Pausing, Ned then asked quietly, "In that case, may I have the honor of your real name?"Anyone could tell right away that Vicky was not Frank's real name.Frank frowned slightly when he saw Ned's earnest gaze and eventually sighed. "Frank Lawrence.""Frank Lawrence?" Ned nodded solemnly then. "Well, it's an honor to have a heart-to-heart with you, and I'd really like us to be friends. And thank you for saving me yesterday, or Pax would really have killed me right then and there."Ned then smiled exasperatedly. "To think that the gang I personally fostered would bite my hand instead.""You fostered them?" Frank raised a brow."Yes." Ned nodded and looked around to ensure that there was no one eavesdropping before speaking under his breath, "See, the truth is that family is embroiled in a familial dispute that only escalated as time passed. Everyone is so hell bent on becoming the next of the family. It's crazy."Ned then sighed. "My brother Yuri especially tried to kill me sever
Frank glanced sideways at Ned, though he had more or less an idea of what Ned was up to."I'm proposing a partnership, Mr. Lawrence. Help me topple my brother and claim leadership over the family, and you can have anything you care to mention, be it money, fame, or women."To no surprise, Ned was trying to recruit Frank, which left Frank in an awkward situation.If he was being honest, Ned certainly did not appear to be some two-bit thug. A friendship would benefit Frank, but the problem was that Frank did not come to Morhen to start one fight after another.He had come to find out what happened to Vicky Turnbull… though Frank's eyes lit up at the thought."Mr. Janko, I'd like to ask… Do you think your family stands a chance against the Turnbulls or the Lionhearts?""The Turnbulls or the Lionhearts?" Ned did a double take and lowered his head in thought before frowning. "Well, we won't fear the Turnbulls since they are all just business people, and they tend to be wary about thei
Ned paused upon hearing Frank asking about his father's condition, and his heart skipped a beat when he remembered how Frank had counteracted the nervebreaker that Pax used on them before."My brother said my father's lips had turned purple," he explained. "His limbs are also twitching and ice-cold, and he has already lost consciousness."Frank nodded and could tell right away that an ice-type poison had been used on Ned's father. Musing to himself, he said, "We can discuss the partnership later, but you'd best keep this pill with you if you want to stay alive long enough to do so.""Huh? What?" Ned appeared puzzled even as he took the yellow pill."It's a pill that specifically counteracts ice-type poison. If your brother has given you the correct description, that's what your father's been poisoned with. The pill will at least remedy it for a few days."The pill was no real loss to Frank either, since it was nothing that precious—it was just some pill he refined while he was r
Hux was certainly terrified, as he was under the impression that Frank was just coming up with an excuse to get rid of him."Good. You can call me whenever you find something." Frank nodded and started to leave, with Hux escorting him all the way outside the bar.That was when they ran into some of Kat's classmates, including Mandy Doncic.However, while Mandy immediately glared at Frank in contempt, the other girls were waving at Frank in greeting.After all, he was quite handsome. Even if he proved to be a braggart a couple nights ago, he was still a decent martial artist. The ladies—especially the younger ones—liked a handsome face. "Hey, remember us?" One of them even went up to Frank and greeted him.Frank nodded politely, showing some extent of manners."What are you doing here? Isn't this the Sunblazers' turf?" the girl in the front then asked hesitantly, glancing behind Frank to check out the signboard."Nothing. I was just taking a stroll," Frank replied, not about to
"It's fine," Frank said. "I won't be staying in Morhen for long—I can make do with this. You don't have to get me another."He glanced at the key Hux shoved into his hands but did not refuse it since it was necessary to have a mode of transport. However, he was just going to 'make do' with the Maserati when a group of boys could be heard gasping from the distance."Shit, a Maserati?! Which bigwig owns it?!""This is Mr. Darman's turf… So probably him?""It looks so cool… The skirts are so low!"As a group of boys gawked over the Maserati, Soren Lionheart appeared envious of it too.However, he pursed his lips in stubborn defiance. "My dad's getting a new car in a few days—I'll drive it out to show you in a few days. It's no Maserati, but it won't lose out to it much.""Awesome! That's Soren for you!""Oh, but we won't be getting a ride—it's definitely meant for Kat.""Hehe…" Soren's vanity was certainly stoked by his friends' fawning, but he soon found a familiar figure walk
Cut off Frank's hand?Not only did Hux not have the ability, but he would never dare!Smack!Hux slapped Soren audibly across the face without another word, pointing at his nose and scolding, "Who do you think Mr. Lawrence is?! Scum like you trying to mess with him?! Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror first?! If you insult Mr. Lawrence again, I'll beat you up each time I see you! Now fuck off! Don't be an eyesore!"Then, as if he was not satisfied with his outburst, he kicked Soren to the floor and spat in his face before returning inside the bar."Huh…"The boys were left staring awkwardly at Soren being mocked and beaten up by Hux, and the girls were all pointing and gesturing at him in disdain.One of the boys asked a friend beside him, "Hey, do you think that Mr. Lawrence was actually a big deal and didn't actually need Soren to save him?""Soren? Who's Soren? I don't know such a person. Let's bail.""I agree."Having seen everything, the boys left—they were goi
Kat rolled her eyes, watching as Frank lay down in bed with a speechless look.Dropping to a crouch, she yelled straight into his ear, "Hey! Are you listening?!""I am," Frank replied noncommittally, picking his ear as he turned his back on her exasperatedly. "I'm satisfied, so keep going, do your best… and can you leave now? This is my room.""And this is my house! You said you'd teach me martial arts if I could hone my vigor!" "You're still far from the necessary standard." Frank waved her off like one would an annoying housefly."Hey, what's your problem? Why does it feel like you want nothing to do with me?" Kat stood akimbo, annoyance showing all over her face."Does it?" Frank growled grumpily. "Then how about you stop paraphrasing your words in a way that would make people misunderstand? I don't care about fame, but I still have a reputation to protect.""What?" Kat snapped blankly, but she started to think about what she was saying at the door.Her expression stiffened
Frank sighed, shaking his head. "Fine."He was not actually keen to teach Kat martial arts. Someone close to her had put a seal on her to stop her from becoming a martial artist. It was most likely Nash or her mother.Somehow, Kat's prodigy proved unstoppable, and she honed her vigor despite the seal with sheer talent.It certainly stoke Frank's interest in grooming talented individuals."Focus your vigor on your wrists, and release everything when you throw a punch. Like so—hup!" Frank gave a quick demonstration, jabbing into the air.There was a popping sound as an apple on the table shattered into pieces."This is the most basic martial technique—the Skyrush Jab," he finished, not telling Kat that it was a Mystic Sky Sect technique."Amazing!" Kat was delighted to see Frank demonstrate his technique and ran back to her room to train.Frank sighed, unsure as to how this would turn out.Either way, having honed her vigor, Kat was now half a martial artist.-In the aftern
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.