And Carlo Group was one of the strongest factions in the midlands!But now, Carlo himself was supposed to cut off one of his own arms just to leave Zamri alive, just because some brat demanded it?!"Don't get so full of yourself, Frank!"Carlo shrieked, "You've slain my martial artists… B-But I still have a trump card! Don't you push me!"Frank remained impassive as he stared at Carlo, however. "Trump card? Oh, you mean Thousand Isles Guild?""What…?"Carlo was left stupefied once more when Frank mentioned Thousand Isles Guild by name.Though Frank was right, how could Frank have found out about his strongest supporter?"Don't bother."Frank chuckled coolly. "You have two choices. One, you will leave an arm in penance and return to the midlands. That's for going way over the line, and we can go our separate ways after that."Second… You can push your luck, and I will kill everyone connected to Carlo Group in Zamri, including you and your son.""Whether Thousand Isles Guild c
Casually getting himself a chair, Frank sat and crossed his legs while waving off everyone around the table impatiently. "Get out of here right now."However, everyone there was a rich and important figure in Zamri.They were certainly stunned—did Frank really just tell them to leave?"Watch yourself, Frank Lawrence! This isn't a place where you get to strut—don't even believe for one second that you're invincible just because you have Lanecorp's influence and your gangs!""Exactly! You don't have what it takes to lord over us!""Everyone around this table has ties to the government! If you insist on fighting us, then you will watch as everything you have will soon be destroyed!"Frank was not even bothered to argue against them, however, and clapped his hands.Bang! Bang! Bang!There were endless cracks of gunshots, and the thin walls of the private room were soon riddled by bullet holes.However, those were no more than warning shots, as no one in the room was hit.Still, l
More importantly, these rich and important figures of Zamri rarely took notice of what was happening in the scene of martial artists.They really did not care about any of that, instead focusing all their attention on their businesses and influence, as well as Draconia's political scene.From their point of view, the so-called martial artists were no more than thugs who existed just beyond the jurisdiction of the authorities.If only one of them tried to find out more about the scene of martial artists, their perception of Frank would not have been this shallow.Either way, the presence of so many armed soldiers here was much more shocking to them than what they thought martial artists could do.After all, this meant that Frank was no mere thug—he was a thug with ties to the government!Even these Zamri self-styled aristocrats no longer dared to belittle him now!-"F-Frank Lawrence, d-don't do anything… you… I didn't know you knew Governor Quill. I…"Meanwhile, Geon was barel
After that, Frank pressed Geon for further details, but it turned out that he really did not know much.The only thing certain was that the Lionhearts had pressured him into assisting Carlo Group to distract Frank. However, Geon had no idea what they were doing after that, as they had not contacted him since.Before Frank left, he remembered something else. "By the way, did you kidnap Stanley Durban's wife and daughter?"That was what Stanley had told him in that rundown temple in the mountains.He also claimed that Geon had stripped him off actual power by taking hostages, and Frank would really like to confirm that himself."What?"To Frank's surprise, Geon was left exceedingly perplexed, even scratching his head. "Stanley? It's been half a year since I saw him. As for his wife and daughter… I didn't even know he had a daughter."Frank did a double take—Geon did not appear to be lying, and Frank sensed confusion instead of guilt. Still, Frank pressed, "But he's the mayor, an
In fact, Hans put a hand over his heart and assured that Frank could kill Geon if he wanted to—he would take care of the rest.Naturally, Hans also asked Frank indirectly about his stance on Governor Quill and his family.The misunderstanding between them and Frank had since been cleared, and the Quills who were involved in framing Frank had since been punished.Still, Governor Quill had his pride and really could not bring himself to apologize to Frank. He could only ask Hans to pass a message, asking Frank to visit him in Bralog when he could.Frank breathed a sigh of relief at that, as he was not cold enough to cut ties with Governor Quill.And with Hans coming to make peace, Frank nodded and agreed to visiting Governor Quill when he could.Naturally, that would have to wait—Frank still had to deal with the problems he faced at the moment.With that, Frank had Hans pull his men out of the building and post a protection detail for Geon.Hans did not hesitate to agree to Frank
Frank was now prepared to groom his own faction.And for that undertaking, the security officers from the Lanecorp Health and Safety Department were a readymade resource, as most were fine potential for martial artists.They just did not have any proper instructors yet.Hence, in one swift stroke, Frank divided them into two.Security officers who were still working shifts at Lanecorp Tower would hence remain as part of the Lanecorp Health and Safety Department.As for those chosen and extracted from the department, they would come under a new outfit called…"Mystic Sky Guild!" Frank announced.Nonetheless, the name immediately incurred the dissatisfaction of many of the boys. Tidus Simmons was among them, complaining about how it did not sound intimidating."Mystic Sky Guild just sounds so… uninspiring. What about Blood Dragon Gang?""Nah, Dragon Fangs sound better!""Wait, we're a gang in Zamri. And the Zamrians have a nice ring to it!""How about The Boners?""Just fuc
Madfist was left dumbfounded by the goal Frank had set. "You need to take your pills, boy. You look like you're possessed—""Indeed I am." Frank grinned proudly. "My mentor had given me a recipe before, and he claimed that if I succeed in making it, I would rise beyond the Transcendent rank and become immortal."That made me think—if such an option is available to us, what's the harm in trying? Or perhaps you boys aren't interested in rising beyond your human bonds?"Everyone looked eager when they heard such stirring encouragement from Frank.On the other hand, Madfist was silent, as he felt that Frank had really lost his mind today.However, with such grand ambitions envisioned, even Madfist had to admit that he was interested."Well, we're now Mystic Sky Guild, and we'll become equals to the Southsea Four… No, we shall become one of the Southsea Five!""Yeah!!!"Even as everyone cheered, the former thugs—or indeed Frank himself—did not expect Mystic Sky Guild to become one o
Blood gushed as Geon's head landed on his desk, his eyes wide in a peaceless death!"What?! He's dead?!"Frank's heart skipped a beat at the sight, not quite believing what he was seeing.After all, he had seen many guards in the residence on the way in, with many of them being elite forces under Hans Schnee's command.So how was Geon killed, and it had to be now of all times? Frank turned back toward the body and saw the handle of an exquisitely crafted dagger sticking out of the back.And it was a dagger he was very familiar with."Stanley!" he exclaimed as he realized with a start, as he took the dagger given to him by Stanley Durban as a token.They were identical!"How did this happen?! Was Stanley the one who set this stage?"Frank's mind was working rapidly, but the puzzle pieces were incomplete—he only had a hunch Stanley was involved, but not how he did it without alerting any of the guards, including Hans' elite forces.What's more, why would Stanley want to frame
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