"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
Gene calmly read the situation.Since Frank was young and an accomplished healer, he would definitely not have time to study martial arts extensively.If anything, parrying Zorn's blow earlier must have taken everything out of him—if he stayed any longer, he would die horribly like the martial artists Gene had brought.And since Frank had already saved his life, Gene was reluctant to see Frank throw away his life like this.As such, he said, "Mr. Lawrence, this is between me and Zorn. Please don't interfere—you should leave when you can.""Hehe…" Frank chuckled instead of leaving, even turning to Gene to ask, "Are you sure I won't win, Mr. Pearce?""Oh…" Gene was left stumped by the question.He certainly could not say that he believed Frank, just as he did not want Frank to push himself.And after musing to himself for a long while, Gene shook his head in resignation. "Mr. Lawrence, Zorn and I have been friends since childhood—I won't drag you into our fight. After all, I'm gr
Zorn had no idea how Frank had managed to elude his observation before, though he was still relieved after sensing the true extent of Frank's strength.While a full-fledged Birthright rank was strong, Frank was still no match for him!"Die!!!" Zorn bellowed, putting all his strength behind his strongest strike and not wanting further trouble.Whether he killed Frank banked on this.Naturally, he was only doing this because he saw that Frank was really to die defending Gene.If Frank decided to dodge instead, Zorn's strike would hit Gene instead, and he would definitely be a dead man.As such, if Frank wanted Gene to live, he must take the full brunt of his blow!Black and white pure vigor was projected out of thin air from Zorn's palm, mixing into a grayness that ignited a storm.The entire building was shaking—such was the most powerful blow of an Ascendant rank."Hmph…"Frank had no intention of dodging anyway.He watched as Zorn approached with his violent strike, resolve
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