Monster Drops Equipment, Warg Scout

"They must have come from the Ettenmoors."

Thorin asked, puzzled, "When did the Ogre start wandering further afield?"

"It hasn't been like this for an entire era." Gandalf's expression became more solemn. "It hasn't been like this since the Age of Darkness."

Upon hearing this, Thorin frowned slightly, but didn't take it too seriously.

Aaron couldn't help but swallow.

The terms "epoch" and "Age of Darkness" contain a wealth of information.

His curiosity was almost irrepressible, but he also knew that the more he knew, the more dangerous it would be. Before he understood this world well enough, keeping a low profile was the best course of action.

"They can't possibly act overnight," Gandalf murmured.

"This means there must be a cave nearby."

Thorin immediately led the group to search and found a filthy cave behind the Ogre camp.

Half of the men remained outside to keep watch, while Thorin led four dwarves inside, and Gandalf pulled Aaron in as well.

The dark, damp cave was swarming with disgusting flies, and the stench was overwhelming.

"Why does it smell so bad?" Nori frowned.

"This is the treasure vault of the Ogre," Gandalf explained. "Be careful not to touch anything."

After walking a few steps, Nori heard the sound of coins.

Looking down, there was a pile of scattered gold coins.

"It's such a waste to leave things like this lying around like this," Nori shook his head. "Anyone can take them."

Aaron's eyes lit up. Without caring whether they were dirty or not, he grabbed the gold coins and stuffed them into his purse.

After the money bag bulged, he grabbed another handful and put it in his pocket.

"You're really not being polite," Nori said, both amused and exasperated. "If I were you, I wouldn't do this."

Money is a good thing, but our team will hardly have any opportunities to earn money before reaching Lonely Mountain, while once we Lonely Mountain, it means we won't be short of money.

"You can't think like that. Money isn't everything, but you can't do without it," Aaron said seriously. "One of the truths I've always believed in is that money is money."

Gloin opened a box full of gold coins, then patted Nori on the shoulder, "Get me a shovel, let's bury it first."

Thorin stood there, stunned, in front of a wooden crate, his gaze drawn to several swords covered in spiderwebs.

As a dwarf prince who had participated in countless battles, he had a special feeling for weapons and knew very well that there were real treasures here.

He put down his torch, ignored the pile of defective products, and picked up the two most unusual ones. "These swords were not made by Ogre."

"Even a fool could see that they don't have the intelligence to forge anything." Aaron scoffed, then took one of the weapons from Thorin's hand.

The Longsword was slowly drawn from its sheath, accompanied by a crisp sword sound, its cold silver gleam shimmering slightly in the dark cave.

Aaron flicked his finger, listening intently to the sound of the sword.

"Tsk! Good stuff, absolutely good stuff."

Time has left almost no trace on it; there isn't a single gap on the blade. It is simply the most exquisite work of art.

This was made by a master blacksmith, though it cannot compare to...

"Incomparable to what?" Gandalf looked at Aaron with a half-smile. "Don't tell me you've seen a better sword?"

"No, I didn't, don't talk nonsense."

Aaron immediately denied it, but that's what he really thought.

These swords are all top-quality, but they are still somewhat inferior to the magic swords forged by Argus, and they don't even rank in the top three.

Gandalf examined the sword in Aaron's hand. "This was forged by the High Elves in Gondolin First Age."

Thorin's eyes flashed with resentment at the mention of "elf," and he disdainfully put the sword back into the box without even looking at it.

"There's no better sword to be found," Gandalf immediately reminded Yu.

Thorin struggled for a moment, but finally decided to switch to Zi's weapon.

After all, they had only gone a short distance before encountering Ogre, so the road ahead would not be so smooth.

"Gaius, you can use this sword!" Gandalf said with a smile. "Your combat experience is far greater than mine."

"No need, you can keep it for yourself!" Aaron said dismissively. "It would be too conspicuous for a little kid like me to use such a legendary weapon."

"This will be fine for me."

Aaron pulled a bow from the box, and then slung a bag of arrows over his shoulder.

The quality of this bow and arrow set is far inferior to the swords forged by the High Elves; it's just ordinary, mass-produced stuff. However, without using magic, he needs some ranged attack methods.

Gandalf raised an eyebrow, offered no objection, and tucked the sword into his waistband.

