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

He was just... a little too presumptuous.

But this realization won't change anything. He's still Su Rui, arrogant, self-centered, powerful, and adept at manipulating the Su Rui. He won't become cynical about it, nor will he want to change any deeply ingrained status quo. That's too much trouble, and in his view, pointless.

He was more concerned with the warmth of the embrace at that moment, and with more practical matters like whether he would be able to have a delicious breakfast tomorrow.

"Let's go, let's go back." He stood up from her embrace, his movements returning to their usual brisk and slightly arrogant manner, as if the brief moment of contemplation and dependence had never happened. "It's windy here, and..." He wrinkled his nose in disgust, "It smells like crushed Originium Slug are wafting up."

Lemuen smiled and stood up, naturally taking his arm as he suggested. "Okay, let's go back. I'm thinking of having a late-night snack, do you want some too?"

"Let's see what you want to eat first," Su Rui said, feigning reluctance, and pulled her towards the passageway.

Leaving behind the night view of that "Holy City" where light and shadow coexist, their footsteps gradually blended into the eternal roar of the Mobile City.

As night deepened, the lights of the Mobile City gradually blurred behind them, transforming into a hazy halo. Su Rui and Lemuen walked side by side down the corridor back to their residential area, the metal floorboards echoing rhythmically beneath their feet. The conversation they had just had above them hung over Su Rui like a thin veil, making him more silent than usual.

Volume 17, 975: A Clumsy Method

His mind was still unconsciously swirling with the image of the Gardener Barton and the Sarkaz he represented. Leading them towards Iberia, towards the unknown journey of Andoain, the idealist—it was indeed a path, a path that might bring change. But...

"That's a really clumsy method," Su Rui suddenly muttered, as if talking to herself, or perhaps complaining to Lemuen beside her, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible annoyance. "It's like seeing trash in the house, not thinking about cleaning it up, but simply opening the window and throwing it all out—out of sight, out of mind."

Removing the problem itself (the marginalized hybrids and Sarkaz) instead of addressing its root cause (the deep-seated divide and discrimination between Sankta and Sarkaz) is indeed treating the symptoms, not the root cause, and could even be considered a form of escapism. This felt somewhat... unsettling to Su Rui, who sought efficient and perfect solutions (at least in his area of expertise). Although he would never admit to having even a tiny bit of the grand ambition to "solve the fundamental problem."

Lemuen turned to look at him. The light from the overhead lamp cast dappled shadows on his delicate profile, and his slightly furrowed brows showed that he was indeed still struggling with the problem. She knew him; this struggle didn't stem from any profound pity, but rather from an almost obsessive-compulsive, instinctive aversion to "imperfect solutions," and a touch of self-criticism that came with his arrogant personality when he examined his own actions afterward.

She didn't want her Su Rui to remain immersed in this slightly critical and negative mood. It didn't fit his image as a willful and dazzling pretty boy, nor did it match the relaxed atmosphere she hoped for tonight.

So, she gently pulled him closer to her, interrupting his thoughts. "Alright, great philosopher Mr. Su Rui, that concludes our academic discussion on social contradictions and population migration." Her voice was light, carrying an undeniable air of changing the subject. "Now we have more important things to do."

Su Rui was interrupted and glanced at her with some displeasure, "What is it now?"

Lemuen stopped and pointed to a small dessert shop next to the passageway that had just closed and was being packed up. A few cute cakes and cream puffs remained in the window, shining warmly on them and looking especially tempting—at least to Lemuen.

"Dessert!" she announced, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I'm hungry, and I've used up a lot of energy today, so I need to replenish my sugar!" She winked knowingly, hinting at the earlier intimacy at the top and the subsequent "shooting contest."

Su Rui's face immediately showed obvious resistance, even a hint of disgust. "Eating that cloyingly sweet stuff again?" He had never understood, and even secretly despised, the almost fanatical sweetness of Laterano's mainstream desserts. He was Sankta, that's true, but his palate seemed to prefer savory or milder flavors, and he was averse to overly sweet treats. "No. You go eat it yourself."

"No," Lemuen grabbed his arm and began to use her unique, soft yet firm, coquettish tactics. "Eating alone is no fun. Come with me, just a little bit? Maybe there will be some new dishes that aren't so sweet?" She knew he couldn't stand it.

"It's impossible for a new product not to be sweet." Su Rui scoffed, trying to pull her hand away, but her grip was weak. "The pastry chefs here practically dump sugar jars in. You go ahead, I'm going back to rest."

