You Have to Ask Me

"I really have to ask... what kind of life had I been living before now?!"

He suddenly felt the urge to cry.

Compared to everything he had eaten before, this was what real food tasted like!!

But when he remembered Uvogin was still beside him, he forcibly held back the tears that had reached the corners of his eyes.

Even the joy that had soared through him after enjoying the delicious meal settled somewhat.

"The food you gave us was truly delicious. Thanks."

Phinks set down the black coconut fruit in his hand and solemnly thanked Mog.

"So you actually know how to say thank you."

"~~~If you keep running your mouth, I'll rip out your tongue!!"

Phinks first glared furiously at Uvogin, then turned his gaze back with equal seriousness.

"This really is the first time I've thanked someone... forget it, let's not talk about that. My name is Phinks."

He introduced himself. "Phinks Magcup."

Yes, that was his full name, and it even included the name of a certain Marine Headquarters hero Lieutenant General.

"He's Feitan, and he is..."

"Feitan Portoh."

Feitan, beside him, muttered his full name in a low voice.

"That's right, exactly."

Phinks thumped his chest. "You treated us to such delicious food, so we acknowledge you!!"

He showed Mog his trademark fierce yet amiable grin again.

"If you ever need help in the future, just call for us."

"The two of us are pretty well-known around here."

"Like if someone steals the things you find while scavenging, or if someone forces you to do things you don't want to do—like threatening you into making food for them..."

"Hey, hey, hey!!"

Uvogin immediately became unhappy when he heard that. "Who the hell are you talking about?!!"

"Oh? So this big idiot with muscles for brains can actually tell?"

Phinks pretended to be surprised, speaking in a mocking tone. "Since you know who I'm talking about, you'd better keep that in mind."

"I acknowledge him, but you're still the exception!! We haven't settled our score yet!!"

"I'll settle your damn XX with my XX!!"

Just as Phinks and Uvogin were about to launch into another heated exchange—or perhaps an on-the-spot demonstration—

Mog directly interrupted them. "My name is Mog. If you want to eat again in the future, just come find me."

"Then it's a deal!!"

At the mention of food, Phinks immediately beamed. "I won't stand on ceremony with you."

"You don't need to be polite with me at all."

Watching Phinks wear every emotion on his face, Mog smiled as well.

In terms of age, he was probably not much older than Uvogin.

Right now, whoever fed Phinks was practically his mother; whoever gave him food was someone he got along with.

Uvogin was naturally the exception.

"By the way, how exactly did you do that?!"

The taste of the fried pork cutlet still lingered in Phinks's mouth, and he was extremely curious about Mog's miraculous ability.

"How did I do it? It was simple. I just used a certain special power~"

Mog raised his hand, turned his palm over, and put away the syringes and remaining modification serum.

Yes, the cheat ability from [Master Inventor] also came with extra storage space.

It was specifically used to store items created through [Invent].

That included the [Mochi Maker] and other things Mog had previously [Invented].

"Special power..."

Phinks's eyes widened. This was the first time he had formally encountered such power.

Feitan was also staring over without blinking.

Even Uvogin and Machi, who had been mentally prepared and had seen it before,

still found it quite miraculous when they saw it again.

"Can we learn this kind of power too?!"

Phinks asked directly.

His face was full of yearning for that power.

No matter how reckless and simple-minded he was, he knew that if he could master such special power himself,

then forget surviving in Meteor City—

even venturing out into the outside world would be no problem at all!!

"Of course. Everyone can learn this kind of power."

Mog smiled.

"Then..."

Phinks felt his throat go dry.

"But if you want to learn this power and become stronger, you'll definitely need to..."

"I get it!!"

Phinks took over. "We'll definitely have to pay a price!!"

You Have to Beg Me

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world!!

Even though Mog had just treated them to this meal, Phinks knew he had not eaten it for free.

If Mog ran into trouble in the future, Phinks would definitely step in!!

But if it meant getting to eat such delicious food, he was more than willing to do so!!

However, when it came to such obviously miraculous and mysterious power, it was clearly not something ordinary people could control.

To obtain such power, even Phinks knew that he would have to pay a considerable price.

But if it was within what he could bear, he would agree without hesitation!!

"That's right, you do need to pay a corresponding price~~~"

Mog lightly nodded at Phinks. "And that so-called price is..."

Phinks straightened his back. Even Feitan leaned forward slightly, listening intently.

"You have to beg me."

Mog casually gave them that condition.

Feitan: "??"

Phinks: "???"

The two of them could not help blinking when they heard that.

Phinks even rubbed his ears.

He suspected that he had misheard him.

But then~~~

"So it's that kind of requirement again."

Uvogin muttered softly, drawing some of Phinks's attention.

Phinks saw that Uvogin did not seem surprised at all, while even Machi wore a calm expression.

Phinks gradually revealed a look of astonishment.

"Just... beg you, and that's enough?"

Feitan also wanted to ask that question.

For power like this, shouldn't they have to offer up something like their bodies or souls?

That was how the storybooks he had picked up from garbage heaps and ruins always described it.

It was called making a contract with the devil in exchange for great power.

Feitan had even gone over it in his mind just now, deciding that if he truly had to sell his soul, then so be it.

But he had never expected that the price and condition Mog gave them would merely be... begging?!!

"You're not joking, are you?!"

Phinks could not help asking directly.

"Just saying [please] is enough? There aren't any other prices or conditions?!!"

Phinks felt that this was a little too simple?!!

It was so simple that it made him uneasy, leaving him feeling apprehensive.

He and Feitan had truly lived rough in Meteor City, and they had experienced the cruelty of reality even more deeply.

They were not like Uvogin, who could barely occupy a small patch of territory and, with Machi, at least manage to gain a foothold.

Phinks and Feitan lived far more precarious lives, often eating one meal without knowing where the next would come from.