"Dad!"Kat's face fell, but she was restrained again before she could jump toward Cid."Fucking geezer! Are you threatening me?!"Cid was still traumatized as he touched his neck and felt blood, though his fear soon turned to rage. "You should be honored I'm fucking your daughter, but you had to threaten me, huh?! Cut him!"A goon strode up, aiming his machete at Nash's arm even as he lay prone on the floor, completely helpless."Dad!" Kat screamed.Clang!Just as everyone thought Nash's arm was going to be cut off, the goon doing it was left staring at hand holding his machete in place.He was certainly stunned—the machete was not budging no matter how he moved, and why was the hand holding the blade not bleeding?!Everyone was left staring in disbelief at Frank—naturally, he was the one holding the machete."That's enough," he growled.Having completed Birthright, even bullets would not pierce his projected pure vigor, let alone a machete."H-How dare you!" Cid bellowed,
"Huh…"Everyone was left staring blankly as Cid lay limply on the floor—his goons especially were trading glances in disbelief.Forget how strong Frank was—the fact that he dared to attack Cid at all felt like a dream!Cid had both numbers and power, and being Hux's brother meant he had never suffered like this!It was no exaggeration to say that no one would dare challenge Cid in Hux's turf—even someone from the Lionheart family like Soren could only bend themselves backward.On the other hand, Frank was not only being tongue-in-cheek with Cid, but he would even get violent!"Is he crazy? He just attacked Hux Darman's brother!""Messing with Mr. Darman is just messing with the Sunblazers… Well, he's screwed.""Is this what we call a nutcase? He has no idea who he just messed with.""You can tell right away he's from out of town…" It was not just Cid's goons—even the students were looking at Frank sympathetically, as if he was going to die."Cough, cough…"Cid finally came
"W-Who are you?!" Cid was cringing in fear at a corner once he saw Frank wiping the floor with his goons in no time at all.His goons were all bloodthirsty savages who would never hold back, and it was incomprehensible that Frank could just take them down.He was utterly terrified that Frank would come and end him… but he was clearly being paranoid.Frank was not bloodthirsty, and Cid's goons were just your stereotypical goons—he had no interest in ending them.Moreover, Frank remembered Titus Lionheart's threat—if Titus realized he was in town, he would be coming for him.That was why Frank had to keep his head down. In fact, he would not have gotten involved at all if not for Nash being in trouble."You have two choices." Frank smiled at Cid just then, pausing before continuing, "Either I kill you, or you apologize to Nash here. How about that?""I-I know you're a martial artist!" Cid snapped, not about to appear weak despite his fear toward Frank as he negotiated. "My brother
"Who the fuck…"Cid was ready to snap at whoever it was even as he caught his balance—he was already deeply upset. How could his luck be so bad that everyone seemed to be able to mess with him?!"What? What's going on here?" Cid paused mid-sentence when he heard the cold voice and looked up to see that it was Hux, his own brother and the one everyone called Mr. Darman.He was immediately delighted and promptly complained, "Brother, help! Someone was causing trouble here in your turf, and he even beat me up!""What?! Who the hell messed around on my turf and hurt my brother?!"A thunderous bellow resounded over the hallway.Everyone stepped out to see the burly man wearing a tank top, shades, and gold chains striding inside, with several towering bodyguards behind him."Mr. Darman?!" The students were all dumbstruck—what was he doing here?They promptly huddled at a corner of the room, standing in attention as they feared that they would become Hux's target.He was the underb
However, Frank remained fearless, even asking in return, "Really? That's impressive… but don't you know what would happen to me if you mess with me?""Oh, and what is that?" Hux smiled in amusement."I'll kill you right here if you behave, but you'd wish you were dead if you don't.""Hahaha!" Hux roared with laughter, shaking his head. "I guess they're right about kids… They really don't know anything! It seems that you don't realize how deep a mess you're in now—if only you'd still strut like that while my men dismember you!"His expression soon turned savage, however, and he waved his hand. "Go! Clean up this mess!" The students' faces fell—when Hux said clean up, he obviously meant no witnesses.It was the mob's rule. Blood would be spilled, and lives would be taken.And given how much influence Hux has, vanishing a few people was no big deal.Naturally, Nash was shaking in his boots—this was bad!He had to get Vicky Turnbull's guest involved. What was he going to say now?
