Frank continued, "If I did that, any martial arts faction would fight to their death whenever they run into me. Sure, I can deal with them, but I'm not so dumb that I'd waste so much energy. Not only would holding back make things easy for me, but everyone would also profit from it!"At that point, even Massam was completely convinced.She turned toward the apprentices of Princely Sword School, who were smiling and nodding.Obviously, there was no reason for them to not join Mystic Sky Guild now.Still, Massam said, "Before we join you, I must insist beforehand that we're not slaves. We can fight for you, but not die for you, let alone serve your whims!" "And if any of us challenge you to a duel, you have no choice but to accept and grant us freedom if we win. "Frank nodded. "Sure, but if you insist on challenging me, my condition is when I have free time.""That's only natural!" Massam laughed. In that case, are we going to your base or staying here to protect the Zahn ladies
For her part, Jouri was no buzz kill.After taking the spatial vial from Frank, she asked, "How do I use this? Is there an incantation like in novels?"Frank chuckled, shaking his head. Taking back the spatial vial from Jouri, he activated it, and it began to absorb everything around them, from the hotel couches to the bed, leaving everyone around them shocked.Myra even asked bluntly, "Wouldn't you be able to steal anything you like with it?"Janice was unsure if she should laugh or cry. "We're rich, Aunt Myra. Could you not obsess with crime and be serious for once?"Myra rolled her eyes. "Can't you show me some respect if I'm your aunt?"She then turned to Frank. "What about people? Can it store people too?"Frank nodded. "Probably. But since I haven't tried it, I should scout things out if you'd like an adventure."Myra promptly nodded. "After you."With that, Frank leapt inside the spatial vial to find himself enveloped in darkness.Even though he flew forward in a str
Frank nodded. "As long as you understand that you've made a mistake. Lead an upstanding life in your next life!" Then, wasting no time to listen to more of The Vulture's crap, Frank sent him flying.It took a while for them to hear an audible splat, and peace hence returned. Myra chuckled coolly. "That brat was quite amusing, only seeing that you're some saint and not stopping to think how he behaved, even begging for mercy."As Frank smiled but said nothing, Jouri said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take the vial to the lab."Frank nodded. "I'll send you off."After Jouri left, Myra and Janice started to leave as well, with Myra standing in front of Frank, appearing wistful. "Please be more cheerful and optimistic next time. It's taxing for me to keep initiating!"Frank smiled and nodded.Myra clearly had more to say, but Janice already started dragging her away, complaining, "That's enough, Aunt Myra. It's not like we won't see each other from now on—don't act like you're
The weirdo laughed coolly. "It's as everyone's said—you are as weird as you are conceited. But that's no issue—let me show you the gap between you and this world."And with those words, he pointed a finger at Frank.While Frank could not sense an attack, he dodged by instinct and watched as the spot where he had been standing distorting as if an unfurling ripple.The very air seemed to have been bent by some sort of energy, and it would actually have been troublesome for him to take the brunt of it.Jada noticed what happened and exclaimed, "Chief, is the weirdo actually very powerful?!"Frank smiled, shaking his head.Gesturing at the pictures of the mystical beasts with his chin, he explained, "His ability most likely has something to do with those pictures. I'm not too sure if his true form is all that strong, but the one in front of us is really no big deal. He could hurt me at best, but not kill me."The weirdo snorted. "Say whatever you like—when it comes to boasting, no o
Frank shook his head. "I won't dodge. Come at me all you want!"The weirdo was stunned. "Really?""Of course!" Frank laughed. "Come on!"Considering that it never hurt to try, the weirdo lunged viciously at Frank, only to watch in shock as the wound on Frank's body rapidly closed itself, and much quicker than the weirdo could move!"H-How is this possible?" the weirdo blurted.Frank smiled. "What's impossible about it? You were saying that I was holding back, but I can tell you in no uncertainty that I wasn't—I simply have no reason to go all out when my opponent is so weak."So? Are you willing to take a bet now?"The weirdo was absolutely overjoyed—even if his true form would not die if this clone was destroyed, his abilities would disappear.But if he fled, he could retain his abilities, and he would have a better chance against Frank next time since he learned about Frank's abilities!With that in mind, the weirdo said, "Well, you've made your bed. You just have to sleep o
