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

Aside from finally connecting to the sole elder figure that I have in this second life of mine, I also have another appointment with a very important guest that was just as important to the survival of our bastion when we came back to Carcosa.

It was time to finally settle the deal with the Drowned Revenant in the bag.

The gateway shimmered before me, a cascade of liquid light folding in on itself like the surface of a mirror disturbed by a ripple. This was the entrance to the Moment Unfold, a surreal pocket realm carved out by Kuzunoha's boundless ingenuity, a place far removed from the laws of Carcosa and the entropy-laden essence of its occupant.

Though, in reality, it was actually just one of her private mansions that she repurposed to house the Qliphoth Object that we caught like a pocket monster.

"The last meeting was quite the success. This one should be going as smoothly~"

As I stepped through, the world shifted around me. The alien hues of the realm swirled into focus, morphing into the familiar setting of a grand mansion eerily similar to Kuzunoha's own, though distinctly otherworldly than the one I remembered. Its walls gleamed faintly, as if perpetually coated in dew, and the faint scent of brine lingered in the air.

The Drowned Revenant awaited me in the sitting room, a vision of unsettling elegance.

Heh, I can't really get used to this new form of hers, no matter how many times I've seen it in person after our harrowing fight with one another. Gone was the hulking calamity that once drowned entire battlefields in despair; in her place sat a woman of striking beauty, clad in noble attire that seemed perpetually wet, glistening with a black, oily sheen. Her pale skin and dark hair gave her an ethereal quality, further accentuated by the ever-present trickle of brackish water that pooled beneath her chair.

She was sipping tea, her black obsidian eyes glinting faintly as she noticed my arrival. Setting the delicate cup down, she rose gracefully and offered a faint bow. "My master," she greeted, her voice still carrying the resonant echo of the abyss. "I've been waiting for you."

I returned her bow with a small nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "Revenant," I began, "I trust you're adjusting well to this... unconventional lifestyle?"

Her expression brightened, and for a moment, the dark, brooding air about her seemed to lift. "It's been... refreshing," she admitted, her tone tinged with genuine enthusiasm. "This place, the facilities, the food, even the library—it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. The Collector has truly outdone herself."

"I'm glad to hear that," I replied, moving to take the seat across from her. "Kuzunoha does have a way of making even the most unusual arrangements seem luxurious."

The Revenant chuckled, a sound that carried an unsettling blend of warmth and menace. "It's almost too good to be true. I've never been treated like this before. The concept of... leisure is entirely foreign to me."

I allowed myself a small laugh. "Leisure is a luxury few of us can afford, but I'm glad you're enjoying it. Speaking of which, have you found the library to your liking?"

Her eyes gleamed with a predatory curiosity. "It's fascinating. The knowledge contained within those walls... it's as if entire worlds are stored there. I've spent hours poring over the texts, learning about the realms beyond, your world, and the intricacies of existence. It's addictive."

"Careful," I teased, "You might end up becoming a scholar rather than a calamity."

She smirked, a playful glint in her abyssal eyes. "Perhaps. Though I suspect my nature would make me a rather... unconventional academic."

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on topics ranging from the peculiarities of Kuzunoha's realm to the finer points of tea etiquette.

It was still a surreal experience, sitting across from a being of such destructive potential, sharing lighthearted banter as if we were old acquaintances.

After all, my level of existence was still nowhere near this Qliphoth Object, which dawned on me a terrifying idea…

The fact that existences above those of minor deities kept appearing at the Ordeal night of Carcosa from time to time, and for absolutely no clear reason as well, if I would to follow her testimony on our earlier meeting just before Charis woke up.

And to a great extent, both Kuzunnoha and I were quite lucky because the Drowned Revenant was actually a rare case of a Qliphoth Object that was possible to reason with. After all, most of them wouldn't even give us the chance to even converse with them, even if they were imprisoned and tortured.

Thankfully, we didn't have to do it since the Drowned Revenant was capable of showing basic sane behavior like curiosity, and not being hostile all the time.

But this meeting wasn't just for pleasantries, despite the tone that I was setting.

I leaned back slightly, my tone shifting to something more deliberate. "Revenant," I began, "I've been thinking about the pact we initially established. It's time we finalized it."

Her expression didn't waver, but there was a flicker of intrigue in her gaze. "Oh? And what terms do you propose, my master?"

I smiled, keeping my tone even. "For starters, you'll have the freedom to remain in this realm whenever you choose. You'll only be summoned to my side when I have need of you. This arrangement ensures that you can enjoy your newfound life here while still fulfilling your role in our pact."

She nodded slowly, considering my words. "That seems reasonable," she said. "And the rest?"

"There are certain... realities we need to address," I continued, my voice measured. "Your presence in Carcosa, for example. As you know, Qliphoth Objects like yourself are exempt from its laws, but your nature makes prolonged exposure to its daytime unbearable. This arrangement allows you to avoid such discomfort, appearing only when necessary.

"And even if it's really an emergency to have you standing under Carcosa's blazing black sun, we will fully compensate you with something in return, every time you suffer for our cause.

"Of course, Kuzunoha will visit you from time to time with her puppet vessel, so it won't be as lonely either."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"The experiment, right?" she asked, her tone curious rather than accusatory. "I assume you're referring to the methods you and the Collector used to suppress my... less agreeable tendencies?"

"Exactly," I confirmed. "The results have been promising, but they're not universal. We've proven that it's possible to temper the entropy you embody, but replicating this success with another Qliphoth Object would be... challenging, to say the least."

She tilted her head slightly, her dark hair dripping onto the pristine floor. "So no plans to add another like me to your collection?"

"Not in the foreseeable future," I replied honestly. "You're... unique, Revenant. That's why this pact is so important."

She seemed satisfied with that answer, though her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, as if searching for something unspoken. Finally, she broke the silence. "And once you return to Carcosa? I assume that you will lose access to visit this realm at will…

"Kuzunoha's companion is fine and all, but I'm having more fun talking with you."

"That's correct," I admitted, as well flattered by the Revenant's cute confession. "But there's a solution."

Reaching into my sleeve, I produced the enchanted contract, its parchment glowing faintly with the combined influence of my interference and Kuzunoha's. I placed it on the table between us, the faint hum of its power filling the room.

"This contract," I explained, "Establishes a unique connection between the three of us—you, me, and Kuzunoha. By signing it, we'll form a triadic soul link, allowing us to communicate telepathically regardless of distance and realms.

"It's a start, and Kuzunoha is working on a method to enable physical travel between us as well. When that time comes, she will offer you a brand new contract that you need to sign again, updating the connection between the three of us."

The Revenant's eyes lit up with a mix of curiosity and satisfaction as she picked up the contract, scanning its terms. To her, the agreement likely seemed generous—an extension of the kindness and generosity she'd already experienced in this realm.

But I knew better.

The truth was, this contract gave me and Kuzunoha absolute authority over her being, both physical and metaphysical. It was a slave contract in all but name, cloaked in the illusion of mutual benefit.

The Revenant's unique logic and worldview, untouched by the standards of mortal morality, made her oblivious to the true nature of the deal.

Her lips curled into a sharp grin as she set the contract down. "Well, master," she said, her voice laced with dark amusement. "You've outdone yourself. These terms are... exquisite."

I smiled, masking the slight unease that prickled at the edges of my mind. "I'm glad you think so. Shall we proceed?"

Without hesitation, the Revenant picked up the enchanted quill and signed her name, the parchment glowing brighter as the pact took effect.