Frank flashed a mischievous grin. "Let's start with 'Oh, darling, I'm scared of the dark… please don't go?'"Helen's lips parted and tried to explain herself in panic. "No, I just think we shouldn't book two rooms. It's expensive and there are plenty of drawbacks…""Hahaha…" Frank chuckled audibly, seeing her embarrassed and girly reaction.And seeing that he was laughing at her, Helen was done explaining herself and pouted as she turned away."Fine, I'll quit pulling your leg now." Frank sat beside her and pulled her into his arms, smiling. "We can stay in a room, but I'm a man of integrity—I'll properly marry you once I really settle down. There's no rush, right?"Helen was touched by the sincerity in his eyes, her lips puckering like an innocent maiden's. "And when would that be?""When indeed…" Even as he held Helen's, Frank's gaze turned distant.To be honest, he had no idea.After all, most people could hardly imagine the challenges he faced—finding his mother's murdere
If this happened again, Frank might really be unable to hold back—it was sheer torment!Helen woke up early too and walked to the window, straightening her hair as she watched Frank run laps downstairs.Her gaze was at once tender, amused, and also disappointed.-Over the next week, Frank was basically staying at Helen's side at all times, ready to deal with possible attacks and reprisals.Still, Lanecorp was easier to manage than expected—the corruption plaguing the company seemed to be cleared in a week, and various operations were up and running.As the leader, Helen naturally gained the admiration of all board members and shareholders.Naturally, it was also thanks to her powerful backer—how could they still stand against her when she could collect a debt from Victorget?Meanwhile, Kallum was still confined in his own office, the very look of dejection but still refusing to concede defeat."Don't worry, Helen!" Cindy exclaimed smugly as she sat beside Helen in her office.
Frank was driving, and when he and Helen arrived, they saw that it was actually a private garden. The venue was basically decorated as if it was for a social ball, complete with a buffet, wine, and classical music. Waiters were weaving in and out of the crowd, serving guests.Naturally, everyone present were representatives of major businesses in Zamri—even if Lanecorp was not particularly weak among them, they were nothing to brag about either.Each guest had a tag on them identifying the groups representing them, and Frank even noticed Victor Sorano from afar."Hmm…? Kallum isn't representing Lanecorp now?" an elderly man carrying a glass of red wine asked as he approached Helen just then, with a woman in her twenties linking arms with him.It was a clear case of sugar daddying—the man was in his sixties.Helen politely greeted him in turn. "Mr. Jameson from Zomber Group, yes? Your reputation precedes you. I'm Helen Lane, the new board chairwoman of Lanecorp…""Oh, you know m
Helen caught Frank and asked jealously, "What were you telling that woman?""What?" Frank did a double take—was she always this jealous?Still, he chuckled after some thought. "She was inviting me to some masquerade ball.""A masquerade ball?!" Helen scowled, certainly aware of what that meant. "So? Did you say yes?""Why don't you take a guess?" Frank chuckled and quickly fled into the manor."Hey!" Helen exclaimed, flustered.Still, she soon calmed down—she knew Frank, and that he would never go near such places.After all, he did not take advantage of her even when she was…Helen flushed, her cheeks burning when she remembered that night."Hmph!" She snorted before hurrying into the manor as well.The manor was filled with people, and everyone was watching one person closely.Naturally, it was none other than Will Zeller.He stood on the stairs in his black suit, holding a microphone in one hand and a document in another."Everyone, please settle down," he said. "Thank
Will quickly said, "Please calm down, everyone. This decision is made by those above. I'm just the head of the department and can't make the decision here—I'm afraid putting your complaints to me is pointless."That was when Will glanced at Frank, and Frank understood immediately.Will wanted to help them, but someone higher up in the pecking order meddled."Drenam Limited? Have you heard of them before?" Frank asked Helen, glancing at the fortyish Mr. Woss who did not look like a business owner at all."No. They might not exist… Even if they did, they can't be a major player," Helen said confidently.After all, she had done her homework—she could list out every company in Zamri that had some extent of influence, and she had definitely never heard of Drenam Limited.And with Helen and Kallum's wager still in effect, they could not allow the land lots to fall into someone else's hands.Frank whipped out his phone and called Trevor Zurich right then. "Yeah, I'd like you to check t
Helen frowned and sighed. "So… we're giving up?"To be honest, she really did not want Kallum to win, but this was an impossible task and she should not push herself."Of course we're not giving up." Frank smiled and nodded at Helen. "I have an idea. Just head back to Lanecorp and wait.""Really?" Helen was skeptical, but since Frank had put it that way, she could only nod and tell Frank not to push his luck.After she drove away, Frank stretched his back. "Alright, now let's go meet the richest man on the East Coast."He left the mansion and took a cab at the main street and told the cabbie, "Grand Coast Hotel."It was the same hotel where he and Helen were staying.-"Hello?" The balding Gene Pearce answered the phone at the living area. He was wearing a bathrobe, and despite being the richest man of the East Coast, he was clearly in bad shape, with his face and lips showing blackness."Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Pearce. There's a young man named Mr. Lawrence who's asking t
