Chapter 20

Carl and Donut visit the Silk Road market to purchase explosives from Pustule, an eccentric hobgoblin merchant. After negotiating a deal and learning about bomb types, they head back to their inn but are interrupted when Mongo rushes into a dark alley, where they discover an elf using dark magic to command Krasue vampire-creatures in an ambush.

Carl and Donut enter the Silk Road market on the first floor with Mordecai, who directs them to Pustule's shop, Hobgobs and Boom Sticks. Pustule is a Level 30 hobgoblin with a grotesque appearance—covered in oozing sores and wearing a unicorn graphic tee. Despite her unsettling appearance and erratic behavior (including unprompted stories about her mother biting a vorpal muskrat's head off), Donut uses her charisma to negotiate a purchase of two cases of goblin dynamite and a case of Hob-lobbers for 1,000 gold, down from 1,500. Carl receives a valuation of his Boom Jugs (worth approximately 7,500 gold if sold). Mordecai stays behind at the market to watch a recap episode while Carl and Donut head to the One-Eyed Narwhal inn. On the street, they release Mongo, Donut's pet, who suddenly screams and charges into a dark alley. Pursuing him, they discover four creatures: three Krasue (flying vampire heads with dangling organs) and a tall, thin elf with a burning hand. The elf reveals himself as GumGum's killer and claims to have lured Mongo into a trap using dark magic, declaring his intention to kill Carl and Donut. Before the elf can complete his attack, Carl kicks him in the testicles while Donut blasts him with a magic missile. The combined force decapitates the elf and launches his body into the air. Mongo shakes the severed head like a toy. Carl and Donut are left stunned, uncertain of the attacker's identity.