Chapter 8: Shanks, Riven
Ren sat in the quiet restaurant until the sun began to bleed through the blinds, painting stripes of gold across the wooden floor. No new customers had arrived during the witching hour. He stretched, his joints popping satisfyingly in the silence.
"It really all depends on repeat customers~" he murmured to himself, tidying a stack of napkins. "Quality over quantity, I suppose."
Walking to the front door, he looked through the glass at the gradually brightening sky. The street outside was still asleep, bathed in the cool, blue light of dawn. Ren closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the filtered air, and was about to turn the sign to 'Closed' for a few hours of rest when he heard the heavy latch click.
The door swung open with a creak that sounded louder than usual in the morning stillness.
"Is this a Restaurant?!" a booming, cheerful voice demanded.
Ren turned his head. Standing in the doorway was a man who seemed to occupy the entire frame. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and exuded a rugged charisma that felt like a physical force. He wore a loose white shirt, patterned pants, and a long black cape draped over his shoulders. His hair was a striking shade of red, and three distinct scars ran across his left eye. A long saber hung at his hip.
Based on his own strength and the way the man carried himself—relaxed but ready to strike—Ren was certain this was a very powerful fighter. The air around him seemed to vibrate with Haki.
Ren nodded calmly, unphased by the intrusion. "That's right. Do you want something to eat?"
The man chuckled twice, scratching his scruffy chin. "I never expected to wake up hungover, wanting a drink, step out of my cabin, and end up in this place. Shopkeeper, what do you have to eat here? I'm starving!"
Ren smiled, his professional mask slipping into place. "As long as I have the ingredients, I can make anything."
The man raised an eyebrow, surprised by the confidence. Then he laughed heartily, slapping his thigh. "Hahaha! Looks like I came to the right place! I like that attitude! Give me meat and wine! Lots of it!"
Ren nodded and walked towards the kitchen. He paused at the partition and asked, "What kind of wine do you want? Strong, fragrant, or good for the stomach and health?"
The man scratched his head, seemingly pondering a great philosophical question. "Health? Bah! Give me the most fragrant wine! And make it as strong as possible, otherwise, it'll be bland! I need something to wake me up!"
"Understood."
Ren went into the kitchen. The man looked around the interior of the Shop, his eyes scanning the details with surprising sharpness.
"Clean and cozy," he muttered, nodding in approval. "It has the smell of Makino's bar... Not bad. Reminds me of Fuusha Village."
The man waited silently. For a diner, waiting is often the most agonizing and also the happiest part—the anticipation of the first bite.
Gradually, a rich, savory aroma wafted from the kitchen.
The man was stunned. His nose twitched. He craned his neck and sniffed deeply. This aroma was the smell of meat, but not just roasted flesh—it was layered with garlic, spices, and a tantalizing heat. It was incredibly delicious.
"Ooh..." he groaned, his stomach rumbling in protest.
Just as the man was wondering what animal this meat came from—perhaps a Sea King?—Ren returned.
A large plate and a ceramic wine pot were placed in front of him.
On the plate were neatly arranged large slices of pork belly, boiled to tenderness and then draped in a glistening sauce. Minced garlic and red chili oil provided vibrant color, and finally, chopped green onions and shredded ginger made the dish look like a work of art.
Ren smiled and said, "I don't know why you big guys always order just meat or soup, but looking at your physique, you seem like someone who can eat a lot. So I made you Sliced Pork with Garlic Sauce (Suan La Rou). It cuts the grease and wakes up the palate."
The man was surprised. He picked up his chopsticks—using them with surprising dexterity for a pirate—and was about to say something when Ren returned to the kitchen.
This time, he came out with an extra clay pot in his hand. He placed it on the table next to the meat.
"If you're drinking in the morning," Ren advised gently, "it's best to have some porridge to line your stomach. So, please enjoy~"
The man looked at the covered clay pot in front of him. He reached out to touch it and immediately recoiled slightly from the heat. Then, curious, he directly lifted the lid.
Steam billowed out. Inside was crystal-clear rice porridge (Congee), simmered until the grains had burst and thickened. A perfectly poached egg sat on top like a sun, with a few black sesame seeds decorating the yolk. It was very simple, yet it radiated comfort.
