However, the Turnbulls missed one thing—Frank's patience had its limits."Listen." He sneered, shaking his head when Glen offered him Vicky as a reward. "Since you and your family are so sure I was helping the South Sea Crow, I shouldn't have helped any of you."Pointing at Glen, he growled coolly, "Everyone here has been harassing me and mocking me ever since I came, and to be frank, I've had enough. However, I've endured it repeatedly for Vicky's sake."Snorting coolly, he continued, "This will be the last time. I'll find evidence that the Lionhearts are scheming against you. But in return, none of you get to negotiate—you will free Vicky unconditionally, or I'll turn against you. And you can trust me when I say that my methods are more brutal than the South Sea Crow's."Glen sighed lengthily at Frank's fearsome glare, knowing that Frank was really angry just then."If that's the last time, so be it," he muttered under his breath before looking up and saying, "You have my word.
"Titus," a crisp voice spoke just then.Titus turned just then to find Sif Lionheart striding toward him in a white dress. "You're here too, Sif?""Of course. It's my dear brother's wedding." She grinned from ear to ear. "And speaking of brothers, Ehud can't make it because he's training, but he sends his congratulations."He then took out a chest from her car and passed it to Titus. "Here. It's a Hyperion Root I bought for Ehud. It was too young when I bought it, but Hundred Bane Sect's had a method which quickened its growth, and now Ehud is giving it off to you for your big day.""Hahaha. Thanks." Titus laughed as he took the chest."Huh?" Sif unwittingly spotted a familiar face among the Turnbulls just then and snapped under her breath, "Frank Lawrence?! What is he doing here?!""What?" Titus exclaimed in surprise. "You know him, Sif?""That's an understatement." Sif snorted and told Titus about the grudge between herself and Frank.Titus scowled and growled through his t
"Don't think I don't know," Aesop growled coldly as he turned toward Frank, who was standing among the Turnbulls. "It's that brat who's been messing about and delaying the wedding, hasn't he? You Turnbulls can't even discipline your children, allowing Ms. Turnbull to mess around with some unruly brat! For shame!""That's right!"Titus strode up when he heard Glen and Aesop arguing. "Vicky is my fiancee, and there's no arguing about that. Not only did you Turnbulls fail to discipline her, but you allowed some stranger like him to show up on my wedding day too. This is a clear challenge to my family's honor! Should we take this as a declaration of war?!""A declaration of war?!"Everyone was silent at Titus' words, with every Turnbull gulping in the distance.They could not imagine war against the Lionhearts at all—it would be a massacre if they went all out.And the Lionhearts had sent over a hundred bodyguards, each of them bearing the brand of Volsung Sect, meaning that they wer
"Well, I'm relieved with your assurance, Mr. Turnbull." Aesop bowed his head at Glen before turning and beckoning at the procession. "Wrap it up—we're heading back now. We're coming back next week!""Yes, sir." Everyone answered at once.It was clear that Aesop held authority too—at his orders, even Sif and Titus kept quiet despite having something to say.All they could do was to grumpily return to their cars and head home.Along the way, Titus was resting his eyes at the backseat, whereas Sif was ranting relentlessly, telling Aesop everything about her beef with Frank."Hmph." Aesop snorted. "I'm surprised that the whippersnapper had it in him."Musing to himself for a moment, he then glanced between Titus and Sif. "Neither of you leaked our grand scheme, have you?""No way." Sif shook her head. "No more than a handful of us are aware of it. No one would catch on. And there's no way that mad witch would tell the Turnbulls a thing.""Well then, I'm relieved."Aesop nodded,
"Good," Titus growled, his eyes narrowing. "In a week, our people stationed across the country can start their hostile takeover as every Turnbull and family executive returns to their base."Turning toward Sif, he said, "You'll be in charge of dealing with Frank. The success of our plans hinges on what happened next week… we'll just have to resort to violence if there's any deviation again."After all, everything was Titus' idea, be it assimilating the Turnbulls or the Jankos. Even if he was less talented than his younger brother Ehud in martial arts, his mind was far more formidable.In fact, there was no chance that anyone could tell that his seething reaction back at Turnbull House was faked. Not even Frank could hope to read just what sinister intentions he harbored."Titus…" Sif frowned at him just then, asking tentatively, "Are you sure you don't want to punish Frank once I capture him? I mean, the things he and Vicky were doing—that's an insult to you. Are you really not u
Frank walked up to greet Ned and thanked him, but he soon received a surprise call from Gavin Lane, Helen Lane's eldest uncle.Gavin was a lot more cordial than Glen, asking politely after Frank answered, "Mr. Lawrence, may I ask how are things progressing with the farm? The financial statement is due in a little over a month. If you're in a bind, I could ask my father to give you an extension—""An extension?! Why do you always have to side with outsiders, Gavin?!" Jade Zahn could be heard snapping from the other end."Shut up. It's boy's talk!" Gavin snapped at her before telling Frank softly, "You can sell the land if push comes to shove. I'm sure my father won't argue as long as we recoup some of the costs."On the other end, Jade was still not letting up. "It's Frank and Helen who were boasting about making money from the farm. Why should we help them—""Jade!" Gavin barked, promptly silencing Jade."Ahem." He then cleared his throat. "Sorry about that, Mr. Lawrence.""It's
Helen giggled. "We can meet up at Springhill Hotel if you're not busy. It's in South Morhen.""Sure." Frank hung up and hopped into the Maserati that Hux Darman gave him before speeding off.Arriving at Springhill Hotel soon enough, Frank found Helen dressed sharply in a business suit.Gina Zonda was seated beside her, while Luna Lane and a man Frank did not recognize sat opposite.His suit was branded, and his hair was greasy and his skin fair—obviously someone who came from money."Come on! Like I said, there won't be any issues if we gave Cato the subcontract. What are you worried about?!"Luna happened to be complaining loudly when Frank arrived, drawing much attention."Frank, over here." Helen beckoned enthusiastically.Gina pursed her lips when she saw Frank, but she could not say anything since they were in public.On the other hand, Luna was a lot less polite, pointing at Frank as she snapped, "What's he doing here? Who told him to come?""I did." Helen nodded calmly
Cato pursed his lips and shrugged. "Very well. Just come to me any time you feel overwhelmed. I could always get you a job—subcontractor companies like mine are always hiring.""That's unnecessary," Frank replied coolly.It was obvious Cato considered Frank to be beneath him, and his job offers were clearly his way of mocking Frank.Frank certainly would never fall for such a cheap trick."Enough small talk," Helen said as Frank took a seat. She then took out an agreement from her briefcase and pushed it to Frank. "Frank, the Southstream Lanes are building a mansion for Mark Lane as a gift for retirement. Everything about the subcontractor involved and various other finer details are included—take a look and see if there's anything missing."Frank took the agreement, but while he combed through it, Luna was scowling impatiently. "Are you going to sign it or not, Helen? I worked hard to get Cato's help, and he can give us a ten percent rebate while providing good work. Why would yo
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