After a moment of silence, Frank said, "Discussing it over the phone is a little lacking in sincerity. Why don't we speak face to face?""Sure," Gene answered briskly, despite having to wait for that response.He was thoughtful after hanging up—the man sounded young, but he was very confident."Heh…" He chuckled self-deprecatingly.He had actually contracted the illness for over a year, even though he had kept it a well-guarded secret.At first, he only felt tired and thought his lover was just being cold, but soon felt his body wither.Then, even walking started to become taxing—and now, he could not walk unassisted, as the world would spin around him and his muscles would hurt terribly.Gene had certainly tried all he could, visiting every hospital and consulting every renowned doctor across Draconia.He also tried all kinds of medical equipment and medicine, but nothing worked—none of the doctors could give him a proper diagnosis, let alone help.Though Gene grew increasing
Frank was surprised too.After all, he did not expect to find Rory Thames, the top singer Draconia whom he had a small quarrel with during the opening ceremony of his farm resort, here.Frank could remember that occasion like it was just yesterday, so there was no mistaking it.Rory clearly recognized him, too, and promptly snapped at him, "Who told you to come? Get out!" She swung the door, ready to shut it in his face, but Frank caught it with one hand.He was not interested in Rory, but he was not about to let an opportunity slip through his fingers either.Smiling, he said, "Ms. Thames, I'm here to treat Mr. Pearce's illness. Don't you think it's impolite to chase me away right now?""Treat Mr. Pearce? Really?" Rory snorted but she gave up on shutting the door, seeing that Frank was holding firmly to it.Taking a couple steps back, she folded her arms before her chest as she huffed, "I know that you're Grande Pharma's consultant, but someone like you, giving my darling a h
Frank snorted. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting started over here soon.""Yeah. Good luck," Jouri replied.Hanging up, Frank looked up at the waterfall overhead, and then at Skyler, who was standing beside him. "So? Is it time yet?""Almost… Now!" Skyler's eyes were glowing even as she stared at her watch."Alright."Frank looked up just as the skies abruptly darkened. "Ah, there it is—the eclipse."The sun seemed to disappear, and the world was suddenly shrouded in darknesses.And beside him, a stone door imbued with the power of the spiritron vein also rumbled as it parted."Got it!" Frank rushed inside without another word as soon as he saw it."Hmph. I'm surprised that you could reach this place." A cold, wrathful voice resounded inside even before Frank got a hold of his surroundings.Looking up, Frank found a youth in a black cossack and sporting grey-white hair, standing upon a cliff as he looked down on him.Frank chuckled. "Hehe. Like I said, I've come to kill
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?'Crane shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to you straight—members of Torrent are actually… Ahem. A part of Torrent himself."Frank paused. "What's that supposed to mean?""You don't get it, do you?" Crane grinned. "Then let me put it to you this way—every member is a clone of Torrent.""A clone?" Frank gasped in realization."Yes," Crane nodded. "That's why I believe that challenging Crane is just suicide. You have no idea how powerful he is—only death awaits you down that path."Frank smirked. "Oh, but I don't think so."Crane rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever—now listen closely. You will find Torrent in the Mystic Trail, but you would only find that place when the sun and moon coincide, and the entrance is beneath the waterfall south of Horton."As he finished, he snorted coldly. "I have no idea if you can actually do it, but I'm hoping you do kill him… Heh. I'm getting tired of being stuck under his control for so long."Then, waving off
Frank abruptly turned, immediately noticing one of the Cranes crouching, ready to spring forward and blindside him."Got you!" He laughed."Hah! You fell for it!"Just as Frank swung a punch to pulverize that Crane, he suddenly burst into pus that splashed at Frank's face."Damn it!" Frank took a step back, surprised that the clone's presence was identical to the real Crane, and a trap on top of that!"Die!"The Cranes around him each whipped out a dagger, all of them stabbing at Frank at the same time."Get off!" Frank bellowed, unleashing a shockwave that sent all the Cranes flying across all directions."Frank! Above you!" Skyler suddenly shrieked."Yes! I'm right here!" A strange laughter sounded above Frank just as he wiped the pus off his face.Crane was suddenly directly above him, launching an aerial kick straight at Frank's head, and Frank had no time to dodge!"Die!" Crane's smile curled into a twisted angle as he saw that too.He was very confident with this kick
