The recap episode is almost entirely redacted, showing only brief scenes of other crawlers being killed or capturing monsters: an undead Easter Bunny mutilates crawlers, a Tokyo group dies while fleeing an umbrella-like creature, Elle captures a sasquatch, and Prepotente captures a giant bat. Mordecai notices Prime Minister Glory of the Syndicate appearing beside Kevin the announcer and says his presence is unusual, then urges Carl and Donut to find a Desperado Club for supplies.

After the show, the top ten crawler rankings return with Prepotente first, Donut second, Carl third, and Lucia Mar fourth. Osvaldo and Burcu newly appear on the list, and Carl notes both were involved in the fight after Imogen’s death on the previous floor.

Cascadia announces the floor’s card-combat system. Squad leaders can activate decks in combat, must maintain six active totems, and can use totem, utility, snare, mystic, and special cards. Deck-to-deck combat becomes mandatory against opponents with full decks, and during it the squad leader loses access to magic and inventory until the deck is exhausted or combat ends, making squad protection and preparation critical.

Carl realizes the system will be dangerous because Donut, as squad leader, will lose major abilities during deck combat. Cascadia also opens paid practice arenas in saferooms and encourages crawlers to kill other squads for their cards. Katia begins organizing known card information, while Mordecai infers that Phase Two will likely involve intelligent deck-using enemies and a difficult route to a stairwell key.

Before Carl, Donut, and Mordecai can test Geraldo the monk seal in the practice room, Samantha contacts Carl. Samantha has found a powerful mage she believes can help restore her body, but the monster has eaten her. Samantha says the creature is a spider-like swamp demigod at the southern coast named Shi Maria, also known by many titles.

Carl checks the Bahamas book and finds Shi Maria listed as a unique monster. Despite Mordecai’s suggestion that they abandon Samantha, Carl considers the Bedlam Bride a possible squad recruit, though Donut points out dangerous abilities such as permanent insanity and blindness. The chapter ends with Donut admiring the monster’s title, “The Bedlam Bride.”