Reincarnated Jester: Taming Players-Chapter 87: Shadow Merging

[I want to see your meeting with your ugly and absurd self,] Vex teased him as he reached Stony Passage.

"I think it’s going to be fun," Nero said, still on his shoulders and looking at the surroundings.

"You have to go alone," Snowshade said, shattering Nero’s curious towers. "Leave that creature behind, and we will wait for you here."

Nodding, Jung entered the corridors. ’It’s freezing,’ he thought and peered behind, smirking at Nero.

The cat almost darted at him, but thankfully, she contained herself and glared at him with hatred.

[Go easy on her. She wanted to experience it as well,] Vex said, advocating for Nero’s feelings.

"I can cheat one place for her... If she asks me nicely," Jung answered, shifting his gaze to Lilia, whose dubious eyes almost dug holes in his back.

As a half-baked narcissist, he enjoyed attention and couldn’t wait to prove his worth.

But lying and pretending to be the Messiah felt amazing.

It was part of the performance, and with deliberate steps, he passed by one occupied chamber.

The wooden door, painted fully black, was marked, implying that someone was inside.

Everything appeared like the cells.

As if he was inside a building that was designed for torture.

Though it was quiet and a gentle breeze made the cold barely bearable, Jung studied the wall until he found an open chamber.

"Go in!" Lilia called from behind. "You have to last at least three minutes."

"So little?!" he exclaimed and entered, letting the darkness overcome him.

[See you soon...] Vex’s voice grew duller.

"What do-" Even his words were hushed as the doors forcefully closed.

They didn’t make sounds, and Jung had a hard time forging coherent thoughts.

As if they were muted along with every other sound in the room, including the system, whose words couldn’t reach him.

"What-"

His every attempt met failure, and he had to act without thoughts surfacing in his consciousness.

No shadows could be seen in this darkness, and there was no difference between open or closed eyes.

Then, something strange and out of this world happened.

Jung’s skin trembled as if it was about to be cut by his own persona that surged through his body.

Scratching the unstoppable itching, he felt magical particles dancing around, but instead of a symmetrical rhythm, they dangled in chaos.

They erupted out of his control, shooting his form from the ground.

It was as if he became part of the persona and danced with them into the sky.

Exhilarating sensations assaulted his very being, washing away every ounce of exhaustion and cleansing his innards.

Understanding that he wasn’t in perfect condition, Jung wanted to oppose whatever was happening, but he, a mere mortal, was unable to do so.

He flew in this unending darkness that somewhat resembled the abyss, but here, there was no space or path to take.

After what felt like countless lifetimes, slightly colourless air materialized in front of him.

Twelve distinct shadowy figures stood there and imitated his every move.

From the Lover to the Jester, every single one of them were present, demonstrating his past lives.

Yet, no matter what Jung attempted, he couldn’t influence them, and they didn’t act either.

He could recognize them with a single glance, but their leisurely attitude wasn’t exactly enjoyable at the moment.

So, 13 constructive Jung hung in the endless space.

Neither of them showed any particular emotion except for current Jung, who didn’t want to give up.

Twitching, rolling, and flapping, he didn’t halt, nor did he worry about his energy consumption.

He had to wait for his instincts to kick in and re-emerge from the correct course of action.

Fortunately, it happened, and even if it took time, Jung stopped his pointless struggles and peered at himself.

12 unique lives and 12 separate personalities appeared before him.

They were part of his past, present, and future.

He wouldn’t be able to escape or leave them behind.

It wasn’t like he couldn’t come to terms with that, and it had been ages since he realized that.

But solely accepting and acknowledging his existence wasn’t enough.

They were too distant from one another, and he had to correct that.

Rhythmic breathing and heart rate were collected in his body, allowing him to move forward.

His hand touched the Lover Shadow, then he went to the hero, and one by one, his hands warmed every single one of them.

Touching his shadows, Jung felt almost all of their emotions, but instead of separating himself from them, he strived for more.

He would merge with them.

These shadows lived deep inside him, but they never felt truly part of him.

Thus, it was time for him to merge his current self with his past. freeweɓnovel.cøm

He was quite proficient with this skill, and letting the persona flow from his fingers to his shadows, the connections were created.

There was no struggle or resistance, and the everyman was the first one to merge with him.

No correct order existed, and the chaos erupted, but as it was part of his nature, Jung let them be.

After the everyman, wizard and caregiver came, uniting with him and creating unexplainable changes in his being.

Not dwelling upon them, he continued and merged with the innocent, but before he could reach the ruler, the ground struck him roughly.

He was back on the ground, and the door suddenly swung open, bringing light inside and scattering the darkness along with his shadows.

"Damn it. Damn it." Jung’s thoughts were back.

Completely ignoring his thinking process, he asked the system.

"What happened? Why am I already back?"

She was there; he could tell based on the warmth in his tummy.

[Your existence rating... No, your tier is too low for you to merge with more,]

She explained after seeing everything he went through.

"What do you mean?" Jung asked again.

The entire situation was confusing, and he needed more time to stabilize his condition.

[You have to raise your power even further for you to complete your keeper archetype...]

The system said as she cooperated with her elaboration.

Then he heard the outside noise coming from the women and left the dark room.

Strolling down the same corridor he had used what felt like an eternity ago, Jung’s concentration noticed how tired and half-asleep he was.

"You made it," Lilia said approvingly.

"I am surprised you lasted over ten minutes inside; I guess you hold our all-time record now."