episode_0066

The place the research director led us to was…

The Institute’s Biological Sciences Department!

The laboratory of the Department of Biological Sciences was very dark compared to the space we had passed through.

I also experienced it in the Dream City game, but it wasn’t because the researchers were just children of darkness.

Could it be that the modified aquatic organisms are sensitive to light? I remember that it was roughly the reason.

And the scenery seen through the glass was greater than the place before.

The sight of aquatic life in each section was so amazing that it was amazing.

Among them… the movement of something huge visible beyond each compartment.

“What, just from over there…”

David’s reaction brought a smile to the lips of Research Institute Director Ahant.

“At our laboratory, we are researching a variety of aquatic organisms. And what you just saw is a sperm whale.”

Of all the whales, why choose a sperm whale?

That’s because the purpose of the sperm whale is for the production of ambergris, a rare spice.

ambergris.

This spice, which means spice made from dragon saliva, was actually a huge bezoar that only comes from male sperm whales.

Usually, some of the undigested food consumed by sperm whales hardens into stone.

“It is not yet at the commercialization stage, but someday it may be possible to produce ambergris artificially.”

“…The test subject related to this request is probably not that whale, right?”

Ahant shook his head in response to Sylvia’s question.

That moment. The whale behind the glass seemed to be chewing something huge.

Sperm whales need to eat something to create ambergris, so it’s probably something like a giant squid.

“Sperm whales are not the only things studied here.”

In addition to sperm whales, Ahant mentioned other aquatic species being studied in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Things like fish with exploding body parts or giant farmed fish.

“However, the test subject you will be helping us with this time is neither a whale nor a fish.”

At Ahant’s words, I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.

I felt very nervous thinking about those horrible guys that were about to come out.

“These are the guys!”

As we arrived in front of the glass window of one compartment, Ahant started shouting at us.

At the same time, unlike other sections, in a section where nothing was visible, it boasted a body the size of a human being…

The water generals began to appear.

They stuck to the window and looked like cockroaches in the water.

“Ugh!”

Surprised by the appearance of the giant water general, Sila jumped on Lund’s back and fell to the floor.

“Calm down, Sheila.”

I picked up Scylla, who was struggling on the floor in shock, and placed her on Lund’s back again.

“….”

Lund had a complicated expression on his face as he looked at me like that.

Of course, it was not only Sila who was frightened by the appearance of the water general.

“What should we do with those bugs?”

“I already want to go home…”

Following Johnny and David’s reactions, I checked Sylvia’s condition.

Contrary to my expectations, Sylvia didn’t show it, but her complexion looked pale.

“Silvia, are you okay?”

“…I think it might be a bit too much.”

There was no word that it was okay.

She continued to stare at the water general, but soon averted her gaze as if she couldn’t help it.

Alas, our director seemed to have a weakness for insects.

‘Dream City developers are making insects so crazy.’

If you think about that, Magusfall would be a hellish place for someone who hates insects.

***

While we were receiving guidance from the lab director for a while.

Among the group of researchers watching this, there was an octopus beastman with a unique appearance.

Although he was one of the researchers who passed by them just moments ago, he was not just a researcher, but a key member of the lab’s staff.

Dr. August Orment.

In the Dream City game, he was just a passing NPC parodying the octopus doctor from a certain hero movie, but not in this current world.

Most of the many species of beasts in Maguspol are often derived from experimental subjects that underwent artificial evolution through experiments by various companies and research institutes.

However, he and other octopus beasts had not yet been properly recognized as a species.

“Doctor, are those people?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

His female assistant walked past the other researchers and approached.

The doctor responded by wiping his moist tentacles like a beard.

“It’s a bit… mixed up?”

When asked what makes them think that way, the assistant gave a very simple answer.

“Well, there are orcs, vampires, kids… there are also cats riding on wolves, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true too.”

When I thought about it, it was like that.

In a typical fixer’s office, there was a strong tendency for people of the same race to gather together.

