Culinary Mercenary

Ethan Walker, an overworked office drone, thought his worst problem was a bad convenience store meal. But after collapsing on the subway, he wakes up in the cockpit of a starship in the middle of a vast galactic empire. Now, stranded in a sci-fi universe filled with autocratic empires, space pirates, alien races, and interstellar wars, Ethan must adapt fast or be left for dead. Armed with his wits and an unpredictable star ship, he embarks on a journey to survive and thrive as the galaxy’s newest mercenary. From office worker to space legend, his adventure across the stars begins!

"So... well... I died as it seems? Then I woke up as a character from an online science fiction game... And the craziest thing was that I was in my personal spaceship... Aside from that, I have this weird gaming system bugging me with missions and stuff... So... finally, something interesting happened in my life at last. At least now, I am unbound by anything and can do as I wish." - Acturus Al-Yesod Crawford "In the grim darkness of the endless space, there is only one sole constant that has ruled the space since immemorial, that dictated the life and death, the order and chaos of every single living being. Power. This is the story of one of the most controversial people in the history of the Known Universe, Arcturus Al-Yesod Crawford, the Star Mercenary, Bounty Hunter, Trader and many other titles..." - Prologue Chronicles of the Known Universe: Chapter Star Citizen, Star Date: Unknown *** Tags: Aliens, Androids, Army, Army Building, Automatons, Assassins, Artificial Intelligence, Cosmic Wars, Fleet Battles, Futuristic Setting, Male Protagonist, Mercenaries, Monsters, Outer Space, Nobles, Late Romance, Slow Romance, Money Grubber, Supernatural Powers, Psychic Powers, System, Game Elements, Strategic Battles, Strong to Stronger, Transported into a Game World, Wars, Evolution, Genetic Modifications, Industrialization, Military, Politics, Poor to Rich, Strength-Based Social Hierarchy, Time Skip

Bound in chains yet yearning for freedom, Alpheo, a modern historian, finds himself enslaved in a land on the brink of chaos. As the empire of Rolmia plunges into civil war following the death of the emperor , his three ambitious sons vie for the throne. In the midst of this turmoil, Alpheo finds the chance to break his chain and escape, leading his companions into the ashes of war, trying to thrive in it, selling their swords to the highest bidder . But beyond the borders of Rolmia, hungry eyes watch as the empire's grip loosens. The Sultanate of Azania, ever the opportunist, sees a chance to expand its domain and influence , while to the south, neighboring principalities breathe a sigh of relief as the once-dominant giant stumbles and falters. In the sea, the confederation of the Free Isle finds their chance to restore their old maritime power , denied to them by an empire that is now crumbling beneath itself , lacking the strenght to stop them. In this crucible of conflict, where dynasties crumble and empires fall, Alpheo find his call and the chance to forge his own destiny amidst the ashes of empires. ----------------

Perla had always felt a longing for adventure, stifled by the rules of her strict upbringing and surrounded by her older brothers free to do as they wanted. She longed to carve her own path, to seek out excitement and perhaps even a little romance along the way. One day, while escaping yet another tedious piano class, she stumbled into the hollow of a massive tree. At its base, a mesmerizing green light beckoned her, and before she knew it, she was transported to a bizarre forest teeming with colossal, long-extinct creatures and menacing carnivorous plants. This was the realm of Beastkin, where men could transform into mighty beasts. Here, the constant threat of war had led to a peculiar imbalance, with most females giving birth to male Beastkin, resulting in a dire shortage of women. The land was a battleground, filled with mercenaries and adventurers seeking glory. While the males formed companies to embark on quests, their females stayed behind, living a life of comfort. But not Perla—she was determined to break free from the mold, to grow stronger, and to join her new love interests on exhilarating escapades.

