I May Be an Actual Dog, but You're Definitely Not Human

Melodi-Dove Eggs and Teyvat Bird Eggs could not be mixed together.

The former had a richer flavor and, if handled poorly, had a tiny chance of carrying a faint fishy taste. The latter were milder, making them a foolproof choice.

Mixing the two would bring out the fishiness of the former and seriously spoil the appetite.

So Jiang Yao not only prepared two empty bowls to beat them separately, but also set out two pans to fry them in.

Once both batches of egg were thoroughly beaten, Jiang Yao began heating the oil.

It was worth mentioning that the oil he used was top-quality animal fat, too.

It had been generously provided by a species of bear called the Snowfield Bear.

Compared with the lard Jiang Yao knew from his previous life, oil rendered from Snowfield Bears was more fragrant.

That was thanks to the Snowfield Bears' excellent constitutions, naturally sedentary disposition, and outstanding lifestyle habits.

Heating the oil was one step Jiang Yao did not have to worry about.

The burners and pans in this little kitchen were specially made.

They allowed the oil in the pans to heat evenly.

When faint wisps of white smoke rose, Jiang Yao slowly poured in the beaten eggs in a circular motion.

Two sizzling sounds rang out.

The natural aromas of the Melodi-Dove Egg and the Teyvat Bird Egg.

Mingled with the rich fragrance of Snowfield Bear Oil as they rose from the pans on either side.

Then they intertwined in midair and blended together.

Combining into a fragrance that refreshed the heart and soul.

Jiang Yao took a deep breath.

His nose filled with the tantalizing scent of eggs and oil transformed by the heat.

Ever since that bastard Qlipoth's wall had stopped him, he had not eaten anything this refined in a long time.

Even if these were only two fried eggs.

Jiang Yao licked his lips, looking forward to his first meal more than ever!

The beaten eggs spread over the oil with exquisite perfection.

The golden, slightly white bubbles began performing an ode to harmony, rising, bursting, and spreading one after another in an endless cycle.

And as the eggs "performed," an even richer fragrance escaped from the bursting bubbles.

Of course, a few "stubborn holdouts" remained unmoved—the yolks nestled in the middle of the whites.

Some diners preferred their eggs runny.

Crisp egg whites paired with silky, flowing yolks were like green plums with green tea—simply divine~

But Jiang Yao was definitely not among them.

He preferred a firmer texture.

The moment the edges of both eggs began turning golden brown.

Jiang Yao flicked the pans.

With the slick oil beneath them, both fried eggs flipped over together with a whoosh and a slap.

Then Jiang Yao turned off the burner beneath the Teyvat Bird Egg, letting the pan's residual heat finish cooking it.

The inherent qualities of a Teyvat Bird Egg meant it needed less frying time than a Melodi-Dove Egg.

Less than five seconds later, Jiang Yao turned off the other burner.

He only had to wait another little moment before he could savor two delicious fried eggs.

Jiang Yao did not waste that time.

He elegantly took out a plate.

Then he fetched a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of barbecue sauce.

And began plating.

His plan was simple: arrange the sauces and fried eggs into a smiley face.

Mmm~

Although this was only a simple meal.

It was still his first meal celebrating his successful infiltration past the wall.

Surely it deserved a little ceremony?

Jiang Yao closed his eyes and took another deep breath, immersed in the anticipation of enjoying his delicious food.

But what he did not know was.

Just as he heated the oil and poured in the eggs.

Peppy twitched his tiny black nose.

As everyone knew, a dog's sense of smell was 1,200 times stronger than a human's.

Sniff, sniff~

This... this was!!!

What was that smell?!

So... so delicious!!!

Peppy, who had been happily playing with Asta, suddenly went on alert and froze like a statue.

Asta had not noticed anything unusual yet.

Peppy glanced at Asta.

An almost human look of conflict appeared on his face.

My owner was playing with me.

How could I abandon my poop scooper over a little tempting food?

Sniff, sniff~

Peppy instinctively twitched his nose again.

The rich fragrance nearly intoxicated his entire canine being.

