Chrollo was genuinely surprised by Pakunoda's appearance.
"I heard from Father Litzol that you, little Chrollo, often come here to watch videotapes and study…"
Pakunoda said with a smile. At this age, she had not yet developed the sharp hooked nose she would later possess; her features were still softer, though her gaze was already perceptive.
"Is that so? I thought I wouldn't be discovered by you all."
Hearing that, Chrollo walked in calmly, as if the matter were insignificant.
"It's because the other children hate Father Litzol's sermons. No one else would voluntarily come here."
Pakunoda spread her hands slightly. She understood Chrollo too well.
"It's only ever you, Chrollo."
"I see. Pakun really does know us like the back of her hand. Nothing can be hidden from you."
"That's not true at all."
"However, there is one thing you got wrong, Pakun."
"Oh?"
"Besides me, there are still people who come to the church."
Chrollo raised a finger and pointed toward the window set into the adjacent wall.
Pakunoda subconsciously followed his gesture. Through the glass, she happened to catch sight of a small grove below.
"Huh? Is that Uvogin… and Machi?"
She couldn't help letting out a quiet exclamation.
Uvogin was practically a celebrity among the children of Meteor City. There wasn't a single kid who didn't know the hot-blooded brute who could win fights with sheer strength alone.
Even Machi, always silent at his side, was recognized by many.
However—
"Why would Uvogin and the others come here? And who is that beside them? A newly joined companion?"
Pakunoda asked curiously.
"So even you don't know, Pakun~~~"
Chrollo sighed theatrically, feigning disappointment.
"I thought you knew everything."
"Maybe we'll find out soon."
Pakunoda pursed her lips slightly.
Uvogin, Machi, and that third boy—presumably someone new.
Their appearance near the church today was highly unusual. Clearly, they were preparing to do something.
Almost immediately, Pakunoda and Chrollo abandoned the idea of watching the study videotapes.
They moved closer to the window, observing quietly to see what the trio intended.
And it wasn't only Chrollo and Pakunoda who had gathered nearby.
Outside the church grounds, another pair had arrived as well.
"Hiss—ouch, ouch, ouch!!"
In a corner, Phinks grimaced as he repeatedly sucked in cold air, hoping to ease the throbbing pain from the swollen bruises on his face.
"That bastard Uvogin really didn't hold back! Hiss!!"
Every word tugged at the sore muscles in his cheeks, causing fresh waves of pain.
Yet the resentment in his heart still forced curses through clenched teeth—each curse followed by another sharp intake of breath.
"Keep your voice down~~~"
Feitan, standing beside him, slanted his fox-like eyes.
"If you're any louder, people inside church hear you."
"Then no sneaking. Only getting caught."
"…I know."
Phinks swallowed his anger.
"Once I fix my motorcycle, I'm going to find Uvogin and settle this properly."
He lowered his voice, but the fury simmering underneath remained unmistakable.
During their earlier clash, Uvogin had smashed his beloved motorcycle without hesitation.
Basic repair materials could be scavenged from Meteor City's ruins.
But critical components—like a proper engine—could only be found somewhere wealthy enough to possess them.
Like the church.
Although it was under the protection of the Elder Council, and most people wouldn't dare cause trouble here—
Phinks and Feitan were hardly ordinary children.
They were already thieves in spirit.
"We're thieves anyway."
The two prepared themselves to sneak in and pull off a bold theft. After repairing the motorcycle, they would go find Uvogin and reclaim their pride.
And the very person Phinks couldn't stop thinking about—
Was currently in the grove nearby.
At this moment, however, Uvogin was about to lose patience for a different reason.
"How much longer until we can actually eat?!"
Standing in the trees near the church, a starving Uvogin finally voiced the hunger gnawing at his insides.
Machi remained silent, her eyes fixed steadily on Moge, who had stopped before a large, healthy tree.
"We'll be able to eat soon."
Moge placed a hand against the tree trunk and nodded with satisfaction.
"This one will do."
"Will do for what?"
Uvogin's head had been drooping from hunger.
But in the next instant, he straightened abruptly.
"This is—"
Before him, the now-familiar scene unfolded again.
A radiant glow gathered around Moge's hands.
Then—
Something appeared out of thin air.
"What is that?!!"
Inside the church's screening room, Chrollo's eyes widened sharply at the sight through the window.
His pupils contracted.
Pakunoda beside him was equally stunned, her mouth parting in undisguised shock.
"An object… materializing from nothing? Conjured?"
Chrollo stared intently, murmuring to himself.
His mind accelerated at once, searching for a rational framework to explain what he was witnessing.
But no matter how he sifted through the knowledge he had gained from books and videotapes, he found no adequate comparison.
It defied everything he understood.
Pakunoda, hearing his speculation, could offer no answer.
She herself couldn't comprehend what was happening.
Meanwhile—
"Tsk tsk, another 'invention,' huh?"
Uvogin, having already witnessed this spectacle once before, found it far easier to accept.
He clicked his tongue in fascination, watching as if it were some entertaining magic trick.
For someone like Chrollo—curious, analytical, always seeking knowledge—this sight was earth-shaking.
But for Uvogin, who simply discarded what he couldn't understand—
It was amazing, fun, and that was enough.
In a strange way, that simplicity spared him unnecessary mental strain.
"Even seeing it again, it still feels incredible."
Despite his casual tone, the awe in his voice was genuine.
Machi, meanwhile, hadn't taken her eyes off Moge from the moment the glow appeared.
Compared to Uvogin, her thoughts ran deeper. The shock she felt was quieter—but heavier.
"So, if you want to grow stronger, you can always come beg me~~~"
Moge smoothly brought the topic back around.
"We'll talk about that later."
Uvogin smacked his lips, clearly more concerned with food than pride at the moment.
His gaze shifted toward the strange "invention" now in Moge's hand.
"We asked for meat and fried rice…"
He stared at the syringe-like device with raised brows.
"What exactly is that supposed to be?"