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

Chapter 225 Hydroponic Farm

When we had first constructed the Landship, the farm had been an empty, sterile space. Now, it was alive with vibrant greenery and mystical crops, their ethereal glow casting soft hues across the room.

Illuminated by a soft, warm light that emanated from panels of glowing Neuro Alloy, the air was thick with the earthy scent of fertile soil mixed with an almost electric vitality.

The layout itself was a blend of functionality and care given by the fact that I still had access to the internet and search for the best hydronic setups in the market.

Rows of planters floated subtly above the ground, supported by anti-grav technology derived from Theotech principles. Irrigation systems wove seamlessly through the air, releasing delicate mists of enchanted water that shimmered faintly as they nourished the plants. A carefully maintained temperature regulation system ensured that every crop thrived in its ideal environment.

Of course, our storage was already full of supplies and resources of all the crops that we planted in this indoor farm, but there was no harm in trying to cultivate it here. We couldn't retrieve it more from Kuzunoha's mansion, anyway.

Among the variety of flora, some stood out as the crowning achievements of this mystical garden. Seven crops in particular had captured the essence of both utility and wonder:

Eclipsera, a silvery vine that coiled delicately around obsidian poles, its leaves glimmering softly as though reflecting an unseen moon. When touched, the leaves emitted a faint, melodic hum, almost like the whisper of a far-off song.

The essence of Eclipsera was a boon for those seeking clarity—when brewed into a tea or refined into an elixir, it heightened psychic sensitivity and sharpened perception to a near-superhuman degree. Its fruit, tiny silver globes that tasted like crisp mint and honey, were a favorite of the bastioneers for their energizing effects.

I also made it into an improvised pie at some point, and it was beyond delicious.

The second was Aegisroot, thick and gnarled, this golden root seemed almost sentient, its tendrils twitching slightly as though responding to the presence of nearby movement.

When eaten raw, it had a mildly spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness. However, its true potential lay in its processed form; it could be ground into powder or stewed into a hearty broth that temporarily bolstered physical endurance and resistance to injury.

Aegisroot might often be used in pre-battle rations, granting its consumer an edge in the most brutal confrontations.

Though, I planned it to be something more than that.

The third plant was Luminorchid, nestled in a shaded corner of the farm were clusters of Luminorchids, their petals glowing faintly like bioluminescent lanterns. The flowers pulsed softly, synchronized with the rhythm of nearby life.

Their nectar, when refined, became a potent elixir that could close wounds, cure minor ailments, and restore vitality. Kuzunoha had already used this plant extensively in her alchemical experiments, and Sera, the bastion's medic, had taken a personal interest in perfecting its extraction process.

They aimed this to be a replacement for my Valtherion blood, and it could also potentially become a source of our economic power in the near future when we start dabbling with the industrialization of healing potion production.

The fourth plant was Falreberry.

Small and vibrant, the Flareberries grew in compact bushes that emitted a faint warmth, enough to feel like standing near a hearth. Their bright red fruits had a tangy, spicy taste that jolted the senses awake.

Consuming Flareberries provided a natural stimulant effect, heightening alertness, reaction speed, and mental acuity. I noticed some of the bastioneers carried the dried Flareberries in their MSUs, chewing on them during tense situations, or just for mid-battle snack because it was just engaging to eat with how it warmed your mouth.

I was also guilty of carrying some of them in my own personalized Mini MSU, one that doesn't have the guidance and assistance function like the rest of the bastioneers—my brain was much faster and smarter in processing information than these newborn Cognitive Engines, after all.

The Flareberry glazing aside, the next plant was Miragefern.

The most elusive plant in the farm, Miragefern appeared almost translucent, its edges rippling faintly as if it existed halfway out of sync with reality. Its leaves bent and refracted light, making it nearly invisible from certain angles.

If harvested and processed, its essence could be infused into cloaking devices or used to create illusions, a feature Kuzunoha had been experimenting with to create decoy constructs and arcane spells. As such, it was one of the plants that Kuzunoha had a lot of history with.

Though, despite those claims of her, she rarely cast anything with the purpose of decoy and stealth in my time with her.

