Jace refused to believe the reality he was seeing, instead believing that Frank was bound by the rules of science. He was confident beyond a shadow of doubt that he could defeat anything standing before him!But at the same time, he had this nagging feeling that Frank's abilities surpassed the boundaries of known science and utilized a subjective energy. On its own, it could distort the rules that governed the physical world, but at once had to be proven and undiscovered."There has to be a reason… my system must have developed an error with the lack of resources! That's why it couldn't concoct a serum that would suppress your regeneration! That must be it! I'm taking you with me!"Nonetheless, with his faith refuted and his refusal to lose, those crushing emotions drove him over the brink.Now, he just wanted Frank as his lab rat!Suddenly, training his cannon barrels at Frank, it launched countless puffs of white smoke that quickly shrouded Frank.It was a strange smoke tha
Martial artists could do what most others could not thanks to a certain energy, which likened them to the paranormal elements in myths. Even so, they were still fundamentally governed by the laws of science.However, while it seemed like there was a logic governing those miracles, the readings on Jace's system showed that Frank was not using any form of energy!As Frank slowly landed, he put the lab gently on the ground before walking up to Yancy. "Tell me what's the story here."Yancy smiled. "A lot of bad blood! Remember that skin graft? I got it from him… or his lab subject, to be precise."Frank shrugged. "What's the difference?"Yancy sighed and explained, "We're both researchers, but I try to do right by everyone, and I won't experiment on subjects against their consent, unless they're very bad people."Otherwise, I would try to entice and cajole, or get clingy—not exactly a nice way to do it, but it's at least moral."That's not the case for him—if the subject doesn't con
Frank never responded, merely knocking on Jace's seat.As if linked with it, his data appeared, and he chuckled. "That's what I am!"Jace felt his stomach churn even as he read the data—because of Frank, his equipment was suddenly working perfectly again, just like with all those other martial artists.Even its analysis was close to perfect, as it indicated that only Frank could defeat himself!And for Jace, it was even more horrific than seeing the sun rise from the west.At least that could be explained with science, but Frank's existence was out of this world.How was he even going to understand that?Nonetheless, Jace shrieked defiantly, "Once open, the gates of sin never close! With people like you whose existence is illogical, but yet definitely existing, countless challengers would flock to you, pestering you endlessly. Are you ready for that?!""Don't worry—I've always been ready!"Frank laughed. "And you're not going to live to see it."Jace sweated buckets at Frank'
Yancy pouted. "How could it work if you don't drink it?"Frank smiled in wry amusement. "You really know nothing about my abilities. There's no reason to drink it, and this is enough to absorb it anyway.""Oh," Yancy replied shortly, her eyes widened as she pressed, "How is it? Do tell!"Frank raised a hand in response, and the entire lab was lifted by an unseen force. "How else could it have gone?" he chuckled. "I've gained all the tortoise's powers.""What?!"Yancy had presumed that Frank would only absorb the tortoise's energy, but he gained the tortoise's powers instead? Was that not a little freaky?"You are a natural lab rat." She smiled, shaking her head. "You're so much more amazing than I thought."Frank chuckled and put down her lab. "Well, the ability is pointless to me. I can initiate it anyway even if I didn't gain it through its blood.""Makes sense!" Yancy nodded. "That said, there are plenty of applications if it's perfected. Take my lab for example—you couldn
Jouri laughed. "Talk about a cliche plot for the twenty-first century. See, we never fought—we simply had a difference in our theories."Frank understood then—so the ladies parted ways over their research?"What's the big deal?" He shrugged. "Different theories like relativity and quantum mechanics are always at odds, so just stick to your guns and continue onward with your research. Whoever's right in the end wins, that's all."Jouri laughed and stared at Yancy pointedly as she said, "You get it. Shame others don't."Yancy smirked. "Don't give me that look. There are only the three of us—even an idiot knows that you're talking about me."To be honest, I thought I was right at first too, only to agree with your stance once I met him. I really wouldn't have been able to help him improve to his current level if I were in your shoes."Jouri shook her head. "Guess I can't lie when you're being so honest. To be honest, it's not all thanks to me, nor does it have much to do with my the
Even if Jouri cheekily did not tell Yancy where she had put it, Yancy was still way smarter than the average person.Dismantling the remote and studying it for a moment, she soon had the answer!Sighing, she soon said, "I'd have to bring my lab over, but it'd cost energy to fly it—""Not a problem!"With just a thought, Frank slowly levitated the lab before launching it beyond lightspeed!One should note that Yancy's lab had no vents, and the air flow within was not ideal. Flying at such breakneck speeds would leave passengers dizzy, and their internal equipment might not survive.However, as if he was superhuman, Frank cast a magnetic field that shielded the lab.Such were the perks of having special powers—even mundane work could turn impressive.Yancy giggled. "Don't let my former colleagues see this, or they'd die inside."Frank smiled but said nothing, and with Yancy pointing the way, they soon arrived at a canyon near Mount Statera.When Frank put down the lab, Yancy pr
