Zark continued, "I remember telling you that I just met him, but I'm sure he isn't. Just pretend I never said a thing if you run into his wife."Janice smiled and nodded.That was when they heard a rush of footsteps down the hallway.They turned and saw that Eric had returned with a dozen thugs behind him, and Zark chuckled. "I'm surprised you really came. But you'd better be sure about this—you're the hospital chief, and if someone finds out that you were being violent with a patient's family, you'd be facing a lawsuit or even jail time."Eric stood before him and snapped, "Don't bother threatening me! I've worked hard to reach where I am today, and you have no idea how amazing I am!"Janice turned to Zark. "What's the story here?""What do you think?" Zark chuckled. "We were cooking medicine outside, but that geezer picked up the scent and decided he wanted the lunarise root for himself. He even tried to deceive us, saying that Draconian traditional medicine is bad and pretende
Frank could well be a monster!"Just you wait!"Eric turned and fled again, seeing that the odds were against him.Zark would have chased him down if he was not concerned about his cousin's safety.Beside him, Janice sighed. "How despicable can that hospital chief be? His career is over even if you lose and word gets out."Zark nodded. "People really can do anything when they're upset. And you know that the lunarise root is priceless—if he gets it, he'd still be rich even if he ended up in jail."Janice laughed. "True! I'm lucky I didn't spend money to befriend Chief Frankton. Just so you know, I made the mistake of challenging his wrath."Zark was not surprised, as it was what Frank would do.Frank was no saint, but to him, villains like Eric were no different from animals.No matter how ruthless he was, he had no reason to kill a dog for barking at him—such was the lofty perspective of the strong!-Nonetheless, another unexpected guest arrived after thirty minutes.He wa
But Zark was Frank's friend! How could she just stand around and watch?Janice argued with herself in her mind but eventually made up her mind.Before she could strode up, however, Zark shouted, "You call yourself a man, but you're bullying a woman?! Kill me if you can!"Zark was not actually waiting for Janice to decide anyway—he was just so terribly hurt that he could not talk.But now, he could as he healed a little.Sure, he had just met Janice, but he would not let something so terrible happen to her.In fact, she was virtuous and a friend of Frank's. That meant he would not risk her life, and Frank was worth sacrificing his life for!Still, the undertaker frowned. "Don't you fear death?"Such selflessness was only possible in fiction—every martial elite he had fought before had begged through tears when they realized death had come for them.Presuming that such people did not exist, the undertaker therefore did not expect to see one!Nodding, he said, "I'll be honest—I
"Smart!"Frank gave him a thumbs-up. "Though I wouldn't miss your talent."The undertaker smirked. "And here I thought you'd be a pushover… But it seems I've misjudged you! I'll be frank, kid—just that attitude deserves the praise of martial elites. When it comes to ego, you're the best among the people I've met!"Frank snorted. "How many people have you actually met that you could critique me? Just tell us who sent you already.""You're really pushing it!" the undertaker bellowed and launched a violent gust at Frank.However, another gust shot out from behind Frank, colliding with the man's gust and holding it in place.Soon, the undertaker's clothes were shredded into pieces, his skin soon reddening and turning porous, and he collapsed to the floor, convulsing in pain!Janice gasped—she was a fool for doubting Frank's power. That man was a real pushover when compared to Frank!"Tell us who sent you!" Frank appeared calm, but he projected a pressure that was worse than the g
The undertaker paused, as Frank clearly had his attention. "What?!"He was no doctor, but he knew that his only options for suicide while restrained was to bleed out.However, the tongue did not have a vein, so even if it was bitten off, he would simply survive.Damn it!Frank chuckled. "So? Do you get what it means to wish you were dead? I actually like how cocky you were just a second ago, like you're the honored one. Shame it didn't last for you… though that's the case for most who ran into me."The undertaker smirked. "Actually, I never tortured myself after all the terrible things I did. I guess now I could test my limits with you… So we'll see!"Frank was at once amused. "Tough nut, huh? Well, that's a first… Very well, we'll see!"With a wave of his hand, he sent the undertaker crashing through the window and out of sight.Janice promptly asked, "Where did he go? I thought you weren't going to kill him?"Frank laughed. "Could you have a little faith in my telekinesis? I
Janice nodded, as she was not really upset with Frank anyway. "By the way, why chicken soup? You could tell that it's the time of the month for me?""What?"Frank naturally knew what chicken soup was for, but the problem was that he did not order it—Jouri Yelin did!That broad was definitely trying to play wingwoman again, and it was at once adorable and frustrating."Anyway, let's dig in!" Zark exclaimed just then.He had no idea who it was, but could tell from Frank's words that someone else had ordered the chicken soup.After all, he knew Frank enough to see that this was not his doing, but he was not about to let Jouri's effort go to waste either. Frank rolled his eyes. "Just feed your cousin the medicine already.""Alright!"After Zark left, Janice drank her soup while asking, "Why does he call you chief?"Seeing that she was curious, Frank could predict that she was most likely an ordinary citizen who never heard about his outfit. "I'm just the leader of a humble group
Frank chuckled. "At my level, money really is inconsequential."Janice finished chewing her food just then and asked solemnly, "True, but what about your people? Money is needed to recruit people, as well as to combat poverty. And my family happens to lack a major organization like Mystic Sky Guild. Tit for tat, don't you think?"Frank understood that she was suggesting a partnership, but he said, "This isn't up to you."Janice nodded. "You're right—my grandfather pampers me, but right now, I have no authority in the family."But a good idea is a good idea—it doesn't matter who suggested it. So I'm sure that if I told my grandfather, he would send people over to discuss the prospect. And as long as you agreed to it, everything would get on the right track."Frank could not help reevaluating the girl, who earlier seemed so inexperienced about worldly matters.He was definitely surprised by her wit and insight, which set her above the rest.Moreover, she was right, and he had been
Janice smiled. "Hell, someone as down-to-earth as me is definitely way better than them!"Frank smiled and nodded—those rich kids were really not as impressive as they thought themselves to be. At best, they were just better at pretending to look the part than the ordinary citizen, and their personality and competence might not really compare in certain cases. In fact, they might have trouble surviving among ordinary citizens.Janice then asked, "By the way, are you going to be busy tomorrow?""Actually, yes!""Hey…!"It was a rhetorical question, as Janice knew that Frank would have nothing to do. While his response caught her off guard, she also could see that Frank was just messing with her.To no surprise, he chuckled and shrugged. "You know I'd have nothing to do. Why bother asking?""Fine, whatever. Just pretend I never asked!"Rolling her eyes, Janice returned to the bench and kept eating.-The next day, Frank arrived at one of the hospital storage shacks.Inside,
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