"Didn't you say before that if we were hungry, we could come find you anytime?"
Well, I did say that.
But didn't you also say you'd rather starve to death outside than come back and beg me?
Though technically… he didn't beg.
"Also, you said we should decide what we want to eat before coming."
While Arvin Locke was silently complaining in his head, Uvogin spoke up loudly:
"I've already decided!!"
He opened his big mouth, practically sticking out his tongue as he licked his lips.
"This time I want meat!!"
"Big chunks of meat!!"
"Fragrant, delicious meat!!"
Uvogin shouted excitedly, his mouth practically drooling.
"I want fried rice."
Machi remained her usual concise self.
Even so, this was already a rare moment for her to speak.
Back when she usually followed Uvogin around, she hardly said anything at all.
"Fragrant meat and fried rice, huh? Got it~~~"
Meteor City wasn't completely without rice.
But most of it was yellowed, rotten black rice or coarse grains.
Let alone meat—being able to eat something warm without getting sick was already considered good.
After receiving their [Commissions], Arvin Locke quickly searched through the inventions in his mind.
Very soon, he found something suitable.
"There is something similar to the [Gourmet Tablecloth], an item that can produce various foods…"
"But it's not as convenient as the tablecloth."
He raised his head and glanced around the surroundings.
"What are you looking for?"
Uvogin asked directly when he saw this.
"I'm looking for a tree."
Arvin Locke withdrew his gaze.
"Or any kind of plant."
Clearly, in this garbage-filled area, not even a single plant could be found.
"A tree? There's none around here."
Although Uvogin didn't understand why trees had anything to do with food, he still answered honestly.
"Except near the church or the outer area, nothing grows here. Not even grass."
The outer area referred to the edge of Meteor City—where it connected to the outside world.
"Then we'll go to the church."
Arvin Locke made the decision immediately.
The outer area was too dangerous.
If you weren't careful, you could easily be captured by people from the outside world.
Originally, Sarasa, a companion of Chrollo and the others, had been captured in the forest near the outskirts.
And afterward…
She met a tragic fate—dismembered.
Sarasa's death was also the turning point that led to the transformation of Chrollo and the others.
Eventually, it led to the birth of the Phantom Troupe.
For a place that dangerous, Arvin Locke felt it was better not to approach it until he grew stronger.
"Can we go to the church?"
Before setting out, Arvin Locke asked first.
"You can. The church doesn't refuse children who come."
Machi calmly explained.
"And the Meteor City Elders oversee that place. No one causes trouble there."
Indeed.
The church was luxurious and magnificent, especially compared to the rest of Meteor City.
Among the mountains of garbage, it stood out like a palace.
To maintain such wealth in a place like Meteor City meant one of two things:
Either you had great power, or you had powerful backing.
Clearly, the church had both.
Part of the benefits the church gained from Meteor City were handed over to the Council of Elders.
In exchange, the Elders protected the church, allowing it to exist peacefully here.
"Luxurious… rich people really do live differently."
Led by Uvogin and Machi, Arvin Locke arrived at the church area.
Looking at the golden, splendid building, he couldn't help but sigh.
Compared to the surrounding ruins and garbage piles, the contrast was like heaven and earth.
The harsher the environment, the more organizations like this seemed to thrive.
Of course, that wasn't what Arvin Locke cared about.
The good news was—
There were plenty of trees here.
Just as Arvin Locke began searching for a suitable tree with the confused Uvogin and Machi—
Inside the church.
"Yo, you're back, Chrollo."
Standing in the center of the hall was Father Aldren.
He wore clean and elegant robes, holding a Bible in his arms.
With a kind smile, he greeted Chrollo warmly.
"Going to study videotapes again today?"
"Yes, I want to study."
Having safely arrived with his loot, Chrollo nodded politely.
"By the way, when I came in earlier, I noticed there were more graves outside."
"The world is cruel."
Father Aldren sighed sorrowfully.
"Recently, some criminals have infiltrated Meteor City's living areas. Many children have been abducted…"
"So remember—never go to the outskirts alone."
People born in Meteor City had no official identity records.
Some outsiders twisted that fact, believing that those without identities were not human and therefore had no human rights.
So they believed that anything done to them would not be punished.
These people hunted the residents of Meteor City.
Every year, hundreds died because of this.
And among those victims—
70% were children under fifteen.
"I understand."
Chrollo knew how serious the issue was and nodded quietly.
At the same time, his eyes casually scanned the surroundings.
Then—
"Hmm?"
"Uvogin??"
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