Chapter 9

Carl's group tours their personal space with the other crawlers in their quadrant, including the newly arrived Louis and Firas. Mordecai reveals the dangerous capabilities of Juice Box, a changeling prostitute, and Carl enlists her help identifying other non-locals. After Louis and Firas prove too drunk and disruptive to focus on planning, Mordecai gives them a forced detoxification potion that temporarily prevents them from consuming alcohol or drugs—a measure to make them useful for the team's survival.

The announcement at the Toe tavern covers routine matters including doubled bounties and sponsorship bidding. Carl's group gathers with eight other crawlers, including Louis and Firas, who remain heavily intoxicated. Juice Box, a changeling prostitute on Louis's lap, shifts forms rapidly. Mordecai explains to Carl that Juice Box is exceptionally powerful for her level—she can change into different races and access their abilities almost instantly, making her far more dangerous than a typical level 17 crawler. Carl warns the group not to antagonize her or other prostitutes. The group moves into the personal space (called "the Royal Palace of Princess Donut") to discuss strategy away from the barkeep's ears. Louis and Firas are severely intoxicated and unfocused, making jokes and asking nonsensical questions. Carl and Katia consider violent solutions before Mordecai intervenes. Louis reveals he survived by driving a convertible van (the "Tiddy Twister") into the dungeon from Miami five years ago and possesses a legendary-tier spell called Cloud of Exhaust that paralyzes mobs with a ten-minute cooldown—far shorter than the normal hour due to his Pest Control class. Instead of maximizing this advantage, he and Firas have been using it only to escape rather than fight. Firas expresses suspicion about the potions Mordecai gives them, but drinks anyway. Louis immediately projectile vomits violently. Mordecai reveals he gave them Rapid Detox potions laced with sage beetle ichor; the concoction clears alcohol and most drug effects but causes violent illness if they consume alcohol again for the duration of one floor, effectively forcing them to fight rather than flee. Louis is devastated to learn he cannot drink, viewing alcohol as his only remaining comfort.