As Frank pondered, a cool voice spoke on the recording, "Nope. There's no one around here. Maybe someone from the hospital dropped it by accident.""Dropped it? I see…" Yannick replied.At the same time, Mr. Queen was watching Frank, his knuckles clenching and easing as he said urgently, "I knew something was up when I heard their conversation. I just didn't think that they'd go that far… But since you know him, the recording could serve as evidence!"Frank waved off Mr. Queen, however—he wanted to listen to the rest of the call and find out what those people were up to."Now listen here—keep looking. We need to make sure that there's no one else other than us here."You know what would happen if we're exposed—you, me, and everyone else here will become expendable assets for the commissioner and Carlo Group. None of us will survive!"Hearing that, Frank mused, "The commissioner… Carlo Group…"He was especially sensitive toward those names recently.He also quickly realized that
Moreover, Frank would really not start a war against the Zamri commissioner just yet either, since fighting important government officials would always be a risky move.Naturally, he could use his own connections and his status as Governor Quill's maternal grandson to rein in the Zamri commissioner.However, Frank did not like using his connections to bully anyone, not to mention that things were still frosty between him and Governor Quill.With that in mind, Frank wondered if he should take up Stanley Durban's offer to be partners and assassinate the Zamri commissioner to be done with it.However, that was not going to be an easy task either.Nonetheless, as Winter and Frank arrived at the spacious lobby, they found it congested by over a hundred fully-armed officers.Most of the patients were either chased out or kept confined to a corner, while a pompous blond brat sat with his legs on the receptionist desk.The two nurses there were on their knees, gingerly massaging his leg
Despite everyone in the lobby watching, Yannick continued to lie through his teeth. "Fine, you can refuse to admit it, but I have evidence of your crimes! I've since informed the commissioner, who has personally ordered your arrest and the closure of Zamri Hospital!""What?!"The crowd of patients were left in an uproar by Yannick's accusations.Plenty of them had benefited from Zamri Hospital's excellent healthcare system and were at once left indignant by Yannick's accusations."You're lying, geezer! Winter is an angel!""Exactly! She personally wrote my prescription, and I was better in days!""She even gave us a discount! Anyone accusing her of any crime would have to answer to me first!""Me too!"The crowd was soon yelling indignantly at Yannick all at once, as there were no lack of patients and elders who were on the receiving end of Winter's grace. Yannick certainly did not expect a crowd to defend Winter. He snapped in anger, "All of you, shut up! I am Yannick Jorst,
Yannick's confident wager actually left the crowd doubtful—could he really have dirt on Zamri Hospital?He was previously the head coroner there, after all.As such, even the indignant crowd who were staunchly on Winter's side earlier were suddenly frowning and skeptical."However!"Yannick continued just then, turning toward Frank and Winter, "What if I produce evidence proving Zamri Hospital has been selling fake pills? What would you do about it?""We will accept any punishment as the law dictates," Frank replied, folding his arms before his chest equally confidently.Winter was hanging her head too, being perfectly aware that the fake pills Yannick had planted in the storeroom yesterday had been moved.In this wager, Yannick could only lose, which was why Winter was holding back laughter.However, because she was not supposed to show it too much, she hung her head so that no one could see it.In the eyes of the armed officers and the crowd of patients, however, it was a cl
While Frank was not giving away anything from his expression, his repeated efforts to interfere or delay the inspection appeared to everyone as evidence of his guilt.However, they did not know Frank was doing everything on purpose, because this incident was just too malicious.If they had not been lucky enough to find out about the fake pills planted in the storeroom, these bastards would have really been able to bring down Zamri Hospital.While Frank and Winter had to keep secret the gas attack yesterday to protect the reputation of Zamri Hospital, they must stop Yannick this time. That geezer knew the hospital inside out after working here for decades, and if they let him go again, he would be back with another attempt.When that happened, they might not be this lucky either.That was why Frank was insistent on involving the Zamri commissioner—after all, he had his men come in force over a mere rumor, and it would humiliate him if the rumor was proven false.And when that ha
Yannick had personally planted the fake pills in the storeroom, and Yannick himself said that there was no mistaking it.But it had already been ten minutes since the inspection group left—Yannick should have found the fake pills by now and returned, proving his accusations against Zamri Hospital.Could he have forgotten where he put it and had to search for it?Even as his doubts gnawed, Fredo continued waiting, sweating dripping down his brow.Then, after twenty minutes, he decided that he had waited long enough.However, just as he was about to lead his own men to assist with the inspection, there was a rush of footsteps down the hallway."Hehehe… Well, they're back!"Fredo smiled smugly when he saw that Yannick was leading the group.It had taken some time, but their conspiracy was a success anyway! Zamri Hospital was history now!Be that as it may, while Fredo was busy basking in wild delight, he suddenly realized that Yannic's face was pale, and he was empty-handed.In
"Rumors, you say…"Frank nodded and shrugged. "You heard rumors that we were giving fake pills, so you reported it to the commissioner the day after we fired you."And despite it being just rumors, the commissioner has personally sent full-armed officers to investigate Zamri Hospital… all because you heard rumors."His eyes turning cold as he glared fixedly at Yannick, Frank growled, "In that case, what if I said I've heard rumors that you, Yannick Jorst, have been selling organs of the deceased to the black market by abusing your position as the head coroner? I wonder if the commissioner would send so many armed officers to assist in my investigation too?"Everyone on the scene did a double take at Frank's cool words, with many of the patients noticing the contradiction.Frank was certainly right—why would the commissioner come here in force over a mere rumor?!"Y-You're slandering me!"Yannick was caught off guard, but he was soon pointing at Frank and snapping, "I've never do
"Hudson Stewart, liver, five hundred grand."Jane Weston, skin graft, nine hundred grand."The shocking transactions left Podrick Daffey turning pale, his lips trembling.On the other hand, Frank was chuckling nonchalantly, "Hehe. See, Captain Daffey? This isn't just rumors now—every transaction has the official stamp of Zamri Hospital's former head coroner, and even the wire transfers are all sent to Yannick Jorst's account."Podrick could only gulp as he stared at the ledger, various expressions alternating over his face."What's wrong, Captain Daffey?"Yannick was left confused that Podrick would look so shocked and flustered despite his usual poker face, though his eyes soon widened when he came close, and he stared at Frank in disbelief."W-What… Where did you get this from—no, wait! I mean…"Yannick did a double take and quickly corrected himself, "This is slander! Slander! It's a conspiracy by Zamri Hospital and Frank Lawrence! Don't believe anything you read, Captain Da
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