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

Yin Chen quietly recorded the coordinates of this moment, preserving the warmth of the street corner and the sound of the bell. In the deepening night, two figures walked home side by side, the lingering sound of the wind chimes still seeming to echo in their ears.

The warmth of the Hoshiguma still lingered on Hoshiguma's fingertips, her green hair intertwining with Su Rui's silver in the night breeze. The paper door of the teahouse slid open quietly, bringing in the warm scent of sandalwood. The Hannya Shield pulsed rhythmically in the corner, keeping the night out.

"Another pot of laurel wine, please." Hoshiguma's green eyes reflected the wind chimes under the eaves, and Oni-Horn gently nudged Su Rui's shoulder. "The old shopkeeper's secret stash, it's said to be able to preserve time."

Su Rui's silver eyelashes trembled slightly, and silver dust formed scattered cherry blossoms in the air: [23% alcohol, suitable for light sipping.] His fingertips lightly touched the ceramic cup, "I'll stay with you."

Hoshiguma's green hair fell down, brushing against the back of his hand as he poured the wine with fluid grace. The aroma of laurel wine wafted in the glass, carrying a subtle sweet scent of osmanthus. "Do you know why I chose laurel?" Her voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, "Because laurel never fades."

Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent under the light; a few strands fell into the glass, quickly dissolving into tiny specks of light. [The symbolism outweighed the practical meaning.] The silver dust subtly repaired the chipped rim of the glass, "But the taste is still rich and mellow."

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly as she downed her drink. Her fingertips lightly brushed against Su Rui's wrist, where fine particles rippled through the skin. "Yes, symbolism," she said, her demon horns gleaming faintly, "Like someone who's about to disappear, yet still sits here drinking with us."

The silver dust suddenly froze in mid-air, the resulting specks of light trembling slightly. Su Rui's eyelashes lowered: [You know.]

"I guessed it when you asked for taiyaki." Hoshiguma poured another glass, the liquid rippling in it. "Normally, I'd analyze the calories for ages if I asked you to eat an extra piece of candy." Her green hair brushed against his nose. "One last act of capriciousness?"

Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the rim of the cup, and the silver dust slowly reformed: [71 minutes remaining.] The dots of light formed countdown numbers, "I wanted to quietly..."

"What's with the silence?" Hoshiguma's green hair suddenly bristled, her demon horns pressing against his forehead. "Drink with me until the very last moment." Her thumb wiped away a non-existent wine stain from the corner of his lips. "That's an order."

The wind chimes under the eaves suddenly started moving without any wind, emitting a chaotic sound. The light of the silver dust dimmed slightly, and Su Rui's silver hair began to appear translucent. [Particle stability decreased.] His voice came through the vibrations, "Adjustment needed..."

"No adjustments allowed." Hoshiguma's green eyes were sharp as knives under the light. "Leave it as it is." Her fingertips gripped his wrist. "I want to remember the most authentic version of myself."

The aroma of the laurel wine grew stronger, and Hoshiguma opened another jar. Her pouring movements remained steady, but her green hair moved without any wind. "Tell me," her voice languid with the scent of alcohol, "Is there anything else you'd like to do?"

Su Rui gently lifted the wine glass with her silver dust. "[Look at you, all drunk.]" The light spots formed cunning ripples. "Never seen anything like it before."

Hoshiguma's green hair suddenly billowed, and her demon horns glowed with a dangerous red light. "... Good idea." She slapped open the clay seal on the third jar of sake. "Tonight, we'll make an exception."

The wine was poured into a large bowl, and the fragrance of laurel filled the entire tea room. Hoshiguma's green eyes reflected the shimmering moonlight in the bowl, and her fingertips intertwined with Su Rui's. "Let's drink until we're completely drunk."

As night deepened, Hoshiguma's green hair spread across the tatami mat, her demon horns gleaming with a warm light. Her fingertips still gripped the empty sake bowl, a single drop of laurel wine clinging to the bottom. "... Liar," her voice was hoarse with drunkenness, "We promised to get drunk together."

Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent, the silver dust glowing faintly like fireflies. [Originium constitution, different metabolic rate.] His fingertips lightly touched her flushed cheeks, "You're drunk."

Hoshiguma's green eyes slightly opened, and the Hannya Shield emitted a soft hum in the corner. "No, not at all," she said, her arms encircling his fading waist, "I could still drink ten more jars..."

Her voice suddenly paused, her fingertips brushing against the dissipating silver dust on his heart. "... Is the time up?"

Su Rui's silver eyelashes slowly drooped: [3 minutes and 17 seconds remaining.] Silver dust formed the final countdown, "Thank you for the laurel wine."

Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind, and she suddenly tilted her head back to drink the last of the wine in her bowl. "... Bitter." Her demon horn gently touched his translucent forehead. "Next time, I'll make sweet wine."

The light of the silver dust gradually faded, like a star going out. In the final moment, Hoshiguma's green eyes clearly reflected his last smile.

[Agreement.]

Moonlight streamed through the paper door, revealing only an empty wine jar and two ceramic cups on the tatami mat. The wind chimes under the eaves tinkled softly, as if bidding farewell to departing friends.

Morning light streamed through the cracks in the paper door, casting long, thin streaks of light on the tatami mat. Hoshiguma sat alone, her green hair spread out on the pillow, still in an embracing position. The Hannya Shield stood quietly in the corner, its surface shimmering with a faint light, as if still guarding the figure that had vanished.

Moe Moe Xiang carefully brought over the hangover tea and knelt by the door. "Hoshiguma... are you alright?" Her voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of disturbing something.

"Very well." Hoshiguma's green eyes swept across the empty tatami mat, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the remaining silver dust on it. "Someone left without saying goodbye, owing me a jar of good sake."

Hoshiguma gently broke the seal with her fingertips, and the light of silver dust flowed out, forming familiar characters in the air:

Her green hair suddenly stood on end, and her demonic horns glowed with a dangerous red light. "... Still picky about tastes?" Her thumb traced the fading words in the air. "Plum wine, is it? You'll drink it until you throw up when you get back."

Silver dust quietly formed a smiling face, then vanished into the morning light. The wind chimes under the eaves tinkled softly, as if responding to an unfinished promise.

The teahouse was unusually quiet in the afternoon. Hoshiguma sat alone on the veranda, polishing her Hannya Shield. Her green hair gleamed metallically in the sunlight, and her demon horns were meticulously polished to a shine. Moe Moe Xiang hid at a distance, not daring to approach, while Mio's snake tattoo slithered in the shadows.

"What did he say before he left?" Mio's voice suddenly rang out, her kunai tip holding a remnant of silver dust crystal.

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "Saying the laurel wine is too bitter." She tapped her shield lightly with her fingertips. "Such a picky fellow."

Mio handed over an unopened jar of plum wine. "The shopkeeper said it was brewed last year and has a just-right sweetness."

Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind. "Put it away." Her thumb traced the clay seal on the sake jar. "Open it when someone comes back."

Volume 17, Chapter 951: No medicine was added.

The afternoon at Laterano Monastery was tranquil and peaceful. Lemuen knelt beneath the stained glass window, offering her daily prayers. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on her pure white nun's habit. As she closed her eyes in deep contemplation, she suddenly sensed a strange ripple stirring deep within her consciousness—as if someone had gently knocked on the door of her heart.

"Please come in," she murmured to herself, maintaining a posture of prayer.

In the garden of consciousness, the figure of a silver-haired boy gradually became clear. Su Rui stood amidst blooming white roses, her silver eyelashes trembling slightly. "Excuse me for disturbing your prayers."

Lemuen's spiritual form manifested in the Garden of Consciousness, her nun's robes fluttering without wind. "Laterano forever welcomes lost souls. I am Lemuen, the guardian nun here."

"Su Rui." The boy's silver dust flowed through the space of consciousness, "My physical form is traversing a spacetime rift, and can only visit in this form."

Lemuen guided Su Rui's consciousness through the garden. The white roses here never faded, exuding a tranquil fragrance. "Try this," she conjured a cup of floral tea in her mind, "Made with the finest roses from the monastery."

Su Rui gently enveloped the teacup with his silver duster. "There's no poison." He carefully sipped it, "It smells very good."

"Of course," Lemuen's eyes curved into a gentle smile, "We nourish these flowers with prayers." She noticed the stardust clinging to the boy's silver hair. "Would you like to stay a little longer? The sunset in the Garden of Consciousness is beautiful."

Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the rose petals. "The spacetime coordinates are still being calibrated." Yin Chen recorded the flower's energy frequency, "It may need to pause for a moment."

"Then get some rest." Lemuen conjured a bench with her mind. "Three hundred years ago in Laterano, the roses bloomed even more profusely."

She recalled a treasured memory of cookies from the depths of her consciousness, "I baked them secretly, don't tell the bishop." The cookies were shaped like angel wings and smelled sweetly of butter.

Su Rui gently broke off a piece. "It tastes better than the energy supplement."

"Of course," Lemuen's laughter echoed in the consciousness space, "Though Andoain always says it's too sweet."

Silver dust shimmered slightly. "Sweets make people feel good."

As the monastery's evening bells rang in the real world, Lemuen's aura glowed softly in the realm of consciousness. "Would you like to stay for dinner? There's fresh mushroom soup today."

