Chapter 164

“It can’t be sold? Then I will consume it. Can I just eat it?”

It was time to consume the elixir. Of course, it wasn’t that simple.

“Firstly, recite your stat window. Don’t lie because of the elixir.”

“Ah, personal information…”

“Don’t talk nonsense and write it on the ground. If you are dissatisfied, I’ll also write mine.”

In this way, we revealed each other’s stats:

ID: Han Jae-yeon

Class: Sword God (Mythical)

Title: Novice Adventurer (General)

Level: 64

Strength: 415 (+566), Stamina: 201 (+420)

Health: 360 (+454), Agility: 62 (+515)

Mana: 30 (+430), Magic Power: 81 (+311), Magic Resistance: 55 (+359)

Recovery: 120 (+400), Mana Recovery: 66 (+406), Luck: 10 (+32)

Free Stats: 0

Condition: Normal >

After checking my stats, Merlin whistled. “Wow, your average stats are incredibly high. However, it is too diverse… Is this due to some collection issue?”

In Revenge, extreme stat allocation wasn’t possible. It might be feasible at the beginning but… once a certain amount of spending was exceeded, all collections eventually had to be filled. In fact, I had completed almost all collections except for the insane one requiring numerous +9 enforced legendary items. Even then, I differentiated myself by focusing on Strength for job proficiency, which required significant cash investment.

On the other hand, Merlin’s stat window looked different:

Title: GM

ID: Merlin

Condition: Normal

Health: 121

Magic Resistance: Immune

Strength: 185

Mental Energy: 61

Stamina: 98

Inner Force: 1,199

Magic Power: 1,199

Regeneration: 86

Concentration Power: 1,022

Reflexes: 180

Luck

None

Experience Points: 0Hoon

Possession Amount: 9,999,993,331,111,123G 21S 20C

“What is this…?”

The average stats were lower than mine. They weren’t just low but seemed excessively so. However, there were a few strange stats.

“Magic Power… 1,199…? Inner Force 1,199…?”

The Concentration Power was slightly less at 1,022. No matter how I thought about it, this was unusual.

“Is there some other calculation formula? Come to think of it, even the structure of the stat window is different.”

“The structure of the stat window varies depending on the creator. There are said to be dozens of status window types circulating in the macrocosm right now… Still, the formulas should be the same.”

I was incredulous at his statement.

“So…you’re saying over 1,000 stats for real? Not just 1,000 but…over 1,100?”

“He cut all other stats to exceed 1,100 by trickery. His body is so weak that he might catch a cold.”

The difference between stat levels occurred every 100 units, and 900 stats were commonly known as ‘transcendent stats’, representing abilities of transcendent caliber. It was a realm unattainable unless one encountered extraordinary luck or possessed exceptional lineage; even among great mages, most had Magic Power or Mana below 900.

However, reaching 999 made it even more challenging due to what’s informally referred to as the “Stat Limit”.

It was said to be the maximum ability one could attain within the material world. Even if a dragon accumulated mana until its old age, it couldn’t surpass 999.

‘In other words…this is divine power. It signifies possession of divinity.’

To exceed the limit of stats, one must possess a miraculous force transcending the physical realm - either innate divinity or authority achieved through great effort and deeds. Consequently, stats above 1,000 were referred to as ‘Divine Stats,’ qualifying their possessor as a mid-tier deity, akin to an emperor class being.

“If my Inner Force reaches 1,100 stats, how many years would that equate to?”

My trembling question elicited a bewildered expression from Merlin.

“Why worry about years when you’ve reached this level? The numerical value loses meaning beyond simple quantity.”

“Let’s just make a rough estimate?”

“Well, it surpassed 100 Jupas (6,000 years) some time ago, and I think it will exceed 1,000 Jupas (60,000 years).”

“No way, crazy.”

It was truly insane. A thousand years of Inner Force was considered a mythical boundary, yet he was talking about 1,000 Jupas? Even if this unit sounded exaggerated, it still indicated a serious level! Regardless of my shock, Merlin frowned while looking at my stats.

“Well, this is troublesome… Still, strength is roughly 900 so it seems possible. Do you have the Reset Potion from Revenge? Take it out and choose between Magic Power, Inner Force, Aura, or Agility. Ah, for reference, Physique isn’t possible. Only souls can interfere within the inner world.”

His confident demeanor, without showing off or fearing to reveal his information, slowly helped me regain my composure.

‘Yes, let’s think positively.’

Indeed, this wasn’t bad at all. With Magic Power at 1,100 stats, I would be receiving assistance from a mage who has entered the realm of high-level deities using their magic power alone.

‘And it’s not just any high-level deity.’

It was not 1,100 stats but rather 1,199—meaning, in terms of Inner Force and Magic Power, Merlin approached the highest-ranked Gods themselves.

“What about chakra?”

Merlin shrugged at my tentative question.

“Our chakra channels are already integrated into the structure of the world, so they cannot be further developed. Thinking back…I’m incredibly fortunate that despite having innate talent for chakra, I still learned both magic and martial arts. Had I solely focused on chakra training, it would’ve been wasted effort.”

Merlin spoke more than I thought he would. It was surprising compared to his calm demeanor at the beginning.

‘Have we become quite friendly? Well, we are on the same boat.’

With this thought, I took out the inventory reset potion.

“I will use Inner Force.”

“Inner Force? Good. Put all your stat points into mana power and make it 900 stats. You can’t control the power of the elixir unless your mana reaches the transcendent realm.”

“Mana power 900…it seems possible…”

I drank the potion without hesitation. Having already rebuilt my stats several times before, there was nothing to fear.

[You have consumed the Reset Potion!]

[Bonus Points +4,400!]

I divided my bonus points between strength, vitality and regeneration. There was a problem that if I didn’t have enough vitality, my strength would destroy my own body. Additionally, investing all the bonus points into one stat became increasingly inefficient over time.

‘However, now I have short-term goals so just invest everything.’

Of course, even with this approach, my mana couldn’t reach 900 stats. It was still far more than 100 stats short! Naturally, there was a way.

★☆Job Change Completed☆★

[Star Seeker (Legend)]

Mana +100, Mana Power +180, Mana Recovery +100, Health +60, Magic Resistance +60

Mana recovery speed increased by 50%.

[Memoirize]

[Thousand Enchant]

Job change to the legendary mage class. Compensate for insufficient mana power.

‘Indeed, there is no notification here. If this were Ardenia, I would’ve received an alert about transcending stat limits.’

As my thoughts wandered while flipping through seven legendary cards, Merlin handed me a red gemstone that seemed to radiate heat even from a distance. However, upon grasping it, I felt its surprisingly cool touch.

Merlin explained, “Just consume it directly.”

“The contained power seems excessive… Won’t it cause Qi Deviation?”

“I’ll control it beside you. Since the Dantian is a virtual organ governed by intention, I can regulate it within my inner world. Assuming you fully enter my inner world… I can also assist with your energy circulation.”

“Understood.” I nodded thoughtfully.

In many ways…I’m quite lucky.

If Merlin were a malevolent Transcendent, connecting to my inner world would have been extremely troublesome for both me and the crushed jar. As an Apostle of the Game God, he might intervene if something happened to me but…

It’s not like he’d constantly protect me as a parent would, rendering it practically useless.

‘Even if there is no other use for this transcendent elixir, giving seven legendary cards in exchange still seems unreasonable.’

As I pondered, suspicion crept into my thoughts.

‘But what if it’s a trap?’

Had I originated from another district, these doubts may not have arisen. However, coming from the brutal Land of Midgard, where betrayal and manipulation were rampant, I had experienced it all. Knowing firsthand how human malice can unexpectedly surface, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the situation.

Goo-ooh…

At that moment, a red aura covered my entire body.

“Ugh…?!”

Frightened, I tried to throw away the gemstone, but it stuck firmly to my hand, refusing to budge. Worse still…the gemstone began absorbing into my body through my palm!

‘No! Is this really a trap?!’

As panic set in, Merlin’s scream echoed in my ears:

“What?! I’m being expelled from the inner world! But there aren’t any physical changes happening—why?! Could it be some kind of rebirth or transformation? No, it seems like we’ve already gone through that process before!”

Contrary to his earlier composure, Merlin’s genuine distress suggested he hadn’t orchestrated this situation. However, the problem remained unresolved!

Suddenly,

Whoomp!

I was forcefully ejected from Merlin’s inner world.

