Dungeon Crawler Carl, #7
This Inevitable Ruin
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 4
Overview
Carl’s reward boxes deliver major upgrades, culminating in a Celestial potion that grants him the level-13 Gloom Wraith Phase skill and significantly raises his combat threat. Other items point toward future developments, including automaton fabrication, castle upgrades, the Midnight Market, and protection against mental control.
The chapter also deepens Carl’s unease: the toe ring exposes that he gained Walk on Air from Li Jun’s eye, Mind Balance is already active, and the tattoo on Carl’s chest remains ominous. As Carl prepares to organize allies for Faction Wars, Samantha’s chaotic pursuit of Tish and her mention of Carl’s hidden “pet tummy acher” create a new immediate problem with Donut.
Summary
Carl opens his accumulated reward boxes while Donut compares her own haul. The early boxes provide practical supplies, including trench-building scrolls, invisibility and size potions, temporary water source items, emergency repair scrolls, ammunition, surefire missile attachments, pet supplies, and a loot punch card tied to collecting Celestial items.
The higher-tier rewards are more significant. A platinum Tserendolgor box gives Carl automaton-table supplies, including parts for a fabricator. A spider-themed patch grants access to the Midnight Market and nearby merchant notifications, while a town upgrade coupon is set aside for their castle. A legendary box gives bagpipes and personal-space upgrade coupons, and a spicy legendary box gives Carl a toe ring with Heart Balance, Mind Balance, and Physical Balance.
When Carl equips the toe ring, he sets a healing potion to trigger at 2% health. The item also reveals that Carl already has Walk on Air, forcing him to remember eating Li Jun’s eye after Shi Maria’s attack and making Carl feel guilty. The ring reports that Mind Balance is already triggered, and Carl notices the unsettling tattoo on his sternum moving beneath his shirt.
The Celestial Heavy Metal box produces a Hell-Kissed Celestial Skill Potion of the Prince of Woe. Mordecai examines it and learns that, with better tools and rare ingredients, he could eventually make similar potions. Carl drinks it and gains the level-13 skill Gloom Wraith Phase, which lets Carl make non-corporeal lunges that can pass through obstacles and violently damage unprotected biological targets. Mordecai warns Carl and Donut that they have become terrifyingly powerful and must train carefully.
After the loot opening, Carl thinks about the broader danger: if everyone is receiving comparable power boosts, the coming faction war may become even deadlier. Carl wants to recruit officers and move the crawlers toward their castle, but Donut insists that Carl first restore his missing eyebrows and hair. While Carl waits for Katia’s help with the complicated tonic instructions, Louis reports that Samantha has escaped through the college area, chasing someone named Tish. Katia catches Samantha, but Samantha’s chat mention of Carl’s “pet tummy acher” makes Donut suspicious, leaving Carl dreading the explanation.
Who Appears
- CarlOpens major loot, gains Gloom Wraith Phase, and worries about Li Jun, recruitment, and hidden dangers.
- Princess DonutComments on loot, flaunts her cloak, demands Carl restore his hair, and questions Samantha’s revelation.
- MordecaiExamines the Celestial potion, learns its recipe, and warns Carl and Donut to train carefully.
- MongoPresent during the loot opening; frightened by the Celestial box’s pyrotechnic display.
- KatiaDelayed by saferoom logistics, then chases and catches Samantha before guards can intervene.
- SamanthaRolls through the college area pursuing Tish and accidentally mentions Carl’s hidden pet.
- LouisReports the group’s college delay, Juice Box’s location, and Samantha’s escape.
- Li JunAbsent but central to Carl’s guilt after Carl realizes he gained Li Jun’s Walk on Air skill.
- TishUnseen target of Samantha’s revenge, prompting Katia to intervene in the college area.