The stone door rumbled open before us, grinding into the dungeon walls like some ancient, groaning beast. Dust drifted from the ceiling. Beyond the threshold, an enormous chamber yawned, illuminated by faintly glowing crystals embedded in its ceiling. The boss room.
There it stood—massive, armored in obsidian-like plates, eyes glowing molten orange beneath a cracked stone brow. A golem, at least five times the height of a man, fists like boulders, thundering as it stepped forward. Each movement shook the room.
"Well," Frye said with a dramatic sigh, plucking an arrow from her quiver, "this'll be fun."
Zion stepped forward, shield raised, sword gleaming. "We need a plan," she said without hesitation, looking at me. "Ideas?"
I scanned the terrain quickly—limited space, no natural cover. The golem's movements were heavy but deliberate. "If I can freeze its legs, you'll have an opening," I said. "It's too big to stay balanced once they're stiff."
Zion nodded. "Good. Once it's down, I'll go for the head."
Frye grinned. "And I'll rain hell from the back. Sounds sexy."
"I'll flank it and go for the knees," Mochi growled, cracking her knuckles. Her yellow eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I want to see how this thing roars when I tear into it."
"I'll support you all," Iris said, her voice calm but eyes burning with determination. "No one's getting hurt under my watch."
The fight began like an earthquake.
The golem roared, swinging its arm wide in a crushing arc. Zion intercepted the blow, bracing her shield with both arms, the impact sending shockwaves through the chamber. Mochi dashed forward, weaving between its legs, clawed gloves scraping and sparking against the stone. Frye's arrows sailed from behind, striking its joints, guiding its attention.
"Ice Spike!" I shouted, channeling mana through both arms. The floor beneath the golem shimmered and exploded in a bloom of frost, wrapping around its legs and locking them in place.
It stumbled.
"Now, Zion!" I called.
Zion dashed forward in a blur of silver and gold. Her sword glowed with mana as she leapt, twisting mid-air. "Divine Breaker!"
Her blade sliced clean through the golem's neck. For a moment, the head stayed attached, glowing eyes fading—and then it fell, crashing to the floor and shattering into dust.
The room was silent.
Then: cheering.
"We did it!" Frye whooped, throwing her arms around me from behind. "Another dungeon boss down. You owe me a back massage later, sweetie."
"I'm bleeding and exhausted," I muttered, but I was grinning. "That was amazing."
Mochi snorted, wrapping her arm around my waist. "You're not giving her anything. Healers come first. And combat wives."
"Combat wives?" Frye laughed. "You just made that up."
"Did not."
"You absolutely did."
Zion rolled her eyes, already digging through the opened treasure chest. "Can we loot first, argue later?"
The rewards were generous—gold, enchanted rings, a new staff I immediately claimed, and a rare enhancement gem Iris clutched like a sacred relic. We packed everything and made our way out of the dungeon, finally climbing into the wooden carriage that would take us back to town.
And that's when the trouble started.
There were only three seats.
Zion sat across from me, resting her sword beside her legs, already reclining like she had claimed that spot from the start. "I'm not moving," she said preemptively. "I did the killing blow. I deserve comfort."
Frye put one foot up on the seat beside me, smiling wide. "You sure, sweetie? There's plenty of room for you to nap in my lap."
Before I could answer, she flopped down beside me, her short skirt riding up to expose her thighs. Her hand casually slid over mine.
Mochi growled, her fur bristling. "Out of the way, twig."
"Twig?!" Frye snapped. "At least I don't shed."
Mochi leapt onto the carriage bench, shoving Frye sideways and plopping herself onto my other side. Her fluffy tail immediately wrapped around my waist, and she leaned in, resting her head on my shoulder.
"Master's not going anywhere," she murmured possessively. "This spot's mine."
"My boobs say otherwise," Frye hissed, leaning forward to squish her chest against my arm.
Iris appeared at the doorway, peering in with an innocent smile. "Oh dear. Is there room for me?"
"No," both Frye and Mochi said in unison.
But Iris didn't blink. She gracefully climbed up onto the carriage, standing in the tight space. Then, without hesitation, she sat directly on my lap.
I froze.
Her white dress shimmered with the sunlight streaming through the slats, her long golden hair brushing against my face. Her soft body settled into me perfectly, and her scent—like lilies and sunlight—invaded my senses.
"This seems fine," she said, pressing back against me. "He feels very comfortable."
I choked. "I-Iris—"
She smiled sweetly, leaning back just enough for her large breasts to press into my chest again. "Thank you for saving me earlier. Let me reward you, even if just a little…"
Frye was slack-jawed. "You—! You manipulative elf!"
Mochi's claws flexed. "Get. Off. Him."
"I'm literally healing him with affection," Iris replied, feigning innocence.
Zion, still across from us, massaged her temples. "This is going to be the longest ride of my life."
The wheels began to turn, the carriage bumping along the rocky path back to town. Frye leaned harder into my arm, her hand crawling up my thigh. Mochi pulled my other arm tighter into her chest, her warmth heating through the chains and fur. Iris adjusted herself with a gentle sigh that was far too suggestive, resting her head back on my shoulder.
I sat between three beautiful, dangerous women, all pressing against me from every angle, my heartbeat pounding like war drums. Zion stared blankly ahead, clearly pretending none of it was happening.
I'd survived a golem.
But this?
This was the real boss fight.