Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

Clearly weighing the pros and cons.

Or rather,

confirming the threat level of the 'collaborator'.

And as time passed, this kind of observation not only didn't decrease, but on the contrary, became more frequent.

At least a dozen people now.

Undoubtedly, the 'collaborator' also noticed these observations.

However, he didn't care at all.

He continued forward.

Soon, when the metal wall with the number 30 appeared, half of the peering eyes disappeared instantly, and when the 'collaborator' approached, another half disappeared.

When the 'collaborator' approached the metal wall, all the watching eyes vanished.

District 30!

The outermost region within the Ring City District of the 'Nightless City'.

Also the most chaotic region.

It is the most perilous place.

And also where life fades the fastest.

Compared to other areas which are just gang conflicts,

District 30 is...

hell.

Jason didn't know what was inside, because he had never heard anyone talk about it, not to mention that no one from District 16 ever entered District 30.

For residents of the 'Nightless City' who lived in District 16 for years, everything beyond District 20 is dangerous.

Places like District 26 are already unimaginably terrifying.

As for areas further?

No person in their right mind would go there.

Not to mention District 30.

Moreover, the District 30 in front of him was indeed different.

Not just the number 30 on the metal wall that changed from white to scarlet paint, but the font also grew bolder.

What concerned Jason more was that the passage to District 30 was sealed.

In other areas, there were also metal walls nearby, marking the zones with numbers, but District 30 in front of him was blocked by a large metal gate.

Seamlessly.

Impossible to pass through.

Yet, it still instilled fear in those from District 29 who didn't even dare approach.

Suddenly, Jason squinted his eyes.

"Want to enter District 30 to evade danger?"

"But how to enter?"

"A secret passage?"

"Or...?"

Jason somewhat understood the collaborator's plan.

Facing pursuit from the 'Freedom Army' and 'Jing', the notorious District 30 was obviously a decent 'refuge'.

At the very least, here the 'collaborator' didn't have to worry about being outnumbered by both parties.

As for a small elite force?

Facing the largest region in the Ring City District of Nightless City's downtown, it would clearly be insufficient.

Keep in mind, in the core and smallest District 16, there lived 100,000 people spread over 166 blocks, yet it wasn't crowded and was quite spacious.

Jason had seen many people occupy a building alone or with a small group.

And the largest, outermost District 30?

In Jason's estimate, accommodating a million residents wouldn't be an issue.

Hiding among them, as long as one didn't expose themselves, trying to find someone with just dozens of people would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Especially if beforehand, a hiding spot had been prepared, along with enough supplies, finding him would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

With this thought, Jason's eyes sparkled.

If the 'collaborator' really planned this way, then he'd have to act.

Capture him, interrogate for more information.

However, just as Jason was about to act—

the 'collaborator' stood at the gate leading to District 30.

He stopped walking.

Then, he raised his hand and gently knocked.

Not on the gate itself but on the wall beside it with the '30' sign.

Moreover, the position was exactly at the center of the number '0'.

The knocking was faintly audible, almost undetectable.

However, moments later, a hidden door silently appeared on the ground.

Deep and dark.

Standing where Jason was, he couldn't see what was inside.

The 'collaborator' leapt in.

Then, the hidden door closed.

From the surface, it looked the same as always, indistinguishable.

Of course, that was just on the surface.

With Jason's perception over 17 times that of a normal person, he could clearly perceive the 'collaborator's footsteps.

Not heading towards District 30.

But returning to District 29.

"Laying false trails? Interesting!"

Jason's lips curled up.

If before, Jason had only suspected the 'collaborator' had ways to deal with the 'Freedom Army' and 'Jing', now Jason could confirm it.

The collaborator indeed had a plan.

And not only did he have it, but he was also thoroughly prepared.

At least this 'secret passage' couldn't have been dug out in a short time.

The other side must have had assistance.

This guess was quickly confirmed.

Because Jason heard the 'collaborator' talking with others—

"How's it going, Lauren?"

This was a slightly hoarse, deep voice.

Not the kind that's deliberately deepened.

But a unique deepness due to a throat injury, similar to a former 'postman' colleague of Jason's, who became like this after nearly being throat-slit while delivering goods, and surviving by luck.

"Just as you speculated, Kulin."

"The 'Freedom Army' is so desperate to get a map of 'Uptown' that they're like mad dogs. Even 'Ji', the leader of District 26, has come forth."

"And 'Jing's' people are as arrogant as ever, sending only one of the 'Six Vicious Dogs'."

The 'collaborator' named Lauren said.

Then, the 'collaborator' paused.

"Kulin, can you give me the stuff now?"

The 'collaborator' asked.

"Of course."

The man named Kulin finished speaking, followed by the sound of taking something out of his clothes.

"Pleasure doing business!"

The 'collaborator' laughed.

Clearly, the other party got what they wanted.

And at this moment, Jason, who heard this conversation due to his superhuman senses, frowned slightly.

It seemed like a very normal transaction, but in 'Nightless City', wasn't such a transaction too 'simple'?

Then, the true style of 'Nightless City' appeared.

"Lauren. Tel, what are you doing?"

The man named Kulin suddenly screamed.

Even with a wounded throat, the voice was still loud.

Obviously filled with rage and surprise.

And the 'collaborator'?

Smug and indifferent.

"Kulin, you are still so naive!"

"You didn't think that because you saved me, I would be grateful, did you?"

"Not to mention your so-called 'ideal'!"

"Bringing true peace to 'Nightless City'?"

"It's laughable."

The 'collaborator's' voice was interspersed with the sound of inhaling.

Having seen this scene, Jason naturally knew what was happening, but he remained indifferent.

Because, in his perception, the man named 'Kulin's' presence did not weaken in the slightest, despite sounding like he was on the brink of death.

What does it mean if the presence hasn't weakened?

Trap!

A trap targeting the 'collaborator'.

To this, Jason was not surprised at all.

What about saving the 'collaborator'.

What about the real peace ideals of 'Nightless City'.

Maybe these are all facts, but ultimately, they're just excuses.

All to make the 'collaborator' believe all of it.

As for letting the 'collaborator' kill himself?

Perhaps it's for a scapegoat?

Or maybe for some other purpose.

Jason didn't know for now.

But Jason believed he would soon find out.

About ten minutes later, the 'collaborator' appeared again.

Different from when he entered.

This time the 'collaborator' carried a long knife from one of 'Jing's Six Vicious Dogs' and a backpack.

The backpack is a rucksack.

Not a school bag.

A travel bag.

Bulging, who knows what's inside.

Jason flared his nostrils.

A look of delight appeared on his face.

The smell of food.

Not intense.

But full of 'flavor'.

It's top-quality 'ingredients'.

Immediately, Jason squinted his eyes.

The 'collaborator' who walked out of the secret passage didn't pay any attention to the passage left unclosed, turning to head in a direction within District 29.

But after two steps, a large hand reached out from the shadows.

Crack!

The 'collaborator' didn't react at all before his neck was snapped.

Afterward, Jason lugged the 'collaborator' back into the secret passage.

The next moment—

The secret passage slowly closed.