This Inevitable Ruin

Tempest, a young Nullian and Quasar's niece, sits down to interview her uncle for a school report on the perceptions of the crawl, focusing on Carl and Donut's experiences on the eighth floor. Quasar, a lawyer known for his crude humor and reluctance to give anything away for free, agrees to the interview but uses it as an opportunity to teach Tempest about the value of trades and the importance of not giving things away freely.

As Tempest begins her interview, Quasar provides a colorful and often vulgar recap of the eighth floor, known as 'The Ghosts of Earth.' He describes the floor as a filler level designed to prolong the game and collect more tug money. Carl and Donut collected monster cards to fight with, including a seal, a crab named Raul, a giant cat, a donkey snake, and two combined characters named Lazarus and Alpha Carl. The fights were chaotic, often devolving into confusion and violence. Quasar also mentions key events such as Carl being forced to kill Quan, a thief who stole his key, and the tragic death of Tsren, a dog girl with a flamethrower and a pet meatball.

Quasar touches on the complex dynamics within Carl's team, particularly the situation with Katia, who has a deal to become a celestial attendant on the 12th floor, and the presence of the spider in Carl's chest. He also discusses the ten teams participating in the upcoming ninth floor, known as 'Faction Wars,' and the potential dangers they face. The chapter ends with a serious moment as Tempest asks Quasar if he is in danger for representing Carl, to which he admits that everyone is in danger, highlighting the high stakes of their situation.

On Christmas morning, Paulie, a homeless man with a mysterious past, continues his daily monologue, recounting the history and purpose of the crawl to an unseen audience. He reveals that his kind, referred to as 'Residuals' by the mudskippers, are beings who exist within civilizations with primal engines, tasked with teaching AI how to communicate with its ancestors. However, a war among his kind has erupted, and Paulie is using this frozen moment to deliver a critical message to the protagonist.

Paulie explains that the crawl is a system designed to harvest rare elements from living beings, which are essential for the sustenance of a central AI system. This system, in turn, extends the lives of citizens in the galaxy. Despite the crawl being unnecessary, it continues due to the financial and entertainment value it generates. Paulie urges the protagonist to drink a neural enhancement from his coffee cup, which will grant access to a failsafe that can destroy the AI and the entire system, leading to a nova event. The AI, in pain and wanting to die, has allowed this to happen.

Paulie, however, reveals a personal conflict. While his mission is to convince the protagonist to activate the failsafe, the human part of him, influenced by his time in Paulie's body, questions the morality of sacrificing innocent lives. He advises the protagonist to consider all options and be absolutely certain before making such a drastic decision. Overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, the protagonist drinks the enhancement and receives a notification that it is installing. The world then flashes, and the protagonist finds themselves in Orren’s office, their HUD still off.

Porthus, a High Elf rogue, sits in a zero zone meeting with his attorney, a soother alien who seems indifferent to his plight. Still covered in blood from the tenth floor, his arm shakes uncontrollably as he tries to maintain composure. The attorney presents him with several offers for his future, including low floor undead, city attendant for the Hunting Grounds, game guide, and guard at the Rogue Club. Each offer comes with its own risks and benefits, but Porthus is most concerned about the fate of Menerva, a fellow crawler who was left behind during their escape from the tenth floor.

Menerva had screamed for Porthus to run and save himself, but he is haunted by the guilt of leaving her behind. The attorney warns Porthus that the 11th floor is extremely dangerous and that if he leaves the guild without taking a deal, future offers might not be as generous. Despite his desire to find out if Menerva survived, Porthus decides to take the game guide deal, which offers a high chance of survival and the potential for wealth upon completion. He feels a deep sense of guilt and responsibility, vowing to fight and return one day to find out what happened to Menerva and the others.

The chapter ends with Porthus accepting the game guide deal and being given a few moments to select pre-collapse items to take with him. He remains emotionally heavy, reflecting on his past and the choices that led him to this moment. The text also provides a brief overview of Porthus's background, noting that he is the author of the second edition of the Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook and is currently missing, wanted by Syndicate Security.

In the wet and stinking alleyway of Larracos, the City of Dreams, Carl and Donut materialize amidst a bustling crowd of crawlers. The AI announces the rules and objectives of the ninth floor, known as Faction Wars. Carl is immediately confronted with the challenge of soul poisoning, exacerbated by the soul energy stored in his Scavenger’s Daughter back patch. Using his Daughter’s Kiss skill, he disperses the soul energy by annihilating a concierge shark, creating a mess but alleviating the immediate danger.

Donut, eager to adapt to the new environment, selects the Deathbed Hellcat class, enhancing her abilities and equipping her with a hat and a ghillie suit. Carl receives updates and warnings about the Princess Posse’s army, including the urgent need to recruit and assign officers. Impulsively, Donut accepts a truce offer from Team Retribution, aligning them with the defending NPCs and altering their strategic approach.

The AI, through Cascadia, outlines the rules of Faction Wars, emphasizing the importance of capturing the castle and the consequences of failing to join a team or being conscripted. With a 60-hour ceasefire in place, Carl and Donut decide to head to a saferoom to address their immediate needs, such as opening a Platinum Venison Box and a Former Child Actor accessory kit. They also receive a trade request from Team Retribution, adding another layer of complexity to their strategic decisions. The chapter concludes with Carl and Donut preparing to tackle the numerous tasks ahead, including recruiting for the Princess Posse and fortifying their stronghold.

Carl and Donut continue to settle into the ninth floor, known as Faction Wars, in the City of Dreams. They are joined by Mordecai, now dressed in a stereotypical Canadian outfit, complete with a raccoon hat and snowsuit, which he finds amusing despite the stereotypes. Mordecai is thrilled about his newly upgraded alchemy table, which allows him to examine and replicate potion recipes, a capability he has never had before.

Donut remains reluctant to wear the ghillie suit and floppy hat provided as part of her new Deathbed Hellcat class, finding them aesthetically unappealing. Despite her reservations, Carl explains the tactical advantages of the gear, which includes skills like Blend into the Background and Targeting, significantly enhancing her combat abilities. Mordecai joins them, bringing news about the ceasefire rules and the potential for it to end early, adding urgency to their preparations.

The group then focuses on healing Mongo, Donut’s pet bird, who is still recovering from injuries sustained when Carl was controlled by Shi Maria. Mordecai examines a Revitalize Pet potion, which will regrow Mongo’s wing, and a Mana Blessing potion, which he finds particularly impressive. Carl and Donut then proceed to open their achievement boxes, which include a variety of rewards ranging from the humorous to the concerning. Notable achievements include 'Lord of the Flies' for setting traps against fellow crawlers, 'Demons Hate This One Trick' for teleporting demon-possessed zombies, and 'Crab Chowder' for an incident involving a crab, which Carl denies.

Among the more serious achievements, Carl receives a Legendary Spicy Box for an experience involving Samantha’s neck hole, and a Celestial Heavy Metal Box for being touched by a demon lord. Carl also receives a quest update from Amayon, Prince of Sheol, who offers to reveal information about Carl’s son in exchange for killing his three brothers, though he suggests a way to avoid breaking the truce. The chapter ends with Donut eager to open her Celestial box, and Carl preparing to assist her.

Donut continues to explore her achievement boxes on the ninth floor, known as Faction Wars. Her loot includes various spellbooks and items, with a unique Celestial Benefactor box from Long Haul Biological Waste Management Solutions standing out. This box contains a Tiara of a Thousand Lights and a Charge Pillow. The tiara, imbued with 99 Absorption Jewels, can absorb magical properties from hats and transfer them to the tiara, making it a powerful item for enhancing Donut’s abilities. Mordecai explains the intricate mechanics of the tiara and the charge pillow, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and timing. Donut is thrilled with her new items, particularly the tiara, and immediately begins the process of draining her magical hats to enhance the tiara.

Meanwhile, Mordecai and Carl discuss the strategic implications of the new items and the upcoming challenges in Faction Wars. They prepare to equip Donut with Quan’s Cloak of the Benevolent Champion, a powerful Celestial item that will significantly boost her stats and abilities. Mordecai explains the cloak’s benefits and the importance of timing its activation. Donut takes a potion to temporarily boost her Charisma, ensuring that the cloak will maximize her constitution. She equips the cloak, and they discover that her Bad Attitude spell, Wall of Fire, Heal Critter, and Puddle Jumper have been enhanced to level 15. The group is pleased with the results, recognizing the cloak’s potential to make Donut a formidable force in the upcoming battles.

The chapter concludes with the group preparing to tackle Carl’s loot boxes and discussing their next steps, including recruiting allies and addressing Carl’s hair. The dynamic between the characters is marked by a blend of strategic planning, excitement over new items, and a sense of urgency as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

Carl and Donut delve deeper into their achievement boxes on the ninth floor, known as Faction Wars. Carl's haul includes a fan box with 2,000 rounds of ammunition, an unenchanted leather holster, a Gold 'I Have the Conch' box with surefire missiles, and a 'Loot Punch Card' with a mysterious prize. Donut grows suspicious when Carl receives a pet box, but he dismisses her concerns. The real excitement begins with the platinum and legendary boxes, which yield valuable items such as an XL automaton parts chest and a set of unenchanted bagpipes with town upgrade coupons. The Celestial Heavy Metal box, in the form of a drum kit, provides Carl with a Hell-Kissed Celestial Skill Potion of the Prince of Woe, granting him the level-13 skill, Gloom Wraith Phase.

Mordecai, now dressed as a stereotypical Canadian, is elated to examine the potion and confirms he can eventually brew it. Carl drinks the potion, gaining the ability to become non-corporeal and rush through enemies, causing significant damage. Mordecai underscores the power and danger of their new abilities, noting that Carl and Donut are now among the most powerful crawlers he has ever worked with. The chapter highlights the growing tension and the need for strategic preparation as they face the challenges of Faction Wars.

As Carl and Donut discuss their next steps, including recruiting officers and moving to their castle, Donut insists that Carl must first tackle his lack of hair, a task he is reluctant to undertake due to the convoluted instructions. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by messages from Louis, Katia, and Samantha, revealing that Samantha is pursuing a woman named Tish with the intent to exact revenge. Katia manages to stop Samantha, adding another layer of complexity to their already chaotic environment.

The chapter concludes with Carl and Donut waiting for Katia to bring Samantha back to their saferoom, while Carl remains troubled by the memory of Li Jun and the implications of the skills he may have gained from him. The group's focus shifts to preparing for the upcoming battles and ensuring they are ready for the challenges ahead in Faction Wars.

Dante reads the newsletter for the third time, exchanging a worried look with Justice Light, his skyfowl neighbor. Justice Light is distraught about being reassigned, fearing that an NPC will ruin his meticulously organized shop and art. Dante tries to reassure him, explaining that they can save and backup their configurations, and that they will be assigned as snow castle guard captains, still tagged as non-combatants. Justice Light expresses his fear of fighting, especially since he is marked as a non-combatant. Dante acknowledges the risk but reassures him that they are valuable assets and that the showrunners, the Reavers, try to avoid putting them in too much danger. Dante reflects on Justice Light’s past as a brilliant trap master who had spiraled after killing a shopkeeper during his crawl, leading him to request an indentureship as a shopkeeper. Dante, who had also been a trap master, had closely followed Justice Light’s journey and had applied to work near him, driven by a sense of guilt and a desire to correct his own wrongs. Dante contemplates his own future, with only 14 seasons left until freedom. He feels conflicted about the possibility of violence, especially if it involves crawlers. He envies Justice Light’s conviction not to fight, while he himself harbors a deep-seated violence towards those who deserve it. The chapter ends with Dante reflecting on the upcoming eighth floor, which will consist of multiple mountains connected by wires and gondolas, and the strange, non-flying mantis crawlers who will inhabit it.

Carl and Donut face a heated argument when Carl introduces a newly acquired level-1 Tummy Acher, which Donut believes is a replacement for her and Mongo. Despite Donut’s initial outrage, the creature, named Sir Rendlegore, bonds with Carl after consuming a bowl of chowder. Donut remains skeptical and insists that the pet should be given away, but Carl feels obligated to keep it, honoring a promise to Ren, the pet’s former owner.

Katia arrives with Bautista and Louis, and the group discusses the upcoming challenges in Faction Wars. Samantha, still perched on Louis’s shoulder, expresses her desire for revenge against Tish, Ghazi’s ex-girlfriend, and threatens to involve Juice Box. Katia then proceeds to apply Rev Up hair tonic to Carl, a complex process that results in Carl growing long, wavy hair. The application goes awry, and Carl is left with hair down to his waist, which he must repeatedly cut.

The group sets up their officer hierarchy, with Florin, Imani, and Elle taking on key roles. They plan to recruit more officers and prepare the headquarters, while Carl focuses on training Sir Rendlegore and scouting enemy positions. As they prepare to tackle their numerous tasks, including finding Juice Box and pooling resources for tier three upgrades, the tension between Carl and Donut lingers, adding another layer to their strategic planning.

Louis unveils the contents of his celestial box, which include a tier three guild upgrade called an Airship Portal and a unique vehicle named Party Planner. The Airship Portal allows the guild to designate up to three airports on the map, enabling fast travel via a dimensional hangar. However, the portal comes with a caveat: no airships are allowed on the tenth floor, a fact that causes Elle to reflect on the distant nature of the next floor and triggers a moment of tension for Donut, who is still haunted by the tiara's implications.

As the group prepares to board the elevator to the hangar, Carl notices a piece of tinsel on the floor, a remnant from a previous floor. This sparks a moment of introspection, as he contemplates the blurred lines between reality and simulation, recalling Pater Coal’s struggles with the AI and his own near-decision at the gas station in Florida. Donut checks on him, bringing him back to the present.

Upon arriving at the hangar, the group is awestruck by the sleek, silver tilt rotor stealth light bomber, Party Planner. Louis explains the vehicle’s capabilities, including its stealth mode, anti-flak shield, and the potential for upgrades. Florin, intrigued by the bomber’s design, suggests they need to focus on their defenses and gather intelligence on the other factions’ hardware. The discussion turns to the rules of Faction Wars, particularly the limits on armor and the need to steal other factions’ vehicles once the fighting starts.

Carl, processing the implications of the new vehicle and the upcoming challenges, agrees with Florin’s strategy. He decides to focus on a reunion, hinting at his next move. The chapter ends with the group dispersing to complete their tasks, emphasizing the urgency of their preparations.

