As soon as I'm no longer under the crane I jump onto my legs and before it has the chance to fly into the air I leap onto its back.

It hurriedly flails and thrashes around, attempting to get me off by any means necessary, but I'm absolutely not going to go anywhere until I get my system notification confirmed kill. I stab my spear deep into its back and use it as a support pole to which I can hold onto until it finishes its wild convulsive movements.

Finally, I've found where the crane's physical form causes it to have a giant weakness. It can't attack me here directly, it simply has no means to reach back here. The best it can do is throw itself into the wall, hoping to squash me into paste, which it also realizes as it slams into the chamber's fortified panel, but I react in time, letting go of my spear's handle and climb onto its long neck.

I wrap my arms around its neck, gripping it with all my strength. The crane bucks and thrashes even harder than before, its desperation reaching new heights to throw me off, but I tighten my hold, squeezing with every ounce of power I have. I let out my own guttural battle cry as I focus my entire being into finishing the kill. My muscles burn, my veins bulge, and my fingers dig into its flesh.

The crane's frantic movements grow more erratic as it struggles to breathe.

The crane tries to flap its wings again, but its movements are weaker, more desperate. Its head jerks back and forth, its beak snapping at the air in a futile attempt to reach me. I feel its life force waning, its powerful body losing strength. My grip remains unyielding, my resolve unbreakable. I press my forearm against its windpipe, cutting off its air supply completely.

The crane's screeches turn into choking gasps, its wings flapping weakly as it fights for breath. Blood vessels in its eyes burst, filling them with a crimson hue. It thrashes one last time, a convulsive shudder running through its massive body. I hold on, gritting my teeth, my vision narrowing to the single task of ending this creature's life.

Its struggles become feeble twitches, its powerful legs giving out beneath it. With a final, wheezing gasp, the King Crane collapses to the ground, its body going limp. I don't let go immediately, ensuring the job is done. When I'm finally certain it's over, I release my hold and roll off its neck, landing heavily on the floor beside it.

Breathing hard, I stand up and look down at the fallen beast. Its once-proud form lies crumpled and lifeless, a testament to the brutal battle that just took place. I wipe the sweat and blood from my face, feeling a mix of exhaustion and triumph.

[You've Slain Boss Monster; King Crane (Level 2). You've Gained 150 XP.]

Phew. What an amazing battle. My adrenaline level is incredibly high right now, my heart is beating as if it is about to take off into the sky.

150 XP might seem a small amount, but we have to take into consideration that it's a spawned labyrinth monster and only level 2 at that. The labyrinth is meant to be a real grind from what I understand, not a high-risk high-reward 'get rich quick' method, which is more than welcome in my book.

During the goblin attack a sudden, level 22 war troll showed up unexpectedly and during Ian's assassination a silver adventurer party led by a level 15 tank-warrior got in our way. Here, in the labyrinth such surprises won't happen because you know the exact level of your future opponents, unless, of course, another explorer attacks you.

A sudden jolt enters my body as a very important detail enters my brain, a detail I've momentarily forgotten about during my death battle with the giant bird monster. I turn my head to see my silent companion staring at the battle's aftermath in disbelief. Just from her expression I can tell that she 100% expected me to need her assistance. It seems I've surpassed her expectations.

I lock my eyes onto hers and I begin walking towards Ayame with steady steps. With a slightly open mouth she watches my approach motionlessly, frozen as if she was a deer caught in the claws of a hungry lion.

However she might be feeling in this moment, one thing is for absolutely certain; I am one fucking hungry lion. I reach her position and step into her close space, towering over my short partner's slender frame. I then reach my right hand towards her head and clench her chin between my index finger and thumb.

With a light pull I force her to angle her head upwards and look into my eyes, after which I flash a victorious smile.

"Say it." I instruct with a commanding tone.

Her previous disbelieving look is dispelled only to be replaced by the most embarrassed expression I've seen her show as of yet in our time spent together. Ayame's cheeks flush a deep crimson, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. Her eyes widen and she bites her lower lip, clearly flustered by our close proximity and the intensity of my gaze.

Her breath catches in her throat, and she stammers slightly, her usual composed demeanor nowhere to be found. Her hands fidget nervously at her sides, fingers twisting the hem of her tunic. Her eyes dart away from mine for a moment, seeking an escape, but I gently but firmly guide her chin back, ensuring she maintains eye contact.

The red on her cheeks deepens as she looks up at me, her eyes a mix of embarrassment and something else- something that sends a thrill down my spine. She swallows hard, her voice barely above a whisper, but I can hear acceptance and submission in her tone. "You won," she says, her voice trembling slightly. "You did it."

"Of course I did, but that's not the part I care about right now, and we both know it." I murmur, my thumb brushing lightly against her soft skin, sending a shiver through her. "Repeat what you promised."

Ayame's eyes widen further, and she nods, her beautiful features burning even brighter. She closes her eyes for a moment, as if gathering her courage, then looks back up at me with a determined yet deeply embarrassed expression. "I promised... to sleep in your embrace," she finally admits, her voice barely audible.

The blush on her cheeks is vivid, making her look even more endearing. Her breathing quickens, and I can feel the warmth radiating from her face. This compliant, even submissive side of Ayame, mixed with the promise she's about to fulfill, makes the victory taste a hundred times sweeter.

I lean in slightly, close enough to feel her breath on my skin, and I smile as I brush my fingers on her crimson cheeks.

"Good girl," I say softly, reveling in the sight of her squirming with a mixture of embarrassment and badly hidden anticipation. Her eyes close for a moment, and she takes a deep breath, already beginning to steel herself for what's to come tonight. The sight of her like this, flushed and flustered, is both sexy and satisfying, an absolutely perfect reward for my herculean effort in the boss battle.