Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

```

As Jason raised his hand and pointed, the force field of "Protection Against Evil" immediately hit the 'food' before him.

Suddenly, the vines fell like a rain of arrows and froze in mid-air, immobile, while the sphere they sprouted from, the size of a water tank, shook as if electrified.

Ripples appeared on the enormous sphere.

With each shaking layer, it resembled the belly of a fat man bouncing up and down as he kept jumping.

But there was no sense of humor here.

Only a bone-chilling ferocity.

A low growl accompanied a fissure splitting open on one side of the sphere.

Teeth crowded the opening, and a thick, fishy saliva dripped out.

Roar!

The creature known as 'Dark Coconut' was still struggling in vain.

But in the face of the Proficiency Level "Protection Against Evil," such struggle was futile.

After all, Jason's version of "Protection Against Evil," with its Proficiency Level, was no longer ordinary; bolstered by the particular enhancement of the 'Secret Keeper' and fused with the 'Blair Exorcism Technique' using 'Shadow Raven Blood,' its power had exceeded proficiency. Even experts, let alone masters of higher tiers, could not match it.

So, the outcome was inevitable.

Splat!

Another roar as the 'Dark Coconut' creature's body burst open at several points, its spherical form deflating like a leaky balloon.

A crystal the size of a pinky finger dropped out.

Jason caught the crystal with his hand, rinsed it with some strong liquor, and tossed it into his mouth.

Crunch!

Jason's sharp teeth easily sliced through the crystal.

Instantly, a warm liquid, thick and distinctively sweet, filled his mouth.

Hot chocolate!

Jason's eyes lit up, and after chewing several times, he swallowed.

[Devoured the Heart Core of Dark Coconut!]

[Physical Strength, Vigor, and Excess Injury Recovery!]

[Satiety +23]

[Satiety: 39]

[Excitement of Feast +1]

[Excitement of Feast: 5]

...

Excitement of Feast!

Jason's eyes sparkled at the prompt.

He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

After making sure that there was no further danger around, Jason found a hidden corner and decided to enhance "Protection Against Evil."

[Would you like to use 30 points of Satiety and 5 points of Excitement of Feast to upgrade Protection Against Evil (Proficiency → Expert)?]

"Yes!"

[Protection Against Evil (Expert): You are an expert in this secret Seal Imprint technique, and you have enhanced it by leveraging special powers and integrating similar forces! In the city nights, it protects you from malevolence, though it still requires considerable Physical Strength to activate. Remember: Only in the city! In your Night Watcher lineage, one Night Watcher made some alterations, allowing you to possess ranged attack abilities; any changes you make can also be integrated into this legacy. Effects: 1. A special force field attached to your body's surface, capable of defending against and purging negative energy beings (War Machine level) and their associated powers (War Machine level); 2. You are able to direct the force of banishing evil to strike at creatures or objects within 10 meters radius centered on you with a long-range attack.]

...

[Glyph Replication: You can pre-store one instance of Protection Against Evil, with the same energy cost as the normal use. However, due to your modifications, it can last for 5 days; over these 5 days, the power of Protection Against Evil will gradually weaken, vanishing completely at the end of the fifth day. You can replenish Protection Against Evil anytime during these five days; releasing it requires only a short Dufol language syllable (Yi)]

...

```

The knowledge body coordination at the expert level took Jason more time than before.

But it was just a dozen seconds or so.

When Jason opened his eyes again, a smile appeared on his face.

It was not only the sense of achievement from attaining a long-pursued goal but also a trace of security in his heart—he knew he was one step closer to true self-protection.

So, Jason couldn't wait to check the next level requirements for "Protection Against Evil".

"The next level is Master, needing 35 points of satiation and... 8 points of Excitement of Feast?!"

"8 points?!"

Jason was taken aback.

According to the previous ratio, it should have been 6 points of Excitement of Feast, but now it was 2 points more.

"Could there be some change?"

"Master level, master level."

Jason muttered to himself softly.

The cost exceeding expectations did not discourage Jason.

On the contrary, he was only surprised.

Because he was well aware of the principle that you get what you pay for.

He was not afraid of needing more satiation and Excitement of Feast; his only worry was if it wasn't enough.

After all, "Protection Against Evil" was his only effective means of dealing with the bizarre.

What to do if satiation and Excitement of Feast weren't enough?

Just eat slowly.

With this thought in mind, Jason moved his limbs, and when he stepped out of the hiding corner, he leapt up and pulled the shriveled 'dark coconut' down from the ceiling.

After another rinse with strong liquor, Jason started a simple bonfire.

For Jason, whose cooking skills were only basic, he always followed two simple truths.

First, nothing cannot be grilled.

Second, everything can be stewed.

As for which one to choose?

That depends on what tools are at hand.

And right now, there was no doubt about the choice: grill!

Under the flames, the already somewhat flattened 'dark coconut' quickly showed wrinkles, and its fragrance appeared once more.