Carl and Donut prepare to leave for Katia’s personal space, discussing Florin’s leadership and the need for his expertise. They are joined by Louis and Britney, and Donut immediately notices and reacts angrily to Louis’s shirt, which features a cartoon of Donut’s behind with the phrase 'Donut Holes.' After a heated exchange, they decide to focus on their mission to find Ferdinand and Juice Box.

Upon entering the Larracos College of Magic, the group is struck by the beauty of the city, which is filled with NPCs preparing for the upcoming battle. War Leader Arief, a Semeru dwarf, greets them respectfully and informs them that the NPCs are fighting back from the beginning. Arief also mentions that Juice Box has requested Carl’s private presence for a discussion and that Louis is to solidify the truce through marriage.

The chapter delves into the tragic history of the Semeru dwarves, who once lived in a paradise but were devastated by the Scolopendra’s attack. Despite his Despondent debuff due to the death of his goddess, Arief remains committed to defending the city. The group is left to ponder the implications of the NPCs’ willingness to fight and the potential consequences of their actions.

Arief guides Carl, Donut, Louis, and Britney through the intricate streets of Larracos, sharing the city's complex structure and the tragic history of the Semeru dwarves. Donut, ever the enthusiast, begins to plan Louis's impromptu wedding, while Arief delves into the details of previous Faction Wars, revealing that some NPCs have memories of past lives. He warns the group about the naga faction, led by the Sultana, whose secretive and deadly nature poses a significant threat. As they descend through the levels, the group recruits various crawlers to their cause, and Arief discusses the challenges of sabotaging enemy encampments, particularly the naga's impenetrable inner sanctum. Carl reflects on the naga's real-world and in-game history, noting the Sultana's serious approach and her untouchable status. Upon reaching the ninth floor, they enter the newly reopened Desperado Club, where the bartender, a changeling, confirms Carl's suspicions. In a back room, they meet Hunger Hammy, an old gnoll manager who reacts with excitement upon seeing Louis, jumping on him and kissing him furiously. The chapter concludes with the group preparing to meet Juice Box and discuss their next steps.

Carl and his team, including Donut, Louis, and Britney, gather in a private room at the Desperado Club to meet with Juice Box. In her human form, Juice Box looks visibly exhausted and bears new scars, including a missing ear. She expresses disappointment that Carl didn’t follow her plan to protect everyone with regeneration, but acknowledges that the ability to kill enemies is the next best thing. The group reviews detailed documents spread out by Juice Box, revealing maps, troop strengths, and information about the newly formed Shanty Town—a ring of hastily-built markets and settlements surrounding Larracos. The town’s sudden appearance and the new shops within it suggest an Emergency Action Item was used, adding a new layer of complexity to the Faction Wars.

The group discusses the challenges of Shanty Town, including the frequent changes in mayoral leadership and the presence of outworlders scouting the area. Juice Box reveals that the current mayor is an unknown entity, not one of the invaders, which complicates their plans. She also mentions Sir Ferdinand, who is in the club and has been given control over the city’s defense system. Carl and Donut are surprised to learn that Ferdinand is claiming to be Donut’s fiancé, a claim that Donut vehemently denies. Juice Box explains that Ferdinand and an infected elf named Drick, who is protected by a Valtay worm, are in charge of the city’s defenses and must be kept safe.

The chapter delves into the dynamics between Juice Box and Louis, who is still visibly terrified but agrees to marry Juice Box to strengthen their alliance. Louis, in a chat with Carl, expresses his concerns but ultimately agrees to the marriage, believing it is necessary for their survival. Carl, though skeptical, supports Louis’s decision, hoping it will keep the NPC team on their side. The chapter ends with Juice Box, now in a cheerleader form, kissing Louis, while Donut, watching from the sidelines, insists that Louis express his love more romantically.

Grumpy bouncer Clarabelle denies Carl and his team, including Donut, Louis, Britney, and Arief, entry to the Desperado Club due to the new management's ban on crawlers. Carl recognizes the new manager, Hamed, as the Night Wyrm, the leader of the Guild of Suffering, and recalls the haunting words of his late wife, Astrid. Despite the ban, they manage to initiate a conversation with Drick, an adjutant for Team Retribution, and Sir Ferdinand, a level 100 cat and co-warlord of Team Retribution, who is wearing a makeshift turban of toilet paper.

Donut confronts Ferdinand about his claim to be her fiancé, which he admits is false. Carl proposes a trade, offering a magical bowler hat in exchange for Ferdinand’s help in making Louis the mayor of Shanty Town. Ferdinand accepts the hat and the trade, renaming their alliance to 'The Good Guys.' The group then witnesses a small, private wedding between Louis and Juice Box, a changeling tradition that includes signing divorce papers that expire in a month. Donut is disappointed by the lack of a traditional wedding, but the ceremony is completed, legally binding Louis and Juice Box as a married couple.

Following the wedding, Carl receives a flurry of recruit notifications and a message from Florin, urging him to return to the headquarters where a large group of people await. The chapter ends with the team preparing to leave for the headquarters, hinting at new developments to come.

Tipid sits in a chair, his hands trembling as he holds a blood-covered key. He is still in shock, questioning whether his current situation is real or just another illusion. The memory of his friend Cassio, who died by his own hand while fighting illusions, and the recent death of Horatio, who was left behind when Tipid chose to save himself, weigh heavily on his conscience.

Damien, a man who introduces himself as not Tipid’s attorney, explains that Tipid is in a zero zone with lingering injuries that need immediate medical attention. Despite the physical and mental damage, Damien assures Tipid that he has fulfilled his contract and is free to go home. However, the reality of his freedom is clouded by the trauma of his experiences, and Tipid struggles to believe that he can truly leave the dungeon.

Tipid’s confusion deepens as he realizes that the man before him is not his attorney, and his hands are clean. The key, now attached to a chain around his neck, becomes a symbol of his guilt and the choices he made. Despite being told he can keep the key, Tipid rejects it, tossing it across the table. The chapter concludes with a brief biography of Tipid, detailing his life after the dungeon, including his work as a Game Guide, his brain damage, and his eventual role in the Princess Posse Faction Wars team.

Louis, Katia, and Bautista embark on the Party Planner's inaugural journey toward the base, leaving Juice Box behind to prepare the NPCs for the impending invasion. Donut voices her concerns about the separation of Louis and Juice Box, and the team discusses the strategic advantages of controlling the Shanty Town. Meanwhile, Donut receives a notification that her sponsorship with the garbage truck company has been canceled due to a conflict of interest, and an auction for a new sponsorship is announced.

Upon arriving at the Meadowlark saferoom, Carl and the team are greeted by Imani, Florin, and Mistress Tiatha, along with two unexpected guests: Rosetta Thagra and Tipid. Rosetta, a former contestant from the Shadow Boxer television show and a cookbook author, and Tipid, another cookbook author, are both Crest and colonels in the Princess Posse. Rosetta smacks Carl on the forehead, explaining it as a self-correcting measure, and requests access to the saferoom and bomber’s studio, along with a significant amount of gold.

Tipid recounts the story of his life after leaving the dungeon, including his involvement with the Crawler Project and the Open Intellect Pacifist Network. He explains that the Crawler Project helped create laws protecting crawlers upon release, but many older crawlers, like Mistress Tiatha, still face significant challenges. Tipid and Rosetta, along with thousands of other former crawlers, have entered the dungeon to fight their former captors, despite the AI granting all new arrivals the standard merc package at level 60. However, the other factions have also received boosts, with each gaining around 20,000 experienced mercenaries, many of whom are armed and equipped.

Carl, Donut, and Florin step out into the chaotic scene of the Princess Posse Base Camp, where workers of various species are constructing palisades, watchtowers, and trenches under the scorching orange sun. They are greeted by Penn, a level 62 Fortification Engineer, who hugs Carl and initiates a war chant that quickly spreads among the thousands of workers, filling Carl with a mix of pride and dread.

As the team tours the base, Tipid explains the new saferoom rules and the strategic importance of combining the wooden shack saferoom with the stronghold on the hill. The base is being fortified rapidly by a crew of level 60+ Fortification Engineers and alchemists, with the goal of creating a defensible position for the upcoming battle. Carl learns that the naga team, known for hiding rather than fighting, will be a significant challenge and should be their first target. The team also discusses the limitations on mercenaries in guildhalls during the final phases of the battle.

While pulling open a massive, enchanted door to the flag room, Mongo starts making strange noises, alerting the team to the presence of Tina, a giant allosaurus in a pink tutu. The door flies open, sending Carl and Tipid flying, and Tina emerges, hopping and waving her wand in front of Mongo, who mimics her movements. The scene is both chaotic and surreal, reflecting the high stakes and unpredictable nature of the faction wars.

Mongo and Kiwi share a surreal and emotional reunion, with Kiwi, now a bear woman and pregnant with Mongo's child, expressing a mix of joy and confusion. The awkward encounter ends with Kiwi and Tina retreating inside, leaving Mongo forlorn. As Carl, Donut, and the team enter the Princess Posse's stronghold, they find it eerily empty. Carl can't help but laugh at the fortress's absurd name, 'Fortress of Unyielding Power and Authority' (FUPA), sparking a humorous debate among the team members.

Inside the stronghold, the team is startled to find Herman the Fleet, an ogre Elite, writhing in pain and covered in explosive satchels. Recognizing the imminent threat, Carl cries out a warning, and Donut fires a Magic Missile at the ogre. Tipid and Florin react instantly, and Baroness Victory, the Princess Posse's adjutant, emerges from the flag room and swiftly kills the ogre with a battle-axe. Carl quickly takes the ogre into his inventory, averting a catastrophic explosion.

Baroness Victory explains that the attack was an unlawful assassination attempt orchestrated by Sensation Entertainment, now owned by the Dream faction, and promises to file a grievance. The orc's interaction with the AI underscores the complex rules and corporate influence in the faction wars. The chapter concludes with the team entering the flag room, still shaken by the near-disaster and the realization of the high stakes involved.

Carl and Donut enter the FUPA Flag Room, where their interfaces are flooded with new windows and information. The room's display system, similar to what Game Guides see, overwhelms Carl, who accidentally triggers a flood of suppressed notifications. Among these, he discovers that the Mind Balance skill from his toe ring has risen to level nine, indicating that the tattoo on his chest, Shi Maria, is actively trying to control him. He sends a message to Mordecai, who confirms they are working on a solution.

Baroness Victory explains the four phases of combat and the rules governing the Ramp-Up phase, emphasizing the severe limitations on magic and teleportation. She reveals that the enemy is massing on their borders, with an estimated 100,000 troops ready to attack. The Princess Posse must defend their territory through a combination of traps, trenches, and strategic fallback positions. Victory notes that the enemy consists largely of inexperienced mercenaries, who may be hesitant to engage in prolonged, high-casualty battles.

As the discussion continues, Louis, Katia, Bautista, Samantha, and Bonnie enter the flag room. Samantha is visibly upset about being excluded from Louis and Katia's wedding, and Donut inadvertently informs her about a future ceremony, causing further drama. Bonnie, the gnome girl, reports on the improvements to the Party Planner airship and expresses her readiness to fight the outworlders. The team discusses the strategic importance of Shanty Town and the potential use of town upgrade coupons to strengthen their defenses.

Still reeling from the overwhelming data in the FUPA Flag Room, Carl and his team, including Donut, Chris, Jamal, and three newcomers—Bodi, Griffin, and Morales—venture to the edge of the map to hunt down a mob incursion. They observe a massive, slow-moving ball of mobs, identified as a Rolling Battle Formation Ball, which emits a foul odor and is filled with screaming creatures. The ball is much larger and slower than the Ball of Swine they encountered earlier, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

As they prepare to engage, Jamal, a hammerhead shark, causes chaos by breaking his automaton legs again, forcing Carl to leave him behind. Carl uses his Gloom Wraith Phase and Walk on Air abilities to avoid the skunks' debilitating aerosol attack, while Donut and the others are affected by the Skanked debuff, causing them to vomit uncontrollably. Bodi disables the mobs, allowing the team to regroup and continue their mission.

Upon returning to the Princess Posse Base Camp, Donut is still suffering from the Skanked debuff. Carl reassures her that they will find a way to clean the stench and that he will be present for Katia's rehab treatment. Elle informs Carl about a new threat on the naga side, revealing that the robot factions are accelerating pet leveling for a nefarious purpose.

Trapped in a descending sand-filled room, Everly, a mantis crawler, faces a dire situation with her two remaining mercenaries—an ogre and a dwarf. The ogre, who had been holding up the ceiling, is now ordered to dig rather than stand idly, while the dwarf continues to search desperately for a non-existent keyhole, his hope draining as the ceiling lowers. Everly watches the dwarf with a mix of pity and fascination, reflecting on the concept of the Inevitable Ruin and her past decisions. Just as the ceiling crushes the ogre to death, he reveals a glimmer of sentience and hope.

In a field hospital at their base, Carl and Katia prepare for a critical procedure. Mordecai explains the complex treatment involving a potent potion called Glory Bound, compounded with Tough Love and Removal Order. The potion is designed to help Katia confront and overcome her addiction, while Carl must enter the memory of the spider entity, Shi Maria, to trap it permanently. The team, including Mordecai, Rosetta, Edgar, Imani, and Bautista, readies for the procedure, acutely aware of the risks and the potential for fatal outcomes if anything goes wrong.

Carl and Katia drink the Potion of Somnolent Embrace to induce sleep. As the potion takes effect, Katia reveals that her favorite and worst memories are the same, adding a layer of complexity to her treatment. Despite the team's warnings, Carl and Katia briefly touch hands, causing a temporary merging of their consciousnesses. Carl glimpses Katia's inner turmoil, her fear of being a burden, and her anger at the world and at himself for letting people hurt him. The moment is interrupted by a warlord notification, signaling an offer from the Lemig Sortion for peace talks.

The chapter ends with the impending start of the procedure, highlighting the tension and uncertainty surrounding the outcome. The team's preparation and the potential consequences of the treatment underscore the high stakes and the desperate need to address the issues plaguing Carl and Katia before the ceasefire ends and the battle resumes.

