Dungeon Crawler Carl, #6
The Eye of the Bedlam Bride
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 60
Overview
Carl loots Quan’s vast inventory and escapes with Samantha as Ren destroys the building and dies on her own terms. Carl and Donut try to reach Imani and the church through demon-infested Havana while processing Ren’s death, their new loot, and the possibility of keeping the dangerous young tummy acher.
The situation escalates when Sister Ines reveals that she has been empowered and now intends to stop them from opening the church door. Her apparent control over powerful demons, possibly even Amayon, turns the route to escape into a hostage crisis centered on the church.
Summary
Carl searches Quan Ch’s inventory after the fight and finds a huge collection of magical weapons, unusual high-value items, nearly five million gold, scrolls, tomes, and Quan’s celestial cloak. Carl transfers almost everything, leaves the golden ring in Quan’s hand, and keeps Quan’s severed arm without being sure why.
Carl exits the building with Samantha while Ren warns that her magical bracer will bring the structure down. Carl considers marking Ren or Khulan with the Ring of Divine Suffering but decides against it because the mark takes too long and might change their actions. Ren sends a final goodbye, asks the others to make their enemies pay, and dies as the building collapses; Donut is shocked and demands an explanation.
Carl and Donut regroup in burning Havana by using Samantha’s bite-based teleportation trick, which leaves Donut sick and irritated. They move toward Imani and the church while avoiding zombie crabs, seals, and fish, as well as the demon-possessed Madre de Aguas body that Amayon is using to pour fire into the sky. Carl notes Donut’s new golden player-killer skull and worries that they are becoming numb to violence.
While hiding and moving through alleys, Carl reviews the loot and privately asks Mordecai about the young tummy acher creature. Mordecai advises Carl to keep it boxed in inventory for now and warns that outside factions may already know its weaknesses. Carl also says he plans to give Imani the key, but Mordecai doubts that Imani will accept it.
Sister Ines contacts Carl and Donut, saying she knows they have the final key and that the door is in the Iglesia de Jesús de Miramar. Ines claims that opening the door will end everything, says she has been filled with power as more demons appear, and offers to save Carl while condemning Donut. Carl suspects her Nebular sponsors or patron have deliberately worsened her instability.
Imani reports that powerful level 140 pleasure demons have entered the church as minions of Sister Ines. Then Amayon stops casting fire and, seemingly under compulsion, calls for Carl. Ines threatens to make the demons destroy the church unless Carl comes to her, forcing Carl and Donut to confront the possibility that Ines can now control even major demons.
Who Appears
- CarlLoots Quan, flees Ren’s demolition, guides the group toward Imani, and tries to manage Ines.
- Princess DonutReunites with Carl, reacts to Ren’s death, banters with Samantha, and challenges Sister Ines.
- SamanthaHelps Carl and Donut reconnect through teleportation and later distracts zombies from their path.
- Sister InesNewly empowered and unstable, she claims religious duty and threatens to stop the church door opening.
- Tserendolgor RenSends a final farewell and dies detonating the building after giving Carl her aid.
- ImaniWaits near the church and reports the arrival of powerful demons loyal to Sister Ines.
- MordecaiAdvises Carl about the tummy acher, Eye in the Sky scrolls, and Imani’s likely refusal.
- AmayonPossesses the Madre de Aguas body, casts fire into the sky, then appears compelled by Ines.
- Quan ChDead antagonist whose enormous inventory gives Carl weapons, wealth, scrolls, and other valuable loot.