Chapter 7

Carl returns to the saferoom after the high elf castle floor, where the party opens their achievement boxes and loot. Mordecai has transformed into a Hills Cyclops, Samantha mysteriously reappears with unexpected new powers, and the group discovers that Carl and Donut successfully initiated a war. They sort through dozens of boxes containing spellbooks, potions, and equipment.

After landing on the new floor, Carl enters the saferoom to find Mordecai has been transformed into a Hills Cyclops and Bomo remains the sole surviving bodyguard. Samantha mysteriously returns, having flown back to the saferoom despite being a withering spirit that shouldn't possess such abilities—Mordecai warns Carl not to give her the flesh golem until they understand her newfound powers. Donut discovers she didn't receive her floor spellbook, only a Mute spell from the box. Mordecai reveals that the floor's early collapse was the engineers' fault, not their responsibility, and discusses the political and financial maneuvering behind the level's design. Carl and Donut confirm that their legal maneuver successfully kickstarted a war, though Carl doesn't yet understand the role of a warlord adjutant. The group opens their accumulated achievement and quest boxes from the Butcher's Masquerade. Carl received a Celestial Predator Box for killing the last hunter. Donut receives numerous legendary and platinum boxes including a Legendary Boss Box, a Legendary De-Sleeving Box (containing 100,000 gold and a mysterious chained spellbook), and equipment upgrades. Key items include a Phase Through Wall potion, a cosmic buff potion (which raises Donut's dexterity), the Enchanted Nipple Ring of the Superior Fire Demon's Hand Maiden (granting fire immunity and the Bitch, What? berserking spell), and the Tome of Legionnaires of the Damned (a summoning spell). Mordecai identifies these as exceptionally good loot, likely compensation for the skipped floor and the Valtay's difficulty ramping. Carl prepares to open his own boxes.