Jada should know that aside from paying from property damages, there should also be additional reimbursement to ease the civilians' tormented souls.So how did this happen?It seemed that water really ran deep around here!Frank then beckoned at Jada, who ordered to have a path cleared for her.She then squeezed through the mob, shaking them off to reach Frank, who was naked. "What the hell is going on here?"Jada sighed. "We came to an agreement yesterday regarding compensation, but a fifth of them suddenly changed their minds overnight and demanded several times more. Don't you think that's just disgusting?""Twenty percent?"Frank frowned—twenty percent was not much, but it was still a sizable variable.Still, it struck him. "Someone must be inciting them, it seems!"Jada nodded. "That's why I asked for your help—they had no idea you're involved, so it'd be easier for you to investigate!""Yeah."Frank started to turn and leave. "Watch out. I sense that some other plot is
The mob smiled in wry amusement. "Who cares what you're called? Just tell us the truth right now—how did it go?"Lassie shook his head. "I couldn't find it. Just hold her here—don't take any offers as long as she refuses to meet our price. Hell, just keep raising it."Everyone nodded.On the other hand, Frank waited until Lassie left and found Jeeves again, saying, "Sir, I really can't tell what you're all trying to achieve here! "You said you don't want the broad to acquire the street, but she's not. She's just compensating us…"Jeeves laughed. "You're so naive. This is basically a natural disaster, so why is that broad compensating us and not the government? In the end, she's trying to play a good Samaritan so that she can strong-arm us into selling our property once she's paid us."What would people think of us if we don't agree to whatever she's offered? It's obviously emotional blackmail!"At that point, Frank understood Jeeves' concern—the mob of property owners were conc
Jeeves considered Frank's suggestion and nodded in agreement—as long as the archaeologist stayed away and Frank only told him like it was a tale, they could avoid exposing their own secret.Still, he said, "It works for me, but I'm not sure if your archaeologist is the real deal."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry—she's really amazing. Just tell me everything!"With that, Jeeves elaborated about everything in detail, about how his ancestors scoured every inch of this place in search of treasure but still could not find anything.Even if someone did take the treasures away, there should still have been signs—that was why they were convinced that some sort of mystery was at work here."Have you heard of the supreme gourd?""That's a mythical treasure—everyone would have heard of it. Are you making fun of me, old timer? I've read about the monkey myself!"Jeeves' expression was dead serious. "Well, in all likelihood, they used a tool like the gourd to hide all the treasures."Frank nod
"Alright, see you later!"Sylvie soon arrived, and Frank told her everything.To his surprise, Sylvie was not surprised!"What, was there a precedent?" Frank asked.Sylvie nodded. "Not everyone is a poet, and in all likelihood, they plagiarized someone famous. It's not just Slender Shade—the Verselet Works is a well-known target too." "Anyway, you can fly, can't you? Take me up to the skies and check out the surroundings!"Frank then picked her up and took to the skies.Sylvie looked around, and her eyes lit up. "So that's why they used such a cliche poem for the riddle!"Frank was at once interested. "You have an idea now?"Sylvie pointed at the layout around them. "Just look at the landscape around Huxlem. Don't you think the town forms something like a cottage?"Frank looked from afar.It was a stretch, but the hills around Huxlem boxed in the city like a natural fence around the lawn of a cottage."And then check out that river. Don't you agree that it's wide?"Frank
Sylvie smiled, shaking her head. "I'm hardly formidable—you are! The ancients would not have the ability to fly this high to survey the entirety of Huxlem. Heck, not even modern drones can do it. We are only able to see all of this thanks to you."Frank smiled and landed with Sylvie, telling her to wait while he went off to meet Jeeves.Jeeves nodded when he saw Frank. "How did it go, kiddos?"He was not holding out much hope, but even if he knew that Frank could come up short, he still felt anticipation.After all, who could resist the temptation of endless treasure?To his surprise, Frank nodded. "I've found the answer to the riddle! Why don't we go together to check it out, just so you won't accuse me of keeping everything to myself?"Excited, Jeeves exclaimed, "Do tell us in detail!"After Frank told Jeeves the answer that Sylvie found for the riddle, Jeeves asked, "Wait, how did you see the full layout of this place?""With a drone, of course!"Frank had to lie since Jeev
After all, Lassie was famous in the neighborhood for being quite good in a fight. The fact that Frank could easily punch him down meant Frank was no ordinary man and was trustable on top of that!Even as he struggled to his feet, Lassie snarled, "You brat… You hit me! Just you wait—I'll make you suffer!"And with that, he fled the scene right then.Frank simply ignored him and walked up to Jeeves. "He's trying to stop us, most definitely because he wants to go looking for that coffin too, so we'd best be cautious."Jeeves frowned. "Really? But we've known him since he was a kid… He's not that bad!"Frank chuckled. "Not everyone can be as upstanding as you are, sir. People like him believe that wealth could be more important than their lives."Jeeves kept shaking his head regardless, and Frank decided against explaining himself further for his part.They were all going to Huxlem tonight anyway, and they would believe him when the truth was revealed right before their eyes.After
