[Traveling] Merchant Crab (Book 2): A LitRPG Adventure

Merchant Crab #2

by H0st

Continue following this unlikely merchant on his unexpected quest for riches, sweetness, and someone to fix his broken rock!

Balthazar was just minding his business being a merchant crab, enjoying life in his bazaar, being bothered daily by adventurers and other nuisances, but then the rest of the world had to come and ruin his peace and quiet. And also land a dragon right on top of his roof.

With his eyestalks set on rescuing his favorite baker, repairing his golem friend, and selling even more junk to even more people along the road, the crustacean sets out on a journey across the continent.

Follow Balthazar as he does everything to find the dragon who took his baker... including leaving his pond for the first time, because the dangerous world out there is full of suckers with coin in their pockets too. Witness all the new places and mysteries he discovers. And cheer for all the friends, allies, and even enemies the crab makes by simply being his charismatic self. All in book 2 of Merchant Crab!

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure

710 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2026

Reviews

[Youssef]

DNF. Somehow all the magic of the first book went away. I found myself mildly annoyed and wanting the crab to just get on with it. Instead we're mired in interminable side interactions, useless and rarely amusing.

[Dave Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than book one
More happens, more fun, and MC becomes a more likeable (less crabby) guy.
Book one was good, but it literally didn't go anywhere. well neither do dungeon core books. Still book one seemed over long, and it worked a little too hard for some of those jokes. Still, good characters, and interesting premise, and room to grow.
[Traveling} Merchant Crab applies all the lessons learned right out of the gate, and sets a good tempo. But by far my favorite was the character development. all the characters develop some, not just our titular crab.

[Cape Rust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, too long

Waited with baited breath for book 2 and it did not disappoint. It began with a summary that felt a bit long winded but once things got going they didn't stop As is the case with the merchant crab, every time a story thread was sewn up two more unraveled. The story could have ended around page 500 or about 70% of the way through and I would not have felt cheated. The epilogue wrapped things up as it should have but felt drawn out as well. Loved the book and cant wait for book three.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun

Our favorite merchant crab is on a Quest to save his favorite baker. To do so he travels further from home than he’s ever been discovering breads and pastries that would distract a weaker crab. He finds where Adventurers enter the world and steals a new Character Scroll and finds that Admin Access had been left open on him so he keeps it. He delves into a dungeon and tames the Boss monster. He finds a secret society. He tracks down a hidden sage. He upends politics in a far off city by destroying a mango smuggling cartel. He faces down the dragon only to find his baker is just fine. He makes a new friend and everyone goes home.

Balthazar is a hoot! He’s both super smart and incredibly naive. The story has a great pace, fun twists, and is incredibly wholesome. Very humorous and interesting world and characters. Totally awesome narrator. Please enjoy

[Angelena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Rounded up to 4. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first as it was overall more stressful and a bit scattered, I also really hate the misunderstanding trope and there's some huge ones going on here. Balthazar can be pretty questionable at times but the side characters pull through enough for me to keep reading, I also really enjoy any time Tweedus makes an appearance. This book had a lot of side quests but we did eventually get there and I'm glad that the devestations from book 1 were finally righted, even if I do wish it happened sooner.
I look forward to the next book and hope we get some more answers and less ominous vibes

[Leish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but not as much as the first one. It just seemed to go on a bit too long with all the in depth side quests. I do like how a lot of things tie in together & you get to see from a different perspective sometimes. I still love Tweedus the crack head mage & I like that we got a bit more of Rob. Super keen to see how it goes in the next book.

[René Millot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the first book, this is just too long. There are plenty of fun bits, twist and turns, but it feel like it could have done in almost half the time. It leads to a book three, which I will get, because I want the finished story.
If you get the audiobook on audible: Some of the voices get annoying really fast, especially the "girl" voice.

[Mim Crenshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

This wasn't as good as book 1, but it was still a solid read. Balthazar seemed a tad bit less intelligent than he did in book 1. But I found the side quests really interesting and I loved seeing Tweedus again. Ill still keep reading the series

[Christine Antonson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A snapping good time.

Another great book from the crab with the gift of gab.

Follow Balthazar as he finally leaves the pond on an adventure for the ages.

All in the name of pie and friendship!