For once, the next couple days were finally uneventful for Frank, and he got to spend it with Helen as she was on a rare break too. They went to the movies, shopped, and strolled through Morhen Park and other famous spots in Morhen. While they finally recovered a hint of the bliss they shared during their marriage, those calm days did not particularly last long.Just three days after Nash was admitted, Cirian Zobel texted Frank:[Tonight. The Dark Life. West Morhen.]Frank's gaze narrowed sharply at the short text.Tonight was the decisive moment to catch the Lionhearts red-handed and change Glen Turnbull's mind.After telling Helen to stay put at Nash's cottage, he headed out in the afternoon, ready to free Vicky from the Turnbulls' shackles.Helen followed obediently while telling him to be safe.-The Dark Life was a bar, but only on the surface.As Frank waited there before Cirian's meeting, he spotted over ten martial arts, two of whom were Birthright rank. There was ev
"What else is there?" Sif asked impatiently."Well, I was worried that this would give you a heart attack. Mr. Lawrence?" The South Sea Crow called out, turning toward the shadows."Mr. Lawrence…? As in… Frank Lawrence?!"Shock showed on Sif's face. She was dumbfounded, even as she glanced between the South Sea Crow and the man emerging from the shadows.Catching his cue once he was called, Frank strode out pompously into the open.Disguises were unnecessary now—he took off his mask and glasses, then turned off the recorder in his pocket while greeting Sif formally. "Good evening, Ms. Lionheart.""You… Both of you…"Sif came to a realization at the sight before her—she was no fool and turned to run after a moment of shock."Running, Ms. Lionheart? Don't you think it's already too late?" Frank appeared behind Sif in an instant, striking her on the nape and knocking her out.The South Sea Crow took a sip of her cocktail even as she watched Sif collapse limply on the floor, bre
Titus remained impassive as he strode into The Dark Life."What happened? Where's Sif?" he asked the bartender.The bartender's legs were trembling as he stammered, "I-I don't know, Mr. Lionheart. All I remembered was her meeting with the South Sea Crow, and then I fell unconscious. She was gone when I woke up."Titus' eyes narrowed, clearly infuriated by the bartender's panicked recounting.His family owned The Dark Life, but there were no official ties as Titus himself set up this place. They would use it to assign missions to Blackrank individuals, and it was an exceedingly secure spot.Naturally, the public would have no idea about that—all they knew was that The Dark Life was a bar, though not particularly eye-catching.Even so, it was still illogical for a person to just disappear into thin air."What about the cameras?" Titus asked when he calmed down, turning back to the bartender."It's…" The bartender leveled a troubled look at the corner, where the cameras that were
Glen then finished, "In case you're wondering, the South Sea Crow is on our side now. She told us everything."Titus' fist was cracking audibly as he realized that the conspiracy he had planned for so long was thoroughly dismantled.Giving up on pretension, he asked coolly, "Where's Sif?""We have her remanded," Glen replied. "She will be allowed to return once your family has pulled out entirely from our estates and businesses."Titus almost shattered the glass table before him.He never thought that the Turnbulls would have the guts to stand against them.No, that was putting it lightly… They actually kidnapped a member of their family and threatened them in turn!"Fine. In that case, there's nothing more to say, Mr. Turnbull," he growled. "We won't hold back either if anything happens to Sif while she's in your custody."Save your breath, Mr. Lionheart," Glen retorted in disdain. "Your father already knows—he should be returning to Morhen as we speak. I'd be thinking about w
Frank breathed a sigh of relief at Glen's assurance.Thank goodness the man kept his word—if the man pulled another technicality on him, Frank really would not mind turning against the Turnbulls right then and there.As they left Turnbull Estate, Vicky was once again the coquettish Turnbull heiress.Throwing her arms around Frank's neck, she jammed her lips firmly on his cheek. "Oh, darling… You're amazing! How did you manage to gather the evidence against Titus?""Uh…" Frank was about to explain when he spotted Helen in her car, having been waiting for a while.She alighted, striding to stand between Frank and Vicky while folding her arms before chest. "Let's head home, darling. You're driving.""Okay…" Frank tamely ran off to get the car while wiping the lipstick stain off his cheek as hard as he could.He really would not stay for another second, sensing the conflict brewing between both women.Still, Vicky was giggling as she watched Helen. "What, are you jealous? Oh, don't
