On the other hand, Frank was scowling when he saw Zorn.His first thought was that Gene had betrayed him, but he soon realized that it was impossible. After all, Gene knew that Rory and Zorn were conspiring to kill him. He would never betray Frank unless he was stupid, and he did not become the richest man on the east coast by being stupid.On the other hand, Zorn was glowering in realization and barked, "I get it now! You're trying to take advantage of Mr. Pearce while he's sick, aren't you?!""What?"Helen frowned alongside Frank.She trusted Frank, but the fact that Gene's valet did not know about the deed transfer made Frank look like a liar, and now exposed. And now, Frank was even accused of taking advantage of Gene's illness…"Frank, why don't we leave for now? We can come back again later," she said, tugging on Frank's arm and offering him a way out.Frank had every intention to do so too, as he would like to ask Gene in person what the heck was going on.Or maybe Zor
"J-Just you wait!" Bob and Rob bellowed, but they quickly scrambled to flee the office building.On the other hand, Zorn felt a chill down his spine when Frank parried his blow."He's a martial artist too?" he murmured to himself. "Why didn't I sense his vigor?"Moreover, he could see that Frank was used to fighting as he dispatched Rob and Bob in no time at all. He was certainly convinced earlier that Frank was just an average Joe, but he now actually sensed a formless pressure that Frank projected around him.The pressure left Zorn wary, and he was suddenly unsure if he could beat Frank.Such might despite his youth certainly left him wondering where he was from.Narrowing his eyes, Zorn backed down and asked, "May I ask what clan or sect you're from?"Frank, however, shook his head and said quietly, "I'm just a nobody. So? Are we going to continue? I'm not going to hold back if you do, and you'll have to face the consequences of your own actions."Zorn stared at Frank warily
"Freeload off you for three years?"Frank was certainly amused by the idea, but he was not bothered to stoop to verbal fencing against Cindy.Instead, he turned to Helen with a serious look, intent on asking for her opinion.Helen was silent for a while, but she soon said quietly, "I don't know what happened to you that you'd think that, Frank… But I'm telling you in no uncertainty not to think like that ever again! I'll never leave you, and no one can stop me!"Then, shaking off Cindy's hand, she snapped coldly, "This is an order, Cindy. Go back to Riverton and tell my mom not to worry about me. As for you, I know you're upset about being dumped, but neither me nor Frank are your punching bag, and Lanecorp doesn't need garbage like you who doesn't know anything but struts around all high and mighty.""What?!" Cindy stumbled backward in shock. "What did you say, Helen…?""I called you garbage!" Helen snapped. "You don't get to criticize Frank, not when you lost the ruby his fathe
Since Zorn was Birthright rank, Gene naturally had to be careful and gather enough men to deal with him.In short, Frank had run straight into a metaphorical wall.He had come to Drenam Limited too early, before Gene could deal with Zorn, which was why Zorn had misunderstood and thought that Frank came to pull a scam."That's Gene Pearce," he said, pointing at the frail man who needed help walking."That's him? He looks… sickly," Helen murmured, though anyone could see that Gene was in bad shape."Yeah. Some people close to him poisoned him with a bug. I cured him yesterday, so he agreed to transfer those land deeds to me."Helen was surprised. "Are you saying that Gene has broken his promise?""No, he didn't—we came too early, before he could sort out his personal issues," Frank replied, watching as over a dozen men entered Drenam Limited with Gene."This might get dangerous," he murmured with a frown, as none of the men Gene brought were Ascendant rank. "What?" Helen asked,
While Gene had brought many martial artists with him, it would not be enough if Zorn was cornered—he might even turn the tables and massacre them instead.That was why Frank decided to remain behind alone.He could not allow Gene to get killed, or acquiring those land lots would be a pipe dream.Putting away his document folder, he quietly sneaked down the hallway.Unsurprisingly, he found Zorn and Gene in a standoff outside the office.Zorn could clearly sense the hostility against him but asked, "Mr. Pearce, you asked me to check Drenam Limited's numbers, didn't you? Why did you come here yourself and bring so many people?"On the other hand, Gene's men were trained well.Even before Zorn noticed it, they had already moved to cut off all exits."Heh… Now that things have come to this, I'll just have to be frank with you, Zorn."Gene was smiling even as his men helped him walk toward Zorn, but there was rage and disappointment in his eyes. "When did you start hooking up with
To no surprise, Gene shook his head in disdain."Yes," he said calmly. "She was my partner, but she was also ruthless… I mean, poisoning me and watching as my health deteriorated by the day until the bugs inside me burst out of my belly? Talk about heinous!""I…" Zorn tried to argue but did not have anything at all.He hung his head in silence but soon looked up again, determined. "The plan was mine all along. I'm at fault—now let Rory go. You can do anything you want with me as long as you spare her.""Too late," Gene said quietly. "Like I said, I'm done with her.""What… Are you serious?!" Zorn gaped, the light of hope in his eyes fading.Then, he started laughing maniacally and was getting louder by the moment until it became deafening."You really are cold, Gene!" he bellowed."I'm not the cold one here. It's you and Rory." Gene remained impassive as he retorted."Hahaha…" Zorn kept laughing. "Yes, I was cold… Hahaha! But I didn't think that you'd actually kill Rory!""
