NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Vigilance!
Cage?
The words of the 'collaborator' made Jason's heart jolt.
Because he truly felt that way.
For Jason, who inexplicably ended up in the 'Nightless City', wasn't this dog-eat-dog place a 'cage'?
Though it seemed free.
But in essence?
It's a place of confinement.
Living on borrowed time.
But Jason wouldn't say any of this.
He turned his head, looking at the 'collaborator' with a sardonic smile.
"Do you believe his words?"
"I don't, do you?"
"I don't either."
"Who trusts someone who writes in a diary, anyway?"
"Right, who writes a diary in earnest?"
"Do you write a diary?"
"I don't."
"Do you write a diary?"
"Who can put their innermost thoughts in a diary?"
"If it's written out, how can it be called innermost thoughts?"
"Despicable."
"Despicable."
Jason and the 'collaborator' were bantering, showing remarkable rapport, just like old friends reunited after many years.
But as their words faded and they shared a knowing smile, the 'collaborator' struck.
Whiz, whiz whiz!
Invisible spider silk sprang from the corners of the secret room, like arrows released from a bow, aiming at Jason's vital spots, especially the face, with several strands shooting simultaneously.
Jason didn't dodge or evade, merely raised his hand.
Whoosh!
Conical flames, carrying scorching heat, erupted from his palm.
[Charles Burning Technique]!
The [Charles Burning Technique], at the master level, not only had the power of a 'war machine', but its control was at his whim, changing at Jason's command within a 50-degree long, 20-meter, 2.0-meter high range.
At this moment, it was exactly that.
Not only did the conical flame disintegrate the spider silk flying towards him, but it also conveniently engulfed the 'collaborator'.
"Ahhhhhh!"
With a miserable scream, the 'collaborator' rolled on the ground, trying to escape the burning flames.
However, as Jason moved his hand, the conical flames followed immediately, like a shadow.
After a dozen seconds, the 'collaborator' became a charred corpse.
Jason glanced at the 'collaborator's body, seemingly confident in his flames, didn't go up to check, but instead made a circuit around the secret room, confirming there was nothing worth noting. Then, he picked up the backpack full of books and turned to leave.
The 'collaborator' wasn't dead.
He knew.
The owner of the secret passage, Kulin, wasn't dead.
He also knew.
So, he decided to give both of them a chance for a fight to the death.
Of course, to ensure their fight to the death went smoothly, he would set a fire.
A real fire.
He walked out of the secret passage.
Jason tossed the backpack he was holding onto the ground and raised his hand to ignite it.
Whoosh!
The flame stood out sharply in the night of the 'Nightless City'.
Jason believed that such a blaze would attract enough curious 'Nightless City' residents.
And when these 'Nightless City' residents saw the secret passage, the 'collaborator' and Kulin would naturally react.
As long as the two didn't actually want to die for real.
As for the original plan of the secret passage owner, Kulin?
Jason wouldn't care.
Nor would he 'force an interrogation'.
He only believed that by mastering the initiative, he could achieve victory.
He would do it his way.
The paper turned black in the flames, more flames emerged, igniting the backpack rapidly, making the fire even fiercer.
Jason seemed as if he was about to leave, turning straight around.
At the same time, two gems were successively tossed into his mouth.
The red gem, sweet, with a rich milky fragrance, akin to cream balls.
The blue gem, cool, refreshing like mint.
Crunch!
Following his habit of eating candy, Jason gently bit down with his teeth.
Instantly, a more pure flavor emerged.
Unlike the explosive burst of a liqueur chocolate.
But the richness made Jason squint contentedly.
[Heart of Consumed Scorched Flame]
[Physical strength, stamina, injuries recovered excessively!]
[Satiety +100]
[Satiety: 27611]
[Excitement of Feast +1]
[Excitement of Feast: 571]
...
[Heart of Consumed Cold Ice]
[Physical strength, stamina, injuries recovered excessively!]
[Satiety +100]
[Satiety: 27711]
[Excitement of Feast +1]
[Excitement of Feast: 572]
...
The 'food' acquired by accident made Jason feel content.
Even though for Jason now, 200 points of satiety and 2 points of Excitement of Feast weren't much.
The principle of "many a little makes a mickle" was understood by Jason.
Furthermore,
it was completely free.
"Moreover..."
"This is just the beginning!"
Jason's lips curled into a smile.
Everything was happening as he anticipated, the flame in the night attracting enough people.
What made him even happier was the faint 'food aroma' coming from these people.
Clearly, the residents of the 'Nightless City' in Zone 29 were wealthier than Jason imagined.
Jason wasn't in a hurry.
He patiently waited.
As a Hunter, one must be patient.
Especially at such a time reaping the rewards.
That's what 'the old man' often nagged about.
Jason remembered after hearing it.
And the one who told Jason this aspect, 'the old man' was pacing impatiently in the office.
Jason had been gone for nearly seven hours.
He knew quite clearly that something had happened.
Although, when 'Jing' the 'big shot' came looking, 'the old man' knew something was bound to happen, but in his heart, he held onto a sliver of luck.
After all, Jason was his best 'postman'.
And also the most cautious one.
Of course, also the luckiest one.
'The old man' always hoped that Jason's luck would be as good as the past year during this time.