Cicero was taken aback but soon dropped on his knees with a thud, his world falling apart once more.He had to admit that Frank was right—he was just too naive to believe that his wife loved him, or that there were gods in this world.In hindsight, his existence was way too pathetic. And worse of all, he could not have another life, or he would do it right!"You're strong. I hope you'll stay like this—don't visit me in hell so soon!"With those words, Cicero did not hesitate to open the window and jumped off.Yancy came running out of her room when she heard the commotion, though she could tell what had happened just from Frank standing there beside the open window.She shrugged. "In hindsight, he may have chosen this path, but he could have changed if he had understood earlier."Frank nodded. "Shame he had to build his growth on someone's death. That's why I don't think he deserves any sympathy!"Yancy grinned. "That makes us way better than them, doesn't it?"Frank smiled
Frank then asked, "That said, why didn't you show up yesterday as agreed?"Beauty quickly said, "I was delayed… You're not upset, are you, darling?"She did not even have time to be shocked about Cicero's sudden growth in strength and quickly sucked up to him in an attempt to pacify the situation.After all, it was rare to see that power, and she certainly did not have to worry about her safety if she kept him around for the rest of their lives!Nonetheless, Frank snorted. "Like I said, I'm not so easily deceived now that I've seen your true colors!"Beauty continued to play dumb. "What are you saying, dear? Don't you want your baby anymore?"Smack!Frank smirked as he swiped his hand through the air, landing an audible slap across Beauty's face!She almost dropped to her knees in pain and glared tightly at the man before her. "W-What's gotten into you?" What the hell? Cicero had always been a loser, but he suddenly grew a spine and even dared to hit her?"What, you ask?" Fr
Frank laughed. "Next time? Give me a break. Next time, you'd be sticking a dagger up my back!"Not only was he impersonating Cicero, but he felt no sympathy for Beauty at all.At this point, even the real Cicero would probably kill her where she stood.It was simple—loyalty, once broken, would be gone forever.Who knew what Beauty would do next time if she was not destroyed?"No! Are you kidding?! You must be!"Beauty could hardly believe that the man before her was the same man who had fallen head over heels for her."Kidding? Who do you think you are? It's more like you're the one who's kidding!"Seizing Beauty by the neck, Frank lifted her toward the window. He then checked to make sure no one was beneath before kicking it into pieces and holding her outside.Seeing that she was going to be thrown down, Beauty's pride faded as she begged Frank endlessly instead.Frank simply laughed. "It's too late for regrets, and I find you unworthy of any sympathy, to be honest. If anyt
Yancy could hardly believe her ears. "Are you serious?"This was ridiculous.She and Frank had not broken anything in that apartment unit. Hell, even if they had, nothing in there was worth ten grand!The entire apartment might not even be worth that much, and the landlord was saying that the things inside were more expensive?Nonetheless, the landlord flashed a sly smile. "I'm plenty sincere, girl—I'm already giving you a forty percent rebate. I'm not swindling you here!"Yancy snapped furiously, "You're not swindling? Really? Well, we're not paying you crap!"She really disliked people like this landlord and could skin them where they stood.On the other hand, while the landlord was also furious, he knew he should not upset Frank just yet, or it was game over if he did not pay up.As such, he turned toward Frank instead and asked, "Sir, are you going to pay or not?"Though Frank was nice, he was not saintly enough to let himself be bullied. "You'd best take back what you sai
Then, Yancy finished, "I don't mind giving it to you straight—not even the gods get to strut when he's here!"The landlord ignored her since she was just being ridiculous.It was simple, really—was there anyone who was really bigger than the gods?Sure, the kid was rich and could throw a mean punch, but that was all there was to it.Either way, the landlord was dead sure that Frank was far beneath him.Soon, a dozen men strode in with baseball bats, helping the landlord to his feet and asking, "What happened here, boss?""Are you blind? Can't you tell?"The landlord snapped coolly, "That brat actually hit me! Just do what you will, but I'm giving off that bitch to whoever does the best!"Everyone turned to see that the landlord was pointing at Yancy, drawn to her cool glare right then.They rarely ever met such beauties, and they would die happy in this life if they could just have a taste!Their animal instincts flaring, they did not hesitate to charge wildly at Frank.The
"Oh, come on. Where did your pompous attitude go?"Yancy laughed. "Honestly, I'll never get it—people like you really lack imagination, huh? If you knew this would happen, you could've just played nice, and everything would be fine that way, no?"-Meanwhile, Frank had left the rundown apartment, unbothered by the violent screams that were resounding from the building.He then saw a Rolls-Royce appearing from the distance, bounding the road before screeching to a halt in front of Frank.Naturally, it was none other than Jouri Yelin herself."You're able to afford such a ride?"Frank chuckled. "I'm surprised you're doing so well for yourself, Ms. Yelin."Jouri smiled in turn. "You flatter me, Mr. Frankton—but I'd still come up short compared to you."Anyway, let's get right down to business. I just had a breakthrough—you've been hoping to leave Shagan for a while, haven't you? I can help you, but on one condition!"Frank nodded. "Tell me more!"Jouri was not in a hurry to tel
Frank's newfound freedom after leaving Shagan did not even last a week, when Jouri's call came. "We have a lead, Mr. Frankton.""Really?"Sitting at a streetside cafe, Frank lowered his newspaper. "What lead? Can you explain?""You're really forgetful. It hasn't been a week since we had that discussion."Frank chuckled as he took a sip of his coffee. "I remember you saying that you don't like to force things on people, and it's up to me to make the call."Jouri laughed in turn. "Well, I also remember a certain someone saying that he loves tormenting villains by abusing the name of justice.""Really?" Frank appeared taken aback.Nonetheless, Jouri's tone soon turned somber. "Anyway, the target defiled over twenty young girls and killed over a hundred people in just a week. He's still at large in East City, having founded a gang called The Ghosters."We tried to take him down on multiple occasions, but we suffered severe casualties as he's just that powerful.""East City…"Fran
"How dare you!" the thug bellowed as he saw that Frank remained serene."Heh."As everyone watched in panic or concern, Frank slammed the thug's hand on the table, picked up a metal fork, and stabbed him in the back of his palm!"Argh!!!" The thug screamed like a gutted pig."Eh?""Wait, what?!"Everyone watched as Frank stabbed the thug, leaving him on his knees and screaming at the top of his lungs as he bled endlessly. "How dare you!" the thug leader with a red mohawk bellowed.Not only did Frank fight back, but he even stabbed his boy's palm?!"Just a little punishment." Frank smirked in disdain, picking up the napkin from the table to wipe his hand.Then, turning toward Red Mohawk, he chuckled. "Since you're The Ghosters, then I suppose that you know Ghost? Call him over right now to see me."The room was silent aside from a few gasps, as everyone from the thugs to the guests and cafe employees were shocked.Who on earth was this kid, referring to The Ghosters' boss b
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