AFTERWORD

Chapter 61

Chapter 58

Overview

Carl enters the Stage Performance Guild to recruit Porky, the left half of the split mantaur Corcunda, after a chaotic incident at the bar leaves coins everywhere and Corky unconscious. Carl discovers Porky has been living alone in the guild and learns that Corky is being drained by the Lady Dominators team before each race, rendering him submissive and unconscious, which will kill him in the next race.

Summary

After the DJ's death and coin explosion at the bar, Carl urgently needs to access the Stage Performance Guild. Jurgen tries to stop him, revealing his concern for Heidi, a pregnant woman he can communicate with who has gone silent, but Carl insists he must first secure Lucia Mar's cooperation to save the children from the goddess threat. Carl notes that the dungeon notifications are glitching increasingly. He enters the guild and finds a massive theater with Porky on the stage, stuck in his white gimp suit with a jammed zipper that contains his organs. After helping free the zipper, Carl explains that Corky, Porky's other half, is in danger—he's been captured by the Lady Dominators team and is being magically drained before races, making him unconscious and vulnerable. Porky reveals critical information: female mantaurs worship Enyo, a war goddess, not Grull; the Lady Dominators practice domination magic that drains vulnerable mantaurs to boost their own stats; and if Corky dies, Porky will die too. Carl offers to hire Porky as a temporary mercenary to help break Corky out and perform a reunification ceremony within two hours. Porky agrees and additionally asks Carl to help him confront Dong Quixote, the stripper responsible for all the trouble.

Characters

  • CarlProtagonist recruiting Porky; urgently needs to get the mantaur to help save Corky before the next race
  • JurgenWorshipper of Donar trying to stop Carl from entering the guild; reveals his panic about Heidi being in danger
  • PorkyLeft half of Corcunda, guildmaster of the Stage Performance Guild; has been living alone and agrees to help rescue and reunify with his other half
  • CorkyRight half of Corcunda, member of Lady Dominators team, currently unconscious from magical draining; needs rescue
  • ImaniHelps keep watch on Dong at the bar
  • TipidHelps carry the unconscious unicorn out of the bar
  • Bucket BoyHelps carry the unconscious unicorn out of the bar
  • PrepotenteRaiding the bar during cleanup
  • DongCollecting spilled nickels; Carl is wary of him interfering
  • Minister of Blood-LettingPours beer into Dekoki's head bowl to restore her mobility
  • DonutSits sullenly on stage, apologized to by Dekoki
  • DekokiKappa knocked over during coin rush; Louis helps her reapply Saran Wrap
  • LouisHelps Dekoki reapply her Saran Wrap
  • FlorinHolds back Jurgen from speaking with Carl
  • MongoSnuffles about the bar, licking puddles and covered in straw
  • Splash ZoneMentioned as not answering Carl's call; still in the Desperado Club
  • BeaReferenced in Carl's memory about helping with a stuck zipper
  • Lucia MarGoddess threatening to kill children; Carl hopes to negotiate a deal with her
  • DonarGod of thunder and lightning whom Jurgen worships
  • EnyoWar goddess worshipped by female mantaurs including the Lady Dominators
  • GrullDeity formerly worshipped by mantaurs; Porky describes him as unpleasant
  • HeidiPregnant woman Jurgen could previously communicate with; now silent and possibly in danger
  • Dong QuixoteStripper whom Porky wants Carl to help him confront; responsible for the current trouble