章 4: The Secrets
I could feel the tension in the air, thick and palpable as she leaned back in the jacuzzi, her body languid and relaxed, yet every inch of her seemed carefully poised. The way her tits rose just above the bubbling water, her nipples barely visible through the steam, teased at my focus. My mind raced with questions, though part of me was drawn toward the dangerous allure of this woman before me.
"Who… who are you?" I finally managed, my voice rough in the silence, as if breaking through the spell she'd cast on the room.
She smiled, a slow, knowing smile that only heightened the pull between us. She didn't answer right away. Instead, she slowly stood up, the water cascading down her body, revealing more of her as she stepped onto the marble floor. My eyes couldn't help but follow every drop of water that trailed down her full breasts, across the curve of her waist, and further down to her hips. Her ass was perfectly rounded, her thighs strong and inviting.
She reached for a soft cloth, the movement deliberate, as if she knew exactly what she was doing. Slowly, she began to dry herself, her eyes never leaving mine, maintaining that ever-present smirk on her lips.
"What was in the letter?" I asked, trying to focus on anything other than the sensual display before me. My heart pounded in my chest, every sense on high alert.
She ran the cloth over her tits, taking her time, her fingers brushing over her skin as if savoring the sensation. Her gaze was still locked on mine, teasing me with the slowness of her movements.
"That letter," she finally said, her voice smooth as silk, "is the reason you're still alive."
I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my thoughts straight. "Why was I summoned to the Capital? Who sent the letter?"
She stepped closer to me, her hips swaying with a practiced grace, her bare feet soft against the marble. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made it hard to look anywhere else. The sexual tension between us was thick enough to cut, but beneath it all, there was something else—something dangerous.
"You have many questions, Zark," she murmured, her voice low and teasing, "but patience is a virtue."
She stopped in front of me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from her body. She tossed the cloth aside, no longer bothering to conceal anything. Her tits were inches from my chest, her breath warm against my neck as she leaned in.
"My name is Sofie Joandatter," she whispered. "And you're in the Capital to fulfill your father's will."
Her words hit me like a punch. I took a step back, confusion and disbelief swirling in my head. "My father's will? What are you talking about? My father died when I was a boy. He left me nothing."
Sofie smiled again, a wicked glint in her eye. "Oh, he left you something, Zark. Something far more valuable than you can imagine"
After Sofie left, I stood alone for a moment, the warmth of the room still lingering around me. I needed answers, but first, I needed to clear my head. A bath seemed like the next logical step.
I found my way to the bathing chamber—another luxurious room, complete with a large tub carved from marble, the water already drawn and steaming. As I sank into the warmth, I let the heat wash away the tension from my body, my thoughts still racing with Sofie's words. My father. A will. This cryptic journey to the capital. The questions buzzed in my mind, but I knew they wouldn't be answered until dinner.
After a long soak, I dressed in the clothes laid out for me—fine, tailored garments, much finer than anything I'd ever worn before. The fabric felt strange against my skin, too soft for someone like me who'd spent most of his life roughing it. As I explored the mansion, I marveled at its grandeur, the kind of wealth and comfort I'd only seen from afar.
Eventually, I found myself wandering into a grand hall. The ceilings stretched high above, adorned with intricate paintings and chandeliers that glittered like stars. Large windows draped in heavy curtains looked out onto the darkening sky, and a long dining table stretched across the center of the room, set for two.
As I stood there, taking it all in, Sofie appeared beside me, dressed in a simple, elegant gown that clung to her curves in all the right places but without the brazen allure from earlier. Her presence was still magnetic, but the air between us felt different now, less charged but not devoid of tension. She smiled and gestured to the table.
"Come, Zark," she said softly, her voice still carrying that teasing lilt. "There's much to discuss."
I followed her as she guided me to my seat. The room felt even larger with just the two of us seated at the massive table, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows across the room. Sofie took her seat opposite me, her eyes studying me as the first course was served—roasted meats, fresh bread, and rich wine. I hesitated at first, but the hunger from the day's events eventually won out.
For a while, we ate in silence, though I could feel her gaze on me, watching, perhaps waiting for me to break the quiet. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer.
"You said something about my father," I started, my voice quieter than I intended. "About a will. I don't understand."
Sofie set her glass of wine down, leaning back in her chair as her eyes softened, the teasing edge from earlier now replaced with something more serious, almost respectful.
"Your father," she began, "was no ordinary man. He came from a rich aristocratic family, one of the most powerful in this region. But he wasn't content to live as a mere noble. He joined the Demon Slayer Corp when he was eighteen."
I stared at her, unsure if I'd heard her right. "Demon Slayer Corp?"
