Blackrock Mercenaries

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Monsters? Assassins? Business is far more cutthroat.

Chad Burling had everything he wanted. As a fixer, his job was to cut the chaff out of businesses, doing whatever it took to make sure his employers’ books balanced - no matter how much of the law he had to skirt or who got hurt.

Then someone tried to kill him over it. Now torn between his previous lifestyle or potential death, Chad finds himself in the employ of Rita Thrumlin, leader of the Blackrock Mercenary Company. He’ll need skills old and new to survive the monsters, contracts, and even his fellow employees. A simple matter, if not for a few facts, such as a shady group of couriers who will deliver anything to anyone. His boss’s money troubles, and that he really doesn’t want to risk his life.

With all of this, Chad will have to push up his sleeves and write a new contract. One that means his employer will come out on top, no matter what has to happen.Released Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-9:30 AEST

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2025
Author: Zenkarn

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 272
Views: 48,577

What readers say about Blackrock Mercenaries

“Another well written progression fantasy story from Zencarn with the usual mix of interesting characters and story lines. Once started they are hard to put down and I am sure this will be no exception. Chad and Rita meet by accident on a quiet country road…”
lawngrub2Royal Road5.0 / 5
“It’s an enjoyable read but it needs some polish as a few persistent issues and flaws mar the story that is otherwise interesting and unusual. First I don’t really know if it will qualify as a LITRPG for most. There are screens but they’re largely static, me…”
AtroRoyal Road4.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(3)

lawngrub2Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Another well written progression fantasy story from Zencarn with the usual mix of interesting characters and story lines. Once started they are hard to put down and I am sure this will be no exception. Chad and Rita meet by accident on a quiet country road after Chad is confronted by an old client. Rita is traveling along the same road with her driver Reeds and finds Chad hot and bothered after coming face to face with a hungry Goblin. What happens next we will have to wait and see!!!
AtroRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
It’s an enjoyable read but it needs some polish as a few persistent issues and flaws mar the story that is otherwise interesting and unusual.
First I don’t really know if it will qualify as a LITRPG for most. There are screens but they’re largely static, mention some abilities and largely could have been just as easily done without.
Money is a central component and regularly mentioned, but its value seems to shift heavily even to a given character. Without some consistency it’s hard to care if someone is handing over a gold or 4 bronze.
And lastly the MC despite being framed as a clever negotiator and connections man is basically dragged along wherever the story wants them without really seeking answers or standing up for themselves. This is all the more noticeable as whenever the story permits him to practice his own skills he’s quite good at it and it’s really enjoyable to read. It would take some significant changes to give him more agency in his actions but it really seems like it would make for a really great story.
Those points mentioned the story as a whole is fun. The characters interesting, the world having layers, and the viewpoint a fresh shift from the standard warrior with infinite bravery and willpower. It’s worth a read even with the flaws.
Fault RiskRoyal Road
★ 1.0
World has possibility, feels deep & extensive. Good mystery that MC starts chewing on at first.
But while MC is supposed to be good at making deals he keeps screwing up basic security stuff? Like. Nobody would even survive 10 minutes in this world if they were as dumb as mc. And he keeps screwing it up. I get one or two security screw ups - he's a city based money guy - but he is CONSTANTLY screwing it up to the point it breaks immersion.
Stopped reading when MC who has no training saves own life by running away from a monster, and is then blamed by his entire team. Victim shaming is not something I need in my pleasure reading.
If I were to try to fix the story? MC would maybe start thinking 'oh maybe I should get some training or hire security' after the goblin chases him - which honestly should just never happen anyway - nobody at his level would be defenseless. And I'd re-write everything after mc fleeing the much larger monster later on - complete turnoff. Sure you can make fun of someone with training for running away. But someone with obviously zero fighting skill running away? yeah the various team mates should be begging him to stay with them not making fun of him.
Needs some work. Good luck.