"Please be understanding."And with a polite nod, Jenny left without looking back.Sif was left standing there, shaking with rage.It was the most terrible day for her, ever!She paid a whopping grand total of 5.5 billion dollars for two pieces of junk. And worst of all, every bigwig attending the auction had seen the vindictive side of the Lionhearts, and as word soon spread, it would soon become the image everyone had of them.Forget Norsedam—even the main branch of the family in Morhen would be affected!"Bastard…" Knowing that she had messed up terribly, Sif clenched her knuckles even as her fury threatened to consume her.But she soon smiled savagely—since she had already messed up anyway, she just had to see things through to the end!She would make Frank pay even if all of Norsedam would talk—and most importantly, take the treasure he kept in his pocket. It was Frank's fault for messing with her, and if not for that little speech he made, the situation would not have f
Frank sighed. "Sif Lionheart is as despicable as she is… despotic."The Birthright rank goon leader paused visibly at the mention of Sif and snapped impatiently, "We have no relation to Ms. Lionheart. Hand over the Hale Marrow or die!""What, are you saying I'd live if I hand it over? Also, 'Ms. Lionheart'?" Frank snorted in disdain. "You slipped up there, brother."Realizing that he had been tricked, the Birthright rank goon leader gave up on all pretenses."Go!" he bellowed, gesturing for his men to attack Frank."Wait, you wanted this, right?" Frank casually whipped out the Hale Marrow just then."Stop! Don't break the Hale Marrow!" Some of the goons backed away when they saw it, afraid they would ruin it.The Birthright rank goon leader promptly strode up at Frank, demanding, "That's it! Give it to me!""Alright, take it," Frank replied and threw the Hale Marrow up into the air.In a split second, every goon's eyes were glued to the bright green sprout, while Frank sneer
Releasing streaks of pure vigor, Frank quickly projected a miasma before himself.Most people would not see it, but the goons could feel their movements slowing even as they charged inside. The weaker ones could not even move at all!On the other hand, Frank moved quicker while in the miasma.Pow!His punches landed rapidly, and five goons were left coughing blood, their bodies stiffening."What?! C-Could he have completed Birthright rank?!" The goon on the edge promptly withdrew his leg when he saw what was happening, his face turning pale in shock as if seeing a ghost.Frank's movement was smooth as a flowing river and inch-precise, even elegant in appearance.As he charged toward the edge of the circle of goons, he would strike with his palm, knuckles, or fingers while each goon still had their weapons raised, leaving them frozen in place.Then, when he left their encirclement, he sighed, and the miasma of pure vigor faded.The goons, who were all still standing, collapse
The lucky goon did not even dare to peek at Frank's car plate as they left.Moreover, Frank was not lying—the other masked goons stirred around thirty minutes later, each of them trading glances as they could not remember what happened.When they finally came to their senses, they were all terrified in the realization that Sif had messed with someone she should not.Nonetheless, Sif herself arrived, and she was frowning at the mess all over the place as well as the three headless bodies."What's going on here? Where's my Hale Marrow?!" she demanded. "Ms. Lionheart, that man is too much for us," the lucky goon strode up, bracing himself as he relayed Frank's message. "He wiped the floor with us without even breaking a sweat—he completely overwhelmed us.""Incompetent fools!" Sif was left seething at the sight of their dejected state, snapping, "He's just a hick, and you can't even deal with him?! Why do I even keep you around?!"While the goons promptly lowered their heads in
A grand procession of luxury cars could be seen driving from Riverton Avenue straight toward Turnbull Villa, with police cars leading the way.Each road and lane along the way had been cordoned off early in the morning just to receive the procession. Interested bystanders were all stopping in their tracks, wondering which bigwig would make such an ostentatious arrival.Walter Turnbull and Susan Redford were dressed grandly as they stood before their servants, waiting to receive the procession.When the cars all stopped inside, Sif slowly alighted as her chauffeur opened the door for her. She was dressed from head to toe in luxury brands."Welcome, Ms. Lionhart! Come on in!" Susan was absolutely fawning over Sif, since she was Titus' sister and elder sibling to the young master of Volsung Sect. As such, her position certainly held sway even among the Lionhearts."Long time no see, Mrs. Turnbull." Sif nodded politely, but there was no warmth in her haughty bearing, making the peckin
Walter had questioned Vicky many times since, but Vicky was deliberately vague—all she would say was that Walter did not have to worry about her engagement with Titus.In other words, Titus and Vicky had decided to annul their engagement in private.And knowing that, Walter expected the Lionhearts to send someone over eventually.Even if he had no idea why Titus would annul the engagement, the fact that Vicky said it meant that Titus had agreed to it.While Walter was spacing out in thought, Sif took a sip of her tea and spoke unhurriedly, "There's another month until the engagement that was agreed upon, but Titus told us it has since been annulled without citing any reasons."Leveling a thoughtful look at Walter, she asked, "I wonder if you're aware of this, Mr. Turnbull?""What?" Walter did a double take, thought about it, and shook his head. "No, I don't… But I guess it's Titus and Vicky's joint decision. We shouldn't meddle as a third party.""I see." Sif nodded as she turne
As Sif's words left the atmosphere tense, Vicky—who had just gotten out of bed and washed up—strode down the spiral staircase.Susan quickly changed the subject. "Oh, Vicky. Come here, sit—we were just discussing your engagement with Titus."However, Vicky was scowling and raised a hand to stop her. "I heard what you said," Vicky said, frowning as she turned to Sif. "I'm sorry to say this ahead of time, but my engagement to Titus Lionheart is called off with no grounds for negotiation."Everyone froze at her words, none of them expecting Vicky to be so blunt.Could there have been something they did not know?Susan frowned as she demanded, "What are you saying, Vicky? Have you woken up fully yet? Why would a proper engagement be called off, and how could you decide on that alone?!""I know what I'm saying, Mom," Vicky said calmly. "It's a shame that Titus Lionheart and I are just not meant for each other."Sif rose to her feet, her tone gradually hostile. "What is the meaning
Sif slammed her teacup on the table as her face contorted in rage. "It doesn't matter what you say—you'll marry Titus one way or another!"However, Vicky stood her ground and showed no signs of backing down. "I can play along with any other arrangements, but my marriage is my own business. I won't give in.""Hah!" Sif laughed despite herself. "Do you have any idea what's going on here, Vicky?! It's your immense fortune that my brother is interested in you! No, neither you nor your family get to have a say—it's my family that does, you hear?!"Even Susan's face fell at Sif's commanding tone. Sif was not here to discuss anything—she had come to enforce the Lionhearts' authority!"In that case, you should go home and ask your brother," Vicky retorted coolly. "If he actually refuses to annul the engagement, then I won't argue.""No! No chance!" Sif pointed at Vicky as she snapped. "What our family wants, we get! It doesn't matter if you agree to it or what my brother says—this engagem
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