Chapter 49

After assaulting Nihit the naga, Carl faces potential criminal charges and learns about the Syndicate's warrant and franchising system. Zev warns him of extra security and reveals that Nihit, whose brother is involved in faction wars, believes Carl and Donut are apocalyptic threats meant to be eliminated before reaching the dungeon's lower floors.

Following the assault on Nihit, gnoll guards collect the sharpies from Carl and the Popov twins before escorting the twins away. Zev arrives to inform Carl that Nihit, despite being healed, intends to press charges for assault. Carl dismisses the threat as absurd until Zev explains the Syndicate's legal system: criminals receive warrants with sentences measured in cycles, which can be bought out by mega-corporations at high cost for labor on frontier planets. While Carl's assault will likely result in a light sentence of 30,000 credits and three cycles, Zev notes that wealthy entities like the Skull Empire could easily purchase his warrant. She also reveals that Nihit is emotionally volatile and has connections to the Blood Sultanate through his brother, who participates in faction wars. Nihit belongs to a small but growing conspiracy convinced that Carl and Donut are apocalyptic figures sent to destroy the dungeon. Zev warns that Carl will likely face extra security going forward. Carl reflects on the Enchanted Crown of the Sepsis Whore that Donut lost on the third floor—an item that places its wearer in the Blood Sultanate's royal line of succession on the ninth floor, requiring them to slay all other royals before descending further. He worries about locating the crown and ensuring anyone wearing it is dead before Donut can leave the ninth floor. Zev dismisses his concerns by reminding him to focus on surviving the sixth floor first.