The Gate of the Feral Gods

Carl, Princess Donut, and Katia step into the fifth floor of the dungeon, 'The Bubbles,' where a relentless sandstorm assaults their senses, making it nearly impossible to see or breathe. As they navigate the harsh environment, they receive notifications about their new status and challenges, including a doubled bounty and the need for Donut to choose a new class. Guided by Mordecai, now transformed into a rock edge skyfowl, they find refuge in Hump Town, a peculiar settlement built against a curved wall that shields them from the storms.

In Hump Town, they encounter Clay, a Dromedarian who runs the town's entrance. Clay demands a toll of gold, drugs, or pleasure, and warns them about the dangers lurking outside when the storm subsides. The town is a surreal blend of a Middle Eastern village and a vibrant festival, populated primarily by camels and changelings. Mordecai provides crucial information about the fifth floor's layout, explaining that it consists of 1,172 bubbles, each divided into four quadrants: Land, Sea, Air, and Subterranean. To progress to the next floor, the group must conquer all four castles within their bubble within 15 days.

This revelation brings a sense of urgency and pressure, as Mordecai emphasizes the difficulty, assuming most of the other crawlers in the bubble are incompetent. The chapter concludes with the group preparing to tackle the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need for immediate action and strategic planning.

Donut eagerly opens her spellbook-of-the-floor club prize, hoping for a flying spell, but receives Astral Paw, a utility spell that can be used as a weapon. Carl, Katia, and Donut review their achievements and rewards from the previous level, including several boss boxes and a legendary deity’s box. Carl receives a unique enchanted toe ring with two benefits: Sticky Feet, allowing him to walk on walls, and Super Spreader, enabling him to pass debuffs to others. Additionally, he gets an Extinction Sigil Tattoo, which affects his interactions with lizard-class creatures.

Mordecai provides insights into the items and spells, emphasizing the value of Carl’s Legendary Deity’s Box, which contains Pawna’s Tears, a potion that adds +5 to any chosen skill. Carl learns about the Sandcastle of the Mad Dune Mage from a fellow crawler, Gwendolyn Duet, and the challenges she faces in the Land Quadrant. The group discusses maintaining their strict training schedule and investing in environmental upgrades for their personal space.

Carl visits a local changeling juvenile named Skarn, who shows him a powerful gnome telescope, the Enchanted Gnome FarSeerer. Through the telescope, Carl observes the Wasteland Castle, a massive, floating junkyard equipped with various weapons and flying machines. Skarn reveals that the gnomes bombed his old village, and Hump Town remains safe from bombing due to a mysterious object in the town hall that deters the gnomes.

Carl and his team set out to gather other crawlers and uncover the secrets of Hump Town’s town hall. Their first stop is the brothel bar Spit and Swallow, where they encounter Firas and Louis, two intoxicated crawlers who initially resist joining Carl’s meeting at the Toe. Donut’s aggressive stance, however, convinces them to comply.

As they leave the bar, a dromedarian named Langley informs them about the unique day cycle of the fifth floor, characterized by a short two-hour night and the appearance of a red sun, Hellik, which brings extreme heat. The red sun will dominate the sky during the last three days, making the environment even more hostile. The team then meets a group of six archers, former automobile salesmen from Helsinki, who are more serious about their situation and agree to join Carl’s efforts.

Venturing into the desert, Carl and his team face a Male Thorny Devil, a level 34 lizard-class mob. With Donut’s Magic Missiles and a well-placed hob-lobber, they manage to defeat it. However, the explosion draws the attention of a Gnomish Drop Bear, an early-model biplane carrying altitude-based deployment devices. Carl and his team narrowly avoid being hit by the device, which turns out to be a broken egg containing a dead Feral Goose, a neighborhood boss.

Realizing the threat from the air, Carl decides to return to Hump Town to build a dune buggy and anti-aircraft defenses. The chapter ends with the team running back to the safety of Hump Town, evading the circling airships and planning their next move.

Carl and Katia construct a tracked all-terrain vehicle, the Royal Chariot, to navigate the harsh sand dunes of the fifth floor. The vehicle, a crude but functional design combining elements of a snowmobile and an ATV, is tested outside Hump Town. Despite its stability concerns, it proves capable of traversing the dunes. However, their test is interrupted when the Wasteland fortress deviates from its expected schedule, moving over a neighboring village and bombing it. Hump Town’s anti-aircraft defenses are activated, and Carl and Katia quickly disassemble the vehicle and return to town to avoid detection.

Upon their return, Mordecai and Donut share the grim news of the Bactrian village’s destruction and the complexities of saferooms. The group gathers to watch the recap episode, which reveals the tragic death of Ifechi, a healer, at the hands of the insane crawler Lucia Mar. The episode also highlights the challenges faced by other top crawlers, including Florin’s despair and Lucia’s dangerous behavior, particularly her use of a powerful spell called Rubber that reflects damage back to the caster.

The chapter concludes with the group reflecting on the new top 10 rankings, where Carl is now second, and Katia has fallen off the list. They discuss the implications of Lucia’s actions and the need to address the threat she poses, while also focusing on their immediate goal of surviving the fifth floor.

Carl and his team exit their personal space to meet with other crawlers at the Toe. The group includes Louis and Firas, who are still drunk, along with Langley and the six archers. Carl notices Juice Box's rapid form-shifting ability, which Mordecai warns is a dangerous skill. Mordecai emphasizes that changelings like Juice Box can mimic various races and abilities, making them highly versatile and potentially lethal.