Those who visited the lab this time were definitely… I don’t remember the name of the office, but they said it was from Cabrini Green.

Since it was an office from Cabrini Green, I thought it was full of orcs and goblins, but when I actually saw it, it was a different story.

There were orcs, but they were black orcs with black skin.

Moreover, the wolf carrying the cat on its back was no ordinary wolf.

No matter how you look at it, it wasn’t an ordinary composition, and that’s why I couldn’t understand why the director of the research center called that office.

“Just by looking at them, aren’t they talking about something?”

Another assistant came next to the doctor and the female assistant and said.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know about solvers.”

Instead of approving, the doctor reacted neutrally.

The problem solvers did not want to understand and could not understand.

“Hey, but isn’t that kid?”

Meanwhile, as I listened to other researchers, I heard them talking about Little Jinjo and all that.

Now that I think about it, there was a time when news like that came out in the middle of the day.

“Alright, everyone go back to their seats.”

In any case, they were unwelcome guests to the doctor.

Especially at a time like now, when there have been a lot of changes recently in the water general-related project that the doctor is in charge of.

***

The lab director’s guidance has ended.

He mentioned that our job was to assist in an experiment involving the test subject, the Giant Water General.

“Are you saying that we need to contact that test subject directly?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

When the director confirmed Sylvia’s words, a disgusted reaction followed from the people around her.

Of course, the director mentioned that the laboratory is in complete control of the situation and can neutralize the test subject as soon as it is determined that harm will be done to us.

However, Sylvia said she wanted to check in more detail regarding the neutralization.

While Sylvia and the warden were having a serious conversation, Lund in the form of a wolf approached me with Scylla on his back.

“Why?”

I bowed low and spoke softly.

“The security of this laboratory can be neutralized at any time.”

“Uh… isn’t it already at that stage?”

Still, I stroked Lund’s head.

It appears that pressure was put on Hi-Sabrence, a subsidiary of the Tetracaine Association, of which Lund is the president.

Meanwhile, as I stroked Lund’s head, Sila, who was riding on Lund’s back, came slightly closer to Lund’s head.

“Okay, okay.”

I patted Silas on the head as if she was jealous of Lund.

But now, Youngmin’s eyes, watching from the side, have changed.

Ah, Youngmin….

Even though I have two hands, I can’t help it. Besides, I can’t pet Youngmin.

“Well, since you’ve come so far, how about taking a rest?”

Research director Ahant brought up another appropriate topic to separate us from Sylvia, who kept asking questions.

“Okay.”

A group of researchers approached us and led us to another part of the Biological Sciences Department.

It seemed like it was more than once that outsiders visited the research institute.

“Accommodation for outsiders only?”

“Yes, this is where you will stay while you help with the experiment.”

When I asked as if I wasn’t sure, a researcher answered.

The researchers prepared the room as desired by Sylvia, the director of the Blue Heart Office.

One room for me, Sylvia, and our two pets, and one room for Johnny, David, and Youngmin.

Sylvia said that two rooms would be enough.

Of course, Johnny, David, and Youngmin seemed dissatisfied, but so what!

When the researchers disappeared, we all went into the room where Sylvia and I would be staying.

“….”

As soon as David entered the room, he looked around.

Wherever his gaze rested, there was a camera to monitor us.

While David was looking around, we headed toward the camera’s blind spot.

***

“….”

We had a casual conversation until David took in our surroundings.

“What do you think of that water general?”

“Disgusting!”

Silas, who had come down from above Lund, answered my question.

“…Still, it was a little cool.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

It’s cool how menacing the thick front legs look.

However, the pitch-black eyes and the fact that they were so large were not usually creepy.

“Eek.”

When Sila responded that General Water was cool, she treated Youngmin as if he were some kind of weirdo.

“Sila, do you know what? General Water, can it fly?”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Then Sheila shook her head back and forth as if to stop her from putting garbage information into her head.

I have never seen a water general fly in person.

