AFTERWORD

Chapter 64

Chapter 61

Overview

Li Na prepares to leave the dungeon by being sucked into an XL pet carrier, which will then be absorbed into a cleaner bot that will be sold to someone named Herot. The cleaner bot will be transported outside the dungeon to the Pineapple Cabaret, allowing Li Na to escape the game world and scout whether it is safe for others to follow. A magical cactus is left behind as a status indicator of her survival and mission success.

Summary

The guild gathers in the common room as Mordecai, Mistress Tiatha, and Rosetta explain their plan to smuggle Li Na out of the dungeon. The method exploits the mechanics of XL pet carriers, which can briefly hold crawlers before breaking and expelling them with a Bonked debuff. Before the carrier breaks, the cleaner bot Suckira will absorb it using her utility inventory system. The group names the two cleaner bots—Suckira and Ezra Fitz the Second—amid playful bickering between Donut, Louis, and Samantha about naming rights. Prepotente questions the viability of the plan but offers no objections. Rosetta produces a small cactus from Carl's room that Li Na has enchanted with a deadly bloom spell to serve as a status indicator: a steady glow means Li Na is alive in the dungeon; spontaneous blooming without glow means she has successfully left; dust means she is dead; a slowly fading glow means she is trapped in storage; and one or three flowers that Li Na can remotely trigger will signal whether the Pineapple Cabaret is safe for others to follow. Prepotente expresses interest in attaching his personal space to the guild and offers a karaoke kit before leaving to discuss plans with Jurgen. Zhang and Li Na share an emotional moment where she reveals her deep feelings for him and promises to secure a path for the others. The plan is executed: Zhang activates the pet carrier, Li Na is sucked inside, and Suckira absorbs it. Mordecai and Donut immediately proceed to the terminal and list Suckira for sale. The bot sells instantly.

Characters

  • Li NaThe crawler who will be smuggled out of the dungeon using the pet carrier and cleaner bot plan; shares emotional farewell with Zhang before being sucked into the carrier
  • MordecaiExplains the plan in detail to the group and executes the transfer of Li Na into the pet carrier; later lists Suckira for sale
  • Mistress TiathaProvides confirmation that the escape method has worked before, speaking while intoxicated
  • RosettaProduces and explains the enchanted cactus that will serve as a status indicator for Li Na's survival and mission success
  • SuckiraThe white cleaner bot that absorbs the pet carrier containing Li Na and is subsequently sold at the terminal
  • CarlThe narrator who witnesses the plan and observes its execution; recognizes the cactus as his own property
  • DonutParticipates in naming the cleaner bots and helps list Suckira for sale at the terminal
  • LouisStands next to Carl during the meeting; discusses the cleaner bot naming and gets pestered by Samantha
  • SamanthaCarl's pet who lands on Louis's shoulder; discusses the coin flip for naming the bot and claims she cheated
  • MongoStands at the edge of the common room near the Bopca at the storefront
  • PrepotenteExamines the pet carrier, questions the plan's viability, expresses interest in attaching his personal space to the guild, and offers a karaoke kit before departing
  • ZhangExpresses regret about not protecting Li Na instead of her brother Jun; activates the pet carrier button to initiate Li Na's transfer
  • ImaniResponds to Prepotente's request to attach his personal space to the guild, reminding him she had offered before
  • LinusThe tourist who is seen whispering to Bautista and attempting to arrange for Bautista to make tea
  • BautistaApproached by Linus regarding making tea, appears unamused
  • ElleInterrupts Mordecai's lengthy explanation to move the plan forward
  • JurgenMentioned as someone Prepotente will confer with regarding a plan
  • JunMentioned as Li Na's deceased brother and Zhang's past friend
  • HerotThe person who will purchase Suckira from the terminal
  • RendMentioned as being in the pet stables along with other creatures
  • GonkMentioned as being in the pet stables
  • SimoomMentioned as being in the pet stables
  • PenelopeMentioned as being in the pet stables
  • Ezra FitzHistorical person referenced in the naming of the second cleaner bot