Name-dropping Chet proved very effective, as terror quickly showed on the faces of the Favoni martial artists.They knew very well what the head of the family was like, and if Chet would say something like that, Frank was far more powerful than what they imagined.Considering how they were circling around Frank and challenging him so childishly, many of them were sweating all over their brow."Go. We're taking Lubor back to Favoni House," Edon said."Yes, sir."The Favoni martial artists finally gave in as they realized what Frank really meant to their clan.-Meanwhile, Frank could not care less about what the Favoni martial artists thought, as Silverbell was his only concern. "Are you alright?"Silverbell only appeared troubled that Frank came back for her. "Aren't you upset with me for stealing Helen and Vicky's spiritron vein?""What are you saying?"Frank chuckled, speaking softly as he gathered her in his arms. "Did you think I wouldn't know what you're thinking? You we
Frank was driving Lubor's luxury sedan, and the surprise of finding out that Silverbell remembered what had happened at Sage Lake Sect left him utterly embarrassed.Silverbell remained silent as she rode shotgun, smiling faintly and nonchalantly as she twirled her hair around her finger."I know you love Helen and Vicky—I can see that much," she said softly. "That's why I have no intention of getting involved from the start. I've also tried to keep myself preoccupied with Martial Alliance business so that I don't have time for silly thoughts, but every time I see you…"She trailed off, lowering her head as she murmured, "My mind would always become a mess, even after I painstakingly composed myself."But don't worry, Frank. I'll do my best to stay away, so you don't have to worry, but you must be more careful from now on."The powers that be in Draconia exist in a convoluted mess, and a single mistake leads to hell. Even if you're strong enough, there's just too many of them…"Fr
"Huh…" Frank scratched his head awkwardly. "But we are engaged. We can't annul that, right?""Hehe," Silverbell giggled. "Can a childish engagement be taken seriously? You're being sly now, Frank.""Of course it can. I'm a man of my word!"-Soon, Frank was driving back to Favoni House, where he gave Lubor—who was being hung at the gates—a surprise of the lifetime.It was the severed head of one of Hundred Bane Sect's elders.And when the bleeding head was flung on the ground, Lubor actually forgot his pain as he stared at the head for a moment and shrieked, "You're a dead man, Frank Lawrence! Murdering an elder of Hundred Bane Sect?! No one can save you now! I've already triggered the blood centipede as well—that bitch is going to die right now!""Hmph."Frank was not worried at all, as Lubor was only raving and rambling because he knew he was a dead man walking.Lubor's threat was completely futile too, since Frank had already extracted the blood centipede from Silverbell's
Frank did not stay too long at Favoni House.He waited until Silverbell recovered enough and left her with all the Ichor Pills she had, reminding her to be careful before leaving.Still, before he left, he got to enjoy watching the two Favoni sentries from before squatting at the gates and barking like dogs.Even Jaden was on hand to send him off, having woken up but needing a cane for the time being."I've been told the truth of everything now. Both your magnanimity and strength is above mine…"Disappointment showed on his face, and his cheeks were pale and his eyes bloodshot—Frank could not tell if it was from the psychological blow or his drained vigor after staying unconscious for over a month."You're the first person I earnestly respect, and not even the Demon of Volsung Sect gets that honor. When I recover, I will definitely visit and ask for your guidance."Jaden proved right then that he could lose with dignity.After all, he did not think that the rival he belittled a
Mona was as cheeky as she always was, giggling, "Hehehe… Sorry about that, Master Lawrence. But I'm calling you now, aren't I?"Frank snorted, but he did like the lively brat. "Hmph. Quit trying to distract me, and tell me already… I take it that you couldn't solve your little problem, could you?""Oh, that's amazing, Master Lawrence!"Mona giggled but soon added mischievously, "Well, you know my stupid grandpa was captured, right?"Frank was left blue with shock at Mona calling her own grandfather stupid, but Mona continued excitedly anyway. "Well, I looked around and finally found out where he was held, and after elaborate plans and preparations, I made it into the enemy's base!""And? Did you get your grandfather out?" Frank quickly asked."Nope." Mona cleared her throat awkwardly, even adding as if it was natural, "And they caught me too.""What…"Frank was laughing despite himself, though that was when someone snatched Mona's phone away."Yo, are you this brat's mentor?"
Seeing the oncoming black Mercedes, a thug in a singlet quickly turned and ran inside the temple to report, "Boss, he's here!""Shit, so that's why he's not haggling—he's filthy rich!"There were over a dozen thugs, but they were the least important thugs there ever were. Even the boss was only in his twenties, and his hair was dyed in a variety of colors.As Frank alighted and was heading towards them, he raised his metal bat and pointed at Frank pompously. "Stop right there! Not one step closer!""Okay, okay…"Frank threw up his hands and surrendered while subtly looking around for the elderly man with a steel mask covering half his face. "Where's the money?"The thug boss frowned as he studied Frank just then."There's no briefcase in the car, boss!"A thug had rushed over to rummage through the black Mercedes and did not find any briefcase containing money."Shit, you're fucking with us?!"The thug boss was at once furious, raising his baseball bat and ready to enforce
"I made a mistake?! Impossible!" The elderly man with a steel mask covering half his face exclaimed in shock.At the same time, a hint of impatience showed on Frank's face. "Sir, didn't I already give up on the spiritron vein a month ago? Was that the reason why you kidnapped my people to lure me here again?""Your people?"The elder snorted and snapped quietly, "They are members of Haply Hall. Whenever did they become your people?""That's bullshit, Great Gramps!"Mona yelled despite being tied up, "I told you before—I'm leaving Haply Hall! I'm no longer a part of your cabal!""Hmph!" The elder snorted. "Did you think that Haply Hall is a place you can come and go as you please?""Yes! Bleh!" Mona retorted, even sticking her tongue out at him.The air around the elder stirred restlessly, and Frank could actually see him blinking. "Oh, Grand Elder, you shouldn't stoop to the brat's level."Aion smiled awkwardly before turning toward Frank. "Uh… Long time no see, kid.""What
Obviously, no matter what insolence and insults Mona dished out, the steel-masked elder was not changing his mind.That left Frank in a dilemma, as the steel-masked elder was powerful.And judging from what Mona said, he had some divination technique that made him even more terrifying.Frank really did not want to get involved with the likes of that elder—what could he do, really? Even if Frank might be evenly matched against him in martial arts, that man would just move against the people around him even before he expected it.But was he supposed to just obey the man's orders, and…Frank turned toward Mona just then, blinking.The brat might be ranting endlessly after the steel-masked elder, but she was also flashing a sinister smile.Turning toward Frank, she asked tentatively to probe Frank, "Well, you heard the man… Master Lawrence, why don't we just…"She almost sounded eager!"Stop!"Frank held up a hand. "Don't worry. I'll come up with something in a year to change you
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