I just saw it as a video in the real world.

However, even though I did not see it in person and watched it through a video, the feeling of fear was still clear.

The thought of this lab’s water general flying around at that size seemed like a curse.

However… I thought that through this request, I would be able to control that water general like a mosquito.

“Confirmation is complete.”

“How was it?”

David came up next to us and said.

In response to Sylvia’s question, David said that apart from the camera, he also found a wiretap.

The location was shared with us, and fortunately, our current location, avoiding the cameras, was like a blind spot even for wiretapping devices.

At this distance, it is highly likely that a wiretap will not be able to hear it well.

“I’ll take a look at the other rooms as well.”

“Me too.”

While David and Johnny headed to their room.

Lund opened his mouth again. As he told me earlier, he was saying that he could neutralize the security of this laboratory.

“If we see any suspicious movement over there… it would be of great help to us.”

“And one more thing.”

“What is it?”

Looks like Lund has more to tell us.

“It seems like the second tribe has started to move.”

“…Where?”

“There is a high possibility that he is coming to this research center where we are.”

Then Lund said that the forces of other anti-lidocaine forces were moving in line with it.

“Silvia, I think it would be a good idea to invite other colleagues as well.”

Eslok and Lillian at the bar, plus Medusa Lina. I don’t think the Adem in the office will be helpful, maybe Astoby?

Sylvia agreed, and Lund said he took steps to contact them.

Afterwards, we checked the schedule for future experiments at the outsider-only lodging.

“What is it? Something is a little strange.”

“Sure… Chris participates in experiments a lot.”

It was just as Sylvia said.

Conversely, Sylvia, Sheila, and Lund did not participate in the experiment.

Sylvia was a warden, and the other two were animals, so should we say it’s natural?

On the other hand, Youngmin told me not to worry.

“Um….”

I don’t know on what basis they say that, but the high frequency of my experiments was actually an opportunity.

A few hours later, just before evening, we headed to the Department of Biological Sciences that we had seen earlier.

Unlike certain sections filled with water beyond the glass windows, the laboratory environment was not underwater.

There was just enough water to get your feet wet, and it looked like a natural place for a water general, like a fallen tree or rock.

In the laboratory, there was one water general that was smaller than the other large water generals.

“Solver, this way.”

“Ah, is it me from the first experiment?”

Sylvia and Youngmin hugged me like separated family members.

‘This makes it feel like we’re really breaking up….’

Silas on Lund’s back also cried sadly, stimulating my heart.

***

“I’ll be back!”

I followed the researcher into the hallway leading to the laboratory.

It seems that regulations regarding clothing and weapons were more lenient than expected.

“I don’t think you’ll ever use a weapon.”

“What, then should I leave this to you?”

The researcher nodded.

No, what kind of experiment is this so you don’t even have to use weapons?

As I clearly remember, in the Dream City game, fighting the water general a few times was enough.

“Can I keep my outfit like this?”

I was currently wearing the official uniform of the Blue Heart Office.

The researcher checked that part and said it didn’t matter, but handed over the experimental boots.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance to the lab and put on my boots, the researcher quickly walked away.

“Phew….”

After taking a deep sigh, I entered the laboratory.

A water general in the exact center of the laboratory.

“Um….”

Compared to the giant water general I saw earlier, it felt like it was only half the size.

“Resolver. Please approach the test subject.”

A sound that echoes throughout the laboratory.

At the researchers’ request, I cautiously approached the water general.

As I moved around, I felt the waves of the water, and within those waves, the water general began to look in my direction.

“Uh… hello?”

Doom chit, dum chit. The water general suddenly shook the front part of his back and his head towards me.

I wondered if he understood what I was saying. I didn’t know until then.

Suddenly, the outer part of the water general’s back split, revealing his hidden wings.

In a split second, what came into view was the appearance of a water general flying towards me as if it was happy to see me.

“Ugh!!!!!!!!!! Get out!!!!!!!!”