"Su Rui— " Lemuen drawled, practically clinging to his arm, "Just stay with me for a little while, I promise I'll be quick! And," she suddenly leaned closer, lowering her voice, her breath brushing against his sensitive earlobe, "...you could just have a sip, and I'll take care of the rest? Or...you could get something else? Like a cup of black coffee? Hmm?"

Her closeness and soft words effectively distracted Su Rui. He frowned, feeling the soft touch on his arm and the warm breath near his ear, his initial thoughts about "treating the symptoms but not the root cause" were thrown into disarray. He glared at her, trying to express his dissatisfaction and insistence with his eyes.

But Lemuen simply smiled back at him, her lake-blue eyes conveying the certainty that "you will definitely say yes."

The standoff lasted for about ten seconds.

"...Tsk." Su Rui finally gave in, turning her face away impatiently. "So troublesome. Ten minutes, not a second more. Also, I want the bitterest black coffee, don't give me that syrupy stuff."

"Deal!" Lemuen immediately beamed, pulling him along as if they had won some great victory, and headed towards the dessert shop.

The shop owner, an elderly Aunt Sankta, was preparing to close when she saw Lemuen's enthusiastic smile and Su Rui's obviously reluctant yet still stunningly handsome appearance. She couldn't help but laugh, "Oh dear, is that Lemuen and... your little friend? Come on in, there are a few good ones left."

"Auntie, we'll have this strawberry tart and this chocolate lava cake!" Lemuen quickly ordered, then pointed to Su Rui, "And give him a black coffee, the more bitter the better, thank you, Auntie!"

The shop owner gave Su Rui a meaningful look, then nodded with a smile, "Okay, it'll be ready soon."

Su Rui's face darkened further at being called "little kid," but out of politeness (or rather, his extremely limited politeness that only surfaced in certain situations), he didn't lash out. He simply stood to the side with his arms crossed, scrutinizing the small but tidy shop, as if trying to find some flaw to distract himself.

Soon, the dessert and coffee were served. Lemuen sat contentedly at the small table, picked up a small spoon, and carefully scooped out a tart corner covered with glistening strawberry jam and cream, her eyes crinkling with happiness.

Su Rui stared at the cup of coffee in front of him, as black as ink and exuding a strong, bitter aroma, his expression softening slightly. He picked up the cup and cautiously took a sip—it was indeed bitter enough, just what he wanted. This slightly improved his mood, which had been forcibly dragged into the situation.

Lemuen ate her dessert, glancing occasionally at Su Rui across from her, who was frowning as he drank his coffee, finding the scene utterly amusing. She deliberately scooped up a spoonful of what looked like an incredibly sweet chocolate cake and held it to his lips. "Want to try some? Just one bite? It's really delicious!"

Su Rui recoiled as if she'd seen something terrifying, jerking her head back with disgust. "Get away! Are you trying to kill me?"

Volume 17, Chapter 976 is so sweet!

"It's really delicious!" Lemuen persisted, pushing the spoon forward even further.

"I won't eat it!" Su Rui firmly refused, even trying to block it with her hand.

Just a tiny bite~

"No way!"

A mini-battle over desserts unfolded on the table, completely dispelling the heavy thoughts in Su Rui's mind about race, conflict, and superficial solutions. His entire attention was occupied by the smiling girl in front of him, who was trying to stuff the sweet treat into his mouth. Those minor feelings of regret arising from the imperfections of reality had long been cast to the winds.

In the end, Su Rui resolutely defended her taste buds, Lemuen also finished both desserts to her heart's content.

As she left the shop, Su Rui was still holding the half-finished cup of black coffee, her expression somewhere between "finally relieved" and "still so troublesome."

Lemuen took his hand and hummed a tuneless melody in high spirits.

"Don't drag me to places like this again," Su Rui warned, her words lacking any real threat.

"Okay, okay," Lemuen replied perfunctorily, secretly wondering which store's new products might be the next one to test his acceptance level.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the lingering bitterness of coffee and the faint sweet scent of Lemuen. Su Rui glanced down at the satisfied profile of the girl beside him, then at the bitter drink in his hand, and suddenly thought, what does it matter if this is just a temporary fix? At least for now, the troublemaker beside him is happy.

And his attention was indeed successfully and completely diverted. As for what would happen in Iberia, and what the future held for those Sarkaz hybrids... those were problems Andoain should worry about.

He took a sip of black coffee, feeling the pure bitterness spread across his tongue, and suddenly thought, "This isn't so bad."

