Neither Clark nor Gable avoided Luna when they saw her. In fact, Gable actually approached her and asked, "You can't stand Helen too, can you?"Luna was taken aback for a moment but was soon glowering. "Yeah."Helen had always held herself head and shoulders above her, and her patience was more than used up as she remembered how pompous Helen had been tonight.All she wanted was an opportunity to express it!Clark and Gable traded glances in turn and saw the delight in each other's eyes.You cannot always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you get what you need!They had just been discussing what they were going to do about Helen, but they were missing a key part—something or someone they could use to catch Helen off guard.As long as Helen 'vanished', the brothers would ultimately take ownership over the farm.They had certainly been coveting it for a while, and they hated their father for denying them all this while.If that geezer would just give them that piece
Gable kept goading. "Listen, Luna. Even if your Uncle Clark and I can't become the head of the family, having you take leadership is still much better than letting Helen do it!""Exactly! You have the candidacy as the next head of the Lane family too, and you have Madam Lang's support. You're certainly more than a match for Helen, and if she disappears on top of that…" Clark trailed off, his eyes narrowing with a knowing smile."Then I'll be the head of the family…" Luna murmured to herself, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she smiled proudly."Exactly!" Gable nodded, affirming her ambition. "Your Uncle Clark and I both have your back!""Yes," Clark kept beguiling Luna as well. "Once we get rid of Helen, we will take back control of our family!"In reality, Clark and Gable did not actually have to worry—Luna hated Helen for so long, but she just kept it to herself because she did not have the opportunity.Now that her uncles afforded her one—even promising her that she cou
After a brief hesitation, Luna called her uncles. "I've already called Helen. You just have to wait for her on the road.""No, that won't do." Gable chuckled over the phone. "Surely you can't leave the dirty work to us while you do nothing?"Luna frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?""Nothing much." Gable kept chuckling. "Look, don't worry—we just need you with us, and you don't have to do a thing. Can't have you go behind our backs and tell your Grandpa, can we?"Luna paused, but she soon realized that Gable meant she just had to be there.That would mean they were all in this together, and her uncles simply did not want her to betray them.If anything, she was relieved since she thought Gable wanted her to kill Helen with her own hands. It would even be better if she gets to see Helen die… or beg her for mercy.As such, she agreed to her uncle's request and got into their car.They left Laneville, stopping by a quiet road that led straight to Laneville.They were joined b
"What do you want?!" Helen snapped even as she took a step back, leaning against her car as she glared warily at the goons around her, as well as at Clark and Gable."What do we want, you ask?" Clark shook his head even as he strode up, brandishing his steel bat threateningly at Helen's face. "Well, you really are a beauty up close. Killing you right away is a real waste… why not let the boys have some fun, Gable?"As the goons around them laughed sleazily, Clark grinned sinisterly. "I remembered everything you said at the dinner! Don't you think you should be apologizing now, huh?!" It was late into the night, and they were in the middle of nowhere—it was the perfect opportunity for a perfect murder.And yet, Helen was not afraid at all, even snapping coolly, "Apologize? Really? What you've done has only further earned you the title of prick."Helen's tough reaction actually gave Clark pause. He turned to look into Helen's car and was relieved to see no one else inside.Gable
As Clark, Gable, and their goons encircled Luna and Helen, Luna was left stammering, "Uncle Clark? Uncle Gable? What…?"Having heard the ladies' exchange, Gable applauded Helen, even smiling. "Not bad! I'm surprised you can see that… I guess Gavin admired you for a reason. Hell, you might really become quite something if you were allowed to grow.""Uncle Gable…?" Luna muttered even as realization struck her.It might have just been a suspicion earlier, but even Gable was basically admitting to it now that she, Luna, had been used like a tool.And now that she had served her purpose, both her and Helen would be silenced.Even as she glared at Clark and Gable in disbelief, she bellowed, "Why?! Why are you doing this?! W-Weren't we're in on this together?! How could you—""We're in on this together? Says who?" Clark shot her a glare of disdain, chuckling. "We'd be exposed if we really kept a dumbass like you around. Also, were you really actually hoping to be the next head of the
Naturally, the drowsy man who alighted was none other than Frank himself.Helen was no fool—everything about this was suspicious, as not only did Luna call her in the middle of the night, but she was also telling Helen to hurry back to Laneville.If Mark was really looking for her, he would have asked Gavin to make contact.While Helen was afraid to ask, she thought about it and decided to bring Frank along.He just happened to be sleepy and was lying down for a nap on the backseat, which in turn kept him out of sight.However, while Clark, Gable, and their goons were taken aback as Frank alighted, Clark soon recovered. Leering at Frank gleefully, he chuckled. "Oh, Helen… So that's your lowlife ex-husband, huh?""Highwaymen… blocking the road?" Frank was jolted to his senses by Clark's mocking and pointed at himself blankly. "Lowlife ex-husband? You mean me?""Hahaha… Look around you. Is there anyone else here?"Clark, Gable, and their goons were all laughing at Frank's del
Secrecy was unnecessary at this point, and Gable was even laughing darkly. "Yes, we burnt down your shitty farm resort. I don't mind telling you that since you're both dying here!""I see." Frank turned to glance at Helen's car before smiling at her. "The car camcorder is on, right? Is what they said recorded?""Yeah." Helen nodded, hiding a smile behind her palm.She was surprised Frank was cunning enough to think of that.Moreover, she was not afraid at all anyway—if the goons and thugs of Morhen could not even reach him, Clark and Gable's friends certainly would not.On the other hand, Gable did a double take in surprise after hearing that his words were recorded.However, he soon regained his confidence and snapped coolly, "So what if you recorded us? We'd just have to kill you and set fire to your car. We won't leave any evidence, so no one would know a thing!""I see… You've really thought this through!" Frank smacked himself on the forehead dramatically but soon narrowe
Frank stood his ground, waiting.As the first goon swung his machete, he suddenly moved as fast as lightning when the tip of the blade was inches from his nose.Helen could not see what he did, but the goon was suddenly screaming and on his knees, his machete already in Frank's hand.Even before the goon could catch his breath, he screamed even as he watched Frank raise his foot. "N-No!!!"Nonetheless, Frank sent him flying with a kick, leaving his chest sunken and no longer able to scream.He was clearly dead!Clang!At the same time, Frank had nonchalantly raised the machete behind himself, parrying the machete of another goon trying to blindside him.He pivoted and punched the goon in the head so hard that he smashed it in.While he did, he did not forget to kick another goon in the shin, breaking his leg!Crack!"Argh!" The goon dropped his weapon and tried to flee despite the limp, but he suddenly heard the sound of metal piercing flash.He paused, looked down to find
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