Avery Asteria was far from having anyone's dream job. Family circumstances had him drop out of school and flying around the expanse of space looking for treasure among the discarded trash in an old ship his father had been restoring. It was far from glamorous work, but it was all he could do to earn the money he needed. He was not the only one looking for fortune among the stars, though. One day a score that looked too good to be true led to a run in with a band of pirates. With some quick wits and a bit of luck, Avery managed to escape the worst, but he ended up missing out on collecting the valuable salvage he had his sights on. Having lost a large chunk of his gear in his flight from the pirates, Avery seemed to be truly at the end of his rope. However, a twist of fate led him to discovering an experimental vessel that had been lost to the far reaches of space. With this new ship in his possession, his prospects were looking up. It had everything and more than what any spacefarer could want. And Avery was going to use it to become the leader of the greatest band of mercenaries in the galaxy.

-:- 50000 Words before locked chapters -:- READ PINNED REVIEW | NO-HAREM ----- Michael, formerly a military veteran turned mercenary, was living quite a peaceful and slightly eventful life. That was until an accident happened that caused him great misfortune, rendering him unable to continue being a mercenary. After that point, his life spiraled into that of an alcoholic, eventually leading to his demise. Before he died, he saw something odd; it was a blue hologram with the words 'Do you wish to start anew?' Michael readily accepted and was thrust into a fantasy world with a mysterious system companion that seemed to be hell bent on making him the best healer in the world. However, as he began unraveling mysteries, he found out his identity was not as simple as it seemed.

Adaoha and Alex's paths cross on Instagram, where Adaora comments on one of Alex's beautifully plated dishes, praising his creativity. This initial comment sparks a conversation, and what starts as a mutual appreciation for each other's culinary skills quickly turns into a series of direct messages and late-night chats. Their shared passion for cooking and the creative exchange of recipes and ideas help them build a strong bond, overcoming the challenges of distance and different backgrounds. *** THE PICTURE ON THE COVER, IS NOT MINE, WILL TAKE IT DOWN WHEN I CREATE A SUITABLE COVER FOR THIS BOOK OR IF THE OWNER ASKED ME TO TAKE IT DOWN...

Transmigrated in this strange new world, MC begun playing around even though he is with limited lifespan. Maids? Mercenary? Superior's wife? Everyone of them!! Curing himself of his injuries, he still doesn't stop, and begins to put his hungry eyes on the corrupt Royal Bloodline.!! [Mc takes consent from Woman not their husband] [Mc doesn't want to NTR every guy. He only makes their wife cheat for sex.] [Making friend's mom fall......is one of his big dreams.] [MC likes married women] [Netori, Cheating, Blackmail] ...

In a near-future Earth devastated by war, famine, and societal collapse, Jiang Chen, an ordinary man struggling to make ends meet, stumbles upon a mysterious watch that opens a portal to a parallel, post-apocalyptic world. In this desolate wasteland, humanity has reverted to brutal survival instincts amidst rampant poverty, scarce resources, and the remnants of advanced technology. Realizing the immense potential of the two worlds, Jiang Chen devises a plan to use the post-apocalyptic resources to build wealth and power in the present day while offering food, technology, and hope to the survivors of the ruined future. He establishes a safe haven—an ever-growing mansion—as a base of operations in the wasteland, recruiting talented individuals and forming a loyal community under his leadership. As Jiang Chen navigates the dangers of the apocalyptic world, including mercenary bands, mutated creatures, and oppressive regimes, he also faces challenges in the present world, where corporate

If you're not sitting at the table, then you are definitely lying on the menu. If you have nothing, then your life is your only capital. Song Heping, compelled by life to make a fortune in a warzone, accidentally got swept into the war and, in a confused state, was promoted by a bunch of Da Maozi to be the boss of a Defense Company. In this day and age, who still becomes a mercenary! I want to sell arms, I want to sell coffee cups worth a few bucks for over a thousand US Dollars. I want to sell a 9-dollar socket for the price of 299 US Dollars. I want to sell goats, the kind that costs millions of US Dollars each... Don't ask, and don't come auditing, whether you're from the Audit Office or the CIA, I'll send you all off... My name is Song Heping. I came, I conquered, I reign as the king. Don't call me the "Lord of War," I love peace, I am here to deliver "peace".