Frank was perplexed. "Why waste androids? Just leave it to me."Still, Yancy smiled. "How could I bother you so often? Just let the android deal with it while you get some rest."Seeing that she had made up her mind, Frank simply played along.That was when strange footsteps resounded across the room—it was as if the entire hypogeum was shaking! Yancy promptly took the pair of night vision goggles from her friend and realized that it was a rather tall monster.He was wearing armor, but rot had already set in. Its joints were replaced by special mechanical parts too, like a cyborg!"Amazing. The ancients really were smart!"With her night vision goggles which also had a scanner function, she immediately analyzed the age of the machine structure, which was just over a few centuries ago.And that meant it was made by the ancients!"That scamp… Hiding the good stuff and never telling me," Yancy complained as she directed the android, intent on testing the freak's ability.Howeve
Frank nodded and led Yancy further inside.Seemingly to prove that her android served a purpose, she summoned ten to them, leaving Frank chuckling with a look of resignation. "You're really rich. Aren't you worried about losing more than what you bargained for?""Of course not."Yancy shrugged. "You're my patron from now on—I'd never run out of money with your funding."Frank smiled but said nothing.They then walked for around fifteen minutes, when they encountered a tiger.Like the monster before, its body was rotting and held together by machinery.Still, the tiger seemed to have consciousness.As if to intimidate them, it struck its head on the wall instead of attacking them right away!Boom!The hypogeum shook from the collision, and Frank had to catch Yancy before she lost her balance."Amazing!" she exclaimed nonetheless. "It's on a different level than the monster too—time to have some fun!"With those words, she sent the ten androids at the tiger.Frank smirked—he
With Frank's super-senses, anything he could not detect would most probably not come up in Yancy's scanners.With that in mind, she decided not to bother—they were all going to die eventually anyway, so what was there to fear?Moreover, it was the truth that Frank was so strong he would not lose to anyone.-The next morning, as Yancy woke up, she rubbed her eyes and called out Frank's name.There was no response.Terrified, she promptly got outside, but saw Frank simply standing there, staring coolly up in the skies.Yancy followed his gaze, and saw that for some reason, her lab was in free fall!"W-What's going on?!" Yancy exclaimed in shock.Her lab was supposed to be hidden in the clouds! Who could have knocked it down?And Frank was right there with her. How powerful would they be if they dared to do it while he watched?Noticing the look on her face, Frank chuckled. "What, are you doubting me now? Don't worry—I'm letting it fall on purpose!"Yancy was proposed. "But i
Knowing that his death was assured, Cicero gave up on begging and instead dissed Frank. "Do you really have what it takes?""You're doubting me, it seems."Frank chuckled. "To be honest, I would be content with you watching from hell, but I'm afraid death is permanent. So thanks to what you've said, I've decided to let you live a couple more days, just to show you what I can do to your friends!"Cicero was at once surprised and delighted—that was simply wonderful!Whether or not he survived it, just seeing Frank die would be enough!After all, his wit was so repulsive the way he made Cicero look like a fool!Ignoring Cicero, Frank stepped out with Yancy, who asked, "So how do we find Mrs. Garand?"From the looks of things, they wouldn't be staying in touch—they'd be dead if their creditors found out.""For sure," Frank replied, nodding. "But word would spread either way, and I doubt Mrs. Garand's hunters won't come calling."Yancy frowned. "What do you mean…?"Frank whipped o
Yancy nodded in understanding.In the end, Cicero's conscience was eating him up—as soon as he decided Frank was hostile, he took action.If he did not, he just had to insist he lost the money at an illegal casino no matter how Frank tried to probe.Frank could not do anything against that, and certainly not torture him.Moreover, Cicero was no tough guy.As Frank locked him in his own room, he realized that Frank really had a way to save Yancy.Giving up on pointless resistance, he shouted, "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Just let me go!"Frank went over to his room, asking, "You could've just done that earlier. So tell me, why the elaborate scheme? What's it for?"Cicero suddenly seemed to find his spine again. "It's a very important secret. I can't really tell you…"Frank glowered in annoyance. "Then you can die with it.""Wait, wait, wait!" Cicero promptly cried. "I'll talk, okay?"T-The truth is that my wife was never dead, but she's being targeted by people much
