Morin felt a deep satisfaction as he noted the drastically reduced aura consumption while summoning dishes using the Gourmet Tablecloth. Compared to before, the difference was enormous, and his face lit up with joy.
The benefits of his Restrictions and Vows were undeniable. One word: Worth it!
As Morin reveled in his success, Machi also allowed herself a rare moment of relaxation. Despite her stoic demeanor, she was still an 11- or 12-year-old girl. Anyone would long for a safe and stable home.
The two quietly shared their meal, creating an unusually peaceful and heartwarming atmosphere.
"Machi," Morin spoke up.
"Hm?"
"When the chance comes, let's leave Meteor City and explore the world outside."
"Huh?!"
Her first response was calm, but the second was filled with surprise.
Machi stopped eating and looked up at Morin with her usual calm gaze.
"What? Is there something strange about that?" Morin chuckled.
"Now that you've learned nen, do you still want to stay here? In a place as dangerous and bleak as Meteor City, where survival is a daily struggle?"
Morin's eyes locked with hers.
"At least for me, that's not an option. I have to go out and see the wider world."
There was an unshakable resolve in his voice—a genuine expression of his inner thoughts.
How could someone who had arrived in the fantastical world of Hunter x Hunter be content with staying confined to Meteor City? The drive for adventure, the yearning for the unknown—these were things ingrained deep in the soul of any man.
"Meteor City is where I grew up," Machi said after a long silence.
Morin thought she was rejecting his idea, but then she continued:
"But I decided years ago that I'd leave this place one day."
Her sudden change of tone nearly gave Morin whiplash.
When he looked back at her, he noticed an unusual fire in her eyes.
"I'm going to Sky Arena," she declared.
Her voice was calm, but Morin felt that her resolve surpassed even his.
"You're doing it for money, aren't you?" Morin thought to himself with a silent chuckle.
"I bet the 'decision' you made years ago was about earning money out there," he mused internally.
But regardless of her motives, at least they shared the same goal: leaving Meteor City.
Still, the timing wasn't right. With their current level of strength, it would be better to train until their nen abilities were fully developed before venturing out. By then, Uvogin and Nobunaga would likely want to leave as well.
However, there was another matter on Morin's mind.
In Meteor City, Uvogin had caught the attention of someone other than Morin—someone formidable.
"Chrollo... you'll come looking for us soon, won't you?" Morin muttered internally.
"I just hope our first meeting doesn't end in hostility."
Having decided on the general plan to leave Meteor City, the specifics could wait. Who knows? By then, Morin might even draw the Anywhere Door and leave with a single step.
For now, he and Machi focused their energy on mastering nen.
Every day, except for essential needs like eating and sleeping, they devoted themselves entirely to training.
Uvogin and Nobunaga also left Morin alone, perhaps busy breaking the thousand stones they had vowed to crush. They likely wanted to finish their training and surprise him with their progress.
Three peaceful days passed.
During that time, Morin drew three new tools from his nen ability. Among them, one was particularly valuable for his current goal of rapid development.
Inside the house created by the Create-from-Nothing Door Sticker, Machi stood before an enormous can, her expression neutral. Climbing onto it, she skillfully knocked on the can's lid—clearly not the first time she had done so.
"What's up?"
With a creak, Morin's head popped out from the can.
"It's not time for a meal yet, is it?"
Climbing out, Morin revealed his new attire—a sleek work uniform—as he hopped down from the Can Workshop.
Tool: Can Workshop
Effect: Provides a workspace with a time-dilated environment. One day inside equals one hour outside, ideal for students cramming for exams or creators racing deadlines.
The Can Workshop was a gadget Doraemon had used to help Jaiko meet a manga deadline. Along with the studio's environment came a special work uniform—comfortable, stylish, and perfectly fitted.
The uniform was so well-designed that Morin looked striking in it. He could imagine people seeing him and thinking, "What a sharp dresser!"
The most critical feature of the Can Workshop, however, was its time dilation. Spending a full day inside the can would only take an hour in the outside world!
For someone like Morin, who desperately needed time to grow stronger, this was invaluable.
From the moment he drew the tool until now—three days later—Morin hadn't stepped out of the studio even once.
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