"Now, now. Watch your words now, Clarity," the leader said quietly. "Ms. Lionheart is an heiress of direct lineage. You will suffer reprisals for your impudent words if the Lionhearts hear what you said."To his surprise, Clarity seemed not to care at all."Heh…" She scoffed, waving him off exasperatedly. "That's enough from you. I'm in a good mood, so I won't hold your intrusion against you just yet. However, I like this man, and I've decided no one gets to lay a finger on him as long as he's on Waver Street. Now get out.""What?"The leader was hesitant, clearly fearing Clarity.Why else would he and his men be trading glances, clearly hesitant about their next move?"Hah!"One of the goons—a peak Birthright rank— trode up, pointing at Clarity as he snapped, "You're Talnamese, so don't push it! We will have Frank Lawrence, and no one says no to the Lionhearts!""Exactly! If you want to stay on Waver Street, move aside! Stay out of Lionheart business!""We will have Frank Law
Clarity then slid a note to Frank, and the little piece of paper carried her distinct perfume too. "Here's the address," she said. "Go there and see for yourself, though it depends on your ability whether you find what you need.""Why are you helping me?" Frank asked, glaring coldly and skeptical that she had really taken a liking to him."Oh, why won't you believe me? I've been in love with you for the longest time," Clarity giggled bewitchingly. "Naturally, I might have favors to ask in the future… So you can consider this my investment, Mr. Lawrence. Think of it as just owing me one."Frank stayed silent for a while before asking flatly in return, "Are you so sure I'll return the favor?""Hehe. You're a man of your word, handsome. I know that better than anyone.""Hmm. In that case…" Frank picked up the glass of wine and chugged it. "I'll owe you a favor and return it some other day!"Clarity watched as he turned to leave, giggling. "Hehe… What a nice man. Be careful, Vick
Frank snapped at the Turnbull blackguards coolly, "You were sent here, so you should be doing the Turnbulls' bidding as told. I don't care what prejudice you hold against me, but my plan is the best in this situation. So unless you have a better plan, shut up and do as you're told!"While Frank's attitude drew much shouts of disapproval from the Turnbull blackguards, Jet was holding his gaze and said firmly, "I believe Mr. Lawrence's plan makes sense in this situation. We have the numbers, and splitting up makes searching easier.""But…""No buts," Jet snapped, his brow easing as he said quietly, "This address is close from here. The sooner we secure evidence, the sooner we'll be able to assist Mr. Lawrence."Turning to level an impassive stare at Frank, he asked, "Right?""Right." Frank nodded."Good. Let's move!" Jet waved, and all the Turnbull blackguards hurried to the address Frank provided. Frank himself hurried to Jundo Showtown.-Meanwhile, Vicky had arrived outside
"Let her go." Sif waved, gesturing for the bodyguards to release Vicky.However, the advantage was all too clear, and Vicky would not resist unless she was stupid.And just as Sif had expected, Vicky did not push her luck and stared at Sif fixedly instead."Don't give me that look now, Vicky." Sif smiled in amusement. "I'm just repaying the humiliation I suffered at the hands of your family.""Humiliation? What humiliation could you be talking about?" Vicky laughed coolly. "If I recall, aside from keeping you confined, we offered you the best hospitality and saw to your every need.""Exactly! You confined me, and that's an insult to me and the Lionhearts!" Sif bellowed, though her expression quickly eased. "Things shouldn't have gone this way, Vicky. You should've become my sister-in-law… We really had a good chance of becoming family.""Forget it." Vicky snorted. "Titus is a wolf in sheep's clothing, conspiring to have my whole family killed. Do you think I'm as stupid as you ar
Sif was clearly determined to humiliate Vicky. Even though Vicky did not move, she remained nonchalant. "It's fine if you don't do it yourself. I have all the time I need… but I wonder how many rounds of torture would your father survive?"Then, turning to one of her bodyguards, she asked, "Jimmy, is it true what they say, that the Martial Alliance are really good when it comes to torture? Tearing off the nails is apparently basic… They'd pour wine down eye sockets and flay their victims… Oh, the horror!""Yes, Ms. Lionheart." Jimmy smiled. "With all the martial artists they have, they can make sure that the subject would keep breathing as long as they want. Talk about letting her father die by a thousand cuts—""Stop!" Vicky cried, overwhelmed.She could still see her father's kind smile in her mind, and she knew her father—he was never a pervert, and he had definitely been set up.And she certainly knew who did it too, but she just did not have proof.Even if she hated Sif to t