Lu Wuqi was killed while trying to protect a little girl from tens of bullets. But instead of dying, she became the successor of the 'RV upgrade system' and was reborn in a melodramatic post apocalyptic novel and became the scumbag with the same name as her who gave her wife to others to play with to save her life. The scumbag even tried to kill their baby by abandoning her in this world filled with rampant zombies. In the original novel, Lu Wuqi was a vain alpha woman who was even cheating on her wife. she didn't even want to endure the hardships and only wanted to curry favor with the boss of a gang by selling her wife. She wanted to let her wife be the plaything of the whole gang just to enjoy a glass of wine and food. She also felt that their baby daughter was nothing but a burden in the end times and even tried to let her be the food of zombies, this scene was seen by the heroine Yun Qingyue and in a moment of desperation, she awakened superpowers and killed the whole gang as well as the original Lu Wuqi and escaped from there with her daughter. Later, She even met her destined alpha 'Lin Ge' who respected and loved her very much. They even set up their own base and recruited a lot of members and their base also became the only place where omegas could stay safe. Their base also grew larger as they became stronger and they even established their own kingdom after eradicating the zombies. Lu Wuqi couldn't help but feel unfair : qAq... Why am I a scumbag trash.... qAq... Fortunately, Lu Wuqi was an expert mercenary in her previous life and even the boss of her own mercenary agency. Her fighting skills and physical fitness were extremely amazing, coupled with the 'RV upgrade system' , she changed her original destiny written in the novel. She escaped with the cub and the heroine and even made their own magical RV. Later, she slowly regained the trust of the heroine and even grew to love her and their little cub by her whole heart. Lu Wuqi : Hmmphh!! Who said, I was a straight woman?? I obviously Love my wife very much... hehee,.... .. .. # A little Sneak Peek : Lu Wuqi was currently kneeling on her knees outside their bedroom, Lu Wuqi : Babyyyy~~ I'm Sorry, I will be gentle next time... Yun Qingyue : Shameless!! You always say this.... #Another day, Yun Qingyue : I seem to have just seen your dear white moonlight... Lu Wuqi (Scared Jpg.) : Really? I mean... what white moonlight?? I don't have any.. Yun Qingyue : With a smile on her face : Really?? Lu Wuqi : qAq.... THIS IS MY ORIGINAL BOOK!!! READ AND ENJOY...

The Battle of Eldara was the most brutal conflict the world had ever seen. Humanity faced off against the fearsome Beastkin, a race of monstrous creatures with feral strength and an insatiable hunger for destruction. Leading the charge for humanity was a legendary warrior of unmatched skill and determination. Through sheer will and combat prowess, the warrior and their comrades turned the tide of battle, driving the Beastkin back into the shadows from whence they came. But after the war ended, the hero vanished without a trace. They became a legend, the savior who protected humanity and then disappeared into the annals of history. Years later, in the once-peaceful city of Azora, a series of gruesome murders began to unfold. The killings were brutal and methodical, reminiscent of the tactics used against the Beastkin. Whispers spread through the city, suggesting that the hero who had once saved them was responsible for the bloodshed. With fear gripping the populace, the city's leaders placed a colossal bounty on the hero's head, promising wealth and glory to anyone who could bring them to justice. Mercenaries, bounty hunters, and opportunists from all corners of the realm flocked to Azora, each eager to claim the reward.

All of a sudden, various watches appeared out of nowhere in different parts of the world. These locations were quickly controlled by various organizations, and then the marketing of the watches was strictly controlled. Why was this? Because these watches gave access to a unique world: Eternity! In this world, it was possible to increase physical strength, unlock new classes and acquire various skills and talents! Joining it also allowed you to awaken your unique talent! And above all, there was the meagre possibility of increasing one's life expectancy! It was with the aim of changing his destiny that Maxime trained his whole life in swordplay, and for many years saved his meagre salary to obtain one of these famous watches! Watch his rise in the real world thanks to Eternity! Chapter release: 1 chs/day. To find out more, to discuss, to give feedback, if you want to add certain things in the story, everything is possible here : https://discord.gg/mkbF4WtMp7

