Frank had yet to reach Ascendant rank.Still, he could briefly reach that level with the Death Eater, or even use all the death aura he absorbed to fight an Ascendant rank briefly as an equal.And Talc was just midway Ascendant rank. As Frank went out, he was immediately on the backfoot."Die!" The shockwave from Frank's punch shattered Talc's projected talons right then, and he kept going, breaking Talc's entire arm."Cap!" "Cap! We're coming!"Seeing that Frank crippled their peerless captain with a single strike, the other Talnamese were at once panicked and incensed.While they were scampering earlier, they suddenly turned back, forming a combat ward of thirty people, bolstering their vigor to peak Ascendant rank.Frank's expressions turned solemn—the Talnamese were even more bothersome than imagined."Fenton told me about this…" he said, remembering what he was told as a child. With a single military unity, the Cistern Ward could bolster their strength up by several ra
The chief of the Martial Alliance?! One could tell right away that the woman was not to be trifled with.Fight or flight—everything now hinged on Talc's decision.He spoke just then, saying, "Lady Silverbell. We have no intention to fight—we're here to recover our national treasure, which we know for a fact had been sold into Draconia's black market. All we want is to retrieve it… With your permission, of course."Talc was clearly ready to encounter Draconia's authorities—how else would he have a script ready on the go?"Your national treasure?" Silverbell paused—she only came because she heard about the Talnamese presence, and this issue was not what she expected."Yes. And those are the ones who sold it," Talc said, pointing at Frank."Huh?" Silverbell recognized Frank's silhouette, which reminded her a lot of the man in her dreams…She could not help blushing but soon scowled and waved off Talc. "I don't care what you think you're doing here. You're all leaving Draconian bo
Cindy was shouting too. "That's right! Are you trying to get us killed?!""Shut up!" Frank bellowed.It was Cindy and Gina's fault that the Talnamese had caught on to his whereabouts in the first place. And now that they knew who he was, they would be sending every assassin and poisoner they had.When that happens, it would not just be Frank, but everyone around him would be in danger too.He could see that much from the look in Talc's eyes. As long as the black market of Draconia stood, they would always trace the clues back to him.And the mere thought sent Frank's blood pumping!"Whatever happens, you are all staying here," he growled sinisterly and murderously.Naturally, Gina snapped at him even before the Talnamese could. "You fucking idiot! They've already surrendered—why do you have to push them?! Are you not satisfied until you get me killed, so that you can have Helen without anyone stopping you?!""Yeah! You won't even get a sniff of Helen if anything happens to Aunt
Ned sighed as he watched Cindy and Gina nodding repeatedly, just as he understood Frank's position.There was no doubt that because Frank never bragged about himself, these two vain women would belittle him every way they could.Naturally, they could not have known that Frank was such a profound person he eclipsed even Ned. If anything, Ned was the one clinging to Frank, keen to befriend Frank and admiring both his strength and connections.After all, he was the heir of the Lawrences. Even if they lacked numbers, theirs were the most enigmatic dynasty in Morhen!That was when Talc moved, seeing that Frank was distracted by Gina and Cindy.He knew Frank would not just let them leave, and that suited them just fine—were they really going to do nothing now that they had encountered the son of their deadly nemesis?Swish!Clang!Talc suddenly whipped out a bizarre-looking hook, but there was a metallic clang when he swung it at Frank's neck."Hmph!" Frank snorted—his defensive pur
"Perfect!" Frank moved at the speed of light—even before the Talnamese could charge his pure vigor, Frank was already in his face!"No!" That was all he had time to gasp as Frank stabbed his chest with Talc's hook and pulled him out from the combat ward.In the middle of the combat ward, Talc was breaking out in a cold sweat at the sight."Hold the line!""Hah! Did you think I'd let you?" Frank did not kill the Talnamese he pulled away immediately, instead seizing the opening to rush to the middle of the combat ward."What?!" Talc was stunned for a moment but was soon grinning in delight.In combat wards, the strongest spot was always the center, where everyone's pure vigor converged.And given that combat wards were made to kill in the first place, Frank would only get himself killed by rushing down the middle!"Everyone together!" Talc bellowed.At his orders, every Talnamese charged their pure vigor and leapt toward Frank, poised to strike!"Mr. Lawrence!" Ned panick
There was no mistaking it now.The only other person who can use the Death Eater was Donn Lawrence, Lord of the Southern Woods' son and Mystic Sky Sect's senior apprentice who had gone missing three years ago!"Y-You're really alive…?Frank did not turn to look at Silverbell, however—he had more pressing business. "The combat ward may buff your vigors collectively within reach." He suddenly sneered at the Talnamese. "But what if I put in my pure vigor too?""What?!" "Impossible!"The Talnamese around them all astonished, but they soon saw the thick red pure vigor shrouding them from every direction. It was Frank's Death Eater, using their offensive vigor to pervade their combat ward."Argh!"One of the Talnamese collapsed on his knees soon enough, clutching his head.The second followed in under two seconds, and then a third…Like a chain reaction, every Talnamese casting the combat ward collapsed to the floor, their eyes beet red and their faces contorting with madness.
