"Hah!" Mickus snorted. "This is just a perfectly normal deal. Also, you're only the chief of the Martial Alliance because you used your body to pleasure many bigwigs, no? Why else would someone like you get to be the chief of the Martial Alliance?"While Mickus' mockery left Silverbell bristling, Frank remained impassive as he held up three fingers and counted. "Three.""What, are you for real?"Mickus was actually surprised that Frank was counting down but soon snorted in contempt. "I pity you, having a whore as a fiancee. Who knows how many men she's had to spread her legs for—"Smack! Frank had suddenly slapped Mickus across the face so quickly he could barely see it, shutting him up."One." He counted at the same time amid the ensuing silence."What…"Touching his burning cheek, Mickus' expression alternated from disbelief to flushed fury. "You… hit me?! With that dirty paw of yours?! Don't you know who I am?! Even my father has never slapped me!"He bellowed as if craz
Watching as Frank slowly walked toward himself, terror struck Mickus' heart."Stop! Don't move!" he shrieked. "I-I'm warning you… I'm the heir to Clear Winds Pavilion! If you lay a finger on me, my father will make you pay, you hear?! He's Ascendant rank, and he—"Smack!Naturally, Mickus' threat was pointless as Frank slapped him viciously across the face again once he got near, knocking out almost every tooth."On your knees. Apologize," he growled, impassive.Mickus was left clutching his cheek and staring at Frank in disbelief.Although there was no emotion on his face, the coldness in Frank's eyes left Mickus shivering.He realized that Frank might be some novice who did not care about his threats and would keep hitting him if he threatened him again.After fighting with himself inwardly, Mickus turned with a conflicted look toward Silverbell, mumbling through his lips, "I-I'm sorry, Lady Silverbell—""On your knees!" Frank snapped coldly behind him."What…" Mickus fel
"What?!"Azar was left stunned by his son's complaint.He was naturally aware of Mickus' hedonistic lifestyle. And since the boy did not take his training seriously, he had to send over a dozen Clear Winds Pavilion elites as his escort.However, those elites were still the best among Birthright ranks! They did not even last a blow against some outsider and were instead left completely incapacitated?!While Azar was spacing out, however, the youth beside him strode up just then."Heh. Long time no see, Frank," he greeted.Beside him, Azar did a double take when he realized that the youth was acquisitioned with the rogue who hurt his son and finally turned to look at Frank."Titus."Frank remained impassive as he mentioned the youth's name.After all, it was none other than the eldest son in the Lionheart family, Titus Lionheart.And it was surprising that he would show up here… or perhaps not.If anything, Frank was just surprised that Titus was here personally, whereas the L
In fact, Frank and Titus could well be enemies.In that case, Azar had brought many of his men from Clear Winds Pavilion.With Azar's strength on top of that, taking down Frank could not have been easier.So why would Titus call for a retreat now?However, as the chief of Clear Winds Pavilion, he naturally would not disobey the Lionhearts.Azar had questions, but he respectfully led his men and followed Titus out of the hotel restaurant."Mr. Lionheart…""I know what you're going to ask."Titus chuckling, shaking his head before Azar could finish his question. "But now's not the time to do it. You and the people you've brought are no match for him.""What? No way!"Mickus was left gaping in shock before his father could speak. "Mr. Lionheart, Clear Winds Pavilion is sending everyone for this! It's not just our four Ascendant-ranked guardians—my father is right here, and he's halfway through the Ascendant rank!"And there are countless Clear Winds Pavilion apprentices waiting
Silverbell continued, "As for the Turnbulls' lost spiritron vein, only you and the higher-ups of the Martial Alliance should be aware about it, and no one else—not even the Lionhearts. So…""So the Lionhearts being here proves that the rumors are true."Frank raised a brow and finished it for her. "The rogue Turnbull executive was trying to defect to the Lionheart family, or they wouldn't have known."Silverbell nodded, looking at Frank in approval—he was always sharp. Still, she was soon hesitant. "However, that also begs another question—it's been a week since the Turnbulls have lost their spiritron vein. If the rogue Turnbull executive really wanted to defect to the Lionhearts, why would the spiritron vein show up in the hands of a foreign businessman instead?"Frank was wondering about that too, and it was a question that left both him and Silverbell stumped.Eventually, he frowned and suggested, "Knowing the Lionhearts, negotiations with the rogue Turnbull executive must ha
Silverbell breathed a deep sigh, shaking her head as she looked into thin air and reminisced. "But I don't doubt it after I saw it with my own eyes. It's an unbelievable power that seems endless, and it's completely different from Draconian martial arts."Therefore, I won't recommend getting involved with Yohan Bozad before we understand what he truly is. Even the Martial Alliance has labeled him as untouchable.""I see," Frank replied, rubbing his chin.Godforce sounded quite interesting, and while he wondered how those foreigners wielded it, he asked, "Do you think Mr. Mobius could wield godforce too? He did say that he's a servant to Yohan Bozad, so that's probably the case?"Silverbell was surprised by Frank's question, since that had never crossed her mind.And now that Frank had mentioned it, she actually found it very likely.Still, she warned, "You should be careful when you contact Mr. Mobius, Frank. Our martial arts might prove ineffective against their so-called godfor
Frank and Silverbell arrived at the hotel banquet hall at 3 PM as agreed.Amid the dim glow, Frank was not surprised to see Titus Lionheart seated on an elegant armchair. Azar Salor, the chief of Clear Winds Pavilion, was by his side.And on the other end was a young woman with twintails and who appeared to be in her twenties, appearing bored as she sat on the couch, swiping on her phone. Two black-clad martial elites stood beside her, clearly her bodyguards.Frank could tell right away that they were from the military, with the disciplined manner in which they stood, along with the hint of bloodlust that could not be hidden entirely.After all, Frank had seen many such men in his childhood, still under the care of his father, the Lord of the Southern Woods."You're as slow as a snail. How annoying."Nonetheless, as soon as the young woman saw Frank enter, she finally lowered her phone and leveled him a look of irritation.Frank could tell that the young woman was talking to h
"Hmph!"Ms. Quill snorted after listening to Titus but decided to ignore Frank as Titus had advised. However, she would shoot Frank hostile glares from time to time, her eyes making it clear that she was planning something and that she was not going to let him off easy."Frank…" Silverbell appeared a little worried, as judging from Titus' politeness, Ms. Quill was a force to be reckoned with.Frank, however, remained nonchalant—the young woman was simply uncouth, and he was not concerned about making an enemy of her."Hehe… Sorry to keep you waiting."Mobius spoke in his broken Draconian as he entered from a back door, flashing a broad grin at everyone—especially Frank.After all, he understood that Frank had the most reason to be upset, since he had invited him here.While it was clearly a one-on-one trade initially, Mobius had suddenly changed the trade into an auction, and he actually felt a little guilty about that."Alright, let's get started," Ms. Quill snapped impatien
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