Soon after that, Remlin proudly paints her latest masterpiece—right on Rudo’s face. The result? Full-on clown makeup. Let’s just say Rudo wasn’t exactly tickled pink to look like the world’s saddest circus act, but Remlin? She couldn’t stop laughing like it was the best joke of the year.
While Rudo was busy grumbling about his new “career in comedy,” Enjin chatted with the mayor. They finally understood the criteria spellcasters use when choosing their successor. The mayor nodded and pointed out that Remlin was just as whimsical as Gob had been.
Curious, Enjin asked how many spellcasters there had been in total. The mayor replied that Remlin was probably the sixth one, since spellcasters only leave their history behind through their art. Meanwhile, Remlin introduced herself to Rudo and asked him what he wanted her to draw, and more importantly, where. She explained her power doesn’t work as well if she doesn’t get permission to draw at a spot—like asking for a landlord’s approval before spray-painting the building.
Enjin recalled it was the same with Gob and asked the mayor if all spellcasters inherited the same powers. The mayor explained that while their abilities are similar, small differences appear depending on the individual. Enjin theorized that the vital instrument grants the same base power, but personality tweaks it.
Remlin, however, quickly shot that theory down. According to her, their powers look alike because every spellcaster is basically a wild eccentric who enjoys doodling balloons and flowers in the middle of life-or-death battles. It’s not about rules—it’s about vibes. Enjin, confused but trying his best, concluded they all think the same way. Remlin immediately disagreed, saying they think differently and draw different things too. At this point, the mayor cut in and warned Enjin that debating with artists—or flat-earthers—is the fastest way to lose his sanity.
Meanwhile, Rudo asked Remlin to draw something on his back that could protect him from one serious hit. Remlin got fired up, turned her brush into a tattoo gun, and got ready to make it permanent ink business. The mayor and Enjin panicked, thinking she had just found some random tattoo gun. Nope—turns out her brush can transform into any tool she needs. Thankfully, they managed to stop her before she permanently turned Rudo into her canvas. Remlin shrugged and said fine, she’d just use water-based paint instead—though it would wash off the second Rudo took a shower.
However, Remlin wasn’t done yet. She came up with another idea—just as mischievous as her tattoo stunt—and asked Rudo for permission to cast a spell on his body without revealing what tool she’d use. Classic trickster move. Before he could overthink it, she went ahead and drew spells not only on Rudo but on everyone else in the group. Exhausted from casting on nine people at once, she still insisted on tagging along with them to the gate.
At the gate, Enjin and the others ran into the same two losers from earlier. The wannabes instantly got salty when they saw Remlin holding the brush. They whined to the mayor, demanding how he could possibly let a brat like her inherit the spellcaster role. One even bragged about winning a “famous art competition,” claiming that made him more worthy than “some snot-nosed kid.”
The mayor wasn’t having any of it. He unleashed his inner drill sergeant, shouting them down and reminding them that posers chasing fame had no clue what it truly meant to be a spellcaster. Then he ordered them to scram because no one in Canvas City wanted to see their ugly mugs anyway. Thoroughly roasted, the thugs slinked off in defeat.
Enjin chuckled and remarked that the mayor was as terrifying as ever when angry, then jokingly advised him to stay away from the gate for the sake of his blood pressure. With that, everyone piled into the car. Rudo thanked Remlin for drawing on him, and she smugly promised she’d swing by HQ soon to mess around some more.
As Enjin drove them away, he hinted at a “treat” before they got back to base. Rudo had no clue what he meant—until they rolled into a warehouse brimming with glorious trash. Fully intact devices stacked everywhere like treasures waiting to be claimed. Rudo practically started drooling as he dove into the junk heap, rummaging for the best pieces to repair and reuse. Enjin just stood back and grinned, seeing firsthand how obsessed Rudo was with garbage. Neither of them noticed, though, that on top of the pile, a small TV flickered to life… showing a vision of a man wearing gloves eerily similar to Rudo’s.
When Rudo and the others returned to headquarters, they were immediately greeted by a weirdo shouting, “It’s complete!” Rudo had no clue who this guy was or what he was even talking about. Before anyone could clarify, the receptionist mommy mentioned she had heard about Gob’s passing. But she barely got the words out before the crazy guy interrupted, proudly announcing that Rudo’s mask was finished.
At that point, Enjin introduced him as August, the one who handled their gear. Because he was an artist, Enjin added, he was also a little… unhinged. August went on and on about how his latest creation was absolutely perfect. He bragged that even though he had never met Rudo, he had secretly measured his face while he was asleep, then learned all about his personality from Enjin and the others.
