Everyone rolled their eyes at the middle-aged man. "Joke around, you say? Then just wait here. It's quite the eye-opener!"While the middle-aged man was left perplexed, Frank breathed coolly. "It's here!"Both the middle-aged man and Jouri turned to find a massive form dead ahead.Upon a closer look, it really was a black bear!Somehow, it was more massive, standing over seven meters tall despite looking like any other bear. The canyon seemed to shake under its step, and shockwaves ensued from its bellow, almost knocking the middle-aged man off his feet!"Shit!"It really was quite the eye-opener for the middle-aged man as the other villager said.To think something that large existed!On the other hand, Jouri was not afraid at all, even studying the bear closely. "This isn't right. Scientifically speaking, it's a body that burns a lot of energy—it couldn't have grown up naturally!"The middle-aged man smiled desperately. "Girl, shove the books—we're screwed! Run!"As he turn
The villagers traded glances. "You're the one who set the black bear loose?!""I guess you could say that!" The punk chuckled. "It's a pet, and I was just letting it take a walk when it fell in here. So where did it go?"The villagers were furious. "Letting loose a deadly exotic pet into a populated area?! Where's your conscience?! What are you going to do if it kills us?!" The punk appeared annoyed right then. "What? You idiots look like you're worth a couple mil at best. I have all the money necessary for that!"He was obviously one of those rich kids who had no regard for human life. He refused to apologize despite being at fault too, even mocking the villagers!Naturally, none of them were having it. "You're not apologizing, and you're making fun of us on top of that! Do you think we'd just take this lying down?!""I have no idea, but I'm sure my man has something to say about that!"With just a look from the punk, one of the black-clad men punched the wall.Crack.A long
Jouri was left fuming.She was just trying her best, yet not only was that not acknowledged, but she was also treated like a skank?However, the villagers ignored her as their eyes were all on Frank.They were certainly not close since they had just met, but the man did just save their lives, so they were really not keen to see him get hurt.Still, Frank chuckled. "I understand how you feel, but try to understand—I'm simply feeling a little competitive, and I won't go for the kill for the sake of someone's research."I was getting antsy about that, but since they came straight for me, I'd have to take the chance to let loose!"The punk laughed just as Frank finished. "So that's why you're all unhurt. He really is a marital elite, and he actually beat my bear."But so what? I have all the martial elites I need around me—you don't get to strut! "So, last chance. Take my offer and leave, or die!" Frank smirked. "I'm giving you one last chance. Kowtow and apologize, or you're no
It was impressive that Frank could kill that dragon instantly, but that was all there was to it.There was strength in numbers, and once the punk returned with his friends, Frank was a dead man.So instead of losing, he should flee—there was no shame in running to fight another day.Seeing that the villagers remained unconvinced, Frank snorted. "Go home. I'll deal with this myself!""Do whatever you like. Heaven knows we tried."With a sigh of exasperation, the villagers all turned and left.Since they could not get out on their own, Frank waved, levitating back to the surface.Jouri walked up, pouting. "Why would you still play nice with them? Just use them as cannon fodder for later."Frank chuckled. "It's called the measure of a king. The number of people you can tolerate is the number of people you'd rule. "Sure, they run their mouths, but it's out of kindness too. Should I really take exception to some cheap words?"Jouri nodded. "True. Thank goodness I major in science
Shaking her head, Jouri said, "I'll get someone to move the sculpture. It's going to be difficult to recover the head, though—any trail would have gone cold after so long."Frank nodded. "Just try your best—it doesn't matter if you actually find it. Life's like that."Soon, Jouri's people arrived, but just as they packed up the statue, several Toyota Land Cruisers came bounding toward them.A group of wights alighted—it was the most appropriate term for them, what with their dried seaweed-like skin, droopy eyelids, and lifeless eyes.They were basically limping too, like they were going to keel over at any moment.Their leader was none other than the punk who had mocked Frank earlier, laughing himself silly when he leaned forward and saw that Frank and Jouri were still around. "And here I thought you'd run scared." He sneered. "But you're really flattering yourself, staying here and waiting for me! I won't hold back since you want this so much!" He and the wights jumped down.
From Jouri's perspective, the punk was clearly asking for it.The man in question was standing right there, and would he really spare the punk's life for what he said?No matter how kind Frank could be, he was not one who would allow his enemies to rally and recover!"Oh, so you're not going to yield?"The punk snorted and waved. The wights promptly flashed their tattoos, conjuring eight evil dragons that took to the air, blocking out the sun!The villagers who saw that turned pale in shock, while those who knew what was happening were feeling lucky about their life choices.Thank goodness they did not keep trying to reason with Frank, or the punk and the wights would take it out on them too!And yet, even as the thought crossed their mind, a blue light shot up as well, unfurling in the air and dispelling the evil dragons!The villagers were stunned.What had just happened?! Did someone just defeat the stuff of legends?!Those in the know were stupefied, as they realized it
Knowing that he was not getting away, the punk quickly came up with anything in mind just to scare off Frank. "I'm warning you—I have friends in high places! Do you know Pat Quaid? Commissioner Quaid? He's my relative!""Change your name, and someone might believe you!"Jouri smiled in wry amusement. "Sorry, but Commissioner Quaid supports this man. Even if he's here in person right now, he'd never raise his voice against him.""That's impossible!"The punk did not believe Jouri at all. "Pat Quaid is the Shagan commissioner! Everyone must respect him, even the real Lugh Frankton!"Jouri sighed. "Unfortunately for you, Mr. Frankton is not the type who loves to joke around, or he'd just summon Pat Quaid just to crush your hopes."In fact, Jouri could hardly imagine how cathartic it would be to see Pat there, behaving so humbly around Frank."Alright, let's go," Frank said and advanced on the punk.Terrified, the punk tried to run, but there was no way he could—Frank easily grabbe
Frank soon returned to the homestay cottage and found Jada and Moxxi arguing as soon as he entered."Perfect timing—Mr. Frankton is back! Let him be the judge of this!"Jada immediately strode up. "I'm not belittling her, but she's terrible at what she does. She doesn't stop to worry about my side, and she keeps getting in my way!"I would actually have been fine if she had meant to do it, but it's not even on purpose. There's just no way an idiot like her should be mentioned on equal terms with me."Moxxi quickly defended herself. "Don't blame me! Don't listen to her, chief—she's messing with my work on purpose and complaining even before I can!"Frank was not interested in their argument, though it was also right to see he could not rein them in.Anyone with a brain could see that neither cared about reason and just wanted to argue, and the winner in such cases would be the louder or even more unreasonable one. As such, Frank's best option was to let them sort it out themselves
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