It was especially the case for the men. Intoxicated by alcohol, they were all leering at Vicky's stunning figure, lust and libido flaring all over their faces beneath the mask.Nonetheless, Vicky suddenly snapped at Sif, "Since you're not interested in being reasonable, I'm not going to play along!"With that, she vaulted agilely, leaping into the crowd to flee.Though her cultivation was crippled due to poisoning before, Frank's pill had helped restore her strength as a martial artist. And while her strength was nothing to brag about, she had the element of surprise.It was why she made herself look weak ever since she arrived—knowing that she was never getting anything out of Sif, she prepared herself to escape at a moment's notice."What?!" Sif slowly rose from the couch when Vicky suddenly leapt away. However, while she was surprised by Vicky's move, she remained calm, even gloating, "Did you really think you could get away, Vicky?"And to no surprise, the Lionheart bod
Sif clapped her hand on Vicky's shoulder, giggling. "Don't worry. I'm not going to let you die… You'll just be suffering a lot."Vicky's eyes widened, as terror gripped her for the first time.Even with all her pride, charm, and elegance, this was the first time she had ever felt so helpless and so terrified that it hurt."No… Stop…" she murmured in panic."Still not taking them off? Let me help!" Sif bellowed right then, gesturing for her bodyguards to hold Vicky down by her arms.Then, whipping out her switchblade, Sif sliced through her jacket, revealing the fair skin and white underwear underneath."Oh?" Sif exclaimed in surprise. "I'm shocked, Vicky… You're so bold and despicable on the surface, but you're such a demure maiden underneath! Hell, you'd put a high school girl to shame with those underwear… Don't tell me that you're still a virgin?!"Vicky gritted her teeth but said nothing, while Sif laughed in disbelief as if finding treasure.Looking at the masked figures a
Thud.Overwhelmed by sheer agony, Vicky collapsed limply on the floor.Sif snorted. "Ah, what a delicate maiden, collapsing even before I'm done. You're not even going to last days, but that's fine. I just wanted to see you crumble in regret."Dropping her blood-stained knife, she gestured at her bodyguards. "Go. Hang her on the stage—I'm going to pick the first lucky guest soon.""Yes, ma'am!"Two of Sif's bodyguards picked Vicky up and dragged her to the stage illuminated with myriad colored bubbles, hanging her up by her wrists."Wake her up," Sif added, reclining against her couch and lighting herself a cigarette, crossing her legs as she enjoyed the show.Splash!A bodyguard splashed a bucket of water over Vicky, jolting her awake.Sif spread her arms right then. "Oh, Vicky… Where's your pride now? You look so much like a pathetic wet hen now. I could really laugh."Then, pointing at the crowd below the stage, she said, "You see these people? These are all your guests fo
Frank's tone was calm, as if he was merely stating a fact. "What's there to deny? Even if I spilled my guts, do you stand a chance against me? See, no one does!"The man was furious—he had met plenty of conceited individuals, but Frank definitely took the crown!And seeing that Frank was not even in his thirties and was definitely small fry, he did not hesitate to slam his palm on the ground, which promptly started to move! "Interesting!"Frank stood his ground instead of leaping away, staring cooly at the molehills that streaked toward him. Even as the molehills were reaching Frank's feet, the man was left wondering why Frank did not dodge when the unexpected happened.The molehills struck the brat, but he remained unscathed!Earthbending was their cabal's signature technique, capable of causing seismic tremors—even if it was no match for real earthquakes, most people would still have trouble dealing with it.They were either torn into pieces by the shockwave, though the mor
Frank waited for a taxi and headed to his destination. Soon, the taxi stopped outside a dilapidated apartment.As Frank alighted and stared at the cracks on every block or the shaky foundations, even he could tell that it was in such a bad state it must be demolished. Shaking his head, he sighed in exasperation and entered the fifth unit on the sixth floor of Block D.He knocked on the door, and a smiling geezer opened it as he studied him. "What can I do for you, sir?"Able to tell right away that he was special, Frank asked, "Let's just call it a visit. I heard you could craft mystic items?"The geezer laughed right then. "I knew it. The nail that sticks out really gets hammered! I just want to keep my head down and live out my days, but you found me anyway.""Please don't misunderstand, sir," Frank quickly said. "I'm no robber, and I'm not going to steal from you. As long as you assist me, I can do anything for you.""Let's talk inside." The geezer stepped aside to let Fr
