Carl and Donut wait in Team Katia’s personal space for a meeting with Prepotente. While they wait, Bautista sorts through his large collection of Jaxbrin beanie toys, looking for rare variations that might behave differently when activated. Carl warns Bautista that the upcoming Butcher’s Masquerade will probably turn into a fight, and he mentions that Carl’s group is preparing for that possibility and rushing to buy personal-space upgrades before the floor changes.

Carl then brings up Bautista and Katia’s relationship, which embarrasses Bautista but also relieves him because he had worried Carl might have feelings for Katia. Donut is shocked and storms off to confirm the news, then returns still trying to process it. Carl makes clear that he sees Katia as family, not a romantic interest, which settles Bautista’s concern. The conversation turns back to Bautista’s toys, and Bautista explains that some came from a sponsor-related commercial appearance rather than a dungeon box, showing again how outside sponsors keep influencing crawler resources.

Later, with 64 hours left until the Masquerade, Prepotente arrives at the pub at level 70, looking exhausted, while Bianca waits outside in the acidic rain. Carl offers rest and access to the guild saferoom, but Prepotente refuses both the invitation and any involvement in Carl’s plans. He also brushes off the visible guards, snaps at Elle, and says he has come only to deliver a package.

Prepotente places a black potion in front of Donut and leaves immediately. Carl identifies it as a potion that removes the effects of Scolopendra’s Transmutation spell, and a tag instructs that it must go to Donut, be used only at the right time, and never be given to Tina. Realizing that multiple people might want the potion for their own purposes, Carl orders Donut not to use it and not to tell Signet, who would probably want it for Grimaldi. When Elle reports that both she and Imani have also received benefactor boxes intended for Donut, Carl becomes even more suspicious that someone is coordinating events around Donut, and he leaves with her to question the changelings and investigate further.