AFTERWORD

Chapter 62

Chapter 59

Overview

Carl's team prepares to retrieve and reunite Corky during the race, but Genesis and Rapture escape with him to the Gasworks Screw Factory before they can act. Meanwhile, Dong falls ill with a "Negative ROI" curse tied to the magical sock, which has teleported away. Carl must push forward with the reunion plan immediately and convince Porky to cooperate despite his animosity toward Dong.

Summary

With ninety minutes before the next heat, Carl learns that Elle and Na are joining them, but the strippers from the Desperado Club—Splash Zone, Gluteus, and Doctor Bones—have gone missing and cannot be contacted. Bucket Boy reveals they visited Hamed, the Guild of Suffering's leader, at the club. Carl's team plans to break into garage 2, disable Genesis and Rapture, and retrieve Corky so Grigori can perform a fusion spell to reunite the split personality. Grigori explains the procedure requires both halves willing and conscious, and that he's never actually performed it before despite his expertise in fixing magical mistakes. As they approach the garage, Donut discusses singing performance with Porky, who shares wisdom about connecting with audiences. However, Dong suddenly develops the "Negative ROI" curse as his health deteriorates; the magical sock that caused his condition teleports away, and scattered nickels are lost across the dungeon. Before Carl's team can breach garage 2, Genesis and Rapture drive out in their GTO with Corky still inside, heading toward the starting line where they cannot be attacked. The womantaurs reveal they overhead Carl's plan and refuse to surrender Corky. Porky, learning that Dong is present, becomes enraged at the deception. Carl pivots strategy, deciding to perform the fusion during the race instead of after, and asks Porky to cooperate despite his conflict with Dong. The team prepares to say goodbye to Li Na and execute the modified plan.

Characters

  • CarlLeader attempting to retrieve Corky and persuade Porky to cooperate despite complications
  • DonutTeam member offering support and discussing performance coaching with Porky
  • ElleReports Na is joining the team via message
  • NaJoining the team, though behaving strangely according to Elle
  • ImaniReports Dong's deteriorating health and rushes off to try saving him
  • DongNPC experiencing the Separation Anxiety curse from the magical sock; emotionally distressed about being separated from Porky
  • GrigoriFleshmancer who will perform the fusion spell; agrees to learn driving
  • GenesisWomantaur who escapes with Corky in the GTO toward the Gasworks factory
  • RaptureWomantaur who escapes with Corky and taunts Carl's team
  • CorkySplit personality half in containment suit, unconscious in the vehicle
  • PorkySplit personality half who becomes enraged upon learning Dong is involved
  • LouisTeam member tasked with putting womantaurs to sleep
  • BritneyTeam member assigned to protect Grigori and Porky
  • Bucket BoyReports Dong's deteriorating condition and loss of the sock
  • TipidFirst to report Dong's declining health
  • MordecaiIdentifies the curse as Separation Anxiety and explains the sock's departure
  • HamedGuild of Suffering leader mentioned as destination for missing strippers
  • Splash ZoneStripper contact who has gone missing
  • GluteusStripper contact who has gone missing
  • Doctor BonesStripper contact who has gone missing
  • Damascus SteelMentioned as confirmed alive; son of Hamed
  • AnacondaMentioned as son of Hamed
  • Li NaBeing prepared for departure from the group
  • Lover IllianaHologram singing coach referenced in discussion
  • JacobusFollows Imani toward the garage
  • JashaObserving with Radoslav, Osvaldo, and Filipe
  • RadoslavObserving with Jasha, Osvaldo, and Filipe
  • OsvaldoObserving with Jasha, Radoslav, and Filipe
  • FilipeObserving with Jasha, Radoslav, and Osvaldo
  • DwightUnconscious in front of his garage
  • SamanthaMentioned as a withering spirit seeking body restoration