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

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly: [Thinking about the mine.]

"The radiation traces are very recent," Mio suddenly spoke up, "And there has been activity within the last three days."

Moe Moe Xiang almost choked. "Then aren't we being watched?"

"So someone's livestream..." Hoshiguma glanced sideways, "Has likely already alerted the enemy."

Yin Chen gently put down the milk glass: [I've blocked the signal.]

Three pairs of eyes turned to Su Rui. His eyelashes cast fine shadows under the light. "All external transmissions were covered before entering the town."

Mio's snake tattoo slowly slithered back into her sleeve. "... No wonder my communicator kept showing a low signal."

Hoshiguma's green hair suddenly wrapped around Su Rui's wrist. "When did you do that?"

"As I got off the train," Su Rui's silver dust drew a map of Hisakawa Town in the air, "The entire town was within range."

Mengmeng clasped her hands together in admiration. "Mr. Su Rui is so amazing! Then my live stream..."

"Recorded broadcasts are fine," Yin Chen said, gently tapping her camera. "Live transmission is not possible."

Hoshiguma's thumb rubbed against Su Rui's wrist bone. "... She's alright."

As the moonlight deepened, the food was completely devoured. Moe Moe Xiang, hugging her pillow, drifted off to sleep, while Mio carefully wiped the sauce off the kunai. Hoshiguma's green hair cascaded over Su Rui's shoulder, her oni horn pressing against his collarbone. "Tired?"

Su Rui's silver hair brushed against the tip of her nose. "You're more tired."

"Nonsense." Hoshiguma's green eyes were half-closed. "I carried you up three hundred meters through the mine."

Yin Chen gently brushed the dust from her hair: [Going to the hot springs?]

"No." Hoshiguma's fingertips hooked around his collar. "Go to sleep."

Mio suddenly stood up. "I'll keep watch."

"No need." Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind. "This shabby inn only has two floors."

A snake-shaped tattoo slithered across the doorknob. "Originium reaction in the next room."

Su Rui's silver dust drifted silently down the corridor: [The landlady's jewelry box.]

"..." Hoshiguma's green hair exploded, "Tomorrow, the entire town will be searched for jewelry shops."

The guest room's tatami mats were covered with brand-new bedding. Hoshiguma's green hair was spread out on the pillow, and his demon horns gleamed faintly in the moonlight. Su Rui's silver hair hung down her neck, and her fingertips unconsciously traced the old scar on her collarbone.

"Are you cold?" Hoshiguma suddenly asked.

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly: [Your body temperature is very high.]

"That's how all the Oni Clan." Her arm wrapped around his waist. "More effective at keeping warm than Originium Arts, right?"

Silver dust gently brushed against her eyelids: [Sleep.]

A faint chime drifted from afar. Hoshiguma's breathing gradually calmed, but as Su Rui tried to get up, he suddenly tightened his grip on her. "Where are you going?"

[Check the barrier.]

"No." Her green hair wrapped around his wrist. "Mio's next door."

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly. "What if..."

"There's no 'what if'," Hoshiguma, pressing her demon horn against his forehead. "I need you right now."

Yin Chen quietly extinguished the last lamp. Moonlight shone through the shoji paper door, casting the intertwined shadows of the two onto the curtain. When the morning mist of Hisakawa Town once again drifted into the room, Hoshiguma's fingertips were still entwined with Su Rui's silver hair, as if guarding a treasure solidified by moonlight.

Morning light filtered through the shoji paper door, casting soft dappled patterns on the tatami mat. Hoshiguma's green hair was spread out on the pillow, the ends intertwined with Su Rui's silver hair, like moonlight and vines in symbiosis. Her demon horn pressed against Su Rui's neck, unconsciously rubbing against her in her sleep, leaving faint red marks.

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly, his amber eyes clearing in the morning light. The moment his fingertips moved, Yin Chen silently brought over the terminal—the screen displayed a pre-compiled intelligence file, marking the coordinates of all suspicious nodes in the mine.

"Hmm..." Hoshiguma tightened her arms in her sleep, her green hair brushing against his chin. "Don't move..."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed gently as Yin Chen hid the terminal deep inside the blankets. When Hoshiguma's lips unconsciously brushed against his collarbone, he deliberately let out a soft gasp.

