JACKAL AMONG SNAKES - Chapter 19: The Sad Clown

I am a girl.But no one can know that.In Silvermoor, only men fight in the war, but House Ironfang has no more males to give.To prevent my father from sure death in the war, I wore his clothes and disguised myself as a man to take his place in the army.We won, but the enemy has taken me captive. The Demonic Alpha King who marked me as his without knowing what I truly am to punish me for losing him a war.But now, it is more than a punishment as he is now obsessed and hell-bent on seducing me. He tells me it doesn't matter what skin I wear, man or woman, he'll always want me.I hope to the Moon Goddess that it isn't true.Because I will never submit to him.

My memories of my past life returned when I hit my head on a rock. I am Katarina Claes, the eight-year-old daughter of a Duke. While I was struggling with a high fever, it was decided that I would become a prince’s fiancée. I have now realized that this is the world of an otome game I played in my previous life.

I also realized that I had become the villainous noble girl who got in the way of the protagonist and her capture target… if the protagonist got a good ending, I would be exiled from the country with only the clothes on my back, while in the bad ending, I would be killed by the capture target… where’s my good ending!? Do I only get bad endings!?

I want to overcome all the destruction flags somehow and reach old age!

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

slum kitchens to royal banquets, he turns anything edible into a dish that can heal, buff, or embarrass the hell out of arrogant nobles.Armed with knives sharper than a knight's sword and recipes more dangerous than a mage's spell, he leaves a trail of awestruck patrons, jealous chefs, and confused warriors in his wake. Husbands flock to him, leaving their wives wondering if they have a secret family. Monsters tremble at the thought of landing on his hot grill, while mages fume over the man who drank a lemonade and shot out a fireball the size of a meteor.His dishes are more potent than a god's blessing… because in this world, the right meal can change everything.00000Basic Info: Lukas gains a SSS rank talent named Divine Chef. It enables him to give magical effects to every single thing he cooks. It could be stat increases, skills and more. Along with this, he also receives a skill that allows him to cultivate crops. Using a regular potato, he can grow magical ones infused with mana, which with further enhance the dishes he makes.