Carl immediately understands that Donut holding both remaining keys creates an impossible choice. One key opens the Capitol exit, which will fail within minutes, and the other opens the church exit guarded by Imani. Because the rules prevent simply handing a key to Ren, any attempt to transfer one would require risky card-battle mechanics, forced teleportation, and a random key drop that could strand either Ren’s squad or Carl and Donut.

Carl considers desperate alternatives, including using Samantha, the red spider, or the Loop de Loop trap, but every option would either take too long, kill Khulan, abandon Imani, or leave someone else doomed. Ren recognizes the same situation. Instead of challenging Carl and Donut for the key, Ren sits down beside Garret and chooses not to force a fight that would only serve the dungeon’s entertainment.

Ren tells Carl that he and Donut matter more than one squad’s survival because they have become symbols of hope and have earned a place in Faction Wars. Ren believes Imani would also refuse to take Carl’s only path forward. As the Capitol exit is officially rendered inaccessible, Ren begins giving Carl her gear, including her flamethrower Velma, scrolls, potions, armor, and other useful items.

Ren then explains that Garret, her tummy acher pet, can regenerate but gains new weaknesses each time. To protect Garret from dying with Ren and to reset his bond, Ren kills him with the Knife of Frozen Tears, made from one of his known weaknesses, Sylvan crystal. Garret regenerates as a small level-one pet with no name, and Ren places him in a carrier for Carl, warning Carl about Garret’s weaknesses and asking Carl to care for him.

Ren explains that Khulan has lost everyone, including her child and husband, and that Ren has nothing left except faith that Carl will make the dungeon’s architects regret what they have done. Ren reveals she intends to use an explosive wrist device rather than give the audience the fight they want. Before Carl leaves, Ren admits to Donut that she cheated at the pet show and tried to steal experience, then Khulan adds her own gear to the pile. Ren also gives Carl her usable cards, including rare special and mystic cards, and Carl promises Ren that he will kill every last one of their enemies.