Chapter 23

Carl's team discovers that Corky, Dong's best friend, is alive and on another team in a nearby garage. While chaos erupts as Dong and others rush to see him, Carl remains overwhelmed by the realities of the tournament. Zev delivers a dungeon announcement revealing the mysterious 11th floor called "A Parade of Horribles" and hints at darker intentions, while a mysterious note from gremlins contains a hidden message from Akuma proposing an alliance and escape route.

After Bucket Boy reveals that Corky is alive and imprisoned in the Lady Dominators' garage two doors over, Dong immediately abandons Carl's garage to rush toward him despite Carl's protests. Samantha, Donut, Mongo, and others follow into the chaos. Carl, still in his kangaroo costume and emotionally drained, remains on the ground of the garage contemplating their dire situation—they came in last place and survived only because another team was killed instead. He reflects on feeling helpless, comparing it to his childhood trauma when his father destroyed his fish tank. A gremlin delivers a note to Carl before running away. Zev then announces via loudspeaker that the AI is revealing details about the 10th floor's structure and a mysterious 11th floor called "A Parade of Horribles," where all surviving crawlers must work together. The announcement reveals that audience votes determine whether special creatures advance or stand-ins are sent instead. During the broadcast, the AI interrupts to address an unknown Emperator with a system-busting bomb, claiming responsibility for its placement. The AI also tortures Cascadia for refusing to say her catchphrase, removing some of her flippers. When Carl finally unfolds the gremlin's note, his Escape Plan skill reveals hidden text beneath a crude drawing: Akuma proposes that Carl kill two teams next heat, then visit C&W&U shop after the next race for upgrades and explanation. Akuma claims they share the same goal, offers to smuggle friends to the Pineapple Cabaret, and promises escape from the tournament chaos.