Challenge

"Are they having a party in there?"

Standing in front of Bilbo's Bag End, Morgan, who knew the story, could already imagine Bilbo's furious reaction. He chuckled to himself and asked casually.

"Perhaps. You know how much Dwarves love a party."

Gandalf rubbed his nose and replied, then stepped forward and pressed the doorbell.

Just then, Morgan noticed that the branch mark Gandalf had made during the day was now glowing faintly.

"Enough! I've had it! Let's see how many more Dwarves there are—how many more!!!"

Before the door had even opened, Morgan heard Bilbo's furious roar from inside.

"Whoosh."

The door swung open. Seeing the two people outside, Bilbo froze for a moment.

He had no idea when he'd stuck his foot into a Dwarf nest. He'd thought the only ones coming would be those rude, savage, foul-smelling Dwarves.

He hadn't expected the two people he'd met that morning.

From the Dwarves who had arrived one after another—more than a dozen of them—Bilbo had already learned a little about what was going on.

Now, seeing these two, he couldn't help feeling suspicious.

"Good evening, Bilbo!"

Morgan, standing to one side, suddenly greeted him.

"I'm Morgan. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"We met this morning. Do you remember?"

Faced with Morgan's smile, Bilbo remained courteous.

Of course, perhaps it was simply because he'd seen how savage and rude the Dwarves in the room were. By comparison, these two really were much more polite.

Bilbo managed a smile. "Of course."

He stepped into the room.

Morgan finally saw in person the Dwarves he'd previously encountered only in movies and television.

They were about as tall as Hobbits, perhaps even a little taller.

But when it came to body hair, Dwarves were far more hirsute than Hobbits.

It was easy to tell from their hair, which was generally braided, and their thick, full beards.

"Gandalf!"

"Gandalf, you're finally here."

"Good evening, Gandalf."

The Dwarves greeted Gandalf one after another.

Morgan noticed that the oddly dressed Dwarves kept hauling food out of Bilbo's pantry in great quantities and setting it on the largest table in the room.

The cozy, charming Bag End was now in complete disarray.

The thick, beautiful carpet was covered in muddy stains.

The Dwarves had clearly made the mess, so no wonder Bilbo was furious.

"Who's this?"

"Who's he?"

After greeting Gandalf, the Dwarves soon noticed Morgan, and one of them asked.

"This is the helper I found."

Gandalf had barely started speaking when someone knocked on the door again.

Gandalf, who was standing near the entrance, turned and opened it.

Morgan saw a tall, handsome, resolute-looking Dwarf standing outside, wearing a fine coat of mail beneath an expensive fur cloak.

"Gandalf, this place you mentioned certainly wasn't easy to find."

"I got lost twice. If it hadn't been for the mark on the door, I never would've found it."

The tall, handsome Dwarf said this as he entered Bag End. The other Dwarves immediately bowed their heads in greeting.

Bilbo, however, caught something amiss and quickly said, "A mark?"

"There's no mark on the door. I only repainted it a week ago."

"There is a mark," Gandalf put in. "I painted it there this morning."

The moment Gandalf spoke, Bilbo understood.

No wonder all these Dwarves had come to his house instead of anyone else's. Gandalf had been behind it all.

Bilbo glared furiously at Gandalf.

Seeing this, Gandalf quickly spoke up. "Bilbo Baggins."

"And Morgan."

He gestured to Morgan beside him and continued, "Allow me to introduce our leader—"

As he spoke, Gandalf looked toward the tall, handsome Dwarf. "Thorin Oakenshield."

As soon as he finished speaking, Thorin Oakenshield stepped forward. Looking at the Halfling Gandalf had mentioned so often, he smiled and said, "So, you're the Hobbit?"

"Mr. Baggins, can you tell me if you've ever been in a battle?"

"Sorry, but I'd also like to know what weapon you prefer: an axe, a hammer, or a sword?"

Thorin Oakenshield looked Bilbo over as he continued. Though he spoke jokingly, Morgan could hear the contempt in his words.

The Durin Dwarf prince—who could now also be called the Dwarf King of Durin's Folk—had a keen eye. He'd quickly realized that Bilbo probably had little combat experience.

"Well... no."

"But I don't understand what that has to do with me."

Although he had some suspicions, Bilbo still didn't understand. He could only answer honestly, his voice low.

"That's what I thought."

"He doesn't look like a burglar. He looks more like a shopkeeper."

Thorin Oakenshield crossed his arms and laughed. The Dwarves beside him laughed along.

Then Thorin Oakenshield walked up to Morgan and looked him over: leather armor, a sword at his waist, and a bow and quiver on his back.

"This one looks more like a warrior."

"But Gandalf, I seem to recall you said my company was only missing a burglar."

Thorin Oakenshield spoke as he looked at Gandalf, his expression calm. But the meaning behind his words made his displeasure at Morgan's presence quite clear.

Standing to one side, Morgan could easily sense Thorin Oakenshield's contempt and arrogance.

The Dwarf prince had a powerful presence, and had become the center of attention the moment he arrived.

But Morgan had been an undefeated underground boxing champion for two years straight, and now that he was in this world with a system at his side, he was just as proud.

Thorin Oakenshield's slight didn't leave Morgan as clueless as Bilbo.

Before Gandalf could speak, Morgan spoke first. "Allow me to introduce myself. Morgan, bounty hunter."

When everyone's eyes turned toward him, Morgan nodded to Thorin Oakenshield, who was looking his way, and gave a slight bow to show respect.

After all, Thorin was of noble birth, and was also his employer this time. A little courtesy was only proper.

After bowing, Morgan looked Thorin Oakenshield straight in the eye and said bluntly, "You may question whether I belong here, but you cannot question a bounty hunter's strength!"

"That insults me—and every bounty hunter!"

"I challenge you to a duel!"

Morgan stared straight at Thorin Oakenshield and spoke in a low voice.

Only after Morgan finished speaking did everyone in the room realize that things had suddenly taken a serious turn.

Bilbo Baggins didn't know anything and couldn't do anything, so laughing at him was one thing.

But this man named Morgan—

Only now did everyone truly take notice of the Morgan Gandalf had brought.

Honor could not be insulted!

Especially not the honor of an entire group of bounty hunters.

It was just as if someone insulted the Dwarves—the Dwarves would fight them to the death.

The same principle applied here.

Thorin Oakenshield immediately realized he'd made a mistake, even though he didn't know what a bounty hunter was.

Thorin Oakenshield turned to Balin, the white-bearded Dwarf who was the oldest and most knowledgeable among them.

He saw Balin nodding, clearly familiar with bounty hunters.

Faced with Morgan's furious expression and imposing manner, Thorin Oakenshield couldn't back down. He had no way to back down. So he said gravely, "Fine. I accept your challenge!"