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

The Landship buzzed with activity, its inhabitants moving with purpose as the expedition to the Theotech Vault loomed on the horizon.

The neuromorphic network hummed faintly, processing incoming data from the Assault Drones that had been dispatched to scout the Vault. Through their shared intelligence, the Landship's Cognitive Engines were already adapting, running simulations, and refining strategies to optimize the efficiency of the expedition team, all on their own.

This was the great benefit of neuromorphic computation instead of the well-known programmed computing that we prominently used on Earth.

It was all about autonomy and just overall great quality of life to the rigid and informational computation.

"Choosing the Neuromorphic Computation model is definitely one of the best decisions that I've made."

On the main deck, the bastioneers were immersed in preparations. Supplies were being distributed like we were in military logistics: rations, medical kits, and specialized tools and devices were handed out in carefully measured quantities.

This also includes the tools that Sera and Erika carefully chose and filtered when we were still in Kuzunoha's bastion.

Also, those outfitted with Prismforges double-checked their configurations while others ensured that every component of their Theotech implants was calibrated and maintained in case that there was any risk of disruption in time of expedition.

Even with the durable and stable nature of Theotechs, it shouldn't hurt to be extra cautious since I didn't want to lose a single precious individual when the expedition commenced.

Likewise, the Landship's defensive system was also as busy as we were in ensuring the success of the Theotech Expedition.

The Assault Drones shimmered faintly under the dim interior lights of the hangar. They moved with great precision, as their optical sensors glowing faintly as they synchronized with the neuromorphic network.

These drones were definitely more than machines—they were extensions of the bastion's collective intelligence.

As the drones departed, streaking across the barren landscape in tight formations, I watched their progress through the neuromorphic interface. They weaved through the chaotic environment of the Theotech Vault with ease, their sensors mapping the Vault's exterior with meticulous detail.

It wouldn't be long before the network began feeding the interconnected links of our Cognitive Engines in real-time updates on structural vulnerabilities, defensive systems, and potential points of interest, and many more.

Other than that, the roster for the raid had already been finalized.

Verina, Kuzunoha, Viviane, and Lupina, would lead the charge, with the Heavenly Maids and bastioneers divided into two groups.

Kuzunoha's Group was tasked with carrying Lupina. Their mission was to secure the Theotech Vessel and facilitate Lupina's transfer into her new form. Kuzunoha, with her arcane expertise and meticulous expertise, would perform this delicate operation as soon as the whole expedition team stumbled upon a single Theotech Vessel.

After that, everything will be more of an afterthought since our main mission was mostly about getting Lupina to get her non-disembodied body state back.

Verina and Viviane's Group would serve as the vanguard, clearing the way and neutralizing threats with their overwhelming power. With Verina's raw destructive force and Viviane's reality-warping fae magic, they were more than equipped to tackle anything the Vault might throw at them.

Though, those two were probably as amateur when it comes to anything Theotech-related. But they should be able to establish a solid telepathic network with Kuzunoha and ask about anything that they encounter in their own assigned route within this expedition.

The remaining bastioneers—Erika, Lydia, Amelia, Callista, Kara, Yora, and Primus—were deployed strategically between the two groups, their combat prowess and strategic insight ensuring a balanced distribution of strength. As for Sera and Naosi, they were at the stay-at-home gang.

To complete these groups, all twenty Heavenly Maids, armed with their newly crafted Metalweave knives and nothing but hope and prayers, would lend their unparalleled speed and instinct to both teams.

Meanwhile, I would remain behind on the Landship, acting as a support and contingency plan.

If things went awry, my ability to manipulate space could bring reinforcements or extract the team one by one.

Since I couldn't make my spatial rift any bigger in case that daddy Carcosa decided to punish me in any way shape or form.

The neuromorphic network and defensive turrets would also require oversight, especially given the likelihood of third-party interference.

With the expedition team given three hours of free time and another three for final preparations, I turned my attention to the hydroponic farm.

The familiar hum of the irrigation systems greeted me as I entered, the air thick with the earthy scent of growing plants.

My personal corner of the farm was an organized chaos of research pods, nutrient vats, and rows of experimental flora. Here, amidst the soft glow of bioluminescent panels, I pursued a project that had been consuming my thoughts since yesterday.

