Even as Eron smiled warmly, he was drawing up plans in his mind.He had given Frank his chance to walk away, but Frank had to take away his Earthen Dragonheart anyway. If Frank had not, it would not have been so difficult for Eron to arrange a marriage between Kim and Maron!If anything, Frank taking away the Earthen Dragonheart and Eron letting Sage Lake Sect have their way with him made them even!Kim was at once uneasy to see that look on his father's face.After the banquet, Kim went to his study. "What are you up to, Dad?'Eron scowled since she was being very blunt. "Nothing," he said quietly. "It's late. Go to bed already.""Does it involve the fiance you mentioned before?" Kim pressed worriedly. "If you're planning to harm Frank, I'd suggest you stop right now.""What would you know?!" Eron snapped sternly. "Everything I do is for your sake and for our family! What, did you think Frank was the one who destroyed the Yaffes? I've looked into him—he might know medicine an
However, Frank was not pushover himself to be threatened by such a cheap move.Seeing that Kim was not budging, he folded his arms before his chest and said quietly, "Go ahead and yell. I'm fine with it." "I'll do it!" Kim snapped tempestuously.Frank snorted. "Go on.""Help! Someone… Frank Lawrence… touched me! Help!!!"Not expecting this turn of events, Frank had to leap up and clasp his hand over her mouth, feeling defeated just then. "Don't you know no shame? Is this how you treat your guests, Ms. White?!""I don't care," Kim snapped, too indignant to be bothered. "I'll keep yelling, and you're not getting away once everyone hears me!"Kim appeared totally harmless, but she was certainly tough once she got stubborn.Exasperated, he invited her over to Riverton the next few days after he acquired the Goldeater Cane.It was only then that Kim left, while Frank was left speechless for an entire night. -Frank woke up early the next morning, practicing his usual return bef
Frank nodded. "Indeed I am."The old man clicked his tongue in turn. "What a mess, allowing all sorts to join this party."Still, he could read through Frank's spirited gaze to tell that he was one who could hold his own, through his spirited eyes alone. He might even be an elite in wielding vigor.However, judging from the old man's black-clad assailants from earlier, Silver Spring Dojo's recruitment tourney was not just a tourney—Birthright rank elites might even show up in droves.A young man like Frank would die before seeing what hit him without any sort of protection.Clicking his tongue, the old man raised a hand to stop Frank. "Mr. Lawrence, I suggest you return to where you came from—you could see that I was attacked just because I was heading to Silver Spring Dojo. Would you be able to stop them in my place?"Before Frank could answer, the old man's granddaughter giggled. "Sir, you have the looks, so don't die here senselessly. Listen to my grandfather and go!"Frank w
Quinn strode out from the inner hall of the dojo, shaking with rage as she bellowed, "Silence!"She had never told anyone she feigned insanity just to escape Frank, but it was assuredly the lowest point of her existence, and she would never tell anyone about it!If anyone found out that the daughter of Sage Lake Sect's high elder would stoop that low to save herself, her reputation would be dragged through the mud!"What, did I hit a nerve?" Frank chuckled coolly and nonchalantly. "Did it never cross your mind that I spared you because you looked that pathetic?""Keep talking, Frank Lawrence!" Quinn shrieked. "You've killed my fiance and now you've insulted me! I won't show mercy!"She had to say something since the Sage Lake Sect pawns standing nearby were already avoiding her eyes.Waving at them, she bellowed, "Go! Anyone who takes him down will be taught Sage Lake Sect's esoteric techniques and win the Goldeater Cane!""Charge!"Upon hearing the rewards, all the black-clad
Clang!A black-clad man's machete struck Frank squarely in the neck, only to resound with a metallic clang."What?! Projecting your vigor… You're actually Birthright rank?!"The old man's jaw could drop from shock as he looked on.But it was not over yet—Frank seized the black-clad man's wrist and crushed it, while seizing his chipped machete and sending two other black-clad men's head flying before landing with their shocked faces intact."I'm here to help, Mr. Lawrence!" Suddenly, there was a burst of wind as Burt Yorkman, wearing a ragged black suit, charged inside.He vaulted like a crane before assuming a tiger's pose, quickly dispatching two black-clad men."Burt Yorkman! You traitor!" Quinn shrieked, shaking with rage when she saw Burt helping Frank."Hah!" Burt snorted. "I've been serving at Sage Lake Sect's beck and call for years, but all of you kept me at arm's length as if I were a common thief! Frank Lawrence here has not only spared my life, but he actually taug
"Aria Lond!" Frank's fist was still awash with blood as endless rage flared within him.He had been careful last night during the banquet at White Hall. He inspected every kitchen utensil and piece of food to ensure there was no poison before setting his mind at ease.The only thing he did not take notice of was the wine Aria served him.Despite Aria's endlessly devious nature, he thought he could forgive Aria since she was Winter's friend. After that shenanigan of hers, she should be turning over a new leaf and genuinely reflecting.That was why Frank did not expect her to poison him instead!Thud! Thud!Frank started to hit himself with Sage Lake Sect's Lotus Poke, striking various acupoints to fire up his vigor and dispel the poison. "You useless scum! He's been poisoned! Get him right now!"On the other hand, Quinn was yelling at her father's men since they were backing down instead.The black-clad men all traded glances but eventually braced themselves and charged."M
The middle-aged man folded his arms before his chest as he slowly approached, his eyes flashing coldly.Still in Frank's arms, Burt quickly warned Frank with his last sliver of strength, "Watch out, Mr. Lawrence… T-That's Eiger Ocean, Bocek Ocean's other brother… He's an elite Birthright… I'm no match for him… Urk…" Frank frowned. "Just shut up and lie down, or your meridian nexus will break. If that happens, you won't even be able to wipe your own butt!"Eiger was actually surprised to see that Burt's meridian nexus did not break either. "I'm surprised that you know how to seal vigor meridians, though one must expect nothing less from the last apprentice of Mystic Sky Sect.""Mystic Sky Sect?!"For the umpteenth time of the day, the old man behind Frank was staring in disbelief."What's wrong, Grandpa? What's Mystic Sky Sect?" his granddaughter quickly asked.The old man was stuttering in astonishment, "M-Mystic Sky Sect of the South Sea… It's Draconia's oldest and most enigma
Quinn quickly yelled loudly to warn Eiger, "Be careful! That bastard's strong, and he caught Uncle Sal off guard!""Hah! Sal was a piece of shit who'd never hope to match me." Eiger snorted, his vigor burgeoning as he crushed the floor tiles as he feet, and he shot forward toward Frank like a missile. "I will avenge your fiance right now, Quinn!""Be careful, Mr. Lawrence! Eiger stands among Sage Lake Sect's top five!" Burt cried out in warning despite being told not to talk."Top five?" Frank snorted coolly. "It seems like we landed quite the big fish!""Big fish? What the hell are you—"Eiger's face fell even as he kept charging at Frank.He could see the projected vigor around Frank solidify into a dazzling golden dragon."Such solid pure vigor! He really mustn't be trifled with… Miasmic Fists!!!"Eiger was suddenly on alert, immediately using his best move.His fist carried pure vigor, shrouded in waves of darkness that the naked eye would have a hard time seeing through.
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