The man glanced at Ren, who had retreated to the counter and was casually reading a magazine about fishing. A genuine smile broke across the pirate's face.
"Shopkeeper! It's been many years since anyone gave me a bowl of porridge while I was drinking! Usually, they just give me more booze!"
Ren just smiled and didn't speak, turning a page.
The man picked up a slice of the pork. The meat trembled slightly. He dipped it generously in the sauce at the bottom of the plate.
He put it in his mouth.
The minced garlic exploded with pungency, instantly followed by the savory richness of the pork fat, and then the sharp kick of the chili oil. It was a symphony of flavors that immediately awakened the man's deadened taste buds.
"Hoo~!"
Exhaling a breath of satisfaction, the man began his meal in earnest. He ate with gusto, not barbaric but certainly enthusiastic. Perhaps because the meat was so fragrant, the man ate half of the plate before remembering the wine.
He picked up the ceramic wine pot nearby. He sniffed the spout.
"Oh?" His eyes widened.
Without using a cup, he drank directly from the spout, tilting his head back. The liquid flowed down his throat—smooth, fiery, and incredibly complex.
"Good wine!" he roared, slamming the pot down (carefully). "This rivals the best sake from Wano!"
Hearing the man's praise, Ren nodded without looking up.
In the Restaurant, only the sounds of chewing and the man's continuous exclamations of praise could be heard.
"Delicious!"
"Amazing!"
When the last sip of wine was finished, the man looked at the remaining slices of meat and the half-eaten porridge. He grinned. He picked up the clay pot and poured the remaining garlic sauce and meat directly into the porridge. He stirred it all together—a sacrilege to some, heaven to him—and shoveled it into his mouth.
"Hoo... That was satisfying..."
He slammed the empty pot down.
"Shopkeeper! You're really amazing! If this wine were sold outside, it would definitely make a lot of money! You could rival the Yonko with this booze!"
Ren looked up, closing his magazine. He said softly, "My Shop... only those with fate come. My wine... only those with fate taste."
The man blinked. He nodded slowly, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Fate, huh? I like that."
He suddenly thought of something, sniffing the air. "Shopkeeper, this isn't the sea, is it? I don't smell the salt. I don't hear the waves."
Ren stood up to remove the dishes. "That's right. This place is different from your original world. It exists between the gaps."
"Is this what 'those with fate, come' means?"
"Something like that~"
The man rubbed the back of his head, laughing. "This is truly an extraordinary place, Shopkeeper. Can our money be used here? I don't have whatever currency you use on land."
"Naturally. Minerals, jewels, rare ingredients, rare specialties, gold... anything that can be used for trade is acceptable~"
The man nodded. He reached behind him and pulled out a large, heavy sack that clinked metallically. He placed it on the table with a heavy thud.
"Keep the change!"
Then he stood up, adjusting his cape. He walked towards the door, pausing with his hand on the latch.
"Shopkeeper, can I come here again? If so, I'd like to bring a few friends. My crew would kill to taste this meat."
Ren nodded and said, "Welcome back next time. More customers are certainly good. Oh, wait."
Ren walked to the counter and picked up two sealed wine jugs. "It seems like you've overpaid quite a bit. That bag is full of gold coins. Here, take this!"
He threw the two wine pots to the man. The pirate caught them effortlessly, one in each hand, grinning like a child on Christmas.
"Hahaha! You're generous!"
The man didn't refuse. He pulled open the door and looked ahead. What met his eyes was not the street, but a soft white light, and he smelled the familiar salty sea breeze of the New World.
As the man stepped one foot through the door, he turned back and shouted to Ren, his voice full of power.
"Shopkeeper Ren! If you ever have a chance to come to our place, if you need anything, come find Red-Haired Shanks in the Grand Line! I'll treat you to a banquet!"
"Next time I'll bring our ingredients! Sea King meat! To be honest, Shopkeeper, you don't have enough meat here! It's not nearly enough for my appetite! Hahaha!"
After saying that, the man—Shanks, one of the Four Emperors of the Sea—disappeared directly into the light.