Su Rui's silver hair shimmered warmly in the sunset's glow. "Good." His silver duster gently brushed against the rose petals. "Time is peaceful here."

"Then enjoy it a little longer." Lemuen's nun's robes fluttered gently in the evening breeze. "The Garden of Consciousness is beautiful at night too."

They sat side by side on a bench, watching the sunset gradually sink behind the distant mountains. Silver dust shimmered faintly in the twilight, capturing this tranquil moment.

"I'll take you to try some freshly baked apple pie tomorrow," Lemuen said softly, "Using apples grown at the monastery."

Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the air. "Looking forward to it."

As night fell, Lemuen illuminated a warm glow in her consciousness space. She prepared a comfortable resting place for Su Rui: "Although it's just a manifestation of my thoughts, it's calming enough."

Su Rui's silver dust swirled in the halo. "Much more comfortable than the spacetime rift."

Lemuen's aura glowed softly. "Then rest well." She stepped back gently. "May the Lord bless your peaceful sleep."

In the tranquil night of Laterano, this encounter on a conscious level continued. Lemuen remained in a prayerful posture, sensing the presence of the silver-haired boy in the garden of consciousness, a warm smile playing on her lips.

Ten years have passed quietly amidst the chimes of Laterano. Lemuen's white robes are now embroidered with golden coats of arms, and the cardinal's halo rotates silently behind her wheelchair. Her fingertips lightly touch the halo on her forehead, and a familiar smile appears on her lips—in the Garden of Consciousness, the figure of that silver-haired boy remains unchanged.

"You've come," she murmured in her heart, the scroll in her hands exuding the fragrance of time.

Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent amidst the rose bushes of consciousness. "Congratulations on becoming a cardinal." His silver dust gently brushed against the armrest of her wheelchair. "Though I have never left."

Lemuen's spiritual form manifested in the Garden of Consciousness, where ten years had left no trace. "Yes," her aura glowed softly, "For these ten years, you have been my most faithful listener."

The cardinal's study was piled high with ancient scriptures, but in Lemuen's garden of consciousness, the ever-blooming white roses were forever in full bloom. Su Rui's silver dust gently organized the virtual bookshelves, systematically archiving her memories.

"The council is arguing about the Holy City's defense system again today," Lemuen chuckled in her mind. "They'd probably be terrified if they knew I was chatting with a time traveler."

Su Rui's silver dust formed a smiling expression, "Your secret is safe." The silver dust gently brushed against her shoulder, "Does your wound still hurt?"

"I'm used to it." Lemuen adjusted the wheelchair's position with her mind. "But how's your physical repair progressing?"

The silver dust shimmered slightly. "73%." The dots of light formed a complex mechanical diagram. "It will take more time."

As night fell, Lemuen was alone in her study working on official documents. Su Rui's Silver Dust brewed her a virtual cup of herbal tea in her consciousness space. "Take a rest."

"Cardinals don't have that much rest time," Lemuen, mentally taking the teacup. "Especially when certain people always come to visit late at night."

Silver dust gently brushed across her eyelids. "Then let me handle it for you." The light spot quickly scanned the document's contents, "The third one requires priority approval."

Lemuen's aura shone with a warm light. "You're more useful than my assistant."

"After all, I've watched it for ten years." Su Rui's silver dust formed a smug expression. "I can even imitate Andoain's signature."

On the day of the Holy City Festival, Lemuen had to attend the ceremony in a wheelchair. As ribbons and petals fell, she sighed softly in her Garden of Consciousness, "I wish I could dance the festival dance again."

Su Rui's silver dust suddenly shifted. "Let me help you."

Yin Chen conjured a magnificent scene in the space of consciousness—a young Lemuen was dancing gracefully, her white robes fluttering in the virtual moonlight. Every dance step was a precise replica of the image in her memory.

"How could you..." Lemuen's aura trembled slightly.

"I've seen ten years of your memories," Yin Chen gently lifted the virtual petal, "I remember every single detail."

One late autumn afternoon, Lemuen was taking a nap in her study. Su Rui's silver dust quietly covered her with a virtual blanket and began to sort through her scattered fragments of memory.

"Awake?" When Lemuen opened her eyes, Su Rui's silver dust was holding a cup of hot tea. "You slept for twenty minutes."

Volume 17, Chapter 952: The Passage of Time

A soft glow emanated from Lemuen's aura. "I dreamt of when I first met you." In her mind, she took the teacup. "Back then, I could still run in the rose garden."

Silver dust gently brushed against her wheelchair. "It's fine as it is now." The specks of light formed a white rose petal. "At least I can still have tea with you."

