◉◉◉◉◉
[System Notification.]
[Quest Complete: Joined the Dragon-Slaying Party.]
[Reward Acquired: Martial Skill—Silat.]
[Note: This combat discipline perfectly suits your aggressive fighting style and can be extended into bladed combat techniques.]
A cool sensation flowed into Jimmy's mind.
He blinked once.
Movements, stances, timing, and killing angles unfolded clearly in his thoughts, as if they had always been there.
So this was how a strike should be delivered.
This was how footwork should flow.
This was how distance was controlled.
If Jimmy were to face that massive boar again, the fight would end in a single exchange.
That was the power of technique.
Silat felt as though it had been designed specifically for him.
"Exhale."
Jimmy released a long breath, his entire body relaxing as if a knot had finally loosened.
Across from him, Gandalf paused, momentarily surprised.
"You…"
"I had a small breakthrough in combat."
Gandalf smiled faintly, "A remarkable talent, Come, I will introduce you to Thorin Oakenshield and finalize the contract."
"All right."
"I hope he is easy to get along with."
----
They arrived at the Green Dragon Inn.
Inside, two dwarves were deep in discussion, their expressions grim.
One had a dark beard.
The other's beard was white.
Gandalf entered with Jimmy.
"Gandalf."
"Did you find our burglar?"
"I found a candidate."
"But more importantly, I found an unexpected asset."
"A warrior who slew the Great Boar of the Hills with only three strikes."
The dark-bearded dwarf turned sharply.
"Ohh, That boar"
"You killed it."
"Yes."
"Do you understand our goal?"
"You mean the dragon."
"Perhaps."
"There has been no word of Smaug for sixty years."
"Dragons are creatures that sleep deeply."
"Compared to their lifespan, sixty years is barely a nap."
Thorin's expression darkened further, "That is not comforting, Knowing this, will you still go?"
At present, Thorin possessed nothing but his title as a king without a kingdom.
Convincing an inexperienced adventurer was one thing. Convincing someone like Jimmy, clad in high-quality armor and carrying a finely crafted greatsword, was another.
Thorin did not believe his name alone carried such weight anymore.
…
"Of course."
"I would like to see what Smaug truly looks like."
"And whether he can be killed."
"I am also curious if dragon meat tastes better than boar."
"I cannot speak for the taste, but I can promise you this: Smaug is far larger than a boar, and far harder to kill."
Thorin turned to Balin, "Balin, bring a contract, let our new companion sign."
Thorin had prepared thirteen such contracts.
Despite visiting countless candidates, every single one remained unsigned.
In the eyes of seasoned adventurers, the offer sounded less like glory and more like a death sentence.
Jimmy smiled and signed immediately.
"You are not even going to read it."
"A dwarf king does not deceive, and besides, there is also Gandalf" Jimmy Answered
There was another unspoken thought.
If the deal proved unfair, Jimmy was fully capable of reclaiming what he believed was his by force, Confidence? Or Arrogance?
…
Gandalf still had plans regarding a burglar and asked if Jimmy wished to meet the rest of the team.
Jimmy declined, citing the need to acquire a proper horse and prepare his gear.
A crowd of dwarves storming into a quiet Hobbit home, eating through all stored supplies, did not strike him as respectable behavior.
On that matter, Jimmy chose to keep his distance.
…
The next morning, Jimmy arrived at the entrance of the Green Dragon Inn riding a sturdy pack horse.
A bundle was strapped to the saddle.
It was mostly for appearances.
He wore full armor.
The heavy blade hung at the side of the saddle, while a secondary weapon rested at his waist.
He did not wait long.
Soon enough, Thorin and the others approached at an unhurried pace, riding in together.
"Morning, Jimmy."
"Good morning, Balin."
"Did things not go well?"
"Our burglar is a cautious one."
"I am not convinced he will even leave his front door."
"Miracles do happen."
Balin laughed, then turned to the group.
"Everyone."
"Allow me to introduce our newest companion."
"The warrior who signed the contract yesterday."
"The man who slew the great wild boar of the hills with three strikes."
"Jimmy Halstead."
"Jimmy, meet the rest of the company."
"Nori."
"Ori."
"Oin."
"Dori."
"Gloin."
"Bofur."
"Bombur."
"Bifur."
"Dwalin."
"Balin."
"Kili."
"Fili."
"And one member who has yet to arrive."
"Our burglar."
"Bilbo Baggins."
"We will have plenty of time to get to know one another."
Each dwarf greeted Jimmy in turn.
Jimmy removed his helmet and returned their greetings with a smile.
By the end of it, he had only managed to remember one of them clearly.
Bifur.
The one with an axe lodged in his head.
To be fair, when most faces were hidden behind thick beards and wild hair, it was far easier to tell them apart by beard shape than by facial features.
Jimmy accepted the truth.
He was terrible with faces.
The dwarves were no better.
They barely reacted to Jimmy removing his helmet, even though Gandalf had looked momentarily surprised when he first saw Jimmy's face.
He was young.
Much younger than most would expect.
…
"Jimmy."
"There is still a wager going around." Balin asked with a grin. "Care to take part?"
"A wager about what?"Jimmy asked
"About whether our burglar will show up."
Jimmy looked down the road. "I think that will not be necessary."
"The answer is already running toward us."
"And I must say, this is the fastest Hobbit I have ever seen."
In the distance, Bilbo Baggins came sprinting toward them, a small pack bouncing on his back.
Panting heavily, he thrust a signed contract into Balin's hands.
"I signed it."
"I am coming with you."
"I am going on an adventure."
The company was finally complete.
"Very well."
"Fetch a pony for the burglar."
"I do not think I need a pony." Bilbo protested.
"I am quite good at walking, I am very fond of long walks."
…
The rain began without warning.
A heavy downpour soaked the road as complaints spread through the group, Complaints about the weather, Complaints about the rain, Complaints about Gandalf.
"Why not stop the rain?"
"You are a wizard."
Gandalf did not respond.
Besides Jimmy, Bilbo was still struggling to adjust to riding. His arms were held stiffly, his posture awkward.
Several times, Jimmy told him to relax.
Each time, Bilbo managed it briefly before stiffening again.
Bilbo glanced sideways.
Jimmy rode with effortless ease.
He could have been resting.
He could have been asleep.
Rain slid harmlessly across the dark blue patterns of Jimmy's armor, flowing along engraved lines without soaking through.
Not a single drop touched him.
The dwarves were far less fortunate.
Their beards and hair were soaked through, clumped together in miserable tangles.
They looked thoroughly uncomfortable and more than a little ridiculous.
Jimmy finally spoke.
"We should find shelter and rest."
"This weather will slow us down more than it helps."
"No." Thorin wiped rain from his face.
"We move forward, We cannot afford delays."
◉◉◉◉◉
~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◉◉◉◉◉
For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!