Published at 4th of December 2025 8:24 am

Chapter 1790 The five core points

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"... How on earth did you even conceive of gathering such an enormous number of components in the first place?!" Robin asked, clearly astonished, his voice carrying a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "And why, I ask, are there repeated components with varying ratios? How could this possibly make any sense?!"

Shaddad took a deep breath and tried to explain carefully, "That's because we use multiple layers of ink in the process. First, there's ink for inscribing directly onto the weaponisation materials themselves, then a different ink for tattooing on the containers that hold those weaponisation materials, then ink for drawing the array-the structure responsible for transporting and feeding the weaponisation materials into the designated targets-and we even have inks for the pressure and absorption arrays..." His voice carried a faint trace of exasperation.

He continued, his tone growing heavier, "All of this leads to the inks inevitably overlapping and merging at various points. And what you see before you is the final composition after all these overlaps... this complex mixture is the result of combining a vast number of inks, each of which has its own unique properties that we simply cannot compromise on, not even slightly."

Then he cast his gaze downward, clenching his fists tightly, the tension evident in his posture. "Honestly, I'm beginning to feel that trying to merge three completely different systems into one... is nothing more than chasing a dream that may never materialize."

At that moment, Jabba stepped in, speaking firmly to steer the conversation back toward practicality, knowing well that his master would not appreciate indulging in doubts or emotions. "Master, the fundamental issue isn't just that the inks merge at certain points, it's the extent of their merging. The behavior is inconsistent. Inks applied to liquids don't interact with inks on solid materials at the same rate every time. Sometimes they interact at ten percent, other times only one percent, and each time the reaction is entirely different. These unpredictable interactions have caused numerous problems-once even resulting in a catastrophic explosion. That's why we decided to standardize the variables and use a single unified ink across all sections of the array, an ink designed to integrate all the different materials effectively..." Jabba paused and then gestured toward what Robin was holding. "And this... this is the outcome so far, after all these adjustments."

Robin returned his gaze to the lengthy list of materials in front of him, this time frowning even more deeply, his brows knit tightly as his mind raced to absorb the sheer complexity of the problem.

The explanation was simultaneously logical and absurd-like trying to argue that roasting chicken, boiling rice, and toasting bread will somehow blend naturally in the stomach, so why not just throw them all in one pot from the start? The truth, of course, is that if you did that, the chicken wouldn't be roasted, the rice wouldn't be properly boiled, and the bread would never become toasted-it would all turn into a completely unrecognizable mess, ruining each component entirely.

And yet, despite the absurdity of it, he knew he had no choice but to approach the matter seriously... because if the final mixture was indeed the problem, then they had to address it properly and meticulously.

Alternatively, one could simply avoid the use of inks altogether... as is

customary in projects relying on liquid-based mechanisms, where any inks that

could interact and compromise the system are strictly avoided.

But according to the designs they were working from, the use of inks was

essential. It wasn't optional-it was a core requirement.

Robin pressed his hand to his forehead, rubbing it slowly as he exhaled through his nose, the stress of processing the complexity weighing heavily on him. Meanwhile, on the side, Shaddad and Jabba exchanged glances, and although Robin seemed lost for a solution himself, the two of them could not help but smile-slowly at first, and then the smiles widened until they stretched from ear to ear. Not because the master was present, not because he had the authority, not because he was helping them directly-but because he found the problem just as difficult to tackle as they did.

And this... this meant they were not fools. They were not simply guessing. If the entire solution could have been solved in a single word, the situation would have been embarrassingly trivial.

Robin's gaze sharpened as he turned toward them, eyes narrowing. "From where I stand, your problem isn't with the final ink mixture or the ratios you've used. No. Your real issue-your fundamental flaw-lies in finding an ink that can function consistently across every single corner of the array!" His voice rose sharply. "You are facing a core, structural issue in your methodology, and yet you continue experimenting on these poor volunteers! It's like trying to build the tenth floor of a house with support columns made entirely of candy-do you even comprehend the consequences of your work?!"

"Whoo~" Then he looked at the hundreds of paintings on the floor again, this time with eyes glowing with gold, then he took out a quill pen in his hand.

"Th-this..."