She nodded, her eyes locked on mine. "It's exactly what it sounds like. A secret organization devoted to hunting and killing demons. Your father was exceptional. He rose through the ranks faster than anyone, becoming an Elite Slayer—the highest rank within the corp—by the time he was twenty."
I blinked, struggling to process what she was telling me. "I don't… I didn't know anything about this. He died when I was young. I never knew him."
Sofie's expression softened further, her gaze almost pitying. "Yes, his death was… mysterious, to say the least. It was after that, that you disappeared from the public eye, and the life you should have inherited slipped away. But your father had other plans for you."
I leaned forward, my hands gripping the edge of the table. "What do you mean?"
She took a sip of her wine, watching me carefully before continuing. "In his will, your father left everything to you—his estate, his wealth, his legacy. But there was one condition. You could only inherit it after you followed in his footsteps and became an Elite Slayer yourself."
The words hung heavy in the air, and I could barely believe what I was hearing. My father, a demon hunter? A legacy I'd never known? "But… I don't know anything about this. I didn't even know demons were real."
Sofie smiled softly, almost sympathetically. "You will soon enough. That's why you were summoned here, Zark. To begin your journey. It's your destiny to follow in his footsteps."
I leaned back in my chair, my mind swirling with this new reality. "And who are you in all of this?" I asked, my voice hoarse with the weight of the revelations.
She gave me a small smile, one that held both warmth and a touch of the mischief I'd seen earlier. "I'm Sofie Joandatter. My father was your father's closest friend. He was also part of the Demon Slayer Corp. Our families have been tied together for generations. When your father passed, my family vowed to watch over you and ensure you'd one day take your rightful place."
I sat there in silence for a moment, trying to take in everything Sofie had just revealed. The idea of demons, a secret Corp of Slayers, my father being one of their greatest—all of it felt so far removed from the world I knew. Yet, something deep inside me stirred, as if this was always part of me, something I was meant for. Maybe it was the bloodline, or maybe it was just the weight of the truth finally sinking in.
I glanced across the table at Sofie, her eyes still fixed on me, waiting. The tension that had crackled between us earlier had softened, but I could still feel it, hanging just beneath the surface. It wasn't just the way she looked at me or the way her lips curled in that teasing smile—it was the weight of the responsibility she was placing on me. The life I never knew I was supposed to have.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally spoke. "Alright," I said, my voice quiet but resolute. "I'll do it. I'll join the Corp."
A small smile played at the corner of her lips, but she quickly composed herself, nodding as if she'd expected no other answer. "Good," she said, her voice smooth and steady. "But joining the Corp isn't as simple as saying yes. There's a test you'll need to pass."
"A test?" I repeated, leaning forward slightly. "What kind of test?"
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs, and even in the dim candlelight, I could see the glint of amusement in her eyes. "It's a test of skill. The Demon Slayer Corp doesn't take just anyone. You'll need to prove you're capable of holding your own in a fight against a demon."
I frowned, thinking back to all the bounties I'd hunted. I was no stranger to a blade, but fighting demons? That was an entirely different story. "I'm a skilled swordsman," I said, more to myself than to her, as if trying to convince myself that I could do this. "But I've never faced anything like a demon."
Sofie nodded, understanding my hesitation. "You won't be going in blind. You'll need training, but nothing too extensive. A crash course, let's say."
I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "And who's going to train me?"
Her smile widened just a fraction, the playfulness back in her voice. "I will."
I blinked, surprised. "You?"
She stood up from her chair, walking around the table with that same graceful sway she always seemed to have. Her gown flowed behind her, the light catching on her curves as she approached me. I had to remind myself to keep my focus on her words, though the tension between us still lingered.
"I was trained," she said, stopping just in front of me, her eyes holding mine. "But I never joined the Corp. I had… other priorities."
I tilted my head, intrigued. "If you were trained, why didn't you join?"
Her smile faded, just for a moment, replaced by something more serious, maybe even regretful. But she shook it off quickly. "That's a story for another time, Zark. Right now, you need to focus on the path ahead."
I didn't press her further. There was enough to think about without diving into her past. "So, when do we start?" I asked, standing up to meet her gaze.
"Tomorrow," she replied, her tone softening again. "Get some rest tonight. In the morning, we'll leave for your father's dojo. I've had it cleaned and prepared for your training."
I nodded, still processing everything. The idea of stepping into a dojo my father had once trained in felt both surreal and intimidating, but if this was the path he had wanted for me, I'd walk it.
Sofie took a step back, her expression unreadable. "Go to bed, Zark. You'll need your strength."
I watched as she turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the mansion, leaving me alone once more with my thoughts. There was no turning back now. Tomorrow, everything would change.
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