As the first snow fell, Lemuen was leading the winter prayers. Su Rui's Silver Dust adjusted the wheelchair's heating system in her consciousness space. "It's minus five degrees outside, be careful to keep warm."

"She's becoming more and more like my butler," Lemuen chuckled in her mind, the prayer book in her hand holding it steadily.

Silver Dust adopted a serious expression. "The Cardinal's health is very important." A speck of light gently brushed across her knee, "Especially when someone refuses to rest properly."

After the prayer, Lemuen received a gift in the Garden of Consciousness—a moving painting woven from ten years of memories by Su Rui's Silver Dust. In the painting, she is forever standing amidst a cluster of blooming white roses.

"Thank you." Lemuen's aura shimmered with light. "This is the best gift I've ever received."

Yin Chen gently circled her wheelchair. "There will be many more decades to come."

Outside the window, the snow in Laterano fell silently. Inside, the cardinal smiled with his eyes closed; the white roses in the garden of consciousness would never fade.

The first rays of Laterano sunlight streamed through the stained glass of the Cardinal's study, casting warm dappled light on Lemuen's wheelchair. Her fingertips gently brushed against the virtual screen that appeared before her—a system that Su Rui had quietly perfected over ten years, with Silver Dust's data streams weaving into intricate patterns on the screen.

"The Materialization Protocol is 98% complete." Su Rui's handwriting appeared on the screen, "The final confirmation step requires manual authorization."

Lemuen's aura softened, and she noticed a small note in the corner. "The materialization process may cause temporary clothing decomposition?" A slight smile played on her lips. "This child..."

She gently pressed the confirmation button with her fingertip.

A silvery light instantly filled the study, and the silver dust in the air surged violently. At the brightest point of the light, the figure of a silver-haired boy gradually materialized. Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the discomfort of being materialized made him subconsciously hug his arms—then he suddenly realized that he was standing naked in the center of the study.

"Lemuen!" His voice was unusually panicked, his silver hair quickly covering his private parts, "Didn't you read the instructions?"

Lemuen calmly took a prepared blanket from the storage cabinet next to her wheelchair. "I saw it." A warm smile spread across her face. "That's why we chose to do it at home."

She pushed the wheelchair forward and draped a soft wool blanket over the boy's shoulders. "Welcome to the real world, Su Rui."

Su Rui wrapped himself tighter in the blanket, the tips of his ears beneath his silver hair turning slightly red. "This is too... inappropriate." His silver dust rippled in protest in the air. "At least they should have told us beforehand."

"If I'd told you beforehand, I wouldn't have seen such an amusing reaction," Lemuen chuckled, pushing her wheelchair forward. "The bathroom's on the left, and there are clothes prepared in the closet."

As the boy hurriedly entered the bathroom wrapped in a blanket, Lemuen's aura flickered slightly. After ten years of communicating with his mind, she was already familiar with everything about him, but this was the first time she had seen him in person.

When Su Rui emerged from the bathroom in well-fitting white casual clothes, Lemuen was making tea. Her gaze swept over the boy's slightly unsteady steps. "Do the clothes fit?" she asked. "They were prepared according to your consciousness's data."

"It suits you well." Su Rui's silver dust gently brushed against the hem of her clothes. "But why white?"

"Perfect for you." Lemuen pushed the teacup towards him. "Try some tea from the real world."

Su Rui carefully picked up the teacup, feeling the real temperature on her fingertips. "It tastes the same as in the consciousness space."

"Because we used the same roses." Lemuen's aura softened. "Can you do me a favor now? My wheelchair is stuck."

Su Rui immediately stood up, and Yin Chen gently lifted the wheelchair. "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

"It's nothing," Lemuen chuckled. "I just wanted to see if the real you would be this nervous."

The afternoon sun streamed into the study, where Su Rui's Silver Dust was organizing the materialized data. Lemuen suddenly asked softly, "Could you take me to the garden? I want you to see real roses."

In the garden, Su Rui carefully pushed the wheelchair, silver dust gently brushing against the blooming white roses. "As beautiful as I remember," his fingertips lightly touched the petals, "But more real."

Lemuen plucked a rose and pinned it to his chest. "Welcome to the real world." Her aura shone warmly in the sunlight, "Though ten years late."

Su Rui's silver dust gently circled the wheelchair. "It's worth the wait."

As the sun set, Su Rui's silver hair became almost transparent in the afterglow. Lemuen said softly, "It's time to go back; there's a cardinal meeting tonight."

"I'll stay with you." Su Rui gently pushed the wheelchair, "As your new assistant."

Lemuen's aura flickered slightly. "Finally, we don't have to just chat in the consciousness space anymore."