Hoshiguma's green eyes snapped open, "Did you hurt yourself?" Her thumb traced the non-existent mark. "You were still half asleep..."

Su Rui's silver hair fell down, obscuring her eyes. "... It will take a day to analyze the data."

Hoshiguma's demon horns glowed faintly. "Very complicated?"

"The encryption method is unique." Su Rui's eyelashes cast a shadow. "We need to crack the firewall generated by Originium Arts."

This is complete nonsense—his Silver Dust had analyzed all that data three hours ago, even detailing the breeding cycle of the mine rats. But Hoshiguma's green eyes immediately turned serious. "Is it dangerous?"

"Absolute focus is required." Su Rui's silver dust traced a complex algorithm model in the air. "There can be no distractions."

Hoshiguma sat up immediately, her green hair still damp with bits of pillowcase fabric. "I'll stay by your side."

"It's best to stay in an inn," Su Rui, tapping her fingertip lightly on the floor. "The Originium interference will be minimal here."

Actually, it was because the hotel had installed the latest model of game console, and Moe Moe Xiang secretly gave him a complete set of limited edition game discs.

The atmosphere at breakfast was subtly tense. Moe Moe Xiang, munching on a rice ball, glanced back and forth between Su Rui and Hoshiguma: "So... we're not going out today?"

"Technical breakthrough." Hoshiguma solemnly placed a piece of tamagoyaki on Su Rui's plate. "No one is allowed to disturb us."

Mio's snake-shaped tattoo probed into the coffee cup. "Need any extra equipment?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly: [Just stay quiet.]

Volume 16, Chapter 931: His face was a little pale.

Moe Moe Xiang suddenly choked on her rice ball—she saw the Bluetooth receiver of a game controller sticking out of Su Rui's sleeve. Mio's phone silently pressed against her lower back, making her swallow her gasp. Was it a silent and harmless warning?

"I'll go prepare the protective runes," Mio suddenly stood up. "The inn's barrier is too weak."

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "Go and return quickly."

After Mio pulled Moe Moe Xiang away, Su Rui immediately locked the door with her silver dust. Hoshiguma stroked his demon horn worriedly. "If you feel unwell, say so, don't force yourself."

Su Rui snuggled into her arms. "... I want to work with you by my side."

That's true—no gaming chair is as comfortable as Hoshiguma's embrace.

The morning sunlight streamed through the paper door, warming the room. Hoshiguma sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, Su Rui's silver hair cascading over her knees. The terminal screen flickered with complex data streams—actually, it was the equipment interface for the game Monster Hunter.

"How's the progress?" Hoshiguma ran her fingers through his hair. "You look a little pale."

Su Rui manipulates Silver Dust to generate false energy readings: [Firewall is retaliating.]

Actually, it was his katana-wielding character who was knocked away by the fire dragon. Hoshiguma immediately tensed up. "Should we pause?"

"At this critical moment," Su Rui, drawing a virtual defense matrix in the air with his silver dust, "We must press on with this momentum."

Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind, and the Hannya Shield quietly appeared beside her. "I'll guard it."

Su Rui took the opportunity to take a sip of cola—Silver Dust perfectly masked the sound of the carbonated bubbles. As Hoshiguma's demon horns glowed slightly with worry, he was using Silver Dust to simultaneously control four game characters to run a dungeon.

The afternoon passed in a mock battle of wits. Hoshiguma carefully polished the Hannya Shield, her gaze occasionally sweeping over Su Rui's "solemn" profile. Her green hair fell down, glancing across the screen. "Is this red waveform dangerous?"

That was a notification indicating the game boss was in a berserk state. Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly: [Requires a special algorithm to neutralize.]

He was actually frantically pressing buttons to unleash his ultimate attack. Yin Chen, at the opportune moment, simulated a light effect from an energy collision, illuminating the entire room. Hoshiguma's thumb unconsciously rubbed the shield. "Even more intense than Chernobog's Originium reaction..."

Su Rui almost burst out laughing—it was just particle rendering for game effects.

As evening fell, Mio returned with Moe Moe Xiang. The snake tattoo circled the door lock three times before confirming it was safe. "There were suspicious individuals outside; they've been dealt with."