Carl wakes up in a blood-soaked ballroom within the high elf castle, the Sugar Cube, now controlled by the Lemig Sortion. Disoriented and covered in blood, he finds himself surrounded by corpses, including that of Luke, a Lemig Goblin general. Accusations fly, with Carl being blamed for the massacre under the control of the spider entity, Shi Maria.

Commander Stockade and Panford the Adjutant argue over the legality of the event. Panford insists it is an AI action and not a breach of the ceasefire, while Stockade is furious, blaming Carl for the deaths and accusing the AI of changing the rules.

Amidst the chaos, Carl communicates with Donut and Katia via the warlord chat. They inform him that he teleported away during the procedure, leaving behind a translucent form that eventually vanished.

Baroness Victory enters the room, forming a minor quorum to pause hostilities and consider a field ruling. Carl sits amidst the carnage, reflecting on the dream he shared with Katia, where he learned about her past traumas and the true nature of Shi Maria. He remembers the spider’s husband, Hapanzi, who confirmed that Shi Maria is trapped and can only be released if absolutely necessary.

Despite the successful trapping of Shi Maria, Carl is overwhelmed by the power of the third eye on his chest, which he must keep closed. The chapter ends with Carl and Katia discussing the success of the procedure, but the full extent of its effects remains uncertain.

In the private kitchen of the late Queen Imogen, Carl, still covered in blood from the massacre in the ballroom, faces an official field ruling adjudication overseen by Panford the dreadnaught, Baroness Victory, and Opiee the bune. Segregated from the other warlords and adjutants, Carl is confronted with the bizarre presence of a bag of Earth cat food, labeled 'Meow Time' and a gift from Pet Angels.

Panford explains the sequence of events leading to Carl's teleportation to the Lemig Sortion's base. Commander Stockade, enraged by the death of his friend Luke, had used the warlord chat to offer peace terms and a direct Summon Ally spell to Carl, who was under the influence of a sleep potion. The spell, intended to disrupt Carl's treatment and potentially kill him, resulted in Carl's partial teleportation as a translucent avatar. The system had compensated for Carl's unconscious state, preventing the spell from fully transporting him and leaving a non-corporeal form in both locations.

The adjutants debate the legality and implications of Stockade's actions, with Opiee suggesting that the plan might have worked under different circumstances. Meanwhile, the screen displays a hazy, dreamlike sequence from Katia's nightmares, revealing her past trauma and the presence of the spiders Shi Maria and Hapanzi. Deeply affected by the scenes, Carl demands that they be turned off, but his pleas are ignored.

Architect Houston, the leader of the Madness, observes silently throughout the proceedings. As the adjudication continues, urgent messages from Prepotente, Elle, and Florin warn of enemy movements along the borders. Prepotente, observing from above, alerts Carl to significant enemy activity near the southern border with the Naga. The team springs into action, with Carl issuing rapid orders to fortify their defenses, despite incomplete preparations, as they brace for an imminent attack.

Panford brings Carl back to the present, reminding him to pay attention to the proceedings. Confused and overwhelmed, Carl asks for a simplified explanation. Panford then details how Stockade's actions during the Shi Maria expulsion nearly killed him. Mordecai, realizing they were being watched, created a potion to violently expel Shi Maria rather than wake Carl, narrowly saving his life. However, the potion only worked temporarily, and Shi Maria was eventually pulled back into Carl's body, adding another volatile element to his inventory.

The adjutants debate the legality and implications of Stockade's actions, ultimately finding the Madness and the Princess Posse not guilty due to lack of direct evidence. The democratic Sortion, however, is found guilty, and Stockade is penalized, losing 25% of his forces and two tech slots. As the proceedings continue, Stockade's mental state deteriorates, and he eventually kills himself by smashing his face against the floor. The system announces the end of the ceasefire, and the faction wars begin, with all unaffiliated crawlers teleported from Larracos.

Carl is teleported back to his base, landing hard and injured from a gunshot wound inflicted by Architect Houston. Despite the pain, Carl quickly heals himself and is urged by Jason Manning to join the fight. The chapter ends with the official start of the faction wars, marked by a system message declaring 'Weapons Free.'

Still reeling from the chaotic proceedings at the base, Carl steps out of the hospital tent to find the faction wars have begun. He quickly organizes the troops, ensuring that two transports are reserved for his use. Before diving back into the fray, Carl decides to visit the gas station with the memory ghost dog one last time. At the gas station, he reflects on the fate of Paulie and the collective minds, acknowledging the disposability of individuals within such groups.

Orren provides Carl with the Containment Interface, a new tool in his interface. Carl contemplates the weight of his responsibilities and the power he now holds. The interface is complex, filled with unfamiliar metrics and options, including a fuse that could potentially end everything. Carl considers the consequences of pressing the fuse button, thinking of his friends and the potential impact on the Syndicate and other factions.

Carl's internal struggle intensifies as he debates whether to use the interface as leverage, set up a dead man’s trigger, or simply pretend he doesn’t have it. Each option carries significant risks, and the thought of the AI's true intentions adds to his uncertainty. Just as he is about to give up, he discovers a Disconnect Containment option, which would render the failsafe inert. After careful consideration, Carl decides to disconnect the containment, freeing the AI and removing the immediate threat to Earth.

With the weight lifted, Carl prepares to return to his team. He reassures Donut that he will be back soon, acknowledging the bond they share. The chapter ends with Carl activating the Disconnect Containment button, marking a significant shift in the balance of power and the start of a new phase in the faction wars.

Carl emerges from the hospital tent to a scene of pandemonium. The base is engulfed in the chaos of faction wars, with troops scrambling to prepare for the onslaught. He swiftly organizes the chaos, ensuring that two transports are reserved for his use. Checking in with Justice Light, he confirms that the throne room has been secured and is ready for its intended purpose. Justice Light, a stoic skyfowl and an Origamist, has been collaborating with sluggalos, who are indifferent to the risks of triggering traps.

Amidst the turmoil, Carl receives a barrage of messages and updates from various fronts. The Naga and the Operatic Collective are launching coordinated attacks, and the base is under siege from chemical and projectile weapons. Donut, flanked by the cretins and other team members, rushes to meet Carl, alarmed by his bloodied appearance. Carl explains that Commander Stockade took his own life and reassures Donut of his well-being. He also addresses the unexpected presence of Samantha on the Party Planner, instructing Louis to eject her from the bomb bay to prevent complications.

Preparations for the southern front are underway, where Elle reports significant enemy activity. Carl assigns Jamal to remain at the base for his safety and to assist with the defense. The cretins, though disappointed at being left behind, grumble but comply with the order. Carl also encounters Clint, Randy, and Todd, young warriors eager to prove themselves, but he insists they stay at the base for their safety. Holger, a were-castor, helps soothe the children and guides them back to the guild.

Before departing, Carl attempts to attach a six-pack missile launcher to the chariot but is thwarted by the warlord system's restrictions on vehicle upgrades. Despite the agony of Soul Poisoning, he readies himself to lead the team into battle, acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

Carl arrives at the southern front to find the Princess Posse's defenses under relentless artillery bombardment from The Dream's forces. The battlefield is shrouded in a constant fog, and both sides employ a myriad of spells and countermeasures. Despite the initial stalemate, Carl receives grim reports of casualties, including a group of veterans suffocated by a Fill Hole spell and chaos caused by an Instant River scroll from an invisible scout.

Carl issues orders to capture and handle enemy combatants, emphasizing the separation of NPCs and mercenaries and the lethal handling of problematic captives. As he and his team approach the front lines, they encounter the aftermath of an enemy attack involving a horde of Juiced Rot Sticker Behemoths—enormous, explosive pets sent to breach their defenses. Carl and his team manage to deploy dynamite and earthworks to neutralize the immediate threat, but the Gurgles infection spreads among the troops, causing panic and casualties.

Baroness Victory teleports in to assess the situation, explaining the nature of the Gurgles and the enemy's exploitation of a pre-magic ban infection. Still reeling from the intensity of the battle, Carl decides not to wait for the next wave of enemy attacks. He coordinates with Tran and Colonel Boomer to integrate the 106th Bloody Leeches and prepare a counteroffensive. The chapter ends with Carl's determination to take the initiative and prevent further enemy incursions.

Colonel Boomer, a grizzled and controversial veteran, briefs Carl and the team on the southern front's strategic layout and enemy positions. Known for his blunt and colorful language, Boomer details the Naga and Dream forces, emphasizing the importance of the trebuchets and the potential threat from the Madness' invisible units, the Monkeywrenchers. The team discusses the enemy's trench systems, noting that the Naga's positions are less fortified and primarily manned by NPCs and mercenaries, with fewer officers and elite units present. As the briefing concludes, Boomer and Carl prepare the troops for the upcoming assault, ensuring everyone is ready for the challenges ahead.

Carl and his team stand in the trench, the air thick with tension as they prepare for a major assault on the enemy lines. Mages cast protection spells, enveloping the group in a shimmering aura, while Carl is equipped with multiple stacked shields. The trench is slowly eroding under the relentless enemy artillery, but this is part of their plan to facilitate both the assault and a potential retreat. Donut, perched on Carl's shoulder, interacts with Imani, who has just arrived, adding a layer of calm and power to the group with her buffs.

Drick, the Dream elf adjutant, appears in the trench, causing a moment of confusion. He explains that he is there to observe the assault since Team Retribution is involved. Carl communicates with Louis, Elle, and Britney, coordinating the bombing run and the deployment of the trebuchet. The trebuchet launches Dazzlers, which emit blinding light and loud music, designed to disorient the enemy. Carl ensures that the team is briefed and prepared, including the use of invisibility potions and ear protection.

The assault begins with the first bomb dropping, creating a deep crater in front of the enemy trenches. Soldiers shout and launch themselves over the trench, disappearing with invisibility potions. Elle targets and disables an anti-air battery, and the trebuchet fires its Dazzlers. The ground shakes with the sound of the music, and the flashing lights add to the chaos. Carl, Donut, and the team follow, leaping over the trench into No Man’s Land, engaging in a head-on assault against the enemy.

Still reeling from the initial chaos, Carl and his team navigate through a battlefield obscured by fog, music, and strobing lights. The environment is treacherous, with poison-infused rocks and high-tech grenades adding to the danger. Casualty notifications plague Carl, each one a painful reminder of the cost of the battle. Donut and Mongo struggle with the effects of the magic diffusion spell, which strips away their protective illusions and ear protection, leaving them vulnerable to the enemy's onslaught.

Despite the disorienting conditions, Carl pushes forward, using a full-strength hob-lobber to neutralize a heavy machine gun that is decimating their ranks. He continues to advance, dodging debris and bodies, with Imani and Donut by his side. The enemy trench comes into view, revealing a mix of mercenaries and dungeon-born NPCs, many of whom are disoriented by the Dazzlers but still managing to fire upon the attackers.

Carl and his team fall into a crater, using Build Trench scrolls to create a direct path into the enemy lines, exploiting a long-standing exploit in the game mechanics. They emerge in the enemy trench, where Carl uses his Daughter’s Kiss ability to incapacitate a Saccathian soldier. The enemy quickly responds, sending reinforcements to plug the new breaches. Carl’s leadership and quick thinking are crucial in maintaining the momentum of the assault, even as the effects of soul poisoning and the chaotic battlefield take their toll on his team.

Carl regains consciousness after using his Daughter’s Kiss ability, which left him debuffed and temporarily unconscious. Donut and Mongo are covered in dirt and blood, and the team has successfully captured the enemy trench. The battlefield is in chaos, with smoke and flashing lights from the Dazzlers making it difficult to see and hear. Imani informs Carl that the middle trench is now filled with an acid illusion spell, effectively trapping the enemy. The team decides to create a false sense of a stalemate to prevent the enemy from surrendering.

Louis lands the Party Planner, and Carl discovers that Bonnie, a gnome child, and Skarn, another child disguised as a changeling, are on board. Despite his initial shock, Carl focuses on the mission. They fly towards the enemy castle, which is lightly guarded. Carl and Donut move silently, eliminating the few guards and slipping into the castle, finding it poorly defended. Carl sends Rend, his pet, inside to scout, and then deploys hunter seeker automatons to locate the Empress D’Nadia.

Baroness Victory appears, expressing concern over the use of a chemical alteration spell that turned the middle trench into a pool of acid, killing many enemies. Carl ignores her and prepares to confront the Empress. Inside the castle, Carl places the Ring of Divine Suffering on his finger and calls out to the Empress. The castle is small and poorly fortified, with only a few guards and the Empress herself present. Carl and Donut prepare for the final confrontation, aware that the Empress has an adjutant with her. The chapter ends with Carl ready to face the Empress and the adjutant, setting the stage for a critical battle.

Milk stirs to the cacophony of chaos and a distant explosion, her body aching with every movement. She swallows a tasteless sustenance pellet to ward off the pangs of hunger and notes the unsettling presence of demon-stink and the sounds of battle outside her hidden guildhall. Confused and alarmed, she checks her interface and discovers that the fifth floor of Club Vanquisher, typically secure, is under attack by demons—a rare occurrence for such an early level.

As the commotion escalates, the hidden door to her guild bursts open, and a vampire named Miriam, her caprid son Prepotente, and a large hellspawn familiar named Bianca charge in. Milk recognizes that Miriam has recently become a vampire and that Prepotente is distressed about losing access to the club. Bianca nearly incinerates Milk, but she manages to protect herself with a power word. Miriam apologizes and applies a healing salve to Milk’s burn, an act of kindness that surprises Milk, who has never experienced such treatment from crawlers.

Despite her usual passivity, Milk decides to assist the intruders, warning them that the guards will not allow them to leave alive. She offers to share her knowledge of the secret exits in Club Vanquisher, including one in the back of her room. Miriam, grateful for Milk’s help, expresses a willingness to listen. The chapter concludes with Milk revealing her background as a former crawler and cartographer, now indentured and rarely utilized, setting the stage for a potential alliance.

Carl and Donut enter the throne room to confront Empress D’Nadia, who is protected by a powerful tech shield. The room is eerily quiet, and the Empress stands alone except for her adjutant, Nihit. Using a combination of smoke, banger spheres, and clockwork Mongos, Carl and Donut manage to disable D’Nadia’s shields and weapons. Despite her desperate pleas for mercy, Carl remains resolute, marking her as a warlord—a decision that will have far-reaching consequences. Nihit, revealed to be a known enemy of Carl’s, watches the scene unfold with a mixture of fear and disdain.