Back at the cave entrance, Nori, Bofur, Gloin were busy burying the treasures in the ground.

"You guys..." Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly, "Is it really necessary?"

"Long-term savings are very necessary," Gloin said casually, shoveling another shovelful of dirt into the pile of treasure.

"Let's leave this filthy place," Thorin said, and then led the way out.

As Gandalf walked out, he realized he had stepped on something.

He used his staff to lift the soil beneath his feet, and a short sword he had seen before came into view. His brows unconsciously relaxed.

"This is..." Aaron drew his short sword and couldn't help but click his tongue. "Your luck is just too good. The quality of this sword is no less than the one you have."

Moreover, it seems as if it's been enchanted, possessing a special power.

"A spell to detect orcs," Gandalf said with interest. "I think we should find a suitable person to use it."

Aaron smiled without saying a word, already knowing who he was talking about.

After leaving the cave, Gandalf went straight to Bilbo and said, "Here, this size suits you."

Bilbo took the short sword. He didn't know much about weapons, but looking at the exquisite ridge patterns on the hilt, he knew that this sword was quite valuable.

After a few seconds of silence, he handed the sword back. He didn't consider himself a warrior, and such a fine sword would only be a waste in his hands.

"This short sword was made by elves, and it glows blue when orcs approach."

"But I have never used a sword in my life."

"I can teach you," Aaron volunteered.

Hearing this, Bilbo was somewhat flattered.

Aaron had witnessed the battle between the Ogre firsthand, and even the peace-loving Hobbit couldn't help but feel their blood boil at the sight.

"Isn't this inappropriate?"

There's nothing inappropriate about it.

However, you need to be mentally prepared. My teaching level is average, and you have almost no combat talent.

Bilbo:...

Kuanxin, I'm still not suited for this sword.

"That's why this sword is right for you," Gandalf said meaningfully. "Bilbo, when this sword comes in handy, remember: true courage is not in taking lives, but in forgiving them."

Bilbo paused for a moment, then nodded seriously.

"Something is approaching," Dwalin said.

Thorin drew his armor and cautiously looked around. "Everyone, don't scatter."

Gandalf also came to his senses and drew the Longsword from his waist. "Quickly, arm yourselves."

The entire expedition team huddled together, nervously watching the direction from which the sound came. Once they confirmed it was the enemy, they would strike without mercy.

Aaron looked at Bilbo, who had drawn his short sword, and said, "Now the great teacher Gaius will teach you how to use a sword."

"What?" Bilbo was taken aback. "Are you sure it's now?"

"First, your hand holding the sword must not tremble." Aaron grasped Bilbo's right hand. "Ready?"

Bilbo took a deep breath and then nodded.

"Secondly, it is important to grasp the timing, intensity, and speed of the attack."

Victory or defeat, or even life or death, often hinges on a single moment.

"Thief, fire, murderer..."

Suddenly, a group of rabbits darted out of the jungle, pulling a sled and rushing over at an incredible speed.

The dwarf camp was slightly flustered, while Aaron grabbed Bilbo's right hand and pushed him forward.

The shouts abruptly stopped. The short old man holding the staff on the sled stared at the blade beside his neck, too frightened to move.

The dwarves immediately surrounded him, and almost every one of them devoted some of their attention to Aaron.

"Don't look at me like that. Staying calm in a crisis is a basic skill!"

"Can you teach me? That move is so cool!" Kili asked excitedly.

"I can't teach you that; you have to practice it yourself in real combat."

"You'll naturally learn it the more you practice swinging the sword."

"Um... could you please move this sword away first?"

I am the brown-robed Warlock, not your enemy.

How do I know if you're real or fake?

"He is real," Gandalf said, "the Brown Wizard Radagast."

Aaron raised an eyebrow and released his right hand.

Bilbo nervously sheathed his sword. "Aaron, you should teach me something else! Fighting is really not for me."

Uh... I'll try my best!

Gandalf approached the brown-robed Warlock. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for you, Gandalf." Radagast was very anxious, even somewhat incoherent. "Something terrible has happened, something very terrible has happened."

"How so?"

Just as Radagast was about to speak, he hesitated and said, "Give me a minute to think about it."

I forgot about it the moment I thought of it; the words were already on the tip of my tongue.

