Gene was a patient, stoic man thanks to his years working as a businessman, and he would not really stoop to getting petty against Cindy.However, her words were a clear insult to Frank and his position."Now, now, Mr. Lawrence. Allow me to prove myself."He held out a hand to stop Frank before he could interfere and whipped out a flashy gold card from his pocket. In fact, it was so dazzling that several Lanecorp employees' felt blinded for a moment."What's that?" Cindy frowned in turn, not recognizing it."It's a custom gold card made exclusively for executives of Pearce Group. Anyone carrying this can make purchases without needing to pay within any establishment owned under our banner."Smiling, Gene then pointed at the face imprinted on the gold card. "Ms. Zonda, don't you think I resemble the person in this photo?""Resemble?" Cindy took the gold card, her eyes darting between the gold card and Gene's face repeatedly.She began to scowl and suddenly could not speak.Gene
While Gene would have punished Cindy severely on any other occasion, he was in Frank's presence, and he owed Frank respect.As such, he asked, "What do you think we should do about this, Mr. Lawrence?""I—" Before Frank could speak, Helen's door opened, and Helen herself hurried outside, having heard the commotion in the hallway.She almost blacked out from sheer frustration when she saw Cindy—how was she still there, causing her more trouble? Still, she must not allow herself to mess up in the presence of others, and she nodded at Frank. "Welcome back."Then, turning toward Gene, she asked, "And who would this gentleman be?"Gene smiled in turn. "A paid actor hired by Frank to play Gene Pearce, the richest man on the east coast."The unusual introduction left Helen at a loss, but she was smart enough to connect the dots after another glance at Cindy."Urgh, what a jinx…" She was left rubbing her temples, but she soon masterfully flashed a smile, though a little awkwardly,
Gene suddenly narrowed his eyes warningly. "If I ever find out about you disrespecting Mr. Lawrence again or straying out of line, even Ms. Lane can't protect you from me!"With that, he snorted and left.Cindy breathed a sigh of relief after he was gone and turned toward Frank.She was ready to shoot Frank a look of defiance but quickly hung her head as she remembered Gene's warning."Just go already. My company has no place for you, and no one can protect you if this happens again!" With those cool words, Helen hurried after Gene, leaving Frank with Will.Will appeared anxious, since he had been waiting to speak for a while. "There's something urgent you must know, Mr. Lawrence.""Something urgent?" Frank's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Sif Lionheart was on the move from Will's expression alone.He gestured for Will to follow him into his office, and as soon as they sat down, Will exclaimed, "The Lionhearts have made their move last night, during the coming-of-age cerem
Frank nodded at Will as he passed him the pill. "You did well—as promised, this is the antidote. It will cure the poison inside you.""Thank you, Mr. Lawrence," Will said as he took it respectfully.Frank then asked, "I can see that you've trained in martial arts too?""Oh, uh…" Will scratched his head in embarrassment and flashed a pained smile. "I did, but it's just one basic style, so…""Good." Frank passed him another pill. "This is an Ichor Pill, which strengthens the vigor. It's nothing divine, but it's arguably up there. Take it when you start training again, and you'll be a vigor wielder at that.""Thank you, Mr. Lawrence!" Will exclaimed as he accepted the pill enthusiastically, gratitude showing in his eyes.Naturally, he had learned martial arts from Sif, who was nonchalant as he proved to be a slow learner.To add insult to injury, she told him that he could not blame anyone for his lack of talent.On the other hand, Frank would assist him in overcoming that shortco
Finally, Kallum yielded to Helen.While Gene's investment was a huge factor in her triumph, Helen understood that Frank was the reason she could take over as Lanecorp's board chairwoman easily and resolve all the difficulties they faced.Frank, however, did not linger at Lanecorp.Relieved to hear that Kallum had given up, he promptly left, jumping into his car and driving straight to Morhen.Susan Redford, Vicky's mother, was on the verge of tears. "Frank… Vicky didn't let me tell you because it's… complicated. Walter's been poisoned and remains unconscious, and we can't question him even if we wanted to. And the Martial Alliance keeps hounding us to hand him over… The Turnbulls are going to cave soon…""Calm down, Mrs. Turnbull," Frank said calmly, holding the steering wheel in one hand and his phone in the other. "Where's Vicky? She's in Morhen now, isn't she?""She…"Susan was hesitant and choking with tears. "She told me not to tell… Just come to Turnbull Estate, Frank. L
"Phew…"Silverbell breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Frank's nod, and her fingers eased around her sword's hilt."Lady Silverbell, that man…""He's my brother," she said and did not elaborate further."Brother, huh… And his last name is Lawrence… I think I understand," one of the elders beside Silverbell murmured thoughtfully.Silverbell glanced at him but stayed silent.-Bang!Frank kicked the door to the Turnbull Hall open, and everyone standing inside was clearly disapproving.Some were even ready to yell at him, but Glen Turnbull quickly gave everyone a warning glare even though he was startled too.This incident was so grave that the family's fate hung in the balance—it was not the time for manners.Walking up to Frank with a nod, Glen said, "We meet again, Mr. Lawrence. I'm sure my sister-in-law filled you in?""Yeah." Frank nodded. "Where's Mr. Walter? I'll check on him now.""Sure." Glen did not dawdle, leading Frank out of the hall and straight to a dome car
Nonetheless, Frank hesitated for a while before clapping Susan on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Turnbull—now isn't the time. We need to find out what happened.""What happened…?" Walter murmured, confused even as he looked around at members of his extended family gathered around him.He then smacked his head and frowned as he recalled, "Hold on, shouldn't I attend Denise Laine's coming-of-age ceremony? How did I get here?""Jet brought you back." Glen turned toward a towering man with hardened facial features, looking around his thirties."Jet…?" Walter was stunned, as Jet was leader of the Turnbulls' blackguards and an adopted son of George Turnbull.If Walter's family had to send the blackguards to bring him back, that meant things had gotten troublesome."Do you remember what happened at the ceremony yesterday?""Yesterday?"Walter grimaced as he worked hard to recall and shook his head in pain. "I remember Sif Lionheart offering me a toast, and then I got very sleepy… I do
"Hold it! You're not allowed in here!"The Turnbull bodyguards loyally stood their ground, holding the members of the Martial Alliance at the gates.In turn, Silverbell bellowed at them, "I have evidence of Walter Turnbull's crimes! The mayor of Morhen has already issued a warrant! Stand in our way, and you will be labeled an enemy of the Martial Alliance and Draconia!"The Turnbull bodyguards traded glances, but they eventually gave in and cleared a path.Even if a decision would be made to war against the Martial Alliance, it was not up for them to call it.Moreover, they were not in the right—the Martial Alliance had evidence and were making a legal arrest. Resistance would be equal to harboring a fugitive.Obviously, Silverbell bade her time waiting for evidence to avoid bloodshed, since violence would ensue if they stormed Turnbull Estate with mere accusations."Go!" With Silvebell leading the members of the Martial Alliance, they soon arrived at the bungalow where Walter
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