Even if neither Kat nor Nash would say it, both father and daughter cared for each other.Kat had stepped up for her father when he was hurt, despite supposedly being a rebellious adolescent and despite the consequences.It was the same for Nash, which was why Frank could be sure that Kat was just a little rebellious and not actually rotten.And it was normal behavior for girls her age."Oh, it's very late, Mr. Lawrence… Let's get you to bed. I've already cleaned a room for you."With that, Nash led Frank upstairs to the guest room.The furnishing was not particularly grand, but it was clean and everything necessary was inside."Is this to your satisfaction, Mr. Lawrence?" Nash asked apprehensively."It's good. Don't worry, I'm not that demanding." Frank nodded. "Thanks, Nash."Nash breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly as he closed the door. "You're most welcomed, and I should be thanking you instead—things would have turned bad for me and my daughter if not for you."
Sneaking into a stranger's room late into the night, and sitting so boldly on his bed? Any man's imagination would be led astray by such a clear invitation!"Anyway, I'm sorry for bothering you this late at night." Kat composed herself before leveling a serious look at Frank. "Frank Lawrence, right? I'm here to actually ask for a favor.""I see," Frank replied, not bothered to press the issue before. "Go on. Tell me."Kat's eyes lit up right then. "Could you tell me why you're such an amazing fighter? Do you have some sort of superpower?""Superpower? What the heck is that?" Frank rolled his eyes. "I'm a martial artist, honed physically and mentally as a warrior. I'm strong enough to fight hundreds, let alone the paltry few at the karaoke bar.""Tch."Kat clicked her tongue doubtfully, convinced that Frank was boasting. "You really like to exaggerate, don't you? Can't you give it a rest?""It's not my fault if you doubt me." Frank shrugged. "You have no idea so you won't underst
"What?!" Kat scratched her head before asking Frank, "Then you can check me. Who knows if I'm some marital prodigy?""Not likely." Frank shook his head. "Hold out your hand.""Okay." Kat did so obediently."Listen closely," Frank said solemnly. "I'll be infusing my pure vigor into your body. If you can feel its presence, that means you have the disposition for martial arts. Hard work would be pointless otherwise.""Hold on, that sounds sketchy," Kat suddenly pulled her hand away while staring warily at Frank. "Are you taking advantage of me?""Well, if you're not doing it, then you can forget about it," Frank growled grumpily, his expression stiffening. It was the middle of the night, and this brat was still engrossed in her fantasies. And he certainly did not have any intention to entertain her whims!"Hey!" Seeing that Frank was getting fed up, Kat held out her hand and stopped staring at him suspiciously. "Just pulling your leg—can't you take a joke, old man?"Running int
The seal was so tough that even Frank could not make it budge easily.Still, he concluded after probing it that it was a protective seal that did not hurt the body. The only issue was that it prevented a person from charging their vigor—in fact, any form of vigor that showed up in the body would activate the seal, which would in turn be dispelled.It appeared that Kat's journey as a martial artist had ended before it started, as the seal made it virtually impossible for her to use her vigor.However, it begged other questions.For one, it would take a martial artist peaking at Ascendant rank to cast such a seal, and at a great cost to the psyche.In that case, what made Kat worth the trouble for an Ascendant rank going that far to cast that seal?And if the seal proved unstable, it would consume the host in a split second, making it a severe risk.Could Kat's birth involve some major players who were at least peak Ascendant rank? Even across all of Draconia, Ascendant ranks we
"Where?" Frank asked bluntly."Sunblaze Dojo. It's in South Morhen," Hux replied."Alright. Wait for me there.""By the way, Mr. Lawrence…" Hux stopped him before he could hang up. "You have to watch out. My boss is really not pleased about this.""Got it."With that, Frank quickly washed up and headed outside, hailing a cap that took him straight to Sunblaze Dojo.He was not actually surprised that the Sunblazers' boss was upset about the arrangement—why would he give up so easily on a position he had fought so hard to claim?If anything, the invitation to the Sunblaze Dojo was an obvious trap, as the name of the dojo already suggested that it was Sunblazer turf and dojos were a place where blood was shed.-When Frank arrived over ten minutes later, Hux was on hand with a group of men to receive him.He was smiling apologetically and sporting dark circles under his eyes. "Be careful, Mr. Lawrence. The boss has summoned the Four Kings and every elite fighter in the gang…"F
"Heh…" Pax glanced at Frank, flashing a smile that did not reach his eyes. "When did the succession of leadership for us Sunblazers become a decision made by some outsider? Do you take me for some pushover who'd cave just because someone said so?!"His tone then changed sinister even as he kept both eyes on Frank. "I have no problems with you challenging me, Hux, but are you prepared for the consequences?!"Hux's cheeks twitched at Pax's threat, but he soon noticed Frank nodded at him.Taking another step forward, he bellowed confidently, "Of course I am! And you should be prepared for what happens after you step down too, Pax!""Hah! You don't have to worry about that, because you're definitely losing!" Pax sneered.His confidence came from the Four Kings, each of whom were martial elites trained since childhood, and each Birthright rank boasting godly abilities.It was no exaggeration to say that they could handle over a hundred men at once, but that was not the worst thing
"What? What's going on?" Frank turned to Hux, puzzled by his reaction.Hux leaned in to whisper under his breath, "That's Ned Janko. He's Pax Darman's benefactor."Frank raised a brow. "Is the Janko family really that impressive?"Hux made a weary look at his question. "Well, Ned's family is next to the Four Families of Morhen in importance, and Ned himself is second-in-line to inherit leadership of the family. Moreover, the Jankos have recently attempted to claim the vacant seat among the Four Families, following the decline of the Lawrence family.""Oh, I see…" Frank rubbed his chin in realization.That was when Pax, catching both Frank and Hux off guard, hurried to Ned's side with the Four Kings."Hoho…" He chuckled. "I'm awash with gratitude, Mr. Janko… To think that you'd come personally!"As he spoke, Pax glanced sideways at Hux and smiled smugly when he saw Hux's face turn pale.After all, no one would ever dare tell Pax to step down when Ned was around!"Haha… I merely
Shrewd as ever, Pax had his men bring chairs for Ned and his valets.His attitude changed since he was a lot less worried with Ned around—no one would dare make him step down with his benefactor present.Still, he would have to put up a proper show for the man.Turning toward the crowd, he said loudly and smugly, "The young man over there is so brave… Every Sunblazer present will be my witness. If he defeats the Four Kings, I'll step down and Hux can take my place."Everyone roared with laughter at that."Hehe." Frank simply braced against the jeers and contemptuous remarks and slowly strode toward the ring, cracking his neck.Pax then turned to the Four Kings. "Go, but remember, give a proper showing. Mr. Janko is watching! Don't blame me for disowning you if you lose!""Yes, Mr. Barzini!" All four burly men answered yes before striding into the ring in a tidy formation."Over here, Hux." Ned beckoned at an embarrassed Hux just then. "So where did you find your champion, and h
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.