Sometimes, certain things appear useless simply because we haven't found their proper application.
Take fireworks, for example.
In Minecraft, fireworks actually deal damage, but under normal circumstances they're shot into the sky where they can't hit any enemies.
However, there's a method to correct their trajectory: crossbows.
Loading fireworks into crossbows allows them to fire in a straight line in your desired direction until they hit something or reach maximum distance before exploding.
The explosive power of fireworks is proportional to the firework stars inside them, or rather the amount of gunpowder, with maximum damage reaching over ten points. About the same as Levi's fully enchanted bow shot. However, it deals area splash damage, making it more cost-effective.
For weak creatures without armor, this might have some killing power, but against a dragon whose armor is thicker than netherite...
"Are you celebrating for me?"
"You're talking a bit too much."
Levi put away his flash charges and firework crossbow, drew his long sword to slash Smaug's claw once, then exited through the hole amid the dragon's melodious angry roar.
Experiment log: Fireworks.
Maximum damage roughly equivalent to a fully enchanted bow. Like flash charges, it's an area attack but consumes several times more materials than flash charges.
Neither could penetrate the dragon's armor, but judging from Smaug's expression and level of fury, the firework rockets should have had some effect. Not completely useless.
Rated as suitable for targets with relatively low armor, such as orcs or wargs.
Range-wise, flash charges depend mainly on arm strength, while firework rockets vary from thirty to seventy meters depending on gunpowder loading. Not particularly far, but useful.
If soldiers could be equipped with these, a coordinated volley would be quite impressive...
In the corridor, Smaug stared intently at the two-block-high hole, waiting for that human. Behind its body, it had prepared some rock fragments.
After enduring Levi's repeated ambushes and narrow escapes, the dragon had finally gained hard-won experience. It resolved to seal that accursed opening with massive boulders the moment the human showed himself again, trapping him beyond any hope of flight.
However, what Smaug didn't know was that Levi had the same idea. At this moment, Levi was digging behind the corridor, planning to block Smaug's retreat and show it what being cornered meant.
In less than a day, without Smaug noticing, multiple passages leading to the cellar were completely blocked.
The current Smaug didn't yet know it could never return to its treasure-filled vault.
Just as Levi completed his blocking project and arrived at the meeting hall fully armed, ready to chug some potions and go finish off this now-trapped boss, a group of dwarves burst in, gasping for breath.
"Wait, wait, don't go yet!"
"No need, no need!"
The notes of events were twisted back.
"Phew! We're back, Levi. Ha, looks like we made it in time."
The dwarves stopped the aggressive Levi, sweating profusely as they clanked down a large pile of components and collapsed to the ground. Many were so thirsty they immediately pulled out their water pouches and drank deeply.
Bombur even went straight to the infinite water source and began drinking like cattle, nearly falling in with all his gulping.
"Drink slowly."
Levi grabbed this width-and-length-balanced dwarf and pulled him back, preventing him from falling into the water pit.
"Quite surprising. I thought you'd need several days to return. I'd already planned how to cook dragon meat."
"Since leaving, we haven't dared stop for a moment, not resting for even a second."
Balin said weakly.
Dwarves naturally had poor endurance. Calculating that they'd been traveling at full speed since departure, it was indeed hard on them that they hadn't died of exhaustion.
Forget old Balin and fat Bombur. Even the most robust Thorin was now too tired to speak, lacking the energy to have an episode.
"We can't let you do everything, right? Look, we brought back something to counter that dragon."
"This will definitely help you."
The dwarves made way, revealing the human who had been frowning almost constantly throughout the journey.
The man carried a longbow on his back and held a massive black arrow like a spear in his hands.
Good heavens, they'd actually brought a person back.
"Are you that legendary warrior, Levi?"
Before Levi could speak, Bard spoke first.
"You know me?"
"No, we've never met before, but I've heard of you. A few months ago, Lake-town received some refugees who chanted your name and told of your deeds."
"Legend speaks of a black-armored warrior wandering the Anduin valley, whose sword could ignite with fire, striking fear into all orcs who saw it. He faced fierce orcs and wargs alone, working with a wise wizard to save the people on both sides of the river."
"Greetings to you. I am Bard of Lake-town."
Bard bowed. Actually, he felt quite amazed. The dwarves had never mentioned they knew this legendary figure.
If you'd said so earlier, I would have helped you from the start.
Though his overall impression of dwarves wasn't great, facing this fellow human who had genuinely saved many people, Bard showed considerable respect.
"Greetings to you, Bard."
"I assume you know our purpose here. That dragon is inside right now."
Levi pointed to the hole in the distant wall. Bard couldn't help but look over, curiosity making him take two steps closer.
"No, I suggest you don't go over there. That dragon's insults are quite harsh. If you don't want your ears dirtied, don't get too close."
Smaug was still ranting. That voice was truly golden. Speaking for so long without getting hoarse.
"What do we do now? Assemble the windlass and go straight in to shoot that dragon?"
"But we only have one chance. This arrow must hit its heart."
Everyone looked at Bard.
"I can do it."
The archer's eyes showed no fear, as if this were just an ordinary hunt.
Levi looked at this master archer and nodded.
Bard's character could be trusted. Forget a caged dragon. Even if it were flying in the sky breathing fire, as long as it threatened the townspeople, this man would dare charge up and use ordinary arrows to draw its attention.
"I have a plan."
After resting briefly, Thorin suddenly spoke up.
"Beyond the corridor is a secret passage that a dragon could dive into."
"To enter, it must expose its chest, and once inside, it can't turn back. We can place the windlass at the end of the passage, lure it over, and then... it's up to our marksman."
Thorin looked up at Bard seriously: "If this operation succeeds, I can give you a promise. A king's promise. You may make any request, as long as it doesn't cross dwarven principles."
Bard glanced at Thorin and nodded.
"I hope you're different from your grandfather."
Thorin froze, clenched his fists, and said nothing, though his expression obviously darkened considerably.
No one paid attention to this small gesture.
Soon, thirteen dwarves, two humans, and one hobbit formed a circle to discuss specific details.
Levi asked about the secret passage direction and suddenly clapped his hands:
"Oh, the direction leading to that secret passage you mentioned was blocked by me, but no worries. I'll tear it down later."
Blocked?
Thorin initially couldn't understand this statement. How do you block such a large secret passage? But when his peripheral vision caught the massive stone wall blocking the meeting hall entrance, he felt relieved.
That could indeed be blocked.
"That's good then."
Thorin chose compliance, no longer trying to understand Levi's words. As long as the result was right.
"However, the key to this plan is having bait."
"This person should be agile, able to flexibly traverse various terrain, and preferably not too tall, since they might not fit through many dwarf-exclusive passages. After all, with a dragon chasing behind, getting stuck or tripped would be more than just getting another wound."
"Among us, the one who best fits these requirements..."
Bilbo looked left and right, took a deep breath, and pushed forward: "I..."
"I think that would be myself." Thorin pressed Bilbo's shoulder and pushed him back.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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