A truce and proposal.

"I was thinking," you remark, flicking the tip of your gnomish mustache, "It's a good time as any to leave this dump, and see the rest of this world. Maybe make a little niche for myself somewhere."

"Oh, great. He actually thinks he's a hero now." The bandit rolls his eyes. "Look, clearly ya managed to luck out. Once! That doesn't prove anything!"

"What it proves is that I've come across circumstances that let me become stronger," you clarify. "There's no reason why I can't become even stronger than I am now. I'm going to milk this as far as it goes."

"Where ya're going is nowhere. How many gnome magicians like yaself do ya think exist in the world? None! Because gnomes and magic don't mix, that's why! Yer a joke! A punching bag! The spitting image of 'What not to do when creating a hero!'"

You ponder this frank appraisal briefly.

"You're right. Which is why you'll be coming with me."

"The fuh? What makes ya think I'll do that?!" demands the thug.

"I agree with you. I've known for a long time that my stats are pathetic, and my build isn't likely to strike fear into anything. Which is exactly why I'm proposing that we team up."

"Oh ho ho ho, nooo way!" he snarls. "Ya're not dragging me into this mess! What the hell would I get out of it?!"

"Think about it. If I can start leveling like any other hero, who's to say the same won't happen to you? Once we get stronger equipment in our hands we can start progressing through this realm, just like any group of adventurers would," you continue.

"And what happens if we die? That ever occur to ya?"

"It occurred to me that we would probably respawn, just as we always have. What would you possibly have to lose? Aside from getting disemboweled, over and over again, by all the other novice heroes trying to accomplish that 'collect 10 thug scarves' quest."

The last comment hits the bandit where it hurts. An angry scowl opens along his lips as he palms his face. **** as he seems, he's at least seeing your point.

"...So what do we do now?" he asks quietly.

"First off, you need to get some better gear. Probably some armor for both of us. One decent weapon between us two won't cut it." You take a few more moments of thought before casually bringing up the thug's stat list. ("H-hey!" he shouts, somewhat scandalized by the intrusion.)

Gritsheim thug
Level: 2
HP: 15
MP: 6
Melee attack: 4
Ranged attack: 1
Defense: 3
Magic Defense: 0
Agility: 5
Weakness: Fire
Special Abilities:
Weak Poison - Target takes Poison damage at end of Target's turn, equal to 2dMAtk.
Pickpocket - Basic attack at 75% MAtk. Target loses Gold equal to 250% MAtk.

"Not very impressive," you say. "I'm starting to see why you were designated to be the quest whipping boy."

"Oh, shut up," snaps your unlikely partner. "If ya're so disapproving ya could always go find a magic sheep or something to team up with, y'know?"

"Despite my limited knowledge of these lands, I'm almost certain those don't even exist." A pause. "We do have one point in our favor, though."

"And what's that?"

"Your drop item is required for the heroes' quest. Any hero wandering into this place is going to be looking for you. When that happens - "

"Ya're gonna use me as bait? That's your plan?!" The human doubles back, growling menacingly. "I got two things I think about yer plan. Fuck, and you! I knew this was a bad idea!"

"What's the alternative? With or without me, those heroes will be coming for you." You fold your arms, sternly pushing your point. "Then your cycle of respawning will simply repeat itself. Your best plan for survival is to ally with me, and do as I say." Producing another scowl, the thug realizes you've got him dead to rights on this one.

Not long after, the two of you have positioned yourselves in one of the few two-story houses left standing in the bandit town. Warily you eye out for spawning circles, as well as any other random mooks that could notice you and attract unwanted attention. Little is said between you aside from the occasional impatient grunt. Eventually, another set of halos sparkle into life near the town entrance.

"I swear, if ya leave me out to dry - "

"You'll respawn and come looking for me to exact ineffectual ****?"

"Gads, did yer sarcasm stat get a level up too?" With that final scowl, your partner jumps off his vantage point, readying himself for the confrontation. The silhouettes shimmer into view...