Hoshiguma's green eyes suddenly sharpened. "How many?"

"Three scouts," Mio said, her kunai dripping with water, "Equipped with professional-grade listening devices."

Su Rui's Silver Dust quietly pulled up the real surveillance footage—it was actually a deliveryman from the town's electronics store delivering the game merchandise that Moe Moe Xiang had ordered.

"The intelligence has been leaked?" Hoshiguma's green hair exploded. "Should we relocate?"

"No need." Su Rui's Silver Dust displayed a fake energy distribution map. "It's the final stage."

In reality, he had reached the final boss battle. The energy fluctuations simulated by Yin Chen were so realistic that even Mio subconsciously adopted a defensive stance.

As night completely fell, Su Rui "weakly" leaned into Hoshiguma's arms. "... It's finished."

The terminal displayed a beautifully crafted intelligence map—actually, the credits of the game's developers after completion. Hoshiguma's green hair gently entwined around his fingers. "Thank you for your hard work."

Moe Moe Xiang's shoulders trembled as she tried to suppress her laughter, and Mio tapped her on the back of the head with a kunai handle. The snake-shaped tattoo quietly snatched the game disc hidden under the cushion, while Yin Chen quickly erased all game data.

"So the real entrance to the mine is..." Hoshiguma carefully reviewed the intelligence, "... the basement of the hot spring pump station?"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed gently: [Tomorrow night is the best time to act.]

Actually, he had arranged to run a dungeon with his online game teammates the next day. Hoshiguma kissed his forehead without suspicion. "Get some rest tonight."

While Hoshiguma went to prepare a late-night snack, Moe Moe Xiang finally couldn't help but whisper, "Mr. Su Rui... you've already taken care of everything, haven't you?"

Yin Chen secretly drew a smiley face on her palm: [Don't tell her.]

Mio's snake tattoo suddenly wrapped around Su Rui's wrist. "Payment."

A game voucher slipped from her sleeve—it was the limited edition <The Link's Legend> that Su Rui had been longing for.

As moonlight streamed through the window, Hoshiguma returned with a late-night snack. She watched as a "tired" Su Rui dozed off, her head resting on Moe Moe Xiang's lap, while Mio peeled an apple with a kunai, her snake-shaped tattoo coiled around a game controller to charge.

"It seems..." Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly, "Today was indeed very tiring."

Yin Chen quietly extinguished the last glimmer of guilt in his eyes.

As dusk settled like oil-soaked rice paper, it slowly seeped into the eaves and alleys of Hisakawa Town. The paper lanterns of the hot spring inns lit up one after another, casting a warm yellow glow on the bluestone pavement. The moment Hoshiguma pushed open the shoji door, she brought in a bit of the mountain night mist. The tips of her green hair were still covered with the steam from the hot spring, and her horns gleamed with a gentle sheen from the heat.

Su Rui was kneeling in the center of the tatami mat, the blue light from the terminal illuminating his focused profile—in reality, he had just exited the <Monster Hunter> results screen, and Yin Chen was silently clearing the game history. A few strands of silver hair fell across his forehead, swaying gently with his breath, like ripples on a moonlit stream.

"How's it going?" Hoshiguma retied the loose sash of her yukata, the dark green belt neatly knotted between her fingers. "I noticed you haven't left your room all afternoon." Her gaze swept over the empty milk tea cup on the low table. "Drinking cold drinks again?"

Su Rui's silver hair shimmered softly under the light. "Cracked." He tapped the terminal with his fingertip, and Silver Dust projected a holographic diagram of the mine's structure. "The core stronghold is here—the third underground level of the hot spring pump station, directly below the east ventilation shaft."

Hoshiguma's green eyes suddenly sharpened, and her demon horns gleamed with a warning light. "How many people?"

"Twenty-seven armed personnel, equipped with standard Raythean gear." Su Rui's silver dust precisely marked each sentry post. "Four Originium Arts users, skilled in ley line interference and barrier generation." His fingertip traced an energy trajectory. "The monitoring system changes its password every three minutes and seventeen seconds, synchronized with the ley line fluctuations."

