It is said that the deadliest poisons always began as meals worth dying for... though he wasn't sure this was what they meant by saying the food was worth dying for.

"Agent Oliver." The transmitter crackled to life, whispering the intel to his ears, "Pay close attention to what I say next."

The sound of static filled the void between the speaker's dialogues, before the figure on the other side spoke once more. "Centuries ago, there was a Greeco-Roman chef who dabbled in alchemy, and worked for a warlord."

Oliver's body stood still, his chest barely rising. Internally, he has already guessed where this was leading.

"The chef created a highly valuable cookbook, rumoured to contain recipes that act as blueprints for advanced biochemical weapons."

The Culinary Codex.

"You may know this as the ancient and highly valuable cookbook, The Culinary Codex." Oliver’s grip tightened involuntarily. He suppressed a flicker of muscle tension with a slow, steady breath.

The mission had just shifted from routine to a level of complexity he wasn’t used to. This was no ordinary threat.

This would not be fun.

"The Gourmet Syndicate has likely already secured the Culinary Codex, and rumors suggest they're already translating its dangerous recipes. If they perfect the bio-weapons, they could change the entire power structure in the underground world of espionage and luxury dining."

Oliver wasn’t surprised by the scope of the threat – only baffled by the sheer absurdity of it. Poisonous food? A biochemical weapon disguised as a gourmet dish? He could barely imagine it, but he didn’t have the luxury of disbelief.

The mission was simple: get in, extract the intel, and leave. Everything else could be dealt with later.

"Intel suggests the Syndicate has already started testing their creations. On their own customers. If that’s true, we’re looking at a deadly game with no winners."

Oliver’s mind snapped to attention, his eyes dilating as he processed the implications. He grimaced, but the transmission went on. "Your target is La Rosa Florita, a new restaurant with suspicious ties to the Syndicate. It's your job to infiltrate and find out what they're cooking up."

'Pun intended?' Oliver mused.

"Your target operative is a man who'll deliver a bottle of a special red scorpion wine, which is expected to be one of the key ingredients for one of the recipes. Your mission is to intercept the package at any cost."

He momentarily wondered if he could engage with the target operative prior to the restaurant, knock him out, and simply seize the wine.

"You'll meet another operative when you reach the restaurant. Agent Wǎng Lì will meet you at there; she’s known for being cautious but sharp. Trust her to get you the intel you need, but don’t expect small talk." Oliver gave a single, approving nod.

"You will confirm each other's identity by ordering the off-menu dish, Scarlet Tuna with the usual accompaniments."

Oliver raised an eyebrow at that. A strange identification method, but nothing about this mission was normal so far either. The thought of eating tuna – let alone Scarlet Tuna – was far from appetizing, but he had no choice. In their world, even the most mundane things could be a signal.

“Your cover identity is Elliot Marks. A Quality Assurance Inspector for Verdure & Co., a distributor of luxury culinary ingredients.”

He blinked. “A what?” He finally broke his character, not sure he’d heard that right. A quality assurance inspector in a high-end restaurant? There had to be a catch.

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“You’ll have access to the high-end kitchens, where they handle rare ingredients – truffles, saffron, vintage balsamic vinegar. You’ll evaluate the storage conditions and handling procedures. Use your position to move freely through the restaurant. People will expect you to be a perfectionist. Use it to your advantage. Most chefs will avoid scrutiny from a QA inspector.”

Elliot's eyes went wider than the full moon as he realised he heard it right. 'I can’t even tell saffron from paprika!' He complained to himself.

“Do not worry about your incompetence in the field. Just memorize the dossier. You’ll need to impress them with your expertise. If someone questions your credentials, fake offense. QA inspectors are known for their temper. If you’re caught off guard, play it cool.”

Elliot exhaled sharply, leaning against the wall. 'I’m so going to screw this up,' he grumbled to himself.

Though, he could not help but smile in relief as he heard the last part. At the very least, he could bullshit his way out of things if he ever confused truffles with truffle oil.

"Your dossier contains an appendix on handling luxury ingredients. Study it thoroughly to avoid detection. Under no circumstances should you confuse truffles with truffle oil. One mistake could blow your cover immediately."