The Physique attribute differs from typical psychic abilities. Unlike martial arts, magic, chakra, aura, spells, etc., which could be discovered by geniuses even in worlds devoid of mystery…the Physique attribute cannot be self-realized. External intervention is necessary.

Bio Factor - A remarkable invention from the Leonhardt Empire, encompassing thousands of planets within its cosmic-scale nation. In just a few hundred years, Bio Factor transformed into one of the major extraordinary abilities alongside martial arts and magic.

Due to this existence, mastering Physique became relatively easier compared to other abilities. Consuming Bio Factor produced monthly by another Physique cultivator was all it took.

And Han Jae-yeon…

She had already consumed that Bio Factor before. Although she believed it had been digested and expelled as waste, such a notion defied logic. The Bio Factor fundamentally evolves an individual’s DNA and cannot be simply digested. Instead, what occurred with Jae-yeon’s lungs…

Jinwoo believed it had been digested and excreted as waste, but that couldn’t be possible. The Bio Factor fundamentally evolved a subject’s DNA, making it impossible to digest. It merely remained dormant due to Jae-yeon’s low affinity for mana.

Now, the transcendent elixir entering through Jae-yeon’s soul awakened both her physical body and the dormant Bio Factor within her.

Whooshhhhhh!

“What? Suddenly, there’s rain… Huh? There aren’t even any clouds!”

“Ack! What kind of wind is this?”

“Huh? Isn’t that tree growing right now?”

“The flowers are burning! Is this some sort of event?”

Gwanghwamun Plaza became chaotic. Tourists and pedestrians stopped in their tracks, startled by the sudden bizarre phenomena.

Goooooooohhh…

An unknown wave spread out, and every single citizen of Earth-34, where everyone possessed abilities, sensed it simultaneously.

“Ah, I feel something…”

“It’s strange…”

It wasn’t fear or terror but rather an inexplicable sensation that left everyone bewildered. However, ordinary citizens weren’t the only ones feeling this disturbance.

Beep---eek! Beep---eek! Beep---eek! Beep---eek!

Suddenly, warning alarms blared. The sound was unbearable, impossible to ignore, causing confusion and grimaces among the people.

“Ack! My ears! What is that noise?”

“Huh? Choko?”

“What’s happening? My phone…”

As people looked around in disarray, emergency broadcasts began airing.

[Alert! Alert! This is a real situation. All citizens should move to safety according to the evacuation program. I repeat once more. This is a real situation. Citizens should move to safety according to the evacuation program!]

[Level 20 Psychic Disaster Warning! Level 20 Psychic Disaster Warning! All citizens…]

Outside was chaotic at this moment. Jae-yeon’s studio room had become a mess.

Crack! Snap! Crack!

Rip! Grind!

All the bones in my body were shattered, and my skin was torn apart. Muscles were severed, and organs ruptured. Blood boiled away, leaving only dried fluids stuck to me. Even the brain was completely crushed. It was such a horrific sight that it couldn’t even be called a corpse anymore. If someone saw this, they wouldn’t dare argue about Jae-yeon’s survival.

Yes, Jae-yeon had died.

Medically speaking, she was completely dead.

However, not psychically.

‘Something…something is wrong.’

Jae-yeon sensed this from somewhere between her inner and outer worlds. She knew something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t pinpoint the cause. It didn’t occur to her that it might be related to consuming Bio Factors over twenty years ago.

‘Is this indeed…Qi Deviation?’

She could only think of one explanation for her predicament. She had also expressed her desire for Inner Force to Merlin earlier.

‘Sigh…’

Trapped within the prison of sensory deprivation, she had no choice but to do her best under these circumstances.

‘If it’s Qi Deviation, focusing on a pure martial art would help. Let me recite the Reverse Flow Water Visualization Technique.’

He fought to maintain consciousness and began reciting various techniques. There were Buddhist or Daoist righteous arts like Quick Advances, demonic arts such as Heavenly Horse Divine Art or Absorbing Demonic Energy, martial arts for swords, blades, etc., and the annotated records explaining different perspectives on martial arts. He recalled intense battles he had experienced throughout his life, walking the fine line between life and death.

Slowly, very slowly… encompassing all his insights about martial arts -

Ba-dump.

With unwavering determination, his physical body started evolving.