Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1
Dungeon Crawler Carl
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
Jack's careless act summons a nearly indestructible Rage Elemental, turning the rescue of Brandon's elderly group into a sudden massacre. Yolanda and Randall are killed, while Carl narrowly saves Mrs. McGibbons and gets the remaining survivors into a safe room.
The chapter reinforces the cost of helping vulnerable crawlers: Carl succeeds in saving many people, but the deaths and terror make him question whether rescue is mercy or only prolonging suffering.
Summary
Jack urinates on the dungeon wall before anyone can stop him. Donut lunges and pulls back, while Yolanda shoots Jack in the head, but the damage is already done: the stain smokes and summons a massive level 93 Rage Elemental. Randall falls from the accelerating wheelchair train, and the elemental forms near Jack's body as Yolanda's arrows shatter harmlessly against it.
The system description reveals the Rage Elemental is nearly indestructible, self-healing, and said to dissipate only after claiming 666 souls. Carl orders Donut to use Confusing Fog, but the creature pushes through the fog, shreds Jack's corpse, and tears through Yolanda and Randall. Carl pauses to remember Yolanda's kindness and lifelong dedication before acknowledging that Yolanda dies heroically while trying to protect others.
Carl activates Protective Shell at the last second, and the elemental rebounds when its claws hit the force field. The brief protection gives Carl, Donut, Imani, Chris, Brandon, and the surviving residents a chance to reach the safe room, though the cars are too wide for the entrance and the rescuers must physically pull people from their chairs.
The elemental casts a gravity-reversal spell that sends Carl, Donut, the last train car, and Mrs. McGibbons crashing onto the ceiling. Carl grabs the badly injured Mrs. McGibbons, gives her a healing potion, and carries her toward the door. After falling back through the edge of the spell, Carl protects her body, heals himself, and runs as the elemental charges behind him.
Carl dives into the safe room just ahead of the elemental's claws, hands Mrs. McGibbons to Brandon, then tosses a lit boom jug at the monster before slamming the door. Inside the safe room, revealed to be a dingy Big Shot Chicken restaurant, survivors cry, heal, and mourn Yolanda and Randall while the Rage Elemental screams and pounds against the impenetrable door outside.
Who Appears
- CarlProtects the group, blocks the elemental, saves Mrs. McGibbons, and reaches the safe room.
- DonutReacts first, uses Confusing Fog and magic missiles, and helps recover wheelchairs.
- Yolanda MartinezShoots Jack too late, stands against the elemental, and dies protecting the group.
- Rage ElementalLevel 93 summoned monster; nearly indestructible, self-healing, and relentlessly attacks the survivors.
- Mrs. McGibbonsElderly resident injured by reversed gravity; Carl rescues her and gives her healing.
- JackElderly man whose urination triggers the summoning; Yolanda kills him moments too late.
- RandallElderly resident thrown from the train and killed beside Yolanda by the elemental.
- ImaniHelps pull residents into safety, administers healing, and mourns Yolanda.
- ChrisHelps unload residents from the train and move them into the safe room.
- BrandonOrganizes survivors inside the room and angrily blames Jack for the disaster.