Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

The bubbles clung densely to the sides of the glass, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.

It was somewhat fruity, yet carried a hint of some natural aroma.

Once Jason's hand could move, he directly picked up the glass.

He first brought the glass to his nose and sniffed.

The scent, reminiscent of fruit yet seemingly natural, instantly penetrated Jason's nostrils, alleviating his pain, and without hesitation, he gulped it down.

Glug, glug.

Belch~

After finishing off about 200ml of sparkling water in one breath, Jason let out a loud belch.

[Tasted 'almost excellent' level 'sparkling water'!]

[Physical Strength, Spirit, injuries completely recovered!]

[Attribute point +0.1]

...

Following such prompts, the pain that had been lingering in Jason's body immediately vanished entirely.

Jason's spirit was instantly soothed.

However, upon seeing the last line of the prompt, Jason frowned.

"Excellent is 0.2 points, nearly perfect is 0.3 points."

"Just 0.1 attribute point for 'almost excellent'?"

Although he had speculated before, seeing only 0.1 point of attribute increase, Jason couldn't help but ponder once more who that 'scene-stealing' person might be.

However, that did not hinder Jason from continuing to add the 0.1 attribute point to his constitution.

He needed a stronger constitution, to become stronger, more resilient, to bring his Talent 'Undying Body' to its fullest potential.

The direct increase in attributes continued for a dozen seconds, and when Jason had adjusted to his current body, the notebook began to display more text.

[The scene-stealing sparkling water, making everything wonderful.]

[You should not have returned.]

[But there's nothing that a full belly can't solve.]

[Is there?]

[Then why not indulge in the Excitement of Feast!]

[Yes/No spend 500 points of satiety, 30 points of Excitement of Feast to return?]

...

"500 points of satiety?"

"30 points of Excitement of Feast?"

"What exactly did that 'scene-stealing' guy do?"

"Did he break the sky over 'Ang City'?"

Seeing the satiety and Excitement of Feast required to return to 'Ang City,' Jason could no longer maintain his composure.

He could hardly imagine what had happened in the 'Fragment' world after he entered.

When he left, everything was still normal.

How could such things have happened just because he left?

Could it be because that 'scene-stealing' individual was closely related to him?

But if they were closely related, why couldn't he remember anything?

It wasn't possible that the individual was exceptionally fond of him, and because of that love for the house extended to its crows, affected Aras, Edmund, Esther, and the rest, thus doing something earth-shattering that affected the entire world, right?

That's just too, too... incredible.

Judging the situation, Jason used a more positive word.

Although deep down, he had a more apt term in mind.

But to describe himself and his friends, Jason deemed it inappropriate.

Noticing the throbbing of his temples, he looked at the numbers again.

Suddenly, Jason felt his molars tingle.

To think that returning to the world of 'Dining Etiquette,' 'Lorde,' costs 5 points.

'Appetizers' like 'Crab Meat Salad' and 'Fried Meat Roll' worlds cost 50 and 75 points respectively.

The appearance of the latter two already made Jason feel they were costly.

But the 'sparkling water' world made it seem utterly impossible to him.

Nevermind that he didn't have 500 points of satiety and 30 points of Excitement of Feast.

Even if he did!

He would rather upgrade his skills, his secret techniques.

He was very clear about what was important to him.

Almost immediately, Jason temporarily gave up the idea of the 'sparkling water' world.

Until he reached a certain level, it was absolutely out of the question.

Just as Jason made his decision, the black notebook began to turn its pages.

Fourth page: Soup.

[Soup!]

[You have two choices:]

[1, Beef Soup (Clear Soup)]

[2, Creamy Mushroom Soup (Thick Soup)]

[Choosing 1 will consume 7 points of satiety]

[Choosing 2 will consume 7 points of satiety]

(Note: you can choose one of the two soups; when you return after completing the main quest, you can choose the remaining one.)

...

"An all pick?"

"Same satiety requirement?"

Jason was momentarily taken aback.

