Quinn shrugged. "Don't worry about me. They can kill me for all I care."Frank was actually surprised to see her acting tough."Fine. Get in," he said and was left watching as she limped toward his car, struggling to get inside.It was clear that even with his miraculous Ichor Pill, one night was too brief for Quinn to fully recover—it only stopped her injuries from deteriorating at best.In fact, moving would have ruptured it, and Quinn was bleeding from her lap even as she rode shotgun.She was silent throughout their journey, her eyes staring ahead.Frank's phone rang with a call from Janet Zimmer just then. "Frank… Have you seen the woman last night? She's gone when I woke up this morning! Her injuries are still very severe, and her bones haven't been realigned. I'm afraid…""Don't worry," Frank said quietly, hearing the concern in Janet's voice even as he glanced at Quinn's shaking fingers and bleeding legs. "She's with me. I'll treat her myself.""Oh, I see…" Janet sounde
The technique in question was the Needles of Nine Animus.Frank projected his pure vigor, coiling it around the acupoint needles as translucent threads after disinfecting them.Then, taking aim at Quinn's acupoint, he focused all his attention to the epidermis as he slowly pressed one needle into her belly."Ahhh…" Quinn moaned in a way that would send imaginations running wild."Hold on," Frank told her, breaking a rare drop of sweat over his brow.He had never used this acupuncture technique before, since he had only read about it in a book from Mystic Sky Sect's forbidden section.This acupuncture technique accelerated regeneration, regardless of how severe the injury could be. While that was as unbelievable as it was illogical, it was not a technique that healed all injuries and maladies. Instead, it was a radical technique to be used in extreme circumstances because it burned through the person's potential and vigor limit in exchange for quickened regeneration.It was undou
Frank never turned back as he strode out of the hotel room only to find a large group of people crowding the doorway outside.There were both men and women, and all of them were nodding in understanding when they saw Frank.Two men strode up right then, exclaiming, "That was amazing, brother!""Damn straight. What supplements have you been taking? Can you give me a recommendation?"Frank did a double take, and it was only after a while that he realized what both men meant.The hotel was not particularly large, and the walls were thin—Quinn's voice must have resounded across the entire building "Leave a number, handsome?" Two ladies whose bodies were only covered with bath towels even intercepted Frank on his way out, winking flirtatiously."Sorry, not interested." Frank strode past them right then, though the two men gave chase right then. "Come on, brother! What's your secret? Tell us…"Still in the room, Quinn was left staring blankly at the bloodstains on the sheets, and
Nothing was easier than for Quinn to avoid the guards and sneak into Dahok's residence.She split up with Frank as he would be drawing the attention of the Sage Lake Sect leaders.He strode through the mountain gates and immediately saw the stately board on which the name 'Sage Lake Sect' was carved—century-old sects really did impress.The apprentices standing guard were glowering and barking when they saw Frank, "Who goes there?!""Frank Lawrence of Riverton."The apprentices' faces fell as soon as Frank replied, and they encircled Frank while one of them ran into the building to report.Soon, Maron Ocean and a group of Sage Lake Sect elders stepped out, standing above the stairs as they looked down on Frank with lofty contempt.Maron was still in his white suit, clapping when he saw Frank. "Not bad. You have the balls to come here to die."The two elders with him scowled in disdain, snapping, "Slaying our apprentices and our high elder?! Get down on your knees and accept you
"I'm giving you a chance now," Frank simply growled at Maron, returning his threat word-for-word. "Release them, or you'll die!"Elder Huxley and Elder Randel's faces fell at Frank's threat, but Maron appeared perfectly calm.It was as he had expected Frank to attack and hold him hostage and did not even resist.In fact, he almost appeared perfectly content as Frank's hostage."Don't move!" he snapped at Elder Huxley and Elder Randel as they were ready to save him before turning back to Frank and smiling. "Go on, do it. Kill me!""What?" Frank was dumbstruck that Frank was that fearless."Oh, don't be so surprised." Maron chuckled. "Kill me right here if you have the balls, Frank Lawrence—but you have to think about it: none of your girls are going to get away alive if you do. If that's what you want, then do it."Maron was absolutely confident that Frank would back down—even if Frank could crush his neck like he wanted, it meant burning bridges with Sage Lake Sect.Even Frank
Maron was endlessly pompous, clearly saying all he could to provoke Frank."It just happens that I have a guest from Morhen, but how do I put this? We can't afford to upset her." Maron sighed, shaking his head dramatically as he walked circles around Frank. "She's so hot, but she's also too powerful. She'd just kill me if I try to force myself on her—that's why I need a fearless champion, and one who has nothing to do with Sage Lake Sect to take her down. But I don't mean to hurt her, I just want to incapacitate her—ideally unconscious.""After that, leave everything to me," he finished, clapping Frank on the shoulder and patting his cheek. "I'm counting on you, Mr. Lawrence! If you do, I'll…"Maron trailed off as he switched gears. "Hold on, letting off a martial elite like you so easily is a waste. Let's do it this way instead—I have five hostages, but you can pick the one I release while I release each of them after you fulfill a task for me. Generous, aren't I? That's decided!
Silverbell had the air of a goddess unsullied, her skin fair as snow, and she kept her hands primly on her lap as she stared at Maron fixedly."If memory serves, I should be meeting your sect's chief, Mr. Maron. Or perhaps he's dismissive of my disposition as chief of the Martial Alliance, which explains his absence?"Her words were sharp despite her unsullied appearance. Her voice was cool as spring, and it left Maron's face stiffening right then, even as he forced a smile. "That's not true, Lady Silverbell. My father has always secluded himself in his residence for his routine, but he recently got hurt and is recuperating. He also delegated his duties to me—""In that case, I shall come back another day." Silverbell rose to her feet right then, ready to leave.Maron quickly stopped her, flashing an apologetic smile. "Please, Lady Silverbell. It doesn't mean we don't have any champions to represent us just because my father is hurt.""Really?" Silverbell stopped, saying quietly,
"Hahaha…"Maron was laughing as he came over, throwing an arm around Frank's shoulder. "Lady Silverbell, this is my friend, Frank Lawrence.""Frank Lawrence…?! No, that's impossible."Silverbell's cool gaze flickered for a moment, showing confusion and reminisce. However, it only lasted for a moment as she regained her cool composure, and she threw those thoughts away.She had come to East Draconia for Frank Lawrence—Donn Lawrence, to be precise.Donn was the son of Godwin Lawrence, the Lord of the Southern Woods. Silverbell was told that Donn had found success in Riverton, and she had traveled there to meet him… to clear the air and annul the engagement their parents decided for them while they were children.As for the man before her… Even if he had the same name, Frank should not be here in Southdam, let alone get involved with Sage Lake Sect.After all, Sage Lake Sect was a minor cabal in a remote location—the Lord of the Southern Woods' son would never keep such frivolous c
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