Ark Simulator, Aren't I Without a Physical Form? Chapter 11

Ren Dong smiled and handed the manuscript to the driver. "Go publish this. Contact the newspapers with close ties to our Lineage, and get someone else over here too."

"Alright, I'll get right on it."

The driver took the manuscript from Ren Dong and headed outside. Before long, the other assistants had been summoned as well, and Ren Dong gave them their orders.

"Lock this assassin up and wait for the Lineage's decision. As for him... arrange a place for him to stay. The Venice Family will ensure his safety."

After making the arrangements, Ren Dong glanced at the destitute man, who was still constantly thanking her as an assistant dragged him out by the collar. Then she picked up the intelligence Su Rui had printed from a nearby table.

"So this time, it wasn't the Midal Lineage causing trouble, but another Lineage... Is this sort of thing common? Or does the Venice Family just have a lot of enemies?"

Su Rui asked in confusion from within Ren Dong's mind. Though she was a little embarrassed to admit it, what he said was indeed true.

Syracuse is just that chaotic. The Lineages are constantly scheming against one another to gain more benefits from this land... Syracuse only has so much territory. If one Lineage takes more, it means the others get less. That's normal.

"So it's a zero-sum game."

Something like that.

Ren Dong didn't immediately understand the technical term Su Rui had suddenly thrown out, but it probably wasn't a good assessment.

Syracuse really was like that. Su Rui had already seen enough of it over the past few days, and Ren Dong had no need to defend it.

However, perhaps noticing that Ren Dong was in a poor mood, Su Rui actually comforted her instead.

"You don't need to be so pessimistic. The Lineages in Syracuse may be a mess, but they're pretty good to ordinary people."

Really? What do you think is good about it?

Ren Dong couldn't help but pause. A warm current rose in her heart because of Su Rui's concern, but she was also curious about his view of Syracuse.

"Look, if you ignore the mess between the Lineages, life here is actually pretty normal for ordinary people in Syracuse. There are just occasional little street spectacles that can spice up their dull lives."

...And then?

"And then there are Lineage members like you, willing to stand up for people who get bullied for the sake of the Lineage's reputation... Your motives aren't exactly great, but the outcome is."

Most Lineage members aren't as friendly as I am. Though she was happy Su Rui had a good impression of the place she lived in, Ren Dong didn't want to distort the facts casually.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Ren Dong is a kind and beautiful woman."

She could tell from his tone that it was only a perfunctory compliment, yet Ren Dong was still happy to hear it. Smiling all the way, she arrived at Mr. Venice's study.

"Mr. Venice? My investigation has made progress."

Ren Dong knocked lightly. After hearing a response, she opened the study door, walked in, and placed the printed intelligence on the desk.

"This is the intelligence I uncovered, along with what the assassin confessed himself."

As she spoke, Ren Dong pushed the documents toward Mr. Venice.

"Don't be nervous, Ingrid. Sit down and have a proper chat with me."

Old Venice smiled, gesturing for Ren Dong to sit before lifting the teapot and pouring her a cup of tea.

Like someone being dragged into a chat by an elder at home, Ren Dong wasn't nervous, though she seemed a little awkward and unaccustomed to it as she sat down.

"You're very capable, Ingrid. Sometimes, I think you might be suited to taking on more important responsibilities."

"What an opportunity! Accept it, take over this Lineage, then take over all of Syracuse, and then we'll fucking conquer the whole world!"

Su Rui had started spouting nonsense in her head again, but Ren Dong's goal had been set from the beginning. It wouldn't change.

Faced with Mr. Venice's suggestion and implication, Ren Dong merely smiled.

"Thank you for your trust. But I have other goals. Perhaps after some time, I'll leave the Lineage and pursue the life I want."

"Oh? Have you grown tired of the Lineage?"

Surprise flashed through Mr. Venice's eyes, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he looked like an old man surprised by his child's choice.

