It was not as if Frank hated to introduce himself, and he especially despised guessing games.The issue was that should he tell the black-haired geezer who he really was, it would terrify the geezer and send him packing. While it was not actually an issue, Frank would still feel let down if the powerful presence he sensed on the peak withdrew too… It would not even be an exaggeration to say that it would make this trip pointless.After all, that was the strongest presence he felt ever since arriving at Shagan, and he really wanted to test himself against it."Well, go on!" The black-haired geezer gloated gleefully. "Perhaps you're now realizing your insignificance, that you wouldn't measure up to us?""I won't lie—I've met plenty of ignorant younglings like you joining some measly outfit and suddenly feeling invincible just because you're in the company of the strong. Have you ever considered that even if you're special, there's hundreds and thousands of others like you? What gives
The black-haired geezer laughed. "Drea Garad might be right that our signature technique isn't all that strong. But even if we can't win against you, that doesn't mean you're some unstoppable elite… Hell, you're a small fry compared to her!""Is that so?" Frank chuckled, watching as the woman approached.She noticed Frank too, but instead of attacking, she tilted her head and studied him."I guess we're kindred!"Frank could see that the woman's energy signature resembled that of the spiritron vein and most definitely came from another meteorite.Pausing for a moment, the woman suddenly punched the ground, tearing a ravine several feet wide.At the same time, Frank picked up both Drea and Faust and took to the skies."Such power!" Drea and Faust were left trading glances. They were knowledgeable, but it was the first time they had seen anyone split the earth with just one punch."Well, I guess that's a passing mark!"Frank, however, appeared disappointed to see that the wo
As soon as Frank finished, the Lady of White Tiger Hall shot toward Frank like a missile, her fists and foot outstretched. Pow!Dust and dirt kicked up, and there was an audible thud as someone fell."Lugh Frankton!" Drea exclaimed in fear.Beside her, the black-haired geezer laughed coldly. "That's his own fault—he asked for it! I'll give it to you straight—no one would ever measure up to that killing machine in a fair fight!""Is that so?"Even before the black-haired geezer could keep gloating, the dust settled, and Frank stepped out, carrying the woman with only one arm.Interestingly, she was not struggling but was glaring fixedly at the black-haired geezer."You thought since you're not winning, so you used the same trick twice?"While the black-haired geezer was surprised, Frank did demonstrate his powers earlier, so he was now sure that Frank had pulled the same trick again.After all, if Frank could actually defeat the Lady of White Tiger Hall so easily, he would no
Frank never liked guessing games, and he showed Drea and Faust his ring. "Almost all my powers come from this—something that people call the spiritron vein.""Spiritron vein?"Drea and Faust traded glances. "That reminds me… Monkey was born in one of those things, which was why he could wreak havoc in the Celestial Palace after just a few years of training. And with the way you used it, you're going to surpass him?"Frank laughed at their words. "You're kidding—I'm really nothing compared to Monkey. And this spiritron vein is a lot less impressive than what they describe in folktales. In fact, even the average Joe could bend it to their will with the use of science."Both Drea and Faust shook their heads, but before Frank could explain further, they heard a loud scream.And at the next second, the Lady of White Tiger Hall was in front of Frank. "I have neither friends nor family—you're the only person who can help me now. Can I stay with you?""Of course!"Frank naturally would
As Frank took Faust's phone, he asked, "Sup, kiddo?"Faust smiled in wry amusement—Frank had to be the only person who dared to address Zark so casually.On the other end, Zark asked, "Do you have time tomorrow, chief? You remember our agreement before, I take it?""Of course. Where shall we meet?"Zark gave him the address, and Frank returned Faust's phone. "Let's go. That can wait until tomorrow.""Alright!"-Soon, they returned to the homestay cottage, and Alda Ingram was clapping when she saw Frank bringing in two more women. "That's Mr. Frankton for you—he only becomes even more enigmatic.""Indeed, us mortals would have to transcend beyond clothing to see through him." Drea was always affable and quickly joked with Alda.On the other hand, the Lady of White Tiger Hall was shy and kept her head lowered in silence."You should take a bath," Alda suggested. "We can't see your face, but your gait already tells us that you're beautiful."The woman nodded and took a bath wi
With Frank's abilities, killing the man could not have been easier.The reason he would hesitate must be because he had other ideas.Frank then nodded. "I can see that you're not like most killers… You're just something of a nut for martial arts! I dislike torturing people like you, so as long as you cooperate and change your ways, I can spare you!"The man smiled in wry amusement—was this not torture?Frank had already crushed the philosophy he worshiped for decades, and average Joes were no different from an ant against him."How should I cooperate?" he asked nonetheless, as his instincts screamed at him that he would be dead if he did not.Obsessing over martial arts? Becoming the world's greatest? Such ambitions were really pointless in this man's presence, because the only one that was relevant now was the primal instinct to survive!"Take me to your client.""Okay!" The driver did not dare to argue and promptly took Frank to the distance.-Meanwhile, at the penthouse s
Hando continued bragging, "It's not just the entire object that I control—I control what's inside too!"Waving his hand, he pulled a chunk of rebar from within the concrete walls!Frank's eyes lit up. "I never judge people from appearance, but I have to admit I've misjudged you here. After all, you could tear my head off from miles away if you so willed!""Smart!" Hando applauded him.Still, Frank was puzzled. "In that case, why send an assassin after me? Wouldn't it be better to do it yourself, so that you won't get caught?"Hando shook his head. "I thought so too, but decided that doing that would risk too much exposure. Soon, people won't be naive enough to think that my technique is pointless. As such, my idea was to stay in the shadows as much as I could. I wouldn't want anyone to find out about it unless absolutely necessary."Frank nodded. "That's a good idea, but have you considered the possibility that you're not feared?""By whom? You?"Hando tilted his head as he stu
Even before Frank's four fingers landed on the floor, and even before blood could shoot out off the joints, a blue flash flared.It caught the fingers, pulling them back to the joints and mended them. Even the bleeding stopped, as if nothing ever happened."What?!"Hando tilted his head, staring in disbelief.How could regeneration be possible? It was against the laws of science!Still, Hando was soon laughing bitterly. "How unlucky can I be? If I'd known, I wouldn't have tried anything against you ever!"He did not think that the trump card he prided himself with would be so completely crushed in more than three ways.So this was really why Mystic Sky Guild grew to such might, even reigning supreme in Shagan.Their leader had what it took!And knowing that his objective had been achieved, Frank asked, "So? Why did you want to kill me?"Hando chuckled bitterly. "To be honest, I'd really rather not say because it hurts more than dying by a thousand cuts right now."However,
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