The rich, meaty aroma of roasted lamb drifted out from the kitchen, curling through the air until it wrapped around Grey Wolf's nose like a phantom hand.
He froze.
That scent — that wild, familiar tang of mutton — clawed straight through years of hunger and failure.
For the first time in a long while, the great inventor's eyes filled with tears.
"I never thought…"
"After all these years… I, Grey Wolf, would ever taste lamb again."
His voice cracked, thick with emotion.
"Thank you… thank you, boss."
Ron smiled, pouring him a drink.
"If you really want to thank me," he said lightly, "we could make a deal."
"A deal?"
"You give me your failed inventions — all those gadgets you built trying to catch sheep. In exchange, I'll make sure your whole family never runs out of lamb again."
A fair trade, and more importantly, a clever one. Lamb wasn't worth much — a few thousand Berries a pound at best — but those inventions? In this world, they could sell for a fortune. Even the Navy or the underground markets would kill to get their hands on technology like his.
Grey Wolf's ears perked up. He didn't even hesitate.
"Deal!"
"Those old devices are just collecting dust in my den anyway. I'd rather trade them for meat."
He rummaged through his coat and produced a small glass vial filled with shimmering liquid.
"This is Invisibility Potion. Consider it our first trade."
Ron took the vial, examined it under the light, then gave a testing spritz over his shoulder.
Flicker—
For a second, his outline shimmered like heat haze — and then he was simply gone.
Lucoa's eyes widened.
Even she, a former god, couldn't sense him. No breath, no aura — not even the faintest whisper of magic.
She leaned back, her usual lazy smile replaced by something closer to awe.
"Well now," she murmured, "this little tavern's going to attract all sorts of interesting guests…"
Just then, Rem came over, carrying a plate stacked with food.
"Master, the lamb is ready!"
As the words left her lips, her expression suddenly shifted — a flush crept up her cheeks, and she clutched her skirt.
"M-Master, please don't tease me like that…"
A heartbeat later, Ron reappeared behind the bar, looking perfectly innocent.
"Rem, are you alright? You look a bit feverish — go lie down if you're sick."
"M-Master!" she huffed, puffing her cheeks and storming off, embarrassed.
Ron chuckled under his breath.
This potion was incredible.
But under no circumstances could Rayleigh ever find out.
If that old man got his hands on invisibility tech, every women's bathhouse in the Sabaody Archipelago would be in crisis by nightfall.
Shaking his head, Ron washed his hands and turned back toward the counter.
"You're not eating? Did the twins mess up the seasoning?"
The lamb leg and rack still sat untouched, juices glistening under the light.
Grey Wolf stared at it for a long time, silently pouring himself another drink.
Finally, he said quietly:
"I'm saving it. For my wife. And my son, Little Grey."
"Red's gone hungry for years following me around… and Little Grey's never tasted lamb. Not once."
His voice broke again. Whether from drink or guilt, tears shimmered in his eyes.
Ron sighed inwardly.
He'd almost forgotten — this fool was hopelessly devoted to his wife.
That love ran deep. Too deep.
Even Lucoa, who'd seen centuries of mortals come and go, fell quiet for a moment. Then she lifted her hand.
A ring of violet runes spun to life above her palm, humming softly.
Fwoom—
The circle flashed once, then vanished — leaving behind a perfectly roasted whole lamb resting atop the counter.
"For your wife and child," she said gently.
Grey Wolf's jaw dropped. His eyes sparkled — half from gratitude, half from pure curiosity.
"H-How did you do that? Are you… a god?"
Lucoa shrugged, then smiled and glanced at Ron.
"Gods aren't that impressive. Didn't he just say so himself?"
"A mortal," she quoted, "can stand shoulder to shoulder with the divine."
"Even the greatest gods… end up shoulder-to-shoulder with someone else eventually, right, Ron?"
Ron caught her meaning instantly and grinned.
"Exactly right."
Grey Wolf blinked, completely lost.
"Wait… what? What are you two talking about?"
Neither of them answered. They just smiled.
In the end, Grey Wolf didn't touch a bite. He drained the last of his wine, lifted the full roast in both arms, and bowed deeply.
"I'll come again tomorrow. Thank you… and thank you, Miss God."
"Come back anytime," Ron said, seeing him off with a wave.
And with that, Grey Wolf vanished — returning through the dimensional rift to his own world, carrying the lamb and enough hope to fill a lifetime.
The moment the door shut, the system chimed in Ron's mind:
Ding — Guest Grey Wolf has finished confiding.
Available rewards: Scientific Knowledge, Sheep-Catching Technique. Please select one.
Ron rubbed his temples.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with sheep-catching techniques…? Take the science."
Ding — Fusion initiated.
Equations, formulas, blueprints — an avalanche of data surged into his brain: chemistry, mechanics, and theorems decades ahead of their time.
"Not bad," he muttered, grabbing paper and a pen. "Let's see what we can do with this…"
He lost himself in sketches and notes, the hours sliding by until night draped itself over Sabaody.
When no more guests appeared, he leaned back and stretched.
"That's enough for today. Close up."
The twins nodded obediently and began cleaning the floor, humming softly.
Ron returned to his room, sat cross-legged, and whispered:
"System, fuse Dragon Physique."
Ding — Fusion start.
Power burst through him like a tidal wave — lightning, heat, and pressure compressed into muscle and bone. His body strengthened beyond mortal limits.
When it was over, Ron tested his arm with a knife. The blade left only a faint white mark — no blood, no wound.
"So this is dragon physiology…"
Energy crackled beneath his skin. But before he could test it further, a sleek black cat slipped silently into the room.
"You've gotten stronger again," Yoruichi said, her voice smooth and teasing.
"Maybe," Ron shrugged.
She opened her mouth to say more — but he scooped her up mid-sentence.
"Meow! Put me down!"
Her claws flashed, but even they only left pale lines across his skin. His body was tougher than steel.
Eventually, she tired out, curling up drowsily in his arms.
Morning.
Ron stirred awake, stretching lazily — until a low, magnetic female voice purred near his ear:
"You're pulling my hair."
His heart stopped cold.
…Hair?
He glanced down slowly.
Right. Yoruichi could transform.
Which meant—
Oh no.
Had he… done something last night?
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