Frank smiled. "It's alright—there won't be problems. Don't worry."Seeing how persistent Frank was, Dawn could not say anything against that. "By the way, Callie says she's done with the internal investigations. She's now asking if you want to run it again in international waters or have them come to Shagan.""Have them come to Shagan. I need to assert my authority over you and Moxxi before you two can continue to work smoothly.""Okay."-Five days later, all members of BM Group gathered at a construction site in Shagan.There were over six thousand members of all skin colors, though each of them were glowering and clearly unhappy with their situation.While they were aware of Frank's power, and it was reasonable that Callie surrendered as their leader, Frank had to demand internal investigations!Worst of all, his lackeys would also be doing it a second time before conscripting them to that so-called Mystic Sky Guild! Was he not belittling them now?!However, they did not
Frank then asked, "Anyone else have more to say?"There was only silence, so Frank appeared in front of the man who goaded him to destroy the building, demanding, "Will you serve?"Terrified—as any troublemaker would be when they were singled out, the man nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Mr. Frankton! I promise that I will serve loyally! Swear to god!"Frank smirked, shaking his head. "Was there a point to swearing? If there is, why would the good die young, while villains live way longer?"Hell, it doesn't matter if you're willing to serve. I'll just pretend that everyone here said yes, and I'll also put it out front—if you don't behave, don't blame me for doing what I have to."As everyone was still silent, Jada snapped impatiently, "Are you all mute now?""Sir, yes sir!" everyone yelled one after another."Louder! And speak as one! What, are you starving or something?!""Sir, yes sir!!!"Everyone's voice is louder this time and synchronous.There was nothing that special about it—
The others certainly saw that Bruce was not actually being unreasonable, and Frank would have no reason to get upset even if word of this reached him.Moreover, Bruce more or less were friends with them, and having him lead was better than Jada. As such, they were all too happy to adjudicate the showdown between them.Bruce even smirked. "Ms. Turin, if you believe that they might be biased, I don't mind you bringing your own people as spectators—I'll wait.""So what if you're cheating?" Jada snapped in annoyance. "You won't beat me even if you were!"Bruce stopped talking right then and got into position."Go!"At the judge's call, both Jada and Bruce streaked forward, covering dozens of feet in the blink of an eye!The spectators were all shocked. They had naturally heard of Bruce's accomplishments and knew that he was among the best BM Group had to offer in speed and strength, so what was with Jada pulling forward so soon?!They were level for a while, but Jada was now two
Striding up to Bruce, Frank demanded bluntly, "Others might not see it, but you probably sensed that someone was helping you cheat, no?"As it turned out, Bruce had integrity and nodded. "You're right sir. I did feel it happened but chose to ignore it because I wanted to win."Frank laughed. "At least you're honest! Also, I heard what you said, and that alone proves your loyalty, which is why I'll stay my hand. However, you still deserve to be punished, or I'd have to suffer more cheaters, and I'm not sure I want that."With those words, he punched Bruce on the shoulder, sending him flying before crashing on the ground, unconscious.Others hurried to his side, and seeing that his left sleeve was gone and revealing his bruised skin, they asked tentatively, "Is he going to be alright, sir?""Don't worry. I know full well what broken bones can lead to, so I didn't really hurt him aside from superficially."As he spoke, Frank strode through the crowd, barking, "Are you going to give
"Are you crazy?!"Everyone was shocked, and some even quickly defended the rogue. "Please don't misunderstand, sir! He didn't mean it!"Although Frank had kept saying that there would not be any discrimination, Frank definitely had to be wary since BM Group was only recently acquired.Anyone in his place definitely would not reveal their assertion for control that directly either, or it would mean death!"If he didn't mean it, then what?"Nonetheless, Frank was soon in front of the rogue. "Aren't you scared?"The rogue smiled, shaking his head. "If you'd butcher an innocent, then I'm willing to die just to prove it."Frank laughed in amusement and clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't kill you even if it's just for my reputation. In fact, this doesn't apply to just you, but to everyone who's listening… you have nothing to worry about."I said equality, and I meant equality. Sure, I should be wary of you boys, but there's such a huge gap between us that it's just un
To be honest, Jada really did not want to be Frank either.It was simple—becoming him meant facing plenty of different issues and having to think through a lot of different matters.On top of that, the spiritron vein would start messing around for no reason at all.Half an hour later, there was a knock on the office door, and the rogue entered."Jada, leave us," Frank said and pointed at a bottle on the table. "You can open that."Jada nodded. "Yes, Mr. Frankton."After she left, the man picked up the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and brandished it at Frank. "You're really letting me have this?"The rogue was not rich, but he had been abroad often enough to know what the wine cost.Frank smiled. "Why don't you pop it open and find out? Or perhaps you're afraid?"The rogue smirked and popped open the bottle right then, and he chugged half of it directly without using the expensive glass on the table."Well done!" Frank nodded. "Don't bother saving the rest for me either. There's
That was why Arcus wanted to start with them—to put a potential issue to rest.And to smoothen things out, Arcus actually had no plans to shed blood. Instead, he would offer the carrot before the stick, by making contact with the Costners before deciding what to do with them.Frank skimmed through Arcus' proposal before returning it to him. "I'm not worried about anything since I'm letting you take charge. Be bold—I'll be there if things get hairy.""Yes, Mr. Frankton."And with that, Arcus left Frankton Group, calling up some of his former BM Group colleagues and heading to Shanton in groups.After that, they rendezvoused in a mansion owned by Sue Fisher, as Arcus wanted to avoid any unnecessary attention. Moreover, he only brought around three hundred men, which was considerably outnumbered by the thousand or so martial artists under the Costners' command.Arcus was not afraid however, as he doubted that they were that eager to burn bridges!Still, some of Arcus' colleagues
Derek knew very well why Arcus was here—Frank wanted his family business and would take control over it like how the Mystic Sky Guild took over BM Group.However, Derek was not interested in becoming anyone's pawn. Not only would he get nothing out of it, but he might even get killed for nothing.As such, he would rather content himself with making money. Who knew if that abundant wealth might get him somewhere eventually?On the other hand, Arcus was unsure as to how he should react to that. He was surprised that Derek responded so quickly and resolutely, when Arcus was just probing him.It was not shocking now that even the likes of Sally York would not mess with him.Still, Arcus asked, "I don't think a verbal promise is all that convincing, Mr. Costner. Don't you agree?"After all, whale Derek was not a pathological liar despite not wearing his heart on his sleeve, Arcus would still prefer having some form of assurance!Derek simply shrugged at Arcus. "In that case, speaki
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