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

"Cunning." Hoshiguma's green hair brushed against the tip of his nose. "Then let's go take a look."

The streets were filled with the sweet aroma of roasted dumplings in the afternoon. Hoshiguma changed into a dark blue yukata, and her oni horns were treated with special paint to create decorative patterns. Su Rui's silver hair was dyed dark brown, with a few strands highlighted with dark red, making it almost impossible to see the original color in the sunlight.

"Like a delinquent." Hoshiguma twirled a strand of his hair between his fingers. "It suits you quite well."

Su Rui's yukata sleeves swayed gently. "[The dye chosen by Moe Moe Xiang.] Silver dust revealed the hair color formula in the air," she said, "She said it's more 'street style' this way."

The clamor of the festival drifted from the street corner, the sounds of drums and flutes weaving into a lively melody. Hoshiguma's green eyes scanned the crowd warily, her Hannya Shield transforming into a small folding fan in her hand. "Stay close to me."

The lanterns at the stalls lit up one by one in the setting sun, filling the air with the aroma of takoyaki and roasted corn. Su Rui stopped in front of the mask stall, and Yin Chen gently held up a fox mask: [It suits you.]

Hoshiguma's green hair stood on end slightly. "Me, wearing a fox?" Her demon horns gleamed faintly. "You should be wearing it."

In the end, the two each bought a mask— Hoshiguma chose the Hannya Demon Mask, and Su Rui chose the White Fox Mask. Their gazes crossed in the crowd beneath the masks, and Yin Chen quietly connected their senses.

As night fell, the festival reached its climax. The palanquin was carried through the street, and cheers surged like a tide. Hoshiguma's green hair gleamed warmly in the lantern light, and she naturally stood protectively beside Su Rui, shielding her from the crowd.

"They have goldfish scooping over there." She lightly tapped Su Rui's hand with her fingertip. "Want to try?"

Su Rui's silver dust shimmered slightly: [Difficulty level 87%]. The light spots formed the trajectory of a goldfish swimming, "The paper net is easily torn."

"Then let's try a different game." A sly glint flashed in Hoshiguma's green eyes, and she lightly waved her Hannya folding fan. "Watch this."

Her movements as she paid and retrieved the net were fluid and natural; the moment the paper net entered the water, the silver dust subtly reinforced it. The goldfish easily fell into the net, and the stall owner's eyes widened in surprise. Hoshiguma handed the bag containing the goldfish to Su Rui: "Here you go."

Su Rui's fingertips gently touched the water bag, and Yin Chen analyzed the water quality. "[Oxygenation is needed.]" The light spots formed a tiny bubble generator, "Enough to sustain life for three days."

"That's enough." Hoshiguma's green hair swept across his mask. "Memories of festivals shouldn't last forever anyway."

Amidst the smoky atmosphere of the food stalls, Hoshiguma bought a skewer of grilled mochi. She carefully blew on the bamboo skewer to cool it before offering it to Su Rui's lips. "Try it, this stall uses Kishu plums."

Su Rui slightly lifted her mask and bit into the soft, chewy dumpling. Yin Chen analyzed the ingredients: [Excessive sugar, but 90% deliciousness.] His fingertips gently touched Hoshiguma's wrist. "More."

Hoshiguma's green eyes softened in the lantern light as she bought another skewer of red bean paste. "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

A sudden commotion erupted in the crowd as the palanquin, turning a corner, knocked over the apple candy stall. Hoshiguma's Hannya Shield instantly deployed, deflecting the flying glass candy shards. Her arms encircled Su Rui, the sleeves of her yukata tracing a protective arc in the air.

"Are you alright?" Her voice carried a hint of nervousness, and a warning glint appeared on her ghost horn.

Su Rui's silver dust quietly repaired the damage to the stall: [No problem.] His fingertips gently grasped Hoshiguma's wrist, "Keep browsing."

The festival drums sounded again, as if nothing had happened. But Hoshiguma's green eyes remained alert, Hannya fan twirled gently between her fingertips.

At a fortune-telling stall on the street corner, an old woman smiled and waved, "Gentlemen, would you like to try your luck?"

