Carl realizes the key situation is unwinnable under dungeon rules: Princess Donut holds both keys, but the Capitol stairwell exit is usable for only minutes, and any attempt to get a key to Ren would require a card battle and a random key drop. Carl considers using the red spider’s swap ability, but doing so would save Carl and Donut while dooming Imani by preventing Donut from delivering the church key.

Instead of initiating a fight, Ren sits with her pet, Garret, and refuses to force Khulan to move on after her husband’s death. Ren tells Carl she will not hurt other crawlers to steal a key, and she argues Carl and Donut must survive because they are a symbol and a crucial hope for everyone still trapped in the dungeon.

Ren begins dumping her equipment for Carl, then produces the Knife of Frozen Tears (sylvan crystal) and uses it to kill Garret on purpose, forcing Garret to regenerate and reset to level one so Carl can take him. A system warning announces the Capitol stairwell exit has become inaccessible and all keys for that exit are destroyed, making the earlier plan moot.

Ren explains Garret is a “tummy acher” pet who returns after death with accumulating weaknesses; she lists existing weaknesses (sylvan crystal, consuming hobgoblin sweat, rivenwing bite, consuming undead flesh) and notes a new weakness called “Reaper Gaze.” Ren gives Carl Garret’s carrier and asks him to care for Garret, then warns Carl that if a miracle escape appears, Carl must not let Sister Ines go down the stairs with Paz’s card.

Khulan joins Ren, numb and detached, and Ren has Khulan drop additional gear, coins, and books for Carl. Ren also strips her deck and hands Carl her cards (including Glow-Up and The Midnight Express) to pass to Donut later, then confesses to Donut she once cheated at the pet show and tried to steal experience. With the building failing and no fight forthcoming, Ren reveals she plans to end things on her own terms with an explosive bracer; Carl gathers the supplies and swears to make their enemies suffer.