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

The three people on the bed turned to look at her at the same time.

"... Did I come at the wrong time?" Maria blinked.

"No," Su Rui looked at her childhood sweetheart for help, "you've come at just the right time—"

Before he could finish speaking, Shining covered his mouth, Nightingale smiled at Maria and said, "Could you please come back in thirty minutes?"

Maria looked enlightened, then chuckled and closed the door, "Okay, okay~ You guys continue~"

"Wait! It's not what you think!" Su Rui's shout was cut off inside the door.

Shining released his grip and calmly straightened his disheveled collar. "Go back to sleep?"

Nightingale had already lay down again, patting the middle spot. "Come on~"

Looking at their nonchalant attitude, Su Rui sighed and rubbed her forehead, "... Do you two really know what personal space is?"

Shining and Nightingale exchanged a glance, then simultaneously reached out and pulled Su Rui back into bed.

"I don't know," Shining said matter-of-factly.

Nightingale pulled the struggling Su Rui into her arms. "You don't need to know~"

The gentle morning light enveloped the three of them, and the sound of Maria humming drifted from outside the window. Su Rui, nestled in their arms, gave up resisting and mumbled softly:

"... At least don't do morning exercise today..."

"No." They both answered in unison.

Kazimierz's commercial street is usually bustling, but today there was an inexplicable sense of tension.

Nightingale, holding Su Rui's left hand, glanced at the patrolling Knights' Order with her golden eyes, her brows furrowing slightly. "There seem to be far fewer people than usual today."

Shining walked to Su Rui's right, his grey-purple eyes sweeping over several merchants talking in hushed tones at the street corner. Their expressions were grave, and they occasionally looked up at the sky. "The Knights' Order ' patrols have also increased."

Su Rui, sandwiched between the two, unconsciously rubbed her fingers against Nightingale's palm. "Hmm... there might be some special circumstances."

Nightingale keenly sensed his unease and gently squeezed his fingers. "Su Rui?"

Shining stopped and cupped Su Rui's face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "What do you know?"

Su Rui sighed, her gaze darting away. "... Let's go to the coffee shop first; this isn't a good place to talk."

The three of them chose to sit in the very corner. The sunlight outside the window was bright, but it couldn't penetrate the shadows.

Nightingale ordered hot milk for Su Rui and a cup of black tea for herself. Shining didn't order anything, just stared at Su Rui: "Now you can talk?"

Su Rui tapped her fingers lightly on the rim of her glass, her voice low. "Over in Ursus... there are signs of troop movements."

Nightingale's pupils contracted slightly. "War?"

"Uncertain," Su Rui shook her head, "But Kazimierz won't stand idly by, which is why the Knights' Order have increased their vigilance."

Shining tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his rhythm steady. "Ursus and Kazimierz haven't clashed directly for a long time, why suddenly..."

Su Rui smiled wryly, "Who knows? Maybe it's just acting, maybe..."

Nightingale's hand covered his, warm and firm. "No matter what happens, we'll be by your side."

Shining reached out and placed her hand over Nightingale's. "Mmm."

Looking at their clasped hands, Su Rui's tense shoulders finally relaxed a little. "... Thank you."

As I was leaving the coffee shop, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.

Several Knights' Order ran past quickly, street vendors packed up their stalls, and pedestrians hurried in the opposite direction.

Nightingale instinctively gripped Su Rui's arm tightly. "What's going on?"

Shining had already positioned himself in front of the two, his hand on his sword hilt. "Something's up."

Su Rui frowned and grabbed Shining's wrist. "Don't be impulsive, let's take a look first."

In the distance, a Knights' Order officer was loudly announcing, "Attention all citizens, a curfew is in effect starting today. No one may leave the house after 8 PM! I repeat, no one may leave the house after 8 PM!"

The Nightingale asked in a low voice, "A curfew? Is it more serious than we thought?"

