AFTERWORD

Chapter 92

Chapter 88

Overview

Carl arrives on the eleventh floor to find only 23 crawlers remain. After a cryptic meeting with Quasar about exit deals, he returns to the garage where it has been merged with Prepotente's group. The crawlers are tasked with building parade floats in ninety minutes, organized into five groups with thematic assignments. Carl's group receives the theme "Vengeance" and must design a procession before the parade route leads to an arena where they will face the floor boss.

Summary

Carl lands in the garage after a disturbing meeting with Quasar, who shows him paperwork for a freedom deal after one season but warns him not to trust it. Quasar appears shaken and refuses to elaborate. Carl learns that only 23 crawlers remain on the battlefield—a stark reduction from the previous floor. Donut appears, claiming Carl's wife tried to force her to accept a deal. Carl confirms he ranked second on the leaderboard, with an unknown first-place crawler. Mordecai reveals he has become an animistic spirit and can only communicate via chat. The garage expands to accommodate merged teams, and multiple vehicles and creatures appear, including mounts from other groups. Chaco, unexpectedly chosen as Grand Master, announces the parade float challenge: teams have ninety minutes to build processions for a three-kilometer route with five thematic assignments. The five themes are Resolution, Decision, Betrayal, Destruction, and Vengeance. Carl's group—combined with Prepotente and Jurgen's teams—receives the Vengeance theme. After the parade route, teams will enter an arena populated with monsters from the tenth floor and a floor boss. Rosetta briefly appears and explains the orc economy and Harry Tisch's financial influence. Team leaders discuss their assigned themes via chat. Prepotente approaches with design suggestions, noting that gods may fight at a large scale in the arena. Donut proposes using paper maché flowers, then realizes she can summon real ones with druid spells.

Characters

  • CarlProtagonist who has ranked second on the leaderboard; prepares for the parade float challenge and questions Quasar about exit deals
  • DonutCarl's companion who ranks third, chooses the Elite Gurkha Warrior class, and takes charge of designing the parade float
  • QuasarAppears briefly to present Carl with an exit deal paperwork and warns him not to trust it
  • MordecaiRevealed to be an animistic spirit; provides class selection advice to Donut via chat
  • Dr. MetcalfResponds when called by Carl from the truck but speaks normally rather than through interface notifications
  • MongoCarl's cockroach pet who excitedly greets other creatures upon release
  • RendCarl's pet who is retrieved and released in the garage
  • OnikumaA bear creature present in the garage that roars at Bianca
  • Old ShuckA large black wolf dog creature present in the garage, appearing nervous with pinned ears
  • HedyA gremlin present in the garage who helps manage the animals
  • BiancaA creature in the garage that roars at Onikuma and bristles as Mongo sniffs her
  • ImaniChecks in via message from another location with Elle
  • ElleChecks in with Imani; later messages about being assigned theme "Betrayal"
  • PrepotenteMerged with Carl's group; approaches to discuss parade float design ideas
  • JurgenPresent with Prepotente; part of the merged team
  • FlorinMessages about being in spot number one with theme "Resolution"; owns the airplane mentioned for potential use
  • LuciaChecks in with Florin via message
  • ChacoUnexpectedly becomes the Grand Master and announces the parade float challenge
  • ZevCommunicates via chat about the orcs' economy and asks about Carl's choices
  • OrrenBlocked from sending messages; questions about Carl's choices conveyed through Zev
  • RosettaBriefly appears to explain information about Harry Tisch, the orc economy, and King Rust
  • SweetyA giant tapir present in the garage with other merged team members
  • RickenA gremlin from Prepotente's garage who raises his hand when asked about origami flowers
  • AjibCrew leader in spot number one with theme "Resolution"
  • Harry TischAn orc Crest investor and Odette's husband; mentioned as buying TV show rights and controlling significant financial influence
  • OdetteWife of Harry Tisch; mentioned in relation to financial dealings and empire-building
  • King RustOrc leader whose money was looted by Rosetta; mentioned in financial discussion
  • LouisPreviously mentioned as intended recipient of an airplane before ownership transferred
  • PennyCarl's pet retrieved before the race and placed in a carrier
  • KatiaMentioned in reference to a television show but not present
  • Juice BoxMentioned in reference to a television show but not present