Chapter 23: Indomitable

The wooden box was larger than I’d expected.

Divine-grade elixirs were often the hearts of mythical beings.

Such elixirs weren’t consumed but used.

Upon use, one faced the residual consciousness of the heart’s original owner.

If acknowledged by the consciousness, one gained a special ability and a surge of power equivalent to a Highest-grade elixir or greater.

Failure resulted in only a power boost, without the ability.

Passing the trial of consciousness was extremely difficult, so most used the elixirs solely for the power boost.

‘Let’s see what kind it is first.’

A trial of consciousness? I’d passed one before.

With a strong mind, it was possible to withstand the consciousness’s influence and emerge victorious.

I opened the box.

Inside, a heart pulsed rhythmically despite being long dead. Having seen far more gruesome things in the Demon King’s world, this barely fazed me.

I used the Observe skill.

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[Status Window]

[Heart of Ymir, the Primordial Giant (Mythical): The heart of Ymir, the primordial giant who sacrificed himself to create the world. Originally kept by Odin, its whereabouts became unknown after Asgard’s destruction by Surtr, eventually finding its way into a dungeon.

*Recommended Stats: Strength 100+, Agility 100+, Stamina 100+, Mental Strength 100+
*Upon receiving the consciousness’s acknowledgment, gain the trait: Primordial Giant (SS) and the skill: Frost (Lv1).]

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“Now I understand why it wasn’t sold.”

The information was outrageous.

The recommended stats indicated the minimum requirements to attempt the trial of consciousness.

Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Mental Strength all above 100?

Moreover, no one had ever acquired an SS-rank trait.

While mentioned in connection with Divine-grade elixirs, no one had ever passed a trial with an SS-rank trait as a reward.

The accompanying Legendary-grade skill hinted at the trial’s extreme difficulty.

“Yes, it’s impossible to pass the trial, so it’s simply meant for increasing one’s strength.”

‘But what about me?’

Within the realm of consciousness, mental strength was paramount.

The recommended physical stats could be circumvented by channeling my peak physical abilities from my past lives, as long as my mental strength was sufficient.

The recommended stats were based on the assumption that someone with stats exceeding 100 wouldn’t have stats as low as mine.

I’d had Strength, Agility, and Stamina above 100 before.

‘Let’s do this.’

But first, I needed to allocate a stat point.

‘Status Window. Stats only.’

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[Status Window]

[Name: Kim Yu-won (Lv154 / 80%)
Age: 137
Gender: Male
Race: Human

Stats▼
Strength: 59
Agility: 59
Stamina: 59
Intelligence: 39
Magic Power: 39
Mental Strength: 99
Charm: 29
Luck: 20
Remaining Points: 55]

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I only needed to see my stats, so I removed the rest.

‘It’s a bit of a waste, but it’s an investment for an SS-rank trait.’

I allocated 9 points to Mental Strength, raising it to 100. Messages appeared.

[Mental Strength has exceeded 100.]
[Analyzing your actions and tendencies to generate a trait.]
[Trait acquired: Clear Mind, Still Water (A).]

This was expected.

Clear Mind, Still Water.

A trait representing a calm, unwavering mind. Granted immunity to Hero-grade and lower mental attacks and resistance to Legendary-grade and higher mental attacks.

It had proven useful, given the prevalence of enemies using mental attacks.

However, what happened next was unexpected.

[Your body remembers Clear Mind, Still Water.]
[Clear Mind, Still Water evolves into Unwavering and Unyielding.]

Having a stat exceed 100 again after experiencing it in a past life was a first.

I was already grateful for the free A-rank trait; trait evolution was unheard of.

‘Could the other stats…?’

Perhaps the A-rank traits gained from exceeding 100 in other stats – Herculean Strength from Strength, Sixth Sense from Agility – could also evolve.

‘I could become incredibly powerful…?’

After reaching the Transcendent Realm in my past lives, I thought my obsession with strength had vanished.

But reuniting with my wives, regaining my emotions, and finding a new purpose had rekindled my desire for power.

With this much luck, perhaps I could reach the mythical realm beyond life and death, a realm I hadn’t dared to dream of in my past lives.

That thought excited me.

Of course, still being below even the Transformation Realm, I needed to focus on the present.

I checked the effects of Unwavering and Unyielding.

[Unwavering and Unyielding (S): May bend, but will not break. May yield, but will not submit. Grants absolute resistance to mental attacks.

Grants immunity to Unique-grade and lower mental attacks and resistance to Legendary-grade and higher mental attacks.

*Your mind does not experience fatigue.
*No means can read your thoughts without your consent.]

Except for the 0.01% capable of Legendary-grade mental attacks, no one could affect my mind.

My body could tire, but my mind wouldn’t. I was immune to mind reading.

A goddess in the Hero’s party had once read my thoughts, infuriating me. That was no longer possible.

I wasn’t done yet. Raising a stat above 100 cost 10 points each, but I invested them all in Mental Strength.

[Mental Strength: 104]
[Remaining Points: 6]

I felt my mind expand significantly. Every point above 100 made a noticeable difference, so it didn’t feel like a waste.

I could train other stats, but mental strength was difficult to improve through training alone.

The thought of wasting points without gaining the SS-rank trait was far more terrifying.

‘I’m ready.’

The trial of consciousness would be instantaneous. No need for anyone to stand guard.

I used the elixir. My consciousness was pulled into another realm.

A vast, empty plain.

A pillar stood in the distance.

‘No… not a pillar.’

Below it were feet.

The immense length of the legs had made it seem like a pillar.

I craned my neck, but I couldn’t see its head.

It was colossal, beyond comprehension.

I couldn’t even see its neck. How could such a being exist? With that size and physique, a single step could erase entire countries.

I hadn’t felt this insignificant even facing the Demon King. This being was on a different level.

Then, it spoke.

“…It’s been a long time.”

A booming voice that seemed to shake the world.

If this was him speaking softly, I couldn’t imagine the power of his roar.

A long time…? What did he mean?

“What do you mean?”

The giant sighed. The resulting pressure felt like a gale force wind.

“I was mistaken. I sensed lightning energy within you and thought you were Odin’s son, but you’re someone else.”

He’d mistaken me for Thor. A god wielding lightning energy, the son of Odin… There were no other possibilities.

“This is the first time a human has come here… Why have you sought me out?”

He seemed to have no idea I was after his power.

Several gods must have visited this place. Yet his consciousness remained, which meant none had passed his trial.

But I didn’t care.

Their failure didn’t guarantee mine.

“I’ve come to inherit your power. You may finally rest.”

“What…?”

Ymir seemed genuinely surprised.

His body trembled, shaking the ground like an earthquake.

“Heh…”

Then, he erupted in laughter.

The pressure, far greater than before, made my body tremble uncontrollably.

It was difficult to even stand.

My legs felt like they would buckle.

“A human child who can barely withstand my laughter wants to inherit my power… I haven’t laughed like this since the beginning of time.”

Such power, purely physical, without any energy manipulation.

He wasn’t called the giant who created the oceans with his blood, the mountains with his bones, the precious stones with his teeth, the earth with his flesh, the sun and moon with his eyes, the rain with his tears, the forests with his hair, and the clouds with his brain for nothing.

It felt like the world itself was rebuking me.

“Very well. I shall grant you a chance.”

How powerful could I become if I obtained that power?

The thought sent shivers of excitement down my spine.