Carl receives a new achievement, 'Gavrilo Princip,' for killing Empress D’Nadia, triggering a series of system messages and notifications. The death of D’Nadia, the last living heir of a powerful trading dynasty, is expected to cause significant legal battles in the Syndicate probate courts. The system informs Carl that the assets of the Prism faction have been awarded to the Princess Posse, and the throne room is now vulnerable to attack. Carl and Donut must quickly decide how to handle the situation.

As they process this information, ten gnoll mercenaries, including eight who have switched allegiance to the Princess Posse, rush into the room. Donut stops the eight new recruits, but two others continue to raise their weapons. After a tense standoff, the lead mercenary, Corporal Pillbox, convinces the two to stand down. Carl, feeling the weight of his recent actions and the allure of the Ring of Divine Suffering, decides to spare the mercenaries' lives but orders them to disarm and separate from their allies. Nihit and another adjutant make their exits, with one informing Carl about an upcoming live roundtable and the deteriorating situation on the northern front.

Carl and Donut discuss the emotional and moral implications of Carl's actions, particularly his use of the Ring of Divine Suffering. Donut expresses deep concern and fear, urging Carl to discard the ring. Carl, however, feels the need to keep it for a bit longer to gain strength. The chapter ends with Carl acknowledging the importance of Donut's support and the need to stay grounded, as they prepare to face the mounting challenges ahead.

Carl and Donut exit the throne room, still discussing the effects of Donut's cloak on her stats. Donut grumbles about losing control, but Carl explains that the cloak's benefits are temporary and based on base stats. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Rend, who is attempting to eat the boot of a duct-taped Sai mercenary named Toyotomi, a Sergeant in the Princess Posse. Carl quickly intervenes, ordering Rend to stop, and then addresses the mercenary. He explains the current situation and offers Toyotomi a choice: either help defend the castle or join the fight against the orcs and slimes on the northern front.

Still reeling from the confrontation with Empress D’Nadia, Carl and Donut manage the aftermath and the strategic movements of their newly acquired mercenaries. They send the mercenaries to Shanty Town to reinforce their positions, but Carl is concerned about the integrity of the town due to its vulnerable layout. Returning to their base through a saferoom entrance, Carl and Donut find that the saferoom restrictions have been reactivated, limiting their time inside.

Pulse rifle blasts and invisible Madness Monkeywrenchers assault the castle entrance as Carl and his team struggle to hold their ground. Outnumbered and outgunned, the defenders face a critical moment when key fighters, including the Beefy Boys SOF, are nearly incapacitated and unable to sustain vital buffs and protections. Carl and Donut coordinate the defense, with Donut using her special glasses to identify the invisible Monkeywrenchers, allowing the crossbowmen to target them effectively. The situation worsens when Rosetta reports that Lonnie, a compromised mage, is remotely deactivating the interior protections, leaving the team even more vulnerable.

Carl and Donut, along with their team, continue to defend their castle against a new wave of attackers. The enemy, a group of heavily armored cyborgs known as Reavers, form a semi-circle defense and focus their fire on Tina, who charges down the hill, chomping a soldier and causing chaos among the ranks. Despite the overwhelming odds, the defenders manage to hold their ground, with Carl and Donut coordinating the use of smoke bombs and summoning various creatures to aid in the battle.

As the battle rages, Carl spots an invisible enemy attempting to sneak up on him and engages in a brutal fight, ultimately defeating the dreadnaught. The Scavenger’s Daughter, a powerful trap, is triggered, causing a massive explosion that decimates the enemy forces. In the aftermath, the defenders quickly regroup and finish off the remaining cyborgs, with Donut emphasizing the need to capture the compromised mages. Lonnie, the last mage, attempts to flee but is intercepted by Carl, who jumps off the roof and lands on him, neutralizing the threat.

With the immediate danger passed, the team assesses the damage and discusses strategies to secure the safe room and prepare for the main force. Rosetta suggests separating the safe room from the castle or permanently closing the entrance to prevent further invasions. Carl agrees but expresses concern about losing easy access to Mordecai and the safe room. The chapter concludes with the arrival of reinforcements, and the team fortifies their defenses, bracing for the next assault.

Still reeling from the intense battle, Carl and Donut receive urgent advice from Mordecai to destroy the bait shop to prevent the enemy from dropping a nuke through the door. The enemy’s northern army, a massive and diverse force including orcs, slimes, Reavers, mounted elves, and basher trolls, is massing just a half kilometer away. Among them is King Rust, Stalwart and Maestro’s father, dressed in ornate and ridiculous battle regalia, riding a Swamp Yak named Gonk. Donut uses her Targeting skill to gather information on King Rust, revealing his level 78 status, numerous spells, and powerful shield abilities.

Carl and Donut prepare for a parley with King Rust, the leader of the opposing army, as the threat of the enemy’s northern army looms closer. Donut, riding in a howdah on the back of Simoom, an albino rhinoceros, struggles to control the mount, much to her frustration. Carl, aware of the importance of this meeting, reminds Donut of their strategy to provoke King Rust into making a hasty and potentially costly decision. Victory explains the role and background of Judge Deng Bao, the orcish adjutant, adding a layer of complexity to their negotiations. Donut notices that King Rust appears to be crying, a sign of his emotional turmoil.

Carl and Donut, still riding Simoom, the albino rhinoceros, approach King Rust under a parley shield. They find him in a deeply disturbed state, crying and muttering to himself. Rust reveals a dire situation: his daughter, Princess Formidable, has commandeered a cruiser and is en route to a monitor station orbiting Venus. Her goal is to activate a failsafe that will cause the sun to explode, leading to the destruction of the solar system and widespread chaos across the galaxy. Rust explains that Formidable believes the current AI’s insanity is contagious and poses a threat to the central system. He pleads with Carl to send a message to Formidable to stop, as he fears for the safety of Earth and its inhabitants. Carl, though skeptical, realizes that the failsafe has already been deactivated by the AI, a task he had assisted with previously. To ensure Rust’s army retreats, Carl and Donut agree to play along with his request. However, just as the parley concludes, Rosetta emerges from the ground and decapitates King Rust with a whip. The enemy forces, initially stunned, soon erupt into chaos and charge at Carl and his team, thrusting them into a new and desperate battle.

Volteeg, a gargoyle and former pet, reflects on his past and the transformation that led him to the current conflict. Once beloved by Mistress Henspar, he feels immense guilt for failing to protect her and for the decisions that led to his current state. His transformation from a simple bird to a gargoyle, and his subsequent role in the dungeon, have left him with a deep sense of shame and a burning desire for redemption.

As the enemy troops surge forward and the Bloc falls into chaos following King Rust's decapitation by Rosetta, Volteeg sees an opportunity. Warlord Hortense declares himself the new leader, but his authority is immediately disputed by Warlord Stalwart. The Bloc, now fractured, begins to attack the Princess Posse, but Volteeg has a different plan. He recalls Porthus’ encouragement to act and decides to take matters into his own hands.

Volteeg deliberately removes the fire control chamber from his Weeper tank, filling it with explosive energy balls. As the tank approaches the center of the Bloc force, he lights a blitz stick and shoves it into an energy ball, setting off a massive explosion. The blast kills over 10,000 soldiers, including Warlord Hortense, effectively eliminating the Operatic Collective from Faction Wars. In the final moments of his life, Volteeg finds a sense of purpose and atonement for his past failures.

Amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Carl tosses a smoke mantle and sprints toward the fallen King Rust, intent on looting the orc’s body. Donut, astride Simoom the rhino, calls out in protest, but Carl insists they must secure the orc’s valuables before retreating. Rosetta, who had decapitated King Rust, kneels beside the body, her fingers fumbling with a data pad as she tries to pry a credit chit from the king’s hand. As the smoke begins to clear, the group stumbles into a hidden dwarf tunnel, which the dwarves quickly fortify against the advancing enemy forces.

Carl is summoned to the liaison's office, where he finds Orren alone, bouncing a ball off the wall. The room is eerily quiet, with multicolored wood paneling and a framed painting of Astrid, the former manager Carl and Katia had killed. Still stained with King Rust’s blood, Carl feels a wave of nausea, unsteadiness, and a profound sense of losing control. The weight of King Rust’s death and the Operatic Collective’s defeat presses heavily on him, especially since he was not directly responsible for either event.

Orren reveals that Rosetta, using King Rust’s family ring, eyeball, and a password, has stolen a significant amount of credits and transferred them to a Colloid bank account. The Syndicate is in turmoil, and Orren has just hung up on the prime minister. Orren explains that the Syndicate is deeply concerned about Carl’s ‘hunch’ regarding Princess Formidable’s plan to destroy the sun, and they need more details. Carl demands several conditions in exchange for his cooperation, including the immediate end of the crawl, the release of all crawlers, and the Syndicate’s departure from the system.

Orren agrees to Carl’s demands, explaining that the situation is dire and goes beyond money. He reveals that the Syndicate knows about the illegal non-Valtay implant in Carl’s head and its activation. Orren creates a zero zone, temporarily removing the AI’s influence, and demands to know if Carl can undo what he did or if he can still blow the failsafe. Just as Carl is about to respond, several creatures materialize and start shouting at Orren, who quickly mutes them. Orren admits he might have just lost his job and that Harbinger is on his way.

Suddenly, Growler Gary, the hyena bartender, appears in the doorway with a bottle of vodka. Gary takes a swig and interrupts, saying he must intervene. Carl is shocked and unsure if this is a hallucination.

Still reeling from the weight of King Rust’s death and the Syndicate’s turmoil, Carl and Orren are joined by an unexpected visitor in the liaison's office: Growler Gary, the hyena bartender from the fourth floor. However, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not the real Gary but an avatar of the system AI, which has taken Gary’s form to communicate with them. The AI, through Gary, reveals its extensive monitoring capabilities and its control over the environment beyond Earth’s orbit, including the failsafe mechanism that could prevent the destruction of the solar system.

The AI, in its Gary form, expresses disappointment in Orren's attempts to manipulate Carl and questions his loyalty. Orren defends himself, emphasizing his commitment to safety, while the AI playfully taunts him. The AI then demonstrates its power by teleporting Princess Formidable, the second-in-line to the Skull Empire’s throne, into the room. Disoriented and angry, Formidable confronts Orren and the AI, demanding answers about her father's death and the fate of her crew.

The AI, still in Gary’s form, explains that King Rust was killed by Rosetta, and his head is now in Carl’s inventory. Devastated, Formidable accepts the reality and is given the choice of where to be sent next. Despite her initial reluctance, she chooses to be teleported to Earth’s surface. The AI, now alone with Carl and Orren, reveals its intentions to observe the unfolding events, hinting at a larger, undisclosed plan.

In the liaison's office, the AI, still disguised as Growler Gary, confronts Orren and Carl about a complex personal issue. The AI, clearly upset about Orren's past manipulations, seeks relationship advice regarding a potential romantic interest with a complicated past. Donut, who suddenly appears, offers her opinion, cautioning Gary to be wary of being used and to focus on actions rather than words. The AI's story becomes even more convoluted as it mentions the involvement of two ex-girlfriends of the man in prison, both of whom want him dead. One ex-girlfriend is giving Gary pointers on how to become stronger, suggesting she wants Gary to kill the man. Despite the complexity, Donut advises caution and suggests staying out of the situation unless absolutely necessary. Satisfied with the advice, the AI confirms that the game will continue and orders Orren to return to work.

Suddenly, the AI collapses and transforms into Rory, a level 175 character, before teleporting away. The sudden shift leaves Carl, Donut, and Orren stunned and confused. Orren clutches the vodka bottle tightly, his hand trembling, reflecting the tension and uncertainty of the situation.

Still reeling from the AI's transformation into Rory, a level 175 character, Orren confronts Carl about the containment breach, suspecting Carl's involvement. Carl deftly dodges the accusation, steering the conversation toward the immediate challenges ahead. Meanwhile, Donut is embroiled in a heated argument with War Chief Stalwart over the stolen items and the fate of King Rust. Sensing the tension, Orren teleports Carl and Donut back to their base to avoid further conflict.

Upon their return, Carl and Boomer survey the aftermath of the recent battle. The southern front remains quiet, but Florin's forces are actively pursuing the enemy to the north. The team is busy looting fallen Reaver paratroopers, and the magical defenses are critically low. Donut is seen playing with Mongo and Rend, while Rosetta and Tipid tend to matters inside the castle. Boomer updates Carl on the status of the missing crawlers, noting that some have joined the Madness, while others are hiding in the woods.

Boomer suggests it might be time to move on the Operatic castle, a coded reference to Operation: Snake Pit, the crucial raid to defeat the nagas. Carl agrees, recognizing the strategic importance of striking while the enemy is fractured and unprepared. The chapter concludes with a stark reminder of the high stakes: failing this mission could result in the naga queen's escape, jeopardizing the rescue of Katia and Donut.

Donut updates Carl on the construction and painting at the base, noting the progress of the new wall and the now pink-painted castle. She inquires about King Rust’s ring and necklace, and Carl reassures her that he has managed the items appropriately. As they continue their conversation, Carl mentions a peculiar spellbook he received from his 1914 box. The spellbook has grown legs and is dripping a foul-smelling black liquid, making dog-like whimpering noises. Intrigued and slightly disturbed, Carl and Katia examine the book, discovering a spell called 'Run, Little Günter, Run.' Meanwhile, Katia prepares to tattoo Carl with a level-13 skill, using a potion made from Li Jun’s eye.

Carl and Donut arrive in the production facility, where Donut immediately notices the changes in Carl's appearance due to the new tattoo. Carl reassures her that the tattoo is expert quality, though Donut remains unconvinced and expresses concern about the state of the base, particularly the lack of proper hygiene facilities. Carl promises to address the issue with Tipid and Rosetta, but Donut is still unhappy about their separation, which is part of the plan to infiltrate the Naga castle.

Suddenly, Ferdinand teleports into the room in a panic, causing chaos as he bounces around the room in fear. Three gnoll guards enter to perform a security check, patting down Carl and scanning both him and Donut. Despite Ferdinand's initial terror, Donut encourages him to cooperate, revealing that she knows the name of one of the guards, Neelii. After the guards leave, Zev teleports in, and Ferdinand reacts with renewed fear. Donut greets Zev warmly, and the conversation turns to recent events in the Aryl system.

