Chapter 22

After completing the race and defeating Prison Pocket, Carl and Donut reach the garage where they learn the details of the next race: a 30-kilometer downhill course with generated mobs and a 20-minute time limit. Carl remains trapped in his kangaroo costume, and the audience vote for their last-place finish upgrade is revealed to provide protection for Donut. Bucket Boy suddenly reports seeing Corcunda and Pontiff, cutting off Donut's attempt to tell him something important.

Carl and Donut arrive at the garage exhausted from the race, with Carl struggling in his tight kangaroo costume. Mordecai warns that his costume skill is too high (level 6) to safely remove without flaying his skin. Bucket Boy expresses his relief at surviving, and Donut comforts him despite his Faction Wars experience. Carl leveled up three times to level 84 and received Platinum Boss Boxes from the Prison Pocket kill. The race results show most teams survived, with only one NPC team eliminated, though several human teams lost members and face danger of inter-crawler matchups in the next heat. Dr. Metcalf provides details on the upcoming race: 30 kilometers downhill on asphalt with generated mob waves, a one-path track, and a 20-minute time limit. The AI expresses frustration that Carl is stuck in the costume for this race and that they finished last place, forfeiting weapon upgrade choice. Hedy notes the audience vote has ended. As Carl discusses his inability to use the pedals in the bulky costume, various inhabitants comment on his appearance—Hedy finds it unattractive, Samantha finds it appealing, and Bigs thinks it looks impressive. When pressed for the upgrade details, Hedy cryptically says it will protect Princess Donut. At the chapter's end, Bucket Boy suddenly interrupts with urgent news about spotting both Corcunda and Pontiff, cutting off Donut's attempt to tell Carl something important.