Chapter 009: All You Need to Do Is Beg Me
"???"
Uvogin, who had been leaning even further forward, nearly stumbled and fell flat on his face upon hearing this.
The multitude of question marks in his mind and his slightly dazed, wide eyes clearly revealed his current state of mind.
But as he watched Kaizen's leisurely posture with hands tucked away, he gradually bared his teeth.
"You definitely know something, don't you?!"
Uvogin's face twisted with emotion: "You just don't want to tell us, do you?!"
"Hmm... I suppose you could say that."
Kaizen replied calmly, "Besides, it's not like I have any obligation to tell you, right?"
Uvogin: "..."
Logically, that made perfect sense, but in Meteor City, logic didn't matter!!
Uvogin subconsciously clenched his fists, but after looking at Kaizen's calm expression before him, he thought better of it and firmly pressed both hands against his thighs.
The fact that Kaizen could cover his entire face with just one hand had truly made Uvogin hesitant to make any rash moves.
Moreover, Kaizen had just treated them to a delicious serving of mochis.
To turn hostile now just because they coveted his unique powers and methods...
Uvogin felt such behavior would be truly beastly.
Although in Meteor City, values like morality were practically nonexistent, the current Uvogin wasn't like his future self—not yet hardened by the Sarasa incident, nor had he become the rogue member of the Phantom Troupe.
At present, he was just a thirteen-year-old boy.
More impulsive in his actions, but also more pure-hearted...
"So what would it take for you to tell us?"
While Uvogin was grimacing, Machi suddenly spoke up.
"Since you specifically explained it to us, strictly speaking, this isn't something that can't be discussed, right?"
Though Machi was younger, only ten years old, when it came to seeing through the essence of matters, she completely outclassed Uvogin.
"Setting aside the 'can't tell those who don't know about this power' aspect, your main reason for not telling us must be personal."
"If you never intended to tell us from the beginning, you would have avoided our sight when making the mochis, or used other methods to conceal it."
"But you didn't do that—instead you let us know this power exists."
"Yet when we ask you about it, you say no comment..."
Machi looked up, staring at Kaizen: "So, is it because we haven't offered sufficient conditions or payment?"
"Hmm..."
Kaizen also pondered for two seconds, then looked at Uvogin:
"I think I understand how you've managed to survive in Meteor City for so long."
"Seems it's not just because of these muscles."
Kaizen's gaze returned to Machi as he meaningfully sighed.
Uvogin: "??!"
What kind of remark is that?!!
It almost sounds like he's saying I only survived thanks to Machi?!
Just as dark lines were beginning to appear on Uvogin's face, Kaizen nodded to Machi.
"Correct. In this world, obtaining anything requires meeting conditions and paying a price."
"Even power itself is no exception."
Machi might not know anything about Nen abilities, but she only needed to know that in Meteor City, anything worth obtaining comes at a cost.
Struggle, plunder, fight to the death...
They were already accustomed to this, so Kaizen's demands didn't surprise Machi at all.
This was simply their daily life—in Meteor City, there was no such thing as unconditional kindness.
So Machi was actually the first to realize.
As for Uvogin...
"You already served us mochi before..."
Uvogin muttered under his breath, "Just like with the mochi, just tell us directly..."
"Didn't you work for me before eating the mochi?"
Kaizen shot a sidelong glance at this slow-witted guy.
"I guess so... Fine, tell us what you want us to do this time."
Uvogin thought for a moment, then gave up thinking and spoke bluntly.
"Actually, it's very simple..."
Kaizen watched the gazes directed at him from both of them, a slow smile spreading across his lips:
"You just have to beg me."
"...???"
Uvogin tilted his head, question marks appearing above him.
Machi, however, stared at Kaizen and realized he wasn't joking, instead becoming thoughtful.
'Does he have some strange fetish for being begged?'
'Or does he want to gain a sense of control by making others beg him, satisfying his desire for dominance...'
'That's also a perverted approach... As expected, there really are people like this in Meteor City...'
While Machi's mind raced with thoughts, Uvogin stared directly at Kaizen for a moment before...
"What kind of joke is this?!!"