Galactic Exchange: The Merchant Sovereign - Chapter 46 – Arbitration Begins: Trade is War

Hunter Cha Eui-jae, who was dispatched to seal a rift that appeared over the West Sea, was flung out as soon as he closed the rift. When he came to his senses, he was lying in a garbage dump.Starving, he was drawn like a zombie is to blood to a hangover soup restaurant, where he realized that he had fallen into South Korea, eight years in the future.In this era, disaster alerts notify people of rift openings in advance, ASMR videos of slimes gathered from dungeons were trending, and idle hunters livestream unboxings of A-rank longswords.Unlike the past, where people trembled in fear of an impending apocalypse, the future was surprisingly peaceful, leaving Cha Eui-jae feeling empty. Since things had turned out this way, why not start a second chapter of life as a part-timer at the hangover soup restaurant, rather than being a hunter?“That’s strange.”“…”“Have we met somewhere before?”Cha Eui-jae’s plan to quietly spend his remaining days as the only part-time worker at the decades-old hangover soup restaurant goes awry when he encounters a mysterious, gas-masked individual…

Lucas Carter, a stressed-out office worker, never expected to die, let alone be reincarnated into a brutal world where beasts are the key to power. Born as the heir to a lowly barony, surrounded by elves, beastkin, dragons, and demonic clans, he was supposed to be a mere pawn, nothing more than a stepping stone for the true power players.But fate had other plans. Armed with a modern strategist’s mind and a mysterious system that grants him the ability to tame legendary beasts, Lucas quickly rises above the limitations of his birth. With the power to summon beasts, fuse them into deadly weapons, and unlock hidden skills, Lucas is no longer just surviving—he’s thriving.By his side are his loyal companions:Umbra, a Black Nemean Lion with indestructible fur and devastating roars that disrupt magic.Zephyra, a playful yet fierce Baby Wind Dragon who wields the power of wind itself.With his growing army of legendary beasts and his tactical genius, Lucas begins to build an empire. Along the way, he forms bonds with powerful women from every race, all while navigating the dangers of political intrigue, betrayal, and the constant threat of rivals who want to take everything he’s earned.One beast at a time, Lucas will carve his name into history. But in a world where strength is everything, can his cunning and loyalty to his beasts truly make him the ultimate ruler?

As a rising Formula One race car driver, Ye Ci had always been criticized.

“Aloof and indifferent, unable to be reasoned with.”

“Suspected to have a mental illness, is this person really suitable for the track?”

“He doesn’t really love the sport, racing is just his way of venting his violent emotions.”

Huo Tinglan’s demeanor was always elegant and protective in front of the media, and he said that his husband was just quiet and introverted. After five years of marriage, they respected each other and were quite harmonious.

It was not until Ye Ci died unexpectedly during a race that Huo Tinglan gradually realized . . . . . .

He wasn’t quiet and introverted, but instead lifeless. Before finding his refuge, Ye Ci had gone through too many dark and painful moments.

After enduring years of suffering and longing, Huo Tinglan was unexpectedly reborn. Ye Ci was only eighteen years old this year, and everything was within reach.

Huo Tinglan was cheeky and went directly to his door to ask for a kiss.

- Description from Novelupdates

“The author wants to kill me! Why else would he plan so many insidious subplots centered around me, an Extra?”This was Han Xuhan's plight since he had transmigrated into a semi-familiar novel.The novel, written by a degenerate author, was truly messed up beyond description. All Han Xuhan had was a system that barely kept him alive from the dangers of this fictional world.But after he survived the introductory arc, the mad author even began influencing that system!Why else would the Quests issued by it be so difficult? Every time a new quest was issued, Han Xuhan could sense the author's killing intent through it!Ding![ Detected that host has met a child of destiny! Issuing Quest: Manipulate her for benefits! ][ Warning: She is a Regressor who knows your plan. And her hobby is skinning people alive. ]Ding![ Detected that host has met a legendary Ring-Grandpa. Issuing Quest: Trade him back and forth among your circle of friends to squeeze out all of his value! ][ Warning: This Grandpa can escape from the ring anytime! He'll refine your soul in hell when he figures out what's going on. ]Ding![ Detected that host has triggered an apocalypse by harvesting too much protagonist halo. Issuing Quest: Kill the harbinger of the apocalypse. ][Warning: His cultivation is three major realms above you. You're never beating him in a fight. ]As the quests grew more and more difficult, Han Xuhan finally decided that offence is the best defence; and so, to combat the author's murderous intentions, he attacked the main storyline itself!“Hahahaha! The author really loves this female lead, doesn't he? Let's see if he can save her from my evil influence! I will radicalize every precious character of his novel!”Soon, Han Xuhan discovered that this might not have been a great idea, because all the favorite characters of the author were crazy!Additional Tags: Time Travellers, Transmigrators, Reincarnators, Regressors, Machiavellian Characters, Ruthless Scheming, Villainous MC, Multiple Timelines, Paradoxes, Extensive Worldbuilding, System, Survival, Yanderes, Overpowered Female Leads, Enemies To Lovers, Villainesses, No NTR or Yuri, Mysterious Past, Bloodlines, Multiple Power Systems, Politics, Older Love Interests, Master-Disciple Relationship, Wholesome Relationships, Kingdom Building.