Dungeon Crawler Carl, #7
This Inevitable Ruin
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
Carl and Donut’s forces break the Reaver cyborg beachhead outside the castle after Tina’s charge, summoned allies, Jamal’s attack, and Carl’s detonation of the enemy’s own explosive automatons. Carl also kills another invisible Dreadnaught and intercepts worm-controlled Lonnie, ending the immediate saferoom-linked incursion.
The victory buys FUPA only a brief pause: the saferoom access remains a strategic vulnerability, the defenders are wounded, and a larger orc-led force is approaching. The chapter shifts the battle from emergency containment to preparation for a major frontal assault.
Summary
As defenders respond to Donut’s charge, Carl climbs onto the barracks roof to regain battlefield visibility. Carl inventories the dead Dreadnaught and watches Tina crash into the enemy line while mages struggle to keep shields on her. Carl identifies the attackers as heavily armored Reaver-employed cyborg drop troopers, dangerous veterans who have formed a shielded firing line at the base of the hill.
Donut deploys alpha cards and asks whether to send out a stronger reserve, but Carl tells Donut to save resources for the main force and to make sure fallen crawlers are looted. Summoned monsters join the fight below. An invisible Dreadnaught tries to stab Carl from behind, but a warning lets Carl turn, knock the attacker down, rip away the mask, and beat the Dreadnaught to death, shocking nearby allies.
Jamal rolls into the smoke-filled battle and attacks the cyborgs, while Carl’s trap sense detects enemy automatons being armed with satchel explosives. After confirming they are hostile, Carl warns everyone and casts Tripper. The resulting chain explosion destroys the automatons, wipes out many cyborgs, knocks down most combatants, and leaves Tina badly hurt but alive.
Because Carl’s side recovers first, the crawlers and allied NPCs swarm the surviving cyborgs and finish the beachhead force. Donut orders everyone to hunt the compromised mages and watch for worms. Lonnie, still animated by a Valtay worm, flees uphill toward the castle, and Carl activates Daughter’s Kiss before leaping from the roof and landing on the mage.
After the immediate battle, Rosetta reports that the saferoom door has disappeared, though the enemy may still exploit the smaller access point. Carl agrees they must isolate or possibly destroy the entrance, but he prioritizes preparing for the next assault. Reinforcements arrive, the enemy’s softening attack has failed but left FUPA battered, and Carl learns the next wave likely includes orcs led by Prince Stalwart of the Skull Empire. Samantha returns filthy after being dropped from Louis’s airplane, and Carl tells her the real fight is about to begin.
Who Appears
- CarlDirects rooftop defense, kills an invisible Dreadnaught, triggers enemy explosives, and intercepts Lonnie.
- DonutCommands from Mongo, deploys card allies, and orders worm-infected mages hunted.
- TinaCharges the Reaver cyborg line, absorbs heavy fire, survives the blast, and eats dead androids.
- LonnieWorm-controlled mage who flees toward the castle after the cyborg force collapses.
- JamalHammerhead shark ally who rolls into battle and devours Reaver mercenaries despite lacking legs.
- RosettaReports the saferoom door is gone and urges isolating or destroying the vulnerable access.
- SamanthaReturns filthy after Louis drops her from an airplane and finds the camp between attacks.
- VictoryAdjutant who observes the battle from the barracks roof and later speaks with Donut.
- Gunnery Sergeant X2Reaver cyborg drop trooper examined by Carl moments before Tina kills him.
- J IronFjordInvisible Dreadnaught assassin who tries to ambush Carl and is beaten to death.
- FlorinTactical ally whose preparations aid visibility and who reports Prince Stalwart may be coming.
- LouisAir support ally mentioned while opening the roof and accidentally dropping Samantha.