Carl stands with Florin before the ruined Semeru castle in the devastated lower levels of Larracos. Crawlers, NPCs, veterans, and allied mercenaries are cleaning up after Donut’s catastrophic spell, neutralizing acid puddles, and repairing damaged towers while Carl waits for Imani before leading a group to rescue Louis from the changing Reaver castle.

Carl reviews a warlord chat in which Akuma claims the War Mages only took the castle to test potions and find the Scavenger’s daughter, whom they now have. Akuma insists Agatha is the true danger, says she can move through the Waiting Room and reappear near open stairwells, and urges Carl to kill her on the tenth floor. Akuma then leaves the realm, causing the system to declare the War Mage rebellion defeated with no assets to award.

Florin and Carl discuss Lucia, the likely deal offers on the tenth floor, and the crawlers who may refuse safety if the system collapses. Florin says Jurgen will protect Lucia because Lucia may be tied to the facility holding children and pregnant women, including Jurgen’s missing wife, Heidi. Nearby, Donut, Chris, Clay-Ton, Very Sullen, Edgar, and Rosetta fail to extract a useful spell from the Sledge because Edgar cannot tattoo or harvest from a rock monster.

Justice Light demands the return of his gate, which Carl understands may be tied to revenge. After weighing Rosetta’s grief over King Rust, Carl tells Justice that the gate is inside the stomach of Paca in the Midnight Market. Justice says he knows the market and can retrieve it with the sluggalos, while Rosetta silently accepts Carl’s decision.

Imani, Juice Box, and Britney emerge from the hospital tent. Imani says Britney appears healthy and has no visible axe, while Juice Box senses no hidden presence in her despite Carl’s unease over Eris’s claims. Katia and Bautista arrive, and Prepotente reports that Li Na is hunting the escaped enemies in the woods but cannot locate marked targets.

Carl notes that Osvaldo’s memorial crystal has somehow passed to Prepotente, triggering an Emberus quest update demanding its recovery before Prepotente gives its secrets to the Epicure. Prepotente declines to help rescue Louis, choosing instead to assist Li Na, then unexpectedly hugs Carl. Donut lands on Carl’s shoulder and urges him to move on with the rescue.