"Ah, I would have never thought that I hit a dead end when it comes to improving this specific trait."

Solum Vitae, was my bioengineered plant project designed to produce a potent product capable of greatly nourishing and ultimately strengthening my bastioneers.

The Solum Vitae was also meant to be a complimentary sustainable food source but with enhanced properties to accelerate physical recovery, heighten mental clarity, and bolster immune resilience to a high degree.

I also want to make its growth and fruiting process as efficient as possible. Not to mention, the amount of product it produced, all were taken into consideration when it came into its design.

After all, I planned it to be an extra source of income when we began to get in touch with other civilizations.

The current stage of the project involved hybridizing some of the available Kuzunoha's mansion's crops with several 'imaginary crops', which was something that I originally designed in my mind based on the plants that I have discovered.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Hmm, I wonder if I should just strip one of the trait that I want to add to maximize the growth rate..."

As of now, the base plant resembled more of a vine than anything else, its dark green leaves flecked with silver veins.

Tiny, unripe fruits dotted the stems, their translucent surfaces faintly glowing with the faint neural-reactive properties I had engineered. However, the plant was far from perfect—its growth was slow, and its fruit's potency was inconsistent because of the active mutagen that somehow appeared on every subject of Solum Vitae that I made from scratch.

On the workbench beside me lay one of Kuzunoha's Theotech artifacts, a curious device resembling a crystalline obelisk covered in shifting glyphs. Its purpose was simple yet invaluable: to accelerate the growth cycle of a single plant, allowing me to observe its entire development in minutes rather than weeks.

As I activated the artifact, a faint hum filled the air. The obelisk emitted a soft glow, and the current Solum Vitae in front of me responded immediately. Its leaves quivered as if caught in an invisible breeze, and the fruits began to swell, their translucent skins deepening in color.

The neural-reactive properties were becoming more pronounced, the silvery pulsating veins in the leaves glowing faintly in rhythm with the artifact's energy output.

From a large pot nearby, Carlotta watched with rapt attention. Her galaxy-like eyes sparkled with curiosity, her plant-like hair shifting faintly. "What are you doing, Father?" she asked, her voice soft yet eager.

She had been very curious of what I had been doing with these plants, so I gave her a VIP audience seat near the workbench.

"I'm attempting to create a plant that can nourish and strengthen our people," I explained, not looking up from my work. "Something that can greatly sustain them in this world's madness, and beyond."

Carlotta tilted her head, processing the information. "It is… alive, yet it does not speak," she observed, her gaze fixed on the Solum Vitae.

"It's not like you," I replied with a faint smile. "This plant is alive, yes, but it's not sentient. It doesn't have an intelligent mind or a strong soul."

She frowned slightly, her expression thoughtful. "But it feels… incomplete," she said after a moment. "May I help?"

I paused, intrigued. "Help? How?" Enjoy more content from empire

Carlotta reached out with one vine-like arm, her movements hesitant but purposeful. "Let me try," she said simply.

I hesitated briefly before nodding. Carefully, I handed her the Solum Vitae plant, watching closely as her tendrils entwined with its stem.

What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary.

A vibrant energy began to flow from Carlotta into the plant—a surge of life force that pulsed with both chaos and harmony. The Solum Vitae responded immediately, its leaves unfurling and its fruits swelling to twice their original size. The silver veins on its surface shimmered like liquid mercury, and the fruits emitted a faint, golden glow.

Carlotta's galaxy-like eyes closed briefly as she focused, her expression serene. When she finally withdrew her tendrils, the plant had transformed into something entirely new.

"It feels… better now," she said softly, looking up at me with a small smile.

I stared at the plant, my mind racing. The Solum Vitae had been elevated to a higher existence, its properties amplified beyond anything I had anticipated.

To put it simply, this Solum Vitae had ascended.

Carlotta, being sustained by entropy energy, had infused it with life and ascension.

"How did you do that?" I asked, my voice tinged with awe.

Carlotta tilted her head, her expression puzzled. "I don't know," she admitted. "I just… knew what it needed."

A smile tugged at my lips despite my bewilderment. "You're full of surprises, Carlotta."

This should be interesting.