The passageway at night wasn't as brightly lit as the main road; only the intermittent wall lamps cast a dim, yellowish glow, lengthening and shortening their shadows on the metal floor. Lemuen was still holding Su Rui's arm, gently swaying their clasped hands in a cheerful mood. Su Rui, meanwhile, held his almost empty cup of black coffee; the slight disdain for being forced to taste the sweetness hadn't completely faded from his face, but his overall demeanor had relaxed.

Just as they were about to turn a corner into the quiet corridor leading to the residential area, Lemuen suddenly let out a soft "Eh," and paused slightly.

"What's wrong?" Su Rui asked lazily, not paying much attention.

Lemuen didn't answer immediately, but instead tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharply fixed on the deeper shadows behind the corner. Her gaze wasn't focused on the shadows themselves, but rather on the edge of the shadows, at a certain height close to the wall.

There, there was a faint halo of light, yet it could not be completely obscured by the dim environment.

A Sankta aura.

The owner of the halo was clearly trying to completely conceal herself in the shadows, but she overlooked the most obvious characteristic of her race. The faint light emitted by the halo outlined a blurry circular shape at the boundary between light and shadow, revealing her presence.

Su Rui glanced at her, a knowing yet bored expression flashing across his face. "Oh, that one," he said casually, as if he'd noticed it all along. "Followed me for a short while." With his keen senses, he naturally wouldn't miss the clumsy tailing and the aura of charisma trying to hide behind him. But he couldn't be bothered, assuming it was probably just some bored admirer or curious fellow who would soon get bored and leave.

Lemuen, however, thought differently. She gently squeezed Su Rui's arm, signaling him to stop, and then spoke to the shadows in a gentle yet wary voice, "Friends over there, since you're here, why not come out and greet them? Being alone in the shadows at night can easily lead to misunderstandings."

There was a few seconds of silence in the shadows, as if they hadn't expected to be discovered and exposed so directly. Then, a soft, embarrassed gasp was heard.

A figure emerged hesitantly from the shadows.

She was a young Sankta woman, dressed in simple, practical clothing, her face showing obvious embarrassment and a hint of panic at being caught. Her aura flickered slightly due to her emotional fluctuations. She appeared to be around the same age as Lemuen, perhaps slightly older, with a quiet, even somewhat scholarly demeanor, and didn't seem to harbor any ill intentions.

"Uh... good evening, Miss Lemuen, and... Mr. Su Rui." She greeted them somewhat haltingly, her fingers unconsciously twisting together. "I'm so sorry, I... I didn't mean to follow you..." Her gaze quickly swept across Su Rui's handsome, expressionless face before darting away, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Su Rui just looked at her coldly without saying a word, her eyes clearly expressing her impatience. "Get to the point if you have something to say, otherwise get lost."

Lemuen maintained a friendly attitude, smiling and saying, "It's alright. May I ask who you are...? What can I do for you?" She noticed that the other party addressed them by name directly, clearly indicating that they had come prepared.

"I...I'm called Kong Gou." The girl took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm her voice. "I work at the library. I...I've heard some things about Mr. Su Rui, and I'm a little...curious." Her voice trailed off, almost to herself, "I just want to...learn a little...about it..."

Her gaze quickly swept towards Su Rui again, carrying a light that was a mixture of inquiry, shyness, and an undisguised curiosity.

Su Rui frowned immediately. Another one of those lame excuses. He hated being stared at and scrutinized like some rare animal. "Understand?" He scoffed, his voice dripping with undisguised sarcasm. "Is working at the library so easy? So you have time to come here late at night and stalk people to satisfy your curiosity?"

Kong Gou blushed even more from his blunt and merciless words, her head drooping even lower, almost shrinking back. "I'm sorry! I really didn't mean any harm! I just... I just..." She stammered "just" for a long time without getting to the bottom of it, clearly realizing that her behavior was also very inappropriate.

Seeing this, Lemuen gently nudged Su Rui with her elbow, signaling him to stop being so harsh. She looked at Kong Gou, her tone still gentle. "Miss Kong Gou, right? What do you want to know about Su Rui? Perhaps you could ask directly, instead of following me around like this." She gave him a way out.

Kong Gou looked up, glancing gratefully at Lemuen, then cautiously at the displeased-looking Su Rui, and whispered, "I... I heard Mr. Su Rui is very skilled, an excellent marksman, and... and it seems he knows Mr. Andoain... I... I'm very interested in some of Mr. Andoain's ideas, so..." Her expression was somewhat incoherent, but the meaning was roughly clear. She was probably interested in the equally remarkable Su Rui, who had connections with Andoain Andoain.

Volume 17, Chapter 977, Anne.

Upon hearing Andoain's name, Su Rui's eyes flickered slightly, but his impatience did not diminish. "Andoain is