Hoshiguma's green hair lifted slightly. "Fate is in your own hands." She gently nudged Su Rui with her fingertips, "But you can go have some fun."

The old woman looked at Su Rui's palm, her eyes suddenly widening. "The favored one of the Silver Moon... your fate line is intricately intertwined with another person." Her gaze swept over Hoshiguma, "Like a samurai and his sword."

Su Rui's silver dust silently analyzed the old woman's physiological indicators: [Originium reaction, intuition accuracy rate 73%]. His fingertips gently withdrew, "I understand."

A hint of a smile flickered in Hoshiguma's green eyes as she set down the fortune-telling coins. "You're right." Her demon horn gently touched Su Rui's mask. "We truly cannot be separated."

As they left the stall, Silver Dust quietly displayed a warning: [Three o'clock direction, suspected to be Rhine remnants.] The dots of light formed an escape route.

"What a disappointment." Hoshiguma gently closed her Hannya fan. "It's time to go back." Her fingertips naturally intertwined with Su Rui's. "The festival is almost over."

Volume 16, Chapter 948: A Festival on an Artificial River

On the way back, Hoshiguma bought two river lanterns. On a quiet riverbank, she placed one of the lanterns into the water. "Make a wish, even if it might not come true."

Su Rui's silver dust gently cradled the river lantern. "[My wish has been fulfilled.]" His fingertips intertwined with Hoshiguma's, "You're here with me."

Hoshiguma's green hair swayed slightly in the moonlight, and a smile played on her lips beneath the Hannya mask, "Greed." Her demon horn gently touched his forehead. "But it's approved."

The river lanterns floated downstream, merging with countless points of light to form a galaxy. Silver dust quietly recorded the coordinates of this moment, sealing away the hustle and bustle and warmth of the festival. In the night of the Eastern Kingdom, two figures walked side by side toward their home.

As the morning light once again bathed the teahouse, Hoshiguma's green hair and Su Rui's silver hair still intertwined on the tatami mats. The Hannya Shield emitted a soft pulse in the corner, shutting out the morning hustle and bustle. Moe Moe Xiang's carefully prepared breakfast tray was placed by the door, and the steam from the miso soup rose slowly in the sunlight.

"Where do you want to go today?" Hoshiguma's fingertips twirled a strand of Su Rui's silver hair, his oni horn gently pressing against his forehead. "Mio said there's an antique market on South Street and a long-established knife shop in the North District."

Su Rui's silver eyelashes trembled slightly, and silver dust formed a street map in the air: [Want to see the mechanical doll exhibition.] His fingertips lightly tapped the promotional poster made of light dots, "Opens at ten o'clock."

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "You're interested in those lumps of iron?" Her thumb rubbed the calluses on his hand. "Why don't you go look at real swords?"

[Precision Machinery.] Silver Dust displayed a 3D projection of the doll's internal structure, "The gears mesh perfectly."

"Whatever you want." Hoshiguma's green hair brushed against his cheek. "But you'll need to change your attire; there might be Rhine's spies there."

Yin Chen subtly altered Su Rui's hair color, adding strands of SilverAsh to the dark brown: [Disguise complete.] The dots of light formed the pattern of a pair of non-prescription glasses, "Visual interference is needed."

Hoshiguma gently slipped her fingers onto his glasses. "You look like a scholar now," she said, her green eyes crinkling with amusement. "But you need to work on your movements; they're too stiff."

She demonstrated a relaxed posture, the sleeves of her yukata hanging naturally. "Like this, as if you're truly here to appreciate a work of art." Her horn lightly touched his glasses frame. "Remember, we are now collectors from Victoria."

The mechanical doll exhibition hall was filled with the soft hum of gears turning. Hoshiguma's Hannya Shield transformed into a pocket watch, its inner mirror reflecting the surrounding sounds. Su Rui's Silver Dust silently scanned each exhibit, recording its intricate mechanical structure.

"This is nice." Hoshiguma stopped in front of a dancer doll, her green hair gleaming subtly under the display lights. "The gears are made of Star Iron, quite luxurious."

Su Rui's fingertip lightly touched the display case: [The sound-emitting device is malfunctioning.] Silver Dust displayed a tomographic scan of the internal structure, "Something is hidden."

