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
"Bullshit!" Podrick pointed at Frank as he bellowed, "Then explain the blood on your hands!"Frank quickly looked down, but there were some bloodstains since he was using his bare hands to examine Geon's corpse.Even he had to admit that it would easily cause a misunderstanding."Also!"Podrick continued, "It was just you and the commissioner in the study! You're strong, and you had a fight with the commissioner before. That's a motive if I ever see one, and who else could it be?!"Hearing Podrick's verdict, the guards all raised their rifles and took aim at Frank Nonetheless, Frank continued to do his best to reason. "Calm down! There's something strange about this. Someone's trying to set me up!""Calm down?! I was the captain of the commissioner's guard, and he's dead right before my eyes!"Podrick roared in righteous indignation, "If you're not the murderer as you claim, then surrender yourself! Don't try to avoid arrest with your martial arts or your connections! Once w
"Guards, arrest that man!"Stanley waved his hand.At his orders, the guards encircled Frank, who narrowed his eyes.If Stanley took him into custody, he was never getting out, as countless crimes would be pinned on him.As such, should Frank just kill him instead?No, that was an impractical idea too—everyone in this room already believed that Frank had murdered the Zamri commissioner, and he would be committing an actual crime if he killed Stanley too.Naturally, given the way Stanley was provoking Frank, he was not at all concerned that Frank would attack him.In all likelihood, he had a hand to play—something that would both stop Frank's attempt while further strengthening the case against Frank.As such, his best option was…Scowling, Frank took a couple of steps backward to the window. "Everyone, I didn't kill the commissioner. Give me time, and I'll get you the real culprit! So long!"With another couple steps backward, Frank then turned, stepping on the shoulders of t
Elder Fango then asked mildly, "You're the symbol representing the Martial Alliance. Is it really fine for you to leave like this?"At that moment, Silverbell knew in no uncertain terms that she was not going anywhere now, what with so much work to do and with the Martial Tournament taking place soon.As the chief of the Martial Alliance, she must not leave Morhen unless it was absolutely necessary.However…"Frank…"Her thoughts spurred her again, and she looked up to meet Elder Fango's eyes. "This is very urgent. Please understand, I—"Elder Fango was smiling and shaking his head before she could finish.He did not say a word, but Silverbell knew she was staying put."Frank… Why does it have to be now, of all times?" She sighed under her breath, thanked Elder Fango, and returned into the building.-While Silverbell was beset with worry, a legion of police officers had arrived in Lanecorp for investigation."We have nothing to do with Frank Lawrence! My daughter divorced
"What? She's the chief of Zamri Hospital?"The young police officer appeared surprised but soon snorted after glancing at Winter. "None of your assurances mean a thing. Frank Lawrence has murdered Geon Kramer, the Zamri commissioner, and that's a fact!"Considering how serious this crime is, the Martial Alliance has put him on their most wanted list, and everyone from the police to the bounty hunters are on the move. He'll definitely get caught, while anyone still siding with him might be pressed charges too."And with that, the police officers left, since they did not actually find anything of value in Lanecorp Tower.It was obvious that Frank had left Zamri.But on that very day, the leader of every governing body on the east coast and the Martial Alliance sent all the people they had, all of them focused on arresting Frank.All of the east coast was shaken, as even famous martial artists and Blackranks were out looking for Frank, as they were all interested in the Martial Alli
"The Lionhearts?"Frank rubbed his chin as he frowned in thought. "No. I know for a fact that they want the spiritron vein and are trying their best to keep things quiet."After all, if the government takes me down, the spiritron vein might end up falling into their hands, and that's bad news for the Lionhearts. But who could it be, if not them?"While Frank racked his brains, Juno giggled. "Hehe… By the way, I've heard that you're quite popular with women, darling—even the new ones you met.""Phoenix Ardron?!"As Frank remembered the name right then, he also quickly remembered by connection the name of Phoenix's fiance Josh Dellon, who was the Hoxton commissioner."It was him?!"Frank did a double take as he pieced everything together.Stanley claimed that he had only recently returned since he had been elsewhere half a year. He also added the first person he met since then was Frank, not Geon.In fact, it was at that meeting when he asked Frank to kill Geon…Was it possible
Juno purred, "Oh, color me surprised.""Spare me."Frank naturally saw through her pretense and calmly said, "I'm not an ingrate. I'll always keep in mind the times you helped me, and I'll definitely fulfill my promise as well."Despite Frank's solemn words, Juno did not lose her composure again and instead giggled. "In that case, are you willing to move to Talnam and be anointed a prince?"Frank was only mystified. "A prince? What are you on about now?""Hehe."Juno merely giggled and said nothing, while Frank turned back to the note in the dart, unfurling it.[Josh Dellon, the commissioner of Hoxton, is secretly friends with Stanley Durban.]"Hmm…?"Frank did a double take before turning to see Juno still smiling at him.He once again noted inwardly how scary the woman was.Not only had she anticipated that he would come to her, but she had even gathered information and found the person who was after Frank, even sending her people to investigate.The sheer efficiency and
Frank snapped his fingers. "Exactly. That would keep Josh on his toes, while I look for the real culprit who murdered Geon.""It's less than three days until the Martial Tournament," Juno reminded him."I know. I can do it."Frank nodded calmly.Juno breathed a long sigh, as she had no other reason to convince him and could only watch as he left in a rush.-Just as Juno had expected, the police officers and the members of the Martial Alliance found Frank as soon as he returned to Zamri, before he could reach Helen or Vicky.However, he remained one step ahead.On the way back from Zamri, he had already found out which hotel Phoenix was staying in through Trevor Zurich's infonet, and he headed straight there.Phoenix was initially shocked when she saw him barging into her hotel room but soon appeared embarrassed, even shy.She was only wearing a sleeping gown, her upper body almost bare as she reclined against her couch, sipping tea."Mr. Lawrence, what—"Before she realize
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