Chapter 23 of 78 · Book 5, The Butcher's Masquerade

Chapter 23 — Congratulations, Murderer

Book: The Butcher's Masquerade · Part: The Vengeance of the Daughter · Previous: Chapter 22 — Samantha, open wide · Next: Chapter 24 — The rock chucker · Floor: Floor 6 — The Hunting Grounds · Series: the series

Opening

» You have leveled up the Ring of Divine Suffering.

Summary

'You have leveled up the Ring of Divine Suffering. It now gives two stat points for every kill.' A point of constitution, two trophies, level 55, and hands Carl wipes on his shirt because he forgot to summon the gauntlet; the beavers look at each other. Akland's inventory: biscuits and another gonorrhoea arrow meant for Louis. Donut, by chat: 'That was unnecessarily gruesome, Carl […] It's like you're getting angrier and angrier, and it's scaring me.' He promises to kill them clean from now on; she suggests a catchphrase instead of Raging Bull. His bracelet for her: the Enchanted Obsidian Bracelet of the Raggle Rouser, upgraded three times, +10 constitution, +5 dexterity, fire resistance and a level-10 Fireball every twenty minutes. 'I know how fire works, Carl.' Samantha rolls off to bark at an Ursine cleric — 'What in Pawna's name?' 'Pawna is a big liar […] she's into soaking' — and Donut compares her to the Critters: rolling, biting, attracting trouble, and stronger than Mordecai said a withering spirit could ever get, faster than she was that morning. 'I wish Katia was here. It's difficult being the voice of reason.'

Characters

• Carl — Two points a kill now; level 55; promises clean kills.
• Princess Donut — Frightened by his anger; a fireball bracelet; the voice of reason.
• Samantha — Barks at a cleric, slanders Pawna, and is getting stronger.
• Akland — Dead; biscuits and an arrow for Louis.
• Clint Smashgrab — Looks at Holger nervously.

Locations

• Point Mongo — A pole, a church, a cleric at his door.

Motifs

• The Ring of Divine Suffering — Levelled: two stat points a kill; 'Congratulations, Murderer.'
• Staying human — 'It's scaring me.'
• The gods — Samantha on Pawna.