"What?!" The archaeological exploration team was left trading glances.They had all seen Frank in action before but did not expect him to be that powerful!It was not surprising now that Sylvie had been so utterly confident, showing no signs of trauma despite such a close shave with death.With a man like Frank around, there was really nothing to word about!"Alright, alright." Sylvie clapped her hands just then. "Cut the chatter. Bring some paper for Mr. Frankton—he will note down where to set up the beams for the hypogeum.""He can do that too?!"Everyone was shocked, but quickly brought pen and paper.Frank quickly sketched a blueprint of the hypogeum, labeling the sections which needed more pillars.When he was one, one of the team members asked in confusion, "Wait, how are we getting into the tomb without you, Mr. Frankton?"After all, they were incapable of surviving miraculously like Frank did, let alone keeping the hypogeum intact.In fact, it was the exact opposite—t
As he finished, Frank pointed the Geiger counter at himself and showed Five the reading.Five smirked. "Though it looks like a Geiger counter, it actually isn't. This one reads a specific type of energy—the power of the spiritron vein."Frank nodded in realization—so that was why the device reacted so violently to him, while he was not affecting anyone else!Still, something puzzled him. "Why would they want those for?""You can investigate that yourself, but I'm sure it has something to do with the one who sent those tomb raiders. If you need help, just give Jouri a shout, or me if she's busy."Five handed Frank a business card just as he finished.Frank took it, left the villa, and returned to Frankton Tower.He found the tomb raiders in his guest room, where they were left reeling in the shock that Frank was richer than they imagined.Despite the seemingly modestly decorated office, it was in reality as impressive as offices came—even the guest room was beyond what they coul
While the waitress was actually surprised that Frank was letting her order for him, she quietly ordered the most expensive coffee for him.Frank took a sip when he got bored of waiting, and it was as bitter as he thought it would be—it was only much better after he added sugar.As he looked around at the empty cafe, Frank more or less understood.He was no fervent supporter of tea and was fine with even the cheaper ones, but coffee was simply different. It was weirdly viscous but had no sweetness to it, even needing sugar. It was no surprise that milk tea stands could get more popular than cafes.Even as those random thoughts crossed Frank's mind, a girl sat down opposite him. "Hey, handsome. Are you on your own?"She was around five foot seven, wearing a simple white T-shirt paired with jeans and white sneakers, and she had her long hair tied into a ponytail. She was clearly the young but down-to-earth type."And you are…?"Frank's eyes lit up, immediately presuming that Elizab
Not satisfied with just mocking Frank, the blond shouted out loud, "Look, everyone! This perv is trying to play the hero here!"Everyone, including the waitress, was laughing with him. "That's such an amusing geezer. He behaves like a gentleman when he's actually a pig!""Exactly. Did he think he could get something out of this? The girl is clearly a student—why would she be interested?""That's bullshit!" Demi snapped, springing to her feet right then. "Do you think I'm one of those shallow princesses who's convinced the world has to bow to me?! I don't mind giving it to you straight—I don't care about looks, only personality!"Also, laugh at me all you want—my family's quite poor, so there are plenty of people who are after me. There's no shortage of rich kids in their ranks either, driving Audis and whatnot. If I were that cheap, would I wear T-shirts worth just twenty bucks?!"She certainly could not stand people mocking Frank, since he had voluntarily stepped up to defend h
Jada did a double take.Though she was actually oblivious, that did not mean she was helpless!"I'm sorry, kid." She smiled. "But if you're actually rich like us, you'd just stick to cash. Sure, it's quite flattering to swipe your black card during payment, but having to pay the installments later on really doesn't suit you."Everyone was laughing themselves silly as Jada finished. That was certainly true—who would take up a loan if they really had money?The blond guy was naturally embarrassed and snapped coolly, "Quit being glib. Swipe your card if you dare—let's see who has a higher spending limit!""And if yours is lower, you should get down on your knees and apologize," Jada said, glowering. "How about that?""Then I can do whatever I like with you if you lose!" He laughed, his lust kicking into overdrive.In the end, a girlboss like Jada was far more interesting than a plain college student like Demi."You're not going to win!" Jada shrugged and turned toward the waitress
Frank smiled in wry amusement—Jada's kiss was really unnecessary, and she was actually just seizing an opportunity.But that was fine, as Jada had more than proven her loyalty, and he could pretend it was a reward after she worked for him for so long.As Demi returned to her seat with him, she flashed a big thumbs-up at him. "You really can't tell from appearances—you're a real box of surprise!"Frank smiled but said nothing—one could pretend to be poor but actually should not be.Demi then continued, "Thank you so much for helping me. Can you leave me a number? I'll buy you lunch if I can."Frank nodded. "You can call me if you're in trouble in the future too," Frank said. "I'm not local, but I'm obliged to protect anyone. I won't shirk from such moral responsibility.""Thanks!"After the two traded numbers, Demi seemed to be planning to stay and tried to ask about Frank's identity.However, it was almost time, so Frank cut her short, concerned that Demi would ruin his plans.
Seeing that Frank was leaving, the other cafe guests quickly stopped him. "Wait, sir! Why don't we exchange numbers and stay in touch?"Frank was left exasperated but had to play along since he had things to do.As they left the cafe, Aina smirked. "You suddenly got really rich, huh?"That was the most logical explanation she could think of.Frank shrugged. "You know I've been tomb raiding for a while. I'd have a few hundred grand, even if not millions."Aina snorted. "That's plenty for the average person, unlike what netizens like to think. That's why the girls are fawning all over you."Frank simply went along, since the woman's tendency to jump to conclusions worked for him and was logical on top of that.Aina smirked, shaking her head. "All men really are pigs, huh?"Frank smiled but said nothing and led her to a black van.It was only after Aina got in that she realized something was strange—she did not recognize the person riding shotgun!"Who is she?!" she demanded, po
"Nasty, you say?" Jada smiled in wry amusement. "My master is even more so. Now talk!"Aina spilled the beans right then, since she had no stake in this anyway.-The next morning, Frank arrived with the artifacts at a village called Zurtborg.He stood before a millstone that had not seen use for a while, straightening his clothes and putting down several suitcases while waiting quietly for Elizabeth's arrival.He did not assume Aina's appearance simply because Aina did not want trouble with Elizabeth, which was why she used a go-between.That spared Frank the need to disguise himself as a woman, as he assumed the appearance of Elizabeth's assistant.However, while he was waiting, a man and a woman came bounding down the road, with the man smacking the woman repeatedly with a shovel as he chased her down.Even though the woman was crying for help, the villagers in sight simply rubbernecked.Frank smirked, but he knew he could not fault the villagers for being callous. They w
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