Chapter 37
Chapter 34
Overview
Carl discovers that Katia has become addicted to multiple drugs including blitz sticks and Glory Bound. After Mordecai and Imani begin treating her addiction, Carl insists they immediately complete a dangerous quest together to obtain an orchid from Astrid, despite the tight timing before Phase Two begins and Katia's weakened state.
Summary
Carl and Donut arrive at the Desperado Club after practicing deck strategies and losing two fights. They find Katia severely ill from drug withdrawal, having been addicted to four substances: Travis Priest (a painkiller), Creamsicle Charm (ground fairy wings), blitz sticks (a hallucinogenic), and Glory Bound (the most dangerous, which allows reliving memories). Mordecai has been coordinating her treatment with Imani, who administers the first cure, causing violent vomiting. Mordecai privately warns Carl that Katia's stats have been scrambled and she will be permanently susceptible to addictive spells. He suggests the pragmatic but morally questionable alternative of letting her self-destruct, noting it's either her or Donut. Carl refuses this path. Despite objections from Bautista and Imani about Katia's debuffs and weakened state, Carl demands they immediately undertake a quest together to kill Astrid and obtain an orchid—necessary to fulfill Huanxin's bargain and secure Odette's participation as an adjutant. Katia agrees to proceed. Carl believes Phase Two will bring dramatic changes and this may be their last opportunity. Elle expresses concern but tacitly acknowledges understanding the hidden stakes of their quest. Imani applies a blitz patch and additional buffs to Katia before they depart.
Characters
- CarlThe protagonist who insists on immediately executing a dangerous quest with Katia despite her drug addiction and weakened state, driven by a sense of honor and foreboding about Phase Two
- DonutCarl's companion who accompanies him throughout, offering support to Katia and engaging in deck strategy discussions
- KatiaA powerful crawler suffering from addiction to multiple drugs, undergoing detoxification treatment while reluctantly agreeing to participate in a perilous quest with Carl
- ZevRelays messages about Phase Two timing and Harbinger's virtual observation during the channel shows
- ClarabelleStaff member who admits Carl and Donut to the Desperado Club
- Shi MariaOne of Carl's deck cards mentioned in practice fights
- RaulA crab character in Carl's deck
- AsojanoA card in Carl's deck
- JesusA card in Carl's deck
- GeraldoA card in Carl's deck mentioned as fast
- Skylar SpinachA card in Carl's deck mentioned as fast
- The LuauA fat pink-skinned orc opponent in the third practice deck fight who summons a Mo'o
- BautistaA friend who sits with Katia, becomes angry at Carl's insistence on the quest, and storms off in protest
- ImaniA butterfly-winged character providing medical care and buffs to Katia, expressing concern about the timing and danger
- ElleA crawler with a squatch squad who watches the drama unfold, offers cautious support for the hidden quest, and discusses team compositions for Phase Two
- LouisPresent during Katia's illness, holds a bucket of vomit, achieves an item storage accomplishment
- MordecaiAn alchemist at the guild who coordinates Katia's drug treatment, warns Carl about the dangerous situation, and advocates for helping Katia while questioning the wisdom of the immediate quest timing
- HarbingerAn observer who will be present virtually during Phase Two onboarding
- OdetteA show host Carl and Donut must visit before Phase Two begins, mentioned as a necessary adjutant for their plan
- HuanxinA character whose bargain depends on Carl securing Odette's participation and Katia obtaining the orchid
- AstridA target Carl and Katia must kill to obtain the orchid
- SamanthaMentioned as being inside the guild, relevant to the quest Carl and Katia are about to undertake
- Tony the TigerMentioned as making tea for Imani each morning, implied to be emotionally close to her