—–

A mysterious Ego had appeared, one of phantasmal appearance, with a black hole for a face.

“Who… which Ego are you?”

“…”

Noticing my terrified face, she quickly looked elsewhere again.

She remained in silence, without answering.

“Um, hello?”

“…”

Her black hole of an eye then glanced back at me.

And I suddenly felt unease.

As if I was being inspected, analyzed, and completely paralyzed.

I was being read like a book without doing anything.

Was she really a part of myself?!

“Ugh… Wait… Wait a second, you’re…?”

“…”

I walked to her side, sitting down.

“You’re my past life?”

“…”

Why did my past life identity manifest in such a creepy way?

What does this even mean?

I thought she would be the most normal goober!

But… this is weird.

The worst thing is that she couldn’t talk.

And whenever she looked at me, it felt like I would die or something.

“You can’t talk?”

“…”

She seemed silent.

“And when you look at me… Why does it feel so uneasy?”

“…!”

Suddenly, she looked into the skies.

And then she waved her hand, pointing there.

“Huh?”

Words.

When I looked there, the only thing I could see were words.

Why?

What is this?

Suddenly, I noticed she was gone.

And behind, she left papers with written words.

Chapters of the novel…

But when I touched them, they just disappeared.

“E-Eh?”

I looked around, trying to find her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Just what happened?

Did I just see a ghost?

Was that really an ego manifested from me as a “Reader”?

But why did she look so damn eldritch!

I think I even remember her long gray hair looking like phantasmal tentacles…

Wow, what in the world…

Maybe because this is a dream, crazy shit like this just happens.

Right now, that’s the only thing I can say or speculate. Anyway, I can’t really find any solution or answer to my questions.

I asked the other Egos; nobody had any idea what I was talking about.

“Another Ego?”

“An eldritch one? What are you even talking about?”

“Hahaha! How would an Ego even make you feel paralyzed and like dying?”

“Don’t be ridiculous… Maybe you’re too tired?”

Honestly, these brats were exasperating! I can’t believe they’re acting so stupid! They’re all such useless bitches…

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Yeah, I know it’s a self-own; I’ll take it.

“Ah, never mind…”

I walked towards Bastet and Sepa, who were enjoying food while chatting.

Yeah, they’re such good friends; when they talk, it is as if nothing else in the world matters for these two.

“Ah, Anna, what’s wrong?” wondered Bastet. “You look concerned.”

“A bit…” I said. “I think I saw something really weird.”

“What?” Sepa wondered.

“Aeh… Like… Um,” I muttered.

I explained to them what I saw and what happened in fine detail; at the end, the two looked at one another.

“Hmm, well, at this point most of our secrets had been revealed, I see,” nodded Bastet. “Usually learning all these things would go punished by causality, but because we’re within a Mind Realm, and because we are no longer Constellations in the proper terms, I guess we’re absent from such punishments…”

“I kind of knew already; I mean, I’ve overheard her so much I just know,” Sepa said. “She even confessed that to her masters too.”

It was shocking how surprisingly easy they took the knowledge that they were part of a world written in a novel I read in my previous life.

“It could be said that the Author, this guy, might be [], right?” Sepa asked.

“Yeah, definitely,” nodded Bastet.

“Okay, first things first, you know who [] is?!” I asked.

“Every Constellation knows, but their name is just a square,” said Sepa. “So the System Seed was given by them?”

“Kind of… I’m still trying to figure that out,” I explained.

“[] is referred to by many names; it is the most ancient being in the cosmos,” said Sepa. “That’s all we know. They had never appeared; they had never talked to any of us ever; they had never done anything. We know; everyone simply “knows,” and that’s it.”

“Once you ascend into a Constellation, information is injected into your head,” said Bastet. “You learn these things as naturally as breathing… Well, I was born as one, so I was born with this knowledge, heh.”

“I-I see…” I muttered. “I guess this kind of Ego doesn’t answer any questions.”

Bastet crossed her legs as she drank some wine.

“It could be said that your first life originated from another dimension,” said Bastet. “[] wrote down a novel worldline where all those things might have already happened and published it.”

“Another dimension…” I muttered. “Wait, how do you even know [] could do that?”

“[] is the most ancient being in the entirety of the cosmos. He sees all things, yet he never interacts or does anything to change anything,” said Sepa. “Somehow, the role of an “Author” weirdly fits him… Huh? I never thought about that.”

“But besides that, it’s a mysterious entity shrouded in even more mystery that might not even be within the same plane of reality as us,” Bastet shrugged. “We simply… inherently know of its existence.”

“That’s fucking scary…” I said. “S-So you mean that my previous life was truly for another dimension, another reality?”

“Yes, a mere manifestation of that identity as an Ego must have created a being… similar to Void Rulers.” Bastet speculated.

