However, the concealed weapon that made Kairo so confident only made Frank feel nostalgic. The moment Kairo pulled it out, Frank instantly recognized it. His eyes narrowed, and he moved without hesitation.Kairo's twisted grin faded into shock as Frank effortlessly caught the slender bronze needle with his fingers, just an inch from his forehead!"What the…"Kairo's eyes widened in disbelief at Frank's lightning-fast reaction."Hmph, still trying to play tricks at this point? How pathetic," Frank scoffed, flicking his fingers slightly.With a swift motion, the slender bronze needle shot back toward Kairo like a bullet. Kairo did not have Frank's reflexes. He felt a sharp pain in his thigh and looked down to see the very same bronze needle now embedded there.Kairo screamed hysterically as his face turned pale with terror. It was no surprise. The green poison coating the needle quickly seeped into his thigh, and it turned his flesh into a putrid, green mush as if it was dissol
"You've missed your chance," Frank murmured.Kairo's lips had already disintegrated, leaving him unable to speak. However, his eyes showed a flicker of regret in his final moments. By the time Frank stood up, Kairo had completely disintegrated. Only a puddle of foul-smelling green ooze was left of him.The onlookers were horrified, their hair standing on end at the sight of Kairo's gruesome end.Unexpectedly, Horey wiped her eyes and got up from the ground. Looking unbothered, she turned to Yosil. Then, she extended her hand and said coldly, "Hand over the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. This is your last chance."As she spoke, Horey pulled out her phone and made a gesture as if dialing a number. "If you don't, I'll call my master right now and tell them that it was Kornac's Keep that killed my senior Kairo.""What?!"Everyone was stunned by Horey's cold demeanor. She even used her senior's death to threaten Kornac's Keep. Even Frank frowned.Horey looked at Frank and coldly said, "
Frank's pure vigor then manifested into a gigantic hand, seizing Horey's neck in an instant!"Donn… I mean, Mr. Lawrence! Please stop!"Yosil quickly shouted when he saw that Frank was ready to kill, wiping the cold sweat off his brow. "If you really kill her, and Cloudnine Sect comes for blood… Kornac's Keep will fall!""Yes, Mr. Lawrence! Please calm down!"The other elders quickly tried to dissuade Frank too, but he asked in return, "And, what? What do you think should be done about this? If you're dead set on giving up, give me the Stellar Windroot and I'll be gone.""Oh, uh…"Frank's question left the elders stumped, and they all turned toward Yosil.After a moment of silence, he eventually sighed exasperatedly, walking up to Frank and asking quietly, "Do you perhaps remember this old mug, Mr. Lawrence?""You?"Frank frowned at Yosil but shook his head."Well, that's fair." Yosil chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I'm really nothing and certainly wouldn't catch the eye of a p
"No, please don't!"Yosil smiled, his eyes welling up with tears at the mere idea of Frank addressing him as a fellow apprentice. "You're giving me too much credit, Mr. Lawrence. I just happened to be taken in by Mystic Sky Sect as a gopher—I have no business being an apprentice!""It's alright. Just listen." Frank reared his chin as he spoke quietly, "It's been three years since the fall of Mystic Sky Sect. But even if it's gone now, I won't let you down as the senior apprentice, as long as you keep the flame in your heart."I will revive Mystic Sky Sect, and you will be formally initiated as an apprentice, while Kornac's Keep may also be taken in as a vassal. Even if there's a huge gap between our ages, I shall be your senior as per sect rules.""Yes… Yes!" Yosil was awash with tears. He would die before dreaming that he would have the honor of being formally initiated into Mystic Sky Sect as an apprentice. Even if they were gone now, they would definitely see a resurgence un
Kairo was assuredly Sienna's most valued apprentice, as she was ready to avenge his death.It was all over for Kornac's Keep now!"Ahem. I just remembered that I have something to do. I'll be going now.""Me too. Forgot to collect my laundry before I left.""My wife told me to take care of the kids—""Bullshit. Where'd you find a wife?""J-Just now…?"The crowd was restless, as they sensed from Sienna's tone over the phone that Cloudnine Sect would come for them..And when they do, Kornac's Keep, Frank, and even innocent participants would be in deep trouble.Fleeing was therefore the best thing to do here, or even bystanders like them would get caught in the crossfire. However, while Horey presumed that Frank would drop his facade and flee at her mentor's threat, she found him standing there nonchalantly, as if he had never heard Sienna."You asked for this!" she growled through her teeth and told Sienna the phone, "It's this scumbag named Frank Lawrence! He's strong… stro
Horey simply could not understand—what connections Frank could possibly have that her mentor would show such a weak reaction?Talk about a bolt from the blue!"Hmph. It seems Sienna Noirot knows her place…"Frank strode a step forward just then, coolly demanding, "And what about you? Are you still going to insist on taking the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom?""I…"Horey had lost her trump card.In fact, everyone clearly heard what her mentor had told her—to kneel down before Frank and apologize.While Horey did not feel as humiliated as Kairo, she was still utterly confused.And since it was orders from above, she ultimately gave in for the sake of survival, kowtowing audibly and respectfully before Frank. "P-Please forgive me, Mr. Lawrence…""Get out of here."Seeing that Horey had acknowledged her mistake, Frank waved her off, not bothered to press the issue.Horey was certainly relieved, turning and fleeing the gates of Kornac's Keep without even collecting her late senior's belo
Frank finished, "Just mention my name, and you can enjoy special service and medicinal baths that won't lose out to the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom.""Really?!" Yosil's eyes lit up. "I've heard about the farm resort myself, but I've never been and therefore presumed it to be some publicity stunt. I didn't expect it to be your work… In that case, I shall visit it myself."While they were speaking, Ira Summers approached them with a glass in hand. "Apologies, Frank… I meant, Elder Lawrence. I've spoken insolently, and as an apprentice of Kornac's Keep, I hope you'd see past my indiscretion…"His tentative mannerisms left Frank chuckling and shaking his head.He did not really take offense anyway and clinked glasses with Ira, a gesture to let bygones be bygones.Still, it had been a long day for Frank as he soon rushed to Riverton from Norsedam, but at the very least, Mark Lane was saved.Reaching Lanevillle, Frank immediately refined a pill with the Stellar Windroot and worked through
That was until an ignorant man came calling."I heard you're Ms. Lane's sugar baby," he said as soon as he entered. "How much is she paying you every month? I can give you five million dollars right now, but you have to leave her."The man looked around his thirties, and his suit gave him the look of one of those successful city boys.In contrast, Frank was wearing his loose pajamas as he sat in his garden, sipping tea and gaping at the man, speechless.He had only allowed the man inside when the latter rang the doorbell, saying that he was from a major construction company in another city and partners with Lanecorp.Frank was naturally stupefied that the man would immediately assert his authority as soon as he strode through the front door.And seeing that Frank was stunned, he laughed coolly. "How about that? I guess dregs of society such as yourself would never have seen so much money!"Looking smug just then, he waved for his secretary to bring his briefcase, opening it in
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