Ren walked over and pulled the door shut. When he opened it again to check, it wasn't a white light, but the same street as before, still empty and deserted.
Ren went back to the table and weighed the money bag. It was heavy. "It seems I've earned a bit too much~ Gold Berries are high purity."
"That man was very strong."
A calm, low voice broke the silence.
Ren was startled—though he hid it well. He turned his head and saw the white-haired girl, Riven, leaning against the stairwell. She was barefoot, holding her boots, looking like a ghost in the dim light.
Ren smiled and said, "Looks like you've sobered up~ You're really impressive, to sober up so quickly from Demon King's Shochu. Usually, that knocks people out for a day."
The girl didn't smile. She walked down the stairs, her movement silent. She sat down at the same table she had occupied the night before.
She thought for a moment, her stomach growling.
"Meat and porridge," she said. "Like him."
Ren just gave her a slight smile. It was clear she had witnessed the entire process earlier from the stairs, which led to this request.
"Coming right up."
Half an hour later.
The girl ate her meat and porridge in silence, savoring the warmth. The garlic sauce made her nose run, but she didn't stop. It felt... alive.
She wiped her mouth and looked at Ren. "My sword... is it with you?"
Ren nodded. He reached behind the counter and grabbed the massive, broken runic blade. He lifted it with one hand—effortlessly—and brought it to the girl.
"It's quite heavy," he commented casually, placing it next to her. "I didn't expect you to be so strong with such a slender frame."
The girl was clearly a bit shocked. Her eyes widened slightly. She knew her sword's weight too well; it was dense runic stone and steel. This chef... picked it up with one hand? Without using mana reinforcement?
He is not ordinary, she thought.
The girl touched the hilt of her blade, grounding herself. She said in a deep voice, "Is this... Another World?"
Ren nodded, leaning back against the counter. "That's right~ A world much more peaceful than yours. No Noxus here. No Demacia."
The girl fell silent. She looked down at her reflection in the empty clay pot.
After a long time, she softly said, "I never thought such a place truly existed... I thought I was dead." She looked up. "What's your name?"
"Ren."
"Ren..." She tested the name. "I am Riven."
She nodded and fell silent again.
After a long time, she stood up. She put down the clean plate and clay pot. She reached into a pouch on her belt and took out a glowing blue gem—a hextech crystal fragment she had scavenged. She placed it on the table.
She picked up her sword, heaving it onto her shoulder, and was about to leave when...
Ren sighed. "Wait a moment~"
Riven paused, her hand on the door.
"I don't know why, but you people from other worlds always like to pay much more than the original price. Is your world really that extravagant? That crystal is worth a fortune."
Ren reached under the counter and pulled out a sturdy canvas backpack. He threw it to her.
"Here! Take this!"
The girl was surprised. She turned and reached out to catch what Ren threw.
She opened the flap. Inside were several water bottles, wrapped sandwiches, dried fruit, and a small jar of the garlic chili sauce. She could hear the slight sloshing sound of water.
The girl looked at Ren. Her crimson eyes softened, the hardness of the exile melting for just a second.
She opened the door. The white light of her world waited for her—a world of conflict and redemption.
She hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "Riven... Thank you... Ren."
With that, she stepped through and disappeared.
Ren sighed, picking up the blue crystal. "They really are all quite rich~"
A mechanical voice sounded in Ren's mind.
[A specialty gem from Runeterra. Hextech Fragment. No special energy remaining, but high purity. Can be exchanged for 130 million Yen.]
Ren smiled and shook his head, tossing the gem in the air. "Convert it~"
[Please wait... Conversion complete.]
Ren looked at the empty shop. Two customers. Two worlds.
"Well," he stretched again. "Breakfast service is over. Time to prep for lunch."
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
As a special offer, I've opened a few limited-time tiers at a discounted price! You will get all the benefits of "The Founding Pillars" (normally $20), but at a much cheaper rate.
These slots are extremely limited:
"The Plot Uncoverer": $4.99 (Save 75% / $15.01) - Only 3 slots
"The Dedicated Fan": $9.99 (Save 50% / $10.01) - Only 7 slots
"The Lore Diver": $14.99 (Save 25% / $5.01) - Only 15 slots
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]