"Enough!" Glen bellowed, getting angry for once.He certainly had enough of the stubborn foreign professor who kept yapping endlessly, unable to read the room at all. "Mr. Hampton, get Professor Roberts out of here. Pay him accordingly and send him on his way!""Yes, Mr. Turnbull." A middle-aged Turnbull family retainer strode up and leveled a cool glare at Professor Roberts. "Come along, professor.""T-This is wrong!" Professor Roberts kept bellowing. "You can't do this, not to a healer who's only proven his kindness and loyalty! I'll sue!""Sue away." Glen remained impassive, his tone cold and even a little contemptible.He clearly did not worry about Professor Roberts' threat to sue. It would make sense too, since the Turnbulls were one of the Four Families of Morhen and had reigned for a while in Draconia's economical field. They definitely had cards to play, and some foreign professor would not be able to win a lawsuit no matter what he did.Such was the cruelty of reality.
"In other words…" Frank reared his head and leveled Glen a look of disdain. "Vicky is only worth fifteen billion dollars to you?""What, is that not enough for you?" Glen frowned in growing impatience—Frank really had an appetite!"No." Frank smiled, shaking his head. "In your world, money can buy everything… But for me, it's just scrap paper. I won't give up on Vicky no matter how much you pay me, because she's priceless to me.""Frank Lawrence!" Kendra flipped out right then, pointing at Frank as she snapped, "We've been playing nice, whippersnapper!""Be reasonable!" Glen bellowed at Frank too. "I've been extending enough olive branches endlessly, but if you keep being stubborn…""What?" Frank leveled a gloating look at Glen's furious glare."Retainers! Take him—we'll enforce our family's law!" Glen bellowed, giving up on all pretense since Frank was not giving in.He would kill Frank right here and now—they just had to make him vanish if he refused to give up on Vicky!"Wai
However, Glen could also see his father's tearful, miserable look.Eventually, he gritted his teeth and gave in. "I'll let you see Vicky if you cure my father completely, alright?!""I don't believe you." Frank smiled and shook his head."What—" Glen blurted.Frank raised a hand to stop him right then, his expression cool as he said, "I've already seen how you rose to prominence as a magnate—verbal agreements are clearly pointless since you won't honor them. Do you really think your words still hold sway over me? How cute."Frank's ruthless unmasking of Glen's true nature almost gave Glen a stroke, but he mustered himself for his father's sake and asked Frank stiffly, "Then what are your demands?""I want to meet Vicky right now," Frank said calmly. While Glen did not refuse him immediately, he shook his head and asked quietly, "Why should I trust you? What if you refuse to help my father after you meet Vicky?""Then it's pointless to discuss this." Frank waved him off. "Take
With those words, Frank laughed coolly and started to leave."Wait… Please wait!" George cried out in anguish, dropping out of bed with a thud as he crawled toward Frank. "Please, you have to help me! I don't want to die… Not like that!"His cries left Kendra panicking. She rushed up and grabbed her son by the arm as she begged, "Oh, just let him meet Vicky! It's really no big deal!""It's not as simple as you'd like to think, Mother!" Glen explained even as he struggled out of her grasp, his cheeks heating up like a kettle, "You know Vicky's temper—if he sees her and she decides to leave with him, do you think we can stop them? I had to go through great lengths just to convince her to accept the family's arrangement. What if she regrets it once she sees him?"Sighing, he added, "And don't forget that Titus is still outside. Do you think we can hide this from him? What would he think of us if he finds out? It's going to be a crisis!""B-But…" Kendra was dumbstruck. "But we can
Naturally, the woman was none other than Vicky.She did not hesitate to lunge at Frank as soon as she saw him, and as they locked gazes for several beats, she jammed her lips on his with passion that would leave anyone blushing."Ahem…"There was no telling how long had passed, and they finally pulled away when a servant cleared her throat."Madam Zims, could you cough elsewhere? I hate you!" Vicky rolled her eyes at the woman, staring daggers."Actually, Ms. Turnbull…" Madam Zims glanced pointedly nearby, and Vicky turned to find Titus himself standing there.The sinister look on his face was palpable—forget Vicky lunging at Frank and kissing him enthusiastically, the fact that she had to be told that Titus was there made it clear Vicky really did not care about him."I think I should remind you that we're getting married in three days, Vicky," he said darkly."Hah! Who wants to marry you?! I'm taking it back! I'm leaving with my darling!" Vicky snapped, her legs still wrapped
Vicky was an authority on that subject.However, she was not drawn to Frank just for his looks—it was his style, attitude, and measures which left Vicky profoundly enchanted.If she never met him, he might really have gone with the family's arrangement to marry Titus.But now that she had Frank, she could not care less about Titus.Moreover, Titus' accomplishment and current position was something he gained by riding his family's coattails, whereas Frank relied on himself to get where he was today.In time, he would outclass Titus by a mile—something which Vicky held in profound conviction.Leveling a solemn glare at Titus, she said, "I never believe in bullshit like fate—I'll take my life in my own hands, so I'll tell you this now: I'll never marry you. I love Frank and adore him, and he's the only one I'll ever marry. That engagement of ours? Hah! Fuck off!""Please, Ms. Turnbull!" Madam Zims dropped to her knees audibly, kowtowing endlessly, "Please reconsider! Every life in
Titus could see that he was achieving nothing too and got into his car.Before he left, he wound down his window and said quietly, "Vicky, it's all up to you—whether you're choosing my family's protection, or to let the South Sea Crow wipe out your family. I won't tell you what to do."Make up your mind in three days—during your family's annual dinner, an envoy from my family will send for you. If you refuse, consider the alliance between our families severed… at that point, you can really do whatever you like."With that, he reclined against his seat as he told his chauffeur to drive away.Vicky was left standing there, scowling.She was not stupid—if anything, she was quite smart. One did not become the most famous independent woman in Riverton by being a simpleton.In fact, she had already spotted Titus as soon as she saw Frank.That was why she instantly made up her mind to greet Frank so intimately while giving Titus the cold shoulder. It was her way of telling Titus that s
"Oh, right…"Vicky turned toward Frank, frowning as she remembered something. "Darling… Did Uncle Glen let you see me just because you asked? That's really not his style.""Oh, don't get me started…"Frank was about to promise Vicky that he would deal with the South Sea Crow, only for him to change the subject.As such, he had no choice but to tell her about the 'trials' he had to pass just to meet her.Vicky was stamping her feet in frustration just as he was halfway done. "I told him not to upset you whatever he did or threaten you with your family. He just wouldn't listen… And Uncle Zac too! Who on earth asks for a favor like that?!""Heh. Hold your horses—I haven't reached the fun part." Frank chuckled.Shaking his head, he told Vicky about the wager with Titus and Glen, the pain he went through with Professor Roberts just to treat George, and everything else.Vicky pursed her lips, almost cursing out loud. "Uncle Glen doesn't even care if Grandpa dies?! And it's your succe
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