Rudo was horrified. August had entered his room to measure his face while he slept? The lunatic just laughed it off, saying Rudo was lucky he hadn’t locked his door. Rio chimed in, joking that since Rudo rarely slept at all, it was already a miracle August caught him napping. Just then, the timid nurse from before rushed up, scolding August for embarrassing her in front of everyone. To Rudo’s shock, the eccentric artist and the shy nurse were siblings—something he could hardly wrap his head around.
With that chaos behind them, the group finally prepared to leave on their mission. Once outside, Enjin told Rudo to remove his choker. Confused, he did as instructed, and then watched in disbelief as every member of the team cut their fingers and smeared blood on his choker. To Rudo, it looked like some bizarre devilish ritual.
Enjin explained that their chokers were communication devices, allowing them to talk to other cleaners who shared blood with them. Rudo asked if this was why everyone on the surface wore chokers, and Rio confirmed, saying it basically worked like a telephone. She added that exchanging blood had strong “ride-or-die vibes,” which she thought was awesome. Rudo, still skeptical, wondered what kind of technology powered it—or if it was another ability granted by the Givers. His thoughts were cut short when he noticed everyone glaring at him, reminding him that his blood also had to be added to the mix. Terrified, he reluctantly complied.
With the ritual complete, the group set out toward the No Man’s Land, where they hoped to find a woman who knew about the barrier. Rudo had stuffed the car full of the garbage he’d salvaged earlier, but Enjin warned him most of it would be useless since they’d have to travel on foot. Rudo stubbornly insisted that backup tools were always necessary—you never knew when a piece of trash could save your life.
Eventually, they arrived at the Penta Desert, one of the five No Man’s Lands. Its red dunes stretched as far as the eye could see. Tamay was the first to slide down, scooping up the crimson “sand” only to realize it wasn’t sand at all—it was rust.
Just then, a massive Trash Beast charged toward them at terrifying speed. Enjin quickly decided it was the perfect chance for Rudo’s first real hunt as a cleaner. Rudo slid down the slope, donning his brand-new mask, while the team’s female supporter stood ready, already scribbling notes on the creature for their records.
Rio decides to take on three scorpion-type trash beasts at once, slicing them up with her giant scissors. One severed body part rolls away and smacks into another beast, which immediately assumes Zanka is the culprit since he’s standing right there. The monster charges at him, forcing Zanka to keep dodging until he spots the perfect opening. With a swift strike, he smashes its jaw and activates his staff’s hidden power—shooting spikes straight through the creature’s head. It drops instantly, but more monsters surround him before he can even breathe.
Just as things look bad, Enjin dives in with one of his signature moves, wiping out nearly all the beasts in one go. Only one remains, and Rudo steps up to prove himself. He whips out… a keyboard. Yes, really. Somewhere in the distance, a mysterious woman notices his power awaken. Back in the fight, Rudo channels his inner “keyboard warrior”—the kind Twitter activists dream of being—though he still types like someone’s 90-year-old grandma. But once he hits “Enter,” the keys float up, fire down like bullets, and spell out the word HOLE across the scorpion’s back before it crumbles to ash.
With the monsters gone, Enjin begins digging into the trash hidden under the rust-red sands. Meanwhile, Gris scolds their other supporter for taking notes during the fight instead of focusing on survival. She brushes him off, saying if she doesn’t jot things down immediately, she’ll just forget later.
Rudo, meanwhile, is wiping dirt off his mask when he spots a fleeting image of a woman in the dust clouds. Before he can approach, Delman and Tamay appear—startling him so badly that he falls flat when Delman bellows in his ear. Rudo feels somewhat proud of surviving his first fight… until Delman suddenly goes quiet, staring ahead.
Rudo turns and sees a cheerful girl casually strolling toward them. Delman and Tamay tense up—she’s not dressed for the harsh desert, and they hadn’t even sensed her presence. The rest of the group gathers, and Enjin wonders aloud if she might be the rumored woman who has seen people descend from the Sphere and return. Zanka insists it’s too soon to find her, but Enjin suggests they at least ask for directions.
Rio, ever the blunt one, directly asks the girl if she’s ever seen people come from the Sphere or go back. The girl nods, and Rio declares they’ve found exactly who they came for. Enjin calls it sheer luck—right before the girl, Almu, starts coughing. She invites them to her home to talk, warning that the air out here isn’t good for them.
Rio grows suspicious and asks Enjin if she should go alone. But Enjin decides everyone should come along—if it’s a trap, better to face it together. Unfortunately, his plan backfires spectacularly. Once they reach Almu’s house, stuffed with soft toys and creepy dolls, Enjin suddenly collapses, vomiting. Rudo, the only one still conscious, tries to make sense of it all. Then Almu grins mischievously at him… and things are about to get worse.
