AFTERWORD

Chapter 50

Chapter 39

Overview

Carl and Donut return from confronting Orren about the AI breakout, only to find that the Bloc alliance has fractured and multiple warlords are repositioning. Back at base, Carl receives a military debrief and realizes the time has come to initiate Operation: Snake Pit—a critical raid against the nagas that is essential to saving both Donut and Katia from the dungeon floor.

Summary

After Orren questions whether Carl deliberately freed the AI, Carl deflects and prioritizes returning to base rather than discussing the broader implications. Despite Orren's plea for secrecy, Donut has already broadcast the events, triggering immediate responses from the warlord council. The Bloc alliance fractures: the Bone Clan and the Dream both leave, with the Dream apparently allied to Team Retribution. Carl notices Donut has antagonized War Chief Stalwart in the warlord chat, insulting him and his late father King Rust. Back at base, Boomer provides a military situation report: the southern front is stable, the northern forces are pursuing enemies and looting bodies, a Weeper tank malfunction caused significant casualties on the enemy side, and most of their mages were lost to the brain worm attack. Personnel updates indicate most crawlers are now affiliated with the Posse, though some remain unaccounted for or conscripted by other factions. Boomer then signals that it is time to initiate Operation: Snake Pit—the critical raid against the nagas that is necessary to secure Donut and Katia's freedom from the floor. A message from Katia arrives as Carl contemplates the stakes of the coming operation.

Characters

  • CarlProtagonist; receives mission debrief and authorizes the commencement of Operation: Snake Pit against the nagas
  • OrrenGovernment official; confronts Carl about breaking the AI free and expresses regret about being remembered as complicit in potential apocalypse
  • DonutCarl's companion; engages in trash talk with War Chief Stalwart in warlord chat and bounces around base with the animals
  • BoomerGrizzled elf officer; delivers comprehensive military and personnel debrief to Carl regarding base status and missing crawlers
  • FlorinMilitary commander; leads the 101st in pursuit of fleeing enemies on the northern front
  • Damascus SteelFormer stripper; appears briefly walking past the room, noted by Donut
  • War Chief StalwartOrc warlord; exchanges heated messages with Donut demanding return of his father's remains and other property
  • RosettaMentioned as recently having come into money; implied to be involved with base operations
  • TipidPresent at the castle with Rosetta; Carl plans to speak with them
  • Li NaMage coordinator; noted as understaffed and responsible for Shanty Town defenses
  • EllePersonnel officer tracking missing crawlers
  • ImaniPersonnel officer tracking missing crawlers
  • MongoDead king's giant swamp yak; dances around Donut and interacts with other animals at base
  • RendFollows Donut as she introduces Mongo to the animals
  • GonkSwamp yak; has Simoom the rhino by their side at base
  • SimoomRhino; remains at Gonk's side since arrival at base
  • Dong QuixoteStrokes Gonk the swamp yak while interacting with other animals at base
  • JamalShark; bounces and rolls around Dong Quixote and Gonk
  • KatiaSends message to Carl indicating return to base; recipient of Carl's mission planning
  • MordecaiMentioned as having warned Donut not to reveal what her spellbook does