Ark Simulator: Don't I Lack a Physical Body?

At the entrance to Sector C stood a female operator in Rhodes Island uniform. Her ears were noticeably different from those of ordinary people, with the hairy tips gleaming healthily in the sunlight.

"Hoshiguma." She gave a slight bow. "Welcome to Rhodes Island. I'm Orchid, and I'm in charge of welcoming you."

Moe Moe Xiang's eyes widened. "Your ears... are so cute!"

Orchid smiled slightly, "Thank you. Please come with me, Doctor. Amiya is already waiting in the reception room."

Hoshiguma's green eyes swept around, instinctively assessing every exit and potential threat. Su Rui's silver dust quietly wrapped around her fingertips, bringing a reassuring warmth.

"Let's go," Hoshiguma said softly, taking a step to follow Orchid.

Moe Moe Xiang skipped along behind, constantly asking questions. Ling's snake-shaped tattoo gleamed coldly in the sunlight, her gaze warily sweeping over every corner. Su Rui walked beside Hoshiguma, her silver hair billowing in the sea breeze, leaving a shimmering trail behind her.

The gates of Rhodes Island slowly opened before them, and warm light poured out from within, illuminating everyone's faces.

The interior corridors of Rhodes Island's main ship were more spacious than expected, with pale blue indicator lights embedded in the white walls and a faint hum from the ventilation system on the ceiling. Moe Moe Xiang followed closely behind Orchid, her pink twin ponytails swaying with her skipping steps, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings.

"This is the central corridor," Orchid's voice was gentle and professional. "The left side leads to the Medical Department, and the right side is the operator living area." Her gaze swept over Moe Moe Xiang's curious expression, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "First time at Rhodes Island?"

"Yes!" Moe Moe Xiang nodded vigorously, "It's even bigger than I imagined!" She suddenly leaned closer to Orchid and lowered her voice, "Um... will Doctor. Amiya really come to see us?"

Orchid's ears twitched slightly. "Of course, the Doctor is looking forward to meeting you."

Hoshiguma, walking behind, raised an eyebrow, her green eyes scanning the security cameras on both sides of the corridor. Su Rui walked quietly beside her, his silver hair shimmering softly under the overhead lights. His gaze swept over the almost invisible Originium Arts suppression devices on the walls; a wisp of silver dust seeped from his sleeve, forming words visible only to Hoshiguma: [Heavily Guarded].

Hoshiguma's lips curled into a slight smile, "Interesting."

Ling walked at the back, the hem of her black trench coat swaying gently with her steps. Her snake tattoo was faintly visible on her cuffs, and her gaze warily swept over every corner.

After turning a corner, a huge metal door appeared at the end of the corridor. Orchid entered the password on the panel next to the door, and the lock made a soft "click".

"This is the reception area," she said, opening the door. "Please wait a moment; the Doctor will be here shortly."

The reception room was simply yet comfortably furnished, with soft sofas arranged in a circle and tea, snacks, and fruit laid out on the central coffee table. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered views of Lungmen Harbor, and sunlight streamed through the glass, casting warm dappled patterns on the carpet.

Moe Moe Xiang cheered and pounced on the sofa. "So soft!" She sank into the cushions, her pink hair disheveled. "It's much more comfortable than the backstage dressing room at our concert!"

Hoshiguma walked to the window, her green eyes scanning the entire harbor. Su Rui stood beside her, his silver hair tinged a pale gold by the sunlight. His fingertips lightly touched the back of Hoshiguma's hand, and a wisp of silver dust drifted out, forming a miniature map in the air: [Three emergency exits, two blind spots in surveillance cameras.]

Hoshiguma gently rubbed his fingertips with her thumb. "Relax, you're not here to fight."

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly, and Yin Chen quietly withdrew his sleeve.

Ling leaned against the wall by the door, arms crossed. "This place is cleaner than I expected."

"Rhodes Island has very strict cleaning standards," Orchid explained with a smile, "Especially the reception area."

Moe Moe Xiang peeked out from the sofa. "Miss Orchid! How many people are there on Rhodes Island? Are they all like you..." Her gaze fell on Orchid's ear, "Uh, a special operator?"

Orchid's ears twitched slightly. "Currently, there are over three hundred registered operators, about 60% of whom are Infected, and the rest are experts in various fields." Her gaze swept over Su Rui, "Of course, there are also special individuals like Mr. Su Rui."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted towards Moe Moe Xiang: [Shall I take you on a tour?]

"Really?" Moe Moe Xiang's eyes lit up instantly, and she jumped up from the sofa. "I want to see the Medical Department! I heard Warfarin is amazing!"

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't run around."

"Mr. Su Rui will be watching me!" Moe Moe Xiang grabbed Su Rui's sleeve. "Right, right?"

Su Rui's amber eyes looked at Hoshiguma, her gaze questioning. Hoshiguma gave a light hum. "Be back in half an hour."

"Great!" Moe Moe Xiang grabbed Su Rui and ran outside. "Let's go!"

Orchid quickly followed, "Please come with me, the Medical Department is this way."