"What's wrong? You can just tell me, Uncle Gavin," Helen said, frowning."Alright… Just stay calm, alright?" Gavin asked."Okay," Helen replied.Gavin sighed and spoke solemnly just then. "Your uncles recently returned. They found out about that farm, and they argued with me and your granduncle a few times about it."Pausing, Gavin sighed again. "Then last night, a large group of goons charged into the farm and burnt down the place, causing devastating losses.""What?!"It was not just Helen and Vicky—Frank was furious too."I've told your granduncle already," Gavin continued exasperatedly. "We both believe the goons were sent by your uncles, and your granduncle had them both brought back to Laneville. But they refused to admit it, and there's nothing we can do."Hearing that, Frank grabbed Helen's phone and asked urgently, "Mr. Lane, what about the herbal bath extract I kept in the warehouse? Are those still around?""Oh, Mr. Lawrence…" Gavin murmured guiltily. "If you meant
Frank wasted no time in contacting Glen to save time and cook more herbal bath extract.Glen had certainly seen the pretend state of affairs, and that there was no chance of reconciliation between his family and the Lionhearts. As such, he was now completely on Frank's side for Vicky's bridegroom, not Titus.In fact, he did not hesitate to deliver copious amounts of natural treasures from his vaults, and there was no shortage of century old herbs.Even Frank was impressed—the Turnbulls were really rich as expected.When he was in Riverton before, he had to spend ages just to find even one, but Glen had them in scores. However, though Loggins Apothecary were also sending much of their herbs to help Frank as well, what they could give still fell short compared to the Hale Marrow that he had acquired by chance at an auction.Still, it was enough for the time being.That night, Frank got on a private jet provided by Glen and returned to Skywater Bay with Vicky, Helen, Nash, and Kat
Kat continued nonchalantly, "I don't really get it, but my mom is the catalyst for their incubation technique. My blood, which is basically my mother's heirloom, has that incubation effect for medicinal herbs. Honestly, I wouldn't have known because my father's so overprotective, but I'm also not sure if it'd work since he's the one who told me that."Frank realized with a start after Kat's quick summary—so that was why Nash had been so careful with Kat, and why she had a seal in her body.Still, he shook his head. "I know what you're getting at, but I have enough herbs for now, don't worry—"Before he could finish, Kat had picked up a knife and pricked her finger, drawing scarlet blood."What…" Her determined visage left Frank sighing. "You're such a brat...""Oh, quit overextending," Kat said solemnly. "I heard from Vicky that you have the herbs, but they're not old enough to be as effective as before. And you know it's not easy to get older herbs. Moreover, I have to pay you
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra
After strutting for so many years, this was the first time anyone had seen through the depth of Frank's abilities in its entirety.That alone set Baldie apart from the rest, or at least the average martial artist, if not placing him scarily high over them.Still, Baldie warned, "Word of advice, kid—mind your own business. This isn't my choice, as there's a larger faction at work here, and you'd be in trouble if you rubbed them the wrong way.""Really?"His warning only pleased Frank further.After all, this meant that there were more powerful individuals like Baldie!In fact, Frank was just getting sick of being invincible, or he would not have been amusing himself by tormenting baddies.And with Baldie's words, he found himself a new hobby… He had plenty of time to spare anyway, so he should use it!"What's that stupid grin for?"Baldie smiled in wry amusement as he realized what Frank was thinking.To think he had the bad luck to run into someone like him!"Simple, really.
The beggar continued, "The way I see it, those ghosts are basically people with superpowers. They are driven by their own desires to hurt the living, while some have trouble controlling their powers after suddenly awakening to it."Her unexpected explanation actually enlightened Frank.Ghosts and hauntings notwithstanding, they were just people who could do what normal people could not—but they were fundamentally no different!Without hesitation, Frank rushed forward when a tall, well-rounded bald man appeared before he reached the graves. "Does no one ever listen?" He laughed coldly.Frank felt a powerful burst of energy from his words—he was clearly trying to make them obey, but they were not listening!"In that case, I'd just have to be tough on you!"At those words, a bead appeared on Baldie's palm, and it shot up to the sky!At the same time, an unusual energy converged and ultimately morphed into a monster.It was basically a pile of rotting flesh crawling with maggots.