“EH?!” I gasped. “W-What?!”

“In nature, but not in power, I mean,” she reiterated. “Nonetheless… Void Rulers are beings that transcend worldlines, realms, and even dimensions. Therefore, it could be said any person from your original world had the qualifications to become a Void Ruler because they lived in, most likely, a higher dimension than this one.”

“That’s… strange to put it like that,” I said. “And more confusing than anything.”

“I can’t blame your little pea brain for that; it’s even complicated for a Constellation such as myself,” Bastet sighed, drinking more wine.

“Pea brain?!” I asked. “I think I’m pretty smart myself! A bit emotional at times, but I am not stupid, definitely.” I crossed my arms.

“She isn’t! Bastet, don’t be rude with Anna,” Sepa said angrily.

“Haha, sorry.” Bastet giggled. “Anyways, in summary, it could be said that your past self’s identity is trying to manifest as an Ego. But because of its own nature, it can’t easily get that done. You interacted with it once, and it disappeared, right? It must still be in the process of creation. Can you see any information in the Skill Description?”

“Let me see…” I said.

—–

[Myriad Egos (S): Lv4]

[Skill EXP]: [7.430/40.000]

A Unique Skill inherited from Annabelle that has been modified to better fit with you.

You don’t possess a divided ego, but a multitude of them spread across your body and your soul. This Skill will grant you the ability to manage, summon, and combine these Egos to call upon their unique strengths while trying to leave behind their weaknesses.

Each Ego you possess will be displayed in the {Ego List}, and you can modify, summon, transform, and combine them as you progress with your abilities and the powers linked to them.

As you grow, your Egos will also grow, and you can activate special Ego Abilities that you will learn as the Skill Level progresses. The percentage shown with each Ego represents their rate of assimilation. Once an Ego Assimilation Rate reaches 100%, you can completely control them without letting them affect you. The Power, Energy Reserves, and Innate Ability Effects of each Ego will be enhanced based on the Assimilation rate as well, with 1% = +5%.

Once an Ego is Manifested, they will be summoned for a maximum amount of 30 Minutes. Their Stats, appearance, and skills will be based on the respective powers they embody, and so will be the energy spent to summon them. However, as a minimum, they will have 30% of your Total Stats. You can only Summon 1 Ego Manifestation per Skill Level, their Stat Bonuses and Skill Power will increase by +25% with each Skill Level as well.

Available Egos: [Beast Ego: Bastet: 100%] [Demonic Ego: Cambion: 40%] [Angelic Ego: Nephilim: 43%] [Cosmic Ego: Sepa: 100%] [Cosmic Ego: Transcendent: 46%] [Demonic Cosmic Ego: Uroboros: 21%] [Demonic Ego: Gluttony: 32%] [Cursed Seal Ego: Yin: 30%] [Heart of Hope Ego: Yang: 30%] [Thunder Goddess Ego: Raijin: 15%] [Holy Herculean Necromancer Ego: Necro: 25%] [???: 100%]

Available Ego Manipulation Arts:

Level 1: [Summon Ego Manifestation] [Ego Fusion]

Level 2: [Ego Weaponization]

Level 3: [Ego Armor Creation]

Level 4: [Ego Aura]

Level Bonus (4): Increases the Power of Summoned Egos and the Effects and Power of Ego Manipulation Arts by 120%. Enhances your ability to control your mind and emotions with each Ego you possess by 70%. Increases Ego Assimilation Rate Speed by 200%.

—–

“Ah, it’s there!” I gasped. “And… Huh? It has a hundred percent assimilation?!”

“Of course, she is the representation of your past life as a Reader, right?” asked Bastet. “Who knows yourself better than you? The assimilation is a hundred percent right away… Haha.”

“Look! Our assimilation rate is also a hundred percent too!” Sepa was very happy.

“Most likely because of the sponsorship we created with Anna, which also connected our souls together,” said Bastet. “You’re stuck with us forever now, Anna; better get used to us, eheh.”

“Ugh… I know,” I groaned. “Ah, I think I… I’ll wake up. Anyways, see you on the other side.”

FLASH!

I felt more energetic, and as I opened my eyes, I found myself resting over a big bed.

It wasn’t my bed, though…

What was this?

“Huh?”

When I slowly sat down, I realized I wasn’t sleeping alone.

Little Song was hugging my belly.

And my mom was right behind me, hugging me too.

I can’t believe it; they slept at my side?!

This is too cute…

I wanted to walk out of bed right away, but I couldn’t resist this, so I went back to bed and cuddled with Mom and my little brother.

Their feathers were so warm and soft…

You know what?

Let’s leave all worries for later.

I was in heaven right now…

Fluffy heaven.

—–

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep