Carl and Donut locate Shi Maria’s territory by following Samantha’s map marker into a rain-soaked area choked with spiderwebs, crab husks, bones, and trapped debris. Rather than fight through the nest, Carl convinces Samantha to lure Shi Maria to the road. Carl and Donut prepare for a possible fight because Shi Maria is a level 140 demi-god city boss whose presence carries permanent insanity and blindness risks.

Shi Maria emerges from the trees as a huge, horrifying spider-woman, and Donut confirms that Shi Maria’s known stats match the Bahamas book except for an added high-level Cockroach skill. Samantha introduces Shi Maria as her new best friend, “MaeMae,” and explains an elaborate plan in which Shi Maria restores Samantha’s body, joins their travels, helps in Larracos, and eventually searches for her missing husband. Carl suspects manipulation but decides to test the claim that Shi Maria can immediately help Samantha.

Carl produces Princess Lunette, the incomplete flesh golem made from Signet’s mother’s form, so Shi Maria can perform the promised transfer. Shi Maria instead indicates that she needs supplies from another spider and cannot perform the spell yet. When Samantha angrily threatens Shi Maria’s mother, Shi Maria’s map dot turns white and the monster collapses into sobbing panic, forcing Carl and Donut to reassess the situation.

Carl tells Samantha that Shi Maria is too dangerous to bring along unless she agrees to be captured as a card. Samantha reveals that Shi Maria already knows about Donut’s card deck because Samantha has been chatting with Elle, who explained the game mechanics while questioning Samantha about the Fourth Season. Carl realizes Shi Maria may be intentionally seeking card capture as a way to leave the floor and eventually reach Larracos.

Carl approaches Shi Maria and offers a bargain: Carl will help get Shi Maria to the next floor or deeper if Shi Maria helps them, accepts the card process, and does not harm Carl’s friends or allies. Shi Maria drops the helpless act, speaks clearly, and confirms that she wants to reach Larracos to find her husband and prove she did not kill him. Shi Maria admits she cannot restore Samantha herself but claims a master pulpmancer in Larracos can restore Samantha and free Shi Maria from the card prison.

A quest called “The Bedlam Bride” appears, requiring Carl to escort Shi Maria to Larracos. Shi Maria warns Carl that his protections may not fully shield him because he has already been mentally damaged, then exposes her vulnerable underside and instructs Carl to injure her only enough to trigger the card capture. Carl, still wary but accepting the dangerous opportunity, punches Shi Maria in the abdomen.