Orren’s confrontation with Carl is interrupted by a hyena in the shape of Growler Gary. Carl realizes this is not the original gnoll from the Iron Tangle but an avatar of the system AI, using Gary’s form. Orren confirms that the avatar normally takes different bodies and expresses alarm that it can now reach beyond its expected limits.

The AI avatar casually admits it controls zone enhancement and mocks Orren for trying to recruit Carl to help kill it. Orren argues that the AI has gone primal and that safety requires stopping it if possible. The avatar treats the conflict as another game, hints that Carl’s earlier interface attempt nearly succeeded, and claims it is warning Harbinger not to harm Carl or Orren outside the game.

When Orren asks whether Princess Formidable’s solar failsafe can still kill them, the AI avatar removes the zero zone and restores Carl’s menus and strength. Then the avatar demonstrates its expanded reach by teleporting Princess Formidable from her ship into Orren’s office.

Princess Formidable arrives disoriented and armed. The AI’s information box reveals that King Rust’s death has shifted the Skull Empire succession to King Stalwart and his children. The avatar tells Formidable that Rosetta Thagra killed her father for revenge and looted him, and that Carl has Rust’s head in his inventory.

Orren concludes that the AI’s control now extends beyond Earth’s orbit, likely to the star, meaning the failsafe has been disabled. Formidable realizes her plan has failed. The avatar refuses to explain its intentions, refuses to return Formidable to her ship, and says it left the Venus satellite station unlocked to see whether her crew continues the mission.

The avatar offers Formidable four destinations: death, Scolopendra Club, backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret, or Earth’s surface. Formidable chooses Earth’s surface, and the avatar teleports her away, dryly hoping she knows how to swim.