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

Now that we were no longer preoccupied with dealing with the Calamity Objects, I could finally start re-establishing our facility of comfort such as the wooden cabin that we abandoned when the Molded King manifested.

"I got all of my tools secured thanks to Kuzunoha~"

The workshop had also been deployed for my ease of access.

Not to mention, this relocation also allowed me Gloamkeeper's Beacon to shine. Literally, as we traversed to a place beyond our normal perimeters.

Though, I don't know if the things that were highlighted by it were truly of significant value.

[Crumbling Graven Idol (Ancient Relic 18%) - 0.3 kg: This small idol, carved from a now-brittle stone, is adorned with archaic runes that have been eroded by time. The figure it represents is unrecognizable, with most of its features lost to the ages. But the idol's runes briefly glow, and the surface reforms slightly, showing an incomplete, flickering image of a supposed ancient deity]

[Ashen Coin of the Lost Empire (Runic Currency 24%) - 0.02 kg: A tarnished silver coin blackened by time, its surface covered with faint runes that are almost invisible in normal light. The coin becomes warm in the presence of a noble blood]

[Hollowed Rune Stone (Unknown Origin 33%) - 0.5 kg: A roughly hewn stone marked with hollowed-out runes that are barely visible without the light. The stone hums softly when held near an object of long history, resonating with an unknown power. The purpose of the runes is unclear, but they form an intricate pattern that seems incomplete or dormant]

The Gloamkeeper's Beacon would often lead me to these findings. But when I showed them to either Verina and Kuzunoha, they concurred that these items were nothing but trinkets, battered ones at that.

Even if there were some kind of secret and history behind them, it wasn't much of a value unless I sold them to adamant collectors in a Citadel.

"Sometimes, I'm wondering why you're leading me to these kinds of junks, Gloamy."

Yes, I named my lantern Gloamy for absolutely no reason.

"Hah~" I sighed." If only I can use you in combat. Then again, I'm satisfied enough that you're willing to guide me to things."

I can't wait until my Gloamkeeper's Beacon leads me to anything Theotech-related.

As the dim light of Carcosa's dawn barely pierced through the veil of natural mist, I found myself catching the glimpse of the flames of the Black Wheels flickering eerily in the distance. Kuzunoha was seated on a rock, twirling her umbrella absentmindedly, while Verina paced back and forth nearby.

Verina was probably testing the right telekinetic calibration for her Black Wheels.

I noticed that she would sometimes pace her acceleration and deceleration wrong, leading to a rather hilarious event where Kuzunoha would laugh to her heart's content.

"Verina is starting to become less hostile to Kuzunoha," I said to myself with a face of comfort. "That's good."

While my hands were working on deforesting the nearby towers of nature, my knife-eared hearing managed to catch on to the conversation between my two lovely servants—I mean, companions, in the woods.

Well, not only my ears. My eyes were also latching to them.

After all, how could I narrate them without knowing what they were doing?

"Alright," Kuzunoha said, her voice cutting through the silence, "Enough lazing about. Verina, I have a brilliant idea to teach you how to ohrthend using arcane influence!"

Verina stopped mid-step and glared at Kuzunoha, her posture tensing. "I already know how to spellcast," she muttered. "I don't need your so-called 'advanced' lessons."

Kuzunoha scoffed, giving her a side glance. "You think throwing fireballs and storms of explosives qualifies as proper ohrtending? Please. That's child's play. What I'm talking about is art—arcane art!"

Verina crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, please enlighten me, Animaphage, on how to complicate the simplest of acts. Next you'll tell me I've been breathing wrong."

Kuzunoha grinned, standing up with a casual elegance. "Well, considering your general lack of finesse, I wouldn't be surprised if you were."

That jab earned a sharper look from Verina.

Kuzunoha was already in her element, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischievous intent.

"Listen, ohrtending isn't just about slinging spells left and right," Kuzunoha began, pacing slowly as if addressing a classroom. "It's about bringing miracles into existence—conjuring reality out of the threads of the arcane. And if you're not precise, the miracle collapses into something much less... miraculous."

Verina raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with annoyance. "Yeah? That's the basics? Every ohrtender knows that, even the non-ohrtender. Otherwise, how could I keep all of us alive while you're doing the bare minimum?"

"Barely keeping us alive," Kuzunoha corrected, her tone smug. "And yes, you've been doing it wrong. You rely on brute force, on instinct. Efficient, yes. But! Not reliable.

That's why your casting is so sloppy.

