Hana snorted. "It doesn't matter what you believe. Those loan sharks from before didn't believe your beau was that strong either, but reality gave them a right smack in the face, no? "Trust me. People are either the kindest or the worst—the so-called moral gray areas are all just those artists' self-indulgent philosophy."While Rina could see Hana's point, she still did not believe Arya would go that far."It's alright. We're not that sleepy—we could just wait here," Frank said just then.Rina did not refuse just because Frank asked, perhaps because she wanted some form of shelter.She was tired and wanted protection, and no one was more suited for the job than Frank.Five minutes later, Arya called out from behind the door that had just been repaired."Coming!"Rina went to answer the door to find that it was just Arya and thought to herself that she was right—Arya would never do anything to hurt her!Still, as she ushered Arya in, Rina asked coolly, "Now explain yourself. W
Seeing that, Arya stopped pretending and pushed herself to her feet. "Last chance, Rina. Either slap her, or we won't be friends anymore!"Rina laughed. "That's the easiest choice I've ever had to make. I'd never turn against my savior for you—my upbringing wouldn't allow that!"Arya snorted. "Savior? Bullshit! Just you wait—there are plenty of people who would help me even if you won't!"Rina ignored her even as she kicked her door open on the way out and strode up to Hana. "Sorry, it's all my fault!"Hana laughed, shaking her head. "It's alright. You didn't back down when it mattered, and that's enough!"Bang!The door was kicked open again just as she finished, and Arya entered with two fearsome, burly men.It had barely been a minute after she left, so she obviously was ready for a fight!Even so, Rina could not help tearing up. "You're even worse than I thought!"Arya simply laughed. "You deserved it! I have no reason to keep you around if you don't believe me, and I woul
Hana smiled in wry amusement. "Dream on. He's the one who knocks—those small fry friends of yours are not on his level at all!"Arya laughed coolly. "Really? Well, I warned you—can't do anything when my advice falls on deaf ears. Don't worry, though—I'm sure they'd teach you the definition of savagery!"Frank smiled and nodded. "In that case, I'd actually like you to live a little longer, just so that you can understand true power!"Arya snorted. "Quit yapping. Let's see if you'll win first."Frank smacked her across the face right then, knocking her out before turning to Rina. "Are you interested in disappointing your bestie?"Rina frowned. "It's alright. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. A little beating is more than enough."Hana chuckled. "You still have no idea what he's like, huh? No one ever changes his mind once he decides on anything, though there's nothing he can't handle anyway."They headed downstairs, and Frank gathered a bucket of water to splash Arya awake.
Arya snapped, "There's no misunderstanding at all. Call up your boss—tell him it's me!""Fine." The manager had no choice but to call the karaoke bar owner just then.Soon, an Audi A4 stopped outside the karaoke bar and a stout man alighted.Two tall goons followed, clearly working for him.The karaoke bar owner then asked, "Where's Ms. Crass?"Even if Arya paled in comparison to Rina and Hana, she was still the most beautiful in the area and indulgent at that.The karaoke bar owner naturally liked her a lot and had yet to tire of her."Right here!" Arya snorted, scowling."Oh, what happened? Which blind fool dared to lay their stinking paws on you?!" the karaoke bar owner asked in concern as he hurried to her.Arya pointed at Frank and Hana, and the karaoke bar owner studied them before turning back to Arya.He liked her, but also knew her well enough that she got beaten up for screwing with those people.They only had a one-night stand—affection aside, he would not get int
Arya hung her head in silence—truth be told, the karaoke bar owner was the most powerful man in her social circle.She just did not expect him to be suddenly so amicable despite his usual bravado."You don't get it, do you?"Hana read her mind just then, and chuckled coolly. "Take a good look at his business. He may not be rich or important, but his business at least earns him wealth and freedom in this district."Sure, things can get unruly, but he had no reason to stoop to that level. All the money that he's earned thus far will be gone once he goes to jail!"Heck, his true nature doesn't even matter in this equation. In business, it's fundamentally important to know when to make peace. Would he get customers if fights erupt at his bar every other day?""Impossible!" Arya argued. "He's not like that… He said that he's sold people to third-world countries as slaves, and that I should introduce him to some nice girls if I ever meet any!""Oh, girlie…"Hana smiled in wry amuseme
Despite seeing that, the manager smirked. "Don't get so full of yourself, Arya Crass! It's over for you if the owner comes!""I don't care. Call him here already, or I'll break this place!" Right as she finished, the front desk splintered into pieces.Paling in fear, the manager promptly called the karaoke bar owner, while Arya sat down on the floor, closed her eyes, and waited.That was Hana's plan after all—she had told Arya to provoke the karaoke bar owner despite her reluctance!Considering that she would make Frank pay, however, she went with it despite the risk of being sold to some third-world country. After all, she could really tell that Frank would really kill her otherwise!She would rather be a slave than die. At least she would be alive, and with the government's frequent crackdowns over recent years, she would most likely be saved anyway.-Ten minutes later, the Audi A4 returned and the karaoke bar owner alighted once more. "Did you think I was going to play nic
The karaoke bar owner's men carried Arya into a large compound while he knocked on the door.The door soon opened, and a man in his forties stepped out. However, he was a head shorter than the karaoke bar owner and wore rags, looking no different from a beggar.Arya woke up just then and flinched when he saw the beggar. "You?!"She had seen him before—he often begged for alms outside her apartment compound, and she had even kicked him while passing by once because she was in a foul mood.But it turned out that he was in this?!Still, it made sense when one thought about it—this business requires secrecy, and who would ever suspect a beggar? No other identity was better suited for this job!Then, remembering what Hana said, Arya snapped at the karaoke bar owner, "You own a bar! Why would you do something like this? Wouldn't you just lose a fortune over spare change?"The karaoke bar owner laughed. "You still don't understand me! One can never earn enough money, and I like this jo
The karaoke bar owner looked between Arya and Frank, bemused. "Why would you do this? Are you some sort of vigilante?"That made sense—youngsters were really different these days, each of them strong and keen to perpetuate justice. They must be keen to be the good guys and bask in the public's praise.Laughing, the karaoke bar owner started to gloat. "Shame you're too naive to understand the world has changed… to be precise, there's a gap between the reality in your mind and what's really happening in the world. No one would shoot the riot shield instead of the leg, and there's no armor that can stop bullets."Wait, that's wrong. There are things that could, but they won't stop the impact. Ever heard of Kevlar? It's not actually weaved from steel but something with optimal durability—""Yap, yap, yap…"Frank snorted impatiently. "All you rogues only ever run your mouths. Start shooting already, and cut the crap—you're talking my ears off.""You asked for it!" The karaoke bar ow
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