Jim Loggins' grandfather was the famous Abel Loggins, but Jim was addressing Frank as grandmaster?!Cid rubbed his temples as he felt thoroughly astonished by Frank's status."Get to the room down the hallway and the room upstairs." Frank was pointing Jim where to go. "I stitched them up with pure vigor, and that takes centuries-old natural wonders to maintain it. The one in the room down the hallway is named Lauren Floss—I'll foot the bill for any medical fees, but the Sturgeons will pay for the patient upstairs."Jim flinched at the way Frank described something so horrific and appeared even more humble just then.At the same time, his imagination was running wild.First and foremost, he had definitely heard Frank saying that he had stitched up incisions with pure vigor. Was that really possible? Did that not make Draconian traditional medicine even more ridiculous?And to maintain the pure vigor with century-old herbs and have the incisions heal in a week? It was simply ri
"What? Oh, I understand."Cid quickly patted himself on the chest, assuring Frank that it was as good as done.Kat was relieved to have the Sunblazers' underboss assurance too.After Cid escorted them away, he turned toward Kali with an awkward smile. "Shall we go, Ms. Sturgeon?""Go? Where to?"Kali had been peeking at the drawing room from the kitchen, and her soul almost left her when she saw Cid turning his attention to her.After all, the Sunblazers were killers! Anyone who fell to his hand would never cheat death."Let's just get you out of here for now," Cid replied. "Oh, and Mr. Lawrence said that I should help you, so you'll be an underboss of the Sunblazers now.""Eh? What? Why?!"Kali flinched at Cid's words—she was going to be an underboss to these murderers?!"What? Do you have a problem with that, Ms. Sturgeon?" Cid was smiling, but from Kali's panicked perspective, he could well be threatening her!"Oh, no, of course not." Kali shook her head repeatedly to s
With a solemn tone, Kat announced, "Master Lawrence, I am thoroughly indebted to you. And since I have no way of repaying you, you can have my body in return.""Hmm…?"The ladies around the dining table—Helen, Winter, and Mona Fairfax—were quickly leveling her hostile glares."W-What are you staring at me for?" Kat scratched her head, getting uncomfortable from the stares. "Aren't teacher-student relationships allowed here?""Teacher-student relationships… What are you even talking about?!"Frank choked and glared viciously at Kat before turning toward her father Nash. "You should straighten your daughter out, sir.""What?" Nash simply chuckled. "She's grown up now, and she can make her own decisions. I've made up my mind now—as her father, I should be supportive of her choices.""Dad!" Kat exclaimed, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Nash."Hehe…" Nash gave her a happy look in turn, clearly not repulsed by the idea of her hooking up with Frank.While he was wa
"Just calm down for now…"Frank mentioned his suspicions after thinking about it. "How did those saboteurs know the time and location where the equipment would be moved? Have you considered that?""I did!"Noel was certainly sharp after working in showbiz for years and caught on to Frank's hint in an instant.After all, the only reason this could have happened was that there was a mole, who leaked when and where the imported equipment would be transported, or those saboteurs would never have reached them so easily."But…" Noel soon trailed off awkwardly. "Since the company is expanding rapidly, we've had to recruit plenty of new personnel, and there's no eliminating the fact that there are moles already on the inside.""I'm coming over. Let's talk when I get there," Frank said, hanging up and driving straight to a spacious park district.Lanecorp had purchased the entire district and were in the midst of building various facilities. There were studios for filming and audio rec
As Frank got out of the car, he inspected all the truck wreckages left after the fire."Eh?" he murmured, as he discovered a button lying on a patch of grass that no one would have noticed."What…"Noel was gaping in astonishment—how did Frank notice the tiny button lying there so inconspicuously?As she looked on, Frank studied the buttons and their surroundings. "Let me guess—judging from the make, I'd say it was torn off when the saboteurs were dragging the truck drivers out here."However, the saboteurs proved to be really careful, as there were no other traces left aside from that button.Still, that was enough—with that button, Frank quickly took Noel back to Zamri and headed to a major fashion design company.And with monetary persuasion, a female supervisor eventually spoke, "It's a unique sleeve button used specifically for suits, and it fits the style of Longham Garments, a local manufacturer here in Zamri.""Thank you," Frank said and turned to leave with Noel.The
Chet Jonas was a total bloodsucker, and if not for his connections to the Lionhearts, Urian would have had his men dismember him.Still, before Chet left, Urian's assistant knocked on the door and announced, "Mr. Reno, there's a man and a woman outside, asking to see you.""Asking to see me?"Urian did a double take but soon pursed his lips and huffed. "Tell them to leave! Do I look like I'd meet just anyone?""But, sir…"The assistant appeared awkward. "I don't recognize the man, but the woman is Noel York.""Noel York…"Various looks alternated over Urian's face.After all, Noel was the top actress of Draconia, and her name was a bombshell to every Draconian citizen.No man could resist like her—even Urian was gulping unwittingly even as he thought of her face.Glancing at Chet, he flashed an apologetic smile. "Sorry, it seems that Ms. York must be here to talk business, like ordering some clothing. I won't bug you to stay in that case.""What are you saying?"Chet, howev
Although Frank tried to get the men's attention, they were still transfixed on Noel and ignored Frank's voice.Having no choice, Frank barked so loud that the golden lion on the desk shook. "Gentlemen!""Huh? What?!"The two men finally came to their senses, and Frank looked between them. "This is Longham Garments, correct? Who's the owner?"Urian promptly raised a hand and smiled. "That's me—I'm the owner. Just call me Mr. Reno."Frank then turned toward Chet. "And you are…?" Chet cleared his throat. "Oh, right. I'm… ahem. I'm Chet Jonas… A fashion designer, I guess."His words left Urian cursing inwardly at him again—designer? More like a lapdog of the Lionhearts, conning everyone everywhere with their influence."Ahem…"Urian then smiled at Noel. "Welcome, Ms. York! It's an honor of a lifetime that you would visit my humble factory."While Urian was stunned by Noel's looks and figure, he knew his place.Such a well-billed star celebrity most certainly had backing—whoever
"What do you want?"Noel frowned as she backed away, surprised that Chet was so bold that he was ready to make a move in public."Oh, don't misunderstand."Chet stopped and smiled smugly. "I don't mind telling you that I'm assistant to Sil Lionheart, vice chief of Volsung Sect's Caudal Hall. It must therefore be fate that brings us together, Ms. York… Why don't you consider a partnership with Lionhearts?""Sure, the Lionhearts do not have a monopoly on showbiz like the Soranos, but with me here, you will have protection. Just join us Lionhearts, and I'll ask Sil to invest in you, elevating you to unprecedented heights. How about that?"Chet thought that his offer was very attractive, since people were always terrified and respectful every time he mentioned the Lionhearts.As such, even Noel—who was famous throughout Draconia—was just another girl in Chet's eyes.After all, would she dare go against the Lionhearts?That was when Frank strode up, staring at Chet in amusement as h
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