'Oh god no.' Elliot felt mortified internally, but the recording went on without the slightest hint of care.

"This cover will provide seamless access to high-profile dining establishments and their operations without raising suspicion."

'Reasonable enough.'

He could now plausibly claim he's there to meet with a restaurant's chef to discuss how they’re implementing a recent delivery of expensive or rare goods.

"If your cover is compromised, pivot by claiming to be auditing for potential supplier fraud. The Syndicate may have ties to counterfeit luxury ingredient distribution, providing a plausible excuse for your involvement."

'Let's just hope they don't try to shoot me down on the spot.' Elliot said humorously to himself, though fully aware that violence was one of the disfavoured methods of any syndicate.

"Avoid prolonged conversations with food critics. They are known for asking questions that could inadvertently expose holes in your cover."

'Shouldn't be too hard.' Food critics weren't just found everywhere, after all. It should be pretty unlikely for him to come across one.

"You are to enter La Rosa Florita under this cover identity, perform a surface-level inspection, and maintain surveillance on the target operative, after having acquired the pen drive."

Elliot's eyes narrowed, compiling all the intel he has acquired into a mental pavilion, streamlined into a concise mind map.

Though, he did wonder if he should exercise his cooking skills for the mission at some point...

"Extraction is scheduled after your preliminary report is submitted, even if the report is fabricated. Remember, this is a covert operation, not a cooking competition."

'Damn it, they knew.'

"Remember, if The Gourmet Syndicate really does possess The Culinary Codex, they won't simply translate it. They'll most likely offer it to the highest bidder once they've secured all the recipes for themselves."

At those words, Elliot's eyes constricted slightly, the grip on the transmitter tightening just enough for the device to barely evade slipping between his fingers.

"Good luck, agent. May fortune be on your side."

And with that, the transmission came to an end, having gone utterly silent with the sound of a crackling static. A few seconds later, the yellowish flare and an electric sound shot from within it, frying the circuits inside out.

Moments later, his phone vibrated. Two encrypted files, sent from an unknown source.

Oliver pulled them up with practiced fingers, the anticipation rising in his chest as he looked forward to his new identity. He swiped to open the first file.

CLASSIFIED TRANSMISSION

From: Division HQ

To: Agent [REDACTED]

Mission Cover Briefing

Subject: Quality Assurance Inspector – Specialty Ingredient Distributor

Details of Cover Identity:

Background: Elliot Marks has a background in food sciences and logistics, with years of experience consulting for luxury dining establishments. You have an impeccable reputation for ensuring product quality at five-star restaurants and exclusive clients.

Personality Profile: Slightly cynical but goal detail-oriented. You are passionate about maintaining the integrity of culinary ingredients, but you maintain a cynical concept at all times.

Reason for Visit: You are evaluating the restaurant’s handling of recently delivered white truffles valued at $2,000 per kilogram. This includes checking storage temperature, handling procedures, and the chef’s implementation of the ingredient in dishes.

Talking Points:

“Truffles must be stored between 32–36°F to preserve aroma.”

“Cross-contamination with strong odors like garlic will ruin the flavor profile.”

“Are you pairing the truffles with something earthy like chanterelle mushrooms? It’s the only way to do them justice.”

"The benefit of..."

It was what he expected. Basic details related to his visit to La Rosa Florita.

The second file was far worse. A dossier on luxury ingredients – terms and measurements that felt more at home in a chemistry textbook than a kitchen. Oliver winced as he scanned it. He was already regretting the next few hours.

Memorizing the handling of saffron, truffles, and caviar?

He already missed the gunshots, parkour, and blackmail. Hell, he could practically taste the nostalgia of the heat from the bullets soaring already.

Elliot closed his eyes, heaving a deep sigh as he shut down the files, pressing a hand against his forehead, clutching a lock of his hair.

Exhaling slowly, he packed away the documents.

The time for questions was over. He had a job to do. And if he screwed this up, there wouldn’t be a chance to correct it. Not in a world where food could be weaponized, and every bite might be the last one.

And worst of all, his job and salary might be in jeopardy.