"Disgusting…" Skyler murmured through her hand.Despite being skinned and scalped, the women were all still alive and singing to the music that was playing despite their anguish."Talk about a terrible fetish."Frank was scowling too—why were all the members of Torrent such sick deviants? It seemed like his plan to wipe them out was absolutely correct!"So, you killed my clone?"The lanky man on the couch slowly turned to level his bloodshot eyes at Frank.His lips were wet with bed as they curled upward into an eerie smile."Clone?" Frank narrowed his eyes."Hehe. It's a sage art."Crane shrugged as he stood up and wiped the blood off his lips. "It's only natural that you don't understand… Still, you deserve praise. If you can kill my clone, that means you're not just slightly stronger than Ghost."Naturally, the man was none other than the real Crane.Still, as Skyler studied him from a corner, even she could notice the strange twitch of his fingers, and his veins were pro
Even as Crane ran, he was looking over his shoulder, his heart pounding. "No… I won't win in a one-on-one!"No, as long as I get back to my real body… we can do this together!" He frowned, having seen how Frank sliced off the pinkies of those hood rats. It hence quickly dawned on him that Frank was not just slightly stronger than Ghost, as Torrent had put it!"Almost there!" He gasped when he saw the signboard of Pegasus Showtown in the distance. "As long as I get there and rendezvous with my real body, that brat will lose—"That was when he turned and saw that a shadow had caught up with impossible speed."What?!" Crane's eyes almost popped out in bewilderment. "What speed is that?! Are you kidding—"Even as he spotted the shadow, the shadow turned into a youth with an impassive visage.His fist outstretched, he was clearly punching toward Crane's forehead!"Argh…"Even as Crane looked on, the youth's punch slowed down by tenfold, but his fist kept closing in.Then, whe
Seeing Skyler sigh, the tattooed thug presumed that his extortion worked.He strode up, grabbing Frank's shoulder. "No one's gonna help you, boy. Pay up, or you're not leaving.""Exactly! You're not getting away!" the crowd of hood rats hollered. "Last chance."Frank's eyes were cold and fixed on Dani, however. "Are you going to intervene? If you do, you can keep that check. If you don't…""Ugh. Fuck off! I don't care!" Dani spat, her expression smug as she folded her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?!""Exactly! Pay up, and you can leave!""Yeah! Ten grand, at least!""You probably don't know my boss Wyvern, but when he's here, you won't get away with just ten grand!"Even as the crowd closed in, Frank shook his head. "Well, you had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next.""You're giving us a chance?! Hah! Who—argh!"Even before Dani could finish gloating, Frank was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her viciously by the wrist."Arg
"Five grand?! Did you hear that?! He just threw five grand!""Must be a rich kid coming here for a secret rendezvous, out of prying eyes? Those types are the easiest mark!""Fuck! And Dani got one of us… It hurts me more than losing at the races!"Frank could hear the buzz around him but ignored it as he strode past the men flanking him and headed toward the street that stank of blood."Stop!" A big tattooed man grinned sinisterly as he intercepted Frank.As his buddies encircled Frank as well, Frank snorted—it seemed that they took his reaction for a sign of weakness and thought that he could be cowed.The tattooed man rubbed his chin as he leered at Skyler's voluptuous figure, chuckling. "Look, boy. I'm short on cash, so let me take a loan. I'll pay you back some other day, how about that?"His friend laughed. "Exactly! You just gave Dani five grand, and we won't ask for more… just four, how about that?"Skyler scowled in turn and glanced worriedly at Frank beside her—was he
Frank himself had just stepped out of the nightclub when his eyes narrowed."Blood," he murmured, his nostrils twitching."Blood?"Skyler sniffed the air, puzzled. "I can't smell it.""It's from the opposite street… I smell the blood of over a dozen people.""A dozen?!" Skyler did a double take.He could identify the number of people who were killed?! That was just ridiculous!"Come on, let's take a look."Just as Frank led the way toward the source of the stench, a woman suddenly came up, catching Frank off guard and throwing herself into his arms."Hmmm?" He looked down to see that she had thick makeup, average looks, and a rather pudgy belly."Argh! He touched me!" she pointed at Frank and shrieked even before he realized what was happening."What?!" Skyler was staring at the woman too, mystified."Oh, sister! You just didn't see it!"The woman kept hollering, pointing at Frank's face. "Your boyfriend grabbed my ass! Is that how you teach him manners?!""Teach him ma
Wyvern screamed even as he clutched the stump that was his hand, screaming so shrilly one might mistake his voice as inhuman."Oh, just shut up." The lanky man glowered and launched a kick, reducing Wyvern into puddles of blood and pieces of innards, splattering all around the lobby. "Argh!!!" the devilish lady screamed as she watched the carnage unfolded."Another sound, and you'd end up just like him." The lanky man turned and frowned at her impatiently."Hngh…" The devilish lady promptly clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she trembled."What the hell?!"Outside, Wyvern's lackeys heard the screams and ran inside, looking for him. "Hey, where's Wyvern?!"However, the lobby was too dimly lit for them to notice the blood and guts scattered around the walls, and they only sensed that terrible stench."Hngh…" The devilish lady was too scared to speak, and tears trickled out of her eyes."Fuck!"One of the lackeys strode up and seized the lanky man