Chapter 394: The Hyena Tribe (2/2)

”Yes. The leader of the Sand Tribe died to the Lord, but the venom of the Sand Tribe's leader also killed the Lord. Right now, the Tribe is being led by an incredibly smart sea snake, who battles as many other beasts as it can. In probably another day or two, it will manage to become a Lord.”

The hyena narrowed its eyes. ”It's a normal occurrence. A Horde that occupies a valuable territory needs a powerful leader.” Then, the hyena turned around. ”Go back to your den. You will be rewarded with a corpse equal to your power.”

The snake's eyes widened. ”With all due respect, but why do you believe me so suddenly?” the snake asked.

The hyena only snorted. ”The Tribe is wise and beyond your ability to comprehend. We have never told you anything specific about our neighboring Tribes. The fact that you knew that the Sand Tribe leader had venom showed me that you didn't make this up.”

”Also,” the hyena said as it looked with disdain at the snake. ”No Tribe would accept anyone from another Tribe in under five hours. No rational beast would trust a spy from another Tribe that quickly.”

The hyena let out a slight laugh. ”Also, we still have your smaller siblings with us. If you betrayed us, you know exactly what would happen to them. You wouldn't dare to do anything.”

The snake lowered its head. ”Okay,” it conceded with a small voice.

Then, the snake left for its den.

Meanwhile, the hyena quickly went to the headquarters of the Hyena Tribe. There was a huge tree in the middle of their Tribe, and all the high-ranking hyenas lived under it. A load of differently sized hyenas walked around the tree, but none of them dared to enter its shadow.

Yet, this hyena entered the shadow directly. After some seconds, it was flanked by two other hyenas that walked alongside it. Every hyena that entered the shadow was forced to meet the Matriarch, but they better had a very good reason. If they didn't, they would be killed.

After walking for a while, the three hyenas stood before a white but relatively small hyena. Nearly every other hyena massively towered over this one. Yet, no one dared to be disrespectful. This was their Matriarch.

”Yes?” she asked with a seemingly lovely smile.

The hyena that came to visit her immediately became fearful as it saw that smile. ”Great Matriarch, I come to report that the ocean has annexed the Sand Tribe.”

The Matriarch nodded. ”Anything else?” she asked.

The hyena grew more nervous. Obviously, the information she brought wasn't enough to satisfy the Matriarch. ”The invading Lord managed to kill the Sand Lord but died to his venom after that. Right now, a sea snake is quickly fighting and eating beasts to become the new Lord.”

Now, the Matriarch grew interested. ”Will you bet your life on that information?” she asked.

The hyena gritted its teeth. ”Yes,” it said. It had to bet its life. If it didn't, the Matriarch would kill it for bringing unreliable information. It was always risky to talk to the Matriarch, but if one managed to survive an encounter with her, they would receive massive rewards.

The Matriarch hummed for a bit. ”Little Treasure, are you interested in that?” the Matriarch asked.

The hyena wasn't sure whom the Matriarch was referring to, but another hyena quickly spoke up. ”I'm interested, mother. Ever since I've become a Lord, I thought about having my own territory. Of course, I will only pursue that thought if you allow me to,” the hyena said.

This hyena was a bit bigger than the Matriarch. Yet, instead of her white color, this one was blood-red. On top of that, its teeth looked way more imposing than every other hyena.

”It's okay,” the Matriarch said, ”but let the Tribe practice for a bit before you kill these shrimps all by yourself. Fish is quite delicious.”

”Of course, mother,” the red hyena answered.

”After the fight, you can rule it in my place, but don't forget…” the Matriarch said as she smiled at her daughter, ”I am the real leader. For giving this territory to you, I also demand the corpse of another Lord. You have one year to bring such a corpse to me. If you don't, you know what will happen.”

”Of course, mother,” the red hyena said.

The Matriarch laughed a bit. ”Good, good. Then, go play with the neighbor's kids.”

”Of course, mother,” the red hyena said deferentially and left.

”And you,” the Matriarch said as she looked at the reporting hyena again. ”you will be rewarded with two corpses equal to your strength. That is, of course, only if the information was accurate. After all, you bet your life on it.”

The hyena shivered a bit. It had taken the risk to report this for exactly such a reward.

”Yes, Great Matriarch. Thank you, Great Matriarch,” it said.

”You can leave,” the Matriarch said.

The hyena quickly scooted away while still keeping its upper body lowered.

It had survived this encounter. Investing in the small snakes had finally paid off!