"My name is Uvogin, and this is Machi…"
"Lyra Komacine."
Machi emphasized her full name.
"Well, looks like I'm the only one without a surname."
Uvogin spread his hands helplessly.
"Arvin Locke."
Arvin Locke simply stated his name.
But after hearing it, Uvogin actually looked even happier.
"So you don't have a surname either! Same as me!!"
"~~~~~~"
Arvin Locke didn't bother explaining that his surname was actually Mo.
In this world, names follow the Western naming convention—first name first, surname last.
For example, Gon's full name is Gon Freecss.
"Gon" is the given name, and "Freecss" is the family name.
Generally speaking, people here address others by their given names.
Only those with overwhelming influence and prestige earn the respect of being addressed by their surname as a title.
The most typical example would be the strongest man in the world today—
Chairman Netero.
His full name is Isaac Netero.
"Isaac" is the given name, and "Netero" is the surname.
Yet people across the world simply call him Chairman Netero.
Because of this, his successor—his rather disappointing son Beyond Netero—almost ended up losing recognition of his surname altogether.
"This is the first time I've eaten sticky rice cake this satisfyingly…"
Uvogin still looked reluctant to stop.
"Anyway, Arvin Locke, right? Thanks for the meal."
He clenched a fist and pointed his thumb proudly toward himself.
"From now on, in this area, just say you're one of my people."
"As long as you're in this territory, anyone connected to me, Uvogin, is under my protection!!"
Uvogin spoke with great swagger, like some impressive gang boss making a grand declaration.
But Arvin Locke knew very well what he was really capable of.
Aside from his huge build and brute strength, Uvogin was basically all muscle and no brains.
Even Chrollo, along with Shalnark and Franklin, had easily toyed with him.
And it wasn't just Uvogin and Machi.
Even the delinquent biker duo Feitan and Phinks had been played like puppets by Chrollo.
So Uvogin's promise of protection was something you could listen to for fun, nothing more.
"If you get hungry in the future and want to fill your stomachs, just come here."
Arvin Locke clapped his hands lightly and made the offer.
"Really?!!"
Uvogin's eyes lit up, opening wide.
"Do you think the sticky rice cake you just ate was fake?"
Arvin Locke shrugged.
"Next time you're hungry, just come by. Just make sure you decide what you want to eat beforehand."
"Of course, if you still don't trust me and never come back again… that's fine too."
"Come? Of course we'll come!!"
Uvogin grinned widely and immediately leaned toward Arvin Locke.
"Arvin Locke, you're really a great guy!!"
"I seriously like you!!"
"Come on—let me properly thank you!!"
Uvogin didn't have any assets or valuables he could offer as thanks.
Even after the Phantom Troupe was formed later on, he still remained completely broke.
Back in Yorknew City, after Shalnark helped him track down Kurapika's hotel, Uvogin tried to thank him.
No matter how many times Shalnark insisted he only wanted money and nothing else—
Uvogin still shamelessly planted his thick lips directly onto Shalnark's face.
And right now…
He clearly had the same idea.
"I absolutely do not need your thanks."
Arvin Locke said expressionlessly as he stretched out his hand and pressed it firmly against Uvogin's head, stopping him in place.
All he needed right now was Uvogin's request for food. That alone was enough.
"Don't be shy. I don't really have anything else to give… huh?! Your strength isn't bad at all~~~"
Uvogin had originally thought this was just playful teasing after a good meal.
But he suddenly realized something.
The force in Arvin Locke's hand—enhanced with Nen—was actually not weaker than his own.
That instantly stirred Uvogin's competitive spirit.
Without saying much, he began silently pushing back, using Nen to test strength against Arvin Locke.
Nearby, Machi glanced at Arvin Locke easily holding Uvogin down.
Then she looked toward the Sticky Rice Cake Maker beside them.
The curiosity in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Alright, alright—no more, no more!!"
Uvogin suddenly realized something was off and quickly stepped back, slipping free from Arvin Locke's grip.
Then he voiced the question that had been on both his and Machi's minds.
"How did you do that?!"
Uvogin smacked his lips and asked directly:
"How exactly did you invent that thing?"
The so-called "invention" Arvin Locke mentioned clearly didn't match what Uvogin understood the word to mean.
"You want to know?"
Arvin Locke looked at Uvogin's curious face, the corner of his mouth slowly rising.
"Yeah~~~"
Uvogin nodded immediately.
Machi also looked over.
"This kind of 'invention' comes from a certain mysterious power within the human body."
Arvin Locke spoke calmly.
"Depending on a person's constitution, that power manifests in different ways."
"And as for how to awaken that power…"
Looking at the two of them leaning forward with serious attention, Arvin Locke's smile widened slightly.
"That would be…"
That would be—
Uvogin and Machi unconsciously leaned closer.
"No comment."
Arvin Locke suddenly spread his hands and casually changed his tone.