Soon, Frank and Sue were back in Shanton.Igor and the other scientist were on hand to receive them outside the research lab, since Sue had called ahead to inform them that Frank was coming."Mr. Frankton!" Igor hurried to him as Frank arrived. "Are you feeling any discomfort? If you do, please inform me right away. The lab will do everything possible to help."Frank smiled, shaking his head. "What are you saying? Your skill is plenty trustworthy—we're just here to see how much progress you have made on your research. It would be ideal if even the average Joe could benefit from the regenerative serum."Igor laughed. "In that case, we welcome your visit with open arms!"While Frank was conversing with Igor, he was keeping an eye on a quiet youth nearby.He was around his twenties and sported a buzz cut, and everything from his appearance to his eyes appeared to be local. Only Frank was aware that he was actually a foreigner.Before long, Frank strode up to Robbie and asked Igor,
Frank smirked. "I'm not playing around. It's the truth!"Robbie smiled in wry amusement. "I hate it when people call me a foreigner, Mr. Frankton.""It's only natural when you're not a local!" Frank chuckled. Robbie rolled his eyes and said solemnly, "I'm working under Ms. Fisher, who is your friend, but I have my integrity to consider. If you keep being stubborn, don't blame me for refusing to cooperate!"Having expected that, Frank said bluntly, "Your real name is Robbie, and you're a biologist. You attended the same university as Igor and worked with him in researching a certain project. "Afterwards, you went your separate ways, and when you discovered a method for regeneration, you made a lot of money out of it. However, you were also targeted for some reason, so you had to go through facial reconstruction and fled here to Shagan, adopting a pseudonym while hiding under Igor's employment."Interestingly, Igor never saw through you even after so long, which goes to show how
Frank nodded in understanding—it seemed that he was being paranoid. While Monte's twin's ear might appear strange, he just had to hide it with a scarf.That being said, would he really have to steal Monte's photo if he looked identical to Monte?It just did not make sense!Still, Frank told Robbie, "It doesn't matter what you were doing before. We welcome you with open arms if you only work on your research, and we can also assure you that you're free from any distractions."When it comes to troublemakers, there's only one way to deal with them."Frank gestured across his neck before continuing, "That being said, if you aren't content with the current conditions and overstep, I still wouldn't spare you."Robbie nodded. "I understand, and don't worry—that's why I'm here. It's calm here, unlike abroad, so it's an ideal work environment. I definitely won't step on anyone's toes."And with that, the discussion was over.As Frank and Sue sent Robbie back to the research lab, howev
Soon, Ace woke up.He struggled to his feet when he saw Frank, knowing that he lost. "Greetings, Mr. Frankton. Please forgive me for sneaking around, but I was mostly trying to test your abilities. And now, it seems that you're the only one who can protect me."Frank could already tell that Ace had gone through all that trouble for a reason. He asked, "Who's after you?"Ace shook his head. "That can wait. Aren't you interested in undoing the curse of the spiritron vein, and then leaving Shagan?"Frank smiled—that was exactly what he was waiting for. "And what's your solution?""It exists, but I can't tell you more than that right now."Ace smiled in turn. "But I promise that it's no lie, and I just need a few favors.""Tell me!""First of all, I want to meet my twin!"Frank then took Ace to Sue, who smiled when he saw that the man was really identical to Monte. "I didn't expect there's people like you, disguising yourself to look like your brother with surgery and still making
It was not surprising that Ace had to trouble Monte with his problems—it was unreasonable, but he had no choice.Then, Ace continued, "Later on, we had a breakthrough in our research. Still, when we got what we wanted, the project leader suddenly defected."So, they hunted him to reclaim the results of their research, and I was somehow lucky enough to run into him. I took it from him, but now I'm the one who has to watch my back, so I sneaked away while passing myself as Monte so that they can't find me."Frank nodded before asking, "So who's Zemo?"Ace smiled. "He's disavowed, just like me. We're basically teaming up for the numbers, though that's unnecessarily now that you're here. With your unparalleled might and wits, I find it safe enough to offer my bargain."Frank narrowed his eyes skeptically. "Don't tell me there's a catch for that too?"Judging from how Ace was putting it, it was as if everyone else would find out once he offered his secret. That was why he hid it all t
Frank was perplexed. "A brain chip? Isn't that stuff just science fiction?"Moreover, he did not get that feeling whenever he was with Monte, not to mention that the kid had his own opinions on things. There was no sign that he was brainwashed, so what…? Moxxi shook her head. "I knew you wouldn't believe me, and I doubted it too when I first met him, but he's strange, and that's a fact. You can ask the others if you like."Frank nodded, finding interest in the matter.Was he actually wrong, and that Monte would actually prove to be a threat?Even as the thought crossed his mind, Jouri strode in with a smile. "What's wrong, Mr. Frankton? Are you actually frustrated? That's unlike you."Frank smiled in wry amusement. "Do I look frustrated? This whole thing is peanuts."Jouri nodded. "Anyway, I've investigated Heracles Group, and my advice is to hold back for now! Naturally, I'm not saying that you'd lose, but it's just that there's a difference when it comes to spiritron veins.
Jouri realized what Frank was getting at and smiled. "Since you love role-playing so much, I guess I'd just have to join you."Frank snorted.Still, his hunch was right from the start—Jouri was very high on the pecking order and was considerably different from everyone else.As for the geezer, while he spoke with a casual demeanor, Frank had the feeling he had access to something that set him apart from the rest.Nonetheless, the geezer said just then, "Mr. Lawrence, you've done well with Mystic Sky Guild, and the so-called Martial Alliance is really unnecessary in comparison. You have my vote if the day comes for you to leave Shagan!"Frank simply smiled. "How should I address you, sir?"The geezer chuckled. "Feeling a little too respectful, are we? Anyway, while I'm not one for secrets, I can't reveal my identity to anyone—not even you. So just use my codename: Five. That's what everyone calls me anyway!"But if you don't like it, you can call me old-timer, geezer, codger… any
Frank raised a brow. "So you're saying that he's actually the mastermind behind everything?"Jouri nodded. "At the very least, he's several steps ahead of everyone else… He was also the one who led you to Shagan.""What?!" Frank exclaimed, utterly confused.Jouri shrugged. "With Sally York stealing the power of the spiritron vein, we had to find a way to find it a new owner. You're strong and could even reach the top of the world without the spiritron vein, but you have to understand that political influence is able to close that gap.""That's true! So what is this about?"Frank smiled, whipping out the photo of the girl. "You have plenty more resources than I have. Why not go find her yourselves?""Five works in mysterious ways," Jouri replied, shaking her head. "We have no idea why he'd asked you either, but he had express orders for us not to help.""Whatever," Frank replied, unbothered.Help aside, he definitely could find the girl if he wanted to.Soon, they were both ba