Enhancement

"Is the effect really that immediate?"

Hearing Gandalf go from hesitant to eagerly reassuring him in the blink of an eye, Morgan was stunned.

In Gandalf's heart, he did think that this bounty hunter named Morgan seemed like a decent fellow.

But that was all. He had known the man for far too little time.

Next, he was heading to Hobbiton in the Shire to find the last member of the Expedition Team: a Halfling burglar named Bilbo Baggins.

He would also meet up with the Dwarf company led by Thorin Oakenshield, prince of Durin's Folk.

When he heard that Morgan wanted to take on a commission, Gandalf had indeed considered introducing him to Thorin Oakenshield.

After all, the journey to the Lonely Mountain was long, arduous, and dangerous. Having another capable bounty hunter along would be a good thing.

But their destination was the Lonely Mountain, the former home of the Dwarf kingdom of Durin's Folk.

Before adding a member to the Expedition Team, Gandalf would have to get the Dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield's approval.

Originally, Gandalf had planned to introduce Morgan to the Dwarves first, then see if he could somehow persuade Thorin Oakenshield to let Morgan join the Expedition Team.

That might give this bounty hunter, who had gone so long without a job, a commission.

But just a moment ago,

Gandalf had suddenly decided that Morgan was a fine fellow: he had treated a stranger to roast bear meat at their first meeting, had a good sense of humor, and was warm and generous.

At the same time, Gandalf felt sorry for Morgan. He was a capable bounty hunter, yet he had fallen on hard times after going so long without a commission. He had even lost his way. Gandalf thought Morgan's luck was truly terrible.

Under the influence of these two strong emotions, Gandalf felt that he ought to help the fellow out.

And so, he had promised Morgan that he would find him a commission.

Though he hadn't said so outright, the commission in question was really about getting Morgan into the Expedition Team.

But as soon as the promise left his lips, Gandalf immediately felt that something was amiss.

It wasn't that he regretted it.

Still, this was something he should have discussed with Thorin Oakenshield first.

It was no small matter.

But he had already given his word, and Gandalf couldn't very well go back on it.

At most, he would speak up for Morgan when the time came.

Besides, he really did think that having another capable bounty hunter in the Expedition Team would be a good thing.

It wasn't as though he would have to pay the man.

"Oh, Gandalf, you're not joking with me?"

Morgan quickly came to his senses and looked up at the Grey Wizard.

"Of course not. I never joke about serious matters."

Gandalf took a final puff from his pipe, slowly exhaled the smoke, and shrugged with a smile.

"Well, then, I have to say, you've got a good eye, Gandalf!"

"I'm one of the finest bounty hunters in the world. You won't regret choosing me."

"Too bad I've run out of drink, or I'd treat you to a cup."

Morgan spoke happily, then quite naturally started feeling around for his drink.

Morgan had acted well from beginning to end, and he really had run out of drink.

"That's all right. We're not far from where we're going."

"We should arrive tomorrow night. You can treat me to a drink then."

Gandalf finished the last puff from his pipe, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and tapped the long stem with a smile.

"Of course. One cup won't be enough."

Having taken the first step toward joining the story, Morgan laughed heartily.

Although Gandalf hadn't yet explained what commission he would give him,

based on what Morgan had observed of Gandalf, as well as his knowledge of the story,

he guessed that Gandalf was heading into the opening events of the first installment of The Hobbit Trilogy: "Gandalf and the Dwarf company led by Thorin Oakenshield gather at Bilbo Baggins's Bag End."

This was the beginning of the epic tale that would unfold across all of Middle-earth.

Night deepened. Their bellies full, the two stopped talking and leaned against the tree trunks behind them, closing their eyes to rest.

There were no dangerous monsters nearby. With the stench of the enormous Giant Bear's corpse hanging in the air, ordinary beasts wouldn't dare approach.

Besides, with Morgan and Gandalf's abilities, they could react if anything tried to sneak up on them at night. There was no need for anyone to keep watch.

Morgan didn't know whether Gandalf had fallen asleep, but he was certainly still awake.

The Virtual Panel of the Time Traveler System that had appeared in Morgan's mind was now different from how it had looked before he met Gandalf.

[Time Traveler: Morgan]

[Race: Human]

[Biological Level: First Tier]

[Soul Power: 1]

[Attributes: Strength +; Constitution +; Agility +; Spirit +]

[Abilities: Common Tongue; Muay Thai LV2; White Crow Swordsmanship LV1; Archery LV1]

[Talent: Intimacy (Special Skill)]

[Current World Exploration Progress: 0.1%]

[.]

At a glance, it didn't seem any different from when Morgan had burned the bear paw.

But on closer inspection, one could see that the "Current World Exploration Progress" line near the bottom of the Virtual Panel had changed.

The progress, which had previously been only "0.01%," had now become "0.1%"!

Ever since he'd burned the bear paw—cough.

Since then, Morgan had barely moved.

In fact, from the moment he'd transmigrated into this body to the time he'd killed the two guards and obtained the Time Traveler System, the world exploration progress had been 0.01%.

And now, half a month had passed.

Morgan had ridden his horse who knew how far, but the world progress on the Virtual Panel had remained stuck at 0.01%. It hadn't changed at all.

Now, in just a few short hours, the world exploration progress had shot up from 0.01% to 0.1%.

He couldn't think of any other reason besides meeting Gandalf.

It also matched the idea he had been pondering earlier.

The world exploration progress on the Virtual Panel was closely tied to the characters in Middle-earth.

If Morgan wanted to increase his world exploration progress, he had to get involved.

That must be what the system required.

What's more, Morgan could increasingly sense how important the world exploration progress was.

Perhaps it was the equivalent of a mission assigned to him by the Time Traveler System.

As long as the world exploration progress continued to rise, he would surely unlock more information about the system.

Having figured this out, Morgan stopped dwelling on it.

He soon turned his attention to the Soul Power entry.

Should he enhance his four attributes?

Or upgrade his three abilities?

Morgan fell into deep thought.

As for his four attributes, this body was only twenty-one years old, brimming with youthful energy and vigor.

He had only one point of Soul Power. Enhancing the four attributes wouldn't make much difference to his strength.

Gandalf had already said they would reach their destination tomorrow.

By Morgan's estimate, he should meet the stubborn, exceedingly proud Dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield tomorrow, or the day after at the latest.

Thorin placed great importance on this expedition. It wouldn't be easy to join the Expedition Team.

Morgan knew how stubborn the man was. Gandalf's recommendation alone wouldn't be enough; without showing Thorin that he had real ability, it would be very difficult.

So, what he needed to enhance now was the ability that would most clearly improve his strength and make the greatest impression.

With that in mind, Morgan immediately ruled out enhancing his four attributes.

Instead, he focused on the abilities section.

Muay Thai was a fighting style he had trained in for over a decade in his previous life. Its offensive power and lethality were no joke.

But when he thought of this fantastical world, and the enemies he would face in the future,

Morgan quickly shifted his attention.

White Crow Swordsmanship and Archery were abilities this body already knew.

Over the past half month, Morgan had also mastered them.

These were the two abilities he most wanted to enhance right now.

And if he wanted to improve his strength as noticeably as possible, making it obvious enough to impress Thorin Oakenshield and the other Dwarves,

Morgan's gaze decisively settled on the skill "Archery LV1."

The next second,

a pale light flashed.

"Archery LV2"

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