Master Inventor from Hunter x Hunter Chapter 11

Chapter 015: This Time, I Want to Eat Meat!!

"Didn't you say before that as long as we're hungry, we can come find you anytime, anywhere?"

Mm, I did say that, but didn't you also say you'd rather starve to death outside than come crawling back to me?

Well, I guess this isn't exactly crawling~~~

"Of course, you also said we should think about what we want to eat before coming."

While Mog was grumbling inwardly, Uvogin spoke up directly:

"I've already thought about it!!"

He opened his mouth wide, practically sticking his tongue out to lick his lips:

"This time, I want to eat meat!!"

"Big meat!!"

"Fragrant, delicious meat!!"

Uvogin shouted loudly, and as he yelled, it looked like drool was about to spill from the corners of his mouth.

"I want fried rice."

Machi was still as sparing with her words as ever.

But this was already a rare instance of her speaking.

Before, when she was with Uvogin, she basically wouldn't say a word.

"Fragrant big meat and fried rice, huh? Got it~~~"

It wasn't that Meteor City had no rice or grains at all, but most of it was yellowed, stinking black rice or coarse grains.

Forget about getting a taste of meat—anything that came with a bit of warmth and didn't upset your stomach was already a good find.

Having received the two's [commission], Mog ran through his mind quickly and soon settled on a corresponding [invention].

"There actually is an item similar to the [Gourmet Tablecloth] that can produce all kinds of food, but it's not quite as convenient..."

He looked up and glanced around briefly.

"What are you looking for?"

Seeing him like this, Uvogin asked directly.

"I'm looking for a tree."

Mog withdrew his gaze: "Or rather, a plant."

Clearly, in this area littered with trash piles, there wasn't a single plant in sight.

"A tree? There's absolutely none in this place."

Though he had no idea why Mog needed a tree for them to eat, Uvogin answered honestly:

"Aside from the Church and the outer areas, there isn't even a blade of grass that can survive here, let alone a tree."

The outer areas referred to the outskirts of Meteor City, the parts that bordered the outside world.

"Then let's go to the Church."

Mog decisively chose the location. The outer areas were too risky—one wrong move and you could easily get captured by people from the outside world.

After all, Chrollo and Uvogin's companion, Sarasa, had been caught by outsiders in the woods near the outer areas.

And then~~~

She met a gruesome end, torn to pieces.

Sarasa's death had also triggered a change in Chrollo and the entire Troupe.

Thus, the Phantom Troupe was born from that tragedy.

Mog felt that until his strength had grown enough, he should avoid going near such dangerous places.

"Can we go to the Church?"

Before setting off, Mog asked specifically.

"We can. The Church doesn't turn away any children who come."

Machi said calmly: "And the Elders of Meteor City watch over it, so no one causes trouble there."

Mm, the Church over there was so opulent, practically luxurious to the extreme.

In Meteor City, it stood out like a sore thumb.

And to maintain such wealth in a place like Meteor City—

Clearly, either it possessed great power itself, or it had a powerful backing behind it.

And without a doubt, the Church had such support.

Part of the profits the Church gained from Meteor City was handed over to the Elder Council.

The Elder Council's protection was what allowed the Church to exist safely in Meteor City.

"Luxurious, so rich~"

Under the guidance of Uvogin and Machi, Mog arrived at the church and couldn't help but sigh as he gazed at the resplendent building.

This church, standing on the other side of the garbage heap, was a stark contrast to the ruins—like heaven and earth.

The harsher the zone, the better organizations of this nature seemed to live...

Of course, that wasn't what Mog cared about.

At least Uvogin hadn't lied; there was no shortage of trees here.

Just as Mog led the bewildered Uvogin and Machi to find a suitable tree...

Meanwhile, inside the church.

"Oh, you're back, Chrollo."

At the center of the hall, Father Zhol, with his curly hair, dressed in clean, splendid robes, and holding a Bible in his arms, spoke kindly to Chrollo with a gentle face.

"Watching videotapes to study again today?"

"Mm, I need to study."

Chrollo, who had slipped away here safely with his gains, nodded lightly at Father Zhol.

"I noticed when I came in that the tombstones outside have increased again."

"The world is cruel. Lately, some lawless elements have infiltrated Meteor City's living circles, and many children have been abducted..."

Father Zhol sighed softly, with a tone of pity for the world.

"So, never go out to the outskirts alone."

Those born in Meteor City had no social identity papers.

Some outsiders twisted this fact, believing that without a social identity, one wasn't human and couldn't enjoy basic human rights.

They thought they could do anything to those "not human" without being convicted.

These people hunted Meteor City's residents, resulting in hundreds of sacrifices every year.

And among those sacrifices, seventy percent were children under fifteen...

"I understand."

Chrollo knew the severity of the issue and nodded lightly.

As he nodded, his gaze casually swept around.

Then.

"Huh? Uvogin??"

Chapter 016: We're Thieves Anyway!!

When Chrollo spotted Uvogin through the church's glass window, he was a bit surprised.

In his view, someone like Uvogin would completely disdain prayer and piety.

He also scoffed at places like churches and would never come here.

But today, why had he suddenly shown up?

"And Machi came along too, and also..."

Chrollo also noticed, beside Uvogin and Machi, another young and handsome boy.

In terms of looks alone, he was almost on par with Chrollo himself.

Who was that? He'd never seen him before.

And Machi and Uvogin usually acted together; he hadn't heard of them having a new partner for activities.

A new recruit?

But when they were chasing us earlier, and during the fight with Phinks and Feitan, why didn't he show up?

One question after another surfaced in Chrollo's mind.

But his pondering didn't last long before Father Zhol interrupted him.

"We're at the screening room, Chrollo."

Standing in front of a door, Father Zhol spoke up, breaking Chrollo's train of thought.

"But someone's already in the screening room. If you want to study, you'll have to share."

Someone's already there?

Chrollo instinctively pushed open the door, and what came into view was a familiar figure.

"Pakunoda?"

"Oh, it's Chrollo."

Sitting on the floor, with a short crew cut and already quite tall, Pakunoda looked up with a smile.

"What are you doing here?"