That explained why the apothecary owner had that weird look on his face when Frank asked if he had any Bright Sky Herb. He must be regretting missing out!"Then I'm counting on you!" Frank told the shop hand."You're always welcome—I mean, surely I can get a tip from this, right?" The shop hand smiled, shaking his head.And with that, he whipped out his phone to make the call. "Good morning, Mr. Quaker… I'm Zangi. Yeah, we'd spoken over the phone before—did you forget? I'm the shop hand from that apothecary!""Just cut to the chase!" Mr. Quaker snapped impatiently from the other end.Zangi remained calm, even chuckling. "Right… So you have a Bright Sky Herb, right? We just happened to have a customer who asked for it specifically. Could you perhaps make time to meet him?"Mr. Quaker appeared skeptical. "Are you messing with me?""What are you saying, sir? I may be nobody important, but I won't lie to you!'"Fine! I'm making a reservation for a table for 8 PM at Tandem Hotel.
Like ginseng roots, the value of the Bright Sky Herb was directly proportional to the percentage it was intact.And as the root hairs were basically where the medicinal essence was concentrated, one less meant a major loss in medicinal effect, and with it, its grade.Nonetheless, Mr. Quaker was smiling smugly. "I won't lie—they were affecting its aesthetic, so I trimmed it off!"Frank was unsure if he should laugh or cry.So he recognized the Bright Sky Herb but remained an amateur.Trimming off those root hairs? Talk about being dumb!Frank pointed at Zangi. "Why don't you ask him what happens if you trim the root hairs?"Zangi scowled. "Mr. Quaker, it's the root hairs that decide the herb's value. You're just throwing away money."Mr. Quaker frowned, clearly not expecting that.Frank then said, "If you suspect that we're conspiring with each other, you could ask another specialist. Still, I will make it worth your while—five million for the herb. How about that?"Zangi flin
Mr. Quaker had dark circles under his eyes and was basically dozing off, but he refused to sleep.He wanted to wait until the bank opened, so that he could deposit the money as soon as possible.As with Zangi, the money had basically dropped on his lap.It was amusing to remember that he had inadvertently found the Bright Sky Herb when he was going on a pleasure hike.His family practiced traditional medicine, and while he did not follow in his parents' footsteps, he at least recognized the Bright Sky Herb. That was why he dug it out, intent on getting a good price and living easy for a while.Who knew that although it was expensive, it was not worth its weight in gold.And since it was too expensive, there were not that many keen buyers—even if there were, they would lowball him like the apothecary owner did.On top of that, the Bright Sky Herb was high-maintenance, and he could not afford to let it dry. As such, Mr. Quaker certainly had to work hard, but while he had almost gi
Zangi was rubbing his sleepy eyes and looking innocent, clearly unaware of what had happened. "What are you doing here, Mr. Quaker? Here to get some herbs?""You set me up, brat!" Mr. Quaker seized Zangi by the collar.At the same time, someone nearby egged him on. "Hold your horses, bro! Don't let this get out of hand—we may have cause, but we shouldn't push them too far!""He conned over a mil off me, and you're telling me to calm down?!"Mr. Quaker laughed coldly, dragging Zangi out from behind the counter and bellowing, "Where's your owner? Tell him to get over here!"The other store hands knew that Mr. Quaker was here to cause trouble. As such, they hurried off to get the apothecary owner and refrained from getting on Mr. Quaker's nerves.Soon, the apothecary owner arrived, and seeing a familiar face, he quickly asked, "What brings you here, Mr. Quaker?"Mr. Quaker refused to play nice despite the apothecary owner's cordial greeting and snapped, "Your shop hand tricked me!
Frank sighed. "Tell him he can't have it back. I've already brewed it into medicinal broth for a patient.""Already?!" Zangi was left fidgeting, uneasy.That was his only shot at clearing up this mess, and if things worked out, Mr. Quaker might really put this behind them.He just did not expect Frank to be so impatient that it was almost amusing.And Mr. Quaker was already glowering furiously, noticing the look on Zangi's face. "What, he's already used it?!" Knowing that he was not going to hide something like that from Mr. Quaker, he said, "Why don't you talk to him?"Mr. Quaker promptly took the phone and snapped coolly, "I'm not being cold here, and I understand that you need that herb to save a life. So it doesn't matter if you've used it—just pay me my money's worth."While paying extra for a low-grade herb would make him a sucker—and even hurt his reputation on top of that—Frank simply did not like to argue.Using money to make problems go away was no issue for him, so
"Watch your mouth, brat! Do you think we can't get another buyer?!""Let's face it—we can give you a refund, but can we get our Bright Sky Herb back?!"Seeing that, Mr. Quaker's friends promptly leapt in to 'defend' him."Mr. Quaker, I mean no insult, but aren't you an adult? Can't you decide for yourself?"Zangi simply snorted. "Do you think your friends are really doing this for your sake? What a laugh! You can doubt us, but surely you won't doubt your own family? Just call your grandfather, and everything will be clear!"In fact, Zangi had already smelled a rat—Mr. Quaker did not mean to come here and cause trouble in the first place. He was a greedy pig, but he was not that heinous.If anything, his friends were getting jealous seeing how he managed to make a quick buck, and so, incited him to come and cause trouble!"You think I wouldn't?!" Mr. Quaker retorted, whipping out his phone to threaten Zangi despite feeling doubt.Zangi was certainly not worried when he had just
The apothecary owner laughed in pain. "You should see the look on your face! Hell, it puzzles me that I'm that sentimental."Zangi laughed with him, though he was definitely a lot more pleased—he would do anything as long as he was not fired!Frank entered just then, putting down the fruit basket and other gifts he brought before pulling out a chair to sit. "How are you feeling?""What are you doing here, sir?" Zangi was at once surprised and delighted."I'm involved in this too," Frank said solemnly. "Why wouldn't I be here? Also, where are they? Have they shown their faces since?""They wouldn't dare. They're scared we'd extort them!"Zangi snorted, shaking his head. "But don't worry. I was the go-between, so I have a responsibility to keep you from harm."Frank smiled but said nothing—it was already good enough that Zangi had such sincerity, and he would not really let Zangi rush ahead in this fight. The kid was at worst a little greedy, but he was kind at heart.And witho
Was Frank even human?!He looked plain, but he packed some serious punch, not to mention how quick he was! Even Mike Tyson would be holding both thumbs up to a man like him!"What else were you going to say?" Frank growled just then, seeing that Mr. Quaker was not leaving.He wiped the sweat off his brow, and snapped, "Let's be reasonable! My Bright Sky Herb was definitely high-grade, but you lowballed me! You started this!"Frank smirked. "If you think so, then talk to someone who knows their herbs!"Mr. Quaker frowned. "You think I wouldn't?!""That's your own business, not mine!" Frank snapped. "If you think I swindled you, sue me all you want. You'd lose your pants—I can guarantee that much, if you told the truth, that is!"Frank's outburst actually gave Mr. Quaker pause, as he certainly sounded reasonable.Was it actually possible that he had been tricked?!"Mr. Quaker, if you don't mind, I'll call your grandfather!" Zangi suggested just then. He whipped out his phone and
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