Then, he set his sights on 'Beef Soup.'

Not for any other reason, he just liked beef.

In fact, at that moment, Jason's mind had already begun to imagine the taste that 'Beef Soup' should have.

And amidst such musings, Jason found himself back at 19 Ter Street.

```

He was still in the same posture from before, wearing an ice hockey mask, seated on a crate with his beloved broad-blade, short-handle machete resting on his knee.

Apart from that?

In that "Fragment" world, after encountering falling meteors and fiery flames, everything was gone.

However, for Jason at the moment, none of that mattered.

Because the instant he returned to 19 Ter Street,

he felt something slightly different.

There was an almost imperceptible, ethereal presence beside him!

Invisible!

Intangible!

But undoubtedly real!

This sensation did not cause Jason to panic.

On the contrary, he felt a slight relief deep inside.

About that "observer,"

about that great personage's collaborator,

Jason had always been apprehensive.

The appearance of a "map," which was in fact a "warning letter," was like a dagger plunged into Jason's heart, keeping him on alert at all times.

Especially after the last two returns, when his strength increased and he still could not trace the other party, Jason became even more restless.

But now!

He had finally "detected" a trace of the other party.

This was genuinely good news for Jason!

You should know, before entering the world of "bubble water," his attributes were: Strength 2.6, Agility 2.5, Constitution 3.0, Spirit 2.2, Perception 3.8.

After returning once more, his attributes were: Strength 3.7, Agility 3.5, Constitution 4.4, Spirit 2.6, Perception 5.7.

Even Spirit, the least increased attribute, went up by 0.4.

Strength, Agility, and Constitution all increased by at least 1.

And Perception, which increased the most, went up by almost 2.

When Jason closed his eyes again, the temporary +0.3 Perception granted by "Blind Fighting" brought his perception to six times that of an ordinary person.

Under such enhanced perception, Jason became even more sensitive to his surroundings.

The almost imperceptible, ethereal presence began to grow clearer.

But, it was just a little short!

Jason opened his eyes!

His eyes were calm, and no expression could be seen on his face.

He was on the verge of seeing what it was.

But Jason had not a hint of regret.

Because he was well aware that even if he discovered how the other party was observing him, what would it matter?

The other party's methods were certainly not just limited to observing!

Or rather, what he was currently facing was merely one of the other party's setups!

How strong was the other party in reality?

Jason did not know.

So, what use was there in discovering them at this moment?

He could still only wait!

He could only passively search for an opportunity?

Indeed...

I am too weak!

Jason silently affirmed to himself, then, just like an ordinary person tired from sitting, he stood up.

Next, he casually took out a can of food and a bottle of water from the wooden crate on his right.

Without heating it up, Jason simply opened the can and started eating voraciously.

As if he couldn't wait.

As if he had never eaten such canned food before.

I am now a "lucky" little man who took the place of a "pawn" here; I am very cautious and careful, which matches my identity as a "postman" from the Nightless City.

At the same time, I must "struggle"!

I cannot give up!

After gulping down the can—resembling a mix of animal innards and green peas—in just a few bites, Jason opened a bottle of water and chugged it down.

A look of satisfaction spread across his face.

It was as if he had tasted some kind of exquisite delicacy.

In fact, compared to the "post office" where he worked, the food here was indeed decent.

The "old man's" stinginess was well-documented.

And so was his fairly good credibility.

Both were necessary.

But in secret, both had their clear price tags.

Otherwise, he would not be here.

"Damn XXX!"

"You bastard!"

Jason cursed like this.

Being a "postman" was no fool; naturally, he should have guessed what happened.

At the same time, another search began.

This time Jason rigorously searched inside 19 Ter Street several times, taking nearly an hour before he returned to the wooden crate, seemingly exhausted, bewildered, and disoriented as he sat down.

Of course, that's what could be "observed" from the view inside 19 Ter Street.

In places "unseen" by the observer,

Jason pinched a black notebook between his fingers.

With a flick,

the notebook once again opened.

```