"Lawrence?"Frank was left laughing himself silly after he heard that name—this girl shared his last name? She could not be related to him, could she?!"Scared, huh?!"On the other hand, Niki puffed herself up, presuming that Frank had heard of her family. "I can make this easy for you—break all your limbs and swear to be my dog, and I might just spare your life!"Frank smiled in wry amusement—she took the words right out of his mouth!"Why don't we make a bet?" he asked."Who do you think you are, betting with me?"While Frank was really annoyed with Niki's haughty attitude, he stayed calm and said, "It's simple. If you lose, you will tell me what you came for. It's not too much, is it?"Niki laughed at his face, resting her cheek on her hand confidently. "Tell you what we came for? Hell, I'll spread my legs for you!"After all, he was really confident about the men he brought, each of them were Ascendant-ranked. No matter how good Frank was, he simply stood no chance!Still
Ever since she was a child, Niki had never met anyone superior.Still, Frank chuckled. "Don't worry—I'm not that type of person. That said, the people you abused or butchered might be watching… Don't you think they'd be disappointed?"Niki scowled but stayed silent, as she knew that Frank was no angel.At the same time, Frank continued, "Still, while I shouldn't resort to such scandalous behavior, that doesn't mean the same applies to your men. Just think about it—what would they think, when the haughty heiress is at their mercy?"Niki shuddered. "We raised them! They're loyal—they'd never turn against me!""Is that so?"Frank turned coolly toward the groaning men-in-black on the ground. "I doubt that there isn't any among them who wouldn't cave under pressure, even if they were ready to die! Don't you agree, boys?"The men-in-black all promptly averted their eyes, pretending that they had never heard him."Or would you prefer to die?" Frank asked icily and grabbed one of them,
Frank eyed Niki coolly. "To be honest, I really don't understand why people like you have to bully others. You have all your needs cared for without lifting a figure, so there's really no reason for any of you to abuse others. But you had to do it anyway, so why should I let you live?"Even if she could see that Frank was determined, Niki refused to believe she was out of options and quickly exclaimed, "I-I still have value to you! I could lure my father here, as long as you let me live!"Frank laughed right then. "Luring your father here? You're kidding—you're saying you can abandon your biological father just to survive? Or maybe is this another ruse? In that case, I can't allow you to live."Shocked, Niki tried to explain herself, but Frank lost all patience.Walking up, he seized her by the neck and launched her into the cottage.She crashed through the window and landed painfully but did not stop from the pain of her injuries and kept crawling outside… but she had barely made
Soon, Frank and Meg arrived in Cronde, and they headed straight to a market.Frank was puzzled. "What are you getting? Why do you have to get it from a market and not the grocery store?""I smelled something special when I took a stroll outside the cottage," Meg replied, not one for mysteries. "It's a local specialty beef—it looks no different from normal beef, but everything from the condiment to the cut is exquisite, and it's especially sweet when taken out from the stock. That's why I craved some."Frank nodded, "So you're just craving for some meat! You could've said that outright—I have some readily available."Meg giggled unabashedly, as she was not some innocent maiden. "I'll take both. The more the better!"Both of them chatted as they arrived before a small stall, and Meg looked around.Just as the other homestay owner said, the beef stall was between a stall for farm crops and seafood, so this must be it.Approaching the butcher, Meg said, "Five pounds of beef, please!
Despite Meg's rage, she still refused to cause a scene. "Fine! We're not buying now, alright?!"However, seeing her ready to leave somehow led the butcher to believe that she could be bullied. "No way! I've already cut the meat—I have to eat it if you don't buy it!""You're just screwing with me, aren't you?!"Meg bellowed furiously. "I asked for five, but you insisted on giving me six and even charged me way above the standard price! It's also one pound less than you claim, and even then, you insisted on me paying you anyway! Whoever gave you that confidence?!"The butcher simply laughed. "Cut the crap already. You're either paying or you aren't leaving!"Then, he turned to yell out loud, "Everyone, gather round! Check out this woman—she can't even afford beef, but look at her getup! She clearly just came to flex on us! Help me out here, everyone!"Many customers were immediately gathering around them, pointing and gesturing at Meg, which left her even more furious. "Don't liste
Frank snorted. "Oh, that's not all. I'm tearing down your stall too!"And with those words, Frank kicked down the stall, knocking over all the beef.No one felt sorry for the butcher, as they all knew he deserved that much.And seeing that they were not concerned at all, the butcher realized that he could not stay."Just you wait!" he snapped. "This isn't over yet. You'll pay for this!"And with that, he turned to run, leaving everyone laughing behind him. "Make him pay? How? He's a coward through and through!"-Leaving the market, Meg was pursing her lips as she turned to Frank. "Sorry, you wouldn't have to deal with that if not for my stupid craving.""Doesn't matter. That man had to be punished for his actions!"Meg smiled and nodded. "Guess you won't be accepting my apology. So how about lunch instead?""Sure. It's rare for Ms. Quill to treat me to a meal. I have to make it count."Soon, Meg took Frank to a small restaurant. There was nothing special about it on the out
"Fine." Meg snorted, rolling her eyes.It honestly did not pay to be nice—if Jada were here, she would have slapped the owner around already.However, when she sliced a small cutlet, she suddenly noticed a housefly floating in the stock!"There's a bug in here, sir!" she promptly called out to the owner.The owner had not gone far, and he wheeled on her with a glare. "What, you don't have flies in your house?"Meg had already bearing with it but snapped and flipped the table in rage at the owner's retort. "Well, this is exactly what I do when I see a fly in my house!" she snapped."How dare you!"The owner rushed into the kitchen and returned with a cleaver, but Frank was already in front of Meg, asking coolly, "I'm not asking for VIP treatment here, but is this really how you should treat customers?""Fuck off, or I'll gut you too!" the owner bellowed, brandishing his cleaver and clearly not knowing who he was dealing with."You wouldn't listen to reason. Can't blame me for
Laughing, Meg clinked glasses with Frank, and both of them chugged it whole.Soon after they finished their alcohol, the food was served.While they were chatting as they ate, Frank needed to go. There were no washrooms in the private room, so he headed outside.After using the washroom and stepping out, he ran into a drunken lady who was washing her face while half leaning on the countertop.She was halfway through her twenties and wearing a jersey, and she had a toned healthy figure, but she was wobbling from the alcohol."Could you pass me some tissues?" she asked Frank, since the roll on her side was used up.Frank passed one to her, and was ready to leave when a hunched old baldy with a sleazy smile came up beside the lady. "What's wrong, Ms. Loum? There are more bigwigs waiting for you to serve them drinks!""I got it!" Ms. Loum rolled her eyes in annoyance. "And can't you at least help up? I'm already drunk!"Baldy simply laughed. "Alcohol is soul food. The more you dr
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