Chapter 287 Competition

"Gandalf is a guy who sometimes feels like he can be seen everywhere, just like when you order a glass of ale in a tavern one day, and when you raise and put the glass down, he might be sitting opposite you."

“But sometimes, I just can’t find him.”

"Ah, wizard, wizard..."

Click.

As he was complaining, a cup of brewed tea was gently placed in front of Balin.

"Thanks."

Bahrain picked it up and tasted it, then returned to the topic:

"Regarding the anomaly in Erebor, we believe that it is beyond common sense and is likely related to some mysterious event. Perhaps we need the help of wizards to find out what it is."

After hearing what Balin said, Levi also showed an interested look.

"So what 'mysterious' incident could have made you so anxious?"

"Tell me more about it."

Balin sorted out the information in his mind and replied:

"The first signs of this happening were more than a decade ago. Specifically, it was in 2949, right after the Battle of Riverside."

"When I returned to Erebor, Thorin told me that there was something strange about the miners underground. They felt very hot."

"Levi, you are not a dwarf, so you may not understand clearly. Although we are very sensitive to heat, we are not afraid of heat."

"Like your armor, a human or elf might feel hot to the touch, but I think it's just right for warming hands."

"At first we just thought there might be a lava river or something nearby, or maybe it was just too hot and stuffy."

"But when the weather turned cooler and the survey team was sure there were no large heat sources nearby, we realized things were not that simple."

"The miners would feel hot as soon as they went down, but the feeling would disappear when they came up. It was very strange."

"Even time can't erase this feeling. It has lasted for many years and has begun to affect our normal work."

"Levi, what do you think?"

"In my opinion..."

Levi thought about it.

Did they find some radioactive material?

That's a bit scary.

He put aside this speculation for the time being and said, "It's better for me to go to the scene to take a look. I can't hear anything by listening."

If you really dig up some dangerous substances that may cause harm to people around you, it will be displayed in the buff column.

This is called flesh detection.

It’s like an experienced electrician can tell whether an electric wire has electricity just by touching it.

The difference is that Levi can touch it many times.

"That's right."

Balin nodded and finished the rest of his tea.

So the two of them set off immediately.

However, there are still some other possibilities besides digging up radioactive materials.

Just like what Balin said, the abnormality happened right after the war. Maybe it was someone who did it...

After a quick ride, Levi and Balin arrived at Lonely Mountain a few days later.

But before entering the mountains, in River Valley City, he unexpectedly met two people who were gathering together.

"Bad, Bain."

"It's really rare. What are you doing?"

Near the shooting range, Levi greeted the father and son.

Bard raised the bow in his hand and signaled to Levi.

"I am competing with Bain in archery, and the result is 'tie'."

"oh?"

Levi gave Bain a thumbs up on the spot.

“Good job.”

Hearing Levi's praise, Bain, who was already in his thirties, smiled like a child and patted the medal of outstanding ranger on his shoulder.

"You are worthy of the title of an excellent ranger."

Bud patted him on the shoulder to encourage him, but also reminded him:

"Don't be too happy too soon, Bain, the competition isn't over yet."

"I'm going to increase the intensity for you next."

Bud stretched his muscles.

He is still the same high-spirited archer.

In terms of strength, accuracy, control of details and perception of the environment, even if you compare him with the Legion Champion of Roadside Fort, it is still slightly inferior.

As for Levi himself, it was even worse.

In terms of archery skills alone, he is just at the average level of an excellent ranger, and cannot be considered outstanding compared to those who are slightly better at archery.

It is accurate, but not necessarily detailed.

"Then you guys keep working hard. I'm going to do something at Lonely Mountain."

After hearing what Levi said, Bud became curious this time.

What, you can still do business?

So he paused his competition with Bain and chatted with Levi for a while.

"Oh, so that's what it is."

After listening to Levi, Bud showed a look of understanding.

"I've heard about this, too. It's really strange."

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"Perhaps it is indeed true that only people like you and Gandalf can solve it."

These two are a bit hard to find.

As for other wizards that can be found...

Radagast in brown robe who lives in the Black Forest is not a good professional and is not easy to get things done.

The other one, Saruman in white robe, is a heavyweight, like a giant Buddha. It is not certain whether he can be invited, and even if he can be invited, it will cost a lot.

However, he is nominally the consulting wizard of Rohan, so he should be able to get the favor by asking the King of Rohan for help, but he can only serve as a backup until it is necessary.

After the brief chat, Levi stood up, looked at the arrows in the shooting range, and suddenly remembered something.

"Speaking of arrows, just in time."

He pulled out a handful of dragon bone arrows and handed them to Bud.

"Dragon bone arrows, similar to black arrows, have a certain magical power and are extremely penetrating."

"But be careful, if it is lost it will not be found by itself, and you know that dragon bones are rare."

"Of course, don't be stingy when you need to spend it."

Listening to Levi's story, Bard couldn't help but pull out an arrow and put it on the bowstring.

But as soon as he completed this action, he frowned.

"I'm afraid this bow can't bring out its full performance. I need a bigger and stronger bow, or a crossbow..."

His experience made him realize the incompatibility between the two at the first sight.

"Hmm... I remember there are some in the warehouse, and maybe my old bow can be used as well."

Bud was full of motivation for the new things that happened to be in his field of expertise. He immediately said goodbye to Levi and went straight to the warehouse.

Before leaving, he told Baiin to stay there and not move, and he would be back soon.

“This guy…”

Levi laughed twice.

"Okay, then I won't disturb your reunion time."

After saying that, Levi also left.

Bain was the only one left at the scene.

He looked left and right, scratched his head, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

It's only one street away from River Valley City to Lonely Mountain.

After a while, Levi met Thorin in the conference hall of Erebor.

Thorin was relieved when he saw Levi.

"It's great to meet you. The abnormal environment underground has troubled us for many years, and we have been helpless about it."

Levi gave a reassuring response: "Don't worry, that's exactly why I'm here."

"Just lead the way, let's go down and take a look first."

"good."

Thorin nodded and went to make preparations.

A moment later, when he appeared again, the king's cloak on his body had been replaced by a set of clothes that was convenient for movement.

So the two of them set off directly, taking the elevator all the way down to deep underground.

The light disappeared visibly and the environment gradually became darker.

When I crossed another rock formation again, a warm yellow light came on, lighting up my pupils.

As the platform gradually descended, Levi couldn't help but look up.

What comes into view is an open, huge underground space. Lanterns emitting warm yellow light are hung on the rock walls and protective fences in all directions, like stars. The clinking sounds of pickaxes colliding with rocks echo in the space, filling the entire space.

(End of this chapter)