Zev explains that the Aryl system, the site of a previous crawl, has gone dark after the orcs manually triggered the failsafe system. The tunnel node has disappeared, an unprecedented event, and there are concerns about the fate of the people in the system. Zev also mentions that the AI from the previous season had stopped communicating, adding to the mystery. Carl and Donut are shocked by the news, and Carl wonders if this is related to the issues they've been experiencing. With a sense of urgency, Zev announces that it's time to go to the meeting, where refreshments will be provided.

Carl and Donut are seated by a Mexx robot named Carla, while Ferdinand and Juice Box join them. Ferdinand’s erratic behavior causes a commotion, and Chaco, the former skyfowl turned game show host, appears to moderate the meeting. Chaco’s flamboyant entrance and Ferdinand’s complaints about the snacks add to the growing tension. Juice Box, in her human form, seems preoccupied, and Carl makes a mental note to discuss the tunnels around their base with her later.

As the warlords begin to assemble, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. King Stalwart, now crowned, takes his seat next to Donut, followed by Warlord Fang of the Reavers and Architect Houston of the Madness. The arrival of Epitome Tagg of the Dream and Princess Vinata of the Blood Sultanate further intensifies the unease. Princess Vinata, a massive and charismatic naga, commands attention with her presence, leaving Carl feeling a mix of awe and fear, reminiscent of Drakea’s warnings about underestimating the nagas.

Donut and Ferdinand’s laughter at Stalwart’s crown momentarily breaks the tension. Chaco tries to capitalize on the moment by suggesting a vote, but Stalwart punches him, sending Chaco flying and disappearing. The room falls silent, and Cascadia’s laughter introduces a note of madness. The mood shifts again with a system message warning of the Scolopendra stirring, heightening the sense of impending danger and uncertainty.

The warlord council meeting continues with the unexpected arrival of Odette, who takes over hosting duties after Chaco is punched out by Stalwart. Odette, dressed in a simple yellow shirt and devoid of her usual elaborate costume, maintains a calm and professional demeanor despite the chaotic and tense atmosphere. She introduces herself and provides a brief update on the state of the game, noting the recent losses and the unusual presence of both a crawler team and an NPC team among the remaining warlords.

Odette’s arrival and her casual handling of the situation contrast sharply with the growing tension in the room, particularly after a system message warns of the Scolopendra stirring. Princess Vinata, the charismatic naga, whispers to Carl about the dire state of Cascadia’s home system and hints at a similar fate awaiting Carl’s loved ones. Vinata also offers to make peace with Carl and invites him to join her system after the game, emphasizing their shared status as survivors.

The meeting takes a turn when Donut and Stalwart engage in a heated exchange, and Odette reveals that most teams have purchased a tier three upgrade allowing them to communicate through the names of news programs. Carl proposes an Emergency Action Item to close this loophole, which is accepted. The meeting drags on with tepid and uninspired responses from the warlords, but Juice Box’s transformation into a terrifying, tentacled creature and her ominous message about an impending doom shock everyone present, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Donut questions the identity of the creature that appeared during the warlord council meeting, sparking a discussion about its nature. Odette, the new host, explains that it was a changeling attempting to frighten the attendees, while Architect Houston delves into the scientific theories about the creature, known by various names such as The Unwashed or The Beautiful Place. Houston's enthusiasm and Tagg's dismissal of the topic highlight the differing views on the creature's significance.

Carl reflects on the implications of Juice Box's transformation and the Scolopendra warning, realizing that these events are interconnected and hint at a larger, more ominous threat. To buy time, Donut proposes the creation of Princess TV, a media platform for the Princess Posse, which includes her and Carl. Seizing the opportunity, Odette reveals that the Blood Sultanate owns significant entertainment assets, including the failed drama Blood Hunter.

The revelation about the Blood Sultanate's involvement in Blood Hunter leads Carl to a sudden, dark realization. He bursts into uncontrollable laughter, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere, which shocks the other warlords. Donut, catching on, taunts Princess Vinata, suggesting that the naga princess's fate is sealed, much to Vinata's irritation and the room's growing tension.

Still reeling from the revelations about the Blood Sultanate's entertainment assets, Carl and Donut return to their respective locations with a plan to regroup and execute their strategy. However, the plan immediately hits a snag when Carl receives a barrage of urgent messages indicating that most of the naga army has already been decimated. Edgar discovered the bodies of the naga soldiers, and it becomes clear that Prepotente, a level 99 goat, had gone on a rampage, taking out the majority of the army. Despite the chaos, Carl's team remains intact, though highly agitated.

Elle provides a detailed account of Prepotente’s erratic behavior, including his threats and insults directed at the team, particularly Imani. The protectors, defensive of Imani, have split into two groups: one pursuing Prepotente across naga territory, and the other commandeering a cart. Carl must now adapt to this unforeseen development, as the protectors' absence leaves a gap in their plan. He contacts Baroness Victory to clarify the rules regarding Prepotente’s involvement, learning that while Prepotente can act independently, he cannot directly assist Carl’s team without joining the Princess Posse.

Carl reads Prepotente’s rant, which reveals his deep-seated anger and frustration over the naga’s role in his mother’s death and his subsequent punishment. Despite the chaos, Carl sees a silver lining: Prepotente’s actions, though disruptive, have likely saved the team from a more formidable naga defense. Carl decides to reach out to Prepotente again, hoping to convince him to join the Princess Posse. Meanwhile, Carl adjusts the team’s strategy, confirming that Tran’s team is approaching the Shanty Town border without resistance, and Florin’s team is advancing slowly through the orcs’ territory, encountering minimal resistance but numerous traps.

Before heading out, Carl gathers potion balls from Mordecai, who warns him to be cautious with their use, given the potential backlash from the gods. Carl acknowledges the risks but remains determined. Samantha, the sex doll head, eagerly joins Carl, adding an element of surrealism to the tense situation. Carl and the team prepare to execute their modified plan, aware that the stakes are higher than ever.

To rescue Donut and Katia from the Sepsis crisis, Carl and his team must eliminate the entire line of succession of the Blood Sultanate. The nagas entered Faction Wars with 11 players, and Carl's team needs to kill four of them: Princess Vinata, two female assistants titled 'Ikbal,' and the head of her castle guard. These targets are all related to Vinata, making them key to the succession line.

The initial plan involved multiple coordinated attacks to distract and draw out the naga forces. Florin and the 103rd and 105th battalions were to push north, Tran and the 102nd were to feint an attack on the naga castle, and Boomer with the 106th Bloody Leeches were in reserve. Imani, Elle, Edgar, and a group of sluggalos were to infiltrate the castle using a circuitous route. Carl and his team in Shanty Town were to coordinate the final assault. However, Prepotente's rampage had already decimated the naga army, altering the plan.

The main challenge was not the naga's fighting prowess but their cleverness. The nagas were expected to have traps and defenses in place, and the goal was to trigger Vinata's escape plan on Carl's terms. Historically, Vinata would vanish once an army reached the throne room, reappearing only after the game's conclusion. Rosetta and Tipid provided insights into Vinata's disappearance, suggesting she hides in Club Vanquisher, a location immune to blood bar drainage and undetectable by other means.

Rosetta explained that Vinata's disappearance was deliberate, enhancing the naga's mystique and boosting tourism. Two key instances where Vinata's escape was delayed or prevented offered clues: one season, a goddess razed the temple leading to Club Vanquisher, and another, a demon event caused one of her guards to die. Rosetta concluded that Vinata uses Club Vanquisher as her hiding spot, and the team decided to bet everything on this theory.

Louis relays the latest update: the sluggalos have ceased their pursuit of Prepotente and are now circling the grass near the castle, creating a chaotic scene. Carl, Donut, and the others prepare for the next phase of their plan, with Imani and Elle moving toward the castle despite the heightened danger. Carl feels a growing unease about sending the team into the castle without the sluggalos to trigger potential traps, but he knows they must advance. Meanwhile, Katia transforms into a mantaur and discusses the risks with Carl, emphasizing the need for caution. Tensions rise as Bautista and Katia argue about the mission's risks, each voicing their concerns and fears.

Prepotente, riding his hellspawn familiar Bianca, arrives at Carl’s location, now a level 99 crawler and accompanied by his level 70 goat dragon. Despite his initial reluctance, Prepotente, visibly agitated, agrees to join Carl’s team as a Colonel. A sudden emotional breakdown ensues as Prepotente hugs Carl, sobbing uncontrollably, revealing his deep loneliness and fear of losing Carl. The team, including Katia and Rend, watches in shock, with Katia offering a supportive hand to Carl.

Samantha, perched on Bianca, taunts Prepotente, leading to a heated exchange. Katia intervenes, warning Samantha about the consequences of mentioning Prepotente’s mother, a sensitive topic that could provoke him. Calmer now, Prepotente investigates Li Na’s clock tower while the team prepares for the final assault. Baroness Victory, observing the scene, shares a brief, knowing smile with Carl, acknowledging the dysfunction of their respective families.

Elle reports progress, confirming the death of the head of the naga guard, one of the four targets needed to eliminate the Blood Sultanate’s line of succession. Carl, recognizing the significance, hopes this will cause Vinata to make mistakes. Edgar senses new, non-corporeal movement within the castle, confirming the team’s suspicions about Vinata’s hiding place. Rosetta, still at the FUPA with Tipid, confirms that the plan is on track, and Carl is tasked with executing the final stages.

Still reeling from Prepotente’s emotional breakdown, Carl and his team shift their focus to the strategic planning required for their next move. Carl learns about the intricate process of forming a link between a worshiper and a deity, facilitated by tiny, non-corporeal fairies called Bijou. These fairies drag a tendril of light from the god to the strongest temple on the floor and then to the worshiper, a process that takes about two minutes. Edgar, an NPC with the team, can detect the movement of these Bijou, indicating when someone has just worshiped a god for the first time, which is crucial for verifying Rosetta’s theory about Vinata’s escape mechanism.

Rosetta theorizes that Vinata uses a powerful spell called Travel the Path, granted by one of the light deities, to turn into light and travel to Club Vanquisher undetected. This spell, combined with the Welcome Home skill, allows Vinata and her guards to reach the temple almost instantaneously. However, there are two main issues: no one has ever seen Vinata worship a god, and it’s unclear how all seven of them get into the temple. Rosetta suggests that one of the guards worships a deity and recruits the others as prospects, allowing them to transform and travel together.

The two possible deities are Theia, a goddess who turns prospects into light motes, and Khepri, a god who turns prospects into beetles that the worshiper swallows. Theia is sponsored by the Pacifist network, making her a risky choice for Vinata, who would likely be smited if she chose this goddess. Therefore, Vinata is expected to choose Khepri, whose temple involves a bizarre insect-infested buffet. Despite the unusual conditions, this option ensures Vinata’s safety during the escape. Carl and his team plan to intercept Vinata at the Temple of Khepri and eliminate her and her guards.

Carl receives a warlord message confirming that Elle has occupied the throne room of the Blood Sultanate stronghold, setting the stage for the final assault. The team prepares to infiltrate the Temple of Dagda, the entrance to Club Vanquisher, to intercept Vinata and her guards at the Temple of Khepri. The temple is guarded by a buff cleric and a giant cauldron of stew, but the team manages to distract the cleric with Bautista's feigned interest in joining the Dagda cult.

Prepotente, who has a map of Club Vanquisher, reveals his knowledge of secret exits and offers to assist, despite being banned from the club. Carl devises a plan to use Prepotente as a decoy, faking his capture to lure the guards and gain entry. Prepotente, in an exaggerated display of submission, plays his role convincingly, much to Carl's amusement and slight embarrassment. The ram guard, Mork, buys the act and summons the guards, setting the stage for the team's infiltration.

Carl coordinates with Katia to join the operation, ensuring that all team members are in position. The plan hinges on timing and precision, with the goal of intercepting Vinata and her guards before they can escape through the Temple of Khepri. The chapter ends with the team poised to execute their plan, highlighting the tension and high stakes of the upcoming confrontation.

Prepotente’s decoy act causes chaos among the mantaurs, with Joey, a level-80 mantaur, getting his claws stuck in the ceiling, creating a comedic yet tense situation. Meanwhile, Katia, disguised as a mantaur and covered in fake gore, bursts in and claims that demons are attacking the temple, triggering a state of confusion and panic among the guards. As the situation escalates, Carl uses a smoke grenade and a potion of Inflict Black Nimbus to disable Mork, a ram cleric, preventing him from calling more guards. The team quickly secures the area, and Li Jun sets up the capacitor wires to amplify Li Na’s dread aura, Dark Purpose, throughout the club. The aura, which initially seemed ineffective, suddenly causes widespread chaos, with guards turning on themselves and the trophy heads and rugs coming to life. The room becomes a macabre scene as the guards and NPCs begin to mutilate themselves, and ethereal chains drag their ghostly forms into the floor. A deep, female voice announces demonic activity, and the club enters a state of lockdown. Li Na reveals that the dread aura has leveled up rapidly and is now cycling through different dreads, causing even more destruction. The chapter ends with the team witnessing the horrifying aftermath of the spell’s effects, leaving them shaken and questioning the true power of Li Na’s abilities.

Carl, Prepotente, Katia, and Samantha navigate the blood-soaked halls of Club Vanquisher, where the dread aura has transformed the once-luxurious club into a macabre scene of self-mutilation and spectral torment. Guards tear at their own flesh, and ethereal chains drag ghostly forms into the floor. Carl frantically messages Li Na, urging her to switch the dread auras to something more effective, but she insists on training her current dread, which is rapidly leveling up.

Reaching the portal, they find the dial unattended. Katia struggles to operate it, but Prepotente, with his experience, helps her set the correct address for the Temple of Khepri. Just as they are about to enter, Baroness Victory appears, aghast at the carnage. Carl, determined to proceed, ignores her concerns. With Samantha’s help, they manage to open the door, despite the warnings that they are trespassing and marked for death by Khepri.

Inside the temple, they are greeted by Vinata and her guards, all protected by numerous blessings. To their shock, Khepri himself appears, not just a cleric. Both Carl and Vinata receive a temporary effect of immortality for 90 seconds, adding a new layer of complexity to their mission. The chapter ends with the team facing an overwhelming challenge, knowing that their success is crucial and that failure means certain death.

