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
"Quit being so pessimistic, or I'd really be discouraged."Frank snorted but stood up. "Come on already. I have nothing else to do anyway!""You're the best brat ever!"Sylvie strode up and pecked him on the cheek, smiling cheerfully and unabashedly. "I have a huge reward waiting after we're done."Frank smiled but said nothing, since he knew very well what it was.-Nonetheless, they were in Shanton two hours later, passing the police line and arriving at the dig site soon enough.The dig team had been waiting for a while, their scowls quickly fading as they appeared hopeful to see Frank.Someone exclaimed, "Mr. Frankton's here! This is as good as done, just watch!"Another person promptly snapped, "Are you serious?! Do you think he can keep the hypogeum intact while the load-bearing structures are being set up?"Everyone turned to stare at the youth named Ernest Lane, the son of the construction team's supervisor.He had come to see if there was any work, only to be scared
While Sylvie and Frank continued their conversation, a rustling sound could be heard from a sarcophagus.Instead of getting spooked, Sylvie exclaimed excitedly, "Could it be a zombie? I've never seen one in my years of tomb exploration—I'd die happy if I actually see one!"Frank smiled in wry amusement—was this what a professional archaeologist should be saying?Still, it was understandable since tomb exploration movies were the trend, and being in the business meant Sylvie might be hoping to get in on the action too.Frank then strode up, ready to open the sarcophagus, when he remembered something.Turning to Sylvie, he asked, "Should I open it?"Archaeology was not tomb raiding—one did not simply pry into any oddities, and restoration was priority. They must not destroy anything if possible, which was why Frank would like Sylvie's opinion."Just open it." Sylvie shrugged. "Oddities have to be investigated, or they would terrorize the next guy."Frank chuckled and gently opene
Sylvie and Frank left the chamber and continued onward.The passage seemed to broaden the more they walked, and they were suddenly on top of a cliff!With the light from Frank's ring, Sylvie stared downward at the bottomless abyss."How is this possible?!" she exclaimed in shock. "This makes no sense, considering Shagan's geography!"Frank shrugged. "What's so strange about it? Corpses can stand in here. A cliff is plenty logical."Sylvie laughed at her own blunder. "Makes sense. Nothing is all that shocking when zombies exist."Putting a hand around her waist, Frank vaulted down the abyss, though they soon reached the bottom. Their feet touched the cool waters of a stream, and Sylvie shuddered from the cold.Seeing that, Frank put a hand on her shoulder to infuse her with warmth, quickly putting her at ease.She was certainly overjoyed. "With that power, even exploring Antarctica won't be an issue."Frank remained silent, however, his eyes fixed on a narrow passage just ahe