Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

The dim light shrouded the entire neighborhood.

In the basement of Number 3 Ter Street, the 'big shot's' 'partner' and his own underlings continued their conversation.

But their talk didn't have much useful content.

Most of it was just the underling who had 'just' warned him boasting about his boss.

From behavior and manners to the scope of abilities, the boasting covered it all.

Even the charisma was a point being bragged about.

Meanwhile, the boss rarely spoke, only occasionally uttering an 'hmm.'

However, the 'warned man' seemed greatly encouraged, continuing the incessant flattery.

To this, Jason was not surprised.

In 'Nightless City,' there were quite a few rebellious 'lone wolves,' but more were 'ordinary people' banding together for warmth, and attaching oneself to the strong was something ingrained in their bones.

Sycophancy was the norm.

Even more extreme things happened frequently.

Most of the time, it did not matter the person's gender.

As long as they looked good.

Usually, one willing to hit and one willing to take the hit.

Each gaining what they needed.

Jason was grateful he looked average.

Because coercion happened quite often too.

The group under the 'partner' he was facing naturally had none of these issues, as this small organization was led by the 'partner' with the 'warned man' as the aide.

As Jason made this judgment, someone suddenly approached Number 3 Ter Street.

Standing at the door, there was first three rapid knocks, then one more knock.

Followed by a low voice password—

"Rotten Orange."

Creek.

Even though the sound of the door opening was desperately suppressed, in Jason's mind he had already pictured the 'warned man' gripping the doorknob with one hand, lifting the door frame, but the friction between the door hinge and the frame still reached Jason's ears.

Then came the footsteps of a third person entering the basement of Number 3 Ter Street.

Wooden stairs.

Very sturdy.

They must be newly built stairs.

Or reinforced ones.

Listening to the heavy footsteps of the third person, Jason quickly judged the other person's weight to be at least 200 pounds or more, and with such weight, if stepping on the original wooden stairs in Ter Street building, they would definitely emit an ear-piercing creak.

So, just as he had previously speculated.

The base at Number 3 Ter Street was a temporary, newly dug one.

This was for the 'trader' he was waiting for.

"Boss!"

After the third person entered the basement, the straightforward greeting expressed his identity: another underling of the 'partner.'

If considering the guy he took out, the original person in Ter Street Number 19, the partner already had three underlings...

Wait!

According to the 'warned man' seeing the meat cans, the expression of surprise and resentment.

The other side obviously was learning about everything in Ter Street Number 19 for the first time.

If the person in Ter Street Number 19 was the 'partner's' underling, there was no way not to report these matters.

So, the original person in Ter Street Number 19 should have been the underling of the 'big shot.'

Cooperation, the reason for cooperation.

Naturally requires 'balance of power.'

Even if it isn't.

At least achieve such a balance on the surface.

Then, there's the opposite side of these two collaborators: 'trader!'

Very apparently,

The one who hijacked me on the train before and was about to rob me was...

The 'trader's' person!

Precisely because the robbery failed, the 'trader' appeared!

Jason swiftly sorted out the relationships involved in the incident he encountered 6 hours ago.

'Big Shot.'

'Partner.'

'Trader.'

Among the three camps, the 'big shot' is supposed to be the strongest, there is no doubt about that.

'Partner' rose up due to luck and seized the opportunity.

The 'trader' is the target for the first two, even without any display, but being watched by the 'big shot' so carefully demonstrates that they are not simple.

As for the possibility of the other side being good-natured and orderly?

Don't be ridiculous.

Within the 'Nightless City,' there might actually be good-natured and orderly individuals, but definitely not 'trader.'

Jason knew this in his heart.

The one who kidnapped him, who was killed by [Swaegnu's Touch], was the best proof.

Maybe the other person just came for things, and would spare his life after getting them.

But that's just a possibility.

The most likely outcome would be him getting shot.

Even if eventually he were let go, he'd hardly escape death.

Involved in such troublesome affairs of 'big shot' and 'partner,' how could he have survived 6 hours ago?

Even him being spared was most likely intended to divert some attention from the 'big shot' and 'partner.'

It's a matter of...

'Scraps of utilization.'

Something that those within 'Nightless City' loved to do the most.

Jason almost fell for it once.

If not for the 'old man's' people arriving in time, he'd have been sent to a 'meat processing plant.'

At that time, he cried tears of gratitude and fear.

Then, the 'old man' had him sign a deal for ten free deliveries as necessary payment for the rescue.

Although he was almost choked by the old man's methods, Jason didn't actually dislike it.

Because the 'old man' displayed his intentions clearly.

Never hid anything.

And precisely because of this, Jason became the 'old man's' 'ace messenger.'

No more complex reasons.

Simply because under the 'old man,' he could afford to pay the 'stakes.'