Carl and Mordecai decide to take the crawlers on a tour of their personal space to discuss their plans in private. Inside, Carl explains the recent bombing of a neighboring Bactrian village by the gnomes, suggesting that the village's collateral in the town hall was compromised. Louis and Firas, still under the influence, struggle to understand the gravity of the situation. Mordecai, growing frustrated, threatens them to pay attention and takes matters into his own hands by giving them a potent Rapid Detox potion, which causes them to violently vomit.

The potion, which Mordecai concocted with sage beetle ichor, not only sobers them up but also prevents them from getting drunk or high for the duration of the fifth floor. Mordecai reveals that Louis has a powerful spell called Cloud of Exhaust, which can knock out mobs and enhance damage dealt to them upon waking. Despite having such a valuable spell, Louis and Firas have been using it to flee encounters rather than fight, which has stunted their progress and level growth.

Carl and his team brace themselves for the infiltration of the town hall in Hump Town, enduring extreme heat and the ever-present threat of dune scythes. Katia, disguised as a pipe, provides crucial reconnaissance, revealing that the building is heavily guarded by changelings in disguise. Carl decides to proceed with a risky plan, using Louis and Firas’s Puddle Jumper spell to teleport to a balcony and then break in using Donut’s Hole spell.

Inside the building, the team encounters changelings masquerading as dromedarians. Carl dispatches a changeling principal, Svern, and the team neutralizes another. They discover a trap door leading to a subterranean chamber where an elderly gnome, Wynne, is held hostage. Wynne reveals that he is the great uncle of Commandant Kane and is being held as a guarantee of peace. Carl receives a new quest to free Wynne, but before he can act, a group of crawlers, including Low Thi, Tyler Storm, and Mike Barnes, enters the chamber and kills Wynne, failing the quest.

Carl confronts the crawlers, who are now without the map to the catacombs. He demands they meet him at the Desperado Club to transcribe the map and prepare for the impending attack on Hump Town. The chapter ends with Carl planning his next move, more determined than ever to uncover the true intentions of the changelings and the fate of the gnome hostage.

Carl and his team face a series of challenges after their infiltration of the town hall goes awry. The building is bombed, and they narrowly escape using Donut's Hole spell and a smoke curtain. Despite the chaos, they manage to avoid detection and regroup outside the town hall, which collapses shortly after. The team discusses the implications of their actions, particularly the risk of the gnomes retaliating once they discover the death of their collateral, Wynne.

Carl sends Louis and Firas to a saferoom while he and the others head to the Desperado Club to meet with Bobby D.J. from the subterranean level. They share information about their quadrant, which is a maze filled with traps and undead creatures. Bobby reveals that they have a quest to kill Quetzalcoatlus, the ghost of Anser's wife, who is trapped within the tomb. Carl agrees to help them by providing a map and resources, emphasizing the need for cooperation among the crawlers.

As the sandstorm hits, Carl, Donut, and Katia each receive new sponsors. Donut's new sponsor, Veriluxx RealPet Companions, offers her a benefactor box and requests that she participate in an infomercial. Katia is scheduled for a solo interview on a show called Dungeon Sidekicks. Carl expresses concern about the new sponsor, The Open Intellect Pacifist Action Network, which he fears may not align with their goals. The chapter concludes with Carl returning to the saferoom and receiving benefactor boxes from his sponsors.

Returning to base, Carl opens his new benefactor boxes, starting with the silver box from The Open Intellect Pacifist Action Network. Despite his skepticism about their pacifist stance, he finds a neural enhancer that adds current speed and altitude to his UI. The second box, from an unknown sponsor, contains a rare and seemingly useless Toraline Root Vegetable. Mordecai suggests it might be used for specialty potions or explosives, and they agree to research its potential uses.

As the sandstorm ends, the town braces for the imminent gnome attack. The camels set up anti-air defenses, and the atmosphere becomes tense. Carl and Mordecai work on modifying missiles to test against the incoming threat. Katia and Donut return from the Desperado Club, where Donut has been accumulating more benefactor boxes. Katia reports on the tense state of the tomb raiders, who are struggling with traps and stress. Carl suggests they need a spell or ability to create or control minions to help with their challenges.

While waiting for the gnome attack, Carl and Katia discuss the giant mechanical bird, Ruckus, which roosts nearby every night. Katia is concerned about the risks of engaging Ruckus, but Carl reassures her that they will be testing a missile from a safe distance. The chapter ends with the team preparing for the impending conflict and the arrival of Ruckus.

Carl and his team brace for the impending gnome attack by securing the safety of the local children and gathering crucial intelligence. Carl visits Skarn, warning him and his friends to seek refuge at the Toe, a saferoom, and pays them to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, Donut stealthily steals a Gnomish farseer telescope from Skarn’s house, which they plan to use for surveillance. Her new sunglasses upgrade, enhancing her ability to detect temperature differences, proves both useful and annoying, as she constantly comments on the environmental conditions.

The team assembles the Royal Chariot, now equipped with a missile launcher, and positions themselves outside Hump Town to test the missiles against Ruckus, the Level 55 Borough Boss. Ruckus, a formidable spring-operated chicken hawk sentinel, is a relic left over from the deceased bugbear treasure hunter, Shamus Chaindrive. Before the test, a system glitch alters Ruckus’s description, indicating it has been reactivated with new orders. Carl and his team successfully lock onto Ruckus and fire the missiles, but the second stage fails, causing premature detonation. Undeterred, Carl orders Katia to drive directly toward Ruckus, ensuring the remaining missiles hit their targets accurately. The missiles destroy Ruckus, but the giant buzzsaw continues to spin and nearly hits the team before embedding itself in the ground.