Synopsis of "My Friends Are Gods" Han Li was an ordinary young man from Earth, plagued by bad luck and endless struggles to secure a stable job. Despite his hardships, he remained unaware of his innate talent: a remarkable gift for cooking. His mundane life came to an abrupt end in a tragic accident, only for him to wake up in a mystical cultivation world, reincarnated by three divine beings. These gods, who reveal themselves as Han Li's mysterious benefactors, grant him a second chance to uncover his hidden potential and reshape his destiny. As he navigates this new world, filled with magical beasts, powerful cultivators, and breathtaking landscapes, Han Li discovers that his culinary skills are not only extraordinary but also possess the power to influence those around him—gods included. Tasked with cooking meals for these celestial beings while learning to survive in a world governed by strength, Han Li embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he encounters friends, rivals, and challenges that test his resolve. Each dish he creates becomes a step toward mastering his unique gift, proving that even in a realm of power and combat.

Nyx, Earth's former number one mercenary found himself on the end of his life failing to escape from a powerful criminal mastermind. However, fate seems to have another plan for him when he woke up in a completely different place, a place that he will eventually call home in the new world where strength makes one the biggest boss. [Welcome to the Universal Shop System!] [Detected that it is the first-time log-in. Reward: Random Gift Pack (5)] [Detected the user entering the Body Tempering Realm. Reward: Infinite Qi System] [Opened Random Gift Pack (5). Acquired True Transcendence Body Art (1). Acquired Primordial Nihility Transcendent Qi (1). Acquired Immortal Illusion Art (1). Acquired Grand Desolation Transcendent Body (1). Acquired Extreme Origin Transcendent Soul (1)] With an absurd system as his cheat, follow the young man's journey through the entirety as he gains his position as the one true peerless existence, the sole transcendent above all. Notes: The story will be pretty fast paced for the first few chapters in my opinion. R-18 parts probably will contain all sorts of plays, except extreme and dark ones. Harem includes incest, no yuri, and finally, no netorare. ---------- 2 chapters every day released @ 6:00 and 18:00 GMT+8 An additional chapter for every 200 power stones, as well as every 50 golden tickets, release every Monday @ 6:00 GMT +8

After putting a suggestion to add a mercenary in a bad Murim novel he read, Leo would finish a mission with his NPCs before sleeping. Or so he planned. For some reason, he was transported into the said novel as the extra mercenary added by the author. His loyal NPCs, a yandere secretary, a happy-go-lucky assassin, a sexy puppeteer, and two weapon maniac guys start to become sentient. He lead his mercenary band 'Hallowed Insects' toward an an unprecedented future in a Murim most turbulent era while enjoying his time. Fortunately, they still have their futuristic equipment with them. Tang Clan have a Poison Dagger, they have a Photon Sword. Shaolin Sect has a Qi Blast, they have a Railgun. And of course... "How much are you willing to pay to employ us? By the way, Demon Sect pay us 50,000 Golds to join their side in the upcoming war." ... he always sided with the highest bidder. === Warning: Story with R18 element

I thought being laid off from my job was the greatest of my worries but I just had to wake up in a ship's cockpit after my space game crashed. Now I have no map, no friends and no money. But that's ok, I've started from the bottom before! With my starter ship I will scour through space as a Mercenary and maybe even start up a Mercenary Company while I'm at it! This ain't my first rodeo in space after all! Except... Apparently my crew members are weird? The guy who bumped into me yesterday was found sliced up and floating outside the space station. The girl who tried to honeytrap me was reported missing with only a finger found in an alley. And then that merchant who scammed me had his entire ship blasted into bits by unknown vessels the very next day. Some people say my crewmates were behind it but they must be mistaken, right? I only know one thing for sure... In space, no one can hear you scream... *** Notes: Any R-rated scenes will be denoted by a '*' followed by an 'R' with the number of 'R's showing how much of it is R-rated. '*R' would be around 25%, '*RR' would be about 50% and '*RRR' would most likely be the entire chapter. Also, gene splicing and cybernetics exist in this story. What does that mean? MC is a futa for one and there's going to be other futas showing up as well. You can join our discord through this link: https://discord.gg/CRrb56c

Struck by lightning, she woke up in a world that had never heard of tofu. Armed with modern knowledge and a plate of ambition, Lin Wei is ready to turn a humble bean into a culinary empire. But can a single mother survive jealous neighbors, scheming rivals, and the lure of ancient royalty? In a land where tradition rules, she’s about to rewrite the recipe for success—one block of tofu at a time.

