Gerry felt terror from the bottom of his heart.Frank was not joking—he would really kill him!"How dare you, Frank!"Stella strode up between her boyfriend and Frank, smirking. "You sure talk big, but look around—my family's martial artists are standing all around you! You're the one who's going down!""Oh, really?"Frank chuckled sinisterly. "Care to test that theory?""You prick! You really won't give up, huh?! Go, take him down and skin him!"At Stella's bellow, the martial artists around Frank leaped toward Frank, ready to attack him with their martial techniques.Terrified, the Lanecorp employees fled the lobby."It's your fault for messing with Ms. Favoni, brat! Now, you can watch while we skin you!"The Favonis' martial artists actually proved to be skilled—unlike other martial artists Frank encountered before, the Favoni were serious about grooming them with their resources.Every individual movement and positioning was planned and executed perfectly, and they quick
"No, w—"Even as the Favoni martial artist's eyes widened, Frank exploded his head with a punch before he could finish.A gruesome grail of blood and pure vigor continued past his body, shattering the curtain wall and killing six other Favoni martial artists.And before the other Favoni martial artists had time to react, Frank was already onto them. Though he only used conventional moves with his kicks and punches this time, the Favoni martial artists could not withstand the pure vigor he unleashed.Thud.Soon after the first body dropped, the rest of the thirtyish Favoni martial artists were dead, as if frozen in the moment Frank sent them flying.It did not even take a single second."What…" Stella was left dumbstruck, standing and frozen in place.She was staring at the mangled bodies of her family's martial artists, alive and kicking just a moment ago and ready to take down Frank.Who on earth was Frank?! They could not even last one blow!As she stared blankly at Frank
"Please, Frank… I get it now! It's all my fault, and I won't ever do it again… Please, just let me live—"Crunch!As Gerry's neck snapped audibly, his pleas stopped instantly.Stella's breath was caught in her lungs and she almost fainted.Who was this war deity that they had just provoked? Could Frank actually be Transcendent rank?!Her family's martial artists were tried and true elites too—not many across the East Coast could win against them, let alone in Norsedam!But Frank massacred them without even really making an effort!As the lobby of Lanecorp Tower became eerily silent for a long while, Frank quietly spoke, "I will give you one chance—go home, and don't mess with me ever again."Stella promptly turned in disbelief—he was sparing her?Frank seemed to read her mind from her expression alone and waved her off."I have no reason to kill you. Though I don't mind playing along if you have a death wish. Oh, and another thing…"Frank shot her a cool look. "You have to p
It was a terrible storm that kept gaining momentum, but things were surprisingly quiet at Lanecorp despite them being the center of attention.According to information Thunder and Bolt had gathered, many factions were extending into Zamri, and the Favonis were no exception.On the surface, they claimed the duel was just and to eliminate Frank—a disgrace to his fellow martial artists.In reality, they simply saw the signs of a major reshuffling among the underbelly of Zamri.As such, they wanted to get their hands on Zamri and get themselves a cut, so Stella's words fell on deaf ears.-Meanwhile, Frank had Winter Lawrence and her best friend Jean Zims move to Zamri, while Mona Fairfax left the East Coast under orders from Haply Hall.It was just a day before the duel against Jaden, but Frank was leisurely lounging in the renovated mansion, instructing Winter and Jean on Draconian traditional medicine.It was a profound subject, and even someone as smart as Winter had trouble g
Arriving at the drawing room, Frank saw a familiar face that he had just met recently."Oh, it's you?"Stella was seated primly on the couch, scowling even as a servant brought her tea."To what do I owe the pleasure?"Frank asked as he sat down comfortably on the couch, leveling an interested look at the woman who was somehow completely different than when he saw her days ago.If she had been haughty and endlessly confident about being an heiress of the Favonis, she was now the image of someone beaten.Her eyes were bloodshot even as she looked up, rasping, "F-Frank Lawrence, I've come to apologize.""Apologize?"Frank was left dumbstruck by her words, not expecting Stella to come all this way to apologize.Still, he shook his head and laughed. "Well, you don't like you're really apologizing! The public really have a lot to say about me these days, about me being a disgrace to all martial artists and whatnot.""It's my family and my brother's excuse." Stella apologized anx
Frank remained impassive despite Stella's tearful pleas, snorting. "So? What business of mine is your family's troubles?"He was not about to change his mind… or he could not, to be precise.The Favonis were determined to kill him, so he could not just play saint just because Stella was begging him through tears and let Jaden kill him.Moreover, Stella really was not a looker and lacked charm—even if she did, Frank was not about to fall for it."You should save your breath for your father and brother," Frank said shortly.His principles were always simple—he would keep out of anyone's way, as long as they kept out of his.However, that only left Stella further pained.She had already told her father and brother a hundred times over that Frank was above them and was not to be messed with, but they were too prideful to listen.They even believed that Frank bewitched her. Moreover, some twentyish youth massacred over thirty Favoni martial artists? If word of that got out, they w
Stella sighed. "Everything I do is for the family's survival—""Survival?!"Chelly laughed.It was clear she was short-tempered too, as she suddenly lunged at Frank, bellowing, "Let's see if he can even size up to Jaden!"Even as Chelly extended her hand as she jumped at Frank, Frank simply stood his ground, his eyes turning cool.Despite all her hollering, she was just a vigor wielder—if she insisted on attacking Frank, the recoil would cripple her on the spot."Stop!" Stella snapped angrily as she strode between Chelly and Frank. "Stop listening to your aunt's poisonous words. You shouldn't be attacking Mr. Lawrence!""Mr. Lawrence?!"Chelly could tell from the title alone how much respect her sister had for Frank, and her rage flared as she swung her palm at her own sister instead.Pow!Stella stumbled a couple steps backward as she took the blow for Frank."Oh, taking the blow for our enemy? Let's see how you'll explain that to your father, Stella." Tara gloated."Shut
Winter came over, tugging on Frank's sleeve and asking, "What happened here?""Nothing." Frank shook his head and deliberately made a face. "Didn't I tell you to study? What are you doing here?""I-I was worried," Winter murmured guiltily.Frank patted her head, his grief fading at her docile murmur.Then, turning back toward Stella and the others, he waved them off. "Alright, you can all go now. We will see the truth come tomorrow." Chelly, however, still refused. "Hah! I'm not scared of you! My brother will kick your ass tomorrow—he is Skyrank's second and a top martial artist! A loser and a cheater like you can't even hope to touch his sleeve! You should be kneeling and begging me for mercy if you have any brains! I just might ask my brother to spare your life!"And before Frank could speak, Tara was laughing as she threatened, "Exactly. If you get down on your knees and beg and have your lover surrender her Lanecorp shares, the Favonis just might let you live. You'd better w