"As such, it's all the reason you listen to us. Stay away!"The contempt in their words were clear, as they believed Frank was far inferior to them.Even Lofty felt furious just listening to them.Amusingly, Frank did not even care, and it was not a matter of composure—he had simply heard it too many times that he could not listen anymore.These days, he just treated it as the noise livestock made—and what person would argue with livestock?"Here, you can have him!"One of the quintuplets gestured with his palm, sending the burly man from earlier flying out of the woods.He was now bruised and battered, and Lofty was shocked as he could see that he was taken down in a single stroke.And with such power, it was not surprising that the quintuplets dared to do anything they liked here.That was how apparent their strength was.Still, Lofty scoffed. "Have him, you say? This isn't an inspection—take us to your leader, or we will make you!"He would not win against the quintuplets
Stunned, Lofty promptly warned Frank, "Watch out!"Frank simply smirked. "Cute trick, but nothing to worry about."With just a thought, he suddenly shone just like that man while conjuring a lotus bigger than the lotus sitters.And where Frank's lotus petals reached, all of the lotus sitter's petals vanished.Stunned, the lotus sitter exclaimed, "H-How did you do that?!"He did not actually develop the technique and plenty others knew it, but he had mastered it to a level no one else reached!Unlike the hag, he knows that he was not the most powerful person there was, even expecting to be defeated someday.He just did not think that his defeat would be so crushing!Having been content with his level for so long, this was the first time he had ever met a true genius.Still, a man who could learn his technique at first glance was truly one of a kind.Losing to him was not that embarrassing!"You're good, kid—but that's all you are. I have plenty of other tricks!"He waved his
"W-What are you?!"The lotus sitter did not bother running as he knew his fate was sealed, and all he wanted before his death was for Frank to answer his question."I'm the hand of the divine, here to punish you!" Frank exclaimed, giving a completely unserious answer out of sheer amusement.He even shrouded himself with a dazzling radiance just for the heck of it.The lotus sitter would not have believed it any other day, as that was the same trick he used to deceive the masses.However, things were different now—Frank's power was beyond comprehension, and he felt like he was standing before the majesty of the greatest peak.And since Frank was no gentleman, he naturally did not feel affected.Even so, the lotus sitter felt something violently churning inside himself and had to regulate this man… this champion who was without peer!"Why? Why would you help those livestock?!"Naturally, by livestock, he meant those civilians whom he had butchered.In his mind, the weak were be
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Your sincerity alone is enough. I really can't accept it!"One of them said, "The man lives with wealth and privilege—why would he care about getting more spare change? Look, kid, I'm not the same as them. Instead of money, here."The man then led a young girl over to Frank, pushing her into his arms. "You can have her!"It was supposed to be serious business, but the tomfoolery left everyone laughing, and the man snapped, "What? I'm not messing about—I'm serious! Sir, you can have my daughter. With a man like you, I'd have ease of mind!" Still, the cheerful mood also allowed the villagers to accept Frank's excuse, and he quickly said, "Times are different now, sir. No one hands off their daughter to their benefactor."Frank would never consider himself an angel, but he still could not claim ownership over a person with a clear conscience.Men could be fickle or even cheat but could never win over anyone in such a coercive fashion—it must be con
Frank and Lofty traded glances. "Someone else?"Frank had actually thought it was rude of Lofty to be so blunt and wanted to apologize to Larkin, but as it turned out, there were times when bluntness was useful.Now, they were on to something that they otherwise would not have caught on."Yes!" Larkin sighed. "It's terrible to mention it again, but my wife has always been upstanding and never wronged anyone. But when she went up the hills to get firewood days ago…"He choked with tears, and Frank immediately changed his opinion on Larkin. After all, his instincts were telling him that Larkin had ulterior motives in bringing him here to his house, most likely to get his revenge by proxy.Why else would he keep funeral decorations around the house?Still, it was no big deal—people were always guided by purpose, and Frank was fine with it as long as Larkin did not mean harm."No offense, sir, but now's not the time to mourn," he said. "Tell me everything so that I can help!"Lar
Frank smiled and nodded at Larkin's words, and he suddenly lifted the man and Lofty as he flew into the distance.They flew so quickly that Larkin could not see anything around him and only felt the winds pelting his fan, almost tearing into his skin like knives.However, he did not even have time to actually have memories of it when they arrived at the destination—a clearing halfway up a hill.Several young long-haired apprentices noticed them immediately and drew their wooden swords, demanding, "Who are you people?!"Frank quickly said, "Please calm down. We're just here to talk."One of them laughed coolly. "Bullshit. Normal people aren't this powerful! Out with it—who sent you?!"Frank glanced at the hill where the lotus sitter resided. "You think that mook could afford to hire me? Just call your leaders. I'd like to talk to him."The apprentices traded glances and laughed out loud."Don't you think you think too highly of yourself?!""We, Skywide School, have lost hundred
As that one apprentice left, the other apprentices put away their wooden swords, clearly easing off their tension.Frank chuckled. "Relaxing already? I might be planning a sneak attack, y'know."The apprentices laughed. "We know our strength. You'd destroy us even if we went all out."That left Lofty sweating down his brow.These men were clearly apprentices and not Skywide School's main force, but they were powerful nonetheless.It proved that they were a special bunch—or stronger than Lofty, at least.Soon, Apoc—the apprentice who left earlier—was back, bowing his head at Frank. "If you'd follow me, sir!"Frank followed him up the hill, soon arriving upon a villa built on top of it.Countless fresh graves could be seen around the village—Larkin was definitely telling the truth that the Skywide School had a major turf war against the lotus sitter's gang.As they entered the villa, Frank found a man sitting upon an armchair, having lost an arm, a leg, and an eye.He was banda
Frank turned toward Hilarion just then.He was surprised that the man was as principled as Lofty despite his modest abilities, even instructing an average apprentice like Apoc to save the video as evidence in his phone.In other words, Hilarion was absolutely ready to take responsibility for the death of Larkin's wife. There was a logical reason as to why they did not actually seek out Larkin to apologize personally as well. They were still under the impression that the lotus sitter was still at large, and no one in the Skywide School would want the trouble waiting at that village.In fact, Hilarion was looking Larkin right in the eyes, determined for absolution. "If you still take exception, you can take my life in return. Skywide School is no major faction, but we have a reputation to protect regardless!"Larkin shook his head. "The blame lies with the culprit and the culprit alone. I can't blame you further, and you've helped our village in the past. There's no reason for me
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