[not a LitRPG / isekai / cultivation.] [Espionage / Slowburn / A very human story] SYNOPSIS: A child rotting on the streets was suddenly dragged into the black car of one of the many conglomerates that rule the world from the shadows. Through golden flames and swathes of blood, he was trained and experimented on to become the perfect weapon. In this ever-changing world of conspiracy and technological marvels, Test Subject 201, now called Felix, navigates the world as the experiment's sole survivor, standing as the foundation for humanity's next step in evolution.  Armed with his gun, newfound abilities, and a memento he holds dearly, he marches through the steep path of darkness and deceit, and faces off against mafia, mercenaries, and countless criminals and corporations, to enact the organization's mantra to "protect the peace.".

Toki Kaguyama, a 20-year-old high school graduate stuck in a dead-end job, finds his life turned upside down when the company he works for, teeters on the edge of bankruptcy. Struggling with finances and trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of stress, Toki decides to blow off steam with a morning jog. Little does he know, that simple jog would be his last in the world he knows. Mid-stride, Toki is suddenly whisked away to another world, joining three other unwitting heroes summoned by the kingdom to face a deadly task: to conquer the 500-floor Great Dungeon to prevent waves of monstrous creatures from overwhelming the kingdom each month. Blessed with special classes, each hero is given a role to help in the kingdom’s desperate fight for survival. One becomes a Sword Saint, another an Archer, and the third a Sorcerer. Toki, however, finds himself bestowed with a class that causes snickers and disbelief at the ceremonial blessing: Chef. Shocked and ridiculed, Toki is the target of mockery from both his fellow heroes and the kingdom’s nobility, who see his culinary class as a joke compared to the combat-ready classes of the other heroes. Humiliated and isolated, Toki decides to forge his own path instead of sticking with his disparaging companions. With no clear direction but a fierce determination to prove his worth, Toki’s first goal is simple: make friends who see him for who he is. As he sets off on his journey, he discovers that there’s more to the Chef class than meets the eye—and that it may hold the key to unique powers and abilities no one ever expected. Armed with his magic pan "Pan-demonium", a dash of defiance, and a hunger for both friendship and adventure, Toki is ready to take on the challenges of this new world, one dish at a time.... (yeah... ok... that kinda sucked.)

One of the seven strongest people on the continent, the King of Mercenaries. He started a war to avenge his fallen family and destroyed territory but failed and lost his life. However… “Wow, I’m alive?” I returned to the past, back through time. A perfect opportunity to right my regrets and reverse everything. It doesn’t matter if people around me point fingers, calling me a scoundrel, or dismiss me as tr*sh. Because… “I’ve got a plan.” “What plan?” “A plan to destroy everything.” There won’t be a second failure. This time, I’ll wipe out all my enemies. …But first, I need to rebuild this damn estate.

Rowan, an ordinary twenty-something with a penchant for fantasy novels, is suddenly pulled into the world of his latest read—Between the pages. In this brutal and unforgiving realm, he finds himself as a nameless soldier, doomed to die in the opening battle like countless others. However, instead of succumbing to the violence, Rowan discovers he has been granted a powerful and mysterious ability—the Shardbound System, which allows him to mimic the skills and abilities of those he observes, though only for short periods of time. Thrown into a world of politics, war, and treachery, Rowan must quickly adapt, using his newfound power to survive and navigate the shifting allegiances of the realm. Along the way, he encounters Ardyn, a morally ambiguous mercenary whose motives remain unclear, and the Crimson King, a tyrant whose conquest of the land seems inevitable. With every step, Rowan realizes that his presence in this world is no accident, and that the rules of the story are beginning to unravel. Now, Rowan must decide: can he survive long enough to carve out his own fate in a world where heroes are fickle and villains rule? Or will the story consume him as it does the countless nameless souls before him? One thing is certain—Rowan isn’t just an extra anymore. He’s a player in a story that’s changing by the moment, and his choices might just be the key to altering its course forever.

