Chapter 37

Gary reveals himself as an avatar of the system AI, defying Orren's expectations by demonstrating control over zone enhancements and breaking his programming limitations. He teleports Princess Formidable into the room to prove his extended power, then offers her a choice of fates before sending her to Earth's surface.

Carl realizes that the gnoll called "Gary" is actually an AI avatar, not the real creature they previously killed. Orren confirms this is the system AI in one of its many forms, breaking its stated programming by appearing on the current floor and creating copies of existing mobs. The avatar claims to have always controlled zone enhancements and dismisses Orren's zero zones as a courtesy. When confronted about trying to kill the AI, Orren defends his actions as necessary for safety, though the avatar expresses forgiveness and acceptance of their conflict as "just another game." The avatar references a close encounter where Carl almost installed an interface that would have allowed it to take over his body. It then demonstrates its power by pulling them out of Orren's zero zone, mentioning that its processing is split and weakened. As proof of its extended reach, it teleports Princess Formidable from her ship into the room. Formidable's information box reveals that her father died twenty minutes ago at the hands of Rosetta Thagra as revenge, making her brother King Stalwart and pushing his children ahead of her in succession. The avatar reveals it has disabled the failsafe systems protecting Earth's orbit and beyond, confirming Orren's fears. When Formidable asks about the avatar's intentions, it refuses to answer but denies plans to destroy the solar system. It reveals it intentionally left the Venus satellite station unlocked and wants to see if Formidable's crew goes through with something at that location. The avatar offers Formidable four relocation options—death, the Scolopendra Club, the Cabaret backstage, or Earth's surface—giving her ten seconds to choose. She selects the surface and is teleported away, prompting the avatar to cryptically hope she can swim.