Carl and Donut enter the safe room and find the mercenaries gathered around a screen showing an unexplained maplike image. Rosetta guesses it is a visual representation of a tunnel node and its communication pinholes, and Zev confirms the feed is appearing on nearly every screen. The image then shifts to Earth, zooms toward the Pacific near the Juan de Fuca Ridge, and finally settles on a yellow-brick road stretching through a grassy plain. A countdown appears with the message that the parade will begin soon and that viewing is mandatory, giving the group seventy-five minutes to prepare.

While the group reacts, Donut checks the mailbox and examines a new spell book. Carl reads the spell, Tome of Gatekeeper, and learns it is an advance reader copy that cannot be used until floor twelve. When it becomes active, it can temporarily strip a target of class-based skills and abilities, including much of a deity’s worshipper-linked magic. Carl asks Mordecai what an OI entity is, but Mordecai does not know.

The conversation also reveals that Mordecai is currently inhabiting the table, which unsettles both Donut and Mordecai because he can hear them but cannot properly respond unless he moves into something with a mouth. Carl notes that there is little time left and starts thinking about equipment instead of opening his own mediocre reward boxes. Donut complains that she gained no levels on the previous floor, opens her own boxes, and mentions a legendary box she earned for spotting the shadow mimic before it revealed itself. Carl tells Donut not to install anything yet and to focus on preparing for the parade.

Carl lays out a patch, gun, sewing kit, and holster, then asks Mordecai whether he finished making the carrier backpack. Mordecai says the backpack is done and waiting on Carl’s crafting table. Carl begins sewing a four-leaf-clover patch onto his jacket, gaining the Lucky Shot benefit, which can redirect one fatal blow each floor into a party member. Donut then discovers an upgrade for Mongo’s saddle called Legendary Steed, which allows a cart to be added without slowing Mongo or reducing his jumping ability. When Jurgen announces that the flowers have finished blooming, Donut abruptly redirects everyone to the garage to help decorate for the coming parade.