Frank's moves already left Lassie horrified, but the bitch was this strong too?Where was humanity?"You actually used a knife, kid? I guess you really want a piece of me!"Jada picked up the dropped dagger and was ready to kill Lassie."Stop!" Frank suddenly snapped at her, and Lassie seized the moment to scramble to his feet, hop on one of the vans, and speed off.Jada returned to Frank, "He's going to bring more trouble if we spare him now, sir!"Frank chuckled. "Actually, I'd like more trouble! The residents didn't believe me when I told them that Lassie was never on their side, so I'd like to prove them wrong!"Jada nodded in realization and threw a thumbs-up. "You're the best when it comes to toying with people, sir. I can't even hope to reach your level!"Frank chuckled. "Save the quips. Just go already.""Okay!"After sending off Jada, Frank met up with Sylvie, who was confused. "Why do I have to stay? Strictly speaking, you're the archaeological expert.""No, no, no
Frank laughed icily. "Really? In that case, I shall teach you that a bitch is always a bitch!"And with those words, Frank blew from his mouth, his breath turning into a hurricane that lifted all the excavators up into the air!Everyone from the residents to Lassie were left gaping as they watched, speechless.Where did that brat even get such power?!But for Lassie, once the shock wore off, it was time to face reality."Don't believe him!" he cried as he pointed at Frank. "I saw him talking to that whore just earlier! The same whore who would buy off your properties!"Since he was not getting away with it now, he just had to expose Frank to ensure their mutual destruction!To his disappointment, however, none of the residents appeared upset with Frank, and Lassie certainly could not understand their reaction. "Are you crazy?! Aren't any of you thinking about the treasure?"Jeeves smirked as he retorted, "Even if this boy was really sent by that woman as you said, we all saw ho
Frank's tone was calm, as if he was merely stating a fact. "What's there to deny? Even if I spilled my guts, do you stand a chance against me? See, no one does!"The man was furious—he had met plenty of conceited individuals, but Frank definitely took the crown!And seeing that Frank was not even in his thirties and was definitely small fry, he did not hesitate to slam his palm on the ground, which promptly started to move! "Interesting!"Frank stood his ground instead of leaping away, staring cooly at the molehills that streaked toward him. Even as the molehills were reaching Frank's feet, the man was left wondering why Frank did not dodge when the unexpected happened.The molehills struck the brat, but he remained unscathed!Earthbending was their cabal's signature technique, capable of causing seismic tremors—even if it was no match for real earthquakes, most people would still have trouble dealing with it.They were either torn into pieces by the shockwave, though the mor
Frank waited for a taxi and headed to his destination. Soon, the taxi stopped outside a dilapidated apartment.As Frank alighted and stared at the cracks on every block or the shaky foundations, even he could tell that it was in such a bad state it must be demolished. Shaking his head, he sighed in exasperation and entered the fifth unit on the sixth floor of Block D.He knocked on the door, and a smiling geezer opened it as he studied him. "What can I do for you, sir?"Able to tell right away that he was special, Frank asked, "Let's just call it a visit. I heard you could craft mystic items?"The geezer laughed right then. "I knew it. The nail that sticks out really gets hammered! I just want to keep my head down and live out my days, but you found me anyway.""Please don't misunderstand, sir," Frank quickly said. "I'm no robber, and I'm not going to steal from you. As long as you assist me, I can do anything for you.""Let's talk inside." The geezer stepped aside to let Fr
The motel owner thought Frank was trustworthy and told him everything he knew."Good. Thanks for cooperation—now do it yourself."Frank snapped his fingers again, and the mystic gun returned, lying quietly beside the motel owner as if it never disappeared."What? You're a martial elite! Don't you think people would talk behind your back about our deceit?!"The motel owner thought Frank was joking, but his expression was not.As such he pinned his hopes on emotional blackmail, but Frank was impervious to that too, even chuckling. "What's there to worry about? It'd just be hearsay, and they would be gone a couple of centuries later."Also, everyone would only find out if I spared you instead of avenging your victims. Now that's proper evil. You're naive if you think that I'm not the scourge of injustice. You won't be getting any chances from me."Even as reality sank in for the motel owner, he cried, "Y-You can't do this! We had an agreement!"Frank shrugged. "First of all, I onl
