"Oof!"Kilian was no longer laughing.He could not feel any hint of pure vigor projecting from Frank's fist—that meant that Frank was using sheer physical strength to destroy his carapace armor, while sending him flying like a ragdoll!"I-Impossible! How could a Birthright rank do this… no, could he have improved? But this shouldn't be happening even if he did—"Even before Kilian came to his senses, he felt a large hand seizing him by the throat, choking him.Across his meridians, his pure vigor stalled in an instant.It hurt terribly, but he could not direct his pure vigor to fight back even if he wanted to.Even as the world started to spin around him, he realized he could not beat Frank in pure physical strength too, as he could not loosen Frank's vice-like grip around his neck at all!And at that very moment, every spectator could see Frank lifting Kilian, who was flailing around like an animal but unable to free himself.Chelly Favoni, who had just regained consciousness
"Did you think that you can stand up to the Lionhearts and Volsung Sect all on your own?!"Kilian Lionheart rasped coolly, "Give up already! The might of Simon Lionheart rules this land, and you will rest in pieces if he personally gets involved!""You have ten seconds," Frank simply muttered, impassive as he wiped the blood off the corner of his lips.However, Kilian was obviously not worried about Frank's threat and continued to persuade him, "You should be kneeling to me, Frank Lawrence! I admit you're outstanding, and I just might forgive your transgressions, even recommend a place for you in Volsung Sect!"Volsung Sect would eventually come to rule Draconia and the rest of the world! The path of martial arts is just the beginning… You have no idea where this path really leads! Now let me down and bow to me, and I'll tell you the greatest secret never told—""Time's up."Frank shook his head in disappointment. "What are you—are you going to kill me, Frank?! Don't you dare!
Frank turned toward Chelly, who was hanging her head, and Stella, who was giving him an earnest pleading look.Pausing, he shook his head and announced, "This entire conflict between us was incited by the Bearsons!"With that, he left the stage even as he coughed blood, ending the high noon duel in Zamri Square with an extraordinary plot twist.The crowd was certainly dissatisfied with the mediocre ending, especially after the fight was hyped up with such pompous publicity!It was not a fight between martial elites, but a bizarre stage production.However, said production still brought upon terrible consequences.For the Favonis, Jaden remained unconscious, his fate unknown as his sister Stella and the others carted him back to Norsedam.While he still retained his place as Skyrank's second, his reputation had taken a nosedive, just as many others became disappointed in the Favonis' actions.On the other hand, Frank's reputation was skyrocketing. The Lane family gathered favora
Winter grumpily sat down beside Frank after he explained himself, and she folded her arms before her chest as she waited to see who the arriving beauty was."Greetings, Mr. Lawrence."A lady dressed primly in a conservative dress entered, greeting Frank with a brow.Frank zoned out a little—her face was gorgeous, her mannerisms were mild and elegant, and there was a birthmark on her face that altogether made her appear picturesque.On top of her soft appearance, no man could tear their eyes away from her pronounced cleavage."Wow… you're so beautiful…" Even Winter was gaping and gasping in awe despite her jealousy earlier."Hehe. Thank you." The woman nodded before turning toward Frank. "Mr. Lawrence, I'm Sienna Noirot, second elder of the Hall of Flowers, a denomination of Cloudnine Sect. Having heard of your recent feats, I've come to visit and witness your splendor.""Cloudnine Sect?" Frank searched his mind, and quickly remembered—were they not one of the major sects in
If anything, Sienna seemed to have expected that response from Frank, and she smiled. "In that case, I shall excuse myself.""Yeah."Frank watched as Sienna left, pensive since she reminded Frank of plenty of matters.There were plenty of dangers lurking in Draconia, and he would have drawn considerable attention after he killed Kilian Lionheart.And Sienna was even hinting that the major players were ready to move against him.While Frank was not afraid, he was still worried that they would move against those around him.Even as the thought crossed his mind, his phone started ringing.He answered it to Kat Yego yelling, "Master Lawrence! This is terrible… My dad and Madam Zims have been kidnapped!" "What?!"Beside her, Winter leapt to her feet in panic, as Madam Zims was her adopted mother, Carol.They were aware that Carol and Kat's father Nash Yego had grown close recently. One was a widow and the other a widower, and with not much of an age difference between them, it wa
Frank's car quickly arrived in the outskirts of Zamri, and it did not take him long to find the rundown temple.Still, he had yet to step inside when he sensed the grim presence of death, setting off every alarm bell in his mind.If his hunch was right, the people who kidnapped Nash and Carol were after him from the start… Or the spiritron vein, to be precise.Frank felt regret at the thought—the spiritron vein was such a big deal that various major factions in the country were on the move.Martial elites who cultivated in seclusion, major sects… even government officials like the mayor of Morhen were getting involved in this battle royale.And if Cloudnine Sect could reach him, others could.As Frank and Lanecorp become the heart of the storm, even the ones in the shadows would come or keep an eye to see how things panned out.Possessing the spiritron vein might sound amazing, but Frank was on his own and did not have what it took to hold on to it.With that thought, he gradua
With that in mind, Frank looked up and shouted, "Sir, I don't have the spiritron vein with me, but I know where it is. I appeal to your forbearance as my senior to grant me the favor of releasing my family, and I will take you to it!"Silence ensued across the rundown temple at Frank's words, as the person lurking in the shadows pondered.Soon, his elderly voice spoke again. "Very well. Since you're a man of principles, you have my trust."He then emerged from the shadows, an elderly man with gray hair and a steel mask covering half his face strode out. His expression was cold, and he carried a string of prayer beads in one hand.Frank's heart skipped a beat when he saw him—the terrible pressure that man projected made it clear he was Transcendentrank!He could not help remembering what Sienna Noirot of Cloudnine Sect told him… that dangers lurked everywhere across Draconia.And now, it was clear that he lacked vital knowledge on the martial elites in play.Still, he did not fli
Meanwhile, in a conference room on top of Lanecorp Tower, Vicky and Helen were scowling.After all, they both had swords pressed against their fair necks."What are you doing, Silverbell?!" Helen demanded loudly."Heh. I'm surprised... someone so close managed to blindside me." Vicky was laughing, but her eyes were flashing coldly."Apologies, ladies," Silverbell was dressed in white as usual, her sword in one hand and a glowing trinket resembling a talisman in her other.That was the spiritron vein that Helen had mentioned over the phone.When she, Vicky, and Silverbell returned to Lanecorp Tower, a group of black-clad men lying in wait jumped them.And when the black-clad men took the spiritron vein and handed it to Silverbell, Vicky and Helen realized they were betrayed.Even though she was Frank's childhood friend and was utterly intimate, she always had a different plan in mind.In fact, she had protected Vicky and Helen for the spiritron vein!"Do you think Frank would