He wore a patched melon cap, a yellow scarf, and a small, confident scar cutting across his cheek — the mark of a wolf who had survived every explosion and failure fate could throw at him.
It was none other than Grey Wolf from Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.
Despite his lifelong misfortune, this wolf was the greatest inventor of his world — a bona fide genius with the highest IQ among his kind.
"Welcome, Mr. Grey Wolf."
Ron smiled as if he'd been expecting him all along.
After Pleasant Goat had left the tavern, the system had already pinged a notification: Grey Wolf would be visiting soon.
"Hmm? You know me?"
The wolf tilted his head, then nodded politely and took a seat at the counter.
"Makes sense. A voice's been whispering in my head for days, telling me to come to this tavern…"
His voice carried fatigue — and a hint of melancholy. His fur was matted in places, bandages wrapped over a dozen fresh scars. Clearly, today's "catch the sheep" mission had gone sideways again.
Then, as if realizing something was off, his ears twitched sharply.
"Wait… what is this place, anyway?"
After agreeing to follow that mysterious voice, he'd suddenly blacked out — and when he opened his eyes, he was standing at this door. The entire experience reeked of the supernatural, and as a man of science, that terrified him more than failure itself.
Ron chuckled softly.
"You're a scientist, right? You must've heard of the multiverse."
That, he decided, was a perfectly acceptable half-truth.
He couldn't exactly tell Grey Wolf, "Congrats, handsome — you've crossed into a world where lamb is always on the menu."
Grey Wolf's pupils shrank. His keen mind spun gears at full speed, scanning every inch of the tavern.
Then, through the window, he caught sight of the harbor — where two pirate crews were engaged in a violent clash.
He froze.
One of the pirates suddenly transformed, his body warping into something half-beast, half-human — his strength and speed skyrocketing in an instant. Others' arms darkened into jet-black armor, deflecting bullets with bare hands.
Every instinct in Grey Wolf screamed impossible.
He was a staunch believer in science. Sure, he'd built rockets from scratch, but he still believed that everything in the world had a rational explanation.
And yet — what he saw outside shattered that faith.
"Boss…" he began, voice trembling slightly. "What kind of world is this? Those men outside… were they blessed by gods?"
Before Ron could reply, Lucoa glided over with a bottle and a glass, her smile serene.
"Your drink, sir. Enjoy."
With Rem and Ram out shopping, she'd naturally stepped in to help. Then she drifted back to her seat, watching Ron curiously.
Ron took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling between his fingers.
"This is a world where the strong devour the weak. Pirates roam free. The World Government fattens a pack of parasites who call themselves gods — the Celestial Dragons."
His tone was light, but there was iron in it.
"They trample lives, ignore suffering. That's what power does to those who never earned it. As for divine blessings — there are none. What you saw was no miracle. Just… the power this world calls its own."
A faint smile ghosted across his lips.
"Everyone hates the Celestial Dragons, yet everyone dreams of becoming one. Too bad most people just… aren't born lucky enough."
Grey Wolf was silent for a while.
"So… strength rules here."
He sighed, downing a gulp of the golden liquor.
"If only I had power like that… My wife wouldn't have to starve anymore. She doesn't ask for much — just one bite of lamb. But I… I can't even catch a sheep. Some wolf I am."
Ron chuckled.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. The power you envy — it's not so different from your science. In the right hands, your inventions could make every force in this world kneel."
Because it was true. A mind capable of handcrafting rockets and outsmarting fate itself — dropped into the world of pirates — would be worth more than gold or Devil Fruits.
"Nonsense," Grey Wolf muttered. "Science can't compete with magic. What you're saying is… unscientific."
Ron shook his head.
"What you saw can be recreated through science. In another world, there's a genius like you — who, with nothing but his mind, has built machines that rival gods themselves."
Grey Wolf froze.
Ron's words detonated in his skull like a bomb.
Today had already shredded his worldview once. Now, it crumbled completely.
"A… mortal who can match gods?"
"Of course," Ron said, smiling. "Keep coming by, and one day you might meet him yourself."
He wasn't bluffing.
Once the tavern upgraded enough to invite cross-world guests more frequently, someone like Tony Stark was bound to show up eventually.
And, if Ron was being honest, he also had a small personal goal — to trade some of Grey Wolf's inventions.
Payment? Naturally, lamb meat.
Letting Grey Wolf finally eat lamb… that'd make his own childhood complete.
"This is good wine," Grey Wolf said after a thoughtful sip. "I'll be back."
Before Ron could reply, Lucoa giggled, spreading her arms wide — chest proud and impossible to ignore.
"Such a good story deserves a reward. Come here, dear. Big sister'll give you a hug."
Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Demoness, how dare you tempt me with hugs?"
If he took that embrace, propriety would not survive the impact.
Lucoa burst into laughter, shaking like a living earthquake. Even Yoruichi on the shelf slapped her tail over her eyes.
Just then, Rem and Ram returned, a sleepy black cat tucked under one arm.
"Master," Rem said, "there's still some lamb left in the kitchen."
"Good. Roast it all. Extra cumin and chili — get rid of the gamey smell."
"Yes, Master."
The twins set down their fabric bundles and hurried off to the kitchen.
A sharp smack echoed.
Grey Wolf had slapped himself — just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Nope. Not a dream.
He was really here.
And tonight… for the first time in his life…
He was finally going to eat lamb.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/ZoroTL442