Chapter 6

Dante's expression was darker than the unlit room around him and even darker than the night outside. It did not belong to someone his age. His eyes burned with a fury whose origin no one could trace.

This anger was not new. It had shadowed him since childhood.

The strange figure sensed his killing intent and smirked. "Well, I'm tasked with protecting you, Master Dante. I hardly see it as a chore."

"You haven't done anything for me since I left town," Dante shot back. He had courted trouble after trouble to force this man into action. It had all been a test, and the man had failed.

"You're far stronger than the small fry you've been confronting, Master Dante. There was little reason for me to intervene," the figure said. "Besides, my identity is too unique to be known to the people of Hrestia. You know that, don't you?"

Silence settled over them.

Dante could guess who had sent him. That person was one of his mother's closest attendants. That alone implied formidable skill.

"So, when do you finally want to go home, Master Dante?" the figure asked. "Your mother misses you."

"Go home? I left because you people called me an Invalid. Why would I want to 'go home'? Am I an Invalid allowed to hold such a high-and-mighty position?" Dante snapped.

A knock interrupted him.

The next second, Gwendolyn barged in. The figure blurred and vanished in a whoosh.

Dante quickly assumed the most innocent expression he could muster.

"Gwen! You should have knocked! What if I'd been naked?" he joked.

Gwendolyn wore a wispy white nightgown. Her hair clung to her damp skin from her shower. She stood for a moment, hands on her hips, before marching to his bed and lying down near him.

She kicked her legs into the air, ignoring—or perhaps hoping he noticed—the allure of her supple limbs. "Why would I worry? We used to bathe together."

Dante nearly choked. "We were kids back then, Gwen! We're grown-ups now! What if rumors spread? That could ruin your chances at marriage!"

A spark lit Gwen's eyes. She propped her head on one arm, letting the curves of her body show through the folds of her gown. "I don't care about any other guy. I don't want to marry any of those losers. Instead…"

She bit her lip, blushing.

"Why don't we be together?" she whispered.

"Gwen!" Dante exclaimed.

How had he never realized how flirty she had been during their training?

She pursed her lips. "Oh, I get it. You don't like me. Fine! I don't mind. But if I find out you've been getting freaky with the other Ladies, I'll neuter you!"

Dante immediately covered himself. "No way! Cross my heart!"

"You better not. I'm heading to my office tomorrow. Want to join me?"

"Sure! I'd love to learn something new. Especially since… Well, I know nothing," Dante admitted, a little self-deprecating.

"Hey now, even if you really are useless… what's wrong with that? I'll take care of you for the rest of your life! You have all the time in the world to learn anything you want," Gwendolyn said, planting a quick kiss on his cheek.

She bolted out of the room once her mission was complete.

The room darkened again. The figure reappeared.

"Aren't you popular with the ladies?" he teased. "You've always been desired and cared for by seven gorgeous women."

"I need you to do something for me," Dante said, changing the subject.

"Anything for you, Master Dante."

A cold glint sparked in Dante's eyes. "Do you know anything about the Wagners?"

…

The next morning, Dante shared breakfast with Gwendolyn before they set out for the branch office of BM Inc., the billion-dollar corporation founded and owned by the Beaumonts.

Gwendolyn's sharp business acumen and position conferred undeniable authority. The moment she stepped into the hall, everyone rose instantly, their attention locked on her. "Good morning, Ms. Beaumont!"

She nodded coolly and took Dante's hand. The employees stared, stunned.

"Who is that guy?!"

"You don't know? He's the one who beat up Eric while all the elite families and important figures watched during the Feast Day celebration!"

"Does he have a death wish? Who in their right mind would touch Eric?! Everyone knows how ruthless his father is! I wouldn't be surprised if that man drinks baby blood…"

"Well, nothing's going to touch him. He's close to Ms. Beaumont. That's protection in itself. Should've been me, I swear…"

…

By the end of the morning, Dante had become the office rumor of the day. Eyes followed him everywhere. Management and executives went out of their way to greet him, even when he simply visited the restroom. The attention was suffocating.

By noon, Dante had had enough. He gave Gwendolyn a heads-up and slipped out of the building.

He found a modest diner nearby and immediately ordered three large steaks. Finally, he had some peace.

He was halfway through the second steak when someone took a seat across from him. The man had a lean face, mischievous eyes, and clothes that were tattered and dirty, like someone who had been living on the streets. His gaze fixed on Dante's steak, and he swallowed audibly.

"Hungry?" Dante asked.

The man licked his cracked lips. "Yes. In exchange, I'll give you a gift."

Dante sized him up. This fellow looked even poorer than he was. "What kind of gift?"

The man studied Dante for a moment before speaking. "You practice martial arts, don't you? Your fingers and knuckles are sculpted and strong. Your breathing is steady and deep. Your eyes are sharp and focused. You must be a fighter. But… I wager you've hit a bottleneck recently, haven't you?"

Dante froze. Athos had once told him that some of the nation's most powerful Seekers lived among the ordinary, hiding in plain sight for years. To remain undetected for so long was proof of true mastery.

'Could this man be even stronger than my master?' Dante wondered.

The man smiled faintly, as if reading his thoughts. He reached into his dusty bag and produced several books. "Behold my collection of martial arcana. These texts are intended only for male acolytes and are worth a fortune. Today, however… it seems that the universe has brought us together. Choose one in exchange for a steak."

Dante stared at the books in disbelief, speechless.