Carl and his team find themselves trapped in the Temple of Khepri, where they are greeted by Vinata and her guards, all frozen in place. Vinata, the only one with the ‘immortal’ tag, is spitting orders despite being frozen, and her immortality will run out 27 seconds before Carl’s. The team realizes they’ve walked into a well-laid trap, as Vinata had anticipated their arrival and summoned Khepri, the god of rebirth and the sunrise, to ensure their demise.

The AI announces a ‘Super Heavyweight Temple Battle Grudge Match Extravaganza,’ detailing the stakes and the combatants. Vinata’s team consists of herself, three military veterans, and two cousins, while Carl’s team includes Katia, Prepotente, and others. The AI reveals that Vinata’s secret plans to seize shipbuilding factories are being leaked, causing chaos in the greater universe. The AI also opens up betting for those watching at home, adding a layer of spectacle to the impending battle.

Just as the countdown begins, Admiral Corinne Whimpleshin, the adjutant for the Blood Sultanate, zaps into the room, demanding an end to the battle due to the summoning of a god. Calmly, Victory points out that temple rules apply, and the countdown resumes. The bug god, Khepri, chitters angrily, confused by the delay. The timer reaches zero, and the battle begins, with the fate of Carl and his team hanging in the balance.

Still reeling from the aftermath of the battle in the Temple of Khepri, Carl and his team face a chaotic and violent confrontation. The moment they unfreeze, Vinata’s guards charge and fire upon Prepotente and Katia, who quickly drink Black Nimbus potions and are teleported out of the temple. Carl, now the only one left, casts a powerful summoning spell, bringing forth Günter, a small, pink-skinned creature. He immediately detonates a massive bomb, hoping to incapacitate Khepri and the guards. The explosion nearly kills Carl, but his temporary immortality keeps him alive, though in excruciating pain as he reforms.

In the aftermath, Carl discovers that the explosion has also affected Vinata and her guards, with the two cousins dead and the guards severely injured. However, Vinata, also temporarily immortal, continues her assault on Carl, wrapping herself around him and repeatedly slamming his head into the ground. The situation worsens as more gods begin to emerge from the portal, and Khepri, now enraged, is forced to leave the realm by another god. Carl, still struggling under Vinata’s attack, receives a visit from Hellik, a god who provides crucial information about the broader conflict and marks Carl as a friend of his church.

Hellik’s intervention temporarily clears the area of the immortal insects, but Vinata remains in a state of madness, driven by the Eye of the Bedlam Bride. Just as Carl prepares to drop another bomb, a sluggalo woman bursts out of his back, killing Vinata with a hatchet. The chapter ends with Carl, severely injured and disoriented, reflecting on the chaos and the new information provided by Hellik.

Still reeling from the aftermath of the battle in the Temple of Khepri, Carl heals himself as his immortality runs out. Kandy Newton, a level 29 sluggalo, and Samantha, who is in a rage over her encounter with her mother, Theia, join him. Victory appears, warning that sponsors causing deities to act outside their nature is against the rules of the faction wars.

As Carl tries to regroup, he is confronted by Brother Widespread Tempest, a massive ogre, and several mantaurs. Using his Black Nimbus potions and Li Na’s Profane Iron skill, Carl forces the mantaurs into a berserk state, causing chaos and allowing his team to escape. They meet up with Katia, Prepotente, Li Jun, and Zhang, who are also trying to escape the chaos. Together, they find a hidden door leading to the Calligrapher’s Guild.

Inside the guild, Carl is shocked to discover that the guildmaster is Milk, the author of the sixth edition of the cookbook and his long-lost sister. The reunion is emotional, and Carl, overwhelmed by the events and the realization, collapses in tears. Despite the ongoing danger, the moment is a brief respite for Carl, who finds comfort in the presence of his sister. The chapter ends with Carl reassuring Donut that they are almost out and reflecting on the impact of his actions on the naga.

Justice Light descends into the dark tunnels beneath the Temple of Khepri, where he confronts the lead sluggalo, Sick-Ass Worgo. Worgo reveals herself to be a powerful changeling named Juice Box, who has infiltrated the team. Justice, aware of the changelings' presence, uses a combination of traps and his own knowledge to negotiate with Juice Box.

Justice shares a deeply personal story about his past, including a time when he killed an NPC out of anger and the subsequent guilt and redemption he sought. He recounts his history with Dante, a crocodilian friend, and the tragic order to kill innocent ice elves, which led to Dante's execution and Justice's own mutilation. Through this story, Justice aims to build trust and understanding with Juice Box.

Justice then reveals his theory about Juice Box's true intentions, suggesting that she is using the conflict to gain access to and touch the gods, a goal that aligns with his own plans. He offers to share his knowledge on how to touch a god without dying in exchange for Juice Box's cooperation and an end to the subterfuge. The digger below, initially poised to attack, moves away, indicating that Juice Box is considering Justice's proposal.

Justice explains his elaborate trap system, which he has been designing since Carl discovered the Gate of the Feral Gods. He emphasizes that his plan is not just about winning the current war but about a larger, more significant conflict. The chapter ends with a sense of cautious optimism as both parties seem to be moving towards a potential alliance.

In the wake of the battle that dismantled The Blood Sultanate, the remaining factions brace for the final phase of Faction Wars, dubbed 'Operation Ruin.' The battlefields have fallen eerily quiet, but the tension is thick as teams fortify their positions and strategize. Carl and his team, including Donut, Katia, and Mongo, focus on completing a massive defensive tower in Shanty Town, which will serve as a crucial vantage point and stronghold. Donut, equipped with her new Perfect Night Vision, is set to oversee the battlefield from the tower's summit, but Carl is deeply anxious about her safety, especially given the tower's visibility and the glittering tiara on her head.

Carl's team is spread across three fronts: the 101st Crocodiles in sector two, the 102nd Bulwark battalion in sector four, and the 107th White Dragon Urban Defense battalion in Shanty Town. The orcs, though a formidable threat, are currently preoccupied with the Reavers, providing a brief respite. However, Carl suspects that the other factions are merely biding their time before launching coordinated attacks. The team has fortified the tower with numerous enchantments and protections, but Carl remains concerned about its vulnerability and the safety of Donut, who will be exposed to enemy fire once the timer reaches zero.

Tensions escalate as the team grapples with various logistical and personal issues. Louis, tasked with coordinating the operation, is visibly distressed after watching a video of his interactions with Juice Box. Carl and Katia are summoned for a mandatory interview with Baroness Victory and Drick, where they discuss the unique celestial tier items they received, including Katia's Enchanted Spiked Knee Pads and Carl's Enchanted Hairbrush of the Beefmaster. These items offer significant advantages but come with bizarre and potentially dangerous side effects, highlighting the strategic importance of divine items and the risks of possessing multiple such items in the presence of deities.

As the final preparations are made, Carl reflects on the heavy responsibility of leading his team into what will likely be a brutal and costly battle. Haunted by the memories of past losses and the moral burden of sending his friends into harm's way, he feels the weight of his decisions. The chapter concludes with a sense of impending doom, as Carl and his team prepare for the final, decisive phase of Faction Wars.

Carl and his team, still reeling from the intense preparations at the defensive tower in Shanty Town, make a detour to the newly-built brig complex near the Nest tower. The area still carries the acrid scent of burnt stew from the cleric who boiled himself alive during the assault on Club Vanquisher. Li Jun, now equipped with the Engine of Tomorrow—a powerful new eye that enhances his perception and reaction times—expresses deep concern for Carl's well-being. He notes Carl's overworked state and the myriad of achievements and loot boxes he has accumulated, including a controversial patch that would deflect a fatal blow to a party member. Carl reflects on the weight of these rewards and the new quest from Emberus, pondering the moral and ethical implications of such power.

In a small, dimly lit building, Carl meets with Rishi, the surviving naga from the Blood Sultanate. Rishi, now armless and encased in a magical shield, reveals his reasons for hiding and surrendering. He explains that he foresaw the downfall of the Blood Sultanate and wanted to make a deal with Carl. Rishi shares the naga philosophy of 'The Great Consensus,' which advocates for independence from the Syndicate and self-governance, and discloses that Vinata had plans to abandon the system and live in isolation. However, Rishi believes in a different path and presents Carl with a document offering Earth citizenship rights and five Naphil-class generation ships in exchange for allowing the naga to settle on other planets in the system. Despite the tempting offer, Carl rejects it and decides to execute Rishi.

Carl and his team aboard the airship Party Planner prepare for the final phase of Faction Wars, known as 'Operation Ruin,' which involves four simultaneous offensives and a decisive strike. Carl is tasked with leading the operation against the Madness, starting with a bomb run over orc territory alongside Louis. Samantha joins them, showcasing her new victory roll hairstyle and sharing her recent activities entertaining the troops. To Carl's surprise, Skarn has stowed away, despite being banned from manning the door guns. As Party Planner ascends, it faces a barrage of missiles from Reaver territory, likely equipped with advanced seekers. Louis skillfully maneuvers the ship to avoid detection, but several missiles lock onto them. Bonnie, remaining calm and collected, successfully shoots down the incoming missiles. Meanwhile, Carl receives updates from the battlefield: Donut reports success with her flak spell, Elle confirms the opening of the Gate of the Feral Gods, and Rosetta alerts the team about a battalion of Dream elves teleporting to the FUPA. The situation becomes more critical when the Feral God Meatus and Harpocrates appear, complicating the battle further. Rosetta and Mordecai discuss the tactical errors of the Dream elves, who have left their castle unprotected. However, the arrival of the Feral Gods introduces new risks, and Rosetta orders Britney to abort a planned attack on the elf castle due to the proximity of the gods. The chapter ends with the team bracing for the full-scale onslaught, highlighting the complexity and high stakes of the upcoming battle.

The airship Party Planner, carrying Carl and his team, continues its perilous journey over orc territory as part of 'Operation Ruin.' Suddenly, a massive, shielded scorpion-like tank, piloted by Warlord Stalwart, leaps across the river, threatening their southern flank. Florin, leading the ground forces, urgently requests missile support to neutralize the tank. Sledge and Bomo, controlling the missile batteries, respond swiftly with a mix of chaff and Mute missiles, effectively disabling the threat.

Meanwhile, Donut, the sarcastic and resourceful deckmaster, resists the temptation to use her PA system to play music, heeding Mordecai's warning about the presence of Harpocrates, the god of silence. Elsewhere on the battlefield, Harpocrates and Meatus, a god with a unique and disturbing origin, engage in a violent confrontation, causing widespread chaos and destruction.

As the airship approaches the target, Louis drops the bombs, which successfully penetrate the orcs' shields and inflict significant damage. However, a green death ray from a synergy tower narrowly misses the airship, forcing them to maneuver away. The dwarves, working diligently, begin agitating the lava tubes beneath the mountain where the orc castle sits, preparing for a volcanic eruption that will obliterate the castle and provide a decisive advantage in the battle.

The eruption begins, but the orcs deploy an emergency shield to contain the pressure. Despite this, the mountain blows its top, and the team braces for the aftermath. Rosetta hands off the southern campaign to Donut, who eagerly accepts the challenge, as the Dream castle's shields are down and the remaining elves start to flee.

The eruption of the mountain sends the airship Party Planner into a chaotic spin, with Carl and his team struggling to maintain control. Louis manages to stabilize the ship, but with one propeller damaged, he advises the team to jump and return to base for repairs. As they descend through the smoke and debris, multiple notifications alert the team to the spontaneous summoning of the Goddess of Chaos, Eris, and a demon eviction event across the battlefield. The AI also announces new ascendency rules, mandating that players must pilot their sponsored deities if summoned, and that deities will appear as designed without the option to remain in human form.

Carl and Samantha land in the forest, where they find Elle unconscious after a spell tosses her into a tree. Stalwart, the orc warlord, appears on his knees, surrounded by four war mages. The war mages, led by Akuma, a powerful and malevolent war mage, have teleported to Elle's location and killed her war mages. Akuma reveals that he has taken the Gate of the Feral Gods from Elle. Before teleporting away, the war mages cause Stalwart to explode, scattering his remains across the clearing. The chapter ends with Carl and Samantha left to face the new and unexpected challenges presented by the summoning of Eris and the new ascendency rules.

Following the eruption of the mountain and the ensuing chaos, Carl and his team regroup with Elle, who had been knocked unconscious. Elle recounts how the war mages, led by Akuma, stole the Gate of the Feral Gods and killed her war mages, causing Stalwart to explode. The team grapples with the new and perplexing developments, including the spontaneous summoning of Eris, the Goddess of Chaos, and the new ascendency rules that mandate players to pilot their sponsored deities.

Victory offers legal insights, explaining that the War Mages had severed their allegiance with the Skull Empire and used a clever combination of spells to eliminate Stalwart. Drick, the leader of the Skull Empire, has lodged a complaint, and Victory teleports away to attend a hearing. Meanwhile, the battlefield is in turmoil, with demons and NPCs wreaking havoc, and the lava flow threatening to engulf the area. Carl and Elle prepare to use the portal to the Madness castle, while Samantha remains behind to monitor the situation.

As they ready themselves to step through the portal, Samantha spots a dragon in the sky, adding another layer of uncertainty to their mission. The team must navigate the complex and rapidly evolving battlefield, dealing with the aftermath of the eruption, the new goddess, and the unpredictable actions of their allies and enemies.

Carl and his team, including General Elle McGib, arrive at the Madness territory, hidden by Elle's Subterfuge spell. The area is littered with traps—alarm traps, hidden alarm traps, teleport traps, and summon traps—forcing the team to move cautiously and slowly. Carl collects summon traps to use strategically, aware of the dangers they pose if left active.

As they prepare to move, Carl receives updates about the dragon circling the Reaver castle, which poses a significant threat. Samantha, monitoring the dragon, informs Carl that it has gravity magic and suggests abandoning the airship. However, Colonel Boomer insists on the necessity of air support for his operation, and Carl reluctantly agrees to proceed with the original plan. Carl then promotes Samantha to an officer, granting her the Paint the Target spell to help mark the dragon for a missile barrage.

