——But if that were the case, Aiwass would be in trouble.
So the moment he fell into deep thought, he was actually conversing with the Shadow Demon, trying to appease it.
Unless Aiwass encountered an irreversible, life-threatening danger that needed to be addressed immediately, he'd certainly conceal the fact that he was bound by a contract with the Shadow Demon. Even if Avalon didn't forbid the practice of Transcendence any longer, he wouldn't expose himself voluntarily because that was his trump card.
You see, it was precisely because Croix was unaware of the existence of the Shadow Demon that she attempted to invade Aiwass's shadow.
However, based on Aiwass's experience, without allowing the Shadow Demon to take action, it was impossible for the shot to kill an assassin of at least level thirty or forty.
Transcendents on the Path of Adaptation are particularly good at escaping.
Unless you kill them instantly, once a chase ensues, it's highly likely they won't be killed.
Thus, the Shadow Demon had previously provided another solution.
Aiwass attacked her with an [Enchantment Card: Blade of Shadows] crafted using the strength extracted from the Shadow Demon, leaving traces of the Shadow Demon in the shadow she controlled.
As long as she reappeared nearby, the Shadow Demon would immediately sense it; or Aiwass could actively track her... or use it as a medium to directly impose a curse on her.
Although he did not possess the skill of casting curses now, Aiwass was certain she would come again.
Because when he shot her out at that moment, Aiwass had felt her strong intent to kill and astonishment.
She clearly hadn't understood yet how she had been exposed. But she should realize that Aiwass had already found some method to locate her.
To avoid exposing herself again, she'd probably attempt to strike at Aiwass when he was least on guard and unable to think — that is, when Aiwass was sleeping.
She might even try to interrogate Aiwass in a deserted place to learn the secret of how he detected the flaw in her Shadow Stealth.
When Aiwass was asleep, the Shadow Demon was awake.
As long as she came, she'd surely die.
Not only would she forfeit equipment, but she'd also give away experience.
This was much simpler than actively seeking her out.
An assassin specialized in shadow abilities could never defeat an Upper-Level Demon who controlled the domain of shadows, the "Shadow Demon."
Aiwass even understood her profession better than the assassin did. After all, it was developed by imitating the natural abilities of the Shadow Demon.
Suddenly, Aiwass noticed the glasses on the ground. They looked familiar.
It seemed like loot had dropped?
Aiwass looked at it and called out softly.
Lily guessed what Aiwass intended, and without waiting for him to speak, picked them up and handed them to Aiwass.
Arlen also noticed this scene but tactfully didn't say a word.
He turned his head, pretending he saw nothing.
As Aiwass received the glasses, its attributes appeared before him:
[Observer in the Shadow]
[Extraordinary Equipment (Light Purple)]
[Attribute: Edict of Invisibility (Triggered by the Path of Adaptation only)]
[Attribute: When the enemy hasn't discovered you, observing them continuously can slowly increase the accuracy of your first strike against them (once per day, 0/1)]
[Set: Eagle of the Shadow (1/4)]
"——Continue observing, keep analyzing. Remember, you have only one chance to make your move."
——I actually looted some gear!
And it's decent gear at that!
This is the PVP set that can only be exchanged with respect after earning enough goodwill from the "Hawkeye" assassin organization.
The persistent spell "Edict of Invisibility" allows its user to become less and less visible until they turn invisible by remaining perfectly still. The other attribute, known as "Observer," will increase the hit rate inevitably as long as the target remains within the field of vision. Specifically, it means continuously erasing one's presence before landing a hit on your opponent.
This is indeed some good stuff. It's a pity that I am not a person of the Path of Adaptation, nor do I know any friends who are...
Aiwass paused for a moment.
He suddenly had an idea.
... Now that I think about it, Lily always seems to have a low presence. She might just have the adaptability for the Path of Adaptation?
Thinking this, Aiwass handed it over to Lily.
There was a glint of expectation in Aiwass's eyes, "It might suit you well."
If Lily suddenly becomes invisible one day, that would mean she's awakened her talent!
And if Lily truly has the talent for the Path of Adaptation... maybe when I advance to Transcendence, we could form an, ahem, unofficial team!
Lily held the glasses, looking a bit overwhelmed for a moment.
At that moment, Isabel casually placed her finger lightly on Aiwass's forearm.
This affectionate gesture caused Arlen's eyelids to twitch again.
I can't see this, I can't see this...
He repeated to himself in his mind.
There was curiosity in Isabel's eyes, along with lingering fright. Clearly, the fact that a living person had suddenly jumped out from her own shadow had startled her greatly: "How did you guess she was in the shadow?"
"——This is basic deductive reasoning, my friend."
Aiwass's lips curved slightly, effortlessly reciting Sherlock's catchphrase.
He raised an eyebrow, surveying his surroundings: "Well, everyone, would you like to hear it too?"
At that moment, his tone was as if he were not a college freshman, but a detective of long-standing fame.
And everyone around him didn't find anything amiss. Instead, they looked at Aiwass with eyes near wonder, as if he had performed an incomprehensible feat of magic.
Aiwass relaxed his body and lay back in his wheelchair, facing the scrutiny of the crowd with a calm and confident smile: "The specific steps of deduction are too complicated and involve elements of chance, so I won't waste everyone's time."
"Of course, I'd prefer the criminal to confess herself. I am not an Inspector, nor a Detective, just an ordinary reserve Priest. If the chief manages to catch the wrongdoer and she admits her crime, it will demonstrate the majesty of the law; but if, unfortunately, the criminal temporarily escapes, then I cannot possibly reveal her flaws. That would only help her perfect her disguise, wouldn't it?"
Just kidding, I don't even know how I deduced it myself, Aiwass thought.
But Aiwass fully believed that Sherlock could come up with a reasonable explanation.
——When the time comes, I'll have to ask Mr. Sherlock to fabricate something for me.