Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Carl and Princess Donut arrive at the third floor of the dungeon, greeted by an illusion of the night sky and a familiar golden hallway. Mordecai, now a Level 50 Incubus with a more seductive appearance, greets them and informs them that the training levels have concluded and the real challenges are about to begin. Initially formal, Mordecai soon discards his tuxedo, explaining that the audience cannot see what happens inside the guildhall, likening it to a jury room.

Inside the guildhall, Mordecai prepares Donut for her transformation, presenting her with a list of 320 racial choices. Despite Mordecai’s and Carl’s attempts to guide her, Donut insists on remaining a cat, gaining some racial benefits. They then review the three AI-recommended classes for Donut: Artist Alley Mogul, NecroBard, and Former Child Actor. Each class offers unique benefits and drawbacks, and Mordecai and Carl discuss the pros and cons of each, with Carl favoring the Artist Alley Mogul due to its well-rounded nature and beneficial skills.

In a surprising twist, Donut pretends to choose the Artist Alley Mogul but secretly selects the Former Child Actor class, a risky and chance-based choice that grants her immunity to poisons and diseases, a chance to survive fatal attacks, and the Manager benefit, which forces Mordecai to teleport to any saferoom they enter. Mordecai is furious upon discovering the deception, realizing he will now be forced to accompany them constantly, losing access to his guild’s resources and comforts.

Despite the tension, Carl and Donut acknowledge the strategic value of the Manager benefit, as it provides them with Mordecai’s invaluable expertise and assistance. Mordecai, begrudgingly, confirms Donut’s new class and status as a Level 13 Former Child Actor Cat, setting the stage for the challenges ahead on the third floor.

Mordecai, now a Level 50 Incubus, assists Carl and Princess Donut in selecting their races and classes for the third floor of the dungeon. After careful consideration, Carl decides to become a Primal, a blank slate with the potential to unlock higher-tier skills but at the cost of starting with lower stats. Mordecai advises Carl on the pros and cons of different classes, ultimately leading him to choose the Compensated Anarchist class, which aligns with his high viewer count and offers unique skills like Backfire and Escape Plan.

Meanwhile, Donut remains a cat, gaining several racial benefits and a new class, Former Child Actor, which grants her immunity to poisons and diseases and forces Mordecai to teleport to any saferoom they enter. Mordecai is initially frustrated by this but acknowledges its strategic value. The chapter delves into the lore of Primals, ancient beings whose legacy influences the dungeon's mechanics.

As the countdown for the third floor begins, Mordecai explains the shortened time frame and its implications for the upcoming floors. He then leads Carl, Donut, and Mongo outside their room, revealing a bustling village filled with various creatures and shops. Mordecai formally presents Carl as a Level 13 Compensated Anarchist Primal, setting the stage for their new challenges on the third floor.

Mordecai leads Carl and Donut through the Over City, a sprawling, abandoned metropolis that serves as the third floor of the dungeon. The city, designed as a stage set for the viewers, is filled with window dressing, but the NPCs are real, living creatures engineered by the Borant Corporation. Mordecai delves into the complex ethics and legality surrounding the NPCs, explaining that they are owned by the corporation and have their memories altered and reset each time the floor is formed on a new planet. He warns Carl and Donut about the dangers lurking in the ruins and the presence of guards. To ensure their survival, Mordecai advises them to travel to a larger village for better shops and resources.

Carl and Donut continue their journey through the Over City, a sprawling metropolis that serves as the third floor of the dungeon. As they train Mongo, a group of feral lemurs, descendants of a once-popular circus, suddenly attack them with knives. Carl quickly reacts, throwing a boom jug at the lemurs, causing an explosion that sends them flying. However, more threats emerge, including a giraffe covered in lemurs and a terrifying clown named Terror the Clown. Despite the chaos, Carl discovers a new quest called 'The Show Must Go On.' After defeating Terror the Clown, a Level 10 monster, they return to the saferoom, where they find Mordecai passed out drunk, complicating their plans.