Su Rui shook her head. "Not necessarily, it might just be a precaution."

Shining's gaze swept over the several tense-looking Ursus merchants at the street corner. "Someone's afraid."

On the way back, the three of them didn't say much.

Nightingale still held Su Rui's hand, but with a tighter grip than usual, as if afraid he would disappear. Shining walked on the other side, glancing around every now and then, much more alert than usual.

Su Rui could sense their unease and gently comforted them, "Don't worry, even if a fight breaks out, we'll be fine."

Nightingale shook her head. "That's not what I'm worried about."

Shining said calmly, "We just don't like seeing you frown."

Su Rui was taken aback, then chuckled, "... You guys."

Nightingale suddenly stopped, turned around and hugged Su Rui, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Promise me, don't carry this alone."

Shining stopped as well, and although they didn't embrace, her fingers gently hooked around Su Rui's sleeve. "We're not just for show."

Caught off guard by their sudden, direct approach, Su Rui's ears turned red. "... Understood."

Volume 12, Chapter 742: A Solo Adventure? No Way

It was already dark when I returned to my lodging.

Nightingale turned on the living room wall lamp, its warm yellow light dispelling some of the chill. Shining checked the doors and windows, and only after confirming that everything was safe did she sit down on the sofa.

Su Rui sat between the two, holding a cup of hot tea, staring blankly at her reflection shimmering in the cup.

Nightingale leaned gently against his shoulder. "What are you thinking about?"

"... If a real fight breaks out, the Infected communities will be the first to suffer," Su Rui whispered. "I need to make some preparations in advance."

Shining frowned. "You're going on another solo adventure?"

Su Rui shook her head. "Not this time, but there are some things that must be done."

Nightingale and Shining exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously.

Nightingale reached out and ruffled Su Rui's hair. "At least take us with you."

Shining nodded. "Or tie him up."

Su Rui was both amused and exasperated. "... Is this a threat?"

The Nightingale smiled, "It's a warning of love~"

Even Shining managed a rare smile, "Mm."

The commercial street remained bustling, but the flow of people was more rapid than usual. The vendors' cries were mixed with hushed discussions, and there were several times more Knights' Order patrolling than usual, their sharp eyes scanning every pedestrian as if searching for some potential threat.

Nightingale gently took Su Rui's arm, her fingers tightening slightly, as if afraid he would be separated from her by the crowd. Shining walked on Su Rui's other side, her grey-purple eyes calmly scanning the surroundings, silently keeping away any passersby who got too close.

Su Rui noticed their wariness and smiled helplessly, "You don't need to be so tense. I'm not a child."

The Nightingale looked down at him, a hint of stubbornness in her golden eyes. "But you look like it."

Shining added casually, "And they're easy targets."

Su Rui opened her mouth, but could only sigh in the end, "... Fine."

They stopped in front of a bakery, the sweet aroma wafting from inside. Nightingale tiptoed to look at the window. "Would you like to buy some sweet bread?"

Su Rui nodded, and was about to take a step Shining gently pressed her shoulder. "I'll go buy it."

The Nightingale immediately chimed in, "Yes, we'll wait for you here."

Su Rui was both amused and exasperated. "Aren't you guys exaggerating a bit too much?"

Shining didn't answer, but turned and walked towards the counter, while Nightingale subtly took another step closer to Su Rui.

Just then, a well-dressed middle-aged man passed by, his gaze lingering on Su Rui for a few seconds before he walked away as if nothing had happened. Nightingale's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and her fingers quietly tightened their grip on Su Rui's sleeve.

Su Rui noticed her unusual behavior and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Nightingale shook her head. "It's nothing, it's just... there are a lot of strange people on the street lately."

They continued walking forward, Su Rui could feel the faint gazes around them. Some were curious, while others were subtly scrutinizing.

A member of the Knights' Order in uniform walked over from the opposite side, his gaze lingering briefly on the three before he nodded slightly. Shining coldly returned the nod, while Nightingale stepped aside slightly to block Su Rui's path.

