Right after Jouri was gone, Sayna arrived with ten bodyguards, intercepting Frank. "Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Frankton!""What do you want?" Jada scowled right then."Pipe down. Everyone knows that you and Mr. Frankton are powerful. There's no way I'd just come here to die." Sanya smiled and turned toward Frank.Frank shook her head at Jada, signaling for her to calm down.At the same time, Sayna continued, "Let me introduce myself—I'm Sayna Quill, and you've probably heard that I was Uran Wal's fiancee. That's certainly not the case now, since there's no way I'd marry a corpse!""Oh, so you're Sayna?" Frank smirked, as it was rare to meet a woman as shrewd as her.And judging from Uran's pleas earlier, it was clear Sayna never cared about him. She could immediately tell that Rudy would not win too, or she would not have freed Callie halfway through."At your service! I only came to greet you, so that you won't be too surprised when we meet tomorrow." With that, she tu
Jada sneered. "It's either all or nothing, huh? Ms. Quill really wants to flex on us, it seems!"While they were not Frank or Donnie Ingram, they were still bigwigs in this town… and in this town only, as basically no one outside would know them.That was why none of them cared about appearances as they promptly approached Sayna, fawning all over her.Even if they were shameless, one still should not look a gift horse in the mouth. That was why they did not even throw insults, and instead, appeared perfectly respectful.Only Sayna was behaving like everyone owed her money, completely cold-shouldering them as she made a beeline for Frank."Long time no see, Mr. Frankton!" she greeted him, offering a handshake.It was a sight that left the crowd stunned—even if one must never mess with a lion in its own den, was Sayna not being too humble, even if she was paying respects to the local giant?Moreover, Frank's right-hand woman Jada had made an example of Uran Wal in full view of th
And for business people, scouting meant investing!Since Frankton Group and the Ingrams would definitely not accept out-of-state investors, those goodies would naturally fall to the other local bigwigs! Even if those investors ultimately decided to pull out, that still meant that they had already made money!Donnie nodded in turn. "Judging from the looks on your faces, I'm sure everyone is now aware of the purpose of this convention. Feel free to mingle with Ms. Quill and everyone else—should there be issues, you can ask yours truly to mediate."So, let's not waste time and get started!"As soon as Donnie finished, the local bigwigs eagerly approached the people Sayna brought, introducing their respective businesses and advantages.The Quills' entourage was quite happy to mingle too, as this town was basically a new frontier. Most industries were still a blank slate, and with the government working as a buffer, they were certainly eager to try, as neither Donnie nor Frank were int
Nonetheless, seeing that Frank was silent, Nadia pressed, "Shall we?""Sure," Frank replied.He did not like Sayna, and they were sisters, but they were each different people, and Nadia could not be faulted for that.Moreover, Sayna had yet to actually do anything out of line, aside from running her mouth. Even if Frank was ruthless and determined, he did not kill on a whim."Great! I'm taking part in a dirt bike rally tour in the afternoon. Would you like to come and watch?"As she asked, Nadia moved closer to Frank, while Sayna tactfully made way for her.Despite her generosity, Sayna was actually a little jealous—if it was not for her father stubbornly insisting on her engagement with Uran before, she would be the one here flirting with Frank!There was no helping it in this case, as fate could be a cruel mistress… though if she could not marry Frank, they were all young and energetic. Chastity be damned—fooling around was acceptable too.Still, Frank shook his head. "I'm bu
Donnie suddenly showed up, asking, "What's got everyone so cheerful here? Anyone going to fill me in?""Oh, Mr. Ingram. There's a dirt bike rally to be held here in town. Would you like to join us?" Sayna asked, though it was a rhetorical question.After all, Donnie would definitely not waste his time on something so trivial, not to mention that his presence would just affect the Quills' plans to latch on to Frank."Oh, now that you mention it, I quite enjoy motorraces. And since you've so kindly offered, I definitely have to come!"Donnie, however, was clearly not having it—his daughter Alda could be dumb all she wanted, but he refused to be the same. And all his plans would go up in smoke if Nadia managed to claim Frank!"Shame." Sayna sighed. "The race isn't open, and I can't extend invitations. But don't worry, we can watch it together next time.""I see. You kids carry on." Donnie nodded. He was a local giant anyway, and he really did not need to pester Sayna just to get h
And with those words, Nadia put on her helmet and ignored anyone who tried to reason with her.With everyone ready, the siren that signaled the start of the race soon blared, and all the bikes shot forward."Nadia took the lead!" Alda exclaimed, at once surprised and thrilled.Indeed, Nadia pulled away despite the bumpy track, holding her Kawasaki steady between her legs like it was flat ground.On the other hand, Donnie was being the contrarian. "Better bikes wouldn't survive such a harsh track. She'd be falling behind soon.""Then why don't we make a bet, Mr. Ingram?" Sayna sneered. "If my sister wins, you will annul your daughter's engagement with Mr. Frankton.""Dream on!"Donnie's instinct was to refuse—even if he was dead sure Nadia would not win, his style was to go all out and make sure there was no chance of losing to Sayna."What a coward!" Sayna rolled her eyes.Alda suddenly said, "I'll take that bet!"Even if Donnie could endure Sayna's diss, Alda could not, desp
The last stretch was a road that cut through the middle of a forest. Not only were there collapsed trees, but it had just rained, and the ground was basically all mud.In fact, Nadia was soon covered in mud as soon as she rode down the track, but she was experienced enough and switched tires beforehand.Even so, she was barely able to cross the muddy track, and things were naturally a lot worse for the others.They would not have raced on a troublesome track like this one if Nadia did not suddenly decide on it. In fact, the riders right after Nadia were thrown from their own bikes just as they reached the mud!The ones further behind naturally slowed down, rightfully worried that the same would happen to them.Nonetheless, Nadia glanced at her speedometer just then, intent on going even faster.She revved her bike, which was a fatal mistake, as her tires hit a puddle and splattered mud all over her helmet.Losing all vision, her bike shot straight toward a towering tree.The au
After the race ended, Donnie approached Frank. "Mr. Frankton, now that the race is over, why don't you drop by at my humble abode? The place could use your cheer!"Frank smiled. "Thanks for the invite, but I have work to do back at the office. Next time, perhaps."Donnie did not press the issue despite Frank's refusal—if anything, his visit was inconsequential. As long as his daughter remained glued to Frank, there was always hope.-As Frank returned to his office half an hour later, Jada was calmly working while teasing him. "I really thought that the people keen to obtain the Shagan spiritron vein would try to challenge you like Rudy Himmel did. Imagine my surprise to see someone like Sayna Quill using strategic marriages to her advantage!"Frank smiled in wry amusement, but Jada's words actually made sense when he thought about it.Sayna was herself a businesswoman and would really not care for death battles—her priority was building win-win partnerships instead!"I'm sorry,
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