Still reeling from the lemur attack, Carl and Donut find themselves in a brief respite as Mongo, now level three, has taken on a more dinosaur-like appearance. With Mordecai passed out drunk, Carl and Donut open their Silver Earth boxes, each receiving a variety of items and a Hobby potion. Donut’s box contains a cat tree and a scented candle, while Carl’s includes a cactus and a collection of Louis L'Amour western novels. The Hobby potions grant them obscure skills: Donut becomes a scutelliphile, and Carl gains the Cesta Punta skill, leaving both puzzled by their new abilities.

Donut experiments with her new Clockwork Triplicate spell, which creates two additional copies of Mongo that last for a minute. Despite the high mana cost, the spell proves both entertaining and useful. Meanwhile, Carl delves into his Bomb Surgeon skill, examining his explosives and contemplating future enhancements. Deciding to explore the area around the circus, they venture out despite the encroaching darkness and potential threats.

As they approach the site of their earlier encounter, they discover the markers of three fallen crawlers, all women and possibly related, who were killed by lemurs. Carl feels a pang of guilt for not checking on the other crawlers earlier. They cautiously move forward and spot a stealthy, skull-headed lemur on a rooftop. Despite her noisy armor, Donut manages to silently dispatch the lemur, demonstrating her growing stealth and combat skills. Mongo finishes the job, tearing open the lemur’s belly. Donut informs Carl about the location of the circus and the presence of more lemurs and giraffes, but no clowns.

The group resolves to eliminate the remaining lemur and investigate the fallen crawlers before heading to the circus. Donut’s actions and Mongo’s growth underscore the evolving dynamics within the group, as Carl reflects on the nature of their bond and the critical role of teamwork in this perilous environment.

Carl and Donut cautiously approach the three dead crawlers they discovered, finding that the bodies had been looted and mutilated. The crawlers, all women and possibly related, were killed by lemurs. Carl and Donut loot the corpses, finding valuable items and gaining new skills. Donut’s new anklet grants her the Double Tap skill, enhancing her combat abilities.

From their hiding spot, they observe the circus preparing for a battle. The circus is surrounded by a fortified barrier, and the clowns are setting up defenses. They watch the clowns urinate on a wanted poster of Tsarina Signet, a half-Naiad, half-High-Elf Summoner, indicating her status as a traitor. Mordecai contacts them, urging them to return to the saferoom, warning that they are in over their heads.

As they attempt to leave, they are ambushed by a magical mortar attack from the circus. They fall into a basement, narrowly escaping the explosion. Donut uses her Puddle Jumper spell to create a larger exit, and they encounter Tsarina Signet, an Elite NPC with a high Charisma and a seductive presence. Carl feels the pull of her charm, but Mordecai advises him to break the effect by fracturing his finger, which works.

Signet reveals that the circus is preparing to release its beasts, and the red dots on their minimap confirm that they are surrounded. Despite the danger, Carl and Donut refuse to get involved in the circus’s conflicts and prepare to face the incoming threats.

Carl and Donut emerge from the basement, still shaken from the magical mortar attack, only to find themselves face-to-face with Tsarina Signet, an Elite NPC. Despite the chaos around them, Signet remains in her arms-out pose, seemingly unfazed. The situation escalates as six Mold Lions, Level 15 monsters, surround them on the rooftops. Realizing the gravity of their situation, Carl quickly formulates a plan involving Donut’s Confusing Fog spell and his own Protective Shell. The plan works, and they manage to defeat the lions, with Mongo growing to Level 6 and Donut and Carl advancing to Level 14.

Despite their victory, Signet’s spell fails, revealing her true intentions: to use Carl as a blood sacrifice to summon her battle squad. Carl and Donut, now wary of Signet’s motives, agree to meet her the next night but insist that she summon her squad first. Back at the saferoom, Mordecai is furious, berating Carl and Donut for their reckless decisions. Mordecai explains the nature of elites, emphasizing that they are highly protected and manipulated by the dungeon’s writers and producers to maintain their storylines.

