Chapter 222 - Onwards To The S-Rank Dungeon
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When Noah finally finished assessing his Skills and other various things, he felt the strong presence of his party all growing stronger, their eyes quickly opened as the cocoons of various elements dissipated, they had evolved into Level V as well, gaining new powers and overflowing with greatness.
"Ah… Level V already… So we are S-Rank now? I don't feel all that different… the S-Rank Hunter Title is really just overrated I guess," chuckled Iris, although Noah could clearly feel that her presence had evolved tremendously, and her soul roared and flowed like a sea of phantasmagoric beauty. Noah couldn't help but find Iris more beautiful as she evolved.
Although she didn't notice it, he did notice that her physical body matured more as she evolved, and her hips were now wider and sexier than before, her chest too, was growing bigger, and her breasts seemed to entice Noah into squeezing them… However, he saved up such lustful and sinful desires for the night, as the day was young and there was still a lot to do.
Additionally, Iris's short booby-styled hair had been growing with each evolution, and she had decided to not cut it, so her hair was already reaching her shoulders, and seemed silky and shiny, making her look more mature.
As of now, Iris was wearing some tight pants that accentuated her butt cheeks and curves even more, and she looked at Noah cutely as she noticed that he was eyeing her body.
"Fufu, what are you looking at so much~?" she asked with a playful smile, despite her evolution changes, she was still rather petite compared to Noah, and Noah smiled gently as he petted her head.
"Nothing much, it is just that every time you evolve you become more beautiful, I can't help but look at you a bit," said Noah, making Iris blush a bit as a fluffy phantom fox tail emerged behind her back, waving around cutely.
"D-Don't say such embarrassing things…" she said while kissing Noah.
After everyone got accustomed to their bodies, they quickly decided to eat something light before delving into the S-Rank Dungeon.
"So being S-Rank makes us like… important, right?" wondered Arthur.
"It really is nothing when we compare it to what we must achieve," said Noah.
"My lord is right… It is not as important… And we might even become… SS-Rank after this dungeon dive anyways," said Jon.
"So fast… two Rank jumps in a day… We are really making history here," sighed Timassa.
"Indeed. But to my lord's view and goals, this is but a small step, let's quickly get to the next dungeon if possible…" said Clementina.
"Well… Before that I wanted to say something to everyone…" said Iris, as everyone glanced at her with interest.
"A-Ah, it is nothing too much, really. I just wanted to say… Thank you, to all of you…" she said.
"My lady? Why are you thanking us?" asked Clementina.
"I just wanted to thank all of you for what you've done. For being with us since the beginning… well, Clementina joined rather late, but still… I am just… happy to have such reliable people at my side, I am happy to be always with people that can protect our backs, just as much as we protect yours. This is why… thank you for being with us through all these hardships, for all… we have gone through… I know that what I am thinking might be dumb or too overly emotional… But even as the being I have become, I can't help but still value bonds and emotions… It is part of what makes me… well, me. So, thanks… Everyone," said Iris with a gentle smile, her eyes gleamed with gentleness and love, shining with a bright and soothing light.
After seeing their beloved mistress saying such sweet words, everyone skipped a beat, even Noah.
"A-Ah… Of course! We shall always be with you and Noah. We are here to serve you and… Ah, more than serve, we just protect each other backs and survive as much as we can. We are all friends here- no, a family," said Arthur.
"That's right. I also wanted to thank you, Iris… And Noah… Jon, Adamantine, and also Clementina, for being with us through all of this ordeal. And for giving us such an opportunity to become what we are. It might come with some drawbacks, but Noah-sama and Iris-sama gave us the chance to finally grow stronger and become someone we can be proud of being… Since Arthur's family picked me up from the orphanage since I was a little girl that I have strived to serve my lord, and being given the chance for both of us to grow stronger together, so I can always stay at his side ad protect him is… very wonderful, thank you," said Timassa.
"Timassa…" said Arthur, as he blushed a bit. Suddenly, Timassa's hand extent to Arthur's, and tightly held it… he felt her warmth despite being a ghoul, and she felt his warmth despite being a dhampir.
"I am also thankful… to have been allowed to grow stronger and be… someone else than the husk of a person I used to be… before this… I think I never had spoken so much with anyone, and never thought about having bonds nor friends throughout my entire life… Everything was always… lonely, dull, and dry… But… since I joined my lords that life seems to have finally had a meaning… I thank you for filling the empty heart I once had…" said Jon as he blushed a bit, he was an adorable young boy, who was always alone, but after joining the Noctem Family, he was finally given a purpose to his life, and people to love.
"I am happy if I am with master… and mistress! There's always pettings and food!" said Adamantine… A former bully that made Iris's life a living hell. Instead of being killed, she had her mind broken, and from such a broken mind, a new one resurged, more innocent, childish, and probably wilder.
After developing it with everyone else, she became more open and was now developing more. To Iris, it was as if the old Adamantine was dead and as if she had been reincarnated, her personality was completely different, and her memories seemed to be clouded. As she grew stronger, she developed a bit more intelligence, although she was still within the mentality of a 5-6 years old girl… But perhaps after developing some more, she would be able to mature… or not. Nonetheless, this destiny was perhaps for the better… or the worst.
Iris and Noah had pitied her at the end, however, and her parents had already been moved into the territory and converted into ghouls by Iris' bite, although some tampering into their minds had to be done so they wouldn't revolt at first, they were at least secure and didn't have to suffer in poverty.
"It was all thanks to master and mistress that I managed to avenge my mother and… to slaughter the bastards that laughed at her death. And I even got to get my father into safety as well. Although my life has been filled with bitterness, now that I am with all of you, it has finally been found a purpose to strive forward, one that… warms my cold heart and fills me with great conviction. I am the one that must thank you all…" said Clementina with a gentle smile.
"Oh my, everyone… You're going to make me blush…" chuckled Iris.
"I am glad that everyone has found a place to belong to at my side. Especially you, Iris, you were the first person that I found, and although the circumstances were rather desperate at that time. I am glad to see how things have turned out and that… I have someone so reliable at my side. Alongside all of you too…" said Noah with a gentle smile, glancing at everyone else as his crimson eyes gleamed with resolve.
"Noah…" said Iris, as she hugged Noah tightly and the two kissed lovingly.
Everyone else also thanked Noah, as the group finally decided to walk towards the S-Rank Dungeon they would be visiting, their next and greatest challenge…
Meanwhile, Noah got some reports about the large army of Vampires, Robots, and Blood Servants he sent to an A-Rank Dungeon, it seems that it was cleaned successfully by the recently-raised-to-A-Rank Vampires that had gone to the B-Rank Dungeons previously.
This army was composed of over 15 Vampires, 20 Robots, and hundreds of Blood Servants, so it was obvious that they would come out at the top.
They had also brought some more loot for Noah, so he quickly rushed there with everyone else through Noire's Shadow Travel.
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