Yara was already familiar with Frank and promptly greeted him. "Mr. Lawrence."On the other hand, Cliff did not like Frank, let alone consider him capable of protecting Vicky.Cliff snorted coolly and ignored Frank.Frank rolled his eyes. "You really know how to put a guy in an awkward spot."Vicky giggled. "Not really—you three are all here to keep me safe, so I naturally have to bring you all along."Frank got in the backseat with Cliff, though there was a clear distance between them.At the same time, Vicky floored the gas pedal, and they headed straight to a dilapidated factory in the outskirts of West City.It was a desolate place, with decrepit motor vehicles sitting strewn around the compound.As for the four of them alighted and strode right into the factory, they found a gang of people inside.Their leader, a rather young man, approached them. "Hold it. What are you doing here? Who let you in here?""I'm Vicky Turnbull," Vicky told him. "Tell your boss to come see me
Vicky narrowed her eyes curiously. "The Salazar Triplets?"Jackie nodded. "Good eye, Ms. Turnbull—they are indeed the Salazar Triplets of Sunny City."Vicky snorted in disdain. "And you're in cahoots with them. That explains how you've grown a pair."Sunny City was right next to Riverton, and the Salazars were top dogs there. That meant they were influential, but it was still surprising to learn that they had expanded here to Riverton.And after Jackie became a part of their family, Sergio Salazar sent the triplets over to assist him. They were all killers, and while they were actually there to keep an eye on Jackie, Jackie was actually eager to test the depth of their abilities.Lighting himself a cigarette, Jackie said, "Care to make a bet, Ms. Turnbull?"Vicky put his hands on her hips and snorted in contempt. "Do I look spooked? Who's up first?"Uno Salazar promptly moved forward, just as Jackie demanded, "What if you lose, Ms. Turnbull?"Vicky smiled. "What would you like?
Uno stood at over six feet tall, towering over Cliff.Despite Uno's physical advantage, Cliff was agile and could dodge Uno's jabs while he maneuvered, finding an opening to strike!However, once Uno took a punch, his expression twisted savagely.Suddenly, his footwork and punches were quicker, and he traded dozens of blows with Cliff in a second.As they kicked up dust in the factory and things seemed like it could go either way, Cliff was getting further surprised by each passing moment.Where on earth did Uno come from?! What was with this brute strength of his?!Just then, Uno swung yet another punch and Cliff dodged, finding an opening on Uno's hip!Perfect!He clenched his knuckles and launched a heavy punch…Thud.Cliff paled as he realized that Uno had caught his fist in a vice-like grip—Uno was waiting for that!"And here I thought you'd be someone impressive… But you're just a piece of shit who exploits openings." Uno snorted.He launched a jab aimed at Cliff's he
Cliff was certainly fuming—how pretentious could a man get, taking three other men at once?!Beside her, Vicky narrowed her eyes.She knew Frank well enough to tell that he would not do anything unless he had absolute confidence.Perhaps his abilities grew after acquiring the wonderroot?On the other hand, Jackie was clutching his stomach from uncontrollable laughter. "Hahaha! Ms. Turnbull… your lackeys aren't at all impressive, but they sure can boast!""You never know," Vicky retorted, having absolute faith in Frank."Hmph," Jackie snorted. "Break his legs, Uno."Uno flexed his wrist in turn. "Time to die, kid."He launched a missile-like punch at Frank's head right then!Frank did not move. He simply kept watching until Uno's fist was about to hit his face, and he suddenly raised his hand, grabbing hold of the fist while stopping Uno from moving an inch."What…"Uno's eyes bulged in disbelief. How was a scrawny brat like him that strong?!"Surprised?" Frank scoffed in tu
Jackie gulped and promptly threw his hands up when he saw the horrific glare in Vicky's eyes. "I was just joking, Ms. Turnbull. Don't take me seriously…""Joking, was it?"Vicky, however, picked up a steel pipe, adjusted her grip, and swung it at Jackie's head, drawing blood instantly!Jackie's goons started forward but stopped in fear when Frank shot them a look."Argh!!!" Jackie cried even as he clutched his head. "Alright, I'm sorry, Ms. Turnbull! I'll pay you right now—"Vicky shot him a glare of contempt. "As you should. Now wire it right now."This time, Jackie did not hesitate to bark at his secretary to transfer the money.Once Vicky received it soon enough, he wiped his sweat and asked, "We're even now, Ms. Turnbull. So, can you just go…?" "Sure, but I did say I'd make you wish you were dead."Vicky's eyes flashed murderously, and before Jackie could understand what was happening, Vicky swung the steel pipe up Jackie's crotch!"Argh!!!"A blood-curdling scream reso
Cliff asked, "Should I call in more people from the capital?"Vicky thought about it. "Nope. The Salazars are nothing as long as we have Frank around."Most importantly, she did not want to ask her uncle's side of the family to send their people. It was a sign of weakness, and she would end up being passive when she returned to the capital."Very well." Cliff nodded and turned silent.-They headed to the hospital and got Cliff the best doctor to mend his bones, while Frank got a deposit of two million dollars.After they left, Vicky asked, "Are you busy at the moment, Mr. Lawrence?"Frank shook his head. "Not particularly.""Why don't we have a drink tonight with the money we collected?" Vicky smiled. "There's a new joint called The Dynasty that just opened in West City. I have a good feeling about the place."Beside them, Yara scratched her head. "My dad's asking me to go home tonight, so I won't be joining."She could tell Vicky only wanted Frank around, so she should not
Sean was staring at Helen's fresh face, unable to repress the smugness.Did she really just try to outwit him? Laughable! He certainly thought himself a genius—all he had to do was attribute everything to his father, and none would be the wiser. After all, Helen and her family would never verify anything with his father!However, Helen was fiddling with her glass, not quite believing Sean.Gina nudged her with her elbow, snapping, "Could you give it a rest already? Mr. Wesley has helped you so many times—you'd hurt his feelings if you kept doubting him!""Yeah, I know." Helen nodded.Her mother had a point—she was out of line.Just then, her employees began gossiping."Hey, did you hear that someone took out Leo Grayson?""Yeah. West City's underbelly is now a mess," a man in glasses said."Really?" Helen quickly asked just then. "Did that really happen?"The man nodded repeatedly. "Of course. One of my friends works at Skymex."Helen and Gina both gasped and turned toward
One of the women with Helen had her fingers crossed and her eyes welling up with tears. "That's right! I'm so jealous, Ms. Lane…"Sean was smiling in turn.With the vibes and the setting, there was no reason for Helen to say no!Pressured by her employees and mother, Helen certainly found herself being washed along by the mood around her.Before she could say yes, however…"Oh, proposing at a bar? How lively!"Helen stiffened at the all-too-familiar voice and looked up to find Vicky, with Frank standing beside her.His expression was ice-cold, and Helen withdrew her hand by instinct!"Frank, no…" she started to explain, only to glance at Vicky and remember that she and Frank were divorced.What was the point of explaining? And yet, she did not want to see Frank with another woman, just as she refused to let Frank see her accept Sean's proposal.Moments they shared together replayed in her mind, and she realized she could not forget the man whom she had lived with for three
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