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and stuck out his tongue.

Gandalf slowly reached out and took a stick worm from Radagast's tongue.

"We need to talk privately," Radagast said in a low voice. "This isn't something we should let too many people know about right now."

Gandalf looked at the group of dwarves and then focused his gaze on Thorin.

"Okay! But it'd better be quick."

"Aaron, you come too."

"I won't." Aaron refused outright.

Just kidding. The brown-robed Warlock has been saying that something bad is going to happen, so he's not stupid enough to go looking for trouble.

"You are Warlock, it is your responsibility to know."

"I have never admitted to being Warlock."

"Good heavens! I never thought that besides dwarves, you, child, could also give me a headache."

Radagast sized up Aaron. "Are you sure he's Warlock? I don't think I've ever seen one before."

Aaron chuckled awkwardly, "My ancestors may have had some connection with Warlock, but that has nothing to do with me, and I've forgotten it."

"How long are you going to keep using this excuse?" Gandalf said speechlessly.

Aaron curled his lip. This excuse was already riddled with holes. As long as there was no evidence to prove that he didn't have his memories, this excuse could be used indefinitely.

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Gandalf reluctantly pulled Radagast aside.

The Grey Wizard and the brown-robed Warlock stopped not far from the group.

Radagast said with a solemn expression, "The Mirkwood is sick, Gandalf."

Darkness enveloped the earth, all things ceased to grow, only rotten things sprouted, the air was filled with the stench of decay, and worst of all were the nets.

"The net?" Gandalf's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"The spider, Gandalf."

"They're huge, definitely descendants of the Ungoliant, otherwise I wouldn't be Warlock," Radagast said seriously. "I've been tracking them; they come from Dol Guldur."

Aaron watched the two Warlock from afar, feeling agitated, and a large "danger" even appeared in his mind.

He had also studied lip reading, and it couldn't be hidden from Gandalf and Radagast's conversation, but the information he deciphered made him regret 'eavesdropping'.

A sick forest, giant spiders, an abandoned castle, unprecedented Dark Power, ancient and terrifying shadows, and necromancers who summon the dead.

Damn! These words are all signs of an impending storm.

He's only been in this world for a short time and he's already encountered this mess; he could easily get dragged into it if he's not careful.

At this moment, Bilbo patted him on the shoulder, pulling him back from his reverie.

"Aaron, what are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Bilbo glanced at the two Warlock and asked, somewhat puzzled, "This is Warlock council, aren't you curious?"

"Because I'm afraid of trouble." Aaron shrugged frankly. "My past experience has taught me that trouble is unavoidable; it will always appear at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place."

"Actively provoking and being provoked are two completely different things."

Bilbo seemed to understand, yet he also deeply agreed with it.

If Gandalf hadn't arranged the dwarves' meeting at his house, he wouldn't have signed any contracts and would probably be comfortably lounging in a chair smoking now.

Awoo!

Just then, a wolf howl echoed through the forest.

The dwarves immediately became alert, and Gandalf and Radagast quickly returned.

"That's a wolf howl. Are there wolves here?" Bilbo asked.

"No, that's not a wolf." Nori gripped his weapon tightly, his mind racing as he scanned his surroundings.

"It's a giant wolf." Aaron saw a brown giant wolf, over a meter tall, staring down at them from above. He immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow.

The arrow pierced the giant wolf's skull, and just as it was about to pounce, it fell from mid-air.

The first giant wolf charged down from another direction, and a group of dwarves swarmed forward, attacking with swords, axes, and hammers.

Thorin swung his sword and slashed the giant wolf across the neck, killing it.

However, he was not happy at all; instead, his face was full of contemplation. "The Warg scouts, that is, the army of orcs, are nearby."

"An army of orcs?" Bilbo panicked. He hadn't even recovered from the shadow of the Ogre when he was plunged into an even greater one.

"Besides your people, who else have you mentioned the expedition to?" Gandalf asked Thorin anxiously.

There was no one else.

"Who did you mention it to?" Gandalf asked again, his tone becoming somewhat stern.

"I swear there was no one else."

Hearing this, Gandalf became even more anxious.

Since the expedition plan was decided by him and Thorin, if Thorin didn't leak it, then the only one who could have leaked it was him, and that's impossible.