Suddenly, Peppy felt as though he were starving.

But I'd only just eaten some canned food!

No, I'm a good dog. I can't give in to the temptation of food!

But... it smells so, so good!

Sniff, sniff~

Sniff, sniff, sniff~

Peppy could not help continuing to twitch his nose.

The increasingly rich aroma of eggs assaulted his doggy brain.

He could tell that it was the scent of eggs.

But he had never smelled eggs this fragrant before!

That was the effect of thoroughly beating the eggs and heating them evenly.

Dull-nosed humans might struggle to notice, but a dog certainly could~

His delicate little nose quivered beyond his control.

His body was beginning to disobey reason, too.

It was as though a white angel puppy and a black devil puppy were fighting inside his head.

The black devil puppy gained a slight advantage.

Peppy slowly moved toward Jiang Yao.

Only then did Asta notice Peppy's odd behavior.

"Peppy, did you smell something unfamiliar?"

Asta crouched down and stroked Peppy's head, her expression slightly serious.

She was afraid of another surprise attack by the Antimatter Legion!

Losing money was a minor matter; the losses would not even amount to a fraction of her pocket money anyway.

But casualties were something she never wanted to see.

On second thought, though, Asta did not believe there was any danger.

"Good Peppy~ sweet Peppy, take me wherever you want to go."

Asta gave Peppy's bottom a pat.

It was as though some strange switch had been flipped in Peppy, and he shot off with a whoosh!

His already not-so-clever brain had been conquered by the fragrance of fried eggs.

Simply smelling them was already an immense pleasure.

Peppy hardly dared imagine what eating them would feel like!

Maybe my doggy life would finally be complete~

And my poop scooper had just happened to let me go over.

At last, the two puppies in my head wouldn't have to fight anymore.

The saliva flooding his mouth and the fragrance rushing straight to his brain made Peppy abandon intelligence and return to instinct.

Asta was a little bewildered.

With Peppy running that fast...

Had something really happened?!

"Stelle, grant us your blessing..."

Asta silently invoked [Starlight Blessing], and her speed immediately increased by 38 points!

In the kitchen.

Jiang Yao had just arranged the two fried eggs into a smiley face.

He immediately heard running footsteps outside the door.

His hunting experience over countless amber eras let him identify the creature outside as a dog from the sound alone.

Jiang Yao fell silent for a moment.

Considering that he was on someone else's turf.

He might as well leave the door open.

But a dog aboard Herta Space Station...

Unless something unexpected had happened, it could only be Peppy.

Jiang Yao rubbed his chin.

One should treat things, especially fine food, with reverence and respect.

Dogs were not picky eaters!

So personally, he was rather fond of doggos~

But given the current situation, this incoming dog clearly had designs on his food!

Sure enough.

Peppy soon dashed up to his feet, his bright little eyes fixed on the fried eggs on the plate.

He could smell that the astonishingly dog-delighting aroma came from them!

Peppy sat obediently with his tongue out and his tail wagging away, the very picture of a good dog begging to be fed.

Although he did not know Jiang Yao, how could anyone who made something this delicious be a bad person?

Besides, this was Herta Space Station!

Jiang Yao considered for a moment, then picked up the plate of fried eggs and slowly brought it toward Peppy.

Peppy's eyes went perfectly round, and he instinctively stood up, his tail wagging even faster.

He even swallowed.

The saliva on his tongue was plainly visible.

His excitement at the impending reward grew as the fried eggs drew closer.

Until the two perfect fried eggs were right beside Peppy's nose.

They smelled amazing!!!

Peppy happily opened his mouth wide.

Then.

Jiang Yao snatched them back faster than lightning.

Table manners mattered, and sharing with Peppy, his canine host, was only reasonable.

But what chef did not taste his own work first?

And so, the perfect fried eggs slipped right past Peppy's mouth.

He could only watch as Jiang Yao sampled the source of that fragrance in little bites.

Peppy: "???"

Peppy tilted his head, his clear eyes revealing an almost human bewilderment.

I may be an actual dog, but you're definitely not human!