Those bodyguards were the best fighters of the Sunblazers, having been trained from childhood. They would give martial artists—even vigor wielders—a run for their money, and they would have no trouble taking on a hundred men with their bare hands."Be careful, Hux," Cid said, hesitant just then. "He's got some moves, and he took down my boys without trouble very quickly. Are you sure your boys can do it?"After all, he was still traumatized by the overwhelming strength Frank displayed earlier."Hah! So what if he did?" Hux simply laughed at his brother's warning. "These are the Sunblazers best men, prodigies trained from childhood—just watch, dealing with that brat is just overkill.""They're martial elites?! Great!" Cid grinned savagely, the pain that Frank had just given him still fresh in his mind.Even so, he would soon repay the favor a hundred fold when Frank could not fight back at all!The Sunblazers were among the top gangs in South Morhen, with over a thousand members a
Hux's face fell at the sight before him, and he took a step back somberly.He might be just a mob boss, but he had done his homework and knew about every young martial elite in Morhen. After all, he did not rely solely on his own influence to reach where he was today—he had to be able to read people and the room, or he would be dead before he knew it if he messed with someone he should not.Even so, he had idea who Frank was—Frank was not from the Four Families of Morhen, and he did not recognize Frank's face from Skyrank.A martial elite from out of town, perhaps?While hesitant, Hux composed himself following his shock, his eyes flashing sharply as he snapped, "You can hold your own in a fight, kid—I'll give you that. But you don't get to lord over everyone else just because you can throw a punch. Can you still hold your own against guns? Or are you fast enough to dodge bullets? Hell, I've seen many martial elites like you who'd get full of themselves just because they were good,
Hux eased his knuckles as he snorted and nodded. "Fine. They're just students—I can let them go out of the kindness of my heart."He needed to keep up appearances even if he was clearly being threatened.And Frank obviously did not care about that as he turned toward Kat and the others. "You heard that? You can go.""But what about you?"Kat could see that Frank had done this to save them but was hesitant since she had doubted Frank, and leaving just like this left her guilty. He was now the very image of a hero one would see in movies, displaying strength and composure that left the girls worshipful toward him."Don't worry. Just head home with Nash—I'll be right behind you." Frank smiled faintly.The way he spoke was no different from how Hux had the whole karaoke bar cleared out earlier, since the students would not be able to stomach what he was about to do.Even Cid was frowning at that point and bellowing at the students, "What are you doing, just standing there?! Get out!
Drunken Moon felt an unusual power at the same time, and it seemed to reach out to her, urging her to chant a rhythmic incantation.Soon, the translucent form of a colossal deity appeared behind her, though she saw upon a closer look that it looked just like Frank, only that it was dressed more elegantly with robes of olden times!"My god… What is this?!" Jada exclaimed out loud.Drunken Moon was shocked too. "Does this mean that I can do this to summon you anytime in the future?""Strictly speaking, yes—but only if I have the time," Frank said, his voice deep yet resonant as if spreading from the bottom of the ocean.It felt at once mysterious but also carrying the might of the divine!"What about us?" Moxxi asked in curiosity.Frank did not answer, instead disappearing for a moment and returning in front of Moxxi as he reverted to his original form."I had no idea I had such an ability, and it's thanks to Drunken Moon for inspiring me," he said. "If she can do that, strictly
Utterly dejected, Masked Man sighed. "Just do it."Frank laughed before asking in curiosity, "Why aren't you afraid of death anymore?"Masked Man sighed. "Perhaps it was just wishful thinking from the start, like some ignorant village hick thinking that a lottery ticket would make him the richest man in the world. But there's just no comparison… if only I'd just restrain myself and stick to spending my winnings, then this wouldn't happen at all."Frank smiled and nodded. "You're right. It's such a shame that you had to run into me… Come on, give it to me, and you'll have your wish."Masked Man then took off his mask and threw it to Frank.As Frank took it, he turned back toward the other man to see that it was still a void under the mask. But curiously, a strange sea of stars seem to shine within that void."You have the support of the best scientists in the world—I'm sure they would find out how this works. Now do it," he repeated.Frank nodded and waved his hand, and Masked Ma
It went without saying that Masked Man was absolutely furious that Frank still belittled him after he demonstrated his powers.Hence, he did not wait to demand an apology and pointed at Frank.He laughed out loud as Frank disappeared at the very next instant as he expected, while everyone in the cottage was gaping in shock.What?! Did Frank just lose?Furious, Moxxi wheeled on Jada. "You were there! Why didn't you stop him?!"Jada could not argue, as she always believed that Frank always had a way out and was much more insightful than she was. That was why she usually would not argue against his plan.She just did not expect Frank to bite off more than he could chew this time!The others could not help worrying, the only exception being Alda."Calm down," she told them. "Why didn't Mr. Frankton's body blow up if his opponent succeeded? In the end, he's still playing with his food!"The ladies all traded glances, and it did make sense once they considered that.If Frank really
