The emcee breathed his vowels long and hard the way Michael Buffer would hype up his ring announcements. Jaden soon emerged from backstage, his form straight and towering, his expression cold and his re sharp. He was the image of an heir to a n of martial artists, his long hair the picture of the graceful martial artists of old.


    Many a maiden were screaming in excitement as if seeing their idol, and some even fainted and were quickly carted off to waiting ambnces. "This gentleman of impable appearance is the second in Skyrank and the great heir to the illustrious Favoni family of martial artists!"


    The emcee was absolutely generous with his praise, and Jaden certainly measured up.


    He stood, his expression sharp and his posture elegant, and the spectators could actually feel the palpable sense of superiority he carried himself with.


    And when the emcee was done introducing Jaden, he turned to the other side and paused awkwardly. "Um... it seems that Mr. Favoni''s challenger has yet to show up. I wonder if he''s afraid of Mr. Favoni''s mighty presence or his terrific vengeance?"


    "Either way, if he doesn''t arrive in ten minutes, Mr. Favoni will win by default-and as agreed in the letter of challenge, Lanecorp shall apologize to the Favonis in public and leave the city of Zamri!"


    The audience became even more excited at the announcement.


    "Hey, don''t you think the prick bailed?"


    "Ya think? Wouldn''t you be running too if you were in his ce?"


    "If he turns up, he won''t be able to pull any dirty tricks with so many people watching. Mr. Bearson would definitely give him a spanking."


    "Yeah. Running at least spares him that pain."


    Hearing the voices of disapproval, Jaden''s look of contempt became even more obvious.


    Not only was that brat a cheater, but he was also a coward who would not show up to answer a challenge!


    How boring!


    At the same time, a youth sitting on a wheelchair at a corner was glowering viciously.


    It was none other than Hugh Turnbull himself, who had received word about the duel as well since his immediate family was based in Norsedam.


    He had sent his informants out to ask around, who found out that it was none other than Frank who provoked Jaden''s wrath!


    "Even the gods are on my side! Messing with Jaden Favoni?! Not even Gene Pearce can save you now!"


    Hughughed savagely. "Why don''t


    you take up Jaden Favoni''s


    challenge and let him beat you into a


    pulp? That would make the twenty million I bet on your defeat worthwhile!"


    On the other hand, Troy Bearson was fidgeting restlessly in his special guest seat.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "Shit! What a coward!" he growled,


    shifting his weight endlessly as heet


    as the hands on the giant


    of Zamri Square kept thinking.


    It would be game over for him if Frank did not show up before the appointed time, because he had poisoned Jaden beforehand.


    He timed it perfectly so that Jaden would be afflicted during the fight.


    If Frank never showed up and Jaden went down because of the poison, everything Troy did was futile.


    That was not all either he would have to exin himself to the Favonis and maintain his innocence!


    Talk about losing more than what he bargained for... everything he did would be pointless!


    That was why right now, Troy was the one person wishing the hardest that Frank would show up.


    It would be really troublesome if he was not here to be here to be scapegoated.


    "Hmph. He''s finally here." The


    middle-aged man beside Troy


    chuckled coolly, seemingly star


    into the air above the spectator seats opposite.


    Naturally, the man was none other than Kilian Lionheart himself.