Chapter 60

Chapter 60. Mad Scientist (1)

And after time passed, and passed some more.

Just as Marian came to consume Icarosium, having heard that the pirates’ control operation was somewhat completed.

—————————————-

<Base Level 5 Upgrade Complete!>

<A random superhuman will be released from cryostasis in the Cryostasis Room!>

—————————————-

‘Ah! Finally, this day has come.’

It had been almost half a year since the trio of Ignis, Belial, and Pashtira had been established, and now, news of a new comrade being recruited.

With tears of emotion welling up inside, I sent Belial, whom I trusted and felt reassured by, to the Cryostasis Room to bring back the new(?) comrade.

And while Belial waited in front of the Cryostasis Room.

I, along with my adjutant Jessica and Marian, who had somehow ended up tagging along, decided to wait in the command center for the release from cryostasis.

Of course, while waiting, we exchanged some light conversation…

“Hehe, it’s always better to be with Oppaya, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

“I wish I could add Oppaya to my collection too!”

“…Huh?”

…Listening to this, I felt an oddly heavy affection.

And after what felt like 50 minutes but was actually 5 minutes.

-“Commander, I’ve brought them.”

“Ah, finally here.”

Hearing Belial’s voice from the other side of the command center door, I looked towards it with anticipation, wondering who would emerge.

My anticipation was met with the sound of footsteps, and then ‘she’ appeared.

“…Hehe, it’s been a while, Jessica? And I see a new face too.”

“…”

“And hello? Commander… I really can’t remember the last time I saw you.”

With long lavender hair and mischievous purple eyes.

Dressed in a slightly oversized white lab coat.

Underneath, she wore an outfit of an unusual, revealing style, typical of this game, with an unclear sense of the era.

With a sinister, evil smile, she greeted me.

“Then let me introduce myself again? Professor Gryanarr, I’ll be under your command from now on.”

“Ah.”

“By the way, is there anything here that can be used as a test subject?”

I immediately approached Gryanarr, took her hand, which was covered by a glove that only reached the back of her hand, and spoke.

“You’ve come at just the right time, very good.”

“Huh?”

“It was just the moment I needed you. I look forward to working with you, ‘Professor’.”

“My, our Commander has become quite proactive this time.”

In response to my reaction, Gryanarr simply smiled lightly and shrugged her shoulders.

==========

And upon hearing the news of Gryanarr’s arrival, Ignis and Pashtira, who were elsewhere, came as well.

I decided to let them have a long-awaited reunion and chat among themselves.

Watching them, I couldn’t help but notice how their personalities really shone through.

First, there was my adjutant, Jessica.

“Jessica? I was really grateful back then.”

“Ah, yes, I suppose.”

“I wish Jessica could experience it next time, it feels surprisingly good.”

“I’m already in that state, so it probably wouldn’t mean much.”

“Oh my, no, I’ll be handling it myself next time, so it’ll be a bit different.”

“Wow, that sounds really exciting.”

‘What on earth are you guys talking about?’

In a conversation I couldn’t quite follow, Jessica maintained a strictly professional attitude towards Gryanarr.

As for the legendary trio… no, the three superhumans.

“It’s been a while♡ Professor Gryanarr♡”

“Ah, Pashtra? Your sense of style is as impressive as ever.”

“Professor, you’re the same, aren’t you? I see you’re planning to dive back into research♡”

“Of course, my goal has always been to produce the best research results.”

Unlike Jessica, Pashtra was genuinely affectionate.

Despite the stark contrast between the slender Gryanarr (A) and the voluptuous Pashtra (G), it was fascinating to see that Gryanarr didn’t throw a tantrum towards Pashtra, unlike the usual subculture tropes or Ignis’s dead-eyed look upon meeting the new Marian.

“Your eyes are truly cold when you look at me, Belial.”

“…It’s not like that, Gryanarr.”

“Do you still hold a grudge against my research? How unfortunate.”

“Ahem…”

As expected of a ‘mad scientist’, conducting all sorts of insane experiments that are hard for ordinary people to tolerate.

Belial, being the typical military type, shows a rather indifferent reaction as expected.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Gryanarr!”

“Yeah, by the way, who are you…?”

“I’m Ignis, the new recruit this time. Nice to meet you!”

“Ah, so you’re the newbie.”

“Somehow, I feel like we can get along well.”

“…Get along, huh.”

Gryanarr, looking at Ignis, smacks his lips as if a fresh experiment subject has arrived.

Ignis, seemingly unaware of Gryanarr’s thoughts, nods with an innocent look while glancing at his chest.

And finally…

“Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too. Another new recruit?”

“Hehe, I’m just a pirate working for my brother, ‘Professor’.”

“Ah, a pirate… Can you hand over a few disposable trash later?”

“Hmm… Seems like things are going well.”

Somehow, Gryanarr and Marian seem to be getting along well.

Watching everyone chat harmoniously, I quietly sat down and decided to check Gryanarr’s status window first.

—————————————-

<Gryanarr>

<Level 1>

<Type: Mid-range Support>

<Traits: Research, Enhancement>

<Stats>

Health: C-

Attack Power: A+

Physical Defense: SSS+

Magic Power: SS+

Magic Defense: SSS+

Mobility: D+

—————————————-

And considering the possibility that things might have changed during the three years I was away from the game, I checked the newly established information tab in the gallery.

Among them, I decided to read the description about Gryanarr.

—————————————-

Title: Explanation of ‘Professor’ Gryanarr

Author: Wikirisk Officer

Content: [Full-body setting shot of Gryanarr]

Real name: Gryanarr Gremory

In this game, many ‘support’ characters have appeared, but among them, Gryanarr has never lost his top position in his field, even after four years since the game’s release.

First, when deployed on the battlefield, he continuously provides strong buffs to the entire fleet, including the ship he’s on.

Especially, the ship he’s on gets increased fire rate and boarding defense success rate, so he’s mainly used on flagship or main ships.

But that’s not all that makes him the top in the support field.

Gryanarr, being a mad scientist, builds ‘Biological Research Institute’ and ‘Weapon Development Center’ in the base, right?

From then on, if you deploy Gryanarr in the base, he randomly enhances superhumans or fleets at regular intervals.

Although the enhancements are random, and sometimes useless things get enhanced, the direction of enhancement is always positive for the superhuman or ship.

He also increases the success rate of technology development in the research institute.

He’s practically a living totem.

Moreover, many people don’t know this, but when the commander destroys space monsters or alien ships, right?

He takes the fragments, researches them, and creates high-end equipment on his own.

He’s almost essential for players who choose Earth Federation or space pirates.

But since he modifies things on his own, sometimes he might unexpectedly add space monster tentacle skins to your superhumans or create chimeras by mixing aliens or monsters, causing events where angry aliens invade.

—————————————-

Fortunately, the fact that he’s still active made me feel relieved, and I decided to welcome our ‘Professor’ with a smile.

“Welcome, Gryanarr!”