"You must understand that once you leave the Lineage, many things won't be so simple."

"I know, but I've already made my plans. After I complete a few more things for the Lineage, I'll be leaving."

Ren Dong didn't play word games with Mr. Venice or avoid the subject. Instead, she casually told the head of the mafia about her plan to leave it, as if she were announcing travel plans.

"...All right, Ingrid. I've watched you grow up. You're like a daughter to me. If you want to leave, I'll only feel regret. But remember, Venice will always be your home. You can come back anytime."

"I'll remember that."

Ren Dong nodded with a smile and waited for Mr. Venice to continue.

"Well then, do you have any plans next? If not, keep this old man company for a while."

Seeing that Ren Dong had nothing more to say, Mr. Venice only smiled. He lifted his teacup, gazed at the scenery outside the window, and seemed somewhat wistful.

"Children have to grow up someday... Go do what you like, Ingrid. Oh, and watch out for your safety."

When Ren Dong left Mr. Venice's study, Su Rui still found it a little strange.

"That last thing he said sounded like a threat. Like he'd hunt you down if you left."

Playing Games Together

It wasn't like that. Mr. Venice is like a foster father to me. He wouldn't do that.

Ren Dong shook her head helplessly, trying to dispel Su Rui's doubts.

"...Fine. I won't bring it up again. Anyway, if something really happens, I can keep you safe."

Then I'll be counting on you.

Ren Dong smiled and happily strolled down the corridor, seemingly intending to head back to her bedroom.

But Su Rui stopped her. "Wait, we're going back to the office."

Why? Isn't our work finished? Ren Dong asked in confusion.

"But you haven't fulfilled your promise to me yet. At the very least, you have to clear the game. I'm not asking you to clear it in one day, but you have to finish it before this agreement counts as complete."

All right. I just need to clear it, right?

"Right. And we agreed that you'd listen to my commands."

No problem.

Ren Dong nodded. Since she had promised Su Rui, she would definitely fulfill it according to his requirements. She wasn't particularly interested in games, but Ren Dong wouldn't break her word.

Besides... Ren Dong checked the system's materialization progress. Just half an hour of gaming had increased it by three percent, bringing the total to twenty-nine percent.

If she played for a little longer, could she directly fill up the materialization progress?

Though she knew that the materialization gains from gaming would certainly decrease later on.

Ren Dong was still filled with enthusiasm for playing games because of it.

When the driver finished her business and returned to the office, she happened to see Ren Dong still intently advancing through the game, working on the monster before her.

Miss Ren Dong was really absorbed in it. The driver formed this new impression of her superior. Since there didn't seem to be anything else that needed doing, she decided not to disturb Miss Ren Dong.

So, under Su Rui's watchful eye, the driver smiled lightly and carefully shut the office door.

At least she knows what's good for her. I'll find a chance to give her a little bonus later.

Watching the driver's actions, Su Rui gained a bit more goodwill toward her.

Still, no matter how experienced or quick-witted someone was, nobody could clear a game like this within an hour or two on their first try.

Even with Su Rui, an experienced player, offering reminders, Ren Dong had only advanced through around a third of the game.

Only one-third? I thought I was already close to the end.

Ren Dong was confused by Su Rui's judgment, so he directly displayed the game's progression in her field of vision.

"This is the game's full progression. You really have completed about two-thirds of the main storyline, but there are side quests and DLC. So your overall progress is only one-third so far."

Then Su Rui commented, "If you're going to experience a game, of course you have to experience the full story and all its content. Otherwise, wouldn't the money you spent on it be wasted?"

Didn't you just put the game files directly onto my computer?

"But you already bought the game and paid for it."

Ren Dong nodded. She didn't care much about the small amount of money spent on games, but it would indeed be a pity to buy something and not experience all its content.

However, it was already noon. It was time to eat lunch and rest for a while.

Ren Dong stood up from her chair and stretched.