Mordecai warns that interfering with elite storylines can lead to dire consequences, as the writers will often ensure the death of crawlers to protect their narratives. He advises Carl and Donut to avoid such quests and focus on progressing through the dungeon. The chapter concludes with a recap episode showing the transformations of other crawlers, including Hekla and Lucia Mar, highlighting the diverse and sometimes bizarre choices made by the crawlers.

Carl awakens to a message from Brandon, detailing the challenges and transformations of other crawlers back in the human settlement. After a tense breakfast with Mordecai and Gordo, Carl, Donut, and Mongo set out towards the skyfowl settlement. However, they are suddenly ambushed, and Carl is stunned, paralyzed, and rendered unconscious.

When Carl regains consciousness, he finds himself in a dimly lit, claustrophobic room with Tsarina Signet. She reveals that Donut and Mongo are still alive but under her control. Signet explains that she followed them to ensure they would keep their promise to help her assault the circus. She threatens to harm Donut if Carl does not comply with her demands. Carl is forced to leave Donut and Mongo behind, protected by a makeshift shelter, and follow Signet to the circus.

On the way, Signet shares her tragic backstory, explaining her relationship with Grimaldi and the cataclysm that transformed the circus members. She reveals her plan to use Carl to kill Heather, a transformed black bear, and use her blood to summon her battle squad. Despite the moral dilemma, Carl agrees to proceed with the plan, knowing that his actions could save Donut and Mongo.

Carl faces Heather the Bear, a Level 19 Neighborhood Boss, in a brutal and unconventional battle. The transformed bear, equipped with roller skates and worm-like claws, proves to be a formidable opponent. Carl uses a combination of smoke bombs, moonshine, and a fireball lottery ticket to defeat her, but the battle takes a psychological toll as the worms attempt to invade his mind. After the fight, Carl discovers that by freeing the worms, he has released the true Heather, who gratefully asks him to end her suffering, which he does with a heavy heart.

Signet, watching from the shadows, completes her summoning ritual, bringing forth a unique army of paper-thin, tattoo-inspired monsters. These creatures, though two-dimensional, move with surprising agility and ferocity, decimating the circus defenses. Carl, still reeling from the battle with Heather, follows Signet as they advance on the circus. The paper army faces off against the circus’s defenders, including lemurs and clowns, with the ogre elemental and sea serpents leading the charge. Signet reveals that the final challenge lies within the big top, which is protected by ancient magic, and tasks Carl with collapsing the tent by breaking three central poles.

Mordecai, providing insights into the nature of Signet's Ink Marauder spell, warns Carl about the potential risks of engaging with elite storylines. He also informs Carl about the recipe for curing the Water Lily curse, though the ingredients are not available in their current location. Despite the overwhelming odds, the paper army successfully breaches the circus defenses, but the ancient magic protecting the big top proves to be a significant obstacle. Signet explains that Carl must find a big top ticket to gain safe passage inside and complete the final task.

Carl navigates through the chaotic and transformed circus, entering the main arena of Grimaldi’s big top with a circus ticket. Clammy the Clown, after sniffing the ticket, lets him pass. Inside, the circus continues its bizarre performances, with the transformed circus workers acting as if nothing is amiss, despite the recent battle and the looming presence of the Pestiferous Vine. Overwhelmed by a flood of childhood memories triggered by the circus's familiar yet disturbing atmosphere, Carl refocuses on his mission. Mordecai’s advice about killing the Pestiferous Vine resurfaces, and Carl realizes he must act quickly. He poisons himself and drips his blood onto the vine, hoping to break the link with its symbionts. Despite the risk and the potential for the vine to counteract the poison, Carl completes the task and waits anxiously for the effects to take hold. The circus continues its performance, oblivious to Carl’s actions, and the vine shows no immediate signs of weakening. Carl remains vigilant, ready for any changes.

Having successfully poisoned the Pestiferous Vine, Carl contacts Zev to negotiate a deal with the producers of 'Vengeance of the Daughter.' He demands to become a regular on the show in exchange for his continued participation in elite-themed quests, threatening to reverse the poison if they refuse. The producers agree, and Carl proceeds to heal the vine, ensuring his safety and setting the stage for future challenges.

