"Oh, right…"The stewardess appeared troubled, but since Frank said nothing, they had no choice but to pick up the shards around him, putting everything in a bag before giving it to him."Thank you." Frank thanked them.The stewardesses were flustered, since they presumed Frank would be angry, only for him to thank them instead."Alright, I'm sure Mr. Lawrence has his own considerations, and it won't matter even if it's just shards." Travis quickly tried to make an excuse for Frank, considering the awkwardness.The rock shattered in Frank's hands, after all—that was enough for him to defend himself if Frank pressed the issue.Still, he had to be considerate for Frank, and he quickly presented the next item in his collection.On the other hand, Frank was focused completely in his own body, completely uninterested in anything Travis had to show from that point on.The skies were dark by the time Travis presented everything he had, with Hugh buying a vase of purest jade for 500 mi
Frank was idling over the following week, guiding Terry Cotton from his Lanecorp office to assimilate what remained of the Blood Wolves.At the same time, he was training diligently, acclimating to his changing physique.He was now an equal of the martial elites across Draconia. While the Lionhearts' retainers and stewards were a threat to Frank before, they were now simply insignificant.Now, only the Transcendent ranks who stood at the pinnacle of the country—Simon Lionheart, the head of the Lionheart household, and Frank's own father, the Lord of the Southern Woods—would stand a chance against FrankAnd as his strength improved, the air around him changed too.While he was vaguely mesmerizing before, he also carried the presence of a maestro, as if he had transcended beyond worldly matters.It was certainly unprecedented for anyone this young to carry such a powerful presence.It also took a while for Frank to realize that his almost frightening ascension was because he absor
"Okay, got it." Frank smiled in wry amusement and asked seriously, "So? Have you fully recovered?""Yeah, but there are traces." Vicky snorted. "I refuse to let Helen see it. So if you miss me, you'd just have to wait another few days.""Okay," Frank said and hung up in thought.He would go with Helen but decided not to impose since she was so busy.He then called Trevor Zurich. "Get me a car."Trevor appeared at a loss for once. "I don't have a branch in Zamri, Mr. Lawrence. I don't think I have anything that suits you—""It's just so that I don't have to walk. Just get me one soon.""Alright…" Trevor replied, and soon, an Audi arrived downstairs.Frank did not mind the modest vehicle.After bringing along the present Vicky sent, he thought about it and brought the jade fox he received from Travis too.It was a flawed sculpture, but after detailed observation, Frank discovered its true worth—a thumb-sized jade marrow inside the sculpture.The jade marrow was a unique natura
Gene was assuredly above the rest, but one could expect nothing less of the richest man of the east coast.The bigwigs who attended the charity auction were authorities in politics, business, or even the military. They were either rich or powerful, their authority extending over the country.Frank also spotted representatives from illustrious families such as the Soranos, the Lionhearts, and the Jankos. They were all mingling cordially in the lobby, and the vibes were cheerful with endless laughter.Still, Frank did not get involved and started looking for a place to sit and wait for Gene, when a security guard intercepted him. "Greetings, sir. Would you mind showing your invitation?""Invitation?" Frank did a double take, only to remember that he had left in a hurry since Vicky was urging him.The invitation was left in his desk drawer because of that.What should he do now? He would not make it back in time if he returned now.After musing to himself for a while, he looked up
Hugh certainly would not give up on a chance to add insult to injury, and he chuckled coolly. "Heh. Never heard anything about that—he's just Vicky Turnbull's sugar baby. Someone like him attending a charity auction of such prestige?" "If I were you, Frank, I'd be hiding my face and running away instead of standing here and being stubborn. What an embarrassment to my family."The crowd turned toward Frank at that, laughing in disdain when they noticed that Frank's suit was just barely worth a few grand."No way… Someone name-dropped the Turnublls?""Didn't you hear what Mr. Turnbull said? He's Vicky Turnbull's sugar baby.""Tut, tut… No wonder."Ned was quickly glowering darkly when he heard them and stood in front of Frank as he snapped, "Mr. Lawrence is my friend. Anyone who messes with him, messes with me!"The laughter subsided a little, but the crowd was soon talking about something else."No way! Standing up for a sugar baby?! The rumors about Ned Janko must be true!""
"What?!"Hugh turned in shock toward Amber, the woman at his side.He found her at a nightclub, and she said she needed the job and had no choice. The reason was that her family circumstances were tragic—her father was a gambler, her mother walked out on them, and she had two brothers who were still in school Naturally, Hugh did not believe Amber, but he still did not mind keeping her around for his amusement over a few days with her pretty face. It naturally shocked him that Frank said she was sick, and he was at once unsettled.Amber was panicking after what Frank said too, as everyone was now watching her and Hugh after what Frank said.Still, her first response was to snap at Frank. "That's bullshit! You're the one who's sick!"Frank simply chuckled coolly. "Hehe, I can tell right away if there's something wrong with you—I'm the one who cured Gene Pearce, after all. You really don't have to question my abilities."The hall was left in an uproar right then."What?! He cured
Though feeling guilty, Amber refused to admit it and braced Hugh's angry glare as she quickly said, "Why would I lie to you, Mr. Turnbull? That prick is just bullshiting to mess with you. Don't fall for his ploy!"Nonetheless, Hugh was wary even though Amber's take was reasonable, as Frank was right about his condition.He quietly sneaked away, finding a man with a square jaw in the crowd and asking under his breath, "Dr. Jackson, could you take a look at me, and see if there's really something wrong?"The man with a square jaw, Dennis Jackson, was the chief of Zamri Hospital and one of Zamri's Three Bears.However, he was only allowed to attend the charity auction because it happened to be held in Zamri. Even though Gene owned his hospital, he was the lowest in pecking order among the guests present.However, he still had some degree of authority in Zamri, and seeing that a Turnbull heir was approaching him, he smiled as he took Hugh's pulse.He then checked Hugh's tongue and ot
And nothing was more memorable than disfigurement.Even as savagery filled the Birthright rank security guard's thoughts, Frank stayed where he was, remaining impressive as he stood, watching as the man's fist landed squarely on his face.He did not even bother to use pure vigor to shield himself.Crunch!Even as the security guard grinned gleefully as he heard bones break audibly, thinking that he had broken Frank's nose, his face soon fell.He could feel the heartrending pain from his knuckles and looked down to see that it was his fingers that had broken, not Frank's nose!"Argh!" A blood-curdling scream resounded in the men's room, and the security guard dropped on his rear, clutching his arm while sweating all over his brow.Since he had put all his strength into his punch, the recoil shattered every bone from his fingers up to his arm, and it was left dangling limply like mush.Naturally, not everyone could withstand the agony of an entire broken arm."W-What's going on
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