Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Ashley and Garett had the exact same thoughts as they came to this realization.

They were truly and utterly stuck together, forever.

From one perspective, this could be viewed as almost romantic. A man and a woman, unable to leave each others sides, adventuring and becoming stronger together.

But that would only be the case if this were some sort of fantasy novel.

This isn't a fantasy novel.

Even if Garett did pledge to protect Ashley, and to stay by her side, he didn't mean it like this. He was sure Ashley felt the same, after seeing her distraught face.

"Well... this... might not be so bad? Maybe? I'm sure we can figure things out if its just the two of us..."

Just the two of us...

...

Shit

Both of their eyes went wide as Garett said this, as they remembered back to the systems messages.

[1/3 Party members found]

There were still 2 more people.

Complete strangers.

"We have to avoid coming into contact with the other two party members at all costs.", Garett proclaimed.

It was dangerous to continue these adventures as a party of 2. They didn't have a healer. Garett was in a bad state. However, what was even more dangerous would be to be forced to work with strangers who had completely unknown personalities.

If these people were disagreeable, then this could create extreme problems in the long run. Especially so now that they would not be able to separate any more than 3 m from each other.

There was one more thing that Garett noticed that gave him a slight amount of peace, and that was...

[You are not permitted to perform an action without the party leader's consent]

This message.

Even if it followed the rules set by the 3 m limit, it seemed that the party members were not allowed to disobey him.

This could be seen as a great advantage, but with great power comes great responsibility.

In order to prevent his teammates from resenting him, he would not be able to freely exercise this right over them. He would only be allowed to use this in situations where there truly was a need to be cautious. Otherwise, he would be seen as a tyrant among the party.

Ashley agreed to Garett's statement.

It was simply too risky to be locked into this contract with random strangers. Ashley and Garett had just met each other, and didn't truly know or understand each other as people.

Just getting along between the two of them could be a challenge.

It was like when a boy and a girl go on a first date. At first, they would both be all proper and upright- minding their words and their posture, and taking care not to say anything to offend or disturb the other person.

However, once two people begin to live with each other, things change rapidly.

Their true selves are shown, and the skeletons in the closet come out.

"If you can't accept me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best."

This was a saying that Garett despised, but it certainly fit into the situation he was in right now.

He had to be careful, and maintain a good relationship between him and Ashley. If they got into arguments frequently, then a lot of issues would arise.

Communication was the key to avoiding this.

Being able to discuss ones views, and communicate them to the other person clearly so that a calm and civil conversation could occur when making a decision, and so that an outcome can be reached that is agreed upon by both parties.

Garett's life, and Ashley's as well, had suddenly been thrown into a diplomatic scene where mistakes couldn't be tolerated.

With this, Garett was slightly concerned about the "hidden side" that Ashley seemed to sometimes show. Her hatred towards people, and her wish to avoid them at all costs.

Garett understood where it came from, having been betrayed and thrown to the dogs himself by Daniel.

"Ashley. I said this already, but I will say it once more, now that we know that we are stuck together for who knows how long. We will spend our lives doing what is the best for ourselves, and nobody else. Regardless of what happens, our well being comes first. Do you agree"

Once more, Ashley softly smiled and nodded.

"Let's do this", she said.

----

"Now then, I think that we should take a look inside that secret chamber. But don't rush in! Be careful. There might be more traps, and we can't afford to spring any more of them right now."

Ashley nodded as Garett used his [Analyze] Ability on the small room.

Inside there was a small stone altar, and above it a sign read [Gifts for the Generous]

It was obvious to both of them that the gifts were meant for those who decided not to be greedy, and to give up money to the alcove in the hallway.

Two items lay on the Altar. An apparatus that had a glass distillery, a boiler, and a test tube rack and potion stand, along with a Maroon hood. The hood was not tattered, but it was slightly dirty and certainly wasn't something that the average girl would consider putting on so readily.

But contrary to expectations, Ashley asked Garett nervously.

"Can I have that?", pointing to the hood.

Garett pondered for a moment, and used [Analyze] on both of the items before responding.

[Ragged hood of lower magic. Magic Damage +1]

[Alchemy Station. Can be used by craftsmen to create potions. Blueprints required for any given potion.]

Garett cursed on the inside at seeing this. He knew how to make a healing potion, and even had some materials to do so, but did not currently have a blueprint.

"You can have the hood", Garett told Ashley, as she happily put it on.

"This girl isn't average... she seems to not care at all about her appearance. I wonder why that is?", Garett thought.

[Player: Ashley has equipped the ragged hood of lower magic]

[Player Garett has stored the Alchemy Apparatus in his inventory. Skill unlocked: Potion Brewing]

With this, the two exited the room and continued down the hallway.

There was only 1 path to go, and Garett hoped and prayed that it wouldn't lead him to the other two party members.

Holding out the torch of illusion, the two trudged forth through the stone cold hallways of the dungeon.