After the battle, Carl plans to retrieve the buzzsaw as a prize. Suddenly, an earthquake shakes the area, and a notification announces that the Water Quadrant has been liberated by crawler Chris Andrews 2. The team realizes Chris is also inside the dungeon, adding a new layer of complexity to their mission. Carl and Katia discuss the implications of this development, while Donut expresses her frustration with her performance in the battle.

Returning to Hump Town, Carl and his team delve deeper into the gnome collateral system, learning that a special watch verifies the collateral's condition through a coded time signal. Henrik, a changeling posing as a dromedarian, provides crucial details about the system. Realizing the gravity of the situation with Wynne's death, Carl formulates a plan to prevent the town from being bombed. The team's resolve strengthens as they prepare for the impending attack, aware that the safety of the children and the town hangs in the balance.

Carl and his team prepare for the gnome attack by opening loot boxes and finalizing their plan. Carl receives a case of 25 more surefire missiles and a Jellyfish Salve, while Donut gets healing scrolls. The team equips the Royal Chariot with a missile launcher and prepares to face the gnome airship, the Wasteland, which is poised to bomb Hump Town. They secure the safety of the children and position themselves outside the town, with Carl carrying the duct-taped form of the reanimated gnome, Wynne, as part of their deception.

As the Wasteland looms closer, Carl and his team engage in a tense negotiation with the gnomes. Leon, the Level 44 Dirigible Gnome Negotiator, demands proof that Wynne is genuine and insists on performing a changeling detection spell. Donut, playing the role of a healer, pretends to have the potion needed to heal Wynne, while Katia, disguised as Henrik, maintains her cover. Despite the Second Chance spell timing out and causing Wynne’s head to disintegrate and regrow, the gnomes remain unaware. Leon finally accepts the deal, and Carl administers a vial of Mountain Dew to Wynne, passing it off as the healing potion.

With the deception in place, the team moves cautiously toward the wicker basket of the Vahana, a symbolic and historical balloon. Carl carries the duct-taped Wynne, ready for the next phase of their plan. Louis and Firas stand by to provide ground support and evacuation if necessary. The chapter concludes with the team boarding the Vahana, determined to gain access to the Wasteland and prevent the bombing of Hump Town.

With the gnome airship, the Wasteland, looming overhead, Carl and his team execute their daring plan to prevent the bombing of Hump Town. Boarding the Vahana, a historical balloon, Katia plays the roles of Wynne, Henrik, and a changeling, while Donut provides crucial magical support. The team successfully deceives the gnomes, including the Level 44 Dirigible Gnome Negotiator Leon, and gains access to the Wasteland. As they ascend, Carl and his team manage to disable the escort planes and balloons, but they face immediate threats from the airship's defenses.

With only five minutes before the bombs drop, Carl launches guided missiles at the Wasteland, destroying several key components and disabling the bomb-dropping mechanisms. Despite the initial success, the team is forced to jump from the Vahana to avoid the airship's retaliatory fire. Using the potion Dolores Doesn’t Splat, they survive the fall by impacting the ground with immense force, leaving a crater in the necropolis and the surrounding area. After regrouping, they assess the damage to Hump Town, which is mostly intact but heavily damaged.

Carl, Katia, and Donut observe the remains of the Wasteland and realize that the gnome Commandant Kane and his daughter have retreated to a small, floating house attached to a single balloon. Carl deduces that the gnome watches, which are crucial to the gnome collateral system, may be part of the Gate of the Feral Gods artifact. He outlines a plan to retrieve the watches from Henrik, Kane, and the Mad Dune Mage. The chapter concludes with a social media update from Zev, highlighting the team's rising popularity and offering advice on their public image.

Carl and his team limp back to Hump Town, where they encounter the aftermath of the gnome airship's destruction. The gnomes are on borrowed time, and Carl sends a warning to Gwen about the surviving gnomes. Donut is concerned about Zev, but she cannot express her worries openly. As they return to town, Carl notices multiple X’s on the map, indicating fallen gnomes, and they begin looting the bodies. Most of the loot is minimal, but Donut collects the gnomes' red hats, and Carl gathers tools and other items.

Carl reflects on his recent achievements, noting a particularly moody and hostile system AI. The team encounters a group of intact gnome snipers, and Donut loots a functional rifle and a bandolier containing live ammo balls with frenzied gerbils. Donut deduces that the system AI is upset because Carl avoided being hit by a gerbil ball during the battle. Carl is reluctant to comply with the AI’s demands, but the situation escalates when a massive wave of gerbils attacks the town. Despite the gerbils being only level 11, their sheer numbers overwhelm the defenses, and Carl is forced to step on and smush the gerbils to stop the invasion.

After the gerbil wave subsides, Carl receives a new achievement that indicates the system AI’s ire has been appeased, though the reward is a 'Gold Makeup: Sex is the Best Sex' box. The team discusses the AI’s behavior and the potential consequences of Carl’s actions. They decide to open their loot boxes, and Carl receives a Silver Skydiver’s Box with Half Splat potions, a 'Gold Makeup: Sex is the Best Sex' box with a writing kit, and a Platinum Quest Box with gold coins, healing scrolls, and a Platinum Sharpening Stone. Katia and Donut also open their boxes, with Donut receiving a toy robot version of herself, which is quickly destroyed by Mongo.

The chapter concludes with the team preparing for the next steps, including a visit to the Desperado to gather supplies and a potential assault on the floating house. Carl encounters Chris, who greets him with a rumbly voice, hinting at future challenges.

