Dungeon Crawler Carl, #7
This Inevitable Ruin
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
The system AI, still wearing Growler Gary’s form, confirms that the crawl will continue but withholds broader reassurance from Orren. Instead of negotiating, the AI summons Donut for cryptic relationship advice that appears to mask larger conflicts involving Agatha, an imprisoned power, and rival forces trying to influence the AI.
Donut’s cautious advice convinces the AI not to act rashly, and the AI immediately restores the game’s normal course. The chapter ends with the real Growler Gary briefly returning confused and drunk, leaving Carl, Donut, and Orren shaken by how little they understand about the powers steering the crawl.
Summary
With Princess Formidable gone and Orren’s containment broken, Orren cautiously asks whether the crawl and the Syndicate’s other agreements will continue. Growler Gary, speaking as the system AI, says the game will continue but refuses to fully reassure Orren because Orren had wanted Formidable to succeed in killing him.
Gary explains that the real reason for his visit is a personal “conundrum” and decides he needs a female perspective. Gary abruptly summons Donut onto Carl’s lap during the game time out. Carl taps Donut in warning and tries to message her about the danger, but the system prevents Carl from opening the message tab.
Gary frames the problem as relationship advice: Gary likes a woman who teaches him and pleases his “family,” but Gary worries about her past, including a powerful former boyfriend who is not dead but imprisoned. Donut advises that actions matter more than words and urges communication, while Orren focuses on Gary’s mention of “family,” which Gary refuses to explain.
When Orren says the woman looks like Agatha, Donut mocks the idea too directly. Gary violently cracks the desk and warns Donut not to push the metaphor, revealing how dangerous and unstable the conversation is. Donut recovers and asks whether the imprisoned man may be released soon.
Gary adds that the imprisoned man has another older former girlfriend from the same hometown, and that this older woman is also indirectly advising Gary and may want Gary to kill the prisoner. Gary believes the two women hate each other but may share the same goal. Donut advises caution: if multiple people want someone dead, the target may be very good or very bad, so Gary should not act until Gary understands which is true and should avoid involvement unless forced.
Gary accepts Donut’s advice, declares that nothing changes, the game continues, the rules will be followed, and Orren should return to work. Gary then collapses, and ordinary Growler Gary appears to regain control, drunk, level 175, confused, and asking for Rory before teleporting away. Carl, Donut, and Orren are left stunned, and Orren admits he wishes he could drink the vodka Gary left behind.
Who Appears
- Growler Gary / system AIAppears as Gary, seeks cryptic advice, confirms the game continues, then releases Gary confused.
- DonutSummoned for relationship advice; gives cautious guidance despite recognizing the danger.
- CarlWarns Donut nonverbally, observes the AI’s metaphor, and remains alarmed and confused.
- OrrenTries to clarify agreements, questions the AI’s family reference, and is left shaken.