Dungeon Overlord: Monster Girl Harem!

A glossy brown buttocks moved gently with each of Nyxara's breaths, her face buried in the soft pillows as she slept.

Small bite and kiss marks littered her body. Leonhardt sat beside her, leaning over the exhausted elf. "Maybe I overdid it..." He muttered while sweeping his fingertips along her sweaty back.

There was no response, just soft groans and snoring sounds.

"I should probably return to the main room," Leonhardt observed Nyxara and found himself smiling, his hand squeezing her buttocks, leaving an indentation before leaving the bed. He hadn't gained his ranking yet, and two days remained.

'Rock did contact me a little while ago, that the award ceremony starts at... five.'

He looked at the clock and blinked, his eyes opening wide as the clock showed 4:55 pm.

"Mm... where are you going, Leon?" Nyxara rubbed her eyes as she spoke with a raspy voice.

"I'll be back soon. Get some rest."

Leonhardt waved back, watching as she curled back up and dozed off to sleep.

He shut the door gently, moving down the hallway into the main room where a few figures gathered in quiet conversation, while one fluffy male sat alone reading some sort of panel.

"L-Leonhardt!"

Rock sat near the entrance. He looked exhausted... dark bags under his eyes that looked almost bruised, his suit a wrinkled mess that clung to his sweaty body, covered in kobold fur. "The other recruits have been tested... it's your turn..."

The Kobold acted excited enough that people would think Rock was the one getting his rank.

When the pair entered the teleportation pad and returned to the main gathering, Leonhardt noticed that many people who had appeared the night before weren't present. "It's empty today..."

"Well, the only people here are those who lack connections or are here to be given their dungeon ranks."

'Connections... that's something I've never needed, and don't want to be in need of.'

But Leonhardt knew he was unrealistic, and the time would come when he might need them.

Thankfully, he didn't mind Rock.

Although weak, he helped Leonhardt greatly.

The two stepped through the open doorway to a brightly lit room.

"It's amazing how the bloody arena is now cleaned up into a strange altar..."

Rock murmured in a hushed, excited voice. "This is the official awarding room! Only a handful of people who earn their rankings have a ceremony."

"Doesn't everyone get a ceremony?"

"Not at all! Some people inherit their rank and dungeon through blood or servitude. Those types don't get a ranking ceremony, and instead get treated like inferior or second-class dungeon Masters." Rock looked melancholy when he spoke about this. Leonhardt was about to ask, but he managed to connect the dots.

"Because they didn't earn it. They took the simple path and gained power through favours or family name," Rock finished Leonhardt's train of thought, with a bright, fluffy smile.

"Well that's a dumb policy, isn't everyone a dungeon master?"

"It's a policy that was passed many years ago..." Rock said sadly.

Leonhardt stepped inside, and the pair was met with small glances and whispering.

Two dungeon masters and their summons sat off to the left, near the walls.

At the front, the centre stood a floating pedestal. Its round body levitated off the ground as if gravity didn't exist.

"Congratulations, Varik'Karn Agent of the swarm, with this you are promoted to Rank C!"

The pair glanced at each other in excitement and wonder as they stared at the floating orb. It glowed for a moment before turning dark. The dungeon master in front of it turned and walked to the door before teleporting away with her summon.

'That's it!?'

There wasn't anything special; all that changed was a light that sank into the Dungeon Master's body, and the ranking changed. It didn't feel all that important, but Zafira and Rock were adamant.

"You don't look very impressed, but... it means a lot for us. To reach Rank C means you're no longer treated like a servant, and you can appoint a lower ranked Dungeon Master as your ally and vassal."

Leonhardt found befriending Rock the most helpful thing he did since teleporting to this place, but while they were speaking, suddenly a teleportation gate opened, causing ripples in the air.

That's when a familiar moody figure appeared.

Indra, the Rank B dungeon master.

A sensual woman with deep blue eyes and flowing golden hair, or at least that was the woman Leonhardt met last night, but the current woman looked different. If he couldn't see her name in the reflection of his System, then even he would doubt it because her eyes turned black, with blue pupils, a demon...