"We'll move out at dawn tomorrow." Hoshiguma's thumb unconsciously rubbed the edge of the Hannya Shield. "Mio and I will lead the attack; you'll be responsible for perimeter security and communications support."

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly, and silver dust formed a complex energy flow diagram in the air. "I want to go inside too."

"No." Hoshiguma pressed her fingertips against an old wound on his collarbone. "Your silver dust fluctuations will trigger their Originium sensors."

Suddenly, a matte black briefcase appeared in the silver dust. The sound of air pressure as the briefcase opened was slight yet clear. Lying on the dark blue velvet lining was a silver-white rapid-fire gun. The streamlined barrel shimmered with the unique glow of Originium Arts, like condensed moonlight.

Volume 16, 932 Prototype

"Doctor. Silence's prototype, codenamed ' Snowy Owl '." Su Rui's fingertips traced the heat sink. "Frequency shielding coating, effective range of 200 meters, rate of fire 320 rounds per minute." He skillfully removed the magazine, revealing the intricate Originium conduction structure inside. "Uses specially Etching Rounds, remarkably effective against barriers. My new toy."

Hoshiguma's green hair stood on end slightly, and the Hannya Shield hummed against the corner of the wall. "When did you get this weapon? I didn't know about it."

"It's been stored in the Silver Dust Space." Su Rui pushed the magazine back into the gun, making a crisp click. "I was originally planning to give it to you as a birthday present."

The gun parts hovered and spun under Silverdust's control, emitting a soft meshing sound. Hoshiguma suddenly grabbed his hand, which was adjusting the sights. "Why insist on engaging in direct combat?" Her green eyes were exceptionally deep in the dim light. "Tell the truth."

Su Rui's silver hair fell down, the ends brushing against the cold barrel of the gun. "Their Originium Arts... can interfere with the particle stability of Silver Dust." He raised his left hand, and the light particles formed from the condensed Silver Dust suddenly trembled slightly, "Especially in enclosed spaces."

That's true—the area-of-effect skill of that dungeon boss in the game can indeed cause a delay in gameplay.

Hoshiguma's demon horn gently pressed against his forehead. "Anything else?"

"... Your old injury on your right shoulder." Su Rui's silver dust lightly touched the scar on her shoulder blade. "Last time in Chernobog, if I had long-range fire support..."

The room suddenly became so quiet that the crackling of the candlelight flickering in the lantern could be heard. Hoshiguma's green hair slowly fell down, covering their clasped hands. "So you brought this gun on purpose?"

The safety of the rapid-fire gun clicked crisply. Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent in the cold gleam of the weapon. "Within seven paces, faster than Silver Dust; beyond a hundred paces, more agile than the Hannya Shield."

Soft footsteps echoed down the corridor. Moe Moe Xiang, clutching a fox-shaped pillow, peeked in, her pink hair still slick with sleep. "Um... Mio-nee said she heard the sound of guns being assembled..."

Her eyes lit up the moment they landed on the rapid-fire gun. "Wow! Mr. Su Rui is going to use this? It's so cool! Is it a new model from Raythean?"

Mio's serpentine tattoo silently coiled around the doorframe. Her gaze swept over the gun's serial number. "Silence's Prototype ' Snowy Owl,' Number 07." She lightly tapped the barrel with the tip of her kunai. "Is the recoil adjusted? Your wrist can't handle full-auto fire."

Su Rui's silver dust lifted a set of precision tools: [Reduced by forty percent, with added cushioning modules.] He took out a strange device from the bottom of the box, "A shoulder brace specially made by Silence, capable of absorbing seventy percent of the recoil."

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "When did you become so familiar with Silence?"

"We talked about it last month during a routine check-up at the Medical Department." Su Rui's silver hair swept across the crosshairs. "She said she needed real-world data."

Moe Moe Xiang excitedly raised her camera. "Can you demonstrate it? Just for a second! I promise I won't use the flash!"

"No." Hoshiguma held her Hannya Shield in front of the camera. "The hotel's soundproofing is terrible; it'll disturb the neighbors."

Suddenly, Yin Chen whipped up several down cushions to create a makeshift shooting range, and Su Rui elegantly flipped a rapid-fire gun in his hands. "Dry firing demonstration."