"Come on. I'll carry you!" Frank said, dropping to a crouch without hesitation."That's no good, right?" Alda complained, but her body was honest as she walked behind Frank and climbed over him."You're so light!" Frank got up easily.Alda smiled shyly. "My vitals were sustained solely on IV drips. I naturally lost a few pounds."Frank smiled but said nothing.They were soon in front of the cave, and Alda looked around before exclaiming, "This is it! I've been dreaming of this place frequently!""Have you been here before yourself?" Frank asked in curiosity.Alda quickly shook her head. "I'd usually be in the office. I wouldn't have the time to play."Frank was left further puzzled—how could she dream of a place she had never been to and even remember it with such vivid detail?It seemed that he must go in for a look…Still, before he stepped inside, Alda stopped him, "Mr. Frankton! Shouldn't we get more people here? I'm still afraid, after all!""Don't worry. I'm more than
It was much better in the tunnel than the cave, as it was walled on both ends with stark white marbles. The stairs were not overgrown with moss from the damp air inside—if anything, it was completely smooth and clean as if it was never damp here!"It seems that people often used this tunnel," Frank said, putting his foot down before accelerating to an intersection."Which one should I take?"Alda shook her head again. "I only remember what the cave and the tomb looked like. I don't know how to reach the tomb from the cave!"Frank nodded and stood at the center as he closed his eyes, allowing his hearing to extend further.Hearing the breeze in each tunnel and judging that the breeze was louder on the left, he decided that it was the right path."Whatever. I choose you!"Still carrying Alda on piggyback, Frank took the left tunnel.The further he progressed, the narrower the tunnel became. The walls were not tiled with white marble either, and it was natural limestone dripping w
Frank glanced at Alda, understanding soon enough that the ring was communicating with him through Alda! He still had no idea what it was but picked it up as he determined that it was no cursed object.In an instant, Frank felt a mysterious energy shooting into his body, straight into his mind!At the same time, the ground of Ninedell shook, followed by volcanic waves, tidal storms, and other natural catastrophes!Everyone—be it layman or otherwise—could feel the anomaly right then.And in the compound of Lionheart Estate, one of the sophomores researching the spiritron veins announced with somber finality, "The spiritron vein of Ninedell has been claimed!"Even as the Lionhearts were left shocked by the announcement, the rumors spread like wildfire…Meanwhile, Frank had no idea what was happening.Putting on the ring, he quickly hurried back to Ingram Mansion with Alda still on his back.Donnie Ingram happened to be at home, and seeing Alda passed out, he promptly asked, "Wha
"I thought you'd keep your hands clean!"Lara breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, seeing that Frank was being cooperative. "Well, we can leave right now if you have nothing else on your plate.""Sure!" Frank nodded—taking part in a meeting was still better than getting eaten alive by the she-wolves of the PR department."Thank you," Lara said and led Frank out of the office."Hmph! What's so impressive about her? She's just a little younger!"Lara's lofty appearance certainly did not sit well with Linda—they were all employees, but she got to hold herself above the rest just because she was prettier?!-Soon, Lara took Frank to the Davos Hotel, the biggest hotel in town.As Lara stopped outside the main entrance, the bellboy hurried to help her open the door and was grinning ear-to-ear when he saw that it was her."Long time no see, Ms. Gold. It's been a while."Lara ignored him, however, and passed him the keys before opening the door for Frank. "We're here, Mr. Frankton."
"The Turnbulls?"Frank's eyes lit up, and he whipped out his phone to text Vicky Turnbull: [Cease all partnerships with Verde Limited of Shagan, and boycott their operations.]Seeing that Frank was suddenly fiddling with his phone, Verde presumed that Frank was afraid and gloated, "I'm warning you—you'll both be sold as slaves in some third world country if we want! And don't think for a moment that you'd ever make it back!"Lara was terrified. "You don't have to go that far, Mr. Ceres!"It only encouraged Verde to press his advantage. "That depends entirely on if you can show me a good time."As he spoke, he started toward Lara, leaving her terrified and at a loss.However, a staunch figure strode in between them."You should be worrying about yourself." Frank chuckled. "The Turnbulls have just canceled you!"Verde simply laughed. "Oh, you're killing me. What, are you Vicky Turnbull's fiance? You think she'd do just anything you tell her to?"Frank would certainly like to say
Later in the afternoon, when Frank headed to the hospital to visit Jason, he was studying Frank like they were meeting for the first time.Eventually, he sighed. "Aren't you just lucky or what? I heard that as soon as you insulted Verde Ceres, his company was suddenly boycotted, and word is that the man is on the run already!"Tigris chuckled. "Some people are just that lucky, boss! You wouldn't know this, but when we were at Ingram Mansion, he wasn't even worried about kissing Alda Ingram right in front of her father!"Jason laughed. "Well, it makes sense. Just look at that face and that bod. Which woman wouldn't be interested?"As the pair started teasing him, Frank sighed. "Did you call me here just to make fun of me?""Of course not—let's get serious now."Jason quickly shook his head. "See, although it's all over for Verde now, his people managed to find an old tomb. There are some official parties who were made aware of that and were interested in an expedition. Would you h
The next day, Lara and Frank met the leader of the expedition: a young woman named Sylvie Wal.She was in her twenties and wore a windbreaker matched with jeans and stilettos. Her figure was hidden behind her baggy clothes, though it made her look sharp."Hello!"She offered Frank a cheerful handshake and smiled as Frank was silent. "What, do I look too young to be here?""No, of course not," Frank replied as he quickly shook her hand."Don't underestimate me now! I may be young, but I'm experienced in archaeology and have led multiple expeditions into various tombs.""I'm impressed. You're accomplished despite your youth," Frank said in agreement.Sylvie laughed heartily. "It's an honor to receive praise from a handsome man like you! I heard that you're a student from Shagan Agricultural University—shouldn't you be on a farm?"Seeing that she was quick to be friendly, Frank chuckled. "No money in it.""True." Sylvie nodded. "A man like you should be out in the big world. Want
After they crossed a village, the expedition team arrived on a barren piece of land.Sylvie then took out a stud finder from her backpack and checked the surrounding area before stamping her feet on a patch of ground. "This is it. Start digging!""What?!"Lara was unsure how she should react. "If it's a tomb, shouldn't it have an entrance? Why do we have to dig?""Entrance? What, did you think that this is a TV show?"Sylvie laughed. "Most tombs don't even have pillars, and even the pillars of the rare few tombs of kings would erode and crumble from the shifting of the tectonic plates. That's why your so-called entrances would have long since been buried, so don't expect to find some lost world in there. Archaeology is really mostly digging and far different from the adventures you have in mind."Lara flashed a pained smile. "Then why do you need a security escort?""You'll find out soon enough." Sylvie flashed a mysterious smile.Lara did not like guessing games, however, and