The Puppeteer Awakens
And once I'd confirmed that status window, I felt a quiet disappointment settle in.
Damn it. Even the ones coming out of hibernation have had their levels completely reset.
Of course, it wasn't as if I hadn't considered the possibility. From the start, being released from hibernation was supposedly tied into the gacha system. So while they were technically "existing characters" waking up from cryo-sleep, system-wise they might as well have been brand-new units.
"By the way, my body's condition seems different from what I remember."
"It's probably from being in hibernation for so long. Or would you like a quick checkup in the medical bay?"
Fortunately — or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it — her memories seemed to have carried over intact. That meant I wouldn't have to micromanage Pashtura's every move, and I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief.
But right then—
"Oh, that reminds me, Commander?"
"Huuuh… yeah?"
"When my hibernation was released, I thought I saw someone else starting to wake up among the capsules. Wouldn't it be wise to check on that?"
The moment those words left Pashtura's mouth, my body shot up from its seat and made straight for the Hibernation Chamber — while simultaneously cracking open the community boards to start drafting a flex post.
The results of the second gacha…!
But just as I was about to post my bragging rights, a thought slid through my mind like a cold draft.
Wait. Hold on. Couldn't this go horribly wrong?
My shattered mental state had recovered so fast that the dopamine rush had me feeling great — but the moment my fragile reason grabbed hold of the reins again, the whole idea started looking dangerously reckless.
After all, this was a PvP game. Flaunting a single Level 1 SSS-grade unit when the server hadn't even been open a full month? And not in some fully anonymous chat, either — on a community board where every author's name was on full display?
True to the old saying that Koreans get jealous even when a neighbor buys a house, players with fleets that made pirates look like a joke would come pouring in to smash my base into scrap metal.
But that worry lasted only a moment.
A quick glance at the gallery showed SSS-grade flex posts in numbers that were way higher than I'd expected. I realized I'd been worrying over nothing.
And a short while later—
"Hm?"
"Ah, you've arrived, Commander."
When I reached the Hibernation Chamber, Ignis — who hadn't been at the command center — was there to greet me. My head tilted on its own at the sight of her, and I asked what she was doing here.
She scratched her cheek and answered as if it were nothing special.
"Ahaha… I was actually waiting at the command center since this morning, but you never showed up."
"Mm…"
"So I asked Jessica to call me when you arrived, then went on patrol around the base. I happened to pass by this area and noticed the Hibernation Chamber systems had activated."
"…Is that so."
"Yes, sir. Figured I'd introduce myself as a fellow newcomer, and help out anyone who might be disoriented right after waking up."
She scratched her cheek again, looking faintly embarrassed. I nodded, accepting the explanation at face value. Jessica, trailing in behind me, spotted Ignis and wailed that she'd completely forgotten to call her — a minor fumble, nothing more.
And so, with Jessica, Ignis, and Pashtura — who'd been awake for less than a day — in tow, I was about to step into the gleaming Hibernation Chamber when—
> Every time you complete a base upgrade, one of the characters hibernating within your base will randomly return to you!
> However, for fairness with new players, all existing skills and levels have been reset. Please take note!
> There is no need to enter the Hibernation Chamber — simply wait outside and they will emerge on their own!
"Hmm."
An event message popping up at a remarkably late timing drew an involuntary hum from me.
"Is something the matter, Commander?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No… it's nothing."
The moment I made a sound, my subordinates latched onto it with concern. I shook my head, waved it off as nothing, and then—
> Hibernation Chamber capsule random opening confirmed.
> Personnel whose hibernation has been released will appear shortly.
A message that practically told me to get ready. In the brief window it afforded me, I decided to indulge in a pleasant little speculation.
So… who's coming out?
Of course, true to the words "shortly," my contemplation didn't last long. The firmly sealed doors of the Hibernation Chamber opened, and from within came the measured thud of boots — followed by the emergence of someone quite tall.
And there she was. Short-cropped hair falling to the nape of her neck, a sturdy-looking techwear-style military coat, an officer's cap on her head, and high-heeled boots on her feet. She snapped a razor-sharp salute in my direction.
"It's been a truly long time, Commander."
"Oh?"
"Whether before hibernation or now, you don't appear to have changed in the slightest. I find that genuinely reassuring."
"Mmm."
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. Puppeteer Belial. From this moment forward, I shall follow your orders."
The moment the character who had named herself Belial finished her introduction—
I looked over the status window that had naturally appeared and offered a word of welcome with a nod.
"Pashtura, and now you. It's been a long time, Belial."
"Yes, Commander."
Watching Belial give that curt nod, I found myself remembering three years ago — back when I'd quit the game. All the absurd bad luck that could happen while playing. And Belial, who'd been exceptional at stopping the superhumans who specialized in assassinating long-range firepower units like Pashtura.
Forgotten memories rose one after another. And at the same time, before I could even fully register the need for someone to cover the gap between close and long range that Ignis and Pashtura had left open—