Chapter 71

Carl's team prepares to infiltrate the massive skyscraper to confront Sister Ines and free the trapped demon Amayon. After learning that the Nebular faction has been sponsoring the dangerous goddess Ysalte, Carl assembles his assault team, distributes equipment including the sapient weapon Spunky Jefferson to Dong Quixote, and positions defenders to guard their escape route while demolition begins on the church to create an exit channel.

Mordecai reveals critical intelligence: the goddess Ysalte (called the Vinegar Bitch) kills every crawler who encounters her and has been recently sponsored by the Nebular faction, the same group sponsoring Sister Ines. The Nebs are pacifists outside the dungeon but seek to shut down all crawls and exterminate the planets hosting them. Carl's team initiates their final operation with one hour and thirty minutes remaining. Elle and Imani are assigned to defend the escape route and prevent anyone from following. Zhang and Chris lead demolition of the church to create an underground channel toward the other stairwell, being careful not to damage the temples of Ibeji and Kuraokami within the grounds. Carl assembles his infiltration team—Donut, Katia (in she-hulk form with multiple eyeballs), Louis, Britney, Tran, Mongo, Splash Zone, Author Steve Rowland, and Gluteus Maxx, along with forty sluggalos of varying levels. Katia remains weakened and dependent on Imani's spells and Mordecai's potions while awaiting a critical final rehab treatment. Carl discusses Quan's cloak with Katia, noting it functions differently than expected and may be given to Donut after consulting Mordecai. Katia expresses concern about an orchid she possesses, which she fears is a death sentence but believes necessary for escape. Carl provides Dong Quixote with the sapient weapon Spunky Jefferson (an enchanted nickel sock that increases damage incrementally and produces gold coins from kills), replacing his unwieldy lance. Jefferson is revealed to be an ancient miser cursed to inhabit the sock and begins communicating with Dong immediately. Prepotente sends a final message warning Carl to buff the demon sufficiently to protect crawlers in Indonesia and offering absolution for Carl's earlier failure to prevent his mother's self-harm, framing assistance in revenge as Carl's penance. As the team reaches the building's edge, they observe thousands of docile demon-zombies staring upward at the hurricane of seagulls and bats surrounding Amayon, waiting passively. Sister Ines remains stationary near the building's top, alive but unmoving.