Carl then approaches Apollon, the ice cream-selling strongman, and consumes a cone of worms, becoming infested with parasites. Using the Wisp Armor spell to resist mind control, Carl exits the tent and confronts Signet. He pleads with her to reconsider her vendetta against Grimaldi, suggesting that they both want to protect their families. Despite the worms forcing him to speak against his will, Carl manages to convey his message, urging Grimaldi to listen to Signet.

Moved by Carl's words, Signet decides to enter the tent to confront Grimaldi. Before she leaves, she assures Carl that Donut will awaken when the sun rises. Carl drinks a double healing potion, expelling the worms, and reflects on the significance of his actions. He realizes that he has planted seeds of change and that his part in this chapter of the story is now complete.

As Carl recovers, he receives a message from Mordecai, informing him that Donut's health has dropped below 20%. Carl rushes to her aid, realizing that another drama is unfolding simultaneously, though the nature of this second drama is unclear.

Exhausted and wounded, Carl rushes to rescue Donut and Mongo, who are under attack by Street Urchins, small, spiky creatures drawn to the debris Carl had used to protect Donut. Upon arriving, Carl finds Mongo valiantly defending Donut, who is in a critical state. Using a combination of healing scrolls and a potent potion concoction provided by Mordecai, Carl manages to save both Donut and Mongo. Mongo’s level increases significantly, and he develops a powerful jump attack, further bonding with Donut.

As dawn breaks, Donut awakens, and Carl recounts the events of the night. Now at level 15, Donut is initially confused but quickly adapts. They discover a new staircase leading to the fourth floor, which had been hidden until they completed the circus quest. Carl and Donut discuss the dangers of their newfound popularity and the potential threats from the production company behind 'Vengeance of the Daughter.'

Energized by their recovery, Carl and Donut trek to a larger skyfowl settlement, encountering various mobs and practicing their spells along the way. Carl introduces a new combat strategy called 'Panic,' which involves using his Fear spell in conjunction with Donut’s attacks. Upon reaching the settlement, they observe the diverse population, including eagle-headed humanoids and other NPCs, and note the presence of other crawlers at lower levels. They also notice a club called 'The Desperado Club,' which piques Donut’s interest.

Before entering the tutorial guild, Carl reflects on the rapid pace of their journey and the longing for a normal life. He contemplates the future and the possibility of settling in a town like the one they’ve reached, while Donut remains focused on exploring the club.

Exhausted from their recent adventures, Carl and Donut settle into Mordecai’s chamber to rest. Carl collapses into a chair, while Mongo, still adjusting to his larger size, settles by the fireplace. Mordecai returns from his own room, slightly annoyed at the unexpected teleportation, and updates them on the changes in the dungeon, including the new settlement and the Desperado Club. He also shares his background in alchemy and mycology, explaining the connection between his studies and the dungeon’s vegetation-rich levels.

Carl and Donut begin opening their achievement boxes, which are filled with various rewards, including a Gold Fan Box and a Platinum Quest Box. Carl receives a Scroll of Upgrade, which upgrades his Enchanted BigBoi Boxers, adding significant stat boosts but also the Freeballing Benefit, which restricts him from wearing pants. Donut, amused by Carl’s predicament, jokes about him wearing leather chaps. Mordecai explains the strategic value of the upgrades and the potential for more such items as their reputation grows.

Mordecai also presents Carl with a 100,000 Gold Coin Casino Chip, which can only be used at the Desperado Club Casino. He promises to take them to the club the following night to show them how it works. The chapter ends with Carl reflecting on the rapid pace of their journey and the growing complexities of their lives in the dungeon.

Still reeling from their recent adventures, Carl and Donut, along with Mongo and Mordecai, decide to seek a quiet place to rest. They opt for a small, disreputable pub called The One-Eyed Narwhal, avoiding the more inviting establishments to escape the attention of other crawlers. Inside, they meet Fitz, a level-30 human barkeep, and settle into the nearly empty pub, where they watch a recap show featuring other notable crawlers and their pets.