Ling watched the three figures disappear into the distance, the snake tattoo slowly moving across her wrist. "Aren't you going with them?"

Hoshiguma walked to the sofa and sat down, casually picking up an apple. "Let him handle it himself." Her green eyes swept towards the doorway. "But you, aren't you with your little idol?"

Ling's lips curled up slightly. "She needs to learn to be independent."

The Medical Department's corridor was much busier than the reception area. Medical staff in white coats hurried by, and carts were piled high with medicines and equipment. Moe Moe Xiang followed closely behind Orchid, her eyes wide. "Wow... it's amazing... just like a real hospital!"

Su Rui walked last, his silver hair standing out strikingly under the bright lights of the Medical Department. Several female agents passing by couldn't help but turn to look at him, their whispers barely audible:

"Is that a new operator? He's so handsome..."

"Silver hair is so beautiful..."

"His eyes are like they're made of amber..."

Volume 16, Chapter 908: Focus on the Road

Moe Moe Xiang secretly covered her mouth and giggled, nudging Su Rui with her elbow. "Mr. Su Rui, you're very popular!"

Su Rui's ear tips flushed slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted towards Moe Moe Xiang: [Focus on where you're going.]

Orchid stopped in front of a glass door. "This is Dr. Warfarin's office. She is currently..."

The door was suddenly pushed open, and a white-haired, red-eyed woman strode out, a black, tight-fitting combat suit peeking out from under her white lab coat. Her gaze instantly locked onto Su Rui, her red pupils slightly contracting. "Interesting."

Moe Moe Xiang instinctively hid behind Su Rui: "Dr. Warfarin?"

"A blood sample." Warfarin extended her hand directly. "I need to study the form of your Originium Arts carrier."

Su Rui's silver hair stood on end slightly, like a startled cat. Orchid quickly stepped in between them. "Doctor! This is a guest!"

Warfarin's red eyes narrowed. "Kal'tsit has approved it." She pulled a document from her pocket. "Special Research Permit."

Moe Moe Xiang nervously grabbed Su Rui's sleeve. "Um... Mr. Su Rui isn't a test subject..."

Su Rui's silver dust formed the words "[Refuse.]" in the air.

Warfarin stared at the silver specks of light, then suddenly exclaimed with excitement, "Self-awareness manifested? Perfect!" She leaned closer to Su Rui, "Just 200cc, no, 100cc will do!"

"Dr. Warfarin!" Orchid's ears perked up. "Please follow the reception guidelines!"

Just as the atmosphere became tense, a gentle female voice came from the end of the corridor. "Warfarin, you've scared the newcomer again."

Everyone turned around and saw a blue-haired girl walking slowly towards them. She had obvious Cautus features on her head and was holding a stack of documents in her hands.

"Doctor. Amiya!" Orchid visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Amiya smiled and walked up to the group. "I apologize, Dr. Warfarin, for your excessive enthusiasm for special Originium Arts." Her gaze fell on Su Rui. "You must be Mr. Su Rui? Hoshiguma often mentions you in her reports."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted towards Amiya: [Hello.]

"Wow!" Moe Moe Xiang peeked out from behind Su Rui. "You're Doctor. Amiya? You're even cuter than in the photos!"

Amiya's face flushed slightly. "Thank you... You must be Moe Moe Xiang? I really like your songs."

"Really?" Moe Moe Xiang's eyes lit up instantly. "Have you heard my latest single? It's that song, <Starlight>..."

Orchid coughed lightly. "Doctor, over in the reception room..."

"Ah, right." Amiya snapped out of her reverie. "Hoshiguma is still waiting for us." She turned to Warfarin. "Doctor, regarding Mr. Su Rui's research application, Dr. Kal'tsit said it needs to be re-evaluated."

Warfarin curled her lip. "Tsk, bureaucracy." She gave Su Rui one last look, turned and strode away, her white coat fluttering behind her.

Moe Moe Xiang out a long sigh of relief, "How terrifying..."

Amiya smiled apologetically, "Shall I continue the tour? The Engineering Department has recently developed some new equipment that you might be interested in."

Su Rui's silver dust drifted quietly to Moe Moe Xiang's ear: [Go back?]

Moe Moe Xiang glanced at the time, pouting dejectedly, "It's almost half an hour..." Suddenly, her eyes lit up, "But we can slow down!"

Amiya chuckled softly. "Let me escort you back to the reception room."

On the way back, Moe Moe Xiang chatted incessantly with Amiya, talking about everything from music to daily life on Rhodes Island. Su Rui followed quietly behind, her silver hair gleaming softly in the corridor lights. Several female operators passing by secretly glanced at him, and one even pretended to fall to get his attention.

"Mr. Su Rui," a short-haired brown medic suddenly stopped him, her cheeks slightly flushed, "Um... I'm Ansel, could I... could I buy you a cup of coffee?"

Moe Moe Xiang immediately turned around, like a mother hen protecting her chicks. "No way! Mr. Su Rui belongs to Sister Gui!"

Su Rui's ears instantly turned bright red, and silver dust exploded in the air like fireworks. Amiya quickly smoothed things over, "Ansel, this is a guest..."