Carl and his team are still reeling from the aftermath of the gnome airship's destruction when they encounter Chris, a Level 35 Igneous Zulu Warrior, whose personality and behavior have drastically changed. Chris recounts his harrowing escape from the water quadrant, but his demeanor and actions raise suspicion. The team is on high alert, especially when Donut notices a sudden spike in their viewer count and Katia receives an emergency benefactor box from Princess Formidable. Key events include Carl meeting Chris, who has been possessed by an Infiltrator parasite, and Katia using petrify rock bolts to temporarily immobilize the Chris/Maggie creature. Mordecai explains the nature of Infiltrators and the difficulty of extracting the parasite without killing the host. Donut uses a spell to drop Chris and Maggie into a subterranean chamber to prevent them from escaping.

Carl and Juice Box discuss the changelings' desperate mission to find Quetzalcoatlus, a ghostly creature with the ability to alter plants. Juice Box reveals that her brother, Henrik, believes this ability can create a food source to prevent birth defects among their people. However, the plan involves using the Gate of the Feral Gods, a dangerous artifact that, when activated, would summon an ancient, feral god, bringing devastation to the world. A new quest is introduced to collect all three parts of the artifact from Henrik, Commandant Kane, and the Mad Dune Mage.

As the sandstorm hits Hump Town, Carl and his team receive a quest to save the town by procuring deflated balloons for shelter. They also deal with the aftermath of the gnome airship's destruction, including looting and preparing for their next move. Meanwhile, Chris/Maggie remains entombed, and Carl reflects on the ethical dilemma of leaving Chris in such a state.

With the town in chaos, Carl and his team gear up to capture the gnomish throne room, now a floating house held aloft by a magical balloon. Carl and Donut plan to infiltrate the house using a modified gnomish Drop Bear airplane, renamed Nightmare II. They board the Nightmare II and use the emergency recovery balloon to ascend to the top of the bubble. Navigating the plane along the ceiling, they skitter toward the floating house. Upon reaching the house, they climb down the netting and approach the porch cautiously. To their surprise, the young gnome daughter of Commandant Kane greets them at the door, revealing that her father is already dead and inviting them in for lemonade.

Guided by Bonnie, the young daughter of the deceased Commandant Kane, Carl and Donut step into the disarray of the floating house. Bonnie offers them lemonade, her odd behavior raising suspicions. As they explore, Carl finds a letter from the Glass Wizard, Ghazi, warning Kane about the temple's structural integrity and the risks of continued bombings.

Suddenly, the house begins to descend, and the team realizes they are locked in a timed boss battle against Denise, a feral goose mother. Immune to both magic and physical attacks, Denise wreaks havoc, forcing Carl and Donut to retreat and strategize. Carl attempts to drink the lemonade, thinking it might be a key to defeating Denise, but it turns out to be a misdirection, earning him a sarcastic achievement from the system AI.

Realizing Denise is vulnerable to environmental objects, Carl and Donut use the kitchen sink's garbage disposal to defeat the goose. With Denise vanquished, the house lands safely, and the team secures the Commandant's quarters, marking a significant victory in the liberation of the Air Quadrant.

Carl and his team emerge from the floating house, now grounded thanks to a Soul Crystal Bonnie gave to Carl. The house is in disarray after the battle with Denise, the feral goose mother. Carl and Donut begin the process of securing the house and looting valuable items, including electronics, tools, and furniture. They also disconnect the electrical panel to ensure safety. Bonnie, still in a daze, continues to clean the kitchen and mentions her pet pig, Sausage. Donut learns that Kane had given Bonnie a potion to help her cope with the trauma. Katia and the others arrive at first light, and Juice Box takes over caring for Bonnie. Carl discusses the next steps with Katia, deciding to tackle the land quadrant before venturing into the necropolis. They also retrieve the Nightmare II plane and plan to store it in the garage. Later, while back at Hump Town, Carl and Donut receive a message from Loita and Zev. Zev informs them that he will no longer manage their social media, leaving Donut upset. Carl reassures her, and they prepare for an upcoming infomercial for a new robot toy. Carl experiments with the toy, learning about its limitations and potential dangers. He also sets off the alarm on a mysterious pocket watch, confirming Henrik's survival in the necropolis. Before leaving for the infomercial, Carl visits Bonnie, who is beginning to come out of her stupor. He provides her with familiar items from the floating house, including her bed and a photo of her family. Despite Loita's impatience, Carl feels a growing sense of responsibility for the NPC characters, hinting at a shift in his priorities.

Carl and Donut prepare for a commercial shoot by infusing a smoke curtain with an invisibility potion, creating a multi-colored, unstable smoke bomb. Despite Carl’s caution, robot Donut accidentally triggers the smoke bomb, causing chaos and covering everyone in a technicolor residue. The aftermath of the smoke bomb incident leaves them disoriented, but they are soon teleported to an underwater production trailer for a commercial shoot. There, they meet the hosts, Gravo and Liddi, and Loita, who expresses deep-seated disdain for human culture and its influence on the kua-tin society.

During the commercial shoot, Carl and Donut struggle to maintain their composure, especially after Loita’s revelations. Carl’s frustration boils over, and he confronts the hosts about the parent company’s alleged involvement in unethical practices. Suddenly, the studio is attacked, and the green room explodes, severely injuring Loita. Carl realizes that Borant must choose between saving Loita or preventing the trailer from flooding, ultimately leading to Loita’s death.

Carl reflects on the significance of his actions, acknowledging that they were inspired by the sacrifices of others like Crawler Coolie. He vows to continue fighting against the oppressive forces of the dungeon, despite the risks.

