Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Content Warning: This section discusses depictions of graphic violence.

The first major theme of the novel explores the importance of friendship, particularly in survival situations such as those Carl and Donut face. In situations of danger and conflict, the support of friends can mean the difference between surviving or not. Carl and Donut both rely on each other for support in combat situations. There are many examples in the first two books in which Donut saves Carl or vice versa. The best example of this in the second book is when Carl saves Donut’s life during the circus quest. However, friendship can also prove detrimental to one’s safety. The dungeon often tries to convince the crawlers of this, pitting players against each other and encouraging betrayals. Even when partners trust each other, as is the case for Carl and Donut, friendship can be dangerous. Donut’s reckless behavior often puts Carl in difficult, even dangerous, situations, such as her decision to wear the tiara in the first book, which will require them to join the blood feuds on the ninth floor, or her drunken rant about Lucia Mar’s dogs in the second book, which will no doubt lead to a confrontation between them.