The motel owner thought Frank was trustworthy and told him everything he knew."Good. Thanks for cooperation—now do it yourself."Frank snapped his fingers again, and the mystic gun returned, lying quietly beside the motel owner as if it never disappeared."What? You're a martial elite! Don't you think people would talk behind your back about our deceit?!"The motel owner thought Frank was joking, but his expression was not.As such he pinned his hopes on emotional blackmail, but Frank was impervious to that too, even chuckling. "What's there to worry about? It'd just be hearsay, and they would be gone a couple of centuries later."Also, everyone would only find out if I spared you instead of avenging your victims. Now that's proper evil. You're naive if you think that I'm not the scourge of injustice. You won't be getting any chances from me."Even as reality sank in for the motel owner, he cried, "Y-You can't do this! We had an agreement!"Frank shrugged. "First of all, I onl
The motel owner snorted. "You're all so ignorant! It's true that most guns are pointless against Ascendant ranks, but this is no ordinary gun—it's a mystical item refined by a master craftsman."Not only are the bullets much faster, the gun's penetration power is even more formidable. I used it to bury many while I was young—even martial elites like you!"Everyone became restless at those.However, while Drunken Moon and the others were worried, Frank was actually excited.Mystic items were a quintessential part of high fantasy, and he might reach a treasure trove through the master craftsman whom the motel owner spoke of."Aren't you scared?" the motel owner asked just then, puzzled seeing that Frank was fearless, even smiling.Frank chuckled. "Why should I worry about a mere toy? Start shooting if you want—I'm sure everyone's busy and has better things to do."The middle-aged man snapped, "You're getting too full of yourself, brat! That thing has clearly seen plenty of action
Drunken Moon was definitely not going to tolerate that, and she snapped, "What are you going to do if I don't apologize?"The motel owner growled coolly, "I've already shown you what I can do, and I don't mind showing it again. Don't take me for some angel—push me too far, and I'll even make you my slave."Drunken Moon was simply amused. "Then show me what you've got to grow as conceited as you are!"The middle-aged man was snapping at Drunken Moon even before the motel owner could. "Bitch, you can't even win against my friends! What, do you think you can challenge me just because you have your boy toy?"He's quick, but so what?! Speed is pointless against absolute power!"The motel owner certainly felt buoyed by the flattery. After all, one would never look a gift horse in the mouth, and there was no one who despised being praised.Spreading his arms, he laughed. "Come on—seeing those pretty cheeks of yours, let me give you a nice hug.""Go fuck yourself!" Drunken Moon snapped,
Frank gestured at the door with his chin, and everyone turned to see a diminutive man.Despite his small frame, his eyes made it clear he was no average Joe. There was also a spring in his step—clearly having treated himself physically."Hello, everyone. I'm the owner of this premises!"The owner was clearly not inclined for matters to escalate, which was why he never intervened.That was until the manager accidentally touched the pendant!It was a family heirloom that, according to the owner's forebears, had the power to eat through everything—it just had yet to be proven.Horrified, the manager told the owner everything, and he came over to check out the situation. He would deal with Frank and the rest of the troublemakers, only to run into the troublemakers first."You're no slouch yourself!"Cyclops was delighted and lunged straight at the owner without hesitation, his hands outstretched like talons.The owner did not even seem to move, but Cyclops somehow missed."Fall."
Drunken Moon laughed coolly. "You're the one who kept bragging so much at first, saying that the strong decide on justice. And now that I've beaten you, it makes everything I said right, no?"The middle-aged man smirked. "Really? You're good, but not that good—if you're that brave, let me go, and I will call in my boys so we can have a rematch!"Drunken Moon laughed. "Why would I be afraid of that? Though I'm sure you're just going to bail and never come back."The middle-aged man snapped, "Do you think everyone's like you?! If you're afraid, just say it out loud!""Fine, then go. Why are you still here?"Drunken Moon shrugged, even moving aside for him.The middle-aged man smirked as he pushed himself to his feet and fled—the bitch chose this, and she would only have herself to blame for it!The bellgirl was concerned and came over to Drunken Moon. "Priestess, are you sure this is going to be alright?"Drunken Moon laughed. "Don't worry—even if you doubt me, know that the boy
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