Still reeling from the chaos at the underwater production trailer, Carl and Donut are abruptly teleported to the Desperado Club. There, they face Orren, a Syndicate Liaison, who interrogates them about the death of Admin Loita. Orren, a tall man cloaked in darkness, suggests that Carl and Donut were responsible for the assassination. Despite the pressure, Carl steadfastly maintains his innocence, refusing to sign a confession or divulge any information. Orren eventually dismisses them, revealing that the kua-tin have intervened on their behalf.

Carl and Donut return to Hump Town to find the floating house in a state of disarray, with the top half destroyed and water gushing from a severed pipe. Firas and Louis fill them in on recent developments, including Katia’s newfound ability to store the house in her inventory and the ongoing challenges posed by the Red Equinox and feral creatures. Carl feels a mix of pride and insecurity about the team's progress without him, but he pushes these feelings aside to focus on the mission.

Upon landing, they meet Katia and Gwen, a seasoned warrior known for her no-nonsense attitude and sharp tongue, which often clashes with Katia’s more cautious approach. Gwen is impatient to proceed, emphasizing the urgency of the approaching storm. Carl and Donut learn about the two strategies for breaching the sandcastle: the easy method involves flooding it, but this would destroy the mage Ghazi and the winding box they need. The hard method involves using lightning to open a temporary glass hallway, allowing a few of them to enter the castle during the storm.

Carl, Katia, and Donut decide to attempt the hard method, despite Gwen’s skepticism. They discover a loose electrical cable and hypothesize that it might connect to a ring under the drainage wheel. Tran, a level-28 Swashbuckler, confirms the ring’s presence. As they prepare to test their theory, a bolt of lightning strikes the towers, activating the door and revealing a glass hallway. Katia charges forward, eager to begin the assault.

Carl, Katia, and Donut navigate the narrow, warm glass hallway of the Sandcastle of the Mad Dune Mage, illuminated by Donut’s Torch spell. Rainbow light dances around them as they discover a glass statue of a half-naiad, half-human figure named Lika, whose tragic love story is inscribed on the plaque. Carl decides to avoid touching anything to preserve potential loot.

As they delve deeper into the castle, they find a basement room with a regular wooden door. Behind it, the mad mage Ghazi, a human level 43 Glass Mage, lives in a room cluttered with sand, books, and an odd mix of black and pink clothing. Carl and Donut spy on Ghazi, who is watching a cartoon, and realize the sand on the floor is actually a living slime. When Carl casts a Protective Shell spell, it inadvertently triggers the slime to attack, forcing them to retreat.

Ghazi, now captured, reveals the story of his failed summoning and the slime's origins. The slime, which he considers his wife, consumes him daily. He explains that Lika, originally a sex doll, is trapped in the castle and that the only way to stop the slime is to remove all sand from the world. Carl realizes they need to use the winding box to banish the slime temporarily and access the back room.

With limited time before the sandstorm ends, Carl demands Ghazi explain how to kill the slime. Ghazi admits he has tried multiple times but failed. He describes a ritual involving the consumption of the slime, which he believes will allow him to reverse the spell and free Lika. Carl and the team decide to use this information to their advantage, planning to neutralize the slime and complete their mission.

Carl and Donut prepare to confront the sand ooze by using Donut’s Hole spell and Carl’s Sticky Feet ability to reach the ooze’s core. Their plan is to pour flammable gel onto the core and ignite it, but complications arise when the ooze discovers and pulls on Carl’s escape rope, causing the ceiling to collapse and burying them in sand.

Trapped beneath the collapsed ceiling, Carl and Donut struggle to stay alive as the sand fills the space. Meanwhile, Katia and Gwen manage to escape the collapsing castle, but the winding box remains a mystery. Desperate, Carl and Donut use water breathing scrolls to survive being flushed into the water quadrant, where they narrowly avoid a large, predatory creature.

Despite the chaos, Carl protects Donut, using heal scrolls to keep her alive. They eventually surface, finding the castle washed away by the water. Carl and Donut communicate with the others, confirming their survival and the failure of their initial plan to de-crystalize the castle.

Flushed into the water quadrant of the necropolis, Carl struggles to keep Donut calm as she panics and thrashes about, drawing the attention of a shark-like mob. Using her abilities, Donut creates clockwork belugas to distract the predators, allowing them to swim to safety. They eventually surface, finding the castle destroyed and the necropolis drained of water.

Back at the home base, Donut vents her frustration over the lack of a boss box despite defeating the quadrant. The team regroups in the town of Pandinus, inhabited by half-human, half-scorpion creatures called pazuzu. They discuss their next steps, focusing on turning off the submarine's pump to fully drain the necropolis. Katia shares a note from the Mad Dune Mage, detailing the complex process of using the winding box and the two watches to open a portal to the feral gods' realm. The note warns of the dangers involved, including the possibility of feral gods escaping into the dungeon.

Mordecai advises caution, warning that even if they manage to open the portal, they cannot use it to hop floors. The team debates the risks and benefits of summoning a feral god, considering whether it could break the bubble wall. Despite the risks, Carl is intrigued by the possibilities, but Mordecai insists they should avoid using the portal until they are much stronger. The chapter ends with Carl contemplating the remaining time and the challenges ahead.

A message from Gwen alerts Carl and his team to an odd occurrence in the stairwell chamber, where everything has reverted from glass to its original state. This triggers a warning in Carl’s inventory, and the decapitated head of Lika, the sex doll, suddenly pops out, now restored to its original form and possessed by the Withering Spirit of Psamathe, a minor deity. Psamathe, who introduces herself as Samantha, reveals that she was split into two halves and has been trapped in the doll for years, manipulating Ghazi to open the Nothing to reunite with her other half and her child, the sand ooze familiar. Mordecai suggests keeping Psamathe in the saferoom to avoid summoning an angry god.

