Chapter 52

Carl, Prepotente, and Katia fight their way through the Club Vanquisher to reach the portal to Khepri's temple, with Li Na remotely activating devastating blood-based dreads to clear their path. After obtaining the portal address (453) and using Samantha to open the locked door as an "damned" entity, they breach the temple only to discover that Khepri himself is present and has marked them for death—though a temporary immortality effect from the god's presence has unexpectedly been granted to Carl.

Carl and his group sprint up the blood-soaked stairs of the Club Vanquisher after triggering a catastrophic trap. Li Na remotely activates her Blood Horror dread, which turns the blood of wounded mantaurs against them as a weapon. As they flee through hallways lined with bodies and self-inflicted casualties, Carl realizes Li Na's cold, emotionless demeanor and her ruthless combat efficiency. They reach the portal room where Yasmine is absent. Victory appears, observing their actions. Prepotente recovers a jar of sentient blood as a specimen. Rosetta guides them through the portal dial mechanism via message, directing them to address 453 for Khepri's temple. Carl uses the portal analysis tool to confirm Vinata and others are inside. The group learns that only adherents of Khepri or those with "Damned" status can open the temple door. Carl casts Li Na's tattoo spell onto himself, then has Samantha—who possesses Damned status—open the door with her mouth. Carl, Prepotente, and Katia rush through into Khepri's temple, an infinite table filled with nagas bearing protection blessings. They immediately receive warnings of trespassing and being marked for death by Khepri. Carl discovers the insectoid cleric is actually Khepri himself. Despite the lethal situation, Carl receives a temporary 90-second immortality effect from the deity's presence, while Vinata receives a similar yellow glow. The chapter ends with an ominous achievement notification acknowledging the hopelessness of their situation.