The Hobbits, also known as the halflings frequently mentioned in Western folklore, cherished good food, song, and a leisurely life; they were peace-loving and kind. And the Shire, where the Hobbits were largely settled, was hosting three teams totaling forty-three individuals. Owing to the roles assigned to them by the "Main God," and the task Gandalf had given them before departing, these three teams were permitted to feast and drink in the local inn, with all expenses covered by Frodo.

The other two teams had not yet arrived. According to the film's plot, the Shire was exceptionally safe at this moment, so the three teams, while maintaining a degree of vigilance toward one another, were largely enjoying a relaxing time here. Moreover, the food prepared by the Hobbits was extraordinarily delicious; the newcomers to the reincarnation world almost treated this Lord of the Rings mission as a trip that was both prickly and amusing.

“...What a bunch of idiots, completely unaware of the horrors of the reincarnation world. Never mind how leisurely it seems now; a moment will come when they face utter life-and-death despair. I truly look forward to seeing their expressions then.”

From the North Ice Continent team, a man with wildly dyed hair sneered.

This was the only inn in Hobbiton, originally designed to suit the stature of Hobbits, though it possessed a few tables and chairs arranged for visiting humans or other races. Thus, only the captains, each bringing one subordinate, were seated inside the shop, while the rest purchased substantial amounts of cooked food and sat on the grass outside.

Gunnir, the captain of the North Ice Continent team, had brought the small punk with the multi-colored hair.

Neos brought Aya, and Zheng Zha brought Chu Xuan. The six of them sat inside the shop, discussing matters. As the sunlight outside gradually dimmed, that evening was the day Gandalf was due to return, and also the day Frodo, the film's protagonist holding the One Ring, was set to leave the Shire.

“Our team’s main combat personnel consist of five members: two melee specialists, utilizing a long spear and Druid shapeshifting respectively. Two ranged specialists, employing Frost Magic and a legendary magic crossbow, respectively. I can handle both melee and ranged combat... Additionally, we have one psychic controller, possessing psychic scanning and Mind Chain abilities, and one magical medic, who can use energy from Magic Stones to restore stamina and injuries, though she has only learned this skill at the beginner level, so the effect might not be very good.”

Gunnir took a swig of beer and spoke first.

Neos was equally direct.

He stated, “Our team’s main combat personnel are five: two melee, two ranged, and one specializing in special attacks... Forget it, you two teams are already quite familiar with our Southern Flame Continent team, so I have nothing to hide. The two melee fighters are Richard, who created a unique Berserker skill allowing him to attack frantically while ignoring his injuries, and Hofiel, who possesses the properties of the B-grade Rumble-Rumble Fruit, whose combat power is astonishing when sufficient energy is available. The two ranged fighters are Aya, who can command poisonous psychic hornets—especially useful in mass combat—and Rose, who possesses Spider Heart Arrow, capable of launching an arrow that guarantees a hit to the opponent’s heart, but using it forces her into hibernation until the ‘Main God’ fully restores her. Her boyfriend, Mannini, is the special attack specialist. I’ve only seen his special attack once, so I won't disclose it for now.”

Zheng Zha and Chu Xuan exchanged a glance. After a brief thought, Zheng Zha said, “Our team’s main combat personnel are eight. No, it should be nine. Three melee, three ranged, and three specialists in unique attacks. I find it inconvenient to disclose their specific names and attack methods.”

Neos and Gunnir looked at each other. Gunnir smiled and remarked, “Nine members... isn't that a bit excessive? We are currently discussing the elite combat strength of each team.”

Neos also let out a cold laugh. “Are you perhaps counting everyone on your team who can hold a gun? A total of fifteen people, ten seasoned members. Does that mean everyone on your team, excluding the psychic controller, is main combat strength? That’s a joke.”