How about we continue making progress in the game this afternoon?

"Of course. Do you think I'm so unreasonable that I won't even let you eat?"

Sometimes, your willfulness is worse than not letting me eat.

Ren Dong complained internally, but didn't say it aloud to Su Rui. Otherwise, she would have to listen to all sorts of strange remarks after he got worked up again.

All right, what do you want for lunch? You can't eat it, but you can watch me eat.

Seeing Ren Dong teasing him, Su Rui immediately said, "I want to eat a hammer."

I can't eat that.

Ren Dong didn't mind Su Rui's "difficulty." She only smiled, casually prepared some lunch, and sat at the dining table in her room.

Meanwhile, Su Rui was watching a livestream in her field of vision. It was a gaming stream again.

What's so interesting about these livestreams? Can't he pay more attention to the person beside him?

Though saying that sounded a little self-congratulatory, Ren Dong believed that her figure and appearance were far better than those female streamers online who made a living off their faces.

Unfortunately, Su Rui didn't watch that kind of stream, so Ren Dong couldn't find an excuse to act up. He only watched gaming streams, prank streams, or streams where he could watch something spectacular...

Thinking of that, Ren Dong couldn't help recalling the girl named U-chan whom Su Rui had followed at the beginning. Su Rui had followed her because he liked watching blood flow like rivers. She wondered how that girl was doing now.

Over this period, Su Rui and Ren Dong had watched Eureka's streams together a few times. Though there was no basis for it, Ren Dong had begun to believe that this girl named Eureka was simply born unlucky.

No matter what Eureka tried to do or what program she took part in, the result always seemed to turn into a complete mess.

Ren Dong couldn't bear to watch the destruction, chaos, and explosions. She didn't want to see such things in daily life.

But Su Rui liked them. He really liked seeing blood flow like rivers.

However, Su Rui seemed to have noticed Ren Dong's personality afterward, so he stopped watching Eureka's streams with her.

Ren Dong was happy that Su Rui could understand her desire to escape the influence of her life as an assassin, but it also gave rise to a new concern.

Could Su Rui be watching streams behind her back because he was interested in that woman named Eureka?

Though Su Rui currently had no physical form, and even if he did, he would definitely end up in her hands, Ren Dong still felt an odd sense of urgency about it.

So, while Su Rui watched a livestream, Ren Dong casually asked as if she didn't care.

Su Rui, I haven't seen you watch Eureka's streams lately. Did something happen?

"No. Eureka hasn't died yet."

Su Rui answered offhandedly, then, apparently thinking Ren Dong had become interested in the stream again, pitched it to her. "Want to watch with me?"

Sure. I've been feeling a little bored lately anyway.

Ren Dong spoke against her heart, comforting herself with the thought that she could just treat it like watching a movie. Once again, she watched Eureka's stream with Su Rui.

Though it was noon, Eureka apparently happened to have time to stream. This time, she was at a train station, seemingly attending an exhibition for some event.

In such a crowded place... Ren Dong had a bad feeling.

So she sped up, intending to finish her lunch before she saw something that would ruin her appetite.

Livestream Accident

Just as Ren Dong had expected, while she was quickly finishing her lunch, the crowd on screen began to descend into chaos. Something terrifying seemed to have happened, and people were fleeing.

Eureka noticed the changes in the surrounding crowd as well. Somewhat startled, she looked around.

"Huh? What happened? Why is everyone running away?"

Because people had entered the event venue and launched an attack.

The robbers held crossbows and all kinds of dangerous explosives, with axes or machetes hanging from their waists. Like herding sheep, they forced the fleeing crowd together.

Then someone who appeared to be their leader stepped forward and shouted at them.

"Listen up! We don't intend to hurt anyone. As long as someone is willing to pay us, we'll release the hostages immediately. Of course, the longer this drags on, the more danger we're in. So, for our own safety, I'll kill one hostage at regular intervals until our demands are met!"