Despite Mordecai’s warnings, Carl feels compelled to help an orc NPC named GumGum, who is visibly distressed. Mordecai advises Carl to focus on his own survival and warns against taking on unnecessary quests. However, Carl’s empathy leads him to check on GumGum later, only to find her gone. The next day, they explore the town’s shops, where Donut’s negotiation skills shine, allowing them to sell their excess items and purchase useful gear, including a magical pet carrier for Mongo.

After shopping, they follow Mordecai’s advice to grind and find a neighborhood boss. They encounter and defeat a psionic creature called the Dispenser, leveling up and refining their combat strategies. On their way back to town, they stumble upon GumGum disposing of a pile of dead prostitutes, leading to a new quest titled 'The Sex Workers Who Fell from the Heavens.' Despite the new challenge, Carl remains determined not to let it derail their progress.

Still reeling from their recent adventures, Carl, Donut, Mongo, and Mordecai make their way to the Desperado Club, a bustling, retro-futuristic establishment that serves as a hub for crawlers and NPCs. The club is divided into multiple areas, including the main room, which is packed with NPCs and crawlers, and various themed rooms like Bitches, Penis Parade, and The Silk Road. Mordecai explains the layout and the unique features of the club, such as the privacy bubbles that reduce noise and the illusion of a crowded space maintained by bot NPCs.

Inside the club, Mordecai introduces Carl and Donut to Quint, a Level 75 Half-Djinn, Half-Garbage Scowl who works as the club’s pharmacist. Quint, a former crawler, provides insights into the club’s history and the dangers of the lower floors. Mordecai and Carl negotiate with Quint to acquire a starter kit for potion-making, which includes a suitcase filled with alchemical supplies. Meanwhile, Donut becomes tipsy after drinking a Dirty Shirley and needs a potion to sober up.

Mordecai reveals that managers like himself gain system protection starting from the fourth floor, which means they can be killed but will not truly die; instead, they will be kicked out of the game. This protection is a significant perk for managers, unlike guildmasters who lack such safeguards. Mordecai also hints at the complexity of his role as a manager, suggesting that there are deeper reasons for his initial reluctance to take on the position.

The chapter concludes with Mordecai and Carl deciding to visit the Silk Road Market before the recap show starts, to avoid the attention that would come if they were featured on the program. Donut, now sober, joins them, and they prepare to explore the market, aware of the potential dangers and opportunities that lie ahead.

After their encounter with Quint at the Desperado Club, Carl, Donut, Mongo, and Mordecai head to the Silk Road Market. Here, they meet Pustule, a Level 30 hobgoblin merchant who runs a shop called Hobgobs and Boom Sticks, specializing in explosives and chemicals. Despite her intimidating appearance and erratic behavior, Donut successfully negotiates a better price for goblin dynamite and hob-lobbers, securing a future supply of smoke curtains. Pustule also provides a value estimate for Carl's Boom Jug. However, the visit takes an unexpected turn when Mongo suddenly rushes into a dark alley, leading Carl and Donut into a confrontation with a group of Krasue and a dark elf.

Carl and Donut examine the corpses of the elf, Vincente, and the orc, GumGum, after their confrontation in the alley. Vincente's uniform, reminiscent of a military outfit, bears a patch that reads '201st Security Group – Magical Ops,' hinting at a deeper connection to the city elves and their bizarre beliefs. GumGum's inventory reveals a Gate Pass and a Mysterious Letter, suggesting her involvement with the magistrate and a potential necromancer. The letter, written in necroscript, indicates a connection to the undead, leading Mordecai to speculate about a lich behind the recent events.

Later, back at the inn, Mordecai assists Carl in creating a Hair of the Dog potion. Carl and Donut then open their fan boxes. Donut receives a framed picture of Bea, which surprisingly doesn't upset Carl. Carl receives a xistera, a jai-alai scoop, which significantly enhances his ability to launch projectiles. Mordecai explains the xistera's potential uses and the benefits of working together to create more advanced equipment.