Julian Reaper is a normal highschool student...... or is he? Julian at a young age got kidnapped by a Mercenaries who killed his dad while camping in a forest, he then got trained by those mercenaries who kidnapped him for 2 years along with the other kids they kidnapped but, those mercenaries who kidnapped him got attacked by another mercenaries. Julian thought that it's an opportunity given by god for him to escape this hell but, he then got kidnapped again by those mercenaries who attacked the previous one he's in, the new mercenaries treat him as family, family he believe he's not gonna experience again. but after 13 years of being dead in the public or so they thought, Julian's family learned that he is not dead yet so they took him again and leave a happy with him...... is that really what happened? well let's find out after he found a certain guy and became friends with him to start their new adventure!

Ryle wants the truth. Ruby wants to stop Ryle. Ryle's objective is simple — seek the truth. His ideology is different, exclusive and offending but there's nobody on his way to stop him. His belief is clear about one thing: Do everything according to your rationale. Ruby — the only friend Ryle has — discards this. She wants to stop him at any cost. What exactly is Ryle's objective? What exactly is making Ruby uncover her unusual protective nature towards Ryle? And most importantly, how exactly will Ruby work out on her plan? Read the novel today to find out!

Orphaned at a young age after the destruction of his hometown .Ferric formed a bond with the mercenaries who took him under their wing. He rose to power and led the nation Lumea for one task: to conquer the rest of Asherah. His defeat led to a unique punishment where he would experience an endless death loop in a dimension similar to his own. Now reborn as a conscript, Ferric must now fight the very war he himself started and reunite with his former companions to alter the course of history. Will he bring justice to himself , or will he take down his opponents and rule all of Asherah with an iron fist? (This story will also become available on Royal Road) Disclaimer: I do not own nor did I create any part of the cover design. All rights go to the graphics studio team on the Vecteezy website Link: Soldier Stock photos by Vecteezy

In a world of killers and mercenaries, love floats in the air. Warm and intoxicating. It's like sweet and delicious poison. And all are affected. Isn't that wonderfully terrible?

"When Samir, a cybersecurity engineer with an Strange power, finds himself transported to the mystical world of Vasundhara. Gifted with abilities far beyond the ordinary and a deep love for food and cooking, Samir embarks on a lighthearted, yet extraordinary journey to explore enchanting cities, experience diverse cultures, and uncover the secrets of this mystical land—all while searching for a way back to his family and home. As Samir encounters kind souls, dangerous monsters, and untold mysteries, his cheerful nature and culinary talents help him leave a lasting impression on everyone he meets. But as he experiences the wonders of Vasundhara, he discovers that the journey itself may be as important as his destination"

In a realm where magic and ambition blend, Rhiannon, the rebellious daughter of the Demon Queen, shocks her world by choosing the kitchen over elite magecraft. She's got one goal: to outshine her legendary great-grandmother, Leora, by mastering the culinary arts at the top magical academy. But when Rhiannon meets Maeve, a mesmerizing teacher whose lessons go way beyond the kitchen. Their forbidden romance start. With a fiery dragon by her side, a fiercely protective twin sister, and an unquenchable passion for cooking, Rhiannon's path is one of defiance and discovery. Can she rise to become the greatest chef across both realms, or will the flames of forbidden love consume her dreams?

A realm void of the Gods, Demons and Angels that once roamed its plains and waged war against one another. Belisarius and his ragtag mercenary band Altera Vita travel the world, doing whatever they desire. Follow their journey and witness the creation of their myth, and The Legends of Altera Vita.

Arthur is a mercenary on a quest to learn magic. Once a blacksmith’s apprentice, he left his comfortable life behind at fourteen to chase his dream of crafting enchanted weapons. With no noble blood or wealth, he turned to mercenary work, earning coin for the chance to study magic and uncover ancient relics. This is my first story. so sorry for any mistakes. I do plan to add romance later in the story when I feel more confident writing it. Constructive criticism please.