Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

'Freedom Army'?!

Jason was taken aback.

As a 'postman', Jason had heard of the so-called 'Freedom Army'.

A group that doesn't belong to any faction, not lone wolves, just a collective formed to leave the 'Nightless City'.

The rumored 'Freedom Army' is one of the seven urban legends of the 'Nightless City'.

Exactly.

'Nightless City' also has urban legends.

And indeed, it has seven major urban legends.

One of them is the 'Freedom Army'.

The remaining six are: 'The Treasure of District 13', 'The Ghosts of District 15', 'The Pirate Ship of District 22', 'The Wish-granting Kitchen', 'The Demon Hidden in Shadows', and 'The Vanished District 31'.

Jason wasn't particularly interested in these urban legends.

Because he typically spent his time in Districts 16, 17, and 18, and even when he left those areas, it was only for short deliveries, never lingering long in other districts.

So even if he wanted to explore, it was impossible.

But now the 'Freedom Army' had appeared.

So,

are the remaining urban legends real?

Jason pondered.

His gaze turned to the figure that was now faintly visible.

Upon hearing the 'Trader' call out, the figure quickened its pace and finally appeared before the two of them.

A nondescript build, a gaunt face, high cheekbones giving off a mean look, especially with those eyes that seemed to bulge out like a goldfish's, and hair that was sparse yet long, swinging left and right as he walked, revealing a bald, semi-transparent scalp through which a writhing brain was visible, making the whole person resemble an underdeveloped 'mad scientist'.

Simply put, anyone normal wouldn't look like this.

To call it deformed would be an understatement.

But this was how he appeared.

And in a 'victor's' stance.

Mystical erosion!

Jason glanced over the figure and immediately assessed the situation.

The Mystical Side wasn't a charity.

When mortals wish to contact the Mystical Side, they invariably pay a price.

Sometimes, the price is life itself.

Other times, it's a fate worse than death.

The former are unfortunate, yet also lucky.

At least they don't end up as something worse than death.

However, this 'Collaborator' wasn't in either of those categories.

This 'Collaborator' likely experienced a minor error in a ritual, not a major one, enabling them to survive with Extraordinary Power, albeit at a cost.

"Was it an 'accidental' struggle that led him to ultimate victory?"

"Or..."

"Was it orchestrated by that 'powerful figure'?"

Jason speculated.

Outwardly, he feigned terror and stepped back, leaving the stage to the 'Collaborator' and the 'Trader'.

"Where's the Freedom Army?"

The 'Collaborator' demanded sharply.

There was no pretense, only genuine malice.

The kind of malice intent on killing.

In fact, that's exactly what he had just done.

"In District 31!"

The 'Trader' immediately answered.

District 31?

The 'Collaborator' was surprised.

Jason also frowned secretly.

One of the seven urban legends of 'Nightless City', related to another urban legend?

This can't be a farce, can it?

That's what Jason thought, and so did the 'Collaborator'.

"Are you playing with me!"

The 'Collaborator' roared with a wave of his hand.

A thread of spider silk, long lurking at the 'Trader's feet, sprang up like a snake, binding the 'Trader'.

Then hanging him up!

Suspended by his legs, the 'Trader' dangled from the beam of a ruined building on Ter Street.

The spider silk wound up, tightening around the 'Trader's neck.

The 'Trader's face quickly turned purple.

It was four or five seconds before the 'Collaborator' released the 'Trader'.

Huff, huff.

The released 'Trader' gasped for air.

Breathing greedily, the 'Trader' waved his hands repeatedly.

"I'm not lying!"

"The 'Freedom Army' is really in District 31!"

"And..."

Pausing there, the 'Trader' hesitated.

"And what?"

The 'Collaborator' inquired.

This time, the 'Collaborator' had started believing that the 'Freedom Army' was indeed in 'District 31'.

No one bets their life on an obvious lie.

Similarly, when threatened with one's life, everyone is honest.

Even now, the 'Collaborator' seemed to understand what the 'Trader' was going to say.

The other person knew where District 31 was.

"I know where District 31 is!"

The 'Trader' replied as expected, causing the 'Collaborator' to smirk.

"Very good."

"Take me to District 31."

"Find it, and I'll release you."

The 'Collaborator' promised.

"Do you think I'm a fool?"

"Facing someone who easily disposes of their subordinates, how can I trust them?"

The 'Trader' asked bluntly in return.

"They were spies planted by some bastard by my side, I was just waiting for a fitting chance to eliminate them, so there's no need to worry, I always keep my promises."

The 'Collaborator' replied.

Spies?

'Powerful Figure'!

Jason immediately had the answer.

Simultaneously, he was puzzled.

The one hiding nearby, presumably the person behind the 'Trader', why haven't they appeared yet?

Are they waiting for something?

Or...

Is this current situation not fatal for the 'Trader'?

Perhaps!

Both reasons might be true!

Jason raised his hands, face full of terror, while pondering inwardly.