Mordecai reveals that the city elves, particularly the 201st Security Group, are a cult dedicated to protecting the skyfowl, whom they believe to be angels. Despite the skyfowl's dismissive attitude, the city elves remain fervent in their mission. Donut insists on completing the quest to solve the mystery of the dead prostitutes and the krasue, despite Mordecai's reservations. Fitz, the barkeep, confirms that GumGum had been concerned about the krasue and had nightmares about the fallen women, adding urgency to their mission.

The chapter concludes with Donut placing the picture of Bea next to her cat tree and Carl promising to prevent anyone from dying alone. Late at night, a loud thud on the roof precedes the discovery of another dead prostitute in the alley, with a chilling message scrawled on her back: 'No, you won’t.'

Carl, Donut, and Mordecai visit the administrative building to meet Magistrate Featherfall regarding the murders. Using Donut’s Puddle Jumper spell, they bypass the building’s unusual architecture and reach the third floor, where they encounter Miss Quill, the magistrate’s assistant. Despite Donut’s attempts to charm Miss Quill, she remains unimpressed and refuses to let them see the magistrate, emphasizing the town’s policy of indifference toward non-skyfowl victims.

To gain the magistrate’s attention, Carl places the dead prostitute’s body on Miss Quill’s desk, causing chaos and forcing her to call for guards. However, the guards, who had previously seen Carl with the body, do not intervene. Miss Quill, overwhelmed, agrees to inform the magistrate of their visit. The team leaves, planning to return at night when the magistrate is more likely to be present. They also consider visiting the 201st Security Group headquarters.

With time before their interview, they venture west to search for mobs. Carl prepares his xistera and pre-lit hob-lobbers for combat. They discover a cleared neighborhood and decide to explore an abandoned indoor pool. Suddenly, the room is engulfed in an eerie darkness, and red dots appear on the map, indicating approaching enemies. The team faces a group of slow-moving, terrifying shambling berserkers, which are particularly dangerous in the dark.

Carl uses his hob-lobbers to eliminate some of the threats, but a misaimed throw leads to a massive explosion, sending him flying and leaving him unconscious. Donut and Mongo finish off the remaining monsters. Carl awakens to find the area covered in gore and learns that the shambling berserkers are easier to kill in the light. They secure the neighborhood map and head back to the inn, where Donut plans to clean up before their interview.

Transported to a lavish production trailer for a live interview on 'Danger Zone,' Carl and Donut are greeted by a high-tech cleaning machine that Donut insists they use. Initially resistant, Carl and his companion eventually comply, and the team heads to the studio. There, they meet the show's host, Ripper Wonton, and other panelists, including the Soother Evo, the Squid Princess D’nadia, the Quokka Ripper, the Naga Manasa, the comedian Tucker, and the Shieldmaiden Hekla. The atmosphere is tense, and Donut quickly clashes with Tucker, a pompous human who disapproves of her presence on the show.

During the interview, Carl delivers a passionate speech advocating rebellion against oppressive governments, drawing mixed reactions from the audience and panelists. The interview is abruptly interrupted when Manasa's trailer is hit by a pulse attack, killing her. The show's host, Ripper, reveals that Prince Stalwart of the Skull Empire has claimed responsibility for the attack, targeting Carl and Donut for Carl's anti-establishment comments. The Valtay Corporation retaliates by destroying Prince Stalwart's yacht, escalating the conflict.

The tension in the studio is palpable as the remaining panelists react to the news. Princess D’nadia condemns the Skull Empire's actions, while Tucker tries to downplay the incident. Hekla, who has been quiet throughout, observes Carl and Donut, noting the chaos and destruction that seem to follow them. The chapter ends with the team realizing the gravity of their situation and the potential for further attacks.

Following the chaotic live interview on 'Danger Zone,' Carl and Donut reflect on the events, particularly the tragic death of Manasa. Carl suspects they were set up by a larger, unseen force, possibly benefiting Borant by destabilizing the Valtay Corporation and the Skull Empire. Mordecai, upon hearing the details, sternly warns Carl and Donut against further interference with external entities, emphasizing the dangers of attracting unwanted attention from powerful factions.