"What?!"The martial artist closest to Zorn could not react in time as Zorn's fist struck him.His head exploded like a watermelon right then, leaving a gory sight of redness."What?! He's Ascendant rank?!"The other martial artist around Zorn could immediately sense that something was wrong.After all, Ascendant ranks were more than superior against Birthright ranks, with their highly condensed pure vigor that they wielded freely.Naturally, there were freaks such as Frank whom that rule did not apply to—he was only full-fledged Birthright rank, but most Ascendant ranks would have a hard time against him.Only peak Ascendant ranks would be able to force Frank to play his trump cards, and that was thanks to his regression three years ago. Thanks to improving up to full-fledged Birthright rank twice, Frank's pure vigor was more abundant and more condensed that even some Ascendant ranks would not compare.And now, Frank himself was hidden on the other end of the hallway, quietly
Zorn's expression contorted as he saw that Gene could face death with such calmness, even treating Zorn as if he was still at his beck and call.He actually felt that he would be losing by killing Gene just like that!And seeing the solemness in Gene's eyes, he actually hesitated."Ah, I remember how you swore to follow me for the rest of your life over a decade ago…"Gene suddenly sighed as he reminisced, smiling as if he was reliving that very moment. "We were the best of friends as children, and though we parted ways for a while, you came to me in desperation… a hunted man. Even so, I trusted you unconditionally."Every word you said back then was so earnest that they're ingrained in my memory… I can remember them even now. You're the one friend I trusted in this life, and yet—"Chuckling bitterly, Gene finished, "Ah, how ironic fate can be."His recollection left Zorn taken aback, and guilt showed on his visage.It was true—Gene had helped him in his most depseprate hour, o
Her skin and fingers were rotting where the motel manager touched the pendant, as if being corroded by acid at a visible rate. Worst of all, she could not even feel any pain from it!"W-What's going on here?!"Horrified, the motel manager turned and ran.Drunken Moon was ready to give chase, but Frank stopped her. "She's not going to have it easy without her fingers. Let her go."Drunken Moon nodded and pointed at the pendant on the floor. "What the heck is that?"Frank then told her about Reverend Quietus, to which Drunken Room exclaimed, "You meant to say that there are bodies of energy that are basically identical to the paranormal that people speak of?"Frank nodded. "I'm sure it's not just rumors, with the way it remained over a thousand years—things like that do exist. But in the end, it's no different from a spell, and you can handle it if you're strong enough."Drunken Moon smiled. "That only applies to you. I don't know about anyone else, but I really can't deal with th
After she calmed down, the bellgirl took an interest in Frank. "Is he the one who could beat you?"It was the new age—ladies were not shy, and the bellgirl actually liked lookers like him."Hello." Frank greeted her, and she smiled in turn. "Sorry for having to bother you, handsome."She would really have asked for his number if circumstances allowed.That was when footsteps could be heard, and Frank glanced sideways outside as he told Drunken Moon, "Now's your chance for revenge. Don't hold back now.""You don't need to worry about that!" Drunken Moon exclaimed as she flexed her muscles—she was waiting for this moment.The motel manager led several burly men inside, standing at the center proudly like she owned the place. "That's for insulting me, bitch! Go! Show her who she was messing with!"Though the motel manager did not hesitate to send her men after Drunken Moon, Drunken Moon smirked, waiting until the bouncers were about to reach before punching them.Soon, they wer
Frank chuckled. "As for what actually happened to him, I'll get someone to keep tabs and maybe record a video. It shouldn't be difficult."Drunken Moon flashed a thumbs-up at him. "You're really the best when it comes to cruelty. Simply different."They shared a smile, and soon, Jouri's people came to take the white-haired youth away.Later, Frank and Drunken Moon headed to a motel, as the latter received a call from a geezer who said his granddaughter was being harassed and needed help.She had no fear with Frank at her side anyway, so she went.As soon as they entered, they found a twentyish, slightly short bellgirl wiping the tears off her face.Nearby, the motel manager was pointing at her and ranting, spouting plenty of expletives!Drunken Moon naturally would not just sit by. Striding up, she pushed the manager away and snapped furiously, "What's the meaning of this?! There's no reason to go that far even if she messed up!"The manager was equally furious, however, and sn
