Mythos Of Narcissus: Reborn As An NPC In A Horror VRMMO

The Landship hummed around with neuromorphic efficiency as the expedition force gathered at the Theotech Site's entrance, preparing to descend into the subterranean depths.

Unlike the first expedition, where responsibilities had been split between different teams, this time, it was a unified force—one singular unit that would adapt as needed the deeper they ventured.

It was decided that way because of the incomprehensible nature of the subterranean space that might hide some sort of phenomenon or defensive mechanism that could be vastly different than that of the spiral.

And by just that statement alone, questions had already appeared amongst my confidantes back then. Applying the logic of progress and civilization, the Theotech Vault had no reason to split their psychic nexus between the two different levels of worlds, nor was there any reason to have a completely different Theotech signature between the two sections.

Which means that it could only mean one thing.

The underground and the spire were of separate origin.

The Theotech psychic field below was much older than that of above. This could only signify one thing.

The entire Theotech Vault was an outpost of the Theotech expedition of the newest Theotech society. The spire and facilities around it were built on top of a Theotech Site of in time where the creator of the spite has not reached the level of a Theotech yet.

It was quite apparent now that we try to assess more of the spire's content. The Ethereal Data Archive might be a research log of the subterranean Theotech. The Null Vault was meant to take any Theotech entity below into captivity and research further, and many more.

"Now that I think I about it, I never heard about Viviane mentioning about the true depth of the subterranean level."

It could stretch into infinity in a non-euclidean way, and it could also be a pathway to an entirely different realm.

Regardless, a mere forecast of a fae magic that was specialized in it appeared to be insignificant to uncover a Theotech nature.

From my vantage point within the Landship, I could hear the voices of the gathered bastioneers, maids, and Duolos, their conversations filled with overall excitement and cautious preparation.

At the forefront, Verina and Kuzunoha stood side by side, their presence anchoring the expedition, despite their contrasting aura and personality.

Kuzunoha looked as relaxed as ever, arms folded across her chest, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. However, within her relaxed attitude, she had already taken the liberty of ensuring that no outside force could peer into their operation.

Whatever the underground levels held, only those involved should be aware of what transpired within.

Because in this world, there is no such thing as ultimate privacy, if you don't take a drastic measure of putting on a drape on your entire private time.

Of course, there is a way to find out who dared to take a peek at my private time. But to do that, I need to become more adept at the power given to my new existential height.

A new addition to the team stood nearby, practically vibrating with excitement.

Lupina.

Her tail was wagging like she was a puppy.

"Alright, so we're just jumping straight in, right?! No delay, no over-planning, just straight into the action?"

Verina shot her a sidelong glance. "You sound eager to die a second time."

Lupina's wings twitched in indignation. "That's rude! I'm just excited! This is my first mission in this body! I feel—" She flexed her arms, and following it, her wings. Her fingers clenching as if testing the very concept of movement. "—unreasonably strong! You know, like a kid who is ready to take on the world."

"So, you're just admitting that your ego is brimming high and that you're delusional?"

"Don't always spin my words negatively!" Lupina complained. "I'm just excited to be with all of you now instead of just being carried around like a lantern!"

"I'm sure you do," Kuzunoha said lazily, stifling a yawn, but still interested enough to widen a smile. "Try not to overextend yourself and accidentally combust your soul. That would be a waste."

Lupina's expression faltered. "Wait, I can still—"

"Everyone, move into formation." Verina cut in, ignoring Lupina's sputtering. The command was met with swift action.

At the same time, Charis settled into her role as the expedition supervisor.

She was there together on the Theotech Site, overseeing everything and ensuring that things go smoothly, and acting accordingly if any crisis happens.

This was a significant step for her—a direct involvement in the bastion's operations outside of simply being under my watch. Of course, I could just rip a space and go there directly if my precious sunshine was physically hurt in any way.

She had been eager to take on the responsibility after all, and though I would be monitoring the expedition indirectly, this was her moment to lead in her own way.

Carlotta, however, was not involved. I had explicitly forbidden her from participating.