Jason tore off strips of cooked vines and slurped them into his mouth like noodles.

Crunch, crunch.

It still had the feeling of seaweed.

And the shriveled spheres were like seaweed knots.

Compared to the 'core' just now, the taste of the current food became ordinary.

But Jason didn't mind at all.

Nor would he waste, eating up these foods in no time; as expected, the prompt appeared before his eyes.

[Swallowed the Molt of the Dark Coconut!]

[Physical Strength, Energy significantly recovered!]

[Satiation +9]

[Satiation: 18]

...

"18 satiety points, 6 lives, huh?"

A sense of unease welled up within Jason at the levels of satiety displayed before him.

Without 30 lives, he always felt that his life was incomplete.

It was not just a sense of security at risk; it also affected his talent.

At least, he wouldn't practice the "Prus-Griffon Body Forging Technique" now.

"More food!"

As Jason thought this, he took another look at the veteran's post before him.

The scent of 'food' that had been so pervasive before had vanished.

Only a field of corpses remained.

Looking at the bodies, some with eyes wide in anger, others in disbelief, Jason's brow furrowed.

Clearly, the veteran's post was a trap!

A trap set by the 'Ghost Squad' specifically for the Prus Family.

Jason could guarantee that even without his notice, the Prus Family would have been led here by the street explosion.

Or rather, the 'Ghost Squad' had chosen such a visible method as the explosion precisely to attract the attention of the Prus Family.

"Is this to avenge 'Phantom Thorn'?"

"No!"

"That's not right!"

"Avenging 'Phantom Thorn' is only one aspect."

"The greater reason is to lure more living forces from the Prus Family!"

Having reached this conclusion, Jason's eyes narrowed.

He had visited the Prus estate just yesterday.

The place was indeed well-defended, but that wouldn't be much for the 'Ghost Squad', certainly no need for such an elaborate plan.

Unless...

The Prus Family's real protective forces were not stationed at the Prus estate.

A force that even the 'Ghost Squad' was wary of.

Coupled with the purpose of the 'Ghost Squad's' presence in Newdeth City.

Putting it together, Jason immediately arrived at an answer!

The 'Starry Skies Chant'!

The Prus Family's protective forces were in pursuit of the 'Starry Skies Chant'!

As for what the female student council president told him about the 'Starry Skies Chant' being fake, non-existent?

Jason couldn't be certain whether she was lying or not.

After all, considering family matters, it wouldn't be strange for her to do something that went against her principles.

However, that was none of his concern at the moment.

What he was more interested in was what he could gain from it all.

Or to be precise, how much food he could get.

Can the 'Starry Skies Chant' be eaten?

Is it tasty?

What does it taste like?

How much 'food' does the 'Ghost Squad' still have?

Is it enough for him to have a feast?

With such thoughts in mind, Jason left the veteran's post.

The female pastry chef in the carriage at a distance saw Jason emerge and immediately wanted to jump down, but remembering his earlier instruction, she restrained herself.

She watched Jason, and only when he nodded did she leap from the carriage.

"Jason, are you okay?" she asked as she jogged up to him.

"Trap," Jason replied succinctly.

"Call the police," he continued, his gaze shifting toward the other side of the lawn.

Two vehicles belonging to the Prus Family were speeding towards them.

As soon as the vehicles stopped,

Old Tedi opened the car door and got out.

A number of followers, armed, were behind him, two of whom were silently chanting the 'Dufol Language' and performing complex hand seals. Jason could clearly sense that, as the seals were completed, a mysterious force field appeared around Old Tedi.

After confirming the protection of the force field, the solid-built middle-aged man rushed over at a surprising speed.

"Lord Jason," he greeted with a nod after reaching Jason, not pausing before he and his team charged into the veteran's post.

Soon after, the head of the Prus Family emerged, his complexion looking grim.

"Thank you for everything you have done for the Prus Family," he said, standing before Jason and expressing his gratitude once more.

It was evident that the patriarch of the Prus Family had figured out the entire situation.

"I shall offer you a token of gratitude."

"Please be sure to accept it."

"It is what you deserve," he said.

Jason simply nodded indifferently.

Just as Old Tedi had said, it was what he deserved; naturally, he would not refuse.

Moreover, with the inferences he had just made, Jason could understand why Tedi was taking this approach.

To win him over.

To use him as a 'shield' when the family's living forces could not be mobilized.

To such 'use,' Jason, who had been tempered in Nightless City, was indifferent.

The two were simply trading partners, each seeking what they needed. As long as the other side provided sufficient stake, Jason would help according to the agreement.

Of course, the principles that needed to be upheld still stood.

He ate everything.

Just not a loss.

"Rest assured,"

"This token of appreciation will satisfy you," Old Tedi immediately emphasized, sensing Jason's coolness.

Then, the Prus Family's patriarch suddenly stepped forward and in a lowered voice said—

"I have a secret to share with you."