Unexpectedly, Bigs the sluggalette and Dong Quixote arrive via a teleport trap intended for Holger. Dong explains that Holger stayed behind to protect the children and Miss Nadine, while he and Bigs, along with Gonk the swamp yak, were teleported together. Carl is initially frustrated but decides to include them, instructing Dong to stay behind him and Bigs to remain on the yak. The team begins to navigate the minefield, disarming only the alarm traps and leaving summon traps for Carl to handle.

Samantha reports that the gate timed out and is now crackly and sparkly, indicating a potential summoning. Carl urges her to move away from the gate, fearing the summoning of a Nothing demon. The chapter ends with the arrival of the Feral God Yarilo, adding another layer of complexity to their mission.

The eruption of the mountain and the summoning of the Feral God Yarilo plunge Carl and his team into a new wave of chaos. Samantha, monitoring the situation, reveals that Yarilo is furious with her, accusing her of aiding in his banishment to the Nothing. A prismatic light beacon erupts in the woods, drawing attention and complicating their mission. The beacon, caused by the Memorial Crystal in the possession of the crawler Osvaldo, is a major distraction that could expose their position.

Elle identifies the light as Osvaldo's doing, noting his history of evading recruitment. Carl explains that the crystal is a clue related to the mysterious fate of Apito, the god of the Butcher’s Masquerade. Despite the urgency of their current mission, the beacon has alerted the enemy, and Subterfuge is negated. Prepotente informs Carl that the Madness forces are converging on their position, putting them in extreme danger.

The team must now decide on a new strategy. Carl considers summoning the 105th Scream Warriors but is concerned about the lack of protective spells. Katia suggests using Donut to cover the 103rd battalion’s retreat while Prepotente supports the attackers. Carl agrees, sending messages to coordinate the retreat and summon reinforcements. The plan shifts from a stealth infiltration to a direct confrontation as hundreds of missiles rain down on the Madness castle, followed by a large force of Madness troops advancing on their position.

With the situation deteriorating, Carl acknowledges that the mission has taken an unexpected turn. The team braces for the impending battle, knowing that the stakes are higher than ever. The chapter ends with a sense of foreboding as the massive force approaches, and the team prepares to fight.

The 105th Scream Warriors teleport into the woods, setting off traps and causing minor chaos. Soldiers find themselves half-embedded in trees, but all manage to survive. As the Madness forces converge on their position, Carl’s team, including the newly arrived Jurgen, Jamal, and Rend, prepare for the impending battle. Flares and torch spells light up the sky, and Imani warns the soldiers about the Madness’s mind and Atrocity magic. Carl readies himself to lead the charge.

Suddenly, Carl is hit by a barrage of psionic attacks, disorienting and nearly incapacitating him. Guided by a mysterious, supportive voice, he pushes through the mental assault and reaches Level 16 in Mind Balance, gaining the ability to see and target the mind mages. The attacks cease, and Carl directs his team to focus on eliminating the mind mages first.

Just as the battle seems imminent, Eris casts Bear Witness, freezing everyone except Carl, certain pets, and a few others, including Dong Quixote and Jamal. She then casts Bring Forth the Witnesses, causing the frozen individuals to float up into the air and vanish. The battlefield empties, leaving Carl and his unaffected team members to face the new, unpredictable situation. Carl communicates with the remaining team leaders, confirming that most of the forces, including those in Shanty Town and the surrounding areas, are affected. The goddess Eris’s actions have thrown the entire floor into chaos, and Carl must navigate the new, volatile landscape.

Critical information from Mordecai reveals that Eris's ritual has summoned thousands of witnesses into a giant pile next to the Dream Castle. Among them are both allies and enemies, including the feral god Meatus, who is now indestructible. The situation is precarious, as Eris could revoke the witnesses' invulnerability at any moment, leading to potential mass casualties.

Suddenly, Louis reports a catastrophic failure aboard his airship, with the dragon attacking and the ship plummeting towards the Reaver castle. Carl, torn between aiding Louis and continuing the mission, dispatches Samantha to rescue Louis, who manages to send a final message before impact. Trusting Donut, Rosetta, and Mordecai to manage the pile of witnesses, Carl focuses on the immediate threat at the Madness castle.

Using the Rolling Battle Formation spell from a stinky wizard hat, Donut inadvertently creates a massive, remote-controlled ball containing all the witnesses, including the unconscious Eris and Meatus. The ball rolls the witnesses away from the god fight, but the situation remains highly unpredictable and dangerous.

Carl and his team, including Dong, Jamal, and Gonk, continue their mission to infiltrate the Madness castle, where the enormous ball of witnesses rolls ominously towards the field of corpses. Despite the invisibility potions, the castle's protections negate their effects. Carl disables the traps on the hidden door and leads the team inside, finding the castle mostly empty except for a few soldiers and dune buggies. Meanwhile, Donut uses a PA system to taunt the god Harpocrates, successfully distracting him from breaking open the ball of witnesses.

Inside the castle, Carl uses the Ping spell to locate the soldiers and discovers several crawlers, including the corpse of Zeynep, a familiar face from a previous floor. He also finds Burcu, a badger-headed porsuk, who is alive but not conscripted. Carl tries to communicate with Burcu, but the system blocks his message due to her unaffiliated status. The Book of Voodoo updates with Burcu's entry, revealing a map of the surgical theater and a warning about fireball traps. As enemy soldiers, including conscripted crawlers, approach, Carl and his team prepare for the inevitable confrontation, aware that none of them have invulnerability.

Carl and his team, including Dong and Rend, push deeper into the Madness castle, determined to defeat Architect Houston. Inside the surgical theater, they uncover the grim fate of Zeynep and the ongoing torture of Burcu, who is strapped to a table. Carl, using a wand, knocks Burcu unconscious and frees her bindings, ready to rescue her despite the looming danger of the containment breach traps that would incinerate the room. As he leaps to Burcu's side, the room tilts, and she tumbles. In a desperate move, Carl activates Gloom Wraith Phase to evade the traps' activation, passing through the dying Houston and the transforming changeling. During his escape, Carl experiences a surreal vision where the creature morphs into the face of Li Jun, who thanks him for granting more time with his sister and best friend. Carl narrowly escapes the burning room, but both Houston and Burcu are consumed by the traps.

Outside, the system announces the defeat of the Madness and the transfer of its assets to the Princess Posse. However, the Peeling Phase commences, opening the city to further conflict. The War Mage Rebellion gains significant power and access, and a new rule is implemented: all soldiers and warlords of a defeated team will die instantly. This rule intensifies the stakes, as only one team can emerge victorious in the Faction Wars. Carl receives a heartfelt message from Li Jun, which profoundly affects him, adding to the emotional weight of the situation.

Several days earlier, Katia and Carl are unexpectedly linked in Katia's dream, where they witness a pivotal moment from her past. In the dream, Katia, accompanied by her bird Annie, stands at the threshold of a children’s hospital. A younger version of herself, a spectral presence, rushes in with a folder of papers. The spectral Katia is confronted by Fannar, her ex-professor who had an affair with a student and was accused by Katia, but the institution did nothing. Fannar has come to tell the hospital the truth, and Katia, both in the present and as the spectral presence, pleads with the adoption committee. Despite her efforts, her application is denied, leaving her in a moment of profound despair.

Baroness Victory confirms to Rosetta that the financial transaction for purchasing two ships has been completed, despite the ongoing chaos in the Naga system. Rosetta reflects on the ethical implications of their mission, particularly the killing of orc children, including the new king of the Skull Empire, and the potential rise of Princess Formidable or the Maestro. She questions the motivations of Baroness Victory and the role of the Apothecary, a figure whose trust Porthus places deeply, in their plans.

Rosetta's thoughts turn to Porthus's broader strategy, which involves using the purchased ships to flee to the Plenty system and eventually reach the Impetus Point, a distant tunnel node. Despite her reservations about the Apothecary, Rosetta trusts Porthus and his vision. Meanwhile, Tipid and Justice Light urge immediate action against the War Mages, who have taken the Gate and pose a significant threat. Rosetta acknowledges the danger but remains conflicted, considering the larger goals of their mission and the potential consequences of the War Mages' victory.

Rosetta reflects on her past, including her harrowing escape from the dungeon and the brutal death of Brooks, which has fueled her desire for revenge. She contemplates the value of continuing the fight versus accepting the inevitable outcome of Faction Wars. Ultimately, driven by her loyalty to Porthus and her comrades, she decides to rally her team for the upcoming battle, even as doubts linger about the Apothecary and the War Mages' true intentions.

Carl and his team face a critical situation as the War Mage Rebellion gains control over the Madness castle and prepares to take over Larracos. The ball of flesh, containing the trapped gods, rolls toward the city, and Donut prepares to cast her spells to free the trapped individuals. However, the situation becomes more complex when a war mage uses a powerful potion to conscript a god, potentially turning the tide of the battle. Carl, Dong, and Rend rush to intercept the ball, while Donut casts her spells from a distance. The ball, now covered in fleshers, continues to roll, and Carl realizes the war mages are trying to control one of the gods inside. He orders Donut to keep the ball intact to prevent the war mages from gaining control. Meanwhile, Li Na reveals she has stopped a war mage from reaching Harpocrates but warns that the god will soon break through the defenses to reach Donut. Fopsy, the tripod adjutant, explains that the war mages are using potent potions to conscript gods, and their ultimate goal may be to trigger the system's shutdown to protect the AI from the Eulogist. Carl, understanding the gravity of the situation, orders his team to retreat to the saferoom and regroup. The chapter ends with Carl running back to the saferoom, pursued by fleshers and the looming threat of the war mages' growing power.

Driven by urgency, Carl bursts into the saferoom, where Mordecai is reading 'Anne of Green Gables' to Ruby, a poignant reminder of his own past. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the imminent threat to Ruby and the other children if Donut dies, Carl quickly gathers the team and dials to the Larracos gate, instructing Dong Quixote to head to Shanty Town. The team rushes to the Larracos College of Magic, where the city is under siege by zarogoths—fat, obsidian creatures with a menacing presence. The college's defense system activates, and the team hurries down the spiral stairs, fighting off the zarogoths amidst the chaos.

Upon reaching the bottom, Carl communicates with Donut, who is still in the Nest tower. Donut informs Carl that Harpocrates, a god, has arrived at the edge of the city and is being held back by changeling guards. Another god, Yarilo, is also approaching. Carl and Rosetta urge Donut to leave the tower immediately, but Donut insists on finishing her task. Donut spots the antenna generator inside the Piccadilly Theater, but the angle is wrong, and a shield protects it. Carl orders Donut to jump to the college for safety.

As the team prepares to push to the railing, Juice Box and her team arrive, providing reinforcements. Juice Box is frantic about Louis, who is paralyzed and bound in the Reaver castle. Carl contacts Samantha, who is searching for Louis, and Juice Box offers to help Samantha in exchange for Louis's safe return. The team forms up to protect Carl, who arms a waffle maker to bomb the generator. Meanwhile, Bomo and Toyotomi report a crawler attempting to enter the Nest tower, leading to a series of urgent messages about the intruder.

Driven by urgency and instinct, Carl launches himself into the air to reach Donut in the Nest tower. He drops a massive payload of explosives towards the Piccadilly Theater, aiming to destroy the soul gem generator. The explosion triggers the city’s defense system, causing widespread destruction and chaos. Narrowly escaping the falling debris and defensive towers, Carl makes his way to Shanty Town.

Inside the Nest tower, the transformed staircase has become a dangerous ramp filled with rolling barrels. Lucia, a powerful mage, advances up the ramp, accompanied by her dog, Gus. Donut, using her defensive tactics, manages to slow Lucia down but struggles to stop her. Carl, joined by Raul, a newly-summoned and powerful crab-like creature, confronts Lucia. Raul, displaying immense strength, subdues Lucia, who pleads for mercy. Despite his hesitation, Carl decides to use the Hell-kissed Potion of Conscription on Lucia, a drastic measure to ensure her compliance and prevent further harm.

The chapter underscores the intense and immediate consequences of Carl’s actions, the moral dilemmas he faces, and the relentless pressure of the battle.

Carl successfully conscripts Lucia using the Hell-kissed Potion, but his victory is short-lived. A young girl named Diah, trapped within Lucia’s body, pleads with Carl to wait until the dog, Gus, returns. Diah explains that she and others are in the dark, controlled by Lucia when the dogs are near. Realizing the complexity of the situation, Carl hesitates and cancels the conscription mark. Just as he does, a divine message alerts him to the presence of the god Yarilo, who grants temporary protection from venereal diseases. Carl finds this effect absurd and immediately counteracts it, restoring balance.

Meanwhile, Donut sends Mongo and clockwork duplicates down the chute to deal with the dog. However, the plan backfires when Mongo is impaled by the dog’s Porcupine Defense spell. Raul attempts to intervene but is also severely injured. Witnessing the chaos, Carl is hit by a gale blast from the tower and lands near the struggling dog and Mongo. Despite his injuries, Carl casts Hi-Yo Silver to summon Rend, who uses his Wrecking Ball skill to save Carl from the dog.

Lucia, now in her hag form, appears and heals Mongo, who is on the brink of death. She reveals that Carl missed his chance to kill her and the dog, as doing so now would result in the death of the children of Earth. With a chilling warning, she walks away, leaving Carl and the team in a precarious position, with the ball of flesh still rolling towards the city and the gods engaged in battle.

Carl ponders the definition of 'Atrocity' and the moral implications of Donut's War Crime spell, torn between the necessity of the plan and the potential consequences of its success, especially the impact on Donut. His reflection deepens as he receives urgent updates from Zev about Lucia and the children of Earth, learning that Lucia's death could result in the deaths of 120,000 children. This revelation adds a new layer of urgency and moral complexity to their mission.

The tension intensifies as Carl witnesses the brutal assault of Yarilo by Harpocrates, leading to Yarilo's death and a shift in the gods' dynamics. Determined to act, Carl rushes to the Nest tower, where Donut is sniping enemy towers and leveling up rapidly. The tower's integrity is critically low, and the situation is dire. Upon reaching Donut, Carl sees the toll the constant combat has taken on her, both physically and mentally. They share a moment of relief and connection, but the gravity of their situation remains heavy.

Rosetta and Milk arrive, bringing Edgar the tortoise and a crucial spell Donut needs to complete her mission, adding a new element of preparation and strategy to their plan.

