"Oh. Uh…."Draco was left stumped by Frank's retort, but he soon shook his head repeatedly. "No, absolutely not! Mr. Lawrence, every inmate here is a depraved scumbag who has committed atrocities! If you let them out—""That's bullshit!" Scarface suddenly barked, seemingly finding courage out of nowhere. "I'm no scumbag! I'm only here because of my brothers!"Then, he turned, sneering at the two flunkies cowering and trembling down the hallway. "It's all because those two pricks refused to pay up after having fun with a lady at a karaoke bar. Heck, they were so drunk that they ended up massacring a dozen people. As their boss, I naturally had to settle the matter myself…""Oh, I get it."Frank nodded and chuckled. "So because you tried to reach a settlement, you ended up here? That's just embarrassing."Scarface was left rubbing his nose at Frank's diss and explained in embarrassment, "Well, I can't help it. The officer handling the case got a little harsh, so I beat him up. And
Silverbell appeared embarrassed even as her fingers tightened around the steel bars, hanging her head as she murmured, "The Martial Alliance is no longer the informal outfit it was before, sir—we now answer directly to Caius Laine, the Mayor of Morhen. Even if we expanded over ten times in scale, with our influence reaching across Draconia, we're…""Hahaha! Isn't that a good thing?" Madfist chuckled. "Kid, do you remember the oath I took up?"Silverbell looked up in surprise, tears welling up in her eyes as she recounted, "This is the Martial Alliance. As guardians of peace in Draconia, humility is our honor, and chivalry is our code. May our enemies fall and our people rise above.""Good, good…"The old man smiled. "It seems this old man's oath is at least remembered. Good… Good…"Frank stood outside the cell as well, having heard the exchange between Silverbell and Madfist, a wistful look showing in his eyes as he looked at Silverbell's lonely expression."Guardians of peace
"Where are we heading to now?" Silverbell asked, riding shotgun.Frank was driving, feeling in a good mood just then. "Let's get the boys some proper clothes, or we're not going anywhere."While Draco was absolutely reluctant to free Scarface and Madfist, Frank did not show from demonstrating that his fists could shatter the steel bars of a prison cell.Then, with a smile, he offered Draco two choices.One, Draco would keep his mouth shut and let all three of them go, with Frank's assurance that he would not return for reprisals.The second, Frank would free every other inmate in Blackwater, allowing the hundred over vile criminals running rampant.Even the Blackwater Designation could only get that many rearrested, while Frank moved on to the next prison, rinse and repeat.He was just one among a hundred anyway, so no one might ask questions if he was gone.On the other hand, Draco would be blamed for the mass prison escape.And seeing that Frank was suggesting such a threate
While Scarface looked just like one of those burly bodyguards one so often saw in movies, Madfist was dressed casually, with a green newsboy cap to hide his face.While it made him look funny, the old man liked it and did not care about the weird looks thrown his way.Earlier, they drew a lot of stares as they were striding into the mall, barely covered only in rags.However, while Madfist strutted with his head held high and without a care, Scarface was cowering and blushing in embarrassment.After getting themselves some suitable clothes and taking a bath at the hotel, they felt considerably recharged after eating a table full of food, leaving the waiters gaping.Silverbell, who was having tea, asked respectfully, "So, what are your plans, sir?"Madfist did a double take, only truly realizing then that he was free, and not fettered to his bones in Blackwater and subject to nightless tortures.Still, he was not quite used to his sudden newfound freedom and spoke quietly after a
Old man and security guard—when both terms are mentioned together, people would immediately think of the elderly security officers, standing guard at hotels, apartments, malls, even parking lots.And yet, Madfist as a security guard was not the average security guard, but one who could defeat thousands by himself.Neither Frank nor Silverbell could hide a chuckle at the thought.Scarface soon joined in, realizing what they were laughing about.Only Madfist still drew a blank, a stark contrast to the other three.Nonetheless, once Scarface and Madfist recovered their energy, Frank tended to their injuries, including Madfist's pierced shoulder blade and Scarface's facial scars.After that, he sent someone to bring them uniforms for security officers of the Lanecorp Health and Safety Department. "Here's the suits for work."Scarface could cry right then. "So we really are security guards!"Just a moment ago, he was a burly hunk in a suit, looking especially intimidating with his h
"The meeting did not last more than five minutes," Trevor reported. "After that, Ms. Lane left the hotel and returned to Lanecorp Tower alone."Frank breathed a sigh of relief. "So when's the exchange?""Around noon.""Understood. Thank you for your good work.""You're always welcomed, sir."After he hung up, Frank rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Does Droitner Inc. really have the resources to acquire a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, or was Huub Droitner just lying?"Despite everything, he still refused to believe that Droitner Inc. could acquire a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. If it was that common, why would Frank's mentor entrust one to Yosil Darman of Kornac's Keep, who in turn kept it for over twenty years?But if Droitner Inc. did not have a Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, why would Huub give that wooden box to Helen, who then agreed to Horey Lindt's demands?What if Droitner Inc. actually had one, despite the odds being one in a million?It was certainly hard to say, and would Fra
"Tch."The waitress in red rolled her eyes as soon as she heard Madfist's thick accent. "You'd have to pay at least five grand to get in here. Can you afford that?""Yes, yes!"Madfist flashed an earnest smile as he whipped out a debit card from his pocket. "We've made big bucks this year, so we're even going to call up some pretties to join us!"Naturally, the card was from Frank for this job, each containing over a hundred grand."Your turn."Madfist nudged Scarface, who flushed in hesitation for a long time before groaning at Madfist, in the hip. "But Dad, if Mom finds out—""Hush," Madfist snapped, but he was clearly smiling because Scarface called him daddy. "Don't worry—that woman is still at home. She won't know a thing!"The security guards were hiding a chuckle at Madfist's cheerfulness, and Scarface and Madfist were soon given a room.Soon after they entered, Scarface wheeled on Madfist, flushed up to his neck as he bellowed, "Y-You were fucking taking advantage of m
As Scarface finished, he paused for a long while before stammering, "D-Dad.""Good boy."Scarface wheeled on Madfist right then, only to find the geezer lounging on the couch, beaming so broadly that his wrinkles were smoothing out."Tch." Scarface clicked his tongue. "My father was a right bastard, gambling and getting into fights. He even killed my mother and sold me off for money to buy a couple of beers. You'd better not behave the same.""Sure." Madfist nodded cheerfully."Hmph."Scarface snorted but said nothing else.Hence, they both sat in silence until Frank entered and sat on the couch between them."What? Why aren't either of you talking?" he asked, just as the waitress arrived with a fruit platter.She appeared confused to see Frank. "You're…""Oh, you see…"Frank paused before throwing out an excuse. "We're a family of three here to sing.""Huh?"The waitress was left confused as she glanced between Scarface and Madfist, clearly trying to make sense of this fa
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