Chu Xuan suddenly laughed. Before Zheng Zha could speak, he interjected, “If you don't believe us, let our three teams settle this with sheer power. Each team sends three members to fight all out; fate will decide the outcome. No one should attack another because someone died... How about that?” As soon as he proposed this, both Neos and Gunnir frowned. They glanced at each other, and Gunnir quickly smoothed things over with a smile, “No anger, no anger, we were just voicing our doubts. Since your team is so confident, we are naturally content to let the matter rest for now. Let's put that issue aside. The next topic is the sub-plot quest issue.”

“Sub-plot quest?” Zheng Zha asked, puzzled.

“Yes. Uh, I haven't told you before, but for a film that essentially embodies the scale of an entire world, the sub-plot quests are almost innumerable. There are also some tasks that don't offer sub-plot hints but yield rewards far surpassing those of sub-plots, such as the python we killed in the swamp—we obtained a snake bead from its head.”

As Gunnir spoke, he pulled a round bead emitting a chill from his coat. The bead was snow-white, about the size of a pea, and constantly radiated coldness. Just the act of Gunnir pulling out the bead instantly chilled the area within ten meters around them.

Gunnir smiled and said, “This is an energy bead with a cold attribute. You can exchange for these from the ‘Main God’ for about a C-rank sub-plot quest. Basically, only legendary magic skills or weapons use this kind of energy bead for enhancement... Ahem, in short, this is a world with a distinct fantasy aesthetic. It contains all sorts of unknown creatures. What rewards we might gain from killing them, or what magic we might learn from the wizards in this world—these are huge rewards unobtainable even through sub-plot quests. What I mean is, our three teams should unite and use all our strength to pursue every sub-plot quest or acquire every strange item in this world. I won't mince words; this bead is extremely important to me. I already exchanged for three similar beads, but their attributes aren't as good as this one. With this energy bead, my combat power increases by at least fivefold. That’s the deal.”

Zheng Zha and Chu Xuan exchanged a look, and Zheng Zha nodded. “That’s fine with us. Our team also strives to complete every feasible task in every horror film world. Let’s proceed as you suggest: whenever we encounter a sub-plot quest or an unknown monster in this world, the three teams will exert maximum effort to eliminate it. The obtained items will be distributed based on each team’s contribution. Any objections?” Gunnir quickly shook his head.

Neos, however, let out a cold laugh. He spoke up, “Your distribution method isn't fair enough. If distribution is purely based on each team’s measured contribution, how should personnel involved in team layout planning and strategic setup be rewarded? I suggest rewards should be distributed based on the team’s comprehensive effort. If not, then our Southern Flame Continent team will withdraw from all sub-plot quests, as ours is the weakest of the three teams.” He emphasized the word ‘weakest’ and directed his gaze toward Chu Xuan.

Zheng Zha had already learned from Xue Ling’er that Neos was the one responsible for plotting against the Central Continent team in the Starship Troopers setting. However, this man had a fatal flaw: he was excessively arrogant. While intelligent enough, he was easily swayed by his own emotions.

Conversely, Chu Xuan had none of those weaknesses, and Zheng Zha absolutely trusted him; up to this point, he had never seen anyone escape Chu Xuan’s machinations.

Zheng Zha considered the proposal and was about to agree to Neos’s terms—after all, the Central Continent team had Chu Xuan for strategy, himself for martial strength, Ling Dian and Zhang Heng for ranged support, and the Overlord and Wang Xia for large-area attacks. In a sneak attack, even Zheng Zha couldn't guarantee escape from Zhao Yingkong's assault. In short, he certainly didn’t believe the Central Continent team would suffer under such an agreement.

Just as he was about to speak, Chu Xuan’s voice entered his mind.

“...Wait a moment. Gunnir concealed something in his previous statement; there was a word he held back.” Chu Xuan stated coolly.

Zheng Zha quickly picked up his wine glass to mimic drinking, asking simultaneously, “What did he hide? Are the other two teams plotting against us? Damn it, if that’s the case, we need to prepare for a breakdown in relations!”

