grocery store. The one-story shop had two stone lion statues flanking its sliding iron door. Inside, old shelves displayed everyday items, cheap tobacco, alcohol, and sea beast meat.

Next to the entrance stood a 1.6-meter wooden board plastered with papers—a job and bounty board.

"Two loaves of black bread at home. Just need some vegetables," Durin muttered before greeting the bald shopkeeper with a smile.

"Durin! Good to see you!" The shopkeeper, wearing a black tunic and gas mask, smiled back.

Durin handed over a copper coin. "A fresh carrot, please."

The shopkeeper hesitated. "Sorry, Durin... carrots are two copper coins now."

Durin frowned. "What's going on? Prices suddenly went up?"

The shopkeeper leaned in and whispered, "Since yesterday, everything's more expensive. The Piltover merchants hiked prices again. Supplies are tight, and law enforcers came down on the lift. Trouble's brewing in Zaun."

Durin's heart sank. If basic goods were affected, would rent also rise?

He couldn't live like this anymore.

"Alright."

Gritting his teeth, Durin reached into his pocket and fished out another copper coin, reluctantly handing it over. In return, he received a fresh carrot. On his way past the task board, he stopped to take a look.

Maybe there was an easy, safe one-day gig he could take on Sunday. After all, earning a little extra money was always good.

Clear out the sewer rats on Third Avenue – 18 copper coins per job

Durin immediately dismissed this one. The Zaun sewers were not exactly fit for human access. Who knew how much industrial waste flowed through there? The rats down there were as big as housecats—completely ridiculous! Not to mention, there were usually dozens of them in a single nest. At just 18 copper coins a job, it simply wasn't worth the effort.

Besides, wasn't there some kind of "rat hero" in Zaun? Had that guy been born yet?

Durin wasn't sure and wasn't about to enter the sewers to find out. Way too dangerous.

Looking for a repair worker with mechanical knowledge and experience, capable of fixing most devices. Work location: Middle Plaza, Ben's General Store. – Salary negotiable

Well, this one was a no-go for Durin too. Since arriving in this world, the only thing he'd learned to do was disassemble machinery. As for repairs? Forget it. He hadn't even maxed out his engineering skill to the 25-point novice level yet.Mage's Assistant Wanted: Must possess decent writing skills, patience, and other commendable qualities. Prior experience as a mage's assistant is preferred. Work location: 753 Third Avenue. – Daily wage: 20 copper coins.

A mage's assistant?

Durin sneered. The harrowing experience of being used as a test subject had permanently shattered his trust in these eccentric mages—especially the impoverished ones who could only recruit assistants from the slums.

And really, what kind of mage would live, let alone operate, in a gang-infested area like Third Avenue?

Temporary Gang Enforcer Wanted – 8 copper coins/day. Note: Gather at 6th Avenue in the Lower City at 1 PM. First come, first served. Only 25 slots available.

Huh?

While Vander was the de facto leader of Zaun, his mild temperament meant he didn't bother to manage the city's gangs. Most of these gangs were backed by chem-barons, who in turn were often entangled with meddling Piltover interests.

This left Zaun's numerous gangs to fight over limited turf, resulting in frequent skirmishes.

Temporary enforcers naturally emerged to fill the demand. Although this job seemed dangerous, Durin knew from experience that nine times out of ten, nothing serious happened. Usually, it was just a few thrown bottles and some shouted insults about each other's mothers before everyone scattered.

Even if a fight broke out, temporary enforcers like him were placed at the very back, making it easy to slip away.

Looks like he'd have to wake up early tomorrow.

After confirming his options, Durin hurried back to his rented room.

The alleyway leading to his home was marked by a large tiger claw symbol painted in red and green graffiti on the walls. It was the emblem of the Tiger Claw Gang—a warning to other gangs that this was their territory.

The buildings in the alley were mostly two-story gray concrete structures, with each floor divided into five or six rooms. Aside from shared kitchens and bathrooms, there wasn't much space to spare. A single narrow staircase, barely wide enough for one person, served both floors.

When Durin reached the middle of the alley, he climbed the stairs to find a crowd gathered outside his rented room. They were all his neighbors.

"Uncle Wright! Aunt Martha! Little Lang!"

Durin greeted them one by one and asked, "Why is everyone out here?"

"It's because of…"

A plump woman in a linen dress and a face mask sighed.

"Quiet!"

"Durin, see for yourself," interrupted Uncle Wright, stepping aside with his son Lang to let Durin through.

Inside, Durin saw his neighbor—a young woman in her twenties. She wasn't particularly pretty, with short, disheveled brown hair and a patched dress. She stood nervously at the door, wearing a thin mask over her face.

In front of her stood a middle-aged man in his thirties with graying hair, flanked by two burly henchmen. The henchmen bore tiger claw tattoos on their arms and carried flintlock pistols at their waists.

The man with the graying hair, wearing a respirator, spoke in a muffled voice: "Listen up, everyone!"

Durin recognized him as a mid-level enforcer of the Tiger Claw Gang and, unfortunately, the landlord of the building.

The man didn't stop the neighbors from watching. In fact, he seemed to welcome the attention. Tugging at his disheveled dark coat, he announced impatiently, "I'll say this one more time: starting next month, rent for all rooms will increase by 50%! Everyone's rent goes up!"

"What?"

Someone in the crowd immediately asked, "Why?"

"Why? Hah!" The man sneered. "It's not just our gang. Rent's going up across all of Zaun." He added mockingly, "And if you can't pay, then move out. If you resist, you'll be going against the Tiger Claw Gang!"

With that, the man waved his hand and left with his henchmen. The crowd parted like frightened mice.

As the enforcer's figure disappeared down the stairs, the remaining residents dispersed, each with a heavy expression. A 50% rent hike was no small burden for those living in the slums.

"Ugh."

"Damn it."

"What now…"

Durin glanced at his young neighbor. They didn't interact much, but he occasionally helped her with small favors, like taking out her trash or sharing a meal.

From what he knew, she worked as a cleaner at a local tavern, earning just 2 silver coins a month. Her room, smaller than Durin's, was barely 3 square meters—about the size of a bathroom. Even so, it cost her 1 silver coin in rent.

With the 50% increase, her rent would rise to 1.5 silver coins, leaving little for food or other expenses.

When the girl noticed Durin looking at her, she bit her lip as if about to say something but hesitated.

Durin sighed and shook his head. "Sorry, I really don't have any extra money to lend you."

Her shoulders slumped, and without a word, she turned and disappeared into her tiny room.