Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Form?

A smile curled at Ren Dong's lips.

"Of course, I'll use my Holographic Camouflage to go over there and eliminate them one by one!"

Then why don't I just use Holographic Camouflage to sneak in?

"...Can't you pretend you don't know?"

No. It's for your dignity as the Divine Child, too.

Smiling, Ren Dong began heading down the stairs beneath the pavilion while Su Rui activated Holographic Camouflage.

"Stop teasing me about that. I'm not interested in this so-called Divine Child identity anyway. Even if I really am one, there's nothing I need to do."

Su Rui spoke casually, unconcerned by Ren Dong's words. But Ren Dong thought completely differently, because the Upper System communicated with her far more often and had already begun instructing her on how to help Su Rui fulfill the Divine Child's duties after he gained a physical form.

Before long, Ren Dong quietly reached the upper level. At the top of the antique wooden pavilion sat a female member of the Oni Clan dressed in a kimono. Various snacks were laid out on the table before her, while she held a wine cup in one hand.

According to the information Su Rui displayed, the cup in her hand should have contained sake.

You didn't need to show me these things too, Su Rui.

Helplessly glancing at the snacks Su Rui had specifically highlighted on the table—yokan, tempura, red bean buns, and so on—even Ren Dong found herself affected.

"But these things are really interesting. I mean, if I had a physical body, I'd want to try them too."

Su Rui sounded somewhat regretful as he urged Ren Dong, "Alright, kill her with one strike. And try the shrimp tempura while you're at it. It should taste pretty good."

Ren Dong merely shook her head. Then she strolled over to the female member of the Oni Clan, dispelled the Holographic Camouflage, poured herself a cup of sake, and sat across from her.

"Who are you?"

Seeing Ren Dong suddenly appear before her, the female member of the Oni Clan instinctively tensed up and reached for the hilt of the sword at her waist.

"No need to be nervous. I just have something I'd like to discuss with you."

It seemed Ren Dong wanted to use intimidation to increase her leverage again. Somewhat dissatisfied, Su Rui spoke directly through the phone in her pocket.

"Why not just kill her? Honestly, even if she behaves now, I don't think she'll stay obedient for long."

There seemed to be an innate hostility in Su Rui's tone. Ren Dong could not quite understand it, but the female member of the Oni Clan before them lit up the moment she heard his voice. Her hands left the sword at her waist as she reached for Ren Dong's hands.

"Divine Child, are you really here?"

Ren Dong avoided her hand and frowned, while Su Rui could not help complaining.

"What is this, some overpowered protagonist script? And I'm speaking through a phone. Don't you people have phones?"

"Ahem."

Realizing that she had become overly excited, the female member of the Oni Clan sat properly on her tatami again and regained her composed demeanor. However, her gaze toward Ren Dong became fervent.

"So you are the vessel the Divine Child possesses? It is a pleasure to meet you."

"...Why do you know about this? You aren't from the shrine either, are you?"

Su Rui was puzzled, so he spoke directly, bypassing Ren Dong.

"Because legends of the gods and the Divine Child have always circulated throughout the Eastern Kingdom. They were never proven true, but today, I have finally witnessed a genuine miracle."

The female member of the Oni Clan spoke calmly, but she could not conceal her burning excitement.

"When did this legend begin spreading, then?"

The female member of the Oni Clan froze for a moment before answering instinctively, "Since the birth of the Eastern Kingdom's legends. It has probably been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years."

"Then it definitely wasn't me."

Su Rui complained in Ren Dong's mind. My grandmother's grandmother hadn't even been born back then.

But Ren Dong was noncommittal. Since you are a god, crossing through time should be easy, shouldn't it?

Turning her gaze toward the woman before her, Ren Dong slowly spoke. "You should know our purpose, right?"

"Yes. I should not have attempted to borrow the shrine's influence. My sins deserve ten thousand deaths."

The female member of the Oni Clan immediately bowed deeply to Ren Dong from her kneeling position, her forehead nearly striking the table before her.

"So you're still going to spare her."

Sounding regretful, Su Rui spoke through the phone's speaker. "I'm still curious. How exactly did you decide that I'm the Divine Child?"

"No method is necessary. As long as we hear your voice, every citizen of the Eastern Kingdom will know your identity!"

"That sounds like some kind of scam."

Su Rui no longer understood the situation. He had originally thought he knew the Eastern Kingdom inside and out.

"So what do we do now? I thought we came to eliminate an enemy. How did she become an ally instead?"

Su Rui's words made the female member of the Oni Clan's eyes light up. "Yes, an ally! I am willing to apologize to the shrine and offer tribute!"

"..." Su Rui said nothing. Ren Dong's fluffy ears twitched uncertainly.

Su Rui?

The female member of the Oni Clan also looked at Ren Dong with confusion.

Unaccustomed to that gaze, Ren Dong hesitated before taking the phone from her pocket and placing it on the table. As expected, the female member of the Oni Clan's attention immediately shifted.

"Divine Child, do you have any other requests?"

"...From now on, I'll call you Boss Lady."

After seeming to ponder for quite some time, Su Rui slowly uttered words that left both Ren Dong and the female member of the Oni Clan stunned.

So this was the real Su Rui. Ren Dong had just thought he had fallen into some melancholic mood.

Shaking her head helplessly, Ren Dong looked at the phone as Su Rui began explaining.

"Look, a bold female member of the Oni Clan who's also the leader of a faction perfectly fits the title Boss Lady... Actually, Ren Dong suits it too, since you're very capable."

"No need. Just call me Ren Dong."

