Master Inventor Starting from Hunter x Hunter Section 17

"What kind of life was I even living before this~!!"

He suddenly felt a surge of tears threatening to spill.

Compared to what he'd eaten before, this was actual food now!!

But with Uvogin still beside him, the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes were forcibly held back.

Even the joyful, fluttering mood that came from savoring the delicious meal settled down a bit.

"The food you gave us was really tasty. Thanks."

Phinks set down the black coconut shell in his hand and spoke to Mog with solemn sincerity.

"So you can actually spit out words of thanks from that mouth of yours."

"~~~If you run your mouth again, I'll rip your tongue out!!"

Phinks first glared at Uvogin, then turned his gaze back seriously:

"This really is the first time I've said thanks to anyone... Forget it, let's not talk about that. I'm Phinks."

He introduced himself: "Phinks Magcup."

Mm, that was his full name, which also included the name of a certain Marine Headquarters hero lieutenant general.

"He's Feitan, and..."

"Feitan Portoh."

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

"That's right, exactly."

Phinks thumped his chest and declared: "You treated us to such good food, so we acknowledge you!!"

He flashed Mog that signature, classic, fierce yet friendly grin:

"If you ever need help with anything in the future, just give us a shout."

"The two of us have a pretty good reputation around here."

"Like if some guys steal the stuff you find from scavenging, or if someone forces you to do things you don't want to, like threatening you to cook for them..."

"Hey hey hey!!"

Uvogin heard this and immediately took offense: "Who the hell are you pointing at, you bastard?!!"

"Oh, so you, the muscle-brained big oaf, can actually catch that, huh~~~"

Phinks pretended to be surprised, his tone dripping with sarcasm: "Since you know who I'm talking about, keep it in mind."

"I acknowledge him, but you're still excluded!! Our grudge isn't settled yet!!"

"I'll settle your XX with a XX!!"

Just as Phinks and Uvogin were about to launch into another fiery argument or even a live demonstration, Mog directly cut in and said: "I'm Mog. If you want to eat again in the future, feel free to come find me."

"Then it's settled!!"

At the mention of food, Phinks' face immediately lit up with a grin: "I won't hold back with you."

"No need to hold back at all."

Seeing Phinks' emotions so plainly written on his face, Mog smiled as well.

In terms of age, he wasn't much older than Uvogin.

Right now, he was the kind who'd latch onto whoever fed him—whoever gave him food, he'd get along with.

Of course, Uvogin was the exception.

"By the way, how exactly do you do this?!"

The lingering aroma of fried pork cutlet still on his tongue, Phinks was intensely curious about Mog's mysterious ability.

"How? Simple—I just use a certain special power~"

Mog raised his hand, turned his palm over, and stowed away the syringes and leftover enhancement agent.

Mm, the [Master Inventor] ability's cheat came with an extra storage space.

Specially used to store [invented] items.

Including the [Mochi Maker] and other things Mog had [invented] before, all kept in there.

"Special power..."

Phinks' eyes went wide. This was his first real encounter with such a power.

Even Feitan stared without blinking.

Even Uvogin and Machi, who had some expectations from seeing it before, still found it amazing to witness again.

"Can we learn a power like this?!"

Phinks, being direct, just blurted it out.

His face was full of longing for that kind of power.

Even as thick-headed as he was, he knew that if he could master this special power himself, then not only would surviving in Meteor City be no problem, but even venturing out into the outside world would be entirely within reach!!

"Of course you can. Everyone can learn this power."

Mog said with a smile.

"Then..."

Phinks felt his voice go a little hoarse.

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

"I get it!!"

Phinks cut him off. "There's definitely a price to pay!!"

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

Even though Mog had just treated them to a meal, Phinks knew he wasn't getting it for nothing.

If Mog ever ran into trouble in the future, he'd have to step up too!!

But if it meant eating food this delicious, he was more than willing!!

However, when it came to this obviously miraculous and mysterious power, it clearly wasn't something just anyone could control.

To obtain such power, even Phinks knew there would be a hefty price.

But if it was within what he could bear, he wouldn't hesitate to agree!!

"That's right, there is indeed a corresponding price~~~"

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

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

"You have to ask me."

Mog casually tossed out this condition.

Feitan: "??"

Phinks: "??"

Both of them blinked at the words.

Phinks even rubbed his ears.

He wondered if he'd heard wrong.

But then~~~

"As expected, it's that condition again."

Uvogin muttered quietly over there, drawing Phinks's attention for a moment.

He saw Uvogin looking completely unsurprised, and even Machi had a calm expression.

Phinks gradually showed a look of surprise.

"Just... asking... is enough?"

Feitan wanted to ask the same question too.

Shouldn't a power like this require something like a body or a soul?

In the storybooks he'd picked up from the garbage pile ruins, that's how it was always written.

You make a contract with a demon in exchange for great power.

Feitan had even run through it in his mind, ready to sell his soul if that was what it took.

But what they got from Mog as the price and condition was just... asking?!!

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

Phinks couldn't help blurting out.

"Just [asking you] is enough? There's no other price or condition?!!"

Phinks felt like this was way too simple?!!

So simple it made him uneasy, made him feel jittery.

He and Feitan were truly scraping by in Meteor City, having tasted the harshness of reality.

Unlike Uvogin, who could barely hold down a small territory and keep Machi somewhat stable, Phinks and Feitan lived even more chaotically, often not knowing where their next meal would come from.