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

Liskarm's pupils contracted slightly. "Ms. Lina, I suggest we move the night watch shifts up a bit."

Lina, who was speaking via encrypted communication in the distance, merely nodded indifferently upon hearing this.

In the tent late at night, Jessica stared blankly at the miniature heater. The orange-red light danced on her face like some kind of mysterious totem.

[Su Rui, who do you think is spying on us?]

"The lens model is very new, unlike the kind of equipment robbers would use," Su Rui pondered. "It's more likely..."

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent. Jessica immediately closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep, but she heard Lina's assistant's deliberately hushed voice on the phone:

"... The goods are confirmed to be intact... Yes, it will proceed as planned... No, they haven't found anything unusual..."

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Jessica suddenly opened her eyes: [What are they hiding?]

Inside the tent in the dead of night, Jessica curled up in her sleeping bag, the faint hum of a portable heater in her ears. Moonlight filtered through the canvas, casting dappled shadows on her face.

[Su Rui, what did you just say you suspected?]

"Wait a moment." Su Rui's voice suddenly seemed distant, as if it had sunk into deep water. "Let me see their communication records."

Jessica held her breath. She could feel Su Rui's consciousness extending out like invisible tentacles, seeping through the gaps in the tent and into the onboard terminal of the black SUV not far away. Electronic devices were like open books to Su Rui —passwords, firewalls, encryption protocols were useless to him.

A few seconds later, Su Rui's voice became clear again. "Just as I thought."

[What did you find?]

"Lina isn't transporting ordinary research supplies," Su Rui's voice deepened. "The container contains disguised Originium Active Catalyst, which are strictly prohibited contraband."

Jessica's tail snapped straight up: [Contraband?!]

"What's even more troublesome," Su Rui continued, "Is that a mercenary group codenamed ' Bloodclaw ' has its eye on this shipment. They intercepted Lina's communications and are lying in ambush in the canyon ahead."

Jessica's heart suddenly raced. She instinctively reached for the gun beside her pillow; the cold metallic touch calmed her slightly. "What should we do?"

"Two choices," Su Rui's voice was as calm as if he were analyzing a tactical map. "One is to report to Liskarm and request an increase in compensation from the employer; the other is to abandon the mission altogether, since Blacksteel's contract clearly states that they will not participate in illegal transportation."

The sound of footsteps changing shifts came from outside the tent. Jessica bit her lower lip, her thoughts racing: [If we abandon the mission, what will happen to Lina...?]

"Silence her?" Su Rui sneered. "She doesn't have the ability. Liskarm and Franka are more than enough to handle her bodyguards."

The camp was shrouded in a gray-blue mist at dawn. Jessica stood outside Liskarm's tent, her fingers repeatedly clenching and unclenching.

[How should I put it? I can't exactly say, 'The ghost in my head hacked into my employer's computer,' can I...?]

Su Rui chuckled, "Just say that you discovered suspicious communication signals while on night watch and suspected there was something wrong with the goods."

Jessica took a deep breath and was about to raise her hand when the tent flap was suddenly pulled open. Liskarm was already fully armed, his metal shoulder armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.

"Is something the matter?"

"I..." Jessica's throat tightened, "I've discovered that Ms. Lina may be transporting contraband."

Liskarm's eyes sharpened instantly. She stepped aside to let Jessica into the tent, and the moment the curtain fell, Franka's voice came from inside the sleeping bag. "Wow, Jessica caught her employer red-handed?"

Jessica blushed as she explained the evidence Su Rui had discovered—of course, omitting the source of the information. When she mentioned the "Bloodclaw" mercenary group, Liskarm's brow furrowed even more deeply.

"Interesting~" Franka sat cross-legged on her sleeping bag, her tail wagging happily. "Now we can really squeeze a hefty sum out of her!"

Liskarm pondered for a moment, then picked up the communicator. "All personnel on alert. Jessica, go and inform Ms. Lina that we need to 'renegotiate'."

The air inside Lina's tent was thick with the aroma of coffee. As Jessica followed Liskarm inside, the Wolper woman was stirring a cup of liquid with a gilded spoon.

"I assume you have a good reason to disturb my breakfast?" Her voice was like an ice scalpel slicing through glass.

Liskarm cut straight to the point. "We have evidence regarding the true nature of the cargo, as well as intelligence on the ' Bloodclaw ' mercenary group."

Lina's spoon stopped in mid-air.

"According to Article 17 of the Blacksteel Worldwide Security Regulations," Liskarm continued, "We have the right to renegotiate compensation or terminate the contract if we discover that the client has concealed high-risk factors."

