Whether to absorb the Nen from the score… the time limit was one factor to consider, another was the incomplete [Zetsu].
Back when he first broke through 20% numerical value, his Aura Nodes were forcibly closed. At that time, he had been continuously performing imaginary training to open them.
As time passed, the Aura Nodes would slowly open, seeping out Nen.
When the process reached halfway, he could already maintain a minimum level of Ten.
Subsequent breakthroughs at 40%, 60%, and 80% saw varying degrees of improvement.
Especially when breaking through 80%... though called Zetsu, from the moment the countdown started, he could already use Ten. This time, breaking through one hundred percent, perhaps his Aura Nodes wouldn't be closed too severely.
And if he remembered correctly, the time limit for breaking through 80% was three years. Later, through arduous training, he reduced it to one year.
This time, if he wanted to break through one hundred percent, based on past patterns, the duration of entering [Zetsu] would be at least five years. Even ten years wouldn't surprise Law.
If it were ten years, he definitely couldn't wait that long. Even with arduous training, it would take at least two or three years.
Assuming five years, the fastest would still be a year, right?
Departing from the Six Continents, using relatively normal voyage methods, the journey would take about two months. Non-standard voyage methods would still take around a month.
'Assuming the time limit is five years, even with Cookie's help, it's impossible to fully open the Aura Nodes within three months.'
'The conclusion is: too late.'
Law placed his hand on the score, feeling somewhat unwilling.
Smoke-like black Nen swirled over his palm, and the White Smoke Font were like an incessantly ringing alarm clock.
What exactly was the difference between 80% and 100%? Before actually breaking through, Law didn't know.
But based on past experience, each breakthrough brought significant enhancement, let alone the final one.
When he reached the ultimate limit of his strength, he could reduce the risks of the second trip to the Dark Continent, perhaps even fully explore it.
This was the fundamental reason Law was unwilling to compromise.
If conditions permitted, completing this absorption before arriving at the Dark Continent would be the best outcome.
Law slowly closed his eyes, thinking of Biscuit's Cookie, Ging's game space, Knov's Hide-and-Seek, and having Kuro as a bodyguard.
In a situation where his mind was already made up, any thought could be forcibly turned into a reason or excuse.
Thinking this, Law realized his choice leaned towards absorbing the Dark Sonata. That's why he couldn't decide for so long, even thinking about how to utilize Ging's game space.
Even so...
Law looked at Kuro, who was silent beside him. He picked up the score and tossed it over. "Store it away."
If leaning towards absorption, the sooner, the better.
But Law still wasn't ready.
Kuro stored the score away. "Decided?"
Law walked to the window, calmly looking at the night scene outside. "Not yet."
"You're not the indecisive type," Kuro said, pacing over to Law's side, then leaping onto the windowsill.
"There's too much to consider. But ultimately, I need to wait a bit more," Law said.
"Wait for what?" Kuro's eyes showed confusion, thinking, 'I'm also waiting for you to take me to prison.'
"For Beyond and the Kakin Empire to make their move," Law said flatly.
He wanted to wait until that result was clear before deciding whether to absorb it.
The cost was wasting about half a month, but he could get a more secure result.
"Whatever you think. Anyway, you need to take me to prison soon," Kuro said seriously.
"I will."
Law nodded slightly.
…
The following days were calm.
Pariston's trump card was eliminated by him and Netero. The hawkish faction naturally couldn't stir up any waves, especially since Pariston had already resigned as Vice-Chairman.
Law had no interest or need for the internal power struggles within the Association. He didn't pay special attention, but Cheadle, perhaps considering him one of their own, would occasionally inform him of the Association's internal trends.
Regarding this not-too-serious misunderstanding, Law didn't bother to explain.
Law was waiting… many people were waiting.
There were about ten days left until the day Beyond mentioned.
During this time, with Ickshonpe's help, Law finished writing the manuscript.
One day, Law met with the publishing editor from [New Horizon]. She was a mature woman around thirty, wearing a black professional suit, with a full figure.
Her hair was tied up in a simple, neat style. She wore black-rimmed glasses, light makeup, but her lipstick color was slightly deep, and she had a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth.
"You must be Aika. Nice to meet you."
Law extended his hand towards Aika.
He had only heard from Sabro the name of the collaborating editor and how capable she was, but he wasn't told she was a beautiful woman.
"Hello, Mr. Law," Aika said, gently shaking his hand.
With Sabro as the intermediary, the two didn't need self-introductions to know each other's names and identities.
"Please, have a seat."
Law smiled, pointing to the sofa. After Aika sat, he followed.
Aika placed her briefcase beside her. Looking at this young, accomplished boss before her, she got straight to the point efficiently.
"Regarding the publishing matters, Mr. Sabo has already clarified. Our company highly anticipates this collaboration with you." (T/N: Sabro's real name is Sabo, as I once mentioned, since Law called him Sabro, I always used Sabro, not Sabo. Only when unfamiliar people or Salin called him that I would use Sabo.)
"Here's the manuscript."
Law was also straightforward, directly placing the manuscript on the table. "I have no personal demands. As long as you can get this book published."
A flicker of surprise passed through Aika's eyes. She nodded, gathering the manuscript.
She never rashly formed impressions or opinions of unfamiliar strangers. But after learning the details from Sabro, she assumed it was just a wealthy person's whim.
Given the other party's status, the company naturally wouldn't refuse this collaboration, especially since the other party wasn't demanding any profits.
Although there was a risk of losing money, compared to the cooperative relationship between the company and the Lawlin Museum, it was nothing.
Based on this, Aika thought Law, to satisfy some wealthy person's vanity, would make many difficult demands on the spot.
For example, providing the best sales channels and promotion for this book whose content was still unclear, maximum exposure… in short, wanting the best treatment for his book.
Regarding this, Aika and her superiors had long been mentally prepared, repeatedly rehearsing the meeting, preparing various pre-planned responses and phrasing.
However, Aika didn't expect Law to have only the simplest requirement… no, it couldn't even be called a requirement.
She was puzzled, but she wouldn't ask unnecessarily.
However, she suddenly became interested in the manuscript in her hands.
She looked at Law, smiling. "Mr. Law, may I take a look at the manuscript now?"
Law smiled. "Please, go ahead."
With permission, Aika began reading the manuscript on the spot.
During discussions about publishing, Sabro hadn't even revealed the book's genre.
"What is this...?"
Aika read several pages, a look of surprise slowly spreading across her face.
'A fantasy adventure novel?'
'But the genre indicated on the title page was travelogue!'
Confused, Aika didn't stop reading.
However, the more she read, the more astonished she became.
'This wasn't a personal travelogue, was it?'
'But those bizarre, fantastical things in the book... truly captivating.'
She decisively put down the half-read manuscript, looked up at Law, wanting to speak but hesitating.