Mercenary Reincarnated as a Chef

A LitRPG Adventure (Demon Roux, Book 1)

By: Gabriel Rathweg

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

A not-quite-cozy LitRPG Adventure with a cooking twist, perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes & Delicious in Dungeons!

He'll trade his dagger for a cleaver. Bon appétit.

Diamond Lou was the best mercenary assassin the world had ever known. Even the best have to die sometimes.

For Lou, that was okay. He tired of all the killing and death.

Only, the end never came. The goddess Azrael intervenes, giving him the opportunity to be reborn in a fantasy world not to be a mercenary or a killer, but a chef.

Lou takes that chance. However, sometimes you get more than you bargained for. It's a good thing he knows how to fight for the chance at his new life. One actually worth living.

Jump into this not-quite-cozy isekai LitRPG Adventure with a cooking twist, featuring slice of life elements, slow-build progression, tower climbing, incredible beasts, deep worldbuilding, magic, and delicious food.

Perfect for fans of Delicious in Dungeon, Legends and Lattes, and Grilled Armageddon!

©2026 AETHON (P)2026 Aethon Audio

a nice start of a new adventure.

we follow our MC a 53 old assassin merc, dies on mission but first he saved the goddess of death and so is offered to be brought into another world as one of her champions. he refuses as he is tired of killing, so the goddess sent him to a different world where all the god and goddess champions attempt to clear the tower. he still refuses as once again tired of fighting and would rather open an inn and tavern. the goddess gives him skills for that trade, but he didn't forget his old earthly skills either. now we follow the MC who is now in a 15 year old body as he trys and navigate this new world while trying to be a chef. can't wait for the next in the series.

Good premise

I love the concept. The chef concept takes a little time to develop but it does become important. It is yet to be seen if assassin or chef careers will win out. Some of the naming conventions were distracting. The plot was fun and interesting though. I do want to see what happens next. The narrator did a good job.

Love the story so far

I really love Campfire cooking skill in another world and so I instantly lived the rapport with Ragnar and the others, but love Lou’s ability to adapt unlike a certain other character from. Just wish it was a bit longer.

great premise hard execution

I really liked this premise really isekai is my jam. this story had some flow issues, long explanation in some areas then rushing through others that were more important.

Cookie cutter

Why give the mc 57 years of experience living a hard life and pushing through only to reset them and make them a weak will pacifist? I guess it creates tension and relates to the teenage audience but it's just poor writing. I recommend skipping the beggining parts of the book. Start where he gets issekaied and expect the usual tropes of teenage angst.

He also starts cooking the last 4 hours of the book. The rest is just talking for no reason. Play it while working on projects or driving long distance.