Hoshiguma's green eyes flickered slightly, and the pocket watch cover closed gently. "Looks like there's been an unexpected find." Her fingertips tapped a specific rhythm on the glass. "Mio, investigate the origins of this doll."

Mio's voice came through the headset. "Transported from Rhine Lab three days ago, registered as 'discarded exhibit'." The faint sound of the snake tattoo rubbing together could be heard. "Should we investigate further?"

"Let's wait and see," Hoshiguma's green hair swept across Su Rui's glasses, "And see which other rats are still hiding."

They continued their tour, and Yin Chen quietly marked three similarly anomalous dolls. Su Rui's camouflage glasses reflected a mechanical glint. "[Should we take samples?]"

"Come again tonight." Hoshiguma's fingertips gently pressed against his hand. "For now, act like a normal tourist."

She bought a small gear brooch at the souvenir shop and pinned it to the collar of Su Rui's yukata. "A gift." Her green eyes softened in the light, "Though it's not as good as the real thing."

In the afternoon at the tea house, Hoshiguma ordered a matcha shaved ice. She gently pushed the glass bowl with her fingertips. "Try it, this place uses Kagoshima matcha."

Su Rui analyzed the ice crystal structure with his silver dust: [Sugar content exceeds the standard, but taste score is 88%.] He carefully scooped up a spoonful, the slight bitterness of matcha blending with the sweet aroma of condensed milk in his mouth, "Not bad."

Hoshiguma's green hair fluttered slightly. "I knew you'd like it." Her demon horn gently touched his spoon. "Next time, I'll take you to eat something even better."

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the street outside the window as a procession carrying festival banners passed by. Hoshiguma's Hannya watch vibrated slightly, detecting an unusual Originium fluctuation.

"Looks like the festival isn't over yet." Her green eyes narrowed slightly. "Want to go watch the fun?"

Su Rui's silver dust revealed a thermal image of the marching group: [Three carriers, abnormal Originium concentration.] The glowing dots marked a danger zone, "Advice advised to stay away."

"Then we absolutely have to go." Hoshiguma's green hair gleamed dangerously in the sunlight. "Let's see who's interrupting our date."

She naturally took Su Rui's hand, her fingertips tracing tactical instructions in his palm. Yin Chen subtly adjusted the camouflage parameters, minimizing their presence. In the bustling crowd, they were like two drops of water merging into a river.

The drumbeats of the parade grew louder, and Hoshiguma's Hannya watch silently unfolded into analysis mode. As the procession passed the teahouse, her green eyes suddenly sharpened. "Found it."

Su Rui's Silver Dust simultaneously locked onto the target: [Explosive device concealed at waist]. The points of light formed an emergency response plan. "Immediate subjugation is required."

"No rush." Hoshiguma gently pressed her fingertips against his wrist. "Cast a long line to catch a big fish."

Her green hair brushed against his ear, her breath warm. "You're going to be busy tonight."

As the sun set, the two strolled slowly along the riverbank. The goldfish Hoshiguma had bought swam in her bag, and Su Rui's gear brooch shimmered in the afterglow. Yin Chen quietly recorded the tracks of all suspicious targets and encrypted the data before transmitting it to Mio.

"Do you like days like this?" Hoshiguma's demon horn gently touched Su Rui's forehead. "It's a little troublesome, but it's still quite fun."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly in the evening breeze. "[I like it.]" His fingertips lightly touched Hoshiguma's hand. "Wherever you are, it's fun."

Hoshiguma's green eyes softened in the twilight, and the Hannya pocket watch hummed like someone returning home. In the distance, the mechanical doll exhibition hall lit up, as if waiting for the night's visitors.

The afternoon sun slanted across the bench at the street corner, warming the wooden slats. Hoshiguma's green hair gleamed metallically in the sunlight as her fingertips gently pushed a box of freshly made takoyaki (octopus balls), the wooden skewers arranged delicately in a radial pattern. "Try some," she said, her voice languidly warm, "The octopus they use is fresh daily."

Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent in the sunlight, with a few strands falling across his forehead. His fingertips lightly touched the wooden skewer, and Yin Chen quietly analyzed the food ingredients: [Octopus content 32%, perfect batter ratio, moderate sugar content in the sauce.] The takoyaki were steaming hot, and the bonito flakes trembled gently on the surface.

"You need to analyze something just because you're eating a snack." Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly, and his oni horns cast a long, thin shadow in the sunlight. "Can't you just say it's delicious?"

Su Rui's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she carefully bit off half of the dumpling. "[Delicious.]" Yin Chen drew a swirling octopus pattern in the air, "Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside."

Should we take care of page 949 in Volume 16?

A sudden argument erupted from across the street. Several thugs in floral shirts were surrounding an old woman selling wind chimes, their rude shouts shattering the afternoon tranquility. Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind, Hannya Shield emitted a faint hum under the bench.

"Should we do something about it?" Her fingertips lightly tapped the edge of the bench, her green eyes sweeping over Su Rui's profile.

Su Rui's silver dust subtly marked the thugs' physical attributes: [Combat Power Rating D, Originium Reaction.] He poked another ball with his fingertip. "Keep watching."

The old woman trembled as she packed up her stall, the wind chimes making a crisp clinking sound. Suddenly, the leader of the thugs kicked over the cargo box, shattering the glass wind chimes on the ground. Hoshiguma's fingers tightened abruptly, and the wooden skewer broke in two between her fingers.

"That's a bit much." Her green eyes flashed coldly, and her demon horns gleamed slightly.

Su Rui gently lifted the last dumpling with her silver dust and brought it to her lips. "[Calm down.]" The light dots formed a live feed of the old woman quietly dialing the police, "She's handling it."

Sure enough, the sound of sirens quickly grew louder. The thugs dispersed, cursing, while the old woman silently cleaned up the mess. Hoshiguma's green hair slowly fell down as she bit into the dumpling. "... The sauce is too sweet."

A new takoyaki vendor pushed his cart over, the aroma of caramelized butter filling the air. Hoshiguma bought two more servings, adding extra bonito flakes. "Just to make it up to you," she said, her green hair brushing against Su Rui's wrist. "That scene just now ruined my appetite."

Su Rui analyzed the composition of the fumes from the new stall: [Using rice bran oil, the smoke point is suitable.] He took the cardboard box from his fingertips, "Thank you."

They ate quietly, the three o'clock chime echoing from the distant clock tower. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on Su Rui's silver hair. Hoshiguma's fingertips suddenly brushed lightly across his hair. "You've got some sauce on it."

Yin Chen silently detected: [No contaminants.] But Su Rui did not move, letting her fingertips comb through her hair.

"You two seem quite relaxed." A flippant voice suddenly rang out. The thugs from before had returned, the leader, a blond-haired man, leaning back on the bench. "Want to borrow some money?"

Hoshiguma's green eyes suddenly turned cold, and the Hannya Shield vibrated low beneath the bench. Su Rui's Silver Dust displayed a warning: [Target is carrying a switchblade; adrenaline levels are rising.]

Huang Mao suddenly reached for Su Rui's cardboard box. "What good stuff are you eating? Let your brother have some too..." His words trailed off.

Hoshiguma's fingertips lightly pressed against the blond-haired man's wrist, a seemingly casual movement that instantly twisted the man's expression. "Get lost." Her voice was soft, and her demon horns gleamed dangerously in the sunlight.

The thugs retreated in terror, and the blond-haired guy staggered away, clutching his wrist. Hoshiguma's green hair slowly fell down as he shielded Su Rui behind him. "What a spoilsport."

Su Rui's silver dust marker indicated the escape route: [Facial features recorded, submitted to police database.] His fingertips lightly touched Hoshiguma's hand. "Continue eating?"

The sunlight warmed again, as if nothing had happened. Hoshiguma's green hair fluttered gently in the breeze as she held the last takoyaki to Su Rui's lips. "Next time, I'll take you to an even better place." Her green eyes reflected Suri's silver hair. "No thugs, just delicious food."

Su Rui gently bit into the dumpling, and Yin Chen drew a smiling pattern in the air: [The Promise.]

