And as long as Jouri did not mind, Meg had no reason to worry.It did not matter what she wanted either—she had what she wanted and everyone was happy, so what was there to hesitate for?Jouri took her phone just then. "My turn! Let's keep this up!"Alda nodded. "Mr. Frankton will do the honors this time."After rolling, Jouri snapped, "Five sixes!""Six sixes!" Frank bet, since she already had five sixes, and he definitely should not bet on that."Showdown."Jouri showed her phone, ignoring a dumbfounded Meg as she revealed she did not have any sixes.There was no helping it—she had bet it so awkwardly that Frank would lose anyway."My loss. "And while Meg won, she was less calm than Frank who lost.After all, she clearly saw that Jouri had rolled three threes and a one, but somehow that changed when she showed her hand.She was still using the same app on her own phone, and Meg was left wondering how impressive she was that she could tamper with the programming at any ti
The waiter waved outside, and over a dozen bouncers rushed in, surrounding the fat man and his goons.The fat man was not worried, however, and smirked. "I'll make you pay if you touch me! I'm a customer, and not only are you refusing to receive me, but just look at those scum—do you think they're even at my level?!"Meg completely ignored him and waved, and her bouncers promptly punched the fat man's goons to the floor.The fat man flinched, breaking into cold sweat as he snapped, "Fine, you win this one! Just you wait, Meg Quill!"He fled with his goons, knowing that he would be in a world of pain if he kept trying his luck, since he was in someone else's turf.On the other hand, Meg headed outside the private room and told the waiter, "Shut the door. This was my mistake too, but let's make sure this never happens again, or we'd have trouble explaining ourselves to the boss."The waiter nodded repeatedly, still unable to tear his eyes from Meg's ripped thigh highs.It was not
However, Jouri soon came up with a new ploy for Meg. "But since you and Alda are pretty much in sync, you'll have to take the penalty as well."Alda did a double take—she was not offended, but Meg was an important figure too.Would it not be cruel asking her to take the penalty too?"That's a little too much, Jo," she said."Is that so?" Jouri turned toward Meg. "Do you think so, manager?"Meg was all too eager to take advantage of Frank, "Of course not. You're kind enough to forgive me, Ms. Yelin, so I must earn that forgiveness. Moreover, isn't the point of these games to let loose?"Jouri clapped and spread her palms invitingly.Meg did not go ahead right away, however, and asked Alda, "May I, Ms. Ingram?"Alda was obviously not as well-connected as Jouri, but she was still the heiress of the Ingrams, who were one of the most powerful families in town.How would she assert her authority from now on if she allowed her boyfriend to be stolen as she watched?"Then…"Alda tur
Alda was terrible at taking the offensive and merely shoved Jouri."Well, you had your chance, so don't blame me. Frank, let Meg sit on your back and do twenty push-ups."Frank promptly dropped to the floor, and Meg sat on his back while counting."One!""Two…"On the other hand, Jouri was not looking Frank's way as she whispered to Alda, "Aren't you jealous?""Why would I be?" Alda smiled. "He can do anything he likes as long as I'm the first in his heart, with no one coming close."Jouri gave her a huge thumbs-up. "You city girls really know how to play the game."Just then, Frank was done with his push-ups.Meg was reluctant to leave Frank's embrace, but too much of a good thing could be bad, so she sat beside Frank instead.However, Jouri quickly noticed that. "A bet's a bet! It isn't time yet!"Meg flashed a chagrined smile and winked at Frank but sat on his lap again."Now that's better!"Jouri was going to roll the dice again when her phone rang. "I have something
The fat man laughed pompously. "See? That's democracy for you! You're so full of yourself, stepping on everyone's toes, and now you have your comeuppance! Now come with daddy, and I'll give you some proper love."Meg was now losing her previous haughtiness and a little afraid. Was she really going to lose this one? Alda and Jouri were clearly not going to help. What could she do?"If my boss finds out, you'd have hell to pay," she snapped nonetheless.The fat man laughed again. "So be it—I'd still have you coming with me and have no regrets. Don't you think so?"Meg was stumped. The fat man was right—so what if someone came to avenge her?"So, we understand the pecking order now, don't we? I'll also teach you manners when you're in my bed!"As he spoke, the fat man walked up to Meg, but just as he reached out, Frank was suddenly beside him and holding him firmly by the wrist.The fat man tried to free himself repeatedly but failed, and he snapped, "You want some, punk?!"Meg
"For real?!" The valet was at once shocked, delighted, and disappointed.The brat in the backseat was just a little handsome at best—what made him deserving of Meg's favor?Nonetheless, the car soon stopped in front of a skyscraper, and Jouri unfastened her seat belt as she said, "Have fun, you two. Let's hang out again sometime! And don't forget our agreement, handsome—you must help me when I need you!"Frank nodded without a word.Half an hour later, the valet drove Frank and Alda back to the hill villa, his jaw dropping when he saw the grand buildings that stood there.He knew that Alda was the heiress to Donnie Ingram and they were rich, but was still stunned to see that these people were so rich they could build their home on a hill!Still, Alda soon remembered something important and asked the valet, "How are you making it back?""Don't worry about it." The valet smiled. "I'll take a cab.""Golden Lily is very far from here, and it'd be expensive." Alda shook her head and
"Alright, that's enough," Frank spoke up again. "Stop fighting—let's get started now."Ida and Sadie promptly stopped arguing and sat on the couch, crossing their legs.Frank did not start their training, however, and began with theory.It was certainly amusing as neither Sadie nor Ida were one for theories. While they could hold on at first, they were soon yawning one after another."Why don't we stick to sparring, master?" Sadie suggested, feeling apologetic. "True. Learning theories through actual practice would be better than forgetting about the lesson," Ida said in agreement.Frank sighed in exasperation—his own training had been way more difficult than this.Still, he had no choice since training was more effective when tailored for the individual. Getting to his feet, he said, "Alright, let's head outside."They arrived at the foot of the hill, and Frank kept one hand behind his back while beckoning at them. "Both of you, come at me at once!"Sadie and Ida traded gl
Baldie continued, "I don't mind telling you, but I'm no coward. When that pretty boy comes, I'll show him what a real man is!"Meg snorted. Then, sneakily calling Frank's number, she shouted, "You honestly don't count! Aren't you setting an ambush for Mr. Frankton right now?! Do you really think he'd fall for it?!"She was an enthusiastic socialite, but she more or less had integrity, as she quickly warned Frank after learning what Baldie had planned for Frank.In the Audi A6, Sadie heard the exchange and quickly asked Frank, "What should we do?"Frank shrugged. "It's just some thugs. Don't worry."Ida was laughing too. "You think we're up against our old outfit? These people are very different from us—they're all pushovers."Soon, the car stopped outside Golden Lily, and Frank hurried toward the entrance with Sadie and Ida."That's him, boss!"One of Baldie's thugs recognized Frank, pointing at him."Good!" Baldie promptly led his men and surrounded Frank, Sadie, and Ida.
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