Frank nodded and added, "I'll have everyone from the health and security department come over and protect Lanecorp. This place will be fine if they're after me, but once I leave, they'll come if they're after Lanecorp in the first place."Vicky nodded. "Yeah. I'll have my family's blackguards help too.""Blackguards?"Frank remembered the Turnbull blackguards.He did not hold up much hope—those men had ability, but they also had serious attitude problems.Still, anything worked, and the more the merrier.Nodding, Frank wasted no time and took the elevator down to the basement parking lot, when his phone rang just as he got into his car.-At a nearby tower, a masked middle-aged man was sitting in a distant skyscraper, concealed behind a one-way tinted glass curtain.He lowered his binoculars as an Audi left Lanecorp, and he whipped out his walkie-talkie to call his friends on an encrypted channel. "Frank Lawrence has just left Lanecorp. Repeat, Frank Lawrence has just left Lan
Thunder, who was the boss among the four, nodded after hearing the report. "Good work. We'd still need to check—Frank Lawrence is strong, and he might really make it out.""Don't worry, boss. Even if he survived, the shockwave would have neutralized him." Galen was calmer in comparison. "Blaze and I will stay here to check for a body.""Good." Thunder nodded—that was the only way to be sure. "Bolt, how's the explosives going?!""Shit, boss! I've been made!" Bolt was wheezing, and clearly running even as he shouted into the walkie-talkie."You've been made?! Where?! I'll extract you!""The fountain downstairs of Lanecorp… this freaky woman keeps chasing me, and I can't shake her off!""Freaky woman?!" Thunder did a double take.His quartet were all Birthright rank individuals—in fact, Thunder himself had just completed Birthright rank.But to chase one of them that far, even terrorizing Bolt enough to make him scream 'freaky', that woman had to be something else."If you're c
Having that as precedent gave Thunder's quartet the confidence to attack Frank.But to Thunder's shock, Frank's breathing was regular and his speech composed.Forget being hurt—he was not even breathing heavily, while Galen and Blaze were killed."Boss, you're finally here… H-Help!" In the distance, Bolt was panting even as he dashed toward Thunder, still carrying his explosives with him.The lady in white silk continued chasing after him and stopped to level a cool glare at Thunder. "Hmm. So you're his boss?""I…"Thunder's mouth hung open, unable to manage a word.Frank's abilities left him devastated.If they could not hurt him even after what they did, it must mean…"Transcendent rank…" Thunder murmured to himself."Now's not the time, boss! You have to stop her!" Bolt almost swore out loud, seeing his own boss freezing up."I mean… Frank Lawrence is Transcendent rank." Thunder turned toward Bolt with a smile so terrible he could well be crying."What?! Transcendent r
Dropping the walkie-talkie and crushing it under his foot, Frank stared thoughtfully at the blazing inferno behind himself.The woman in white who had just shown up at Lanecorp was none other than Silverbell, chief of Morhen's Martial Alliance.Silverbell and Juno Enigma just so happened to be acquainted, and Juno called her when she learned that Troy Bearson was after Frank.Like Kilian Lionheart, Silverbell was also in Zamri for the spiritron vein and headed toward Lanecorp post-haste when she heard there was danger.Before she arrived, she called Frank when he reached the basement parking lot.Wary of the threat, he arranged for Silverbell to hurry over and defend Lanecorp, while he would use himself as bait to see who the Bearsons were after.And the result was surprising—the Bearsons wanted to take down both Lanecorp and himself.That certainly made things intriguing.Frank did not spare Bolt and Thunder out of kindness either—he wanted them to spill the beans on the Bears
Thunder continued, "Most importantly, they are planning something. It's about a land lot that Lanecorp recently acquired, and the Bearson Group tried but repeatedly failed to buy it off their hands, so…"At that point, Frank vaguely realized that Kilian Lionheart must want the same thing as Silverbell.Turning toward her with a frown, he asked, "What's this about the spiritron vein over the phone?""Spiritron vein?" Thunder and Bolt were immediately at attention, while Silverbell immediately fidgeted and appeared anxious."Silverbell?"Frank had to say her name again to bring her to her senses, but she said, "I'm sorry, I think we should stay away from the Bearsons for now."While Frank was surprised that Silverbell was immediately asking him to give up, he asked, "Why?""Kilian Lionheart." Silverbell sighed, her eyes flashing coldly. "That man is trouble—he's one of Volsung Sect's best and the elder of their Order of Talons. Moreover, he advanced well into Ascendant rank, and
Helen then continued, "But since we have plans for that land lot, we didn't take the Bearsons' offer. They kept suggesting partnerships to develop it together, which I refused too.""Okay, got it."Frank was sneering even as he hung up.There was little wonder, as the land that he bought off Gina proved to be a treasure, where a spiritron vein had been embedded.He certainly had no reason to give it up now that he had it—no, he would rather destroy it than let Kilian acquire it!Soon, their black car stopped by the curb.They had arrived before a pair of towering steel gates, behind which stood a large mansion surrounded by gardens.It had everything, from parking lots to gardens and the like. It would not measure up to the estates of the Four Families of Morhen, but it had the advantage of being in a quiet location. Moreover, it was not too far from the city, taking just half an hour of travel to reach Lanecorp Tower.Frank was satisfied after just one glance, while Thunder an
"What are you laughing at?!"The bodyguard up front glared at Thunder and Bolt.Both men quickly stopped smiling and shook their heads. "Nothing."Still, they could barely contain themselves—the four people standing in front of the haughty bodyguards were all martial artists, each more ridiculous than the other.That was why the bodyguards' threat was hilarious, and they just could not stop themselves from laughing at the thought.On the other hand, Frank did not argue, since he would rather not fight if he could.All he wanted to do was buy the mansion without fuss instead of spilling blood, especially when Helen, Winter, and everyone else would be moving in tomorrow.Waving, he led the others away from the steel gates back to the car and called Gene Pearce as the bodyguards leered at them haughty.By the time he was done telling his story, Gene was incensed. "That brat's name is Gerry Bearson. I'm the one who cleared his gambling debts because even his father can't afford it,
Frank could tell that he could not take Thunder and Bolt's oath of undying loyalty at face value.However, they had nowhere else to go.Not only had they failed to carry out their mission, but they had leaked the Bearson's secrets. Forget taking them back—it would be mercy if the Bearsons did not send killers after Thunder and Bolt.And someone like Kilian had even less reason to take them back in.In contrast, the olive branch Frank was offering was simply bewitching.For the average martial artist, trying to develop without any heirloom meant training in sub-par martial arts they would obtain from the black market—and at astronomical prices.As for anything advanced, they were either hoarded within various sects as treasures. None of those would ever fall to the black market—even if some would, Thunder and Bolt would never be able to afford them.But things were different now—if they took Frank's offer, any martial arts form a Transcendent rank like him could teach was far abo
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