The air inside the tent seemed to freeze. Jessica noticed that Lina's assistant was quietly moving her hand towards the stun gun at her waist, while Franka had somehow already blocked the tent entrance, toying with an Originium Bomb between her fingers.

"Interesting." Lina suddenly laughed, revealing her sharp canine teeth. "How many do you want?"

"Three times the original reward," Liskarm said without batting an eye, "Plus compensation for equipment damage."

"Twice," Lina tapped her fingernails on her coffee cup, "And you'll be responsible for dealing with ' Bloodclaw '."

Franka whistled, "Deal!"

When Jessica followed Liskarm out of the tent, her back was already soaked with cold sweat.

[That's it? She actually agreed so readily?]

"Because she had no other choice." Su Rui's voice was laced with sarcasm. "' Bloodclaw ' won't give her a chance to bargain."

The canyon walls gleamed a rusty, dark red under the blazing sun. Jessica lay prone behind a protruding rock, the scope of her gun reflecting the blinding sunlight. Her breathing was steady and shallow, sweat trickling down her temples, lingering for a moment at her chin before finally dripping onto the scorching rock with a soft hiss.

Volume 14, Chapter 761, First Work

[Su Rui, wind direction?]

"Southwest wind, speed 3 meters per second." Su Rui's voice rang clearly in her mind, "Distance 685 meters, target is moving, lead correction 0.7 increments."

Jessica's fingers gently adjusted the knob on the scope. Through the lens, she could see several blurry figures on the distant ridge—the scouts of the "Bloodclaw" mercenary group were unknowingly exposed within her firing range.

"Jessica," Liskarm's voice came through the headset, extremely low, "Confirm target quantity."

She tapped the microphone twice in response—a pre-arranged code.

[Six scouts, three o'clock.] Jessica mentally confirmed with Su Rui, [Should we wait for Franka to be in position?]

"No need," Su Rui's voice was calm and confident. "You can handle it."

Jessica took a deep breath and held it. Her index finger rested lightly on the trigger, feeling the cool touch of the metal.

Bang!

The first bullet struck the lead mercenary's communicator precisely; the resulting sparks startled the other five, who immediately scattered for cover. But it was too late.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three shots rang out in quick succession, each one accurately piercing the exposed limbs of the mercenaries outside their cover. Screams echoed through the canyon, while Jessica calmly changed her magazine.

"Beautiful," Su Rui commented briefly. [There are two more crevicees on the left.]

Jessica swiftly turned her gun. Her movements were fluid and seamless, as if she and the weapon in her hands were one. As the last mercenary collapsed, clutching his shoulder, Franka's excited cheers came through the earpiece:

Wow~ Our little Jessica performed exceptionally well today!

Liskarm's voice was approving. "Well done. Keep the pressure on, we've made a push."

Jessica's lips curled up slightly. She could feel the warm emotions emanating from Su Rui in her Sea of Consciousness, like a silent encouragement.

The battle ended faster than expected. Under Jessica's precise fire support, Liskarm and Franka quickly broke through Bloodclaw's defenses. When the last mercenary who was putting up a stubborn resistance was blown away by Franka's Originium Grenade, the entire canyon finally returned to silence.

Jessica stood up from behind cover and brushed the dust off her uniform. Her arms were slightly sore from holding a shooting position for so long, but a strange sense of satisfaction welled up inside her.

Franka skipped over and grabbed her shoulder. "My God! Those shots you fired just now were absolutely amazing! How did you suddenly become so quick to understand?"

Jessica's ears twitched involuntarily: [Su Rui, what should I say?]

"Just smile," Su Rui chuckled. "Let them guess."

Jessica just smiled and didn't answer. Liskarm walked over and handed her an energy drink. "Good job. Keep it up."

The simple compliment warmed Jessica's heart. She sipped her drink, watching Lina's assistant check the security locks on the container in the distance.

[Su Rui, did we succeed?]

"For now," Su Rui's voice held a hint of wariness, "But don't forget, Lina is still transporting contraband."

Jessica nodded. Sunlight fell on her shoulders, casting a long shadow. In that moment, she suddenly realized—with Su Rui by her side, she seemed capable of doing things she never dared to dream of before.

Franka suddenly leaned closer, lowering her voice mysteriously, "Hey, when we get back I'll treat you to the spiciest hotpot in Lungmen! Consider it a celebration of our little Jessica's 'transformation'~"

Jessica's face immediately fell: [Waaah... Su Rui, help me!]

Su Rui's laughter echoed in her Sea of Consciousness, as warm as a breeze under the sun. "I can't help you this time."

