Frank finished Sue's sentence. "So you're trying to tell me that I shouldn't think badly of you because of my conflict with your father, right?""Exactly!" Sue smiled."Don't you think you're pegging me for being indiscriminate?" Frank asked, his expression suddenly stern."Oh, come on. I'd never dare! Well, guess that's on me. I'll drink a glass as punishment," Sue said and chugged a glass.Then, turning back to Frank and Meg, she asked, "Where are your drinks? Or is the great Mr. Frankton unable to hold his liquor?"Frank smiled in wry amusement and nodded at Meg. Meg stepped out and had several waiters bring in bottles of Ace of Spades.When their drinks arrived, Sue poured herself and Frank a glass, raising it but saying, "Before I drink, there's something I'd like to ask…""Shoot.""What's your type, aside from smart women like Ms. Quill over there?"Frank simply chugged without answering, as Sue was really getting out of hand."Could you be feeling embarrassed?" Sue s
Sue sighed and nodded. "You're right. I wouldn't throw myself in a man's arms… I even dare say I'm relatively conservative. But you're just different—and very much so from the others!"As she spoke, she brushed her fingers over Frank's ring, and it emitted a white glow as if resonating with her!"Who are you?" Frank asked, perplexed, since his ring should not be getting restless from mere touch!"Guess I shouldn't hide it from you." Sue smiled. "A while ago, I became terribly sick and fell into a coma for two weeks, when I had a strange dream of a golden dragon. It told me that its master needed help, and now, I'm here!"Frank nodded in understanding, though it was quite the curious encounter—even Alda never saw a dragon in her coma.As for her so-called help, it was even more ridiculous."So that's why you're here even though you've left your family. Tell me… Did the dragon tell you how to help me, exactly?" Frank asked, quick to pick up on what Sue hinted.Sue shrugged. "Peopl
Looking around and seeing no one, Meg said to Frank, "A waiter told me that you took Ms. Fisher upstairs. Done so soon? That's not your style!""She's drunk," Frank replied quietly, not interested in jokes."Drunk? You're kidding!" Meg laughed. "Ms. Fisher is famously a great drinker. She's obviously faking it so that you'd go for it! Can't you be more considerate toward a lady? Our kind is shy and can't say certain things out loud, aside from offering you opportunities. Not seizing it is going to bite you in the ass."Frank ignored that. "How's business?""It's great!" Meg nodded. "I've gotten used to being busy too, and there's money in it anyway, so I don't mind the work."Frank nodded. "Don't hoard the money, though—try to share more for the others, so that they'd feel more motivated.""Don't worry. I started from the bottom like the rest of them. I'm not about to play the evil boss and make them work without pay!"They continued chatting, and all the guests had long since
Frank did not reject the other ladies because he at least somewhat knew them, but that was not the case for Sue.First of all, she remained a mystery, and even if her identity was clear, she was clearly not all she appeared to be.Moreover, her family was far richer than the Ingrams, and she would definitely have met plenty of handsome men. As such, why would she be so interested in Frank after only just meeting him?Even Alda only wanted to give herself to Frank after he saved her life.As such, it made sense why Frank would rebuff Sue's advances.Still, Sue was getting frustrated. "You really can't tell what a man's thinking. So many men would like to get it on with me, but not him? Damn him!"While she was not tall, her figure was still curvaceous, unlike those lanky types, but Frank was still not interested!Meg smiled. "They always come around. Patience, Ms. Fisher—take your time.""Take my time? Did you?" Sue shot back.Meg shrugged—it was no big secret. "Well, it's more
"Hey, if it isn't the famous Ms. Fisher!"The driver of a GTR that was queuing at the next row lowered his window and whistled at Sue.They were not acquainted, but they were sports car owners, and there was only one Lamobrghini known to prowl Shagan. That was how he knew it was Sue.Sue lowered her window too. "Don't give yourself too much credit now!"And with that, she closed her window, ignoring the driver—not all men were Frank and able to get her to lower her pride.On top of that, he was just driving a salaryman's sports car, which meant he was not all that rich.As such, Sue would show him no mercy.Still, the GTR driver was bent on provoking Sue. "Impressive, Ms. Fisher… you're just as feisty as the rumors say! Race you to the service area!"After all, Sue was a rare beauty and rich at that—he was not about to miss out on a chase to show off!Sue really would have cold-shouldered that GTR driver entirely, but she was still frustrated after Frank rejected her last nigh
Sue alighted and smiled at the GTR driver. "You're just too young to understand certain things."As she finished, she glanced pointedly at Frank—she really was in a bind, and they would have crashed if Frank did not intervene in time.Still, she had included Frank in her calculations even before she pulled her stunt and was therefore not that worried."I see… I guess I lack vital experience!" The GTR driver nodded. "I'm sorry if I had been insulting before, Ms. Fisher. Can I buy you lunch as an apology?"Sue glanced at the sun, which had not even risen above the mountains, and shook her head. "Sorry, but I just had breakfast. Not hungry!"With that, the GTR driver had no choice but to leave. He could press his luck if he won, but his skill had proven lacking when he was beaten at the very last second. It seemed that he would have to train more and beat Sue eventually!With that, Sue returned to her Lamborghini and stopped at the gas station, sighing. "Sport cars are great at ev
"Ahem!"Sue cleared her throat, dragging Igor back to reality.He quickly apologized. "Sorry, I can be a little tactless… Please don't take offense.""It's alright!" Frank shrugged. "Just show me the results of your research.""Alright, this way please!"Igor led Frank into the mansion and instructed some of the scientists to help with the demonstration.They were perfectly calm as they worked, even chatting while they did."Who's the dude? Ms. Fisher has never brought anyone here before… except him!""You don't know, huh? He's Lugh Frankton, a big shot in Shagan! I'm sure you've heard of Pax Jaric, but that guy somehow snapped or something and gave Lugh everything he had!""Pax Jaric? But he's just a town-level bigwig. He doesn't hold a candle to Ms. Fisher!""Nah, that's not the whole story. Check out his ring… Word has it that it's a classified item!"-And while everyone was working, Igor gave Frank a rundown on their successes."There are no human trials just yet. We'
Seeing that Sue was livid, Igor promptly told the staff to turn on the projector screen and play the recording of the experiment for Frank.It was a time-lapse video, showing that in just three days, a lab rat with its rear leg miraculously regenerated moved around like nothing happened.The later footage of macaques showed the same result, and some of their arms were significantly stronger after regenerating, with one almost punching through the tempered glass.Sue sighed in relief—thank goodness Igor actually produced results, or she would be humiliated.Turning to Frank, she asked, "So? Is the result acceptable?""Sure." Frank smiled and nodded.Regeneration had been a challenge that medicine had tried to surpass but failed. Still, with lost limbs being a start, the logical next step was organs—even the brain. Moreover, Theseus' paradox did not apply here. Judging from how the macaques and the rats could move soon after regenerating, the new limbs inherited the muscle memori
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