With the interview aftermath settled, Carl, Donut, and Mordecai focus on their next objective: disrupting the 201st Security Group, a cult of city elves worshipping the skyfowl. They locate the cult’s headquarters, a building disguised as the Apito Education Center. The cult members, recognizing Donut’s anklet as a symbol of the Oak Fell (an antichrist figure), become violently unstable. The situation escalates when a pregnant dwarf, Eunice, intervenes, beating one of the elves with a rolling pin after they harm her son. The scene descends into chaos as the remaining elves attack Eunice, and the village guards join the fray.

In a split-second decision, Carl strikes one of the guards, drawing the guards’ attention to him. Meanwhile, a young dwarf boy, Ricky Joe, loses his arm to Mongo after attacking the dinosaur. Carl and Donut use the Puddle Jumper spell to escape, detonating a boom jug that destroys the remaining elves and the corrupt temple. They rescue Ricky Joe, treating his wound with a health potion, and the chapter ends with the burning ruins of the temple and the cult’s headquarters.

Carl, Donut, and Mordecai wait until sunset to leave their hiding spot atop a building, observing the guards' movements and the burning remains of the cult’s headquarters. They question Ricky Joe about the cult’s activities, learning that a female skyfowl frequently visits the temple and leads women away, suggesting a deeper conspiracy. The team decides to investigate further but must first deal with the aftermath of their earlier actions.

At the Silk Road, Carl and Donut purchase more supplies, including hob-lobbers and hobgoblin smoke curtains. Returning to the One-Eyed Narwhal, they meet Katia Grim, a doppelganger and Monster Truck Driver class crawler. Mordecai explains that Katia is struggling to master her doppelganger abilities and is a powerful tank but lacks in other areas. Despite reservations, Carl agrees to let Katia join their party at Donut’s insistence and Mordecai’s advice.

The recap show reveals a fabricated feud between Donut and Cici and Gustavo 3, the pets of Lucia Mar. Donut is outraged, and Mordecai explains that the show is manipulating events for entertainment. He also shares insights from the newsletter, indicating that the system is compensating for the shortened floor times by making quests more elaborate and increasing the difficulty of mobs. The team prepares to break into the magistrate’s home, aware of the risks and the need to act quickly before sunrise.

On the rooftop, Carl and Donut encounter a group of Shadow Leaks, which they defeat easily. They then prepare to jump to the magistrate’s roof, using the Puddle Jumper spell and clockwork Mongos as distractions. Carl activates a hidden dynamite trap, setting the stage for their infiltration. The chapter ends with the team poised to breach the magistrate’s office, ready to uncover more secrets.

Carl and Donut successfully detonate the dynamite, reducing the magistrate’s quarters to rubble and killing Magistrate Featherfall. However, the quest remains unresolved, and they realize that Featherfall was not the true mastermind. As they enter the smoldering, damaged building, they stumble upon a horrifying room filled with the hanging corpses of various women, many of whom are krasue. Carl and Donut are shocked to find Featherfall’s emaciated body hanging upside down, clearly dead for some time.

The situation turns dire as the krasue begin to stir. Mongo, ever loyal, bites off the heads of several krasue, but the room soon fills with smoke and chaos. Carl casts a Fireball spell to clear the area, but the building groans and starts to crumble around them. Amid the debris, they find Burgundy, one of the headless corpses, who regains consciousness and reveals crucial information about Miss Quill and her husband, Remex, a monstrous being trying to resurrect himself. Burgundy explains that the krasue collect feathers from skyfowl and chickadees, and that Remex is responsible for the twisted deaths of women found in the alleys.

Burgundy pleads with Carl to end her suffering, and Donut obliges with a Magic Missile. With the building on the verge of collapse, Carl and Donut realize that Miss Quill was the true leader and that the quest is still active. They now have a lead on Remex’s location, across the street in the guards’ quarters.

Carl and Donut narrowly escape the collapsing building after discovering Miss Quill's horrific collection of krasue and other victims. Outside, they encounter Daniel Bautista 2, a Tigran Swashbuckler, who reveals that he was pursuing a quest involving Miss Quill and lost his family to the lemurs Carl and Donut previously defeated. After a heartfelt conversation, Bautista expresses gratitude and offers his assistance. Reflecting on their pre-dungeon lives, Carl and Donut share their aspirations and the challenges they faced.

