A note from Crawler Ossie reflects on Herot's theories about waking NPCs and suggests the dungeon may be built from many reused layers of past worlds. Ossie suspects some NPCs are not what the official story claims, and that bopcas may not be the only people brought into the dungeon under coercive terms.

After Minge's death, Carl, Katia, Samantha, and Damascus Steel remain inside the wrecked Desperado Club while vorpals tear through the lower level. Damascus begs Carl to take the Penis Parade dancers with him, explaining that Astrid was his mother, the Night Wyrm is his father, and the club's restructuring after Astrid's death will get the dancers reassigned to dangerous mercenary service unless Carl hires them first.

Rosemarie, the hidden Meat Shields manager on the top floor, opens a transaction for Carl. Damascus says Carl's coupon will cover a two-floor contract for the crew, but Damascus refuses to go. Instead, Damascus and Anaconda decide to confront their father and avenge Astrid, with Anaconda insisting that the fight is family business.

The Desperado is then temporarily closed, and Carl receives a warning to leave within fifteen minutes. Carl learns that the thirteen male strippers, Doctor Bones, and Bucket Boy have transferred to the guild barracks as mercenaries, delighting Donut. Donut also reports progress with their totem cards, including Jola, a new combined totem, and ongoing Faction Wars rule votes.

While waiting near the exit, Carl notices Katia's poor condition and worries she needs treatment soon. Carl tells Katia his theory that Astrid, the Night Wyrm, Damascus, and Anaconda are a long-trapped family of natural people rather than generated NPCs, possibly forced or contracted into dungeon roles. Carl further suspects the Night Wyrm arranged Astrid's death for financial gain, and as Carl, Katia, and Samantha leave, Carl remembers Faction Wars participants still trapped on the flooded lower level of the Desperado.