The afternoon sun gradually slanted westward, lengthening their shadows. Hoshiguma's green hair was edged with the gold of the setting sun as she got up and bought two more iced barley teas. Water droplets condensed on the cups dripped onto the wooden chair, spreading out as dark dots.

"Try this." She pushed a glass towards Su Rui. "It's an old shop's secret recipe, with added roasted rice and brown rice."

Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the cup's rim. Yin Chen analyzed the tea's components: [High in amino acids, with a significant effect in cutting through greasiness.] He carefully sipped, the aroma of roasted rice and the sweetness of brown rice filling his mouth. "Delicious."

Hoshiguma's green eyes curved slightly. "I knew you'd like it." Her demon horn lightly touched the rim of her glass. "Much better than those synthetic drinks."

The clear sound of wind chimes drifted from the street corner. The old woman set up her stall again, the broken glass now cleaned up. Several children gathered around the stall, choosing wind chimes, their laughter as melodious as silver bells. Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind, and the humming of the Hannya Shield gradually subsided.

"Shall we go buy one?" Her fingertips lightly tapped the back of Su Rui's hand. "It would look nice hanging in a teahouse."

Su Rui's silver dust scanned the wind chime's material: [Hand-blown glass, containing Originium crystal powder.] The light spots displayed sound wave resonance data, "Pure tone."

They approached the stall, and the old woman smiled and bowed, "Thank you for your help earlier." Her gaze swept over Hoshiguma's demon horns, "Would you two like to try the wind chimes?"

Hoshiguma's green hair lifted slightly. "How did you know?"

"Although I am old, my eyesight is still good." The old woman took out a deep blue wind chime with a silver crescent-shaped clasp. "This is suitable for the two of you."

Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the wind chime, while Yin Chen analyzed the distribution of the Originium powder: [Uniform, no radiation hazard.] The wind chime emitted an ethereal sound, like an echo from distant mountains.

"I'll take this one." Hoshiguma's green eyes reflected the swaying bell-shaped tongue. "Wrap it up."

The old woman carefully wrapped the wind chime in washi paper and tied it with a dark green ribbon. "Wishing you both peace and good fortune." Her gaze was meaningful, "The night wind will bring good luck."

When they returned to the bench, the setting sun had already painted the sky orange-red. Hoshiguma carefully untied the ribbon and hung the wind chimes on a branch beside the bench. A gentle evening breeze blew, and the chimes tinkled like shattered jade.

"It sounds much better than a police siren." Her green hair swayed gently to the sound of the bell. "I'll hang one in the teahouse too."

Su Rui's silver dust recorded the frequency of the bell sound: [Can be copied as a calming sound wave.] The light spots formed a sleep curve pattern, "Sleep-aiding effect."

Hoshiguma's demon horn gently touched his forehead. "Then play it for me every night." Her green eyes were filled with laughter, "So that someone won't always be staying up all night doing research."

As dusk deepened, the streetlights gradually came on. The takoyaki vendor began to pack up, leaving a faint aroma of soy sauce in the air. Hoshiguma stood up and stretched, her green hair shimmering like flowing jade under the lamplight.

"It's time to go back." Her fingertips naturally reached out to Su Rui. "Mio must be getting impatient."

Su Rui's silver hair shimmered in the twilight as he gently took her hand. "[I still want to eat taiyaki.]"

Hoshiguma's green eyes widened slightly, then she chuckled, "You glutton." Her fingertips traced his palm. "I'll take you to eat something even better tomorrow."

On the way back, Hoshiguma bought two taiyaki. The sweet aroma of red bean paste wafted in the night breeze. She carefully blew on it to cool it before holding it to Su Rui's lips. "Try it, this place uses Tokachi red beans."

Su Rui gently bit into the crispy outer layer, while Yin Chen analyzed the filling temperature: [58.7 degrees Celsius, suitable for eating]. He pushed another taiyaki towards Hoshiguma with his fingertips, "Exchange."

Volume 16, page 950: Symbolism outweighs reality

Hoshiguma's green hair fluttered in the night breeze as she took a bite of the taiyaki from his hand. "... It's too sweet." Her complaint was soft, yet she finished the entire taiyaki.