Frank remembered with a start—so Masked Man was the one who wielded the power of the spiritron vein like himself and challenged him before."I really didn't expect you to come so soon. Let him go—this has nothing to do with him," he said.Masked Man simply smirked. "I remember you telling me that I can challenge you again, but only when you have the time. That's why I dealt with him just to spare you unnecessary bother."Frank shrugged. "He never was."Masked Man flung Lightning Man to the ground, striding toward Frank as he gloated. "You're going to regret not killing me before soon enough. You see, you're no match for me."Frank laughed out loud. "If you're really all that strong, why don't you have the composure of one? You begged pathetically as soon as I had your life in my hands—to be honest, it just cheapens anything you say. Even your words weigh nothing in that sense."Annoyed, Masked Man snapped, "Do you even know the value of a stiff upper lip? Either way, As long as I
Jouri laughed. "He has such a long list of enemies that he really wouldn't know. Still, you could tell me their name, address, or appearance. That might help."Lightning Man shook his head. "I know nothing about him, only his face."He dropped to a crouch, his fingertips sparking with electricity, burning concrete as he drew a face of a shady man."That's about how he looks," Lightning Man said. "Watch out—he's really slippery."Frank nodded. "Don't worry about him, and remember what I said.""Don't worry. I will!"And with those words, Lightning Man turned to leave, sighing lengthily. He used to feel troubled over being too strong and having no match, but he did not need to now.However, who could have thought that Frank could be this powerful?Either way, this meant he would spend the rest of his life trying to surpass Frank, as he was like a natural disaster in human form. That would be much more difficult than finding someone better than him—as Frank was immovable just by
Frank freed Lightning Man and landed. "Tell me, have you murdered innocents?"Lightning Man smiled, shaking his head. "Never, and not because I'm kind, but it's like asking who would be so bored that they'd butcher animals for fun."Frank snorted but nodded. "And that's why I didn't kill you. Now strike me with your lightning bolt."Lightning Man was initially taken aback.Presuming that Frank wanted a fair, clean fight, he exclaimed in delight, "I knew it! Your personality is just like mine!""Cut the crap and get it done already!" Frank snapped impatiently.And without further ado, Lightning Man summoned a lightning bolt, directing it straight at Frank.Frank stood his ground while launching another bolt straight toward the sky.It collided with Lightning Man's bolt, dispelling it right then!"Impossible!" Lightning Man blanched—he was already shocked that Frank could beat him, since he was lauded as being peerless, and none of the martial elites who fought Frank had ever
Frank chuckled. "But it's not all that useful—for example, I don't really have night vision since my senses can pick up on incoming danger."Jouri smiled, shaking her head. "Having it is better than not having it."They continued their conversation for a while before Jouri turned off everything and headed out of the mansion with Frank.That was when someone approached from a distance, clapping as he walked toward them. "One would expect nothing less of the chief of Mystic Sky Guild—there's no end to the beauties flocking around him. And let me guess… She must be someone important too?""Who are you?" Jouri demanded coolly.The man smirked and wagged his finger at her. "That's not important—what matters is the youth beside you. Rumor has it that he's being like no other, invincible in Shagan and perhaps the world?"At those words, Frank realized where he was coming from—he was a martial arts fanatic, and once he heard about Frank, he traveled all the way to Shagan to challenge Fra
Frank was not interested in telling the spiritron vein that and instead asked, "In other words, Jouri's upgrade is actually something you could've given me?"The dragon thought about it, nodding at first but soon shaking its head. "Yes, but also no. There are many things which I can't grant just because I want to… As for why, it's up to you to learn that in the future."Frank smiled but said nothing—the strong really loved their riddles instead of giving the full picture.Still, that was fine.Since the spiritron put it that way, he would most definitely get the full picture eventually.-Back in reality, there was a flash of golden light before silence returned.Jouri was left astounded—Frank had disappeared from the wooden stool, as if he never existed."What's going on?!" she exclaimed in confusion.All the data suggested that Frank would survive the experiment or would at least not die if it fell through.So why this?Not only would she have trouble explaining herself to
Stepping out, Frank called Jouri to have her go over to the homestay cottage to get the hag's phone while he escorted Aisling Walls' parents there.Aisling burst into tears the instant she saw her parents and was at once hugging them while bawling.The chief ranger walked up to Frank, saying, "She's quite something. Fearless against injustice, a sobbing child with her parents."Frank nodded. "Both qualities that are inextricably connected, I suppose."After sending Aisling and her parents away, Jouri soon arrived and promptly sat down beside Frank. "I heard that Horace Gagne's mansion burned down, and the man himself died in the fire. Not only was no one else harmed, but all the evidence against him is exposed too. People are saying that he got his just deserts—that the mountain god was blessing them."Frank was not sure how he should react to that. "It's fine if they believed the paranormal, but why are you joining them?"Jouri chuckled. "Oh, I wouldn't have believed it either.