After the knight had walked away, Su Rui couldn't help but whisper, "Aren't you guys being too sensitive?"

Shining said calmly, "It's not about being sensitive, it's about necessity."

Nightingale sighed softly, "Su Rui, you have no idea how conspicuous you are."

Su Rui touched her face. "... Is it really that exaggerated?"

Nightingale and Shining both looked at him, their eyes conveying, "What do you think?"

They went into a bookstore, where Su Rui wanted to find some information about the military history of Ursus. Nightingale and Shining followed him on either side, like two silent barriers.

Beside the bookshelf, a scholar-like man wearing glasses was browsing through books. He caught sight of Su Rui out of the corner of his eye, and his eyes lit up slightly. He closed the book, seemingly wanting to come over and strike up a conversation.

Shining immediately stepped aside, blocking Su Rui and the man, her gaze sweeping coldly over them. The scholar paused for a moment, then wisely stepped back, pretending to continue reading.

Su Rui tugged at Shining's sleeve helplessly. "... You'll scare people like that."

Shining didn't even turn her head. "That's even better."

Nightingale added with a smile, "Anyway, we're not here to make friends."

As I walked out of the bookstore, a commotion arose from the street corner. Several burly men were arguing loudly around a vendor, seemingly haggling over a price, but their tone was threatening.

Su Rui glanced at him a couple more times, Nightingale immediately tugged at his arm. "Mind your own business."

Shining then pulled him in the opposite direction. "Let's take a detour."

Su Rui, being pulled along by the two, couldn't help but protest softly, "... You guys make me look weak."

Nightingale blinked. "You've never been good at fighting."

Shining nodded. "So be obedient."

Su Rui: "..."

As Nightingale passed a candy stand, she paused slightly. The colorful candies glittered in the sunlight, and she couldn't help but glance at them a few more times.

Su Rui noticed her gaze and smiled, "Want to buy?"

The Nightingale hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

Shining glanced at the stall owner—a kind-looking old woman—and only relaxed her guard slightly after confirming she was harmless.

Su Rui walked over, picked out a few of Nightingale's favorite flavors, and as he paid, the old woman looked at him with a smile, "Young man, do you have a girlfriend yet?"

Nightingale immediately leaned in, took Su Rui's arm, and said with a sweet smile, "He already has us."

The old woman paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Good, good, good! Young people are so lively!"

Shining stood to the side, her lips twitching almost imperceptibly.

When they reached the central square, they found a crowd gathered, seemingly listening to someone give a speech. A man dressed in Ursus- style clothing was standing by the fountain, loudly proclaiming something, while the expressions of the people around him varied—some were angry, some were worried.

The Knights' Order stood not far away, watching coldly, but their hands remained on their sword hilts.

Su Rui frowned, and just as he was about to lean closer to hear clearly, Shining grabbed him. "Don't go over there."

Nightingale shook her head. "Now is not the time to get involved in this kind of thing."

Su Rui pursed her lips, and finally nodded. "... Okay."

As dusk fell, the number of pedestrians on the street began to decrease, but the tense atmosphere grew even stronger.

Nightingale leaned gently on Su Rui's shoulder and whispered, "We should go back."

Shining glanced at the sky and nodded, "Yeah, it's not safe any later."

Su Rui gazed at the streetlights gradually lighting up in the distance, remained silent for a moment, and then softly said, "Okay."

The night in Kazimierz was as dark as ink, and the city lights cast a hazy glow on the glass. Su Rui stood in front of the French windows, her fingertips gently tracing the rim of a wine glass, the amber-colored sweet wine swirling slightly inside, reflecting the scattered lights outside.

A faint smile played on his lips, his gaze fixed on some unseen point in the distance, as if he were recalling something, or perhaps anticipating something.

What are you looking at in Volume 12, Chapter 743?