Unfortunate Survivor

"Besides the Blackwater Merchant Guild, are there any other merchant guilds nearby?"

Luna Bloodfeather was about to answer when she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Master. Since you want to know about the merchant guilds, I know someone who knows more than I do."

"Then where is he?"

"I'll take you to him."

"Help... help me..."

Before they even flew close, Jose heard a weak cry for help. He looked toward the source—a strange bird's nest surrounded by a fence made of wooden stakes, tangled with thorns. There was no way in except through the upward-facing entrance. It was clearly a Harpy prison.

Jose looked inside the prison and saw a black, skinny strip lying within. It was nothing but skin and bones, its ribs clearly visible beneath sagging black skin covered in long hair. Two yellowed tusks protruded from its mouth. It had been the one crying for help.

"What is that thing?!"

"Master, he's not a thing. He's the person I mentioned."

The black, skinny creature spoke weakly. "Great True Dragon, I... I am Hulk, a Boarman merchant. I am a plains trader."

Jose raised an eyebrow, and his gaze toward the Boarman gained a touch of sympathy. If he had not spoken up himself, who would have recognized that this skin-and-bones wretch had once been a broad, burly Boarman?

As for why he had become like this, it was because the Harpies had drained him dry.

All Harpies were female. To reproduce, they had to borrow males from other races. Whenever they encountered a male they fancied, they would capture him alive if possible and bring him back to their nest to enjoy at leisure.

But do not mistake this for some wonderful experience. In truth, becoming a Harpy breeding machine was more painful than most lethal punishments.

The blood-drinking Harpies knew nothing of gentleness. As long as they enjoyed themselves, that was all that mattered. More importantly, there was never just one or two Harpies, but an entire flock lining up in turn.

Most people would suffer a mental breakdown within a week of falling into their hands.

"Honored True Dragon, I beg you, please save me."

"Save you?" Jose studied the filthy Boarman with interest. His body was filthy, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. "What benefit is there in saving you?"

"I am a subordinate trader of the Seashell Company. If you release me, then if I ever make it big, I will certainly repay you generously."

"Interesting." Jose turned to the Familiar beside him. "How long has he been captured by you?"

"About ten days, I think."

Jose became even more interested in the Boarman.

A merchant had emerged among the Boarmen, who were known for their stupidity and clumsiness. That was already rare enough. He had fallen into the Harpies' hands for ten days and been drained until he was little more than skin and bones, yet he had not suffered a mental breakdown. On the contrary, his thoughts remained clear and logical. That was even rarer.

This Boarman's will was so resolute that, given the right opportunity, he might truly make something of himself.

As it happened, Jose could give him that opportunity.

"Luna, give him some food and water."

The Boarman merchant wolfed down the food the Harpies brought him, then gulped down a large jar of water. Some of his vigor returned, and his mind became much more active.

From the Harpies' earlier words, he had learned that the Red Dragon's arrival had not been accidental. The Harpies had brought him here of their own accord, so they must have wanted something. If he could seize this chance to demonstrate his value, he might escape the Harpies' clutches through the Red Dragon's help.

With that thought, Hulk struggled to his feet and performed a greeting salute that was not quite proper, but passable.

"Thank you for granting me food, benevolent True Dragon. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I want to know about the distribution of powers across the nearby plains, especially the human merchant guilds. Your own guild and the others as well. Also, how do these merchant guilds operate?"

"You have quite a few questions. Let me start with the first."

After organizing his thoughts, Hulk continued, "Great True Dragon, in the outside world, this small stretch of grassland where three regions meet is known as the Triangle Plains. Across the entire Triangle Plains, aside from the countless small tribes, only three medium-sized tribes are worth mentioning. One is the Graytail Centaur, another is the Black Crow Orcs, and the last is the Stonefang Boarman Tribe that I belong to."

"The three tribes each have their strengths. The Graytail Centaurs are highly mobile, coming and going like the wind. The Black Crow Orcs are brave and skilled in battle, and they also have a group of Goblin vassals. As for us Stonetusk Boarmen, we have a large population, and Mount Odaru, where our tribal stronghold is located, is protected by a thorn forest."

"As for the merchant guilds..." Hulk lowered his head to gather his words for a moment, then looked up at Jose. "There is a trade camp near the Black Crow Orc tribe. It is protected by the Black Crow clan and is called Crossroads Camp. Almost all merchants stop there. The native tribes of the entire Triangle Plains bring their goods to Crossroads, and sometimes merchants visit the tribes to purchase goods directly."

"As for conflicts of interest between merchant guilds and how they operate, that is too complicated. I cannot explain it clearly in a short time."

"If you can't explain it, I'll see for myself." Jose took out a scale.

Today really is my lucky day. Not only did I gain a Dragonkin Harpy, I also planted a spy among the Graytail Centaurs and received an experienced Boarman merchant as a bonus.

Whether for observing the Stonefang Boarman Tribe, understanding the situation on the plains, or opening up an external trade route for the Bloodtooth Tribe, Jose should take the Boarman before him as a Familiar.

"Do not resist."

Resist?

Not a chance!

Hulk was overjoyed. Setting aside the long lifespan and explosive increase in strength that came with becoming a Dragonkin, merely escaping his current hellish predicament was enough to make him unable to refuse.

Besides, with a True Dragon as his patron, he could now do things he had once wanted to do but dared not. Once the True Dragon grew stronger, the benefits would become immeasurable.

Without any mishaps, Jose's fourth Familiar was born.

"Lucky bastard," Luna Bloodfeather muttered softly from the side.

"Since we are both Master's subordinates now, we are on the same side. Let me give you a warning: it was no coincidence that your trading party encountered a large group of Centaurs. Before you set out, the Graytail Khan had already entrusted us to keep an eye on your caravan."

"Graytail Centaurs?! The Blackwater Merchant Guild?!"

"So that's it! It was a conspiracy! A conspiracy against the Seashell Company!" Hulk clenched his fists in rage and panted heavily. Before long, he calmed down, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

Jose was somewhat interested in the grudge between the two merchant guilds, but he did not ask. After signing the Familiar Contract, he could browse a servant's memories. He planned to examine them carefully after returning, so there was no need to hurry.

He tilted his head and glanced at the setting sun on the horizon.

"Luna, send your companions back to the plains. Hmm..."

Then he looked again at Hulk's miserable, skin-and-bones state. "Forget it. Let him put on some fat before sending him back. Otherwise, it would be far too embarrassing."

Thanks to Tianmengjun for the 496 coins, Book Friend 20180110005804809 for the 100 coins, and Huangdouyuan for the 100-coin reward.