"Please, Frank… I get it now! It's all my fault, and I won't ever do it again… Please, just let me live—"Crunch!As Gerry's neck snapped audibly, his pleas stopped instantly.Stella's breath was caught in her lungs and she almost fainted.Who was this war deity that they had just provoked? Could Frank actually be Transcendent rank?!Her family's martial artists were tried and true elites too—not many across the East Coast could win against them, let alone in Norsedam!But Frank massacred them without even really making an effort!As the lobby of Lanecorp Tower became eerily silent for a long while, Frank quietly spoke, "I will give you one chance—go home, and don't mess with me ever again."Stella promptly turned in disbelief—he was sparing her?Frank seemed to read her mind from her expression alone and waved her off."I have no reason to kill you. Though I don't mind playing along if you have a death wish. Oh, and another thing…"Frank shot her a cool look. "You have to p
It was a terrible storm that kept gaining momentum, but things were surprisingly quiet at Lanecorp despite them being the center of attention.According to information Thunder and Bolt had gathered, many factions were extending into Zamri, and the Favonis were no exception.On the surface, they claimed the duel was just and to eliminate Frank—a disgrace to his fellow martial artists.In reality, they simply saw the signs of a major reshuffling among the underbelly of Zamri.As such, they wanted to get their hands on Zamri and get themselves a cut, so Stella's words fell on deaf ears.-Meanwhile, Frank had Winter Lawrence and her best friend Jean Zims move to Zamri, while Mona Fairfax left the East Coast under orders from Haply Hall.It was just a day before the duel against Jaden, but Frank was leisurely lounging in the renovated mansion, instructing Winter and Jean on Draconian traditional medicine.It was a profound subject, and even someone as smart as Winter had trouble g
Arriving at the drawing room, Frank saw a familiar face that he had just met recently."Oh, it's you?"Stella was seated primly on the couch, scowling even as a servant brought her tea."To what do I owe the pleasure?"Frank asked as he sat down comfortably on the couch, leveling an interested look at the woman who was somehow completely different than when he saw her days ago.If she had been haughty and endlessly confident about being an heiress of the Favonis, she was now the image of someone beaten.Her eyes were bloodshot even as she looked up, rasping, "F-Frank Lawrence, I've come to apologize.""Apologize?"Frank was left dumbstruck by her words, not expecting Stella to come all this way to apologize.Still, he shook his head and laughed. "Well, you don't like you're really apologizing! The public really have a lot to say about me these days, about me being a disgrace to all martial artists and whatnot.""It's my family and my brother's excuse." Stella apologized anx
Frank remained impassive despite Stella's tearful pleas, snorting. "So? What business of mine is your family's troubles?"He was not about to change his mind… or he could not, to be precise.The Favonis were determined to kill him, so he could not just play saint just because Stella was begging him through tears and let Jaden kill him.Moreover, Stella really was not a looker and lacked charm—even if she did, Frank was not about to fall for it."You should save your breath for your father and brother," Frank said shortly.His principles were always simple—he would keep out of anyone's way, as long as they kept out of his.However, that only left Stella further pained.She had already told her father and brother a hundred times over that Frank was above them and was not to be messed with, but they were too prideful to listen.They even believed that Frank bewitched her. Moreover, some twentyish youth massacred over thirty Favoni martial artists? If word of that got out, they w
Stella sighed. "Everything I do is for the family's survival—""Survival?!"Chelly laughed.It was clear she was short-tempered too, as she suddenly lunged at Frank, bellowing, "Let's see if he can even size up to Jaden!"Even as Chelly extended her hand as she jumped at Frank, Frank simply stood his ground, his eyes turning cool.Despite all her hollering, she was just a vigor wielder—if she insisted on attacking Frank, the recoil would cripple her on the spot."Stop!" Stella snapped angrily as she strode between Chelly and Frank. "Stop listening to your aunt's poisonous words. You shouldn't be attacking Mr. Lawrence!""Mr. Lawrence?!"Chelly could tell from the title alone how much respect her sister had for Frank, and her rage flared as she swung her palm at her own sister instead.Pow!Stella stumbled a couple steps backward as she took the blow for Frank."Oh, taking the blow for our enemy? Let's see how you'll explain that to your father, Stella." Tara gloated."Shut
Winter came over, tugging on Frank's sleeve and asking, "What happened here?""Nothing." Frank shook his head and deliberately made a face. "Didn't I tell you to study? What are you doing here?""I-I was worried," Winter murmured guiltily.Frank patted her head, his grief fading at her docile murmur.Then, turning back toward Stella and the others, he waved them off. "Alright, you can all go now. We will see the truth come tomorrow." Chelly, however, still refused. "Hah! I'm not scared of you! My brother will kick your ass tomorrow—he is Skyrank's second and a top martial artist! A loser and a cheater like you can't even hope to touch his sleeve! You should be kneeling and begging me for mercy if you have any brains! I just might ask my brother to spare your life!"And before Frank could speak, Tara was laughing as she threatened, "Exactly. If you get down on your knees and beg and have your lover surrender her Lanecorp shares, the Favonis just might let you live. You'd better w
Tara finished, "I hope you're ready to die."With that, she turned to leave.Frank did not stop her but instead remained where he was, rubbing his chin thoughtfully."They're so despicable!" Winter huffed just then.Frank smiled. "That is true, but the fact that they came gave me an idea.""What idea?" Winter asked, turning toward him."The Favonis are not completely stiff as a rock. They just might prove useful."Frank smiled, patting her head. "But that's none of your business. You should be properly studying the medicinal text I gave you and take over as Zamri Hospital's chief sooner.""Yeah…" Winter nodded, giving him a wistful look before returning to the study.Still, Frank could soon hear the girls giggling in the room and chuckled exasperatedly.As for the Favonis, he already had a plan.-Meanwhile, at the Favonis' dojo in Norsedam, over twenty martial artists had a youth surrounded as they attacked him with staffs and machetes.The youth was even blindfolded, but
"Exactly, Mr. Bearson. You're a genius—don't compare yourself to mooks like us!""In a few years, you'll surpass the Demon of Volsung Sect.""Ya think?""And with Mr Bearson leading us, we will claim a place in Morhen and rise as the Fifth Family!"Even as the Favoni martial artists joked around and flattered Jaden, he snorted, taking off his blindfold and kicking away the sandbags and lead weights on his feet.Still, he was not quite taken by the flattery.Instead, he looked up towards the sky, determination flaring inside him.It really seemed that Ehud Lionheart was the only one who could prove a match against him on the East Coast.However, Volsung Sect had always kept Ehud sheltered—no one ever heard from him, let alone saw him.When they met two years ago, Jaden had been younger and was getting full of himself, as he could not find any worthy opponents.As such, Ehud could well be a god amongst men when he showed up, crushing Jaden's ego after they exchanged ten blows.
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