Dungeon Crawler Carl, #7
This Inevitable Ruin
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 82
Overview
The group reaches a saferoom and learns Li Na’s remaining marked targets have escaped beyond her reach, leaving her permanently unable to heal but removing Louis as her likely target. Tipid’s damaged memory reveals another cost of the recent fighting, while Louis is kept asleep so Tagg cannot take control.
In the hospital tent, Juice Box reveals that possessing Louis exposed his fear of her and ties this pain to the idea of the Inevitable Ruin, which Carl refuses to accept as destiny. The chapter closes with Kiwi giving birth to Mongo’s twin legendary daughters, turning a battlefield recovery scene into a strange moment of new life.
Summary
Carl’s group reaches a buried saferoom entrance in former Reaver territory and begins digging it out by hand. Prepotente arrives with Bianca and lends Dong a mount carrier for Gonk, while Li Na floats overhead with a dark aura and reduced health. Carl worries Li Na may target Louis because of the mark inside him, but Prepotente explains that three of Li Na’s marked targets escaped through the Desperado Club’s Cosmic Lounge back to the 18th floor, leaving Li Na permanently unable to heal fully.
At the saferoom, Tipid suddenly asks Carl who he is and where they are. Rosetta explains that Tipid’s old brain repairs were damaged in the recent blast, causing him to revert to memories from his final day as a game guide. Rosetta stays behind to comfort him and tell him about the life he has lived since then, while Carl’s group continues toward the hospital tent with unconscious Louis.
Inside Larracos, soldiers and former crawlers are repairing the settlement, and Carl notices Milk addressing a large group of crawlers. The group is interrupted by a scream from the hospital tent, where Kiwi is in labor. Mongo is brought to Kiwi because, according to Edgar, ursine culture values the father’s presence during birth, while Louis is placed on a nearby cot and given a potion by Mordecai to keep him deeply asleep and hopefully keep Tagg dormant.
As Kiwi labors, Carl speaks with Juice Box about her love for Louis. Juice Box explains that Louis’s sincerity gave her an emotional anchor, but her temporary hunter wraith form exposed the truth that Louis fears her and believes her affection is caused by a false ability that makes NPCs love him. Juice Box connects this revelation to the Inevitable Ruin, a curse that reveals a pure thing as doomed, but Carl rejects the idea as another form of hopelessness.
Kiwi gives birth to twin girls, both bizarre raptor-bear hybrids called Ursensus. The newborns are legendary creatures, intelligent enough that they cannot be pets, and the room reacts with a mix of delight, horror, and awkward congratulations. Juice Box tells Carl she is not hopeless and hints that Justice Light has a plan, while Donut celebrates Mongo becoming a father and immediately starts planning a baby shower.
Who Appears
- CarlLeads the group to safety, assesses Li Na’s threat, and rejects the Inevitable Ruin as hopelessness.
- Juice BoxCarries Louis, explains her love for him, and reveals the hunter wraith curse exposed his fear.
- KiwiGives birth in the medical tent to twin legendary Ursensus daughters.
- MongoStays beside Kiwi during the birth and becomes father to two strange legendary creatures.
- Li NaFloats ominously overhead, unable to heal fully because marked targets escaped her reach.
- PrepotenteArrives with Bianca, helps Dong with Gonk, and explains Li Na’s escaped marked targets.
- LouisRemains unconscious with Tagg inside him and is sedated to prevent possible control.
- DonutSupports Kiwi, celebrates Mongo’s fatherhood, and plans a baby shower for the twins.
- ImaniAssists Kiwi during labor and protects the newborns from insensitive reactions.
- TipidSuffers memory damage after leaving the enhancement zone and believes he is still a game guide.
- RosettaExplains Tipid’s condition and stays behind to comfort him with his own story.
- MordecaiAdministers a potion to keep Louis stable and deeply asleep.
- SamanthaHovers through the birth scene, bluntly comments on the babies, and asks for one.
- ElleQuestions Li Na’s morality and reacts with horror to the newborn creatures.
- FlorinSupports Kiwi during labor and offers awkward congratulations afterward.
- EdgarHelps in the medical tent and explains the cultural reason Mongo should attend the birth.