Five minutes after Talc died, there were no living Talnamese left in the factory.Most of them had killed each other, leaving a field of blood and guts that left Gina retching.Cindy's face was pale and stiff, and she did not dare say a word.Frank stood along among the pile of mangled corpses, when he suddenly heard it."Donn…!" He slowly turned to find a girl, her eyes locked on him, welling up with tears as if to tell him about all the years she missed him."You've got the wrong guy," he said, lowering his head in silence. When he looked up again, he was smiling. "My name is Frank Lawrence, not Donn—and I live in Riverton. Do you remember meeting me in Sage Lake Sect's enclave?"Nonetheless, Silverbell was clasping a hand over her dainty lips as she shook her head repeatedly."Stop lying," she cried. "You're Donn—you always will be! Did you know how long I've been looking for you? Everyone told me you're dead… My father, even yours… But I never believed them and kept sear
"Really? Donn… Frank? Can't you reconsider?""It's me, Silverbell… Or you don't like how I look now that I'm grown up?" Silverbell could cry, but she kept herself smiling—the bitter expression left even Ned's heart aching, let alone Frank."No." He shook his head, turning away. "It'd be better if we never meet again.""I see…" Silverbell wiped her face as she strode out of the factory without looking back."Ah, it looks like it's beginning to rain…" she said as if to calm herself, even as she disappeared from sight."Mr. Lawrence…"Ned had no words for Frank just then—he was just an outsider and did not know why Frank would reject someone as beautiful and strong as Silverbell."Phew…" Frank sighed lengthily before turning to Ned. "I'm afraid I need your help to clean up the mess. And if you could, please pretend nothing happened here.""Don't worry." Ned nodded solemnly. Frank then turned to Gina and Cindy, watching them in silence before saying, "Naturally, the same goes
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra
After strutting for so many years, this was the first time anyone had seen through the depth of Frank's abilities in its entirety.That alone set Baldie apart from the rest, or at least the average martial artist, if not placing him scarily high over them.Still, Baldie warned, "Word of advice, kid—mind your own business. This isn't my choice, as there's a larger faction at work here, and you'd be in trouble if you rubbed them the wrong way.""Really?"His warning only pleased Frank further.After all, this meant that there were more powerful individuals like Baldie!In fact, Frank was just getting sick of being invincible, or he would not have been amusing himself by tormenting baddies.And with Baldie's words, he found himself a new hobby… He had plenty of time to spare anyway, so he should use it!"What's that stupid grin for?"Baldie smiled in wry amusement as he realized what Frank was thinking.To think he had the bad luck to run into someone like him!"Simple, really.
The beggar continued, "The way I see it, those ghosts are basically people with superpowers. They are driven by their own desires to hurt the living, while some have trouble controlling their powers after suddenly awakening to it."Her unexpected explanation actually enlightened Frank.Ghosts and hauntings notwithstanding, they were just people who could do what normal people could not—but they were fundamentally no different!Without hesitation, Frank rushed forward when a tall, well-rounded bald man appeared before he reached the graves. "Does no one ever listen?" He laughed coldly.Frank felt a powerful burst of energy from his words—he was clearly trying to make them obey, but they were not listening!"In that case, I'd just have to be tough on you!"At those words, a bead appeared on Baldie's palm, and it shot up to the sky!At the same time, an unusual energy converged and ultimately morphed into a monster.It was basically a pile of rotting flesh crawling with maggots.
