After recruiting the Blue Fangs and arranging for them to keep watch over the projects just then, Frank had a weird troubled look on his face as soon as he got into his car."What's wrong, Frank?" Helen quickly asked."No…" Frank leveled a conflicted look at her but eventually resigned himself and sighed. "Well, I'll be frank—Your client Ms. Clarity is an assassin topping Blackrank.""What?!"Helen was stunned—she could tell from Clarity's presence that she was someone special, but a top assassin was still a stretch from what she expected.Stunned into silence, her throat was parched as she turned toward Frank, having trouble speaking. "Are you saying that Lanecorp should revoke her client status?""No, I don't mean that." Frank shook his head and explained thoughtfully, "She told me plainly who she was and didn't even hide her identity.""Well, what is she after?"Helen wheezed. "You?""Maybe." Frank nodded in somber agreement."Quit messing around, Frank!" Helen snorted. "I
It was certainly ironic that Gina had been conned into buying this exact plot of land that Juno Enigma had tipped Frank off on about its increase in value over tenfold.Even if Frank did buy it with 500 million dollars, the value would skyrocket in two months over five billion!Gina and Cindy were still laughing at Frank for being a sucker, when they were the real suckers here.If they were to find out, they really would have a heart attack…In fact, even Helen was gaping in shock after Frank nonchalantly told her about Juno Enigma's tip."For real?"Frank nodded. "There's no mistaking it."Just to be sure, he called Will Zeller as Helen watched.Even if he was a bureaucrat reviewing lease bids, he was involved in Zamri's urban development and would definitely have heard something about it.While he was puzzled by Frank's question, he said, "I don't know about the projects, Mr. Lawrence… but I do know about plans for a highway, and it definitely passes through that area. There
Still, the whole mood was ruined anyway, so Frank held his phone to his ear and said, "I've just checked. The land is worth a lot of money.""Really? How so?" Gina snorted from the other end.Frank could actually hear Cindy laughing gleefully too, even scoffing. "Aunt Gina, that sucker must have realized he just lost a fortune and wants to sell it back to you!"Frank did not get petty, however, and reasoned calmly, "I have a reliable source. The projects are due for demolition since they will be building a highway nearby, and the value will multiply by tenfold!"Cindy stopped laughing right then, and Gina turned quiet.Then, Gina asked tentatively, "So, you mean to ask me to buy the land back from you?""That's the idea." Frank nodded. "You'll definitely make big bucks if you take ownership, and you won't ever have to rely on Helen again."Silence ensued again before Gina and Cindy both burst out in rowdy laughter. Helen could naturally hear them since Frank had put them on lo
Cindy snapped with righteous indignation right then, "We did it to straighten out Frank! It's his fault for always strutting around us! He should take the loss since he likes to show off so much!""That's enough," Frank said quietly as he took his phone back from Helen, concerned that she would get a stroke. "Gina, I will ask you again—believe me and take the land, and you'll earn more than ten times what it cost you. If you don't do it now, you don't get to make a scene and demand I sell it back to you later."Gina snapped hostilely right then, "What's that supposed to mean? Do I look like some fishwife to you?""Exactly," Helen said, folding her arms before her chest as she was utterly disappointed in her own mother.Gina paused for a moment, clearly furious."Helen Lane!" she snarled, burning bridges right then. "You've really done it now… All I've ever done was for your sake, and I was so worried you'd choose a poor husband… but you never cared for your own mother at all, sidi
"Frank, take me back to my office."Helen was hugging her legs, her expression one of misery and disappointment.Frank began, "Helen, actually—""Don't say it, Frank. I get it," Helen murmured, turning to look outside the window so that he would not have to see her cry. "I regret nothing at all."After being silent for a while, Frank started the car as it drizzled.He drove in silence, feeling unsettled even as he took Helen back to Lanecorp's offices.They got out, and Helen stopped outside the entrance. "I'm giving you two days' leave, Mr. Lawrence. It's been taxing… You should get some proper rest." Frank could hear the crack in her voice and saw that she was forcing herself to smile despite forcing back tears."Yeah." He nodded and started to leave since he knew she needed time by herself. "Oh, and don't mind what my mother said," Helen added. "Even if you were a pig, you'd still be the most amazing, most handsome boar there is.""Pfft…" Frank chuckled, amused. "And you
Many other drivers were gaping in envy.Meanwhile, Frank floored the gas pedal, and his Maybach bellowed as it disappeared from sight.-At Riverton University the next day, Winter was seated below the stage, at once disappointed when she did not hear Frank's name listed among the professors present.It seemed that she was hoping for too much, but it also made sense—what was she, compared to the people Frank mingled with these days? She really could not be more insignificant, and imposing on him over something as trivial as her convocation was simply tactless.Her fingers clenched on her robes at the thought, her eyes stinging as she thought to herself that she should apologize to Frank later."It's alright, Winter." Jean Zims, her best friend, patted her hand to console her. "It's fine if he doesn't come. You have all the time you need… Now, compose yourself—you have to give a speech soon, don't you?""Eh? I'm…" Winter stared at Jean in surprise.Jean, however, could see tha
While Bill modestly attended Riverton University for its strong reputation, Winter had heard rumors that he was mentored by Dan as well.Being an apprentice of the owner of Flora Hall was certainly amazing , and judging from what Bill said, it was no rumor that Bill's mentor was indeed Dan.In short, he had quite a bright future.Still, Bill has been a major headache for Winter, as he had been persistently her as soon as she returned. She did not hate him since he was always nice and polite, and even Jean encouraged her to get together with him.While it was obvious that Jean believed that Bill suited Winter better, Winter could not help comparing him to Frank on every other turn.And there certainly was no competition, which was why Winter could not bring herself to accept Bill's advances. However, even though she persistently used the excuse that they had only recently met, she and Jean knew all too well that she just could not let go of Frank.And since both of them were a
On the stage, Mr. Zims, Jean's uncle and one of the heads of department in Riverton University, smiling as he announced, "This year's convocation ceremony will be a little different. A VIP has invited many important guests to award the certificates. Now, let's give a warm round of applause to Dan Zimmer, chief of Flora Hall!"A smiling Dan stepped out from the back door at Mr. Zims' invitation, waving at the students in greeting."Eh?" Dan's smile left Bill's smile stiffening.In his mind, Dan was always stoic and solemn, persistently prim and proper.So why was he flashing that ridiculous smile?!However, every other student was unaware of that and were applauding Dan so enthusiastically their hands had turned reddened.After all, in Riverton, the man was an authority in medicine! It was a great honor to have him award their certificates, and others might not necessarily believe them even if they broke the news!Moreover, they must have come because of one person.After starin
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