Frank took a cab to Turnbull Villa right away, where Vicky and Walter were present, along with a beautiful woman and a burly man who looked like a bodyguard.Walter was the first to greet Frank. "Welcome, Mr. Lawrence.""Mr. Turnbull." Frank nodded.On the other hand, Vicky stayed seated beside the woman, appearing tame and disciplined.Just then, the woman asked, "You're Frank Lawrence?"There was a hint of disdain in her eyes.Frank frowned slightly but replied. "And you are…?"Before Vicky could speak, the woman introduced herself. "Susan Redford. I'm Vicky's mother.""So you are Mrs. Turnbull. Pleasure to meet you," Frank nodded, surprised that Vicky's mother carried such a presence.So one could tell that she was an heiress herself, though strategic marriages were probably normal for dynasties like the Turnbulls.Susan was studying Frank in turn. "My daughter told me you're extraordinary in medicine and martial arts?""My knowledge is superficial. I hardly hold my own,"
It happened in a split second, and Frank presumed that Cliff would concede.After all, they were just sparring, and Frank had no reason to murder a bodyguard of the Turnbulls.To his surprise, however, Cliff never sensed a thing and kept attacking him!"Stop!" Vicky shouted at that very moment. "That's more than three! Frank won!"Cliff stopped in turn.His boss only told him to threaten the kid—he had enough self-control to not kill Frank.He quietly backed away. Then, straightening his clothes, he suddenly realized that his collar button was gone and swore under his breath, "Shit, where did it go?"At the same time, Vicky turned to her mother. "Frank can take the wonderroot now, right?"Susan nodded. "Yes. Also, I'll be leaving soon—Cliff will stay as your bodyguard.""My bodyguard? That's unnecessary—Frank is my personal bodyguard." Vicky refused right away, wrapping her hands around his arm. "And there's still Yara, who is the daughter of the governor. You really don't hav
"What is that?" Frank asked in curiosity. Vicky leveled a mysterious gaze on him. "It's a pharmaceutical company. You can better harvest the rare medicinal ingredients from across the world if you join us—in fact, I'm doing this for you!""Haha…" Frank chuckled—he had just met her days ago, and he really doubted Vicky would go that far for him. "Let's just be honest, alright? What is it that you want?"While he was interested in such a company, Frank knew that nothing was free in this world. This was a give and take, and there must be a catch.Vicky smiled. "I want you to be my boyfriend.""What?" Frank appeared stupefied—he did not want to make enemies for no reason, especially since she was already engaged.Vicky giggled when she saw that it was a no. "I'm just kidding. Anyway, my side of the family has been eager to expand our medicinal business into Middleton. I've always been in charge of that, but I also know my uncle's side of the family would definitely send someone over
Helen did not dawdle and hurried to Henry's room.The room with antique furnishings was now swirling with the scent of medicine, with various emergency medical equipment brought into the room.Two nurses were working busily, and Helen ran up to Henry to find him on his last legs."Grandpa…" she murmured miserably."Frank? I-Is that you?" Henry slowly opened his eyes, thinking she was Frank."It's me, Helen," Helen quickly said."Helen?" Henry appeared surprised and mustered his spirit to continue, "You're here? Where's Frank? Why isn't he here with you…""Grandpa, we're already divorced," Helen said awkwardly. "He's not coming."Henry's breathing turned ragged and his tone became urgent. "Helen… You shouldn't have divorced Frank… You shouldn't…"His reaction shocked Helen. "Please, Grandfather. You're scaring me… calm down!"The nurse nearby sighed just then. "He's been calling the name Frank Lawrence a thousand times over, unable to eat or sleep."Helen pursed her lips—she
Gina absolutely disagreed. "What do you mean by others? Mr. Wesley has helped us so much!"Peter agreed. "From where I'm standing, he would be better as my brother-in-law than Frank.""Just shut it," Helen shot him a glare and refused to say anything further. -Frank arrived in an hour, but no one greeted him since he amounted much less than a son-in-law.Only Helen did, although she too had opinions against him because of what happened before. "Hey."Frank asked right away," How's Gramps?""It doesn't look good."Frank nodded. "I'll see him."With that, he walked past the crowd and made a beeline for Henry's room."How are you, Gramps?" he asked when he saw Henry.The man had been waiting and promptly looked up at Frank's familiar voice. "You're really here, Frank."Frank held his hand while taking his pulse. "Yes, I am."Henry was in turn calmer when he saw Frank. "My family has wronged you, Frank…"Frank shook his head and assured him, "You'll be fine as long as I'm a
Suddenly, the door opened, and Gina and the rest of the family rushed inside.The instant she saw Frank holding a hand on Henry, she promptly rushed up to stop him. "What are you doing?!"Frank frowned. "I'm treating him.""Treating him?!" Gina glowered in contempt, shoving Frank off. "A lowlife like you? Buzz off!""What…" Frank was speechless. Henry frowned in turn. "Frank is helping me.""What would he know?" Gina snorted. "You have nothing to worry about now. Sean Wesley spent a fortune to buy a super pill when he heard what happened."Henry growled through his teeth. "I don't need that. Tell him to leave.""What are you saying? Mr. Wesley has helped us so much and he's interested in Helen," Gina said smugly. "He'll soon marry her too.""What…"Henry fainted at Gina's words, leaving everyone shocked!"Grandfather…""Move." Frank shoved his way forward, intent on helping Henry."No, you move!" Gina snapped right then, "Who do you think you are, telling me to move?! Do
Sean's heart skipped a beat.In reality, he had only heard about the Ichor Pill while having a drink with Tidus yesterday—there were none left aside from the one Gerald consumed.When he heard Henry was sick, he simply bought some vitamin pills that would not help at all. He disguised them as the Ichor Pills, since the vitamin pills were harmless.It was his contribution if Henry recovered, while if Henry did not, his time was simply up.Sean certainly did not expect Frank to say that it was fake directly!However, before he could speak, Gina was already snapping, "Shut up! Are you doubting Mr. Wesley? Do you even know a thing about medicine?!"Beside her, Peter was glaring at him in contempt. "That's right. What gives you the right to doubt Mr. Wesley?"Haha!Sean was absolutely thrilled—with the Lanes around, he did not even have to come up with an excuse!Frank glared at them in turn. "I won't waste my breath with you. Right now, I want to save Gramps."However, Peter and
Even Helen was looking at Sean in astonishment.The man himself actually felt a little embarrassed as he was caught in disbelief—did he somehow end up buying the real Ichor Pill? Maybe he should buy more later and stockpile it…"Haha! As long as Henry's fine." Gina laughed before shooting Frank a look. "See? Weren't you calling the Ichor Pill a fake just now? What do you have to say now that Henry's fine?"Peter joined in without qualms. "Come on, Mom. You really think he's some miracle healer or something?"Frank rolled his eyes.He was not bothered to explain—they would not believe anything he said now anyway, even if the reason Henry recovered was not because of the fake pills.When he turned to leave, however, Henry promptly stopped him. "Where are you going, Frank? You can at least stay for dinner…"Frank flashed a pained smile. "I'll pass. I have to go now—I'm busy.""No." The old man did not want him to leave at all and tried his best to keep him. "You saved my life. H
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