AFTERWORD

Chapter 37

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Overview

Carl's group sends the Nightmare train into the abyss with Fire Brandy and Tizquick aboard, sacrificing themselves to overload the ghoul generation system. The explosion succeeds in destroying generators across multiple stations. Carl reflects on the cost of survival and resolves to dismantle the dungeon's entire control structure, not just escape it.

Summary

After positioning the portal cart on the employee track, Carl and his team prepare to send the Nightmare into the abyss. Fire Brandy and the dwarf Tizquick refuse evacuation, having decided to stay with the train and detonate it themselves. Brandy reveals she has cycled through similar roles in heating systems across multiple incarnations, always losing her children afterward, and refuses to continue this pattern. Tizquick agrees to ensure a massive explosion before impact. Carl places additional explosive satchels and says goodbye to both. The train backs up, whistles, and speeds into the portal. The explosion succeeds—notifications confirm experience gains from mass monster deaths in the abyss, with Carl reaching level 41. Bautista reports from another station that generators have exploded there as well. The group returns to station 36 where their companions wait by the open stairwell. Agatha, now level 8, appears pushing her shopping cart toward the stairs; Carl stops Imani from intercepting her. Loita contacts Carl via system message, stating that Odette is waiting and requesting a discussion about a new arrangement, also cryptically refusing to discuss Zev's whereabouts until they meet in person. As Carl descends the stairs, he records a new entry in the Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook, declaring his intent to destroy not just escape the dungeon, and to target the administrators themselves.

Characters

  • CarlProtagonist who orchestrates sending the train into the abyss and reflects on the mission's cost; reaches level 41 and vows to destroy the dungeon administrators.
  • KatiaParty member who carries the portal cart and converses with Carl about the strategy and their relative levels.
  • Fire BrandyDemon who chooses to stay aboard the Nightmare train and detonate it with Tizquick, sacrificing herself rather than repeat her cycle of losing children.
  • TizquickDwarf who agrees to remain on the train and ensure a massive explosion, refusing to continue his role after realizing his daughter was a lie.
  • DonutCompanion creature who comments on the mission, purrs in Carl's ear, and worries about selling hats on the next floor.
  • ElleParty member who wastes a scroll to fly and promises to discuss it later; expresses relief when descending to the next floor.
  • ImaniParty member holding the line against ghouls at station 36 and attempting to intercept Agatha.
  • BautistaDistant ally who reports the successful explosion of generators at another station via system message.
  • Li JunParty member present at the trainyard after the portal closes.
  • Li NaParty member present at the trainyard talking with Li Jun after the portal closes.
  • AgathaOld woman crawler who appears at the stairwell pushing a shopping cart at level 8, heading into the next floor.
  • Loita (Admin)Administrator who sends system messages indicating Odette is waiting and that a new arrangement will be discussed in the green room.
  • OdetteCharacter mentioned as waiting for Carl in the green room to discuss a new arrangement.
  • ZevCharacter whose whereabouts Donut urgently inquires about; Loita refuses to discuss until they meet in person.
  • MordecaiReferenced as Carl's guide who provided knowledge about the dungeon's systems and the Map of the Stars.
  • Mistress TiathaReferenced as Donut's useless guide.
  • Princess FormidableReferenced as having given Katia a bolt weapon as a message to her brother.
  • ZhangParty member who climbs back into the cart and turns off the portal.
  • The MaestroPreviously defeated enemy referenced as having bailed on sponsorship after being teleported away.
  • Lucia MarReferenced in speculation about which champion fell based on a system message.
  • ShepherdReferenced in speculation about the fallen champion.
  • The goatReferenced in speculation about the fallen champion.
  • Carl's motherReferenced as having attempted to kill Carl's father and herself as a birthday present to Carl.
  • Carl's fatherReferenced as the target of Carl's mother's attempted murder.
  • Miss BeatriceReferenced in comparison when Donut assures Carl she would not abandon him.
  • The proprietorReferenced as having laughed at Carl's attempt to sell one of Donut's hats.
  • OdetteWaiting for Carl in the green room to discuss a new arrangement.