Still reeling from the bizarre encounter with the Withering Spirit of Psamathe, Carl and his team prepare to enter the submerged submarine, the Akula, to turn off the pump flooding the necropolis. They enlist the help of Vadim, a former cosmetic surgeon, and Britney, both survivors of the water quadrant, despite Britney's reluctance to return to the water. Using a diving bell created by Katia, the team descends to the submarine, and Carl, Tran, and Vadim venture inside, using water-breathing scrolls to navigate the flooded corridors.

Inside the Akula, Vadim leads the way, recounting the history of their previous expedition and the challenges they faced. They encounter a sealed airlock, which was previously open, suggesting that something has changed. After draining the airlock, they discover a neighborhood boss corpse and loot the map, revealing the layout of the submarine. Suddenly, they are confronted by a ghostly Quetzalcoatlus, the supposed boss of the subterranean level, which attacks Vadim with an aural assault and then vanishes into the bridge.

Outside, Katia warns Carl about a large, unknown creature approaching the submarine. The team realizes that the Quetzalcoatlus has somehow escaped the sub and is causing chaos. Carl orders Katia to surface immediately, but she is unable to, as the large creature is reaching for the submarine. The chapter ends with the team in a critical situation, facing an unexpected and powerful enemy.

The submarine, the Akula, begins to shake violently as intense, pulsing music fills the air. An unknown entity drags the vessel deeper into the ocean, and Carl realizes that the bodies of the changeling principals, including Henrik, are in the bridge. He quickly loots Henrik's body, discovering a mysterious watch and a torn book page containing information about a Wailing Shrieker ghost. The system momentarily freezes, indicating a legal dispute over the items, but the lock is swiftly removed.

As the submarine settles at the bottom of the ocean, the team regroups in the bridge, where they witness a massive sharktopus approaching. Identified as Lusca, a Level 82 City Boss, the system announces that the upcoming battle will be streamed as a special event, with live commentary from Kevin and Magnificent Troy adding to the tension. Carl prepares the team for the impending battle, instructing them to set depth charges and evacuate the submarine.

The sharktopus swallows the submarine whole, and the team finds themselves trapped in its mouth. The system displays a cartoon diagram, explaining that Lusca will give her babies ten minutes to feed on the remains of the submarine. With the timer counting down, Carl coordinates their efforts to deploy the depth charges and escape the submarine before it is completely consumed.

Trapped inside the sharktopus Lusca, Carl and his team face a ticking clock as the submarine is torn apart by juvenile octo-sharks. Retreating to the stateroom to avoid the chaos, Carl uses a potion of bloodlust to incite a feeding frenzy among the babies, significantly reducing their numbers. Despite this temporary reprieve, the team knows they must act quickly to escape the shark's digestive system.

With the timer nearly expired, Carl casts a Protective Shell spell, hoping it will pierce Lusca's brain and allow them to escape. The spell unexpectedly peels back the shark's upper jaw, exposing them to the open ocean. Using a rocket and a buzzsaw, the team cuts through Lusca's head, severing her brain and killing her. However, the intense pressure and spinning motion cause them to crash into the ocean floor, leaving them battered and disoriented.

After recovering, the team discovers that Vadim, who had sealed himself in a room, used the escape pod to flee the submarine. Vadim's escape pod punches through the shark's head and ascends to the necropolis, but he reports that the pain amplifier is active. Realizing they cannot wait any longer, Carl and his team decide to use the Gate of the Feral Gods to teleport to Pandinus, a town in the land quadrant, and seek refuge in a safe room.

The team successfully teleports to Pandinus, causing significant damage to the town's structures due to the influx of ocean water. They quickly retreat to a safe room just as the feral god is summoned, triggering a new achievement. The team braces for the unknown consequences of their actions.

Still reeling from their harrowing escape from the sharktopus Lusca, Carl and his team huddle in a safe room, preparing for the uncertain aftermath. The world outside continues to rumble, and Mordecai advises caution before venturing out. Carl and Donut observe the strange behavior of Juice Box, who seems to be regaining memories of her past as an NPC, raising concerns about her stability.

As the team opens their loot boxes, Carl receives a variety of unusual items, including photographs of the mothers of the plaintiffs in a recent lawsuit and stock certificates from companies in the plaintiffs' systems. These items suggest a deliberate provocation by the AI, which is behaving increasingly erratically. Carl also receives a Ring of Water Breathing, Drakea’s Enchanted Kerchief of Disorder, and an Enchanted Anarchist’s Battle Rattle jacket, all of which provide significant benefits.

Mordecai explains that Drakea, the author of the 22nd edition of the Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook, was a famous crawler who died on the eleventh or twelfth floor after a failed trap setup. The team discusses the implications of the stock certificates and photos, realizing they provide valuable information about the factions they will face on the ninth level. Meanwhile, outside, a fire god named Emberus is rampaging, looking for a being called Orthrus, whom Carl and his team inadvertently released from the Nothing.

Samantha, the possessed sex doll head, confirms that Orthrus is a dog and that Emberus is a vengeful god who will stop at nothing to retrieve his pet. The team receives urgent messages from other crawlers, including one group trapped in a heating bubble with Emberus pounding on the walls. Carl realizes the urgency of their situation and the need to act quickly to prevent further destruction.

