I obviously enjoyed this game enough to sink consecutive hours into it. That’s what annoyed me so much. I don’t want to get NTRed simply because I wasn’t properly informed, nor was I able to change my plan once I was fully aware of the situation. If you aren’t meant to be aware of Grug’s presence, which I completely understand, there should be a third option: “We’ll come back better prepared.” If you choose to negotiate, there should be another option available now that you have been completely informed of the circumstances: “We should come back better prepared.” Once you have made that decision, you should be free to wander the map as usual: to go to Greyport, to visit the well, or whatever else you need to do to resolve the situation. After all, roleplaying games are about putting yourself in those characters’ shoes, and if I weren’t able to defeat a dangerous foe but knew that magical potions existed and would likely make the fight winnable, then I would go and acquire them. Given that, it should be an option.