In other words, the so-called debt was just an excuse—Cicero had another reason to kill.Frank continued talking to him, just to distract him while he examined every corner of the house with his superhuman senses.After a couple of exchanges, Cicero invited them to stay, even serving them tea.Once he left the room, Yancy scowled. "I scanned our surroundings with my glasses—nothing."Seeing that she blamed herself, Frank smiled and bumped her on the head. "It's not just you—I sensed nothing too. This isn't as clear-cut as murder slash insurance fraud… there are plenty of fishy things that we need to dig out."Yancy frowned. "Now that's a bother, and I'm no detective!"Frank chuckled. "Me neither, but we can do what we do best to close this case anyway.""What's that?" Yancy asked.Frank smiled but said nothing.When Cicero returned with the tea, Frank twirled the cup but did not drink it.Instead, he asked, "Mr. Garand, how did you lose your money?"Cicero sighed. "Bad luck,
Smiling, Frank said, "Alright, then you boys carry on. We'll be going now—and don't worry, we definitely have no dealings with Cicero."Seeing Frank's promise, the pudgy man nodded, indicating that he believed Frank.They were not thugs anyway, and there was no reason to stop them from going anywhere they wanted without evidence.Once they had gone far enough, Yancy asked, "Since you've put it that way, why are we still going into Cicero's house?"His creditors have it hard, and we're deceiving them too. Things might really get bad if they catch us."She was no villain and obviously did not want those men to feel hurt or to betray their trust.Frank chuckled. "Why do you think I'd say that?"He led Yancy near a house, and before she said another word, put a hand on her shoulder and disappeared together.It was a firsthand experience of soul projection for Yancy, and she quickly felt obsessed with the feeling that she was one with everything around her.If she could, she would
The owner continued outside as he assured Yancy, "Don't worry, lady. I have a little experience myself, and I know that good people like you are rare."Yancy smiled but said nothing and turned to Frank after the owner left. "He's really lucky to have run into us. Anyone else would've screwed him over and then some."Frank nodded. "That's why I stand with justice. Who knows what baddies are out there, ruining people's lives where we can't see."Yancy smiled wryly, nodding but saying nothing.Frank then extended his super senses and found that the blood on the knife matched that of the deceased that they had found earlier.But for some reason, there were no fingerprints.While Frank was puzzled, Jouri texted details on the fingerprint they found, which matched a dead man's!Yancy frowned. "No way… could the deceased's spirit have been lying to us? Or is Jouri being the scamp that she always has been and trying to mess with us?"Frank smiled, "You worry too much. Her personality h
Horrified, the owner instinctively leaned toward Frank. "Please don't tell me this is real, man. I mean, is my restaurant really being haunted in broad daylight?!"Despite Frank's youth, the owner found a sense of security just staying at his side.Yancy, who had been drawn there for some time, spoke before Frank could. "What do you mean haunted? Check this out!"She took out a box for wireless earphones, but instead of having earphones inside, it was a bunch of virtually invisible bugs.They took to the air obediently, following her gesture to pick up an ashtray from the table, and flew off!The owner nodded in understanding. "So you're saying someone was using advanced technology to fly that knife in here? But why would they do that? Did they really have to go that far to frame a small business owner like me?"Yancy shrugged. "They really didn't have to go that far, but it's a clear motive if they want to avoid being a suspect at all. Anyway, you have nothing to worry about—con
Yancy was absolutely perplexed. "How did you do that?"Frank chuckled. "Do you believe in the paranormal?"Yancy shook her head confidently.The paranormal and science were two completely contradictory subjects.Strictly speaking, anything that could be seen with the naked eye or directly affected the physical plane was not paranormal. Still, while science was fundamentally a counter-thesis to mysticism, anything that worked within a system of logic fell within its jurisdiction.Frank shrugged. "It's good if you don't believe it. I don't myself—but I am using a paranormal technique to conjure that fingerprint, which was supposed to be erased."Yancy was utterly confused. "What does that mean?"Frank explained, "I'm not sure if you've seen bodies of energy resembling spirits, but they linger within a body, retaining the deceased's last thoughts to a certain extent!"Yancy nodded in understanding.There was some form of energy that lingered within the deceased.But with Frank's
Frank was unsure if she should laugh or cry. "Not mentioning something doesn't mean that I didn't notice it. And I could've saved you even without leaving the white-clad priest."If anyone else said that, Yancy would be convinced that they were lying.But since it was Frank, the strongest lifeform she had ever encountered yet, saying that was almost humble of him!Still, her protective glasses flashed as she checked the yellow talisman, scanning it. "There's nothing special about it! Both the scanner in my glasses and my eyes say so.""Now, back to my question." Frank chuckled. "Is science failing, or is the person?"Yancy's face fell—curse this man and all his teasing!Soon, they landed.There just happened to be a cleaner sweeping the curb, and his knees buckled and fell when he saw Frank and Yancy descending from the skies.Frank quickly put Yancy on her feet while rushing up to him, chuckling. "It's alright. We're not evil—don't worry."It took a while of assurance for the