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry—I'm neither blind nor deaf. I knew what was happening from the start, and I'd be even more upset if I were in your shoes."The stall owner sighed in relief at Frank's words and turned to leave, not forgetting to curse the beggar under his breath.At the same time, the beggar straightened herself off the ground and sat cross-legged, whipping out a large meatloaf out of nowhere and chomping down on it.Frank sat beside her too, not bothered that he was wearing an expensive suit and certainly not concerned about getting it dirty."So, do I pass your test, reverend?"The beggar said nothing, instead handing Frank the meatloaf that her dirty hands had left darkened. "Hurry up. It's good."Frank took it, not minding it at all and finishing it in a few bites. "It's good, but I can make something better. How about it?"The beggar was suddenly on her feet, stretching her back and yawning. "Next time. I'm busy.""What is it? Can't I help?" Fra
After Mr. Creston handed Frank his phone, Frank nodded. "Good, at least you're cooperating. So you can do it yourself!"Mr. Creston was left befuddled—what the hell?! He was already being so cooperative, and the brat still wanted him dead?!"Friend, a gentleman is as good as his word," he said. "People would laugh at you.""Laugh at me?" Frank chuckled coolly. "Who would dare laugh at me? Also, I think it might happen if I don't wipe out people like you.""What…!"As Mr. Creston realized from Frank's calm tone that he was not letting him off the hook, he ran without hesitation.But to Frank, he was slower than a tortoise and disappeared in the blink of an eye.Frank then whipped out Mr. Creston's phone and called the number in it.A coquettish woman answered the call. "Hey, buddy!"Frank laughed at the way she greeted him as if they were old friends. "Reverend Quietus, I presume? Why don't we meet up, if you don't mind?""I certainly don't mind." The woman laughed too. "Who
Frank smiled and nodded. "Ladies like you are rare these days."Drunken Moon snapped her fingers, grinning. "That's exactly why we need to work hard to eliminate all the terrible women. There would be more good girls that way, don't you agree?"I'm not out to make men happy—just to set a standard for my fellow girls. Not everything is black and white, since anything can be relative. Even if men were all gone, bad women would still be bad women. Don't you agree?"Frank nodded in agreement.Thirty minutes later, the stout Mr. Creston sat up on the bed, clearly startled.Frank, who was watching from a bird's eye view, was caught by surprise—how did that man sense his presence?Still, he understood when he saw that Mr. Creston was holding a gleaming yellow talisman.Shock soon turned to curiosity as Frank thought most street geomancers these days were conmen, but somehow, a working talisman was there right in front of him. Hence, Frank made up his mind to find them right then."I
Frank was not only the smart guy out there in the whole right world. In other words, Mr. Creston had that in mind too!He was helping because he had felt insulted after Frank flexed on him earlier, and Dani was still useful to him—for now.When she handed over the company, however, he would not hesitate to kick her out! On top of that, he would make sure that she took the fall for all the dirty deeds they did together.In the end, she would not even be able to defend herself, while suffering lawsuits and public condemnation!Even so, she said, "I understand now. But it's never too late—I swear I'll change if you give me a chance!"Frank simply turned to Zein. "Actually, this man had the right idea—if he gave you a chance, who would give him one?"We're all adults here, so act your age. I'm sure you understand how a good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.""I get it!" Dani quickly said. "You don't have to keep me around, just—""No!" Frank snapped and crushed her left hand und
Dani was under the impression that even if the goons were not the best, they were on the cusp of reaching that level anyway.It turned out to be just her wishful thinking—when against the truly powerful, she was a lamb at the mercy of the butcher's knife, no matter how many people she brought! "To be honest, I'm curious as to what you're thinking." Frank snorted as he strode up to Dani. "Why dump a man who loves you dearly for some prick you don't even know? Being abused in that state and still thinking that you'd chosen wisely—do you actually have a brain?"Seeing her launching, he knew she was not listening, and he tore her ear off!The horrific pain jolted Dani to her senses, and she was left clutching what remained of her ear as she stared at the seemingly handsome man.She was under the impression that Frank would let her live even if she lost, but it was once again wishful thinking.He would kill her, and savagely at that!And she was certainly right, since Frank had ne