While Lucci played with the Casket of Ancient Winters and sensed the mysteries of the Law of Ice, Loki—hiding in the distance—felt something strange.
Like being pulled by a magnet, his gaze uncontrollably fell on the silver box.
A deep, inexplicable throbbing rose from the depths of his blood and spread through his whole body.
He felt his body longing for the box, his soul calling out to that cold.
Unconsciously, his skin faintly took on a bluish tint, and strange lines like ice crystals traced along him.
But he noticed nothing.
He only knew he wanted to get closer.
For a time he forgot everything, stepping toward Lucci without realizing it.
Lucci looked at Loki as Loki walked out on his own.
Lucci's gaze shifted lightly, as if it could see through the origin of all things.
In an instant, every secret was laid bare.
Under Lucci's perception, Loki's body displayed a strange double structure inside and out.
The outer layer bore the characteristics of Asgardian bloodline, wrapped in an incredibly clever illusionary energy—making him look no different from an Asgardian.
But beneath that mask, his true blood radiated a cold, deep blue light—
Pure…
Frost Giant blood!
And the concentration in his blood was extremely high…
Royal blood!
"He used illusions to change his form and suppress the power of his lineage."
Whether from the traveler's memories or records Lucci had read in the library, the war history between Asgard and Jotunheim made the truth clear.
Lucci looked at Loki, who stared at the Casket of Ancient Winters with confused eyes, and spoke calmly.
"Loki."
"Instead of envying Thor's hammer that doesn't belong to you…"
"…you should come reclaim what belongs to you."
Lucci gently handed the Casket of Ancient Winters to Loki.
Then he spoke words that flipped Loki's world upside down.
"You are not Odin's son."
"Your true identity is the descendant of the Frost Giant King, Laufey."
Lucci's blunt words thundered through Loki's spirit like the chaotic lightning at the dawn of creation.
Loki sobered instantly.
In that moment, his reason, pride, and cognition shattered into pieces.
"No…"
"No! You're talking nonsense!"
Loki's face turned paper-white. He stumbled back two steps as if he had heard the most terrifying curse in the world, then roared hysterically.
"Impossible! How could I be that lowly, ugly monster?!"
"I am Asgard's prince!"
"I am Odin's son!"
"I am Loki Odinson!"
His emotions completely spiraled out of control. His whole body sank into panic and confusion.
His identity—his pride—everything he had was built upon "Odin's son."
He was the child of the God-King, noble prince of Asgard, qualified to compete with Thor and aim for the highest throne.
But now Lucci was saying it was all a lie?
That he was a Frost Giant—a race regarded as enemies and monsters by Asgard?
How could that be possible?
It had to be impossible!
Lucci's expression did not change as he watched Loki lose control.
He merely stared calmly, like someone watching an unreasonable child.
"Really… you've never noticed the difference between you and Thor?"
Lucci's voice pierced straight into the deepest corner of Loki's heart—the place he had deliberately avoided, refused to think about.
"Thor is reckless and impulsive, powerful, born with affinity for thunder and lightning."
"And you—intelligent and sharp, but physically weak."
"You're skilled at illusions and… ice magic."
"Have you ever wondered why you learn ice magic more easily than other magic?"
"Have you ever wondered why every time you fight Thor, he can easily beat you until your nose is bruised and swollen—until your strength can't catch up to his at all?"
Each question was a heavy hammer striking Loki's defenses.
Loki's roaring gradually stopped, replaced by ragged breathing.
His body began trembling uncontrollably. Cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
Yes…
Why?
He had always believed it was simply a difference in talent between him and Thor.
But thinking carefully now…
Something was fundamentally different.
Seeing Loki waver, Lucci lifted the Casket of Ancient Winters in his hand and delivered the final blow.
"Most importantly…"
"It's the connection between you and this Casket of Ancient Winters."
"A connection from bloodline."
"Why don't you… touch it?"
Something irresistible seemed to glow in Lucci's eyes.
Loki raised his hand trembling.
His reason screamed "Don't touch it," but his body—his blood—desperately craved that cold.
Finally, his shaking fingertips touched the Casket of Ancient Winters's icy surface.
Click—
The instant of contact!
The Casket of Ancient Winters's cold not only did not harm him, it spread warmly along his arm—like it had found family.
Loki's skin instantly turned the deep blue of a Frost Giant!
His eyes turned a ruby-like deep red!
His true form—a Frost Giant prince—was fully exposed in that moment!
"Aah—!"
Loki screamed in fear when he saw his arm turn blue.
He jerked his hand back, and the blue slowly faded back to normal.
But that cold, real touch had been branded into his soul.
It was true…
All of it…
All true!
He really was a Frost Giant.
Loki collapsed to the ground in despair, his eyes losing all light, empty and dazed.
His pride…
His ambition for the throne…
Before this brutal truth, it all seemed ridiculous—absurd.
If he was a Frost Giant, then what had he been doing all this time?
A clown on stage, desperately performing a monologue that never belonged to him?
In this moment, Loki's world completely collapsed.
…