The motel owner snorted. "You're all so ignorant! It's true that most guns are pointless against Ascendant ranks, but this is no ordinary gun—it's a mystical item refined by a master craftsman."Not only are the bullets much faster, the gun's penetration power is even more formidable. I used it to bury many while I was young—even martial elites like you!"Everyone became restless at those.However, while Drunken Moon and the others were worried, Frank was actually excited.Mystic items were a quintessential part of high fantasy, and he might reach a treasure trove through the master craftsman whom the motel owner spoke of."Aren't you scared?" the motel owner asked just then, puzzled seeing that Frank was fearless, even smiling.Frank chuckled. "Why should I worry about a mere toy? Start shooting if you want—I'm sure everyone's busy and has better things to do."The middle-aged man snapped, "You're getting too full of yourself, brat! That thing has clearly seen plenty of action
Drunken Moon was definitely not going to tolerate that, and she snapped, "What are you going to do if I don't apologize?"The motel owner growled coolly, "I've already shown you what I can do, and I don't mind showing it again. Don't take me for some angel—push me too far, and I'll even make you my slave."Drunken Moon was simply amused. "Then show me what you've got to grow as conceited as you are!"The middle-aged man was snapping at Drunken Moon even before the motel owner could. "Bitch, you can't even win against my friends! What, do you think you can challenge me just because you have your boy toy?"He's quick, but so what?! Speed is pointless against absolute power!"The motel owner certainly felt buoyed by the flattery. After all, one would never look a gift horse in the mouth, and there was no one who despised being praised.Spreading his arms, he laughed. "Come on—seeing those pretty cheeks of yours, let me give you a nice hug.""Go fuck yourself!" Drunken Moon snapped,
Frank gestured at the door with his chin, and everyone turned to see a diminutive man.Despite his small frame, his eyes made it clear he was no average Joe. There was also a spring in his step—clearly having treated himself physically."Hello, everyone. I'm the owner of this premises!"The owner was clearly not inclined for matters to escalate, which was why he never intervened.That was until the manager accidentally touched the pendant!It was a family heirloom that, according to the owner's forebears, had the power to eat through everything—it just had yet to be proven.Horrified, the manager told the owner everything, and he came over to check out the situation. He would deal with Frank and the rest of the troublemakers, only to run into the troublemakers first."You're no slouch yourself!"Cyclops was delighted and lunged straight at the owner without hesitation, his hands outstretched like talons.The owner did not even seem to move, but Cyclops somehow missed."Fall."
Drunken Moon laughed coolly. "You're the one who kept bragging so much at first, saying that the strong decide on justice. And now that I've beaten you, it makes everything I said right, no?"The middle-aged man smirked. "Really? You're good, but not that good—if you're that brave, let me go, and I will call in my boys so we can have a rematch!"Drunken Moon laughed. "Why would I be afraid of that? Though I'm sure you're just going to bail and never come back."The middle-aged man snapped, "Do you think everyone's like you?! If you're afraid, just say it out loud!""Fine, then go. Why are you still here?"Drunken Moon shrugged, even moving aside for him.The middle-aged man smirked as he pushed himself to his feet and fled—the bitch chose this, and she would only have herself to blame for it!The bellgirl was concerned and came over to Drunken Moon. "Priestess, are you sure this is going to be alright?"Drunken Moon laughed. "Don't worry—even if you doubt me, know that the boy
Her skin and fingers were rotting where the motel manager touched the pendant, as if being corroded by acid at a visible rate. Worst of all, she could not even feel any pain from it!"W-What's going on here?!"Horrified, the motel manager turned and ran.Drunken Moon was ready to give chase, but Frank stopped her. "She's not going to have it easy without her fingers. Let her go."Drunken Moon nodded and pointed at the pendant on the floor. "What the heck is that?"Frank then told her about Reverend Quietus, to which Drunken Room exclaimed, "You meant to say that there are bodies of energy that are basically identical to the paranormal that people speak of?"Frank nodded. "I'm sure it's not just rumors, with the way it remained over a thousand years—things like that do exist. But in the end, it's no different from a spell, and you can handle it if you're strong enough."Drunken Moon smiled. "That only applies to you. I don't know about anyone else, but I really can't deal with th
After she calmed down, the bellgirl took an interest in Frank. "Is he the one who could beat you?"It was the new age—ladies were not shy, and the bellgirl actually liked lookers like him."Hello." Frank greeted her, and she smiled in turn. "Sorry for having to bother you, handsome."She would really have asked for his number if circumstances allowed.That was when footsteps could be heard, and Frank glanced sideways outside as he told Drunken Moon, "Now's your chance for revenge. Don't hold back now.""You don't need to worry about that!" Drunken Moon exclaimed as she flexed her muscles—she was waiting for this moment.The motel manager led several burly men inside, standing at the center proudly like she owned the place. "That's for insulting me, bitch! Go! Show her who she was messing with!"Though the motel manager did not hesitate to send her men after Drunken Moon, Drunken Moon smirked, waiting until the bouncers were about to reach before punching them.Soon, they wer