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the tarmac of Blacksteel Worldwide. Jessica sat on the edge of a metal container, swinging her legs, looking at the bonus envelope in her hand. The thin envelope contained a thick stack of Lungmen Dollars, more than she had expected.

"[Su Rui,]" she whispered in her mind, "[This is the first time I've received so much prize money...]"

"It's worth celebrating," Su Rui said with a laugh, "But be careful not to get tricked by Franka into drinking too much."

Jessica chuckled and was about to reply when Franka's exaggerated shout came from behind her, "Jessica--! Stop spacing out! Liskarm said he's treating!"

She turned around and saw Franka waving at her, while Liskarm stood to the side holding a terminal, seemingly checking restaurant information.

"Let's go." Liskarm looked up at her. "Franka's been clamoring for hot pot."

Jessica jumped off the container and jogged to catch up with them. Franka put her arm around Jessica's shoulder and said with a grin, "You did a great job today, you deserve a good reward!"

[Ugh...] Jessica cried out to Su Rui in her mind, [Is she trying to get me drunk again?]

"Very likely," Su Rui's voice laced with amusement, "But this time I'll shield you."

The restaurant's neon lights were particularly eye-catching in the night, and there was a long queue at the entrance, but Liskarm seemed to have made a reservation in advance. The waiter led them through the noisy lobby to a semi-enclosed private room.

"This restaurant is famous for its spicy hot pot." Liskarm sat down and pushed the menu to the center of the table. "Jessica, you order first."

Jessica took the menu and started flipping through it, but Franka had already eagerly leaned in. "Order this! Extra spicy butter hot pot! And this, spicy beef!"

[Su Rui...] Jessica looked at the bright red pictures on the menu and felt a chill run down her spine. [I can't handle this much spice...]

"Let's order a hot pot with two broths," Su Rui suggested. "You can eat the clear broth side."

Jessica nodded and whispered to the waiter, "Please give us a hot pot with two broths..."

Franka sighed dramatically, "Sigh, newcomers just can't let loose!"

Liskarm glanced at her. "Don't bully Jessica."

Franka stuck out her tongue, then began to discuss the day's battle with great enthusiasm. "Did you see Jessica's shots? They were incredible! The distance, the wind speed—bang! She blew up the enemy's communicator!"

Jessica's face flushed slightly as she looked down and poked at the peanuts in her bowl with her chopsticks.

They're praising me...

"You deserve praise," Su Rui's voice was gentle yet firm. "Your performance today was truly outstanding."

The waiter brought out the hot pot, the red and white broth bubbling and steaming. Franka couldn't wait to put slices of meat into the spicy broth, while Liskarm poured everyone a glass of ice-cold beer.

"Cheers." Liskarm raised his glass. "Mission accomplished."

Jessica cautiously clinked glasses and took a small sip of beer. The bitter foam burst on her tongue, she frowned, but swallowed it anyway.

Volume 14, Chapter 762: The Crooked Cookie

[This tastes awful...]

Su Rui chuckled lightly, "Take your time."

Franka had already gulped down half a glass, letting out a satisfied sigh, "Awesome! Come on, Jessica, try this beef!"

She picked up a slice of beef coated in chili oil and made to put it in Jessica's bowl. Jessica shrank back in fright, Liskarm stopped her just in time. "Franka."

"Okay, okay~" Franka grinned as she stuffed the meat into her mouth. "But one day, I'm going to train Jessica to be able to eat spicy food!"

Jessica protested softly, "I don't want to..."

This remark amused Liskarm as well.

After a few rounds of drinks, Franka's face was slightly flushed, and her voice was getting louder. Liskarm remained calm, but his eyes were much softer than usual. Jessica ate small bites of tofu and vegetables from the clear broth hot pot, occasionally laughing out loud at Franka's antics.

[Su Rui,] she looked at the lively scene before her, feeling a warm glow in her heart, [this feeling is so good.]

"Mmm," Su Rui's voice was gentle, "This is what a team is all about."

Franka suddenly stood up, raised her glass, and exclaimed, "To our little Jessica —the future sharpshooter! Cheers!"

Liskarm, unusually, raised his glass, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Cheers."

Jessica's face turned as red as a chili pepper in a pot, but she still picked up her glass and gently touched it to the glass.

"Cheers..."

Three days after the mission was completed, Jessica stood in front of the villa's floor-to-ceiling window, watching the light rain pattering outside. Rainwater slid down the glass, blurring the neon lights of Lungmen into indistinct patches of color.

Franka's message was still displayed on the terminal screen:

[Taking a week off~ Liskarm said she's going to give her precious firearms a deep clean, so I'm also going to sleep in! See you next week, Miss~]