The tasty stuff came later.
Finally, after more than two hundred Sticky Rice Cakes had all been made and then swiftly devoured by Uvogin like a whirlwind sweeping away fallen leaves.
"Burp~"
Even though he did not feel particularly full, Uvogin still obligingly let out a satisfied burp.
"Awesome, absolutely awesome~!!"
Feeling thoroughly content, Uvogin wanted to snap off a wooden stick to pick his teeth with.
But after glancing around the completely bare house, he had no choice but to give up.
Beside him, Machi wiped the remnants of Sticky Rice Cake from her face and began staring at Mog with her narrow eyes.
Only after filling their stomachs did people have the capacity for deeper thought.
For example, who was this person in front of them, and why had he specifically treated them to food?
And there was the so-called invention, the [Mochi Maker], which had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, along with all those accompanying tools~~~
Everything about this made one unable to stop thinking, unable to stop letting one's thoughts wander.
Machi could think of all this, and although Uvogin appeared boorish and carefree, he was actually rather meticulous as well.
He did not have Machi's habit of remaining silent, and instead spoke up directly.
No Comment
"My name is Uvogin, and she's Machi..."
"Machi Komachine."
Machi emphasized her full name.
"Fine, so I'm the only one without a surname."
Uvogin spread his hands.
"Mog."
Mog simply gave his name.
But hearing that made Uvogin even happier. "So you don't have a surname either! You're just like me!!"
"~~~~~~"
Mog did not bother explaining that his surname was Mo.
In this world, names followed the Western naming system, with the given name first and the surname last.
For instance, Gon's full name was Gon Freecss. Gon was his given name, and Freecss was his surname.
Generally, people here addressed one another directly by their given names.
Only those with unmatched influence and immense prestige, those worthy of respect, would be addressed by an honorific using their surname.
The most typical example was the strongest person in the world today, Chairman Netero.
His full name was Isaac Netero.
Isaac was his given name, and Netero was his surname. Yet people throughout the world now only addressed him as Chairman Netero.
As a result, his descendant—his disappointing son, Beyond Netero—had nearly lost his own surname.
"This is the first time I've eaten Sticky Rice Cake so satisfyingly..."
Uvogin still seemed to want more. "No matter what, Mog, right? Thanks for the treat."
He clenched a fist and pointed his thumb at himself. "From now on, in this area, just say you belong to me, Uvogin."
"Here, anyone under my protection is safe!!"
Uvogin spoke with lofty bravado, putting on the air of some badass big brother.
But Mog knew exactly what he was capable of.
Other than his huge build and formidable strength, he was basically brainless.
Chrollo could lead Shalnark and Franklin around and toy with him at will.
Of course, it was not just Uvogin and Machi's duo. Even Feitan and Phinks, that pair of biker-gang delinquent boys,
had likewise been played in the palm of Chrollo's hand.
So Uvogin's words about protecting him were best taken with a grain of salt.
"If you get hungry in the future and want to fill your stomachs, just come straight here."
Mog clapped his hands and made the two of them a promise.
"Really?!!"
Uvogin's eyes shone as his large eyes instantly widened into circles.
"Do you think the Sticky Rice Cakes you ate today were fake?"
Mog shrugged. "The next time you're hungry, you can come directly here, but decide what you want to eat beforehand."
"Of course, if you still don't trust me and decide not to come again, that's fine too..."
"Come! How could we not come?!!"
Uvogin grinned broadly and moved closer to Mog.
"Mog, you're a really great guy~!!"
"I seriously like you so much!!"
"Come on, let me thank you properly~!!"
Uvogin had no other assets, nor anything he could offer to thank others.
Even after the Phantom Troupe was formed, he still did not have a single bit of money on him.
So much so that in Yorknew City, after Shalnark had helped him locate the hotel where Kurapika, the Chain User, was staying,
no matter how much Shalnark stressed that he only wanted money and nothing else, Uvogin still shamelessly planted his thick lips on Shalnark's face.
And now, Uvogin clearly had the same idea.
"I don't need your thanks at all."
Expressionless, Mog reached out and covered Uvogin's head with one hand, holding him in place.
For now, all he needed was Uvogin's [Food] request. That was enough.
"Don't be embarrassed. I don't have anything else... Huh?! You're really strong too~~~"
At first, Uvogin had merely intended to joke around after eating his fill and vent the excitement in his heart.
But he suddenly discovered that the force Mog could exert with that hand... was no weaker than his own~!!
That stirred his competitive spirit, and he quietly began wrestling against Mog's Aura-wrapped hand.
Machi looked at Mog, who had easily restrained Uvogin, then glanced at the [Mochi Maker] nearby.
The inquisitiveness in her gaze could not have been clearer.
"Not competing anymore, not competing~!!"
Having realized something was wrong as well, Uvogin reacted, shouting as he backed away and broke free from Mog's hand.
He also voiced the question in Machi's heart.
"How did you do it?!"
Uvogin smacked his lips and asked bluntly, "How did you... invent this thing?"
He felt that Mog's so-called "invention" was somewhat different from what he had imagined.
"You want to know?"
Mog watched Uvogin's curiosity-filled expression as the corners of his mouth slowly rose.
"Mm~~~"
Uvogin immediately nodded, and Machi looked over as well.
"This so-called [invention] comes from a certain wondrous power within the human body."
Mog spoke leisurely. "Depending on each person's constitution, this power produces different effects."
"And how do you draw out this power..."
Seeing the two of them looking so serious and focused, Mog's lips curled slightly.
"That would be..."
That would be~~~
Uvogin and Machi unconsciously leaned forward.
"No comment."
Mog suddenly spread his hands, his tone taking an abrupt turn.
All You Have to Do Is Beg Me
"???"
Uvogin, who had leaned farther and farther forward, nearly toppled face-first onto the ground in front of him when he heard that.
But the question marks all over his face and his slightly dazed wide eyes clearly revealed his current state of mind.
Yet when he saw Mog calmly folding his hands, he gradually bared his teeth.
"You bastard, you definitely know, don't you?!!"
Uvogin's expression twisted. "You just don't want to tell us?!"
"Mm~~~ I suppose you could put it that way."
Mog replied calmly, "And it doesn't seem like I have any obligation to tell you, does it?"
Uvogin: "..."
That did seem to make sense, but in Meteor City, nobody played by reason!!
Before you continue