Merchant Crab
Community Rating
Description
Book 1 is on Kindle and Audible!
Book 2 is on Kindle and Audible too!
Balthazar was just a random giant crab enjoying his life in a fantasy world full of bothersome human adventurers, but then he had to go and accidentally discover the secret of attributes and levels. And also pie. With baked goods and coin as his new life goals, he turns to the competitive business of trading the random junk adventurers loot every day.
Follow Balthazar as he does everything to find a baker... except leave his pond, because exploring the dangerous world out there is for suckers. Witness how adventurers just can't seem to stop dying around his home. And cheer for a crab who makes great new friends by simply buying them.
Book 3 is out now, with new chapters fresh off the bakery!
What to expect from this story:- No harems, not unless they're a harem of gold coins.- Silliness, lots of it. The story doesn't take itself too seriously, so you shouldn't either.- The only kind of OP here is how "overpriced" the crab's deals are.- A system simple enough for a crab to use, but still conveniently complex when necessary, for some odd reason.- Proper realistic adventurers: they're not very bright, and they make very poor decisions.- Did I mention there will be pastries?
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Information
- Status
- Ongoing
- Year
- 2023
- Author
- H0st
Tags
Royal Road Stats
- Rating
- 4.5/ 5.0
- Followers
- 4,077
- Views
- 648,099
Chapters(126 total)
- Chapter 262: Sticky PartnershipNov 7, 2025
- Chapter 261: VisitorsNov 3, 2025
- Chapter 260: Two Sides of Different CoinsOct 31, 2025
- Chapter 259: Into the FirestormOct 27, 2025
- Chapter 258: Out of the Baking PanOct 24, 2025
- Chapter 257: Pest ProblemOct 20, 2025
- Merchant Crab book 1 out on Kindle and Audible November 18 + Stubbing November 16Oct 17, 2025
- Chapter 256: Tainted BatchOct 17, 2025
- Chapter 255: A SparkOct 13, 2025
- Chapter 254: Prideful CreaturesOct 10, 2025
- Chapter 253: Deadly HallsOct 6, 2025
- Chapter 252: Out of the OvenOct 3, 2025
- Chapter 251: SeekingSep 29, 2025
- Chapter 250: Experimental CrabSep 26, 2025
- Chapter 249: Complementary ActivitiesSep 22, 2025
- Chapter 248: First AcolyteSep 19, 2025
- Chapter 247: Three HearthsSep 15, 2025
- Chapter 246: Sales PitchSep 12, 2025
- Chapter 245: Tutor CrabSep 8, 2025
- Chapter 244: Leaving the NestSep 5, 2025
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Community Reviews(10)
- lumenwritesRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0I am so happy I have discovered this story! This is absolutely perfect for me!
I was looking for something funny, wholesome, colorful, creative, with lovable characters and an interesting premise. Something in the style of Dimension 20 or Gravity Falls. I just started reading the story, but so far it's all of those things, and I love it.
It's brilliant, hilarious and well-written, and I love everything about it. I've been browsing dozens of stories looking for something I would love to read, and a lot of them were good, but nothing was anywhere near as amazing as this one. I haven't been this excited about reading a book in years.
The premise is so exciting, clever, and hilarious, and it is executed so well. I highly recommend it! - Constantine de BoudoxRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0I expected crab salad and found lobster Thermidor, just don't tell Balthazar I said that. The interesting premise in the blurb promised a good story, once I started reading I found an excellent one.
Humor is a hard craft, minuscule deviation in timing or bluntness can ruin a whole joke, and to wave it into an interesting story takes a real skill. The climate is not really favorable to humor nowadays so I was hit with nostalgia. The proper application of humor reminded me of an old show in style so much I was expecting Balthazar to exclaim "This time next year we'll be millionaires" at any time.
Nothing is unnecessary, even the smallest trinket has its place in the story. I'm still asking myself what role will horned helmet play... - FlowerPower :-)Royal Road★★★★★ 5.0I got the first book from amazon for my kindl. Loved every page!
A cranky crab with a hearth of gold.
Good progression, not to much of it, not to little.
It made me lough out loud sometimes, aswell as a little sad moment (can´t say what becaus I don´t want so spoil). Perfect mix.
Give it a try. - HyruneRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0H0st has done that rarest of things - they've written a story which has made laugh and surprised me completely by making me feel genuine emotional attachment to the characters within. I'm hooked on uncovering the mysteries of this world and answering the most important question of all - will Balthazar get another chance to enjoy his pie in peace?!
On a serious note, do yourself a favour and read on: the story is a warm and comforting tale with real humour and a touch of nostalgia for those of us who grew up in RPG worlds. - Lauhrent de BlangyRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0Bonjour. Je suis français, j'utilise Google Translate et je suis très content de cette histoire. J'ai découvert ce récit par hasard et j'en suis très contenu. J'en suit au chapitre 17. Est-ce que le crabe va se construire un chateau plein de pieges ? Puis qu'il a des pensées de notre monde, est-il un écolier ou lycéen isekai qui a perdu la mémoire de sa vie précédente ? Merci !
- No Road UntraveledRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0If you’d have told me a year ago I’d be writing a review about a crabby crab that runs a store out of its little pond I’d have laughed. Now, I’m still laughing but for a different reason.
This story is the perfect blend of comedy, found family, drama, slice of life, and a dash of wholesomeness. This isn’t an action litrpg, don’t expect lots of action. Oh, and watch out for birds! Those flying fiends really are out to get you! - ScruffedUpRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0I will get this over right now, the stories a 5/5, read it. Its unique, got a good sense of humor, and doesn't take itself 1000% seriously or treat itself like the gospel. Read it, its good.
Style:
The story is a comedy, with a sprinkle of fantasy and system in it. Its got a good sense of humor, and knows when not to take itself seriously. 5/5 I like it
Story:
The novel is well written, and while I think the 'System' stuff could be a bit better with either custom system boxes or whatever thats more of a later thing, for when the story and writer aren't just getting started. The book is entertaining, and I enjoy it, to top it all off its rather well written as well, especially for a hard comedy. It doesn't rely on poorly written slapstick to get its humor across. 5/5
Grammar:
I haven't noticed any spelling mistakes, so good on you. 5/5
Character:
The characters seem believable, and I like them. The main crab himself feels decently like a sentient being that just wants to live its life and eat pie, which I can relate to. 5/5
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Overall, I like the story. I think its on a good start and I look forward to what happens next. 5/5 - and bookmarked. - SergeantSergioRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0A very wholesome and enjoyable story so far. Some great humor and honestly impressive character building. It's still pretty new and yet I already care about the characters and their development.
I'm excited to read more about the adventures of our crab merchant as he gathers more and more friends.
Check it out! Highly recommend it. - UnDeadPuffRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0The excellently written story of a crabby crab who figures out how to get the most out of the junk pile most of us keep around forever without a good reason. If your patience is a bit above the norm and can handle puns and crabby shabbies, entertain some time for this one.
- ElectroNegativeRoyal Road★★★★★ 5.0This story is so much fun! Rather lighthearted, but surprisingly engaging. I'm not sure how the author managed it, but it's a very compelling story. The characters are well written and have enough personality to be memorable. The premise is quite fun, and the MC is delightful in both his unique crustacean perspective and his growth throughout the story. The pacing is nicely done, too; things like communication and simple problems are not overly drawn out without feeling forced. The prose is above average, too, I'd say.
Consider me hooked!