"Almost as if, your ohrtending's foundation is learned without a single soul of guidance." Kuzunoha put on a smug grin. "You need to learn control on the deeper concept. You need elegance~"

Verina snorted, shaking her head. "Sure, my foundation might be cruder than the sewer. Doesn't change the fact that I can cast spells." She sighed with annoyance. "And how do you expect me to achieve this so-called 'elegance'? By waving an umbrella and making sarcastic comments?"

Kuzunoha didn't miss a beat. "If it helps you focus, sure. But I'd recommend a better approach."

She snapped her fingers, and a small sphere of arcane pale-blue light flickered into existence above her hand. The air around it warped slightly, shimmering as if reality itself was bending to accommodate the spell.

The way it manifested was similar to the ohrtending spell that Verina usually cast, but there was a difference. Something that I wouldn't be able to understand unless I dabble deeper into ohrtending.

"This," Kuzunoha continued, "Is what I mean by arcane influence. You don't just throw your lifeline into the world and hope the miracle sticks. You influence the very fabric of reality, you persuade it to bend to your will using its own very nature."

I see! Unlike normal ohrtending, Kuzunoha's spell looked as if there was something guiding and refining the spell beyond normal mean.

Verina stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she examined the sphere. "That's… different. The modulation is contained by something stable."

"Exactly," Kuzunoha said, clearly pleased with Verina's begrudging interest. "Ohrtending in general is forcing your will into a manifestation. You're fighting against the world itself while you're performing that miracle.

"With arcane influence, you're collaborating with the world, asking it to guide your creation. And the difference in efficiency is staggering, don't you think~?"

Verina crossed her arms again, though her expression was less hostile. "Alright, fine. Show me how it's done."

Kuzunoha's grin widened. "Gladly. First, let's talk about your connection to the arcane leyline."

I settled back on my work, carefully watching as they prepared to dive into what I could only describe as an impromptu magical lesson.

Kuzunoha's method of teaching was—unconventional, to say the least, but she had a way of getting results, even if her condescending tone could grate on the nerves.

As Kuzunoha started explaining the intricacies of leylines and arcane influence, Verina occasionally interrupted with sarcastic comments or pointed questions, which Kuzunoha always deflected with equal parts wit and biting sarcasm.

"You see, Verina," Kuzunoha said, her voice dripping with mock patience, "The reason your spells fit better to concepts such as explosive and temperature is because you're pulling too much power." With an obvious grin of mockery, Kuzunoha pointed with her index finger. "You're like a child trying to drink from a fire hose."

Verina scowled. "I respect you for sharing all of this knowledge, but I'm afraid that you have some kind of eye problem."

"No, I'm referring to you when it comes to casting," Kuzunoha shot back, twirling her umbrella again. "Now, try channeling less. Gently."

Verina grumbled but did as Kuzunoha instructed. She held out her hand, focusing her energy, and a small flame flickered to life above her palm—much smaller and more controlled than her usual offensive spells.

Then again, I rarely saw her casting anything other than her lifeline-infused musket.

If I'm not wrong, the way that the lifeline-infused musket works was similar to how I bonded with my Gloamkeeper's Beacon and how Kuzunoha had direct access to my vessel and soul.

The musket was a mere medium that acted as a goblet where Verina could concoct her spell. Coincidentally, it also acts like a slingshot that turns the concocted spell into a flying projectile.

"There, see?" Kuzunoha said with a satisfied smirk. "Much better. Now, you're collaborating with the world instead of opposing it. It might not be on the same level as my arcane spellcasting, but it is quite suffice for a talent such as yours~"

Verina rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Yeah, yeah. Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late," Kuzunoha grinned with her usual smug, leaning back against a tree and watching with amusement as Verina practiced. "It's already inflated."

Despite their constant bickering, I could see that Kuzunoha's lessons were having an effect.

Verina's spellcasting became more refined, more controlled, and efficient—thanks to the arcane influence. And while she would never admit it, I could tell that she was starting to respect Kuzunoha's methods—even if she still found her insufferable.

I also took the impromptu lesson to heart. After all, there might be a day where I would be able to perform an ohrtending like they do. Though, I doubted I could access it anywhere soon.

I even asked Kuzunoha if there was any arcane method that allows me to cast spells like she does, considering that the Valtherion's Blood in my veins had enhanced my psionic influence significantly.

However, she scoffed at me with a grin.

In the end, the only thing that was enhanced by Valtherion's Blood was my so-called psionic charm that Verina pointed out back then. It didn't bother the two of them, but it might greatly enhance the effect when it comes to normal people.

As the wooden cabin was done, I began working on the stuff that I had been planning on making when I had the time.