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered! I'm sure you'd die horribly soon enough!"The white-haired youth's futile efforts at threatening Frank only made him smirk. "What's it to you, even if I or Drunken Moon died? She still won't be interested."The white-haired youth snorted, but soon sighed. "Fine, do it!"Drunken Moon wagged her finger at him. "Why should we make it quick? He's actually right—death is a reward for people like you."That's why I'll treat your leg and sell you as a slave to some third-world country. Trust me, it's not just the ladies who are popular there—they like a pretty boy too."The white-haired youth smirked. "Quit trying to scare me. Do you think that crippling my cultivation would stop me from talking? As long as you don't, I'll find a way to free myself. Let's see what you can do then!"That was when Frank butted in. "Actually, I do have a solution."With just a thought, the white-haired youth's leg was as good as new.As soon as he saw that, the wh
Speed is the one unbreakable law of martial arts, and someone quicker than the naked eye would never lose.To think that the man who seemed to have nothing going for him aside from his looks was this powerful!Frank chuckled and turned to the biker. "You should leave. It's not a pretty sight when blood starts spilling."The biker was quite compliant from the start and turned to run. "Thank you for saving me. May we meet again!"On the other hand, Frank leapt over the railing and dropped to a squat in front of the white-haired youth. "Go on, tell me why you introduced Drunken Moon to someone else."The white-haired youth was taken aback but soon said, "So you're the brat who's not to be underestimated? That's why your fellow martial artists think so highly of you.""I appreciate their flattery, but I'm afraid I might fall short." Frank chuckled coolly. "And you could stop fawning over me and answer my question."The white-haired youth's eyes widened. "Who do you think I am?"Fra
Frank chuckled. "Who do you think? The man who tried to kill you just now.""What?!"The biker was even more shocked, as the Lamborghini was reduced to a marble. Would the driver even survive that?"Ignoramus! I'm not so easily killed!"A figure strode out of the grass nearby, and it was none other than the white-haired youth who drove the Lamborghini!"When did that happen?" the biker exclaimed.He definitely did not see the Lamborghini's doors opening or anyone jumping out when it was crushed into a ball, so how did that man escape?"Go on. Show us how much quicker you can be!" Frank beckoned at the white-haired youth.Perplexed, the white-haired youth asked, "I'm curious. How did you know about my powers?"Frank pointed at his eyes, "Thanks to certain assistance, I've improved my further abilities and can now identify anyone's abilities.""Really? But identifying wouldn't be enough—you gotta be good enough to handle me!"Readying himself as if for a sprint, the white-hair
Seeing Frank chasing her down, the beggar said, "I really can't elaborate. You know about the group already, don't you? Go and deal with them—use your wisdom to see through everything and solve the riddle."And with that, she left without a care.This time, Frank did not stop her—if anything, he had no reason to do so.Her point was simple: there was just so much involved that even she had not the faintest idea. Sighing, Frank called Jouri and told her to search for Sanne Quess and Reverend Quietus."The latter is impressive," he said. "She even sealed the power of the spiritron vein!'"What?!"Jouri was shocked—that was impossible, as the spiritron vein was invincible as far as she was concerned.But a mere reverend subdued it?!"Do you have further details?" she pressed.Frank shook his head. "She can use talismans. That's about all I know about her."Jouri sighed wryly. "Then looking into her will be difficult—I'd focus on Sanne Quess instead. Who is he?"Frank told her
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