However, Helen had been completely focused on her studies back then and was not interested in relationships…Chris flashed a tender smile just then. "Long time no see, Helen."His eyes were ablaze even as he looked at Helen—he was really in love with her back then.However, despite his intentions to confess after graduation, his family was very poor and he was shocked to find out that Helen got married.He had to give up on her for his career and was surprised to meet her again when he returned to the country years later. "L-Long time no see…" Helen muttered awkwardly—to think that they would meet again under such circumstances.On the other hand, Gina was looking at Chris gratefully. "We owe you so much for today… God knows what would've happened to Helen if not for you. I don't know how to thank you!"Chris chuckled. "It's nothing. We go way back—helping out is just right.""Yes, yes, yes… Honestly, academics like you are simply different." Gina giggled, delighted.However,
Gina was certainly astounded.Skywater Bay! The mansion district with mansions that money could not buy, and the developer was none other than Stan Quill!Bigwigs who were either rich or important from across the land lived there…Still, Gina soon realized something—Chris' company was just worth 1.2 billion dollars. What allowed him to get a mansion there?"Did you buy one of the mansions?" she asked.Chris shook his head. "Nope. My partner gave it to me.""Whoa…" Gina gaped. "Gave it to you?"How important was Chris or his partner that he would be given such a glamorous residence?!"Yeah." Chris nodded and extended another invitation. "I can see that you're tired, Mrs. Lane. Why don't you stay the night at my place?""Oh, for sure!" Gina nodded repeatedly—living in that place was a status symbol, and she had always dreamed of it!She was not about to say no when Chris invited her!Taking Helen by the hand, she said eagerly, "Come on, Helen. We'll stay the night at Skywater
Gina was utterly envious—Chris' mansion overlooked a portion of the entire mansion district too!She promptly whipped out her phone and posted it on social media, with Peter following suit, although he took photos of other mansions as well.Chris watched as they did so, his vanity highly satisfied. He even brought a pot of tea. "Have a drink, Mrs. Lane. You can take the photos whenever you want—you're always welcome here.""Really?!" Gina and Peter were overjoyed, almost unable to believe it!Chris nodded. "Of course. You can come over whenever I'm home.""Oh, that's wonderful!" Gina exclaimed, not forgetting to extend an invite in return. "You can come visit our manor whenever as well, and teach Helen how to make more money."Helen folded her arms before her chest. "Teach? We're working in different businesses."Gina frowned right then. "What do you mean, different?! Chris started out with nothing too, and he owns a billion dollar company now!"Helen turned in surprise towar
Chris was just introducing the landscaping to Gina and Peter. "So the woods and gardens here are all tended by top gardeners in the region, and the work done is worth millions. Not only is it scenic, but the artistic sense is invaluable too."Gina's eyes were welling up with admiration as she gazed upon the scenery, sighing in awe. "This really is the prime estate of Riverton. Even the landscaping is more expensive than our manor."Lane Manor was situated in the suburbs, but its value paled in comparison to the mansions of Skywater Bay."That's for sure." Peter nodded, not forgetting to fawn over Chris. "I mean, just consider the people living here—right, Mr. Steiner?"Chris smiled. "Oh, we're all just ordinary people, grinding for some coins like the rest."They were still chatting as Frank hurried downhill.Gina spotted him with the corner of her eye, and was taken aback. "Frank Lawrence?"Frank was surprised to hear his name being called and turned to see that it was Gina, wh
Chris snorted. "I know every mansion owner here in Skywater Bay. Why have I never seen you?"It was no boast—there were no more than a hundred mansion owners in Skywater Bay, all of whom were important locals or individuals from nearby states. Chris even knew which mansion belonged to whom.Peter snapped at Frank right then, "Are you deaf?! He asked you a question!"Gina scoffed in disdain as well. "What, cat got your tongue?"Frank simply pointed at the hilltop mansion. "That's my house.""Haha!" Chris laughed right then. "You're really too much.""You own the hilltop mansion?" Gina scoffed. "Know your limit when you're lying, Frank. Or do you really take us for fools?""You don't belong here… No, I think you're just here to break into the mansion," Peter snapped and turned to Chris. "Call the cops. Have him arrested."Chris sneered and shook his head. "That's unnecessary. Skywater Bay's security personnel are all veteran mercenaries—they would have no issue with him."With
Jimmy quickly nodded. "Of course. See you, Mr. Lawrence."He watched as Frank headed off into the distance before wheeling on Gina and Peter. "Who are you? I've never seen you around before.""Oh, we…" Gina stammered frantically.Chris promptly went up and said, "They're my relatives. I invited them.""Yes, yes, yes," Peter quickly nodded. "We're Mr. Steiner's relatives."Jimmy said nothing to that but instead leveled Chris a cool glare. "You'd better keep an eye on them.""O-Of course," Chris said awkwardly.He would never dare throw a fit against Skywater Bay's security, because he did not own any mansions.In fact, he did not even live there.Jimmy, who was privy to what's going on in every house, was naturally in the position to warn him.However, Gina was still too shocked after finding out that Frank owned a mansion to notice that detail."H-How did he get a Skywater Bay mansion?" she stammered."Yeah…" Peter was equally confused. "Aren't these mansions reserved as gi
Frank said, "Well, I'm actually free."Kenny grinned right then. "In that case, would you like to visit my dojo? I'd really like you to check on my father's condition…"Frank then remembered he promised to do that much, and he was never one to renege on promises. "Of course! I was just thinking about visiting myself."-After buying what he needed, Kenny took Frank to his dojo by car toward the eastern edge of the city.The dojo was the size of four soccer fields and had a legion of apprentices, making them one of the four biggest dojos of Riverton.Once they arrived, Kenny led the way, cutting past the training area where many apprentices were practicing blade techniques and into the inner hall.They arrived at Jenson Sparks' room, and Frank saw the man laying in bed as soon as he entered.The man actually appeared spirited, but his essence appeared to be waning—his age only made his mortality that much obvious as well.Nonetheless, Kenny strode up to him, announcing delighte
"There's no need to go that far," Frank said slowly. "I'll take your father's pulse for now.""Of course…" Kenny replied, and Frank walked up to Jenson, putting his fingers on the latter's wrist and feeling his pulse.Soon, his brow furrowed, though he soon relaxed before furrowing his brows again.The process kept repeating for a long while, until Rolf eventually had enough. "Are you really taking Uncle Jenson's pulse, you brat?!"Jenson then assured him, "You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Lawrence. You may speak freely."Frank slowly opened his eyes just then, and Kenny quickly asked, "How's my father, Mr. Lawrence?""His condition is very serious," Frank replied. "He has sustained internal injuries from his youth, and he has been indulging in vices such as alcohol and smoking instead of cultivating his health. At seventy, he has basically reached the end of a normal lifespan.""What?!" Kenny was left thunderstruck and stumbling backward, just as regret seized him.His fat
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