"I'm sorry!" Ansel's face flushed red, and he bowed and ran away quickly.

Moe Moe Xiang puffed out, tugged at Su Rui's sleeve. "Let's go back! It's too dangerous here!"

Su Rui's silver dust formed a helpless smile in the air, but it still obediently let her pull it forward. Amiya and Orchid exchanged a glance and couldn't help but chuckle.

When the door to the meeting room opened again, Hoshiguma was leaning against the window talking to Kal'tsit. She turned her head and saw Moe Moe Xiang rushing in, panting, followed by an innocent-looking Su Rui. Her green eyes narrowed slightly. "What's wrong?"

"Ghost Sister!" Moe Moe Xiang rushed to Hoshiguma's side, "Someone's trying to steal Mr. Su Rui!"

Hoshiguma's green hair instantly bristled. "Who?"

Su Rui's silver dust drifted in front of her: [Misunderstanding.]

Moe Moe Xiang embellished the story, recounting the events at the Medical Department, especially emphasizing that "at least five female operators were staring at Mr. Su Rui." Hoshiguma's face darkened, and finally she grabbed Su Rui's wrist. "Let's go."

Kal'tsit's voice came through the communicator. "Hoshiguma, our meeting isn't over yet."

"Some other time." Hoshiguma hung up decisively, her green eyes sweeping over everyone in the room. "That's all for today."

Ling stood up from the sofa, the snake tattoo slithering across her sleeve. "Finally awake?"

Amiya quickly stepped forward. "Hoshiguma, regarding the cooperation..."

"Let Su Rui stay?" Hoshiguma sneered. "No way."

Su Rui's silver hair fell over her shoulders, and she gently touched Hoshiguma's hand: [Calm down.]

Hoshiguma's green eyes met his for three seconds, then she suddenly lowered her head and bit his lip hard. "I'll deal with you when we get home."

Moe Moe Xiang covered her eyes. "Wow!"

Orchid's ears twitched, and she tactfully stepped aside. Amiya's face turned as red as an apple, and she almost dropped the documents in her hand.

Ling grabbed Moe Moe Xiang by the back of her collar. "Let's go, kid."

"Wait! I haven't gotten Doctor. Amiya's autograph yet!"

Hoshiguma dragged Su Rui towards the exit. The silver-haired boy's ears were bright red, but he still obediently followed her. In the corridors of Rhodes Island, countless curious eyes followed their backs, and whispers spread like ripples.

"That was... a kiss?"

"Hoshiguma truly lives up to her reputation..."

My first love ended before it even began...

As the sunlight fell on her face again, Hoshiguma's green hair fluttered in the wind. She glanced back at the towering hull of Rhodes Island, then at the disheveled silver-haired Su Rui beside her, and suddenly chuckled, "Will you dare to run off again next time?"

Su Rui's silver dust formed a wronged expression in the air: [Being dragged along.]

Hoshiguma's thumb brushed against the corner of his slightly swollen lips. "Go home."

Moe Moe Xiang, being dragged along by Ling, kept turning back to ask, "Sister Ling! Can we come again tomorrow?"

Ling's snake-shaped tattoo gleamed coldly in the sunlight. "We'll see how you perform."

Volume 16, page 909: Actually, he prefers playing video games.

Rhodes Island's central lounge is always bustling with activity. Afternoon sunlight streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the off-white sofas in a warm glow. Su Rui sits by the window, her silver hair almost translucent in the sunlight, holding a thick ancient book in her hands, her amber eyes quietly scanning the pages.

Several female agents pretended to chat idly by the nearby coffee machine, but their eyes kept glancing in their direction.

"He really does read books..." a Liberi operator muttered softly, her feather earrings swaying gently as she tilted her head. "I thought those pretty boys only knew how to play the piano."

"Shh!" Her companion—a Perro agent with pigtails—tugged nervously at her sleeve. "I heard he can sense all sounds within ten meters!"

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted out from between the pages of the book, forming a tiny smiley face in the air. The two girls blushed instantly and hurriedly hid behind a pillar.

A burst of cheers suddenly erupted from the board game area at the other end of the rest area.

"I won!" Blue Poison raised the card in her hand, her pale purple hair fluttering with the movement. "I won this time, Istina!"

The fox of Istina drooped its ears in frustration. "That's not fair! You definitely cheated!"

Blue Poison smiled and wagged her finger, "That's called strategy~" Her gaze suddenly fell on the silver-haired boy by the window, and her eyes lit up, "Ah, Mr. Su Rui! Want to play a game?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted onto the table: [Spectating.]

"Great!" Blue Poison immediately moved aside. "I'll teach you the rules!"

Istina's ears perked up instantly. "Wait! If he learns it, do we still have a chance of winning?"

Su Rui's lips curled into a slight smile as Yin Chen formed new words on the desktop: [Guaranteed Fairness.]

Several female agents who had been pretending to read books nearby immediately surrounded them.

"May I stand by and watch?" the Liberi agent with the feather earring asked, blushing.