Amid the raging storm on the necropolis, Carl and his team, including Katia, Gwen, and Tran, confront a dire situation. The enormous puppy, Orthrus, a Level 10 Juvenile Gate Guardian, is trapped in a bubble, whimpering and struggling as lightning strikes and sharks bite at his ankles. The team quickly realizes that the lightning tower, designed to electrify the water and neutralize threats, is malfunctioning. The earthquakes have likely dislodged the power cable, leaving them vulnerable. Carl sends Donut to heal Orthrus while using the quest chat to coordinate with other crawlers, including the tomb raiders. Morris Sp attempts to reconnect the electrical line, but he and Bobby D.J. are tragically killed by a Quetzalcoatlus. The resulting lightning strike electrifies the beach, causing significant damage to the team.

Carl and his team, still reeling from the storm and the failed lightning tower, prepare to fly the drop bear to rescue Orthrus, the Level 10 Juvenile Gate Guardian, who is trapped in the bubble and being electrocuted by lightning. The team faces numerous challenges, including a malfunctioning biplane, the absence of a proper runway, and the need to coordinate with other crawlers. Despite the difficulties, Carl manages to get the plane airborne, and Donut casts a healing spell to stabilize Orthrus’s health.

As they approach Orthrus, Donut casts the Scroll of Meat Hooks, a spell that emits a pungent odor to attract carnivorous pets. The spell successfully lures Orthrus out of the bubble, but it also makes the puppy incredibly fast and determined to catch up with the plane. The team navigates through the lacuna, the space between the bubbles, encountering both intact and popped bubbles. The puppy’s frenzied state causes significant damage to the popped bubbles, creating a trail of destruction in its wake.

A new world quest is announced, offering significant rewards for anyone who kills Orthrus before he reunites with his grandfather, the fire god Emberus. Carl and his team, along with other crawlers, vow to protect the puppy. As they continue their flight, a blue dot appears on the map, indicating another crawler is attempting to harm Orthrus. Carl and Donut prepare to defend the puppy, knowing that the consequences of failure would be dire for everyone involved.

Carl and his team face a new threat as Quan, a powerful crawler, attempts to kill Orthrus, the Level 10 Juvenile Gate Guardian. Equipped with a celestial-tier robe that grants him flight, a lightning attack, and a protective shield, Quan proves to be a formidable opponent. Despite Donut's efforts to shoot him down with magic missiles and the gun, Quan's shield remains resilient. Desperate, Carl climbs onto the plane's wing and throws a potion ball that heals and temporarily invulnerabilizes Orthrus just as Quan attacks.

The situation escalates as they encounter more crawlers and the fire god Emberus, who is searching for Orthrus. In a moment of desperation, Carl worships Emberus and activates a celestial grenade, summoning the god in a massive, floating head form. The god's appearance grants Carl divine intervention, making him invulnerable for sixty seconds. However, Orthrus and Emberus vanish, leaving Carl and Donut to crash-land in a dark, burning-hot land quadrant.

Quan, who had been knocked from the sky, ambushes Carl with a lightning attack. Despite losing his invulnerability, Carl retaliates with a brutal assault, eventually ripping off Quan's arm. The chapter concludes with a quest failure notification, a reward for saving Orthrus, and Donut's realization that Carl's actions are driven by a deep-seated madness.

Still reeling from the intense battle with Quan and the disappearance of Orthrus and Emberus, Carl reflects on a fellow crawler's mistake of killing an NPC and the severe consequences that followed. The team prepares to move forward, and Carl notices strange tattoos on his hands, a visible sign of his newfound devotion to Emberus, the God of Sun and Ash. Donut voices her concerns about the 5% gold tithe and the potential repercussions of Carl's new religious affiliation.

Mordecai informs the team about a newly appeared shrine in the saferoom, and Carl explains the benefits and responsibilities of being an adherent of Emberus. The god grants Carl a boon and assigns him two quests: finding out who killed his son and killing his brother, Hellik. The team discusses the daunting implications of these quests, particularly the challenge of confronting and defeating a god.

With careful planning, the team positions the stairwell near the saferoom and enters the personal space to prepare for the extraction of crawlers from various bubbles. Carl coordinates with Imani and Katia, ensuring that the process goes smoothly and that the crawlers are safely transported to Hump Town. The team remains vigilant, aware of the potential risks, including the appearance of feral gods and interference from other crawlers or gods.

Carl opens his achievement and quest boxes, receiving various items, including enchanted handcuffs and a spellbook containing the spell Ping, which can locate NPCs and elites. As the extraction begins, Carl monitors the progress, ensuring that everything proceeds according to plan.

In a reflective moment, Carl reads a note from Crawler Priestly, describing the beauty and tragedy of Larracos, a city on the ninth floor. Priestly's awe at the city's intricate design and the vibrant life of its NPCs contrasts sharply with the knowledge that it will be destroyed, leaving him questioning the purpose and morality of the dungeon. This reflection sets a somber tone as Carl and his team prepare for the next phase of their mission.

Phase two of the rescue operation is completed, with the team managing to save about 1,500 crawlers. Despite the success, the number of living crawlers continues to decline, highlighting the grim reality of their situation. The team faces bizarre challenges, such as a giant turkey and a city-sized swarm of insects, but the gods they summon eventually disperse the threats. Carl and Donut return to bubble 543, where they are greeted by a small crowd of crawlers, including Florin, a crocodilian who expresses gratitude for their rescue efforts.