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry—I'm neither blind nor deaf. I knew what was happening from the start, and I'd be even more upset if I were in your shoes."The stall owner sighed in relief at Frank's words and turned to leave, not forgetting to curse the beggar under his breath.At the same time, the beggar straightened herself off the ground and sat cross-legged, whipping out a large meatloaf out of nowhere and chomping down on it.Frank sat beside her too, not bothered that he was wearing an expensive suit and certainly not concerned about getting it dirty."So, do I pass your test, reverend?"The beggar said nothing, instead handing Frank the meatloaf that her dirty hands had left darkened. "Hurry up. It's good."Frank took it, not minding it at all and finishing it in a few bites. "It's good, but I can make something better. How about it?"The beggar was suddenly on her feet, stretching her back and yawning. "Next time. I'm busy.""What is it? Can't I help?" Fra
After Mr. Creston handed Frank his phone, Frank nodded. "Good, at least you're cooperating. So you can do it yourself!"Mr. Creston was left befuddled—what the hell?! He was already being so cooperative, and the brat still wanted him dead?!"Friend, a gentleman is as good as his word," he said. "People would laugh at you.""Laugh at me?" Frank chuckled coolly. "Who would dare laugh at me? Also, I think it might happen if I don't wipe out people like you.""What…!"As Mr. Creston realized from Frank's calm tone that he was not letting him off the hook, he ran without hesitation.But to Frank, he was slower than a tortoise and disappeared in the blink of an eye.Frank then whipped out Mr. Creston's phone and called the number in it.A coquettish woman answered the call. "Hey, buddy!"Frank laughed at the way she greeted him as if they were old friends. "Reverend Quietus, I presume? Why don't we meet up, if you don't mind?""I certainly don't mind." The woman laughed too. "Who
Frank smiled and nodded. "Ladies like you are rare these days."Drunken Moon snapped her fingers, grinning. "That's exactly why we need to work hard to eliminate all the terrible women. There would be more good girls that way, don't you agree?"I'm not out to make men happy—just to set a standard for my fellow girls. Not everything is black and white, since anything can be relative. Even if men were all gone, bad women would still be bad women. Don't you agree?"Frank nodded in agreement.Thirty minutes later, the stout Mr. Creston sat up on the bed, clearly startled.Frank, who was watching from a bird's eye view, was caught by surprise—how did that man sense his presence?Still, he understood when he saw that Mr. Creston was holding a gleaming yellow talisman.Shock soon turned to curiosity as Frank thought most street geomancers these days were conmen, but somehow, a working talisman was there right in front of him. Hence, Frank made up his mind to find them right then."I
Frank was not only the smart guy out there in the whole right world. In other words, Mr. Creston had that in mind too!He was helping because he had felt insulted after Frank flexed on him earlier, and Dani was still useful to him—for now.When she handed over the company, however, he would not hesitate to kick her out! On top of that, he would make sure that she took the fall for all the dirty deeds they did together.In the end, she would not even be able to defend herself, while suffering lawsuits and public condemnation!Even so, she said, "I understand now. But it's never too late—I swear I'll change if you give me a chance!"Frank simply turned to Zein. "Actually, this man had the right idea—if he gave you a chance, who would give him one?"We're all adults here, so act your age. I'm sure you understand how a good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.""I get it!" Dani quickly said. "You don't have to keep me around, just—""No!" Frank snapped and crushed her left hand und
Dani was under the impression that even if the goons were not the best, they were on the cusp of reaching that level anyway.It turned out to be just her wishful thinking—when against the truly powerful, she was a lamb at the mercy of the butcher's knife, no matter how many people she brought! "To be honest, I'm curious as to what you're thinking." Frank snorted as he strode up to Dani. "Why dump a man who loves you dearly for some prick you don't even know? Being abused in that state and still thinking that you'd chosen wisely—do you actually have a brain?"Seeing her launching, he knew she was not listening, and he tore her ear off!The horrific pain jolted Dani to her senses, and she was left clutching what remained of her ear as she stared at the seemingly handsome man.She was under the impression that Frank would let her live even if she lost, but it was once again wishful thinking.He would kill her, and savagely at that!And she was certainly right, since Frank had ne