Frank smiled. "Well, it's not entirely your fault since you've been abroad for a while."Anyway, there's no reason to jinx yourself or others. Even from a psychological perspective, pessimism can lead to autosuggestion, and you'd find yourself unable to hold yourself together when it matters and mess up."In worse case scenarios when you keep telling yourself to give up, you'd end up dying for nothing. Do you know what I mean?"Moxxi kept nodding in silence.So that was why she spotted Jada smirking in the corner of her eye.And here she thought the bitch was being nice for once—she was just waiting for her to fall into her own trap!In fact, seeing that Frank was not being too upset, Jada pressed, "Mr. Frankton, that has nothing to do with being abroad. The average person is never that pessimistic."Moxxi shot a vicious glare at Jada right then but did not dare snap since this was really her fault in the first place.However, Frank waved Jada off. "That's enough—cut it out alr
Frank patted Moxxi's head. "Just remember that the philosophy and norms abroad doesn't necessarily apply locally. Being too blunt can also be interpreted as self-centeredness and disregard for others. People are social animals, so why not be considerate to others?"Moxxi nodded. "I see! Don't worry, I will correct myself from now on."Frank smiled. "Being able to change is a good thing."With those words, he led Moxxi and Jada on another route and ran into a familiar face in the chief ranger.He was covered in mud, as he must have hurried to assist the rescue effort right away.It seemed that he was being substituted and heading off for a break, and he exclaimed in delight when he saw Frank, "What brings you here, kid?"Frank smiled in turn. "I heard there's trouble up here, so I came to see if I can help."Naturally, the chief ranger was well aware of Frank's abilities, even if the other rangers were not. He promptly gave up on taking a break and led Frank to the rescue command
To be precise, the rescue leader would rather keep up appearances and have the rescue effort fail than allow anyone to point out his mistake, even if it meant people died for it.Shrugging, he said, "The landslide didn't come our way, did it? Basically nothing happened—quit being so paranoid.""Really?" Frank suddenly asked, having already had enough of the man and intent on teaching him a lesson.The rescue leader wheeled on him. "Who do you think you are?! Who allowed you to talk here?! Who even brought you here?!"Then, wheeling on the chief ranger, he snapped, "Was it you?! You're fired this instant!"It was the first time that the chief ranger slipped up, and the rescue leader was not about to let that slip!However, he did not know that he was messing with the wrong people.In fact, the chief ranger laughed. "Alright, fire me all you want. Let's hope you're alive to see it!"Even before the rescue leader had the time to ponder upon what the chief ranger just said, another
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra
After strutting for so many years, this was the first time anyone had seen through the depth of Frank's abilities in its entirety.That alone set Baldie apart from the rest, or at least the average martial artist, if not placing him scarily high over them.Still, Baldie warned, "Word of advice, kid—mind your own business. This isn't my choice, as there's a larger faction at work here, and you'd be in trouble if you rubbed them the wrong way.""Really?"His warning only pleased Frank further.After all, this meant that there were more powerful individuals like Baldie!In fact, Frank was just getting sick of being invincible, or he would not have been amusing himself by tormenting baddies.And with Baldie's words, he found himself a new hobby… He had plenty of time to spare anyway, so he should use it!"What's that stupid grin for?"Baldie smiled in wry amusement as he realized what Frank was thinking.To think he had the bad luck to run into someone like him!"Simple, really.
The beggar continued, "The way I see it, those ghosts are basically people with superpowers. They are driven by their own desires to hurt the living, while some have trouble controlling their powers after suddenly awakening to it."Her unexpected explanation actually enlightened Frank.Ghosts and hauntings notwithstanding, they were just people who could do what normal people could not—but they were fundamentally no different!Without hesitation, Frank rushed forward when a tall, well-rounded bald man appeared before he reached the graves. "Does no one ever listen?" He laughed coldly.Frank felt a powerful burst of energy from his words—he was clearly trying to make them obey, but they were not listening!"In that case, I'd just have to be tough on you!"At those words, a bead appeared on Baldie's palm, and it shot up to the sky!At the same time, an unusual energy converged and ultimately morphed into a monster.It was basically a pile of rotting flesh crawling with maggots.