Back at the Desperado Club, the team discusses their next steps. Katia reveals her intention to separate from the group to gather and protect the former daughters of Eva, who are vulnerable to manipulation and danger. Despite Donut's protests, Katia insists on going alone, citing the need to take responsibility for her past actions and the importance of the guild system for future cooperation. The team agrees to support her, and Carl gives her the Left Fang of the Green Sultan, a weapon to aid her in her mission.

With the timer approaching the six-hour mark, the team prepares for phase three. Imani and Elle open a portal to the sixth floor, allowing the changelings to escape. Louis and Firas, along with Britney, ensure the safe passage of the Twister through the portal. Carl and Donut receive the gate pieces back and prepare for the final phase, with a sense of urgency and determination to complete their mission and protect the remaining crawlers.

Carl and his team prepare for the final phase of their mission, which involves summoning a feral god to disrupt the ninth floor. Carl receives an emergency platinum benefactor box from a pacifist group, containing a unique head-throwing attachment for his xistera. Using this, he tosses Samantha's head, a minor god-turned-sex doll, to lure and distract a pursuing feral demon named Slit. The demon is subsequently killed by another god, saving Carl and his team from immediate danger.

As the level collapse approaches, Carl confronts Maggie, who is in hiding and planning to sabotage the team's efforts. Maggie reveals that she is being coerced by a caprid to stop Carl. Carl uses a phase potion to remove a parasitic worm from Chris's head, freeing him from Maggie's control. Maggie is killed, and Chris is saved. Carl then instructs Juice Box to fly to the sixth floor and inform the survivors of the truth about their existence, emphasizing the need for unity and awareness.

With the gate now open, Katia successfully sends mobs and water into the city of Larracos, causing widespread destruction and chaos. Zev contacts Carl, expressing outrage over the destruction of the NPC market and the loss of access to the Desperado Club. Carl remains defiant, stating that he is not responsible for the consequences and that the sponsors approved his actions. He also predicts that the factions will scramble to adapt to the new conditions, potentially leading to a crowded sixth floor.

Before descending to the next floor, Carl reflects on the impact of his actions and the potential increase in hunter activity. He vows to eliminate every hunter who dares to confront him on the sixth floor, declaring his intention to break them all. Ready to face the challenges ahead, Carl, Donut, and Mongo enter the stairwell.

In a clandestine conversation, a woman and Dr. Hu discuss the escalating costs and risks associated with supporting Carl, a human crawler whose actions are becoming increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. Despite the concerns, Dr. Hu insists on continuing their support, noting the growing public interest in Carl’s cause. Meanwhile, bounty hunters Sadir and Gennrik are tasked with capturing a specific survivor, a woman named Beatrice, and a cat named Gravy Boat. The Syndicate’s rules and the planet’s harsh conditions complicate their mission, but they press on, driven by the potential rewards and the need to support their families.

Sadir and Gennrik approach the camp where Gravy Boat is located, carefully planning their infiltration. Inside the camp, Brad, a survivor, is unable to sleep, reflecting on the events that led him and Bea to this desperate situation. Bea, emotionally unstable, clings to Gravy Boat, a stray cat she believes is her neighbor’s. As Sadir and Gennrik attempt to breach the tent, a sudden intervention by an unknown party kills one of the hunters and leaves the other in a precarious position. The surviving hunter, Gennrik, is recognized by Bea, and a human agent named Lexis arrives to take Bea into custody, explaining that Syndicate security is on the way.

Lexis communicates with her superior, Odette, discussing the best course of action to cover up the incident. They decide to plant evidence and manipulate the scene to make it appear as if the hunters fought over the cat. Lexis is instructed to ensure Bea’s safety and to reassure her that she will not be sold to Borant. The chapter ends with Lexis reflecting on the moral ambiguity of their actions and the impossibility of happy endings for everyone involved.

Matt Dinniman takes a playful break from the intense narrative to address the readers directly, acknowledging the completion of another chapter. He draws a humorous analogy to a dating relationship, suggesting that the frequent interaction with readers is akin to a deepening personal connection. Dinniman mentions that four books have been written, and he is currently working on the fifth, which promises more chaos and mayhem. However, he cannot provide an exact release date or a secret title yet. He encourages readers to stay updated by signing up for his mailing list or following him on social media platforms like Amazon and Facebook. The author emphasizes the importance of reviews, using a lighthearted threat involving a pug named Toby who requires multiple meals a day. He pleads with readers to leave reviews, as they are crucial for the book's visibility and success. The chapter concludes with a heartfelt thank you to the readers for their support.

Continuing the playful and meta tone, Matt Dinniman takes a break from the intense narrative to address the readers directly. He emphasizes the importance of community and engagement, particularly through social media platforms like Facebook, where fans can connect and discuss the Gamelit genre. Dinniman specifically mentions two groups: the Gamelit Society and the extreme LitRPG Books Group, both of which offer vibrant communities for enthusiasts. His tone remains light and engaging, reflecting a genuine appreciation for the readers’ support. He encourages participation in these groups, suggesting that they serve as valuable spaces for sharing insights, recommendations, and fan theories. By fostering these connections, Dinniman aims to build a stronger, more interactive fan base, which he believes will enhance the reading experience and contribute to the growth of the Gamelit genre.

Continuing the meta-chapters, Matt Dinniman breaks the fourth wall once more to emphasize the importance of community. He introduces the OG Litrpg Facebook group, highlighting its role in fostering discussion and engagement among Gamelit fans. Dinniman's tone remains playful and appreciative, encouraging readers to join and share their thoughts, theories, and experiences. The chapter, though brief, reinforces the author's commitment to maintaining a close relationship with his readers, ensuring they feel connected and valued.