Reaching the bottom of Layer 10 and ascending Layer 11 (Crimson Ascent) into the Surface Lab unlocks Casualties: Unknown's multiple endings. Whether you comply with the Bio-Pod protocol, break out of the facility, or assemble all 6 hidden chips into the M.E.R.C. Scarf (INT 18) for the Mercenary route, every step is detailed below.
Before descending out of Layer 1 (Gravel Lands), locate the wooden structure housing the Malfunctioning Tech-Ball. Smash it open to obtain the Nano-tech scanner—this device is mandatory for triangulating the 6 hidden M.E.R.C. Scarf chips across the deeper strata.
Use the Nano-tech scanner in Layer 2 (Deeper Gravel Lands), Layer 3 (Dried Desert), Layer 4 (Wasteland), Layer 5 (Overgrown Depths), Layer 6 (Frozen Chasm), and Layer 7–8 to recover all 6 specialized microchips while keeping your survivor alive and leveling Intelligence toward INT 18.
Once all 6 chips are in your inventory and your survivor reaches INT 18 (via Blueprints, E-PDAs, and Training Lab courses), craft and equip the M.E.R.C. Scarf. Retrieve the Cargo in Layer 10, board the High-Powered Drill Pod, and survive the vertical climb through Layer 11 (Crimson Ascent) into the Surface Lab.
Filter the 10 verified walkthrough records below by record type (Game Ending, Quest Trigger, or M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip) to inspect exact layer locations, prerequisites, step-by-step instructions, and unlocked rewards.
| Ending / Quest Step | Stage Type | Layer / Location | Prerequisites & INT Threshold | Step-by-Step Execution Guide | Unlocked Reward / Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-Pod Ending (Standard Compliance) | Game Ending | Surface Lab (Post-Layer 11 Crimson Ascent) | Retrieve Cargo in Layer 10, take High-Powered Drill Pod, climb Layer 11 to the Lab (Chipped or Unchipped) | In the Surface Lab, obey the scientist instructions and walk through the right-hand door into the Bio-Pod. | Unlocks "Company's Best" achievement and unlocks the next playable character (Milky -> Dune) |
| Escape Ending (Unchipped Surgery & Breakout) | Game Ending | Surface Lab Operating Room | Play with the Unchipped mode enabled, bring a loaded firearm to the Surface Lab, and keep Brain health stable | 1. Wait for the scientist to finish speaking so item usage unlocks. 2. Shoot the scientist to initiate the breakout. 3. Enter the surgery room and extract the abdominal cargo (Inject local anesthetic -> Use large surgical device -> Place clamps -> Pull out cargo -> Place tubes over wound) before heavy guard reinforcements arrive at ~60s. 4. Exit through the facility door. | Unlocks "Company's Worst" achievement (plus "Pacifist" if zero guards are killed during the escape) |
| Mercenary Ending (M.E.R.C. Scarf Secret Quest) | Game Ending | Surface (Top of Layer 11 with M.E.R.C. Scarf) | Complete Bio-Pod or Escape ending at least once prior; start a fresh Chipped run from Layer 1 with Endless mode OFF; reach 18 INT | 1. Break the malfunctioning Tech-Ball in Layer 1 and use the Nano-tech scanner BEFORE leaving Layer 1 (+200 INT XP & learns M.E.R.C. scarf recipe). 2. Follow the scanner directional indicator in Layers 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 to collect all 6 neural chips. 3. At 18 INT, craft the M.E.R.C. scarf from Scarf + Circuit board + all 6 chips. 4. Reach the surface after Layer 11 with the M.E.R.C. scarf in inventory. | Unlocks "To Be Continued..." achievement and triggers the surface Mercenary extraction sequence |
| Nano-tech Scanner (Tech-Ball Drop) | Quest Key Item | Layer 1: Gravel Lands | Prior ending completed, Chipped run, Endless OFF; must be activated BEFORE exiting Layer 1 | Break open the malfunctioning Tech-Ball in a small cave partway down Layer 1. Activate the Nano-tech scanner immediately in Layer 1 to learn the M.E.R.C. scarf recipe and gain +200 INT XP; keep it in main inventory so it points toward chip sites. | Teaches M.E.R.C. scarf recipe and provides compass guidance to all 6 chip vaults |
| REL-Hyper-Regeneration Booster chip | M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip (1/6) | Layer 2: Deeper Gravel Lands | INT 2 to recognize; guaranteed spawn in Layer 2 during active Mercenary run (25% random spawn in normal runs) | Keep the Nano-tech scanner in your main inventory while descending Layer 2 (Deeper Gravel Lands) and follow its directional ping to the chip structure. | Component 1 of 6 required for crafting the M.E.R.C. scarf (INT 18) |
| Micro-SINGLEBTR 1CHRG capacitor | M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip (2/6) | Layer 3: Dried Desert | INT 2 to recognize; guaranteed spawn in Layer 3 during active Mercenary run | Follow the Nano-tech scanner directional ping across the sandstone caverns and oil basins of Layer 3 (Dried Desert). | Component 2 of 6 required for crafting the M.E.R.C. scarf (INT 18) |
| 0.2.9-Mind-Swap chip | M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip (3/6) | Layer 4: Wasteland | INT 2 to recognize; guaranteed spawn in Layer 4 during active Mercenary run | Use the Nano-tech scanner to locate the chip site amidst the radioactive ruins and turrets of Layer 4 (Wasteland). | Component 3 of 6 required for crafting the M.E.R.C. scarf (INT 18) |
| 0.0.7-Emergency Rejuvenation chip | M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip (4/6) | Layer 5: Overgrown Depths | INT 2 to recognize; guaranteed spawn in Layer 5 during active Mercenary run | Track the scanner signal through the subterranean jungle of Layer 5 while evading the Elder thornback. | Component 4 of 6 required for crafting the M.E.R.C. scarf (INT 18) |
| MINI-AI chip | M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip (5/6) | Layer 7: Fungal Pools | INT 2 to recognize; guaranteed spawn in Layer 7 during active Mercenary run (Note: Layer 6 Frozen Chasm has no chip) | After surviving Layer 6, follow the Nano-tech scanner in Layer 7 (Fungal Pools) to retrieve the MINI-AI chip. | Component 5 of 6 required for crafting the M.E.R.C. scarf (INT 18) |
| Kinetic Transmitter chip | M.E.R.C. Scarf Chip (6/6) | Layer 9: Geothermal Vents | INT 2 to recognize; guaranteed spawn in Layer 9 during active Mercenary run (Note: Layer 8 Crystalline Hollow has no chip) | Locate the final chip site in Layer 9 (Geothermal Vents), then combine Scarf + Circuit board + all 6 chips at 18 INT to craft the M.E.R.C. scarf. | Final chip component (6/6) enabling M.E.R.C. scarf assembly before Layer 10 |