As the inmates looked on, Frank bellowed as he launched his fist at Tigris, their knuckles colliding just like before.At first glance, Tigris' punch was shrouded in pure vigor and kicking up a violent shockwave, while Frank was just basically holding out his knuckle—it was really a stretch to call it a punch.Forget projecting his pure vigor—Frank was not even putting his back into it, and it was a really simple, half-heard punch.Bang!In a split second, Tigris' thundering punch was parried like it was nothing, while the man himself was howling as he was sent flying and crashing into the steel bars of a prison cell.And as the inmates turned to look, they could all see that all that was left of Tigris' knuckle was pieces of flesh scattered all over the floor.It would be a gruesome sight, but the inmates were used to it here at Blackwater.They were not thrilled either, because it was a jailer who was beaten up! How many years had it been since this had happened? No, forge
Frank had a hunch right then. "Could it be…?"The geezer nodded grimly, seeing the look on his face. "As the name suggests, every Blackwater Prison across Draconia has the authority to issue the Blackwater Designation, in order to apprehend the worst criminals in the country."If you tried to break out, you'd naturally top the list, and you would find yourself fighting every martial artist in Draconia! That's why no one ever leaves Blackwater."Seeing the geezer's scowl as if reminded of bad memories, Frank quickly understood that his pessimism stemmed from a failed escape attempt, after which he was captured by one of the best martial artists under the Blackwater Designation."May I ask who brought you back?""It was Simon Lionheart, head of the Lionheart family."The name left Frank narrowing his eyes. "The head of the Lionheart family personally…""Yes."Terror showed in the geezer's eyes even as he shook his head, sighing lengthily. "His strength is unparalleled, even among
Frank was left taken aback but soon appeared delighted—that was true! Why did he not think of that?!He even nodded at the flunkies. "Thanks for the tip. I really didn't think of that!"The two flunkies traded glances, while the one who gave Frank the idea of taking Tigris hostage could slap himself right then."S-Stand back!""Do you think the warden would show you mercy when you're hurting his brother?!"Seeing Frank strode up, the two flunkies were still trying to name-drop the warden to intimidate Frank.They had no idea that Frank was not susceptible, and while they yapped a lot, they quickly cleared a path for Frank.With that, they watched helplessly as Frank put Tigris on the iron chair and wheeled him further inside the cell."Alright—Tigris Fisher is now my hostage," Frank said. "Run along now and tell your warden that I have his brother, and that he shouldn't do anything stupid… or I'll kill my hostage!"Seeing that Frank was absolutely stubborn, the two flunkies ha
While Frank was being confined at Blackwater, Huub Droitner was glowering as he paced around in his hotel room.He would shoot an occasional but vicious glare at his goon who was kneeling nearby before eventually bellowing, "Incompetent fools!"Even as the goon flinched, Huub ranted, "All I told you is to find an herb for me, but none of you could find it?! What's the point of me keeping any of you around?! You're all useless!"The goon was certainly wounded by Huub's blame too. "But, sir—the herb is really rare! We asked everyone we could ask across Zamri and Bralog, but no one knew about it! There's no way we would know! And if no one knows, we don't even know where to start!"Huub might have promised Helen that he would bring her a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, but in reality, he did not know what it was.In fact, he had never heard that name before—he was just trying to look good, snapping back at Frank and pretending that he knew to impress Helen.As such, when Helen urged him to
As his colleague now reported that he had found the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, the goon wondered if his men were all working together to trick him by telling him that no one had told him about it.Still, he decided it was not the case, as his men had been working for him for a while.Moreover, they heard that Huub was willing to pay five million dollars for it, so they would definitely want that money.As such, he was keen to see this Bloodcrane Spiritbloom his colleague was bringing Huub.Still, Huub did a double take just then, seeing the gleeful look on his goon's face but nothing in his hands. "You said you've found it—well, where is it?"Though the goon's smile faded, he quickly threw up his hands. "The Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is really precious, Mr. Droitner... I can't hold it with my bare hands."Huub nodded—that made sense, as touching the herb directly might ruin it. "Then where is it? We will go and get it right now!""Okay!" The goon did not keep everyone in suspense an
"What the hell?"Huub's expression was as cold as ice.He always knew that undertakers were so eloquent that they could give fortune tellers a run for their money. However, nothing they ever said would be true, as it was all a sales pitch.And Huub could not care less about people like them, so he snorted and turned to leave."Hey now, sir!"Seeing that Huub was going to abandon his unconscious goon, the unscrupulous geezer hurried to him and started rambling, "You could let me handle his funeral matters. I promise that it will be my finest work. The deposit would be…"As his eyes narrowed in glee and he rubbed his hands at Huub, his intention could not have been clearer."Fuck off!" Huub's other goon barked.He had come to see what was this Bloodcrane Spiritbloom his colleague found, only for him to bring them to such a dank, gloomy place.And as it turned out, his colleague messed up big time.The goon would have laughed—in fact, he wanted to do it from the start. But seein
Huub snorted before chuckling coolly. "But if I haven't seen the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom before, do you think Helen Lane or her mother would? The only ones who have would be Frank Lawrence and that kidnapper… Hell, maybe that kidnapper never saw it too."The goon realized what he was saying right then. "Oh! So you're saying…"Huub nodded, his lips curling into a sneer. "Yes. Since no one would know what it looks like, I could just get something that could pass off as the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. Helen Lane and her mother don't know anything anyway, and if the kidnapper kills her hostage, I just have to keep denying it, and it's good as done."Hell, I could use that as an excuse to inflate the value of the flower, forcing her into submission through an astronomical debt. I won't lose anything even if she refuses—I'd just take her by force."Huub's good had to give him a thumbs up in praise. "You're a genius, sir!" Soon, the unscrupulous geezer returned with a fragrant flower and red
"I refuse!"The geezer remained determined."Hmph."Huub snorted at his stubbornness and stepped aside.His goon caught his cue right then.He was naturally a powerful martial artist—that was how he got the job.He strode forward right then and lifted the geezer off the ground, his face inches away from the geezer's as he growled threateningly, "Do you know who you're trying to con here? This is Huub Droitner of Bralog's Droitner Incorporated! It seems that you're really asking for it!" "D-Droitner Incorporated? So what? T-This is Zamri, not Bralog! You don't get to strut here!"The geezer remained defiant despite the goon's threat, but the panic in his eyes betrayed his fear."Strut, you say?"Huub chuckled coolly nearby. "All of Zamri would soon be beneath my feet—pawns like you would never understand."Walking up, he snatched the fake flower on the table. "I was going to pay you five hundred bucks for your troubles, but since you don't know what's good for you, you're no