The bastion's offense and defense were not her burden to bear. Not yet.

Carlotta had accepted my decision without protest, though I knew she would have preferred to be included. Instead, she remained in the hydroponic farm, continuing her interactions with the Vitae Arboris and focusing on growth rather than conflict.

As curious as she was, I need to set a fence for her growth and safety when she was so young and immature,

And thus, the expedition was set.

As the final preparations concluded, the descent began.

One by one, the members of the expedition stepped through the massive spiraling entrance—a path leading downward into the unknown.

While the expedition force descended into the underground, another development was unfolding within the bastion.

The Duolos had begun their Social Operation.

Their numbers had swelled to approximately three hundred, and that number would only continue to grow as they expanded their reach beyond the bastion's immediate influence.

The plan was simple: act like an individual, an entire new race.

The Duolos, despite being a singular hive mind, would now present themselves as separate beings—each with their own personality, mannerisms, and unique identity.

Of course, this was all a carefully crafted illusion.

Kuzunoha and Viviane had cast enchantments to prevent any psychic or Other-tender individual from perceiving their true nature. No one outside of the bastion would be able to detect their hive mind structure unless they physically dismantled one of them, which wasn't something anyone would realistically attempt.

To the outside world, the Duolos would soon be known as a peculiar yet harmless nomadic people.

And to further solidify their presence, they had elected a leader.

Not a true leader in the sense of governance—after all, the hive mind functioned as a collective entity—but a representative. A single individual who would serve as the figurehead of their people, carrying the prized weapon they had won during the Ordeal's contest.

This representative was adorned with more Theotech enhancements than the others, leftover of the Vandasisimo. Their outfit modified to appear more distinct—visibly someone of importance.

Of course, this was all an intentional choice by the hive mind.

I had no involvement in their decision-making.

Everything about this operation, from the selection of their leader to the way they conducted themselves, was entirely their own effort.

The Duolos were evolving—not biologically, but in concept.

The first steps toward their independence had begun.

Though, they were already fully independence to begin with...

Now that everything was in motion, I found myself with an abundance of free time once again.

No tasks to oversee. No immediate responsibilities pulling at my attention.

For the first time in a while, I could focus entirely on myself.

And there was something I had been meaning to test.

A deeper exploration into my own divinity.

Existing as a demigod-like entity meant more than just having a heightened presence—it meant having access to privileges beyond normal comprehension.

Among those privileges was Floating Through Life.

Well, it was called another term, but that term couldn't be fully translated or even uttered in the very language that I'm using.

Floating Through Life is as simple as it get, the ability to float.

But it wasn't physical flight in the conventional sense. It wasn't a manipulation of gravity or the exertion of force against the environment.

No, Floating Through Life was something else entirely.

It was the ability to transcend beyond the boundaries of space and dimension.

Kuzunoha used it absentmindedly, often hovering above the ground simply because she could, just like how Verina used a form of telekinesis, controlling her Black Wheels with an instinctual ease.

But at its core, this ability defied reality itself.

Rather than existing within the standard three-dimensional space, those who mastered Floating Through Life could position themselves relative to reality itself.

It was less about movement and more about choosing where and how one existed.

Kuzunoha had once explained that, at its most advanced level, this ability could allow a divine being to exist outside of space and time entirely.

However, she had also warned that Carcosa did not take kindly to such transgressions.

The world's rules were strict. Any entity that went too far beyond its boundaries risked banishment.

I wasn't looking to break any cosmic rules. Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire

For now, I simply wanted to understand.

Standing at the highest point of the Landship, I closed my eyes.

I let go of the constraints of gravity, physics, and motion.

And in the next moment, I was no longer bound to the X or Y axis of space.

I had shifted.

The world below me blurred. The sky above stretched.

I was neither falling nor flying.

I simply existed outside the conventional frame of reality.

This wasn't teleportation. It wasn't weightlessness.

This was movement beyond movement.

And just like that, I felt myself slipping into something else.

Something akin to the psychic realm I had invaded before, like that of a psychic realm.

A subspace.

A realm parallel to this one.

And I had just stepped into it.