From Now On, This City Is Under Our Control (1)
On top of that, a flood of all sorts of info popped up, turning the gallery into a total chaos pit sparked by my question—ushering in the grand strategy era, naturally.
Though, yeah, the info overload did make some of the Kim-sseupungs go a bit off the rails...
A day after witnessing that madness, as the chaotic vibe from yesterday finally started settling down...
"Doctor, all the supplies and equipment from yesterday have been fully sorted."
"Juuuust perfect! Take the day off then—go relax!"
"Thank you."
I praised the Chimera soldiers who'd slaved away like movers for a full day, then sent them off on vacation.
[Images of various revealed hotties led by 'OverkillMom' Benya, plus some high-nics and users who turned out to be total babes]
As the gallery's vibe cooled off with the hardcore newfags fading out, the usual pervs started dominating the front page again, just like old times.
Feeling like I didn't need to check the featured posts anymore right then, I closed the gallery tab I'd been glued to all night.
"Doctor, your eyes are totally bloodshot. You okay?"
"Uhyuu, oh? This? Just pulled an all-nighter! A day or two's no biggie for meee~."
That's that, this is this—I jabbed a caffeine booster syringe into my neck and got to today's to-do list.
So what was on my plate? According to our busty bombshell second-in-command Elena...
"We have a meeting scheduled with Heisenberg City's mayor and city government."
"Meeting? Didn't we do that when we brought the settlers and built the branch?"
"That time, the city gov was swamped with the massive influx of 5,000 people, so we did a paper contract. Now things have stabilized, they've got breathing room."
"Hng, gotcha."
"...Just to confirm—you do know Heisenberg City's population barely tops 100,000, right?"
"You betcha!"
"You didn't. Figures. You've always ignored even basic common knowledge if it wasn't your jam, Doctor."
Normally—y'know, common sense-wise—we should've had a one-on-one leader meetup right after arriving with the settlers.
But like Elena said, just handling the intake and dispersal of our crew was a nightmare for the city gov.
Population jumps 5% overnight? That's chaos—fixing issues and planning ahead meant it took four days to finally sit down with us.
I got that much, but right after she wrapped up...
"So why're you nagging me like this?"
"It's not nagging, Doctor—it's a makeover."
"Why?"
"Should we introduce you as branch chief looking like you just crawled out of a lab after endless research and experiments, reeking and ragged?"
"Whaaat?!"
Was it the all-nighter gallery binge plus churning out freaky bio-weapons/tools (for Chimera troops or me) in my head?
Or bunking with weird critters like 'That Long Thing' in the pet tank (too long, now just calling it Squiggly) and other monstrosities?
Elena force-marched me—clothes and all—into the tub for a scrub-down, and as she grumbled, I glanced down to check.
"...Irrefutable fact, my assistant!"
My white coat was caked in mystery slime stains even I couldn't ID.
Not pristine white anymore—purple-ish, murky green, blood-like rags evolution.
Via the full-body mirror a Chimera soldier brought, caffeine buzz aside, dark circles screamed.
Hair matted into a crow's nest, same weird stains as the coat.
Plus the funky, musty stench from un-shampooed spots hit me.
Even with my low people-awareness, I had to admit, "Yeah, this ain't it."
But that thought? It vanished as they stripped me naked and gave me the full squeeze-n-scrub by Elena and the female Chimera soldiers.
Finally back in my (ex-laundry) clothes and trademark white coat...
"You weren't planning to go like that, were you, Doctor?"
"Huh? Why not?"
"...Sigh. This is our branch's first official event. Can't have our Demonia Empire inspector looking sloppy. Come here, now."
"Hweeng."
Now it was makeup this, forcing my lion-mane bedhead straight as silk that, pony or twin tails for "neatness," all sorts of weirdness.
Even dressing me up like a doll, swapping outfits nonstop.
Before even meeting the mayor and city reps, my energy was draining fast.
One mind-blowing snag: After Elena's total overhaul, shuttle to Heisenberg City Hall.
Met the rep group, headed to the conference room— all as expected...
But the second we entered and saw Mayor Lime Pedro Heisenberg waiting inside...
"Hiii~ Mr. Mayor~"
"Doctor, that's rude."
"Oh right, sorry sorry~ Cut me some slack?"
"......"
"?"
"......"
"???"
Just your average handsome guy? Nothing standout. Late 20s at youngest, early-mid 30s vibe.
Blinding blonde, tanned skin—like a literal golden sun.
But he locks eyes, pupils shrink, and goes radio silent.
Obviously, I figured I'd goofed the first impression—prepped to apologize per Elena's glare.
But he stayed mum, staring only at me, ignoring everyone else in the room.
Even Elena and I got weirded out, and soon...
"Um... Mr. Mayor?"
"Are you alright?"
The city reps nearby started looking baffled too.
Then, moments later...
"...Benya Tomiri, was it?"
"Yup, that's me."
"On behalf of Heisenberg City, allow me to express our deepest gratitude for your aid."
"Aw, it was nothing."
"And now that things are settled, I can confirm: as of this moment, Heisenberg City declares its full support and backing for Benya Tomiri."
"...???"
"M-Mr. Mayor?! We haven't even started negotiations?!"
"Hm."
Watching him floor it full throttle out the gate, my brain short-circuited: What the hell is this guy doing?