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

Verina, overhearing, began approaching them as she raised a brow. "So they just… what, throw the continents around until they each get the world looking how they want it?"

Naosi nodded, her expression caught between amusement and exasperation. "That's the legend. Supposedly, they come around every few millennia to rearrange things, never content with how the other leaves it.

"The first god carefully moves each piece, crafting a perfect grid, a pattern no mortal could ever see in full. But then along comes the second, scattering the lands, bending rivers, lifting mountains with no rhyme or reason other than to undo it all.

"This endless cycle of order and chaos, resetting the world as if it were nothing more than a plaything. And now look at our current situation, sounds familiar?"

"Sounds like a nightmare," Callista muttered, glancing at the fractured landscape before us. "Imagine living with gods who never settle on anything."

Naosi shrugged, her eyes thoughtful. "The elders always said that's why Carcosa is so strange. The ground beneath us, they claimed, isn't quite solid—every part of it remembers being something else. A forest becomes a desert, then a mountain. Maybe it's just these two restless gods fighting over a land they could never truly claim as their own.

"Before the Inquisition dealt with the legend, of course."

Kuzunoha, who listened quietly beside me, began displaying her thoughts about the topic. "And if it were true," she murmured, "Perhaps what we're feeling now is the start of yet another argument. They're bored, or angry, or restless. Whatever it is, it looks like we're all caught in the middle."

"Do you believe in the existence of those two gods?" I said.

"Well, some legends are a mere mask behind what actually happened." Kuzunoha shrugged. "And at this point, it wasn't that of a random straw to pinpoint the cause of this earth-shifting phenomenon."

I also asked Kuzunoha about the Inquisition that they were referring to, since I had no recollection of similar information in my info-dumped brain on the early day.

Apparently, the Inquisition referred to a certain duty of the Anthropocentric Order, a massive and vital humanitarian organization that exists in every citadel at varying degree and intensity.

Kuzunoha explained that sometimes, a human heart might found a reliance on something far dangerous and harmful to a whole humanity as a whole, and it was the duty of the Anthropocentric Order vanquish any kind of potential informational hazard that could easily spread and grow into a cult with large followings.

Of course, the info dumps also mentioned a thing or two about the Anthropocentric Order, but not as clear to the point that I confidently could link the Inquisition to be about them.

There is also the existence of the Anthropriests…

"Happens more often than you'd think," Kuzunoha chuckled. "The fact that Naosi's still breathing might be a testament to skill… or dumb luck. Or both."

"Do you think we'll run into the Anthropocentric Order when we reach the next citadel?" I asked.

"Depends on how much influence they've gained there," Kuzunoha replied, shrugging. "Not every citadel is directly under their rule, but they're undeniably the one steady force keeping humanity tethered to existence in this chaotic world."

"So, basically, if there's civilization, there's the Order?"

"Exactly," she said with a smirk. "For a citadel to even exist, they need at least one Anthropriest presiding over it."

Huh, this information might be crucial if I were at the stage to make a citadel of my own.

After all, owning and establishing a citadel should be the most stability-inducing achievement for my future in this world.

Because for one, a citadel simply meant a thriving civilization.

According to the info dumps and Kuzunoha's knowledge combined, a citadel stands as a monumental testament to the heights that human civilization can achieve—a grand, stable, and well-protected society that surpasses the mere isolation and defensive nature of a bastion.

Unlike a simple bastion, which is primarily a stronghold designed for survival, the Citadel is a sprawling civilization akin to a nation, offering not just safety but also prosperity, culture, and opportunity.

The key lies in the structure and stability.

At its core, the citadel is meticulously structured, with vast walls and all sorts of defenses that ensure long-term security against external threats. Its boundaries are fortified by formidable technological and magical advancements, standing as an enduring bulwark against the chaos that may surround it.

Inside these walls, the citadel is a hub of innovation, governance, and thriving commerce, with unique systems in place to maintain order and ensure the well-being of its citizens.

This stability is what sets the Citadel apart—a sense of permanence, unlike the transient or temporary feel of a bastion.

While a bastion may offer protection in times of crisis, it lacks the self-sustaining massive infrastructure that makes the citadel a true civilization. The citadel is not merely a place to survive; it is a place to live, to grow, and to flourish.

"Kuzunoha," I uttered. "Can you teach me more things about establishing a citadel?"

Hearing those words, a wicked curve of excitement began to widen as Kuzunoha squinted her eyes. "With pleasure~"

The citadel itself is organized into distinct tiers, each representing a level of contribution, privilege, and responsibility within the society.

These tiers, known as the Pillars, define the social structure and ensure that every member of the Citadel has a place of belonging and purpose.

The first one: Pillar of Aegis, otherwise known as the Protectorate Tier.

This is the first and outermost tier and stage of civilization, comprising the soldiers, guards, and defenders of the Citadel, and the means to maintain it all.

At this stage, the Pillar of Aegis is responsible for having reliable defenses to ensure a high chance of survival against even the hardest of Ordeal. Soldiers of the Aegis need to be highly trained and respected for their role in keeping the Citadel secure.

Unlike the isolated defenders of a bastion, those in the Aegis mostly have access to superior resources, training, and technology, making the Citadel a safer and more stable place to live.

After all, only when civilization is protected, things like agriculture and animal herding can be made possible.

However, the Pillar of Aegis is still at the stage where cooperation from other citadels are needed, alongside many bastions surrounding it until it manages to establish a strong foundation that would cement its economy and technological breakthrough.

"I guess it makes sense, since the one foremost thing that needs to be erected in a civilization is the safety against the daily occurring threat of the Ordeal." I sighed.