Ren Dong hurriedly declined Su Rui's suggestion. Seeing that he did not bring it up again, she sighed in relief.

"I want to see rivers of blood."

"Cough, cough, cough!" Ren Dong immediately coughed loudly and put the phone away, hoping no one had heard what Su Rui had just said.

Volume One: Forty-Eight Straight Wins

But the Boss Lady of the Oni Clan had already heard him. She asked in confusion, "Rivers of blood? Do you mean you wish for us to celebrate your return with blood?"

"No, he was just joking."

Ren Dong hurriedly denied the Boss Lady's interpretation. "You only need to act according to the rules. Don't do anything unnecessary."

However, as merely the vessel, she did not have much persuasive power. The Boss Lady looked at the phone again, waiting for Su Rui's answer.

"Yes, that's right."

Su Rui's helpless voice rang out. He truly did want to see rivers of blood, but he could not exactly use the blood of his own allies.

Su Rui believed he had at least a little conscience. At least until an ally defected, an ally was one of his own.

"Since that has been settled, I still have things to do."

Ren Dong put away the phone and nodded to the female member of the Oni Clan.

"See you later, Boss Lady."

"I shall see you off, Divine Child."

The Boss Lady rose from her seat and followed behind Ren Dong.

Ren Dong did not refuse. Although slipping away silently as Su Rui suggested would have been cool, leaving step by step at an extremely slow pace would have been torture.

When Ren Dong walked downstairs ahead of her, the guards below immediately became wary upon seeing this uninvited guest.

But the Boss Lady glared at them, and they immediately backed down. "She is our honored guest, the vessel of the Divine Child. Do not be disrespectful!"

"Yes!"

After hearing the Boss Lady's words, the guards became even more respectful. Though they were clearly puzzled, after hearing the title vessel of the Divine Child, they could not help sneaking glances at Ren Dong from the corners of their eyes.

Yet, afraid of offending the Divine Child's vessel, they only dared glance once before lowering their heads again.

Thus, the Boss Lady escorted Ren Dong all the way to the entrance of the estate and personally bid her farewell.

"Please take care. If you need anything, you may come find me at any time."

"Mm, I'll remember that. And Su Rui will remember it too."

Ren Dong nodded.

"Su Rui... is that the Divine Child's name? I will not forget it."

The Boss Lady nodded and watched Ren Dong leave... No, Ren Dong helplessly waved at Texas, who had noticed her, greeted her, and walked over.

"What happened? Was there an accident?"

This unusual situation left Texas uncertain. There was no sign of danger, but after a successful assassination, should they not have slipped away secretly? Why was Ren Dong being escorted out through the front gate?

"To put it simply, I just let her hear my voice, and the target immediately submitted. There was no challenge at all."

Su Rui's bored voice rang out. Texas froze for a moment, then looked at Ren Dong.

Ren Dong nodded and comforted the despondent Su Rui.

"Alright, don't be upset. How about we go back and play games?" To Su Rui, enemies in reality and enemies in games probably were not all that different. Besides...

Ren Dong paused, noticing a blind spot she had overlooked before.

"Wait, Su Rui. If you can operate electronic devices, why don't you play games yourself?"

"Of course I know that. But games have a certain level of challenge. It's fine when I can beat them, but I don't have the patience to keep trying bit by bit... If I can't beat them, I can't help using cheats. But after using cheats, the fun of the game drops drastically. It's better to watch someone else play."

Su Rui's voice rang out again. Texas, having confirmed that there was no danger nearby, lowered her hand from her weapon and followed Ren Dong while listening to their conversation.

"But you can give it another try. How about Texas and I play with you?"

As she spoke, Ren Dong looked at Texas. "Interested in playing games together?"

"No problem." Texas nodded. She was fairly accepting of video games, so playing together was not out of the question. "But the games you mentioned do not seem to support full online multiplayer at the moment."

"Leave that problem to Su Rui." Ren Dong smiled. When it came to electronic devices, there was currently nothing Su Rui could not solve.

"Mm, leave the multiplayer issue to me. It's just a few lines of code."

Su Rui nodded and casually agreed. "Let's hurry back?"

"No rush. We're already on our way back."

Ren Dong, Su Rui, and Texas returned to the shrine together and told the Fox Shrine Maiden what had happened.

"As expected of the Divine Child. With just a small move from you, the problem was resolved effortlessly."

The Fox Shrine Maiden gazed fervently at the phone Ren Dong had placed on the table beforehand, sparing herself from having to endure those uncomfortable looks.

"Alright, is the room ready? Are there computers? We need three that can be used for gaming."

Su Rui answered the Fox Shrine Maiden's question, then made his request.

"Mm, don't worry. Everything has already been prepared. Two devices were specially arranged in the room for you and Miss Vessel."

The Fox Shrine Maiden smiled slightly, having anticipated Su Rui's request in advance.

"That's rather considerate."

"Thank you for the praise. It is my honor to serve you."

The Fox Shrine Maiden's eyes lit up. She looked as though she was only one step away from stuffing Ren Dong's phone into her arms and hugging it.

"Alright, we're going to rest. You should get some rest too, Miss Shrine Maiden."

Ren Dong could not stand such a cloying scene. She picked up the phone and prepared to return to their room with Texas.

"At least allow me to show you two the way."

Before long, after setting up the equipment, Ren Dong and Texas began playing a three-person game with Su Rui in Ren Dong's room.

Sitting at the comfortable desk and chair, Texas looked at the motionless Ren Dong. "Aren't we downloading the game?"