"It's alright," Jade reasoned. "Luna has cause to say it—Jaden is the second best martial artist across the east coast. Frank might not stand a chance no matter how good he is.""We'll never know," Gavin countered, rearing his chin proudly. "Helen's husband has always performed miracles, and we should back him up as family. Even if he loses, we should do our best to protect him too.""Indeed…"Mark nodded and smiled, stroking his beard. "He already honors our family by stepping into that ring.Aside from the Southstream Lanes, Walter Turnbull and his wife had arrived too.Susan Redford looked around for her daughter but could not see any sign of her. "Walter, why isn't Vicky here yet?""What are you getting excited about? Even Frank isn't here."Walter was calm, but there was a flicker of anxiety in his eyes.Despite his unease, he assured his wife nonetheless, "Don't worry—I have orders from Glen. We don't have to do a thing if the duel goes fairly, but we will step up if Jade
It was frustrating, but Walter could understand.Jaden's fame had lasted for quite a while, as he had been a young prodigy who had been fawned over since a child. As the heir to the Favonis, his innate talent for martial arts had shone, and he was once picked as the chief of the Martial Alliance provisionally.His fame alone was enough to intimidate anyone—who would ever dare stand against such a man?If the Ehud Lionheart, the Demon of Volsung Sect, never came to prominence seemingly out of nowhere, Jaden would definitely be the youngest Ascendant rank in Draconia's history.Anyone privy to such information and aware of Jaden's background would definitely not favor Frank.Even those around him think it would be forcing it, since Jaden was on a completely different level.After all, Frank had always kept a low profile and had not much fame to speak of.And following days of the Favonis and the Bearsons hyping up Jaden while slandering Frank as a cheater, no one was supporting
Gene's joke left Walter pursing his lips.Staring at the streaks of white hair above Gene's sideburns, he threw up his hands. "Surely you're joking, Mr. Pearce? We've yet to repay your grace for establishing ourselves in Riverton.""Oh, it's really nothing." Gene smiled, waving him off as he sat down beside Walter. "So, how is Vicky doing? Has she recovered?""Yes, she has." Walter quickly nodded.Gene nodded and sighed in admiration. "Well, Mr. Lawrence really excels in both martial arts and medicine—there's no malady he can't cure. The man even snatched my dying self away from the reaper's grasp."The bookie nearby seized his opportunity right then, asking, "Sir, may I interest you in a bet? The most favorable odds are how many strikes that mysterious martial elite would last against Jaden Favoni."The bookie was certainly sharply—knowing that those seated in the front row were all rich or powerful, it was the right choice to ask them to make bets.They would make a fortune
As everyone looked on in confusion, Gene snorted, whipped out his checkbook, and wrote a dazzling number."Hmph. In that case—I'm betting a hundred million on the mysterious martial elite to win."Though Gene stated that number very calmly, the bookie dropped on his rear in shock.But that was Gene Pearce for you—he really went all out from the first stroke.In fact, the total bets at the moment totaled up to just 500 million, which means Gene bet made up a fifth of it!Everyone around him gasped, but they soon came to their senses."Wait… Which bet did he make?""The fourth!""What? Has he gone senile?""Yeah, how could he believe that Jaden Favoni would lose?""You don't get it. The man doesn't care who wins—the money spent is just to flex.""Flex? Really? Throwing away all that money would only convince everyone that he's stupid."While everyone kept yapping around him, Gene remained nonchalant as he continued his jovial chat with Walter.The vibes around them were cert
If they lost all that money and Jaden's father pressed the issue…Jaden, however, could not care less. He was even sneering darkly, "Don't worry. Just get it done! I will show the city of Zamri that the Favonis are the strongest martial arts clan on the East Coast!"The servant quickly left, afraid to disobey.Still, seeing that her brother was getting impulsive, Stella quickly reasoned, "Please calm down for a moment, Jaden. Frank Lawrence really isn't someone to be trifled with! You need to really think about this!"Chelly glared at her in annoyance right then. "Whose side are you on, Stella?! Do you still consider yourself our family?!" "But…" Stella murmured."No buts!"Jaden stopped Stella coolly, clenching his knuckles as he bellowed, "Everyone on the East Coast believes that I, Jaden Favoni, will win, but my own sister thinks that Frank Lawrence will crush me?! People would be laughing if they knew! Just watch, Stella—I will destroy that prick in ten blows, so you don't
The emcee breathed his vowels long and hard the way Michael Buffer would hype up his ring announcements.Jaden soon emerged from backstage, his form straight and towering, his expression cold and his glare sharp.He was the image of an heir to a clan of martial artists, his long hair the picture of the graceful martial artists of old.Many a maiden were screaming in excitement as if seeing their idol, and some even fainted and were quickly carted off to waiting ambulances."This gentleman of impeccable appearance is the second in Skyrank and the great heir to the illustrious Favoni family of martial artists!"The emcee was absolutely generous with his praise, and Jaden certainly measured up.He stood, his expression sharp and his posture elegant, and the spectators could actually feel the palpable sense of superiority he carried himself with.And when the emcee was done introducing Jaden, he turned to the other side and paused awkwardly. "Um… it seems that Mr. Favoni's challenge
"Eh?"Troy turned to find a figure vaulting over the shoulders of the spectators toward the ring."Hahaha! He really came!" he exclaimed in surprise and delighted—more delighted than seeing his own family, in fact.Thud!As Frank landed steadily in the ring, everyone turned toward the giant clock in Zamri Square.Ten minutes as the emcee announced, no more, no less—Frank arrived just in time.Jaden's eyes narrowed, as he could at least see Frank was skilled. "What, finally made up your mind? And here I thought you bailed," Jaden said with a scoff.Frank simply beamed, flashing his bright white teeth. "Heh. Just had to make a detour and wasted some time. Thankfully, I made it.""Hmph!" Jaden snorted and said nothing else.Meanwhile, Frank turned towards the emcee and asked quietly, "So, shall we get started?""Oh, uh…"The emcee looked between Frank, Jaden, and the clearly relieved Troy below stage.Seein Tory nod at him, he said, "Since you're both here, let's get ready
"Hey, that's too much!"Frank was protesting at the emcee. "Why are all the bets predicting my defeat? Can't I bet on myself beating Jaden Favoni in ten strikes?"The emcee was taken aback, as was Jaden despite his impatience.Still, Jaden soon snorted and stared Frank pointedly from head to toe. "Who do you think you are, brat?! You, defeating me in ten strikes?! I could let you have them for free, and you still wouldn't reach my sleeve!""Now, now. That might not prove to be the case." Frank wagged his finger, grinning in amusement.Then, shouting below the stage, he said, "Anyway, I bet 500 million that I'm winning!"The hall was sent into a frenzy, even as Frank's bet was shown on the electronic board as he announced it.Nodding in approval, Frank exclaimed, "Now, that's fairness!"On the other hand, Jaden had lost all patience watching as Frank kept wasting time and snapped icily, "Are you going to fight or not?!""Yeah! Start the fight!"The spectators were getting upse
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