“No, they aren't plotting against us. It’s just that he hesitated when mentioning the word ‘manufacturing’ earlier. I suspect his team also possesses some knowledge regarding rune combinations, and Neos showed no surprise or direct questioning. They must have exchanged intelligence we are unaware of. This agreement is even more advantageous to them because their strength is indeed inferior to ours in the Central Continent team; they often rely on our power in many situations. Therefore, when you agree to this accord, make intelligence exchange a prerequisite. They have no choice but to accept.” Chu Xuan asserted confidently, then promptly stood up and walked toward the outside of the inn.

Zheng Zha found this strange and quickly inquired through their mental link, “What are you doing? The agreement hasn’t been finalized yet.”

“...It is finalized. The remaining matters are your responsibility as captain. Also, there are some interesting things I need to attend to. I’m going to talk to Hao Tian first. If this matter is confirmed... then this Lord of the Rings world will become very interesting.”

(Interesting? Chu Xuan’s definition of interesting...) Zheng Zha shivered, but Chu Xuan continued walking out of the inn, heading straight for Hao Tian, the newest member of the Central Continent team.

Neos watched Chu Xuan’s retreating back, let out a few cold laughs, and then asked, “What’s the verdict? You two discussed things through Mind Chain for so long; there should be a conclusion on whether to accept the accord by now, right?” Zheng Zha turned his head, looked deeply at Gunnir and Neos, and then stated, “It’s fine for us to agree to this accord, but I require intelligence from both of your teams. Rest assured, we will exchange intelligence of equal value. Once our three teams have exchanged our respective information, I will agree to the accord.”

Gunnir and Neos exchanged a look. The baby-faced youth Gunnir smiled, “What do you mean? Haven’t we already disclosed everything we know? Are you unsatisfied?” Zheng Zha smiled and said no more, merely looking at Neos. The handsome youth pulled out a chocolate bar from his pocket, tore open the wrapper, but instead of eating it, he asked, “What do you want to know?”

Zheng Zha smiled and replied, “We want to know the information you’ve exchanged between your teams, such as... intelligence regarding the manufacturing of legendary magic items or the combination of magic runes. I said before that our Central Continent team will offer intelligence of equal value in exchange; we definitely won't let you suffer a loss. But I cannot forgive you for attempting to conceal this intelligence from us. Aren't the Central Continent team your allies?” By the end of his speech, Zheng Zha’s tone had grown increasingly stern, and his expression turned icy.

Gunnir remained silent, the baby-faced youth merely smiling at Neos. Neos sighed quietly, placed the entire piece of chocolate into his mouth, and then said, “How could we not consider the Central Continent team as allies? It’s just that we were discussing the alliance itself previously, and this aspect of intelligence hasn't been fully discussed yet... Our Southern Flame Continent team possesses intelligence on array formations, though only one type: arranging different elemental energy stones in a specific pattern, requiring necessary symbols and writing to be etched on the ground. Once such an array is successfully set up, anyone inside will have their recovery speed increased dozens of times—not just tissue repair, but also energy restoration, like internal energy, which can be quickly recovered. That is the intelligence our Southern Flame Continent team possesses.”

Gunnir quickly chimed in, “Our North Ice Continent team possesses intelligence on the combination of rune graphics. By arranging them according to the pattern, electrical energy can be converted into psychic power...”

(...Failed. Although I agreed to hand over the snake bead to the North Ice Continent team as payment for keeping intelligence about the Central Continent team secret, Gunnir really had something hidden. He definitely wants to exchange intelligence with the Central Continent team to boost the North Ice Continent team's strength, which is why he let slip. And Chu Xuan... Damn it! Is his focus always this intense? Not even a tiny lapse? He managed to catch such a minor linguistic flaw immediately... Damn him, letting him live is too dangerous. This guy is indeed better than I...)

Listening to Zheng Zha and Gunnir converse, Neos shifted his gaze toward the area outside the inn. There, Chu Xuan was speaking with a handsome black-haired youth, and the sky was rapidly darkening—the time for Gandalf’s return had arrived...

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