Chapter 15

Carl executes his plan to negotiate with the show's producers by poisoning and then healing Grimaldi, the circus boss monster. He becomes infested with parasitic worms to establish a mental connection with Grimaldi, using the time before the spell wears off to convince both Grimaldi and Signet to end their conflict and allow Signet to proceed to the Hunting Grounds. The chapter concludes with Carl cured of the infestation, the quest completed, and a mysterious second drama revelation that sends him rushing to help Donut.

Carl messages Zev to contact the producers of "Vengeance of the Daughter," threatening to un-poison Grimaldi unless they agree to sponsor him as a regular cast member. The producers agree to the deal. Carl then cuts his hand and heals Grimaldi, undoing the poison. He learns the Wisp Armor spell from a spellbook, which provides magic defense and immunity to mind control. Carl approaches Apollon the ice cream vendor and eats a cone of parasitic worms, deliberately becoming infested. The parasites mentally connect him to Grimaldi while the Wisp Armor spell's mind-control immunity keeps him in control for six minutes. Carl exits and finds Signet, who nearly attacks him. He convinces both Grimaldi and Signet to end their cycle of conflict by appealing to their love for family and the suffering of the transformed clowns. Grimaldi yields, and Carl drinks a parasitic cure potion, violently expelling the dead worms. Signet enters the tent to continue her quest. Carl completes the quest "The Show Must Go On" and levels up from 15 to 18. Mordecai suddenly contacts him with urgent news that Donut's health has dropped below 20%, prompting Carl to rush away.