"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
Tara finished, "I hope you're ready to die."With that, she turned to leave.Frank did not stop her but instead remained where he was, rubbing his chin thoughtfully."They're so despicable!" Winter huffed just then.Frank smiled. "That is true, but the fact that they came gave me an idea.""What idea?" Winter asked, turning toward him."The Favonis are not completely stiff as a rock. They just might prove useful."Frank smiled, patting her head. "But that's none of your business. You should be properly studying the medicinal text I gave you and take over as Zamri Hospital's chief sooner.""Yeah…" Winter nodded, giving him a wistful look before returning to the study.Still, Frank could soon hear the girls giggling in the room and chuckled exasperatedly.As for the Favonis, he already had a plan.-Meanwhile, at the Favonis' dojo in Norsedam, over twenty martial artists had a youth surrounded as they attacked him with staffs and machetes.The youth was even blindfolded, but
"Exactly, Mr. Bearson. You're a genius—don't compare yourself to mooks like us!""In a few years, you'll surpass the Demon of Volsung Sect.""Ya think?""And with Mr Bearson leading us, we will claim a place in Morhen and rise as the Fifth Family!"Even as the Favoni martial artists joked around and flattered Jaden, he snorted, taking off his blindfold and kicking away the sandbags and lead weights on his feet.Still, he was not quite taken by the flattery.Instead, he looked up towards the sky, determination flaring inside him.It really seemed that Ehud Lionheart was the only one who could prove a match against him on the East Coast.However, Volsung Sect had always kept Ehud sheltered—no one ever heard from him, let alone saw him.When they met two years ago, Jaden had been younger and was getting full of himself, as he could not find any worthy opponents.As such, Ehud could well be a god amongst men when he showed up, crushing Jaden's ego after they exchanged ten blows.