Aiwass took it, "It's certainly better than nothing."
"Do you want me to help you? I can make your death a bit more painless."
"I'd rather die outside, otherwise Lulu will be scared," Aiwass said lightly.
Of course, he didn't want the knife to commit suicide.
As long as he could cut himself and easily use the "Nurturing Skill"... Otherwise, he might have to resort to biting.
—Yes, the Nurturing Skill.
The skill "Shepherd's Nurturing (Flesh)" belonged to the Path of Devotion. It was probably because he had seen the Nurturing Secret Sequel and possessed the Nurturing Skill that the ritual assigned them the "Hook Demon" as an enemy... They believed it possible for them to defeat a formidable foe and find the mastermind behind the scenes.
It was because the mission's difficulty took into account not only the Bone Sculptor and Sherlock but also the Nurturing Skill Aiwass held and his knowledge of demons!
As long as he successfully performed the Nurturing Skill, he could control this lower Demon.
Even the Shadow Demon couldn't resist Aiwass's blood... The Hook Demon was far weaker than the Shadow Demon.
Moreover, the intelligence of the Hook Demon, akin to that of a three-year-old child, was considered particularly lacking even among lower demons.
This Hook Demon hadn't been specially trained in intelligence; their master clearly didn't possess such a skill, or didn't think anyone in Avalon would be familiar with the traits of the Hook Demon.
After being captured by Sherlock, it only screeched incoherently and didn't think to use instant transportation to escape the restraint—a feat it could achieve with training and special Enhancement.
Jack the Ripper had undergone such Enhancement, and therefore, became much more troublesome.
In the ideal progression, the Hook Demon should have appeared before "Little Aiwass" and then been controlled by Aiwass.
After Sherlock exercised his Wisdom, gathered everyone, and formed the nine-person group with clear roles, they should have followed the clues of the Hook Demon to find their adversary.
That would have indeed been an easy difficulty.
But just as the Bone Sculptor refused to cooperate with them...
The ritual also failed to determine that Aiwass "didn't want to expose his possession of the Nurturing Skill"—especially not in front of Sherlock.
Because of this, the difficulty was unnecessarily increased by so much.
After all, the identity of the Fox had to remain clean. This was an outer identity Aiwass deliberately created to be seen through.
That's why he deliberately maintained his image in front of the two of them.
What he needed was to use the identity of the Fox to conceal his other identity from the Path of Transcendence!
Aiwass was right just now.
For Sherlock and Lulu, this ritual was already over—they had achieved victory.
Ensuring Little Aiwass's survival and maintaining their cover until the end. The two necessary tasks were practically completed.
But for Aiwass, who sought higher points and the pursuit of truth... his adventure had just begun.
Aiwass turned his back to the light-pierced door, concealed his killing intent, and nodded with a smile, waving his hand.
He said his final goodbyes to Sherlock, who had a complex expression, and Lulu, who seemed sad and reluctant, delivering what they believed would be his "last words" of Bravery before his sacrifice:
"Take good care of 'our child,' Lulu. Sing him another lullaby; he seems to have a restless sleep as if he's been disturbed.
"And Mr. Sherlock, I'll come to find you when I have the time... if I have the time."
They will definitely be impressed by me.
—And now, I begin my hunt.
Aiwass thought to himself.