Cheers

"This enhancement will consume 1 point of Soul Power. Proceed?"

Looking at the virtual data prompt that popped up before him, Morgan tapped it.

A pale white light flickered, and the Soul Power counter quickly dropped to zero.

"Archery LV2"

The moment the virtual data shifted before his eyes, Morgan could clearly feel a surge of heat being injected into his body.

At the same time, a wealth of information regarding Archery flooded into his mind.

It was a series of details concerning shooting angles, arrow trajectories, and the various nuances one must pay attention to while firing.

He quietly felt and internalized this newfound memory of Archery.

Morgan realized that his previous understanding of Archery had been far too superficial.

He now felt a strong, urgent impulse to pick up a bow and arrow to test it out for himself.

But opening his eyes to see the deep night surrounding him, and the wizard Gandalf sleeping peacefully not far away, Morgan forcibly suppressed the urge.

The night passed until dawn.

As the eastern horizon began to brighten, Morgan opened his eyes.

After a simple wash, Morgan and Gandalf once again ate roasted bear meat for breakfast.

The giant bear's carcass was massive; even after two meals, there was still far too much left over.

The giant bear's body was a valuable commodity, and Morgan couldn't bring himself to abandon it.

However, the carcass was too large, and with only two horses between them, it was impossible to transport the whole thing.

So, Morgan began to butcher the giant bear, and Gandalf reached out to help.

Gutting the bear and carving up the meat didn't take too long.

When slabs of bloody bear meat were finally strapped onto the backs of the two horses, the pair set off.

According to what they had agreed upon yesterday, Morgan rode behind Gandalf, and the two moved at a brisk pace toward the distance.

Gandalf's estimation was correct.

Before evening had even arrived, the two, while mounted, spotted low-lying houses beginning to appear in the distance ahead.

"That is Hobbiton up ahead."

Seeing the town in sight, Gandalf slowed the pace of his horse significantly.

They had been galloping all day.

Morgan knew better than anyone the pain of a backside constantly jolted and chafed by the saddle.

Hearing Gandalf's words, Morgan let out a long sigh of relief and instinctively slowed his own horse.

With the destination so close, there was no need to rush.

Gandalf had already taken out his long pipe and began pulling tobacco from his pouch, rolling it into small balls to pack into the bowl.

"Phew, finally going to see some living people."

Morgan sighed aloud as he looked into the distance, causing Gandalf, who had just taken a deep puff into his lungs, to choke and cough repeatedly.

"Cough, cough."

What does this kid mean? Am I not a living person?

Bringing this kid to meet Thorin and the others might not have been the right choice.

Gandalf glanced sideways at Morgan, muttering to himself.

"Of course, Gandalf, you don't count."

Seeing the strange look Gandalf was giving him, Morgan immediately added, "I didn't mean you aren't a person; you're obviously a living person."

"What I meant was, Gandalf, you are a wizard—"

Seeing Morgan digging himself into a deeper hole, Gandalf gave a light cough and interrupted, "Cough, cough."

"Shut your mouth, I know what you meant."

"Let's just get into town and deal with this bear meat as soon as possible."

"It's been baking in the sun all day; if we wait any longer, the price will drop significantly."

Gandalf puffed on his pipe with a calm expression, though he had already made up his mind to fleece Morgan for a meal.

After last night and the idle chatter throughout the journey today, the two had become quite familiar with each other.

They understood each other's temperaments well enough that they didn't mind joking around.

"You're right."

"However, I'm not familiar with this place, so I'll have to trouble you to handle this bear meat, Gandalf."

Morgan laughed as he spoke, once again putting Gandalf to work.

In the memories of the plot, he knew Gandalf to be righteous, humorous, talkative, and a bit reserved.

After interacting with him now, he truly discovered that Gandalf possessed exactly that kind of personality.

For someone with this temperament, being generous and frank was the best way to get along and build a rapport.

Morgan had already decided that once the bear meat was processed, he would definitely treat Gandalf to a grand feast, and also properly satisfy his own hunger.

For some time now, he had been living a life akin to a savage in the wilderness.

Although he ate game at every meal.

Without anything other than a small amount of salt, no matter how good the game was, it couldn't taste delicious.

Because he lacked other utensils, the only method of preparation was the most basic roasting.

After eating it for a continuous period, he felt like vomiting just at the sight of roasted meat.

Even the giant bear meat could only be tasted for its novelty.

Gandalf puffed on his pipe, neither confirming nor denying.

The two rode their horses at a brisk pace toward the town ahead.

As the sunset glow filled the horizon.

The two rode into the town.

Soon, figures began to appear one after another on the road ahead—figures of very short stature.

Morgan knew clearly that he must have arrived at the Hobbiton that Gandalf had mentioned; those short-statured people were the original inhabitants here, the Hobbits, also known as Halflings.

On the lush green hills and slopes, exquisite, bunker-like small wooden houses with circular door frames were scattered in a well-ordered fashion.

Green low hills, small fences, railings, flowers of various colors, bluestone paths, rivers clear to the bottom, busy little Hobbits, and even smaller Hobbits running barefoot along the paths in the hills and woods.

It was a peaceful, leisurely, and delightful pastoral scene that gladdened the heart.

Walking into this town, Morgan had a distinct feeling—a feeling as if he were immersed in a fairy-tale world.

In his previous life, Morgan had personally visited New Zealand, the filming location for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Although the "Hobbiton" there was still beautiful, the sense of artificial craftsmanship was too strong.

But here, all the scenery was so leisurely and natural.

"Perhaps when I'm old, coming here to retire and settle down would be a very good choice."

The thought that suddenly popped into his mind made Morgan shake his head with a laugh.

Although retirement was still a long way off, it showed Morgan's inner yearning for the beautiful pastoral environment of Hobbiton.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"I was just like you when I first came here."

Watching Morgan constantly looking around, Gandalf exhaled a leisurely puff of smoke and smiled.

"Is this Hobbiton?"

"It really is beautiful."

Morgan watched for a long while and said with a sigh of admiration.

"Of course, the homeland of the Hobbits is one of the most beautiful places in all of Middle-earth."

"I like these industrious little fellows."

After finishing the last puff of smoke, Gandalf tapped his pipe against his shoe, wiped it clean, looked up, and continued:

"Let's go. You won't sell that giant bear meat just by standing here."

"Follow me."

Gandalf said, tugging on the reins, and turned to head forward.

Morgan hurriedly followed.

An hour later.

Inside the noisy Blackcurrant Tavern in Hobbiton.

Morgan and Gandalf sat opposite each other at a table, clinking their large wooden tankards together with force.

"Cheers."