[Lesser Demon...]

Her silver hairpin also seemed to be missing today.

She stepped onto the altar, her atmosphere cold, and even worse than the day before, she didn't even look at the surrounding monsters and races as if they were garbage.

"Calling, Unranked Dungeon Master Leonhardt Van Arlet."

'Did they have to call me in front of the others!?'

Leonhardt wasn't particularly nervous. While walking towards the altar, Leonhardt caught the eyes of the new Rank C and Indra, the woman seemed to find interest in him for only a second before scowling once again.

'She reminds me of Zavida's battle form...'

He couldn't help but smile at the woman, even though she spoke to him like crap earlier. Zafira repeatedly warned him that he was too generous towards those around him.

"Oh... she said avoid other demons."

Leonhardt couldn't help but ignore her advice, thinking that Indra didn't seem so bad.

Once on the altar, she asked him in a gentle voice. "Kneel before me."

Her attitude changed almost instantly, making him pause for a second in confusion, but Leonhardt played along, kneeling on one knee in front of her.

"My system is connected with the ranking system, so let my palm touch your head..."

It differed from how she treated the other dungeon masters. Indra acted as if being touched was disgusting or a foolish protest against him. Her palm was surprisingly warm to the touch, and her nails were sharp.

"Unranked Dungeon Master, Leonhardt Van Arlet, your outstanding service record and feats have granted you the permission to become a Rank C dungeon Master."

'Huh?'

"What the hell, why did he become Rank C!?"

"...amazing, he wasn't just a handsome face."

"The pleasure is ours!"

The noise outside became louder.

Those who watched his partner fight yesterday knew his potential, while those who heard the commotion knew a new person had ascended the rankings in a way that none have done before, at least for the past few hundred years.

Rock trembled, a smile forming on his fluffy kobold face, while Leonhardt grumbled, the palm on his head holding him down, Indra's face filled with a mixture of emotions.

'This bitch...'

[She hates you for no reason, so let me out. I'll show her!]

(Why does it feel like our lovely Leo attracts the strangest women...?)

"Hmph..." The woman slowly removed her pressure as she huffed and clicked her tongue.

Leonhardt stood slowly as the glowing light of the System sank into his chest. His body throbbed faintly as the System sealed the change, but his face remained expressionless.

"Your ranking has been updated," Indra said flatly, removing her hand as if brushing away dirt. "You are now Rank C."

She turned away before he could speak.

The woman switched between cold and mechanical to a strange mood so fast.

"Next," Indra called, gesturing to the next name without looking back.

Leonhardt stepped off the platform, coat swaying behind him.

Rock rushed over, eyes glimmering. "That was incredible, Leon! Rank C on your first official appearance? The others are already gossiping. You're going to get so many alliance requests!"

"I'm not interested in alliances," Leonhardt muttered, rubbing his temple. "But having a friend like you is enough for now."

His first words made Rock look pale, almost terrified, but his lips curled into a strange but complete, beastly smile after the wine.

"Thanks for everything, Rock."Koboldobold flushed, ears twitching. "You're gonna make me cry, man…"

"Don't push it."

Leonhardt's gaze had already returned to the floating platform. He could still feel Indra's residual presence…

'Lesser demon, huh…?'

[What's that... no, Leonhardt! I forbid it!]

(Hahha... me too, that beast is a bit much for you right now.)

He turned on his heel.

"Let's return," Leonhardt said, voice cool.

As the teleportation gate pulsed behind them again, Leonhardt glanced over his shoulder.

Indra hadn't moved.

But her black-pupilled eyes followed him, burning holes into his back.

Rock shivered. "She's still watching you."

"She can keep watching," Leonhardt said. "But I won't kneel twice."

They stepped through the gate.

Back in the quiet corridor, Leon split up with Rock, who needed to attend to some business, and the judging stares from other dungeon masters. Leonhardt returned to his room and inhaled deeply. The scent of Nyxara's skin, still clinging faintly to his robes, pulled his thoughts back.

'Her scent is a little different...

She was changing.

Becoming something new.

And he'd be there to see it bloom—with his mark burned into her soul.