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry—I'm neither blind nor deaf. I knew what was happening from the start, and I'd be even more upset if I were in your shoes."The stall owner sighed in relief at Frank's words and turned to leave, not forgetting to curse the beggar under his breath.At the same time, the beggar straightened herself off the ground and sat cross-legged, whipping out a large meatloaf out of nowhere and chomping down on it.Frank sat beside her too, not bothered that he was wearing an expensive suit and certainly not concerned about getting it dirty."So, do I pass your test, reverend?"The beggar said nothing, instead handing Frank the meatloaf that her dirty hands had left darkened. "Hurry up. It's good."Frank took it, not minding it at all and finishing it in a few bites. "It's good, but I can make something better. How about it?"The beggar was suddenly on her feet, stretching her back and yawning. "Next time. I'm busy.""What is it? Can't I help?" Fra
After Mr. Creston handed Frank his phone, Frank nodded. "Good, at least you're cooperating. So you can do it yourself!"Mr. Creston was left befuddled—what the hell?! He was already being so cooperative, and the brat still wanted him dead?!"Friend, a gentleman is as good as his word," he said. "People would laugh at you.""Laugh at me?" Frank chuckled coolly. "Who would dare laugh at me? Also, I think it might happen if I don't wipe out people like you.""What…!"As Mr. Creston realized from Frank's calm tone that he was not letting him off the hook, he ran without hesitation.But to Frank, he was slower than a tortoise and disappeared in the blink of an eye.Frank then whipped out Mr. Creston's phone and called the number in it.A coquettish woman answered the call. "Hey, buddy!"Frank laughed at the way she greeted him as if they were old friends. "Reverend Quietus, I presume? Why don't we meet up, if you don't mind?""I certainly don't mind." The woman laughed too. "Who
Frank smiled and nodded. "Ladies like you are rare these days."Drunken Moon snapped her fingers, grinning. "That's exactly why we need to work hard to eliminate all the terrible women. There would be more good girls that way, don't you agree?"I'm not out to make men happy—just to set a standard for my fellow girls. Not everything is black and white, since anything can be relative. Even if men were all gone, bad women would still be bad women. Don't you agree?"Frank nodded in agreement.Thirty minutes later, the stout Mr. Creston sat up on the bed, clearly startled.Frank, who was watching from a bird's eye view, was caught by surprise—how did that man sense his presence?Still, he understood when he saw that Mr. Creston was holding a gleaming yellow talisman.Shock soon turned to curiosity as Frank thought most street geomancers these days were conmen, but somehow, a working talisman was there right in front of him. Hence, Frank made up his mind to find them right then."I
Frank was not only the smart guy out there in the whole right world. In other words, Mr. Creston had that in mind too!He was helping because he had felt insulted after Frank flexed on him earlier, and Dani was still useful to him—for now.When she handed over the company, however, he would not hesitate to kick her out! On top of that, he would make sure that she took the fall for all the dirty deeds they did together.In the end, she would not even be able to defend herself, while suffering lawsuits and public condemnation!Even so, she said, "I understand now. But it's never too late—I swear I'll change if you give me a chance!"Frank simply turned to Zein. "Actually, this man had the right idea—if he gave you a chance, who would give him one?"We're all adults here, so act your age. I'm sure you understand how a good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.""I get it!" Dani quickly said. "You don't have to keep me around, just—""No!" Frank snapped and crushed her left hand und
Dani was under the impression that even if the goons were not the best, they were on the cusp of reaching that level anyway.It turned out to be just her wishful thinking—when against the truly powerful, she was a lamb at the mercy of the butcher's knife, no matter how many people she brought! "To be honest, I'm curious as to what you're thinking." Frank snorted as he strode up to Dani. "Why dump a man who loves you dearly for some prick you don't even know? Being abused in that state and still thinking that you'd chosen wisely—do you actually have a brain?"Seeing her launching, he knew she was not listening, and he tore her ear off!The horrific pain jolted Dani to her senses, and she was left clutching what remained of her ear as she stared at the seemingly handsome man.She was under the impression that Frank would let her live even if she lost, but it was once again wishful thinking.He would kill her, and savagely at that!And she was certainly right, since Frank had ne