With the quest still unresolved, Carl and Donut decide to confront the lich, Remex, in the Swordsmen depot. They meticulously prepare by rigging the building with dynamite and rallying the townspeople to defend the city. Mordecai advises them on the nature of liches and the potential risks. To safeguard against mind control, Carl entrusts the detonator to Katia. As they enter the warehouse, they find the lich in the corner, and Carl threatens mutual destruction to gain the upper hand.

Still reeling from the shock of the explosion, Carl and Donut confront Remex, a Soul Leech Capacitor, who reveals the true nature of his existence and Miss Quill’s grand plans. Remex explains that he was brought back from the dead by Miss Quill to serve as a capacitor, storing soul power to control the swordsmen and power a massive spell to reclaim the Over City for the skyfowl. The spell, known as The Final War, was intended to wipe out all non-flyers, sparing only the skyfowl and chickadees.

As Remex recounts his story, Carl and Donut learn that Miss Quill’s plans involved creating an army of krasue and manipulating the elves to gather the necessary materials. The quest is completed when Remex finishes his tale, but their relief is short-lived. A new group quest, The Fools Who Broke the Glass, is announced, warning of an impending explosion that will devastate a 45-square-kilometer area. The quest gives them seven minutes to find safety, but the Desperado Club, their initial safe haven, is out of the blast radius.

Carl and Donut are torn between ensuring their own survival or risking everything to save Katia and the other 80 crawlers caught in the blast radius. Donut insists on trying to save the others, and Carl devises a risky plan to contain the soul crystal in Miss Quill’s glass case, hoping it will prevent the explosion. They place the crystal inside the case, but with only two and a half minutes left, the case begins to crack under the strain.

As the countdown reaches its final moments, Carl and Donut sit together, bracing for the worst. Remex, still muttering about his son, adds a poignant layer to the scene. Carl reflects on Donut’s growth and their shared resolve, even in the face of certain death.

Remex’s sudden scream jolts Carl from his shock, revealing that the explosion was contained within the glass case, though the room is now engulfed in flames. Carl manages to pull the now unstable explosive into his inventory, but his hands are severely burned. The quest updates, informing them that a larger, more dangerous explosion is imminent, with four precursor bursts leading up to it.

Carl and Donut, along with Katia and a group of crawlers, race to find safety. They follow Carl’s instructions to remove all magical gear, but the second pulse causes a crawler named Conrad to explode due to his magical arrows. The group continues to face obstacles, including Ruin Flockers and the unpredictable effects of the precursor bursts. Donut reluctantly removes her Sepsis Crown, which crumbles into dust.

The third pulse activates and deactivates magical items in unpredictable ways, causing chaos among the group. Katia’s Rush skill propels her through a wall, and the group is forced to enter a decrepit building. The final pulse is approaching, and they must decide whether to descend to the fourth floor prematurely. Mordecai confirms that the NPCs are safe and that the guards are weakened, suggesting they kill as many as possible for experience.

Carl, Donut, and Katia prepare to enter the stairwell, with Carl instructing Katia to use the detonator to potentially trigger the remaining dynamite. As they approach the door, Donut jokes about Carl’s lack of pants, adding a moment of levity to the tense situation.

Carl and Donut, along with Mongo and Katia, emerge into a green room, a stark contrast to the chaos they just escaped. Donut’s laughter at a joke during the interview momentarily lightens the mood, but Carl is visibly shaken by the sight of himself on screen, nearly naked and vulnerable. Odette, the interviewer, reveals that the expected catastrophic explosion was averted, and the group's actions inadvertently saved many lives, including that of a crawler named Quan Ch, who received a Celestial Quest Box as a result. However, Carl, Donut, and Katia are denied their rewards due to Borant's veto. Despite this, the group gains significant levels and experience points from the explosion, and the leaderboard is revealed, showing Carl and Donut in the top ten. Odette warns Carl about Hekla's intentions to recruit Donut and the dangers of the fourth floor.