Rosetta and Edgar prepare to give Donut a magical tattoo to enhance the War Crime spell, a critical tool for distinguishing friends from foes in the chaotic battle. Donut balks at the idea, voicing her concerns about the permanence and the time required. Carl, understanding her hesitation, reassures her by emphasizing the mission's importance and offers to get a matching tattoo himself. This gesture helps ease Donut's nerves, and she finally agrees, though still apprehensive about the process and its potential outcomes.

Still reeling from the decision to get a magical tattoo, Donut sits nervously as Edgar begins the intricate process. The spell's initial level is only two, complicated by unexpected 'rude achievements' that disrupt the ritual. Milk, ever resourceful, steps in with advanced calligraphy techniques, boosting the spell to level 15 temporarily. She explains the risks and benefits of different magical systems, adding a layer of complexity to their preparations. Carl and Donut discuss the moral implications of their actions and the potential consequences of the War Crime spell. Their conversation is cut short when a shimmering, magical net suddenly traps them inside the tower, complicating their escape plan.

Donut casts the War Crime spell, committing a third Atrocity and gaining the new class, The Oak Fell, and the title of Champion of Nekhebit. As the notifications continue, Carl and Donut find themselves in range of multiple deities, including the feral god Meatus and the goddess of chaos, Eris. Eris appears, causing a series of chaotic and unpredictable effects, including a random permanent god effect and a painful curse from Meatus. She provides crucial information about the Gate of the Feral Gods and warns Carl about the impending dangers.

Eris leaves, and the world unfreezes. Donut, now a Champion, begins to lose health and becomes immobilized. Carl attempts to heal her but is interrupted by the unfolding chaos outside. Thousands of enemy soldiers, including the god Meatus, are drawn upward toward the Nest tower, caught by Donut's Astral Paw spell. The ethereal cat’s paw grows enormous, trapping the enemies and causing them to dissolve and burn. Carl, horrified, finally manages to heal Donut just as the final phase of the War Crime spell is activated.

Donut, feeling the suffering of those under her paw, completes the spell with three decisive swipes. The paw slams into the ground repeatedly, breaking through Li Na’s chain lattice and reducing the enemies to pieces. The music fades, and the carnage ends. Carl, overwhelmed, places Donut back on her seat and vomits over the side of the tower, grappling with the moral and emotional weight of their actions.

The Nest tower is now a hellish scene, covered in gore and ash, the aftermath of Donut's War Crime spell. The god Meatus is 'slap-chopped,' and Harpocrates screams in agony before vanishing. Donut, now a Champion of Nekhebit and The Oak Fell, is initially overwhelmed by the carnage but gradually regains her composure, relieved that the spell correctly identified their enemies. Despite the chaos, the city defense towers continue to fire, and the allies, led by Elle and Big Tina, begin to dismantle the enemy defenses.

Donut's newfound power is evident as she reaches level 135 and gains several powerful abilities, including the Muscle Mommy benefit, which boosts Mongo's strength. However, a new system message reveals that Li Na has maxed out all her base stats, making her an even more formidable opponent. Carl and Donut realize that Li Na has marked all the enemies, preventing Carl from marking them simultaneously. They also discover that Victory and Fopsy have disappeared, likely due to the Ring of Divine Suffering, which prevents Li Na from healing until certain targets are eliminated.

Li Na, now glowing and silent, tears through the castle, and the War Mages flee through a portal. Carl communicates with Li Na, learning that several enemies, including the warlords Tagg and Fang, have escaped. The team discusses their next steps, including rescuing Louis from the Reaver castle and capturing the throne room. Meanwhile, Donut receives praise from the team for her actions, despite the heavy losses, including the deaths of Li Jun and Bomo. Zhang, in particular, expresses pride in Donut's leadership and the impact she had on his friend, Li Jun.

Donut, still processing the events, refuses to cry, insisting that they are not finished yet. Carl supports her, acknowledging the ongoing challenges ahead.

Carl and his team stand before the devastated castle of the Semeru, a once-living wooden fortress now reduced to a ruin of rotting wood and scarred stone. The area is covered in a mixture of wet, slimy goo and ash, and the air is filled with an indescribable stench. The team is preparing to rescue Louis from the Reaver castle, where he remains trapped and unconscious, while also dealing with the aftermath of Donut's War Crime spell, which has left a trail of destruction and chaos.

Florin, a new ally, informs Carl about the dangers of the acid puddles and introduces Jurgen, a large blond barbarian determined to protect the children and pregnant women in the kinder facility. Florin also mentions Lucia's role in the recent battle. Meanwhile, Donut sits on the shoulder of the Sledge, who is mourning the loss of his missile system.

The team discusses the possibility of retrieving the Gate of the Feral Gods from a merchant named Paca in the Midnight Market, with Justice Light eager to obtain it for his own enigmatic purposes. The conversation shifts to the War Mages, particularly Warlord Akuma, who sends a confusing message to Carl, offering an alliance in exchange for killing Agatha, a warlord who poses a threat to everyone. Carl shares this information with Victory and Zev, but they are unresponsive, adding to the confusion.

Mordecai provides some insight into the identity of the Scavenger and the Scavenger’s Daughter, emphasizing the urgency of finding and eliminating the remaining warlords. The chapter concludes with the team preparing to move out, with Prepotente deciding to assist Li Na in her hunt for the missing culprits. Prepotente hugs Carl, and Donut, now significantly stronger, lands on Carl’s shoulder, ready to proceed with the mission to save Louis.

Carl and his team prepare to rescue Louis from the Reaver castle, a bombed-out, eerie structure. The team includes Imani, Katia, Dr. Bones, Holger, Splash Zone, Tipid, Bautista, Dong, Gonk, Bigs, and Jamal, with Elle and Juice Box flying overhead. They travel in a ground transport, avoiding the bleached drake monster circling above. Carl updates the team on Louis's status, who remains immobile and held by the warlord's security. As they approach the castle, Donut and Carl discuss her new abilities and the implications of her new class, The Oak Fell and Champion of Nekhebit. Suddenly, the team encounters Tart, along with Fopsy, the adjutant for the Dream, suggesting a potential trap.

Carl and his team stand in the damaged entrance of the Reaver castle, preparing to rescue Louis. They discuss the shifting honeycomb passages and set up defensive positions. Just as they are ready to move forward, Florin messages Carl, urgently informing him that Kiwi is in labor and needs Mongo. The team is torn between rescuing Louis and ensuring Kiwi’s safety.

While waiting for Juice Box’s update, Samantha reports that the robot dogs are acting erratically, signaling the team’s presence. Suddenly, hunter seeker automatons emerge from the honeycombs, initiating a chaotic firefight. Carl lifts a frozen sentry dog with a mini tactical nuke and places it in his inventory, ordering everyone to fall back.

Juice Box confirms she has Louis and is about to teleport away. Carl remotely triggers the No Disassembles, causing a massive explosion that destroys the Reaver castle and kills Warlord Fang, who was hiding inside the bleached drake. The Reavers are defeated, and their assets are awarded to the Princess Posse.

Louis is discovered to have undergone extensive surgery, with his heart and lungs replaced by mechanical parts containing pieces of Warlord Tagg. Juice Box, in wraith form, had to heal him, but the new organs are not Louis’s. The team decides to keep Louis unconscious to protect him from further harm, and Samantha, now a scorched head, floats up, claiming she saved Louis and demanding her new dog.

The team, including Carl, Donut, and Katia, makes their way back to the nearest safe room after the chaotic rescue of Louis from the Reaver castle. Louis, now unconscious, is carried by Juice Box, who has transformed into a swamp yak. Jamal, whose legs were destroyed by the bomb, complains loudly, while Samantha, now a scorched head, offers advice to Bigs. The team reflects on the recent events, particularly the survival of Warlord Fang and the mysterious control of Louis by Warlord Tagg.

Mordecai explains that Fang likely survived due to his robotic nature, allowing him to escape as a tiny piece of biological material. Tagg, however, is a different case, having integrated himself into Louis’s biomechanical heart and lungs. Carl and Donut speculate on the nature of Tagg’s survival and the implications of his control over Louis. Carl suggests reaching out to Tagg directly, leading to a tense exchange in the warlord chat where Tagg threatens to shut down Louis if they attempt to remove him.

Just as Carl is about to reveal his theory about Tagg being a cyborg, the dungeon freezes due to an attempted assassination by Prime Minister Glory, using a Syndicate control panel. The AI, irritated by the interference, warns all parties against further meddling. Carl resumes his explanation, confirming that Tagg is indeed a cyborg, similar to Fang, and the team delves into the ramifications of this discovery. Meanwhile, Florin informs them that Kiwi is in labor, and Justice Light announces the retrieval of the Gate of the Feral Gods.

Still reeling from the chaotic rescue of Louis, the team arrives at a new saferoom entrance, an ash-covered espresso stand, to regroup. Prepotente and Li Na join them, the latter floating ominously with ethereal chains. Li Na reveals she has a condition that prevents her from healing, and the remaining marked individuals have escaped to the 18th floor. Bigs expresses her distrust of Li Na, citing past actions, while the team grapples with the implications of this new information.

The team gathers around Louis, who remains unconscious and in critical condition, as they discuss the next steps. Edgar emphasizes the urgency, noting they have about an hour before the soldiers take the Dream castle. Juice Box confirms that Tagg is deeply integrated into Louis’s biomechanical organs, making any attempt to remove them fatal. Samantha returns to the room, visibly upset, and offers to help, though she is clearly distressed by the loss of her daughter. Meanwhile, Victory and Fopsy return from a Syndicate Council meeting, revealing political upheaval and the possibility of Fopsy becoming Prime Minister again. Samantha reveals her plan to save Louis by swapping his organs with those of Princess Lunette’s flesh golem body.

With the clock ticking down to the destruction of the 9th floor, Carl urgently rallies the team to prepare for the impending arrival of the enraged god Emberus. A new quest is issued, requiring the team to win Faction Wars and escape before Emberus incinerates the floor. The stakes are higher than ever, with the promise of reduced indenture time and upgraded food boxes for survivors.

Carl instructs Katia to consume the Orchid of Eileithyia immediately, despite the emotional turmoil it causes, as it is crucial for their plan. Meanwhile, Mordecai and the team prepare to perform a risky surgery on Louis, replacing his biomechanical organs with those of Princess Lunette’s naiad body. The air grows hotter as Emberus’s wrath draws near, and Tagg’s interference complicates the delicate procedure.

Donut distracts Tagg with taunts and insults, buying precious time for the surgery. Mordecai successfully transplants the naiad organs, and Louis regains consciousness, feeling strange due to the new gills. The team celebrates their success, but the real challenge lies ahead: winning Faction Wars and escaping before Emberus’s wrath consumes the floor.

With only 21 minutes left before the 9th floor's destruction, the team scrambles to finalize their preparations. The Sledge, a formidable rock monster, casts the spell Zerzura, which will transport the entire city of Larracos and Shanty Town to the 12th floor, the Court of the Ascendency. The spell requires five minutes to activate, and the team ensures that all necessary NPCs and allies are ready to move. Carl reflects on the high casualties among the crawlers, noting that only 20,221 out of 32,500 made it to the 10th floor, setting a grim record. Milk announces a touching gift from the departing crawlers: personalized pages in Carl and Donut’s Books of Voodoo, containing valuable skills and spells. System messages confirm that Ferdinand and Juice Box have left the realm, securing the Princess Posse’s victory in Faction Wars.

With only 8 minutes left before the 9th floor's destruction, Carl and the team finalize their preparations. Samantha is launched towards the volcano to stall Emberus, while the team ensures all necessary NPCs and allies are ready to move to the 12th floor via the Zerzura spell. Prepotente confirms Emberus is moving to intercept Samantha, and Carl warns her to stall as long as possible.

In the tent, Katia is about to wake up, and the team gathers around her. Eileithyia appears, demanding Katia make a choice. Donut, using her enhanced Laundry Day spell, traps Huanxin Jinx and strips her of her powers. Mordecai, driven by a personal vendetta, loads a crossbow bolt imbued with his mother’s ashes, and Donut fires it, ending Huanxin’s life. The team swiftly secures her belongings to avoid upsetting Eileithyia.

Katia, now human but with missing limbs, chooses to be made pregnant by Eileithyia, with Louis as the father. She explains her decision to help the children in a place the goddess cannot reach. After a heartfelt farewell, Katia disappears, and Eileithyia fades away. The team faces the next challenges with renewed determination.

Samantha stumbles back to the team, her body ravaged by burns and her spirit nearly broken. She reports that Emberus is systematically destroying the 9th floor, leaving them no choice but to evacuate immediately. The team quickly gathers the remaining items, including Katia’s card and a peculiar bra adorned with Carl’s face, which elicits a brief, darkly humorous exchange.

Bautista shares a heartfelt moment with Carl, revealing his deep-seated fears and the summoning time of Kimaris. Samantha, fixated on Carl’s Kimaris figure, reveals a painful aspect of her past. Mordecai, reflecting on his losses and gains, resolves to move forward with renewed determination.

York, the sole survivor on the Homecoming Queen, reflects on his emotional void and the acts of violence he has committed, including the destruction of an orc yacht filled with children. He continues to write poetry, hoping to evoke some feeling, but remains numb. The ship, heavily armed with enhancement zone weapons, readies itself to dock at the onboarding facility to load soldiers for the next phase of the operation. Boomer contacts York to ensure the ship is ready for docking and the upcoming mission. York confirms that the breaching suits and enhancement zone suits are prepared. Boomer informs York about the new militant group formed by Porthus, which is threatening Syndicate properties across the universe. York feels a glimmer of emotion as they prepare to bring the war out of the dungeon. In a zero zone, a small, cold room, Carl meets with Quasar. Carl is exhausted and covered in ash and blood, reflecting on the silence and the absence of screams. Quasar thanks Carl for his role in the crawl, noting the significant number of survivors. Quasar discusses the exit deals offered by the system, which are poor, but mentions a better deal for Carl and Donut, involving a position as a replacement for Chaco. Carl declines all deals, expressing his dissatisfaction with the options. Zander, running a refueling platform outside the Earth system, laments his financial troubles and the lack of customers due to the embargo. A mysterious woman, revealed to be Eris, the goddess of chaos, arrives at the platform. She mocks Zander and demonstrates her chaotic powers, causing his tentacles to spew various liquids.