To Caelus' surprise, his old friend Sampo had also come to Penacony.
Firefly seemed to distrust Sampo, but Sampo still wanted to show them what the adult world was all about.
After getting turned away at "Pippi Pippisi's Salon," the quick-witted Sampo immediately thought of a backup plan.
But before revealing the details, he entrusted Caelus with collecting some materials… from an arcade machine.
And so, Caelus turned into a tiny Hanu Brother? [How was this filmed?] [Robots, duh. Those moves aren't humanly possible.]
Through the Hanu Brother's efforts, he finally obtained something: "Emotion Prototype: Momentary Freedom."
After letting out a very cool hmph, Caelus reverted to his original form.
Sampo looked at the materials Caelus retrieved, nodding with satisfaction, "Now we're all set—just need to dream. Follow me, folks—it's time to experience true entertainment!"
The scene transitioned, and Sampo led the trio back to the Dream Vendor Shop.
After handing all the materials to Dr. Edward, Sampo teased, "You've had those dreams where you wake up still wanting more, right?"
"Dreams that leave you wanting more…" Firefly's face flushed to her ears.
"Looks like Miss Firefly's already eager to try. Hold on, hold on—as a demo, let's start with my dream."
Finally, seeing everything set, Caelus entered the dream as well.
But the moment he entered, he was completely dumbfounded.
How did he end up back in Belobog's Underworld?
Sampo signaled Caelus to just keep experiencing it, no need to worry.
Then, Caelus found a note on a table that read: "Become the Trash King, even if the garbage bag is already torn."
Caelus shook his head, too tired to complain, and the next moment, he pushed open the clinic's door.
He froze!
The place was filled with trash cans—or rather, Ever-Flaming Trash Cans.
Firefly's off-screen voice came through, clearly exasperated, "What is this situation?!"
Caelus: "What is this situation?!"
One trash can spoke to Caelus in a language he couldn't understand, but subtitles appeared above its head. [Hahaha, I'm dying, this is so absurd!] [Has Star Rail's web drama gone completely off the rails since Scott showed up?] [I'm dying laughing, I heard so many languages, just no Chinese.] [Hahaha.]
"You've finally arrived… A pleasure to meet you, deep diver in dreams… I am Shatana—and I'd like to discuss a deal with you."
Caelus sighed helplessly, "Your lines sound kinda familiar too…"
"Have you… heard of the 'Trash King' Tatalov? He is our king, the shepherd of all the world's refuse. He stands upon his throne, uplifting humble cans, suppressing violent ones; he is Belobog's foundation, securing our lids, strengthening our bodies…"
Then Shatana recounted how, after the cold wave came, Tatalov's heart changed.
It was practically a rehash of Cocolia's storyline.
Now, they hoped Caelus could rally the cans to rebel against this false king.
Caelus went around collecting three so-called "Proofs of Trust."
The first two were fine, but the third involved encountering a "Propagation" calamity—a juvenile Sting—and then…
Forget it, Caelus just pulled out his bat and got to work.
Finally, everything was settled, and the day of the decisive battle arrived.
Caelus blinked and found himself in a new scene.
The area was littered with fallen Ever-Flaming Trash Cans.
"Is this the battlefield… This feels so complicated… Isn't this too brutal…?"
"…Didn't they say the Trash King was waiting for me here? Did I get played…?"
Just then, a bomb suddenly flew at him, sending Caelus blasting into the air…
…A giant Sampo appeared, grabbing him and tossing him to the ground…
…Countless trash cans rushed past Caelus, charging toward the battlefield…
…Sampo threw several bombs, and numerous trash cans were blasted to Caelus' feet…
…Feeling immense anger, Caelus transformed into a giant trash can, ready to face off against Giant Sampo…
"Wait, wait, wait! This is way too ridiculous—?!"