Both Shaddad and Jabba's eyes widened to the absolute maximum as soon as they laid sight upon the quill. Their breaths hitched slightly, as if their very lungs were aware of the quill's latent power. They knew it instantly... Seraphim, the legendary gift from the Cosmic Elder himself!

"...?"

Even Holak, who had absolutely no prior knowledge of the intricate art of inscription-drawing, furrowed his brows immediately. His muscles tensed, almost as if instinctively recognizing that this was no ordinary tool. His body shifted, his stance becoming subtly combat-ready-the aura emanating from the quill instilled a visceral sense of caution. It radiated an invisible weight of authority and danger, the kind that demanded respect and wariness

simultaneously.

Robin, however, responded far more calmly, almost naturally, as though he had anticipated this moment. After nearly a full minute spent scanning the quill and the surrounding area with his piercing golden eyes, he lifted the quill in a deliberate, measured motion and spoke with quiet authority:

"Manifest."

WOOOM-

In that instant, an enormous, complex blueprint materialized above the hangar, hovering like a living structure in the sky. The dimensions were staggering, stretching across the ceiling space in intricate detail. Every line and curve seemed to shimmer with its own energy, almost as if the pattern were

breathing, thinking, and alive.

"What in the-?!"

Shaddad staggered backward a step, completely taken aback. This was the very blueprint he and Jabba had painstakingly worked on for years, a plan drawn with countless sleepless nights, careful calculations, and relentless trial and error. And now, it floated in three dimensions above them, a living hologram that seemed to mock the very effort it had taken to create.

Robin waved the quill once more: "Compress."

WHOOSH

Instantly, the colossal blueprint condensed into a semi-circular pattern,

approximately the size of a human head, rotating gracefully along its axis in the air before him. The lines glowed faintly, golden light emanating from each sgment, as though the quill itself was breathing life into the pattern, giving it weight, substance, and presence.

Robin nodded almost imperceptibly, a small, confident smile curling at the edge of his lips. He had started to acclimate to the quill's unique capabilities. The principle was simple yet profound: as long as the request he imagined was theoretically achievable and he had sufficient energy, the quill would manifest it into reality without hesitation.

Then, with deliberate precision, Robin grasped the rotating pattern as though it were a delicate fruit, handling it with care and study. He tilted it gently, turning

it from side to side, golden light reflecting in his eyes.

"Hm... here... and here..."

He tapped several points within the pattern with the quill, and each touched point flared brilliantly with golden radiance. "...and here."

He turned toward Jabba and Shaddad, lifting the pattern slightly in his hands, as though presenting it for inspection.

"These five points are the ones that require special components. Every other point can utilize neutral materials." He tossed the pattern upward in a playful, almost teasing gesture, and caught it again, letting it hover as he spoke. "My recommendation is simple: locate these five core materials first. Then construct the remaining neutral ones in precise ratios that, firstly, amplify the impact of the five key materials, and secondly, prevent any unwanted reactions

between them."

He paused, his grin broadening into something that radiated both confidence

and clarity.

"And with this method, you will finally achieve a truly unified ink."

""

Shaddad and Jabba blinked, their eyes widening further as they exchanged a

series of incredulous glances.

Just like that?

From over three hundred and fifty materials and countless ratios, all reduced to

five? Shaddad had been mentally prepared for a lifetime-decades of seclusion, hundreds of careful calculations, countless experimental cycles. He had envisioned spending half a century testing every possible combination and ratio from the list, repeating the process multiple times if necessary. After all, he had been laboring over this problem for hundreds of thousands of years; "short" retreats were trivial to him.

And yet, their master... had effortlessly shattered every painstaking plan, every sacrifice, and every carefully mapped strategy in mere minutes.

"...What? Are you seriously telling me that you can't appreciate how much this

helps?" Robin blinked at their stunned faces, clearly perplexed by their frozen expressions. He scratched his head, then refocused on the floating pattern,

eyes glimmering.

"Fine, fine... I suppose I have nothing better to do anyway. Let's see what can be

done."

He raised the quill again, pointing it at the hovering pattern with precision. "Seraphim, test every ink component I know. Arrange them to form the optimal configuration capable of satisfying these five core points."

"......?!"

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