And just like how dew appears quietly in the mornings, the Celestial Dew's effect was subtle.Unlike the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom, absorbing it was a mild and withdrawn process, but the effect was just as impressive, if not better.Naturally, Frank only felt that when he woke up.It did not take that long either, as it was just two days later.The instant he opened his eyes in his ward, he felt the difference in his physique.Not only was his physique more malleable, but his senses were also sharper, and he could actually hear someone complaining downstairs when he closed his eyes, talking about how unpleasant work was."The Celestial Dew…"As Frank slowly sat up, he instantly sensed the presence of countless foreign objects in his body—the shrapnel from the RPGs and grenades.Winter did not remove those since it was risky, but it was no big deal for Frank as he was now.He could feel that he had advanced well into the Ascendant rank and could control his physical body at will.
With the three days for gathering evidence having passed, that also meant that the Martial Tournament finals would take place tomorrow…Turning to Nurse Faith, Frank asked, "Is Winter here? I'd like to see her.""The chief…?"Nurse Faith appeared hesitant. "She's attending the commissioner's funeral. All the rich and important figures in Zamri are attending.""The commissioner's funeral?"Frank was taken aback but soon laughed.Funeral? It was just an excuse to tell the world that Frank had failed and that his crime of murdering the commissioner was the truth now.Soon, Lanecorp and Zamri Hospital would suffer because of Frank as well.Still, Frank did some thinking and decided that crashing the funeral right now would be pointless. Since he did not have any evidence, he could not prove his innocence even if he went…That was when he suddenly remembered Blackie.That kid had always been shadowing Tidus after Frank took Tidus under his wings, and he did not expect Blackie's
Trevor Zurich was clearly aware that Frank had been incapacitated for days.As soon as Frank called, he said quietly, "Stanley Durban has arranged that bullshit funeral for Geon Kramer. Mr. Lawrence, we should—""I know. It's fine."Frank stopped him, his eyes flashing sharply as he continued, "My business isn't a priority. My brother's is.""Brother… You mean Tidus Simmons?""Yes." Frank nodded and said bluntly, "Find out where Blackie is. He will pay for his treachery!""Yes, sir!"Trevor went to work right away when he heard Frank's cold voice.Soon, after he hung up, he sent Blackie's location to Frank and called again. "I've sent a car to take you there, along with a new suit and phone.""Good." Frank nodded, satisfied by Trevor's arrangement.Soon, he was leaving Zamri Hospital while still in a hospital gown, climbing into the backseat of a Rolls-Royce parked at the square outside.After he got in, the Rolls-Royce sped off and eventually stopped at a slum south of Zamr
The old woman then arrived outside Blackie's room, with Frank standing closely behind."Blackie, quit hiding in your room! Your friend's here!"She called out while knocking on the door forcefully, "Honestly, how old are you?! Holed up in there for days just because of a tantrum, refusing to go to work. How shameful…"Frank looked around and asked, "Ma'am, didn't Lanecorp arrange for a new place to live for Blackie? Why would you stay here?"He was indoors, but the smell from the garbage around still stung the nose.The old woman shook her head and smiled. "It's not like the kids are mistreating me, but I just don't want to leave. You really get sentimental when you're old, see? I've been staying here for so long that I won't get used to living in a new place. But Tidus did get his boys to repair the house, hahaha… You hear me, Blackie?! Get up!"Even as the old woman hammered on Blackie's door, Frank sensed that something was wrong since he was not responding even after so long.
While Frank noticed the tiny USB stick in the envelope, the old woman tugged on his sleeve firmly and cried, "Sir, please… Can you see what happened to Blackie? What…"Frank remained silent for a while before saying quietly, "I'm sorry, ma'm. Blackie is dead.""What?!"The ol women was left thunderstruck as her shoulder slumped, her jaw hanging open but no words coming out."He was killed in action by some rogues, and…"Frank glanced at Blackie's body on the bed and breathed a long sigh as he reached out and closed his eyes."Who was it?! Who killed my Blackie?!"The old woman howled in grief. "He's so kind to a fault. I always told him to listen to Tidus, but he had to fight with him, and now someone's taken advantage of him! Oh, Blackie…"Seeing her anguish, Frank knew that words were pointless—nothing was more painful for a parent than having to bury their own child.Working hard to hold back his own emotions, he explained, "I'm also Tidus' boss, ma'am. I will arrange a fun
With the crowd congesting the hall, it took over an hour for everyone to pay their respects at the funeral.Helen Lane, Vicky Turnbull, Winter Lawrence, and Mona Fairfax were present too.Even Elder Fango was there, seated at the main chair and watching everyone present impassively."And now, we shall hear from the mayor, Stanley Durban."Silence ensued in the hall at the emcee's announcement."Geon Kramer… Commissioner of Zamri."On the stage, Stanley started reading from a script with a pained voice as the guests looked on. "Zamri has seen peace and stability under his leadership. Even if he has not achieved anything amazing, he was always a grounded man and one who would live on in our hearts…"Vicky pursed her lips even as she listened. "Bullshit. A hedonistic commissioner who couldn't accomplish anything, and now, another brazen monkey is embellishing him for being a leader and a grounded man…""Shush."Helen promptly put a finger to her lips, as everyone around Vicky hea
"Hehe…"Stanley shrugged at Winter's stubbornness, looking pointedly at the guest around the memorial hall. "I won't elaborate on Commissioner Kramer's death after I've already done it a thousand times. Frank Lawrence has failed to prove his innocence, and he isn't here on top of that."What could that mean, you ask? That poison has most definitely killed him already!""You're lying! Frank is perfectly fine!" Winter snarled through her teeth."Hmm?"On the stage, Elder Fango opened his eyes, narrowing them at Winter. "What was that, child? You're saying that Frank Lawrence isn't dead?""I…"Elder Fango's question left Winter a little uncertain.Frank was merely unconscious, and after she had checked countless times over the last two days, she knew that Frank's vitals were stable.However, she was not absolutely positive that Frank was fine either.And seeing that Winter could not answer, Elder Fango closed his eyes in disappointment. "I guess I should be clear, girl—the death
Seeing that Mona was glaring and ready to fight back, Stanley glowered and growled, "Anyone resisting arrest will receive equal punishment as Frank Lawrence! No mercy!"On the other hand, Vicky snorted. "Hmph. Go for it, Mona! Take down Stanley Durban—let me handle the rest! If we don't fight, we'd all end up in Blackwater!""Oh, no, no, no!"Gina, seeing that Stanley was ready to arrest Helen, promptly rushed to kowtow at Stanley's feet. "Please, Mr. Mayor! My daughter divorced Frank a long time ago—she's an ex-wife, like you said! It was Frank who was a scheming bastard and dragged my daughter into this… She has already cut all ties with him!""Is that so?"Stanley was smirking smugly as he watched Gina beg, and he turned toward Helen. "In that case, let me ask you—have you cut ties with the man who murdered Commissioner Kramer as this woman has said, Ms. Lane?"Hearing Stanley's question, Gina turned to level a pleading stare at Helen too, worried that she would misspeak just
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