Regardless, the Miragefern essentially possess some kind of energy that bend reality to a small extent. As such, cultivating it might lead me to some miraculous invention in the future down the line.

The sixth plant was Spiregrass.

Towering and slender, Spiregrass grew in neat rows, its blade-like leaves vibrating softly as though resonating with an unseen energy. Its fibers were remarkably versatile, capable of being woven into lightweight, flexible armor and durable ropes. The grass also emitted a faint luminescence when exposed to the moonlight of Carcosa, giving it an almost otherworldly beauty.

Though, the reason why it was one of the important plants was because of its metallic property. This meant that it could be used as a substitute for our Neuro Alloy production instead of an actual metal that needed to be mined from the ore veins.

And lastly, the seventh plant was Verdantspire.

Dominating the central area of the farm was the Verdantspire, a majestic, tree-like plant with branches that glittered with vibrant green crystals. These crystals hummed faintly, and their energy resonated with magical and psychic forces.

When ground into dust or distilled into an essence, Verdantspire crystals could amplify spells, psychic abilities, or even enhance the efficiency of the bastioneers' Cognitive Engines.

The plant itself seemed alive, swaying gently even in the absence of wind.

They could also be eaten for a good source of vitamin C. The texture was a little bit confusing, however, since it felt like biting a malleable metal while having the appearance of a crystal.

It was not recommended to snort its dust form, however.

Beyond these seven unique crops, the farm also contained staples essential for daily life.

I'll just list them and summarize them since they weren't that important outside of being staple resources for our bastion.

Celestial Maize: Golden stalks that shimmered faintly under light, producing kernels that were sweeter and more filling than ordinary corn. The kernels were rich in nutrients and could be ground into flour or roasted for a quick snack.

Sunroot Tubers: A hearty root vegetable resembling large yams but with a pale yellow hue. These were versatile, usable in stews, baked goods, or even as a base for starch.

Bloomcaps: Large, flat-topped mushrooms that glowed faintly in the dark. Their rich umami flavor made them a staple in soups and roasted dishes, while their spores had mild antiseptic properties.

Everfruits: Small, peach-like fruits with smooth, shimmering skin. They were incredibly juicy and had a balanced sweet-tart flavor, making them perfect for both fresh consumption and preserves.

Moonspinach: A leafy green vegetable with a faint silver tint. It had a mild, slightly nutty flavor and was packed with nutrients, perfect for salads or stir-frying.

Frostcarrots: Carrots that grew with a frosted appearance, their roots exuding a natural cooling effect. When eaten raw, they were crisp and refreshing, making them a favorite for warm Carcosan days.

Mystic Beans: Small, navy-blue beans that shimmered faintly when exposed to light. They were a robust source of protein and could be cooked in a variety of ways.

And most important of them all.

They were delicious.

Many of these plants had originally been cultivated within Kuzunoha's mansion, their properties painstakingly studied and refined. It would have been a waste not to bring their benefits into Carcosa, where survival was a constant struggle.

Even now, as I walked through the rows of crops, I couldn't help but marvel at the potential of this farm. Yet my mind was already churning with ideas for improvement.

"Ah, I'm shaking with excitement."

Using my All-Tampering Divine Dexterity, I could enhance these plants even further—perhaps creating a vegetable that provided a complete set of nutrients in a single serving or developing fruits that could permanently heighten a person's psychic sensitivity and overall strength.

And maybe to a great extent, the perfect bioengineered plant capable of heightening one's existence.

But that would have to wait.

Midnight was drawing closer, and with it, the Ordeal of the Midnight—a time when Carcosa's true horrors would come alive.

"Speaking of horror."

It would be disastrous to start the Ordeal of the Midnight with an empty stomach—ignoring the fact that my confidantes were not normal, and the bastioneers were genetically modified to the point that they wouldn't suffer from a deficit of energy even if they didn't eat anything for an entire month.

Well, I guess I just want to have a reason to be in the kitchen, and have someone eat my cooking with a satisfied expression on their face.

"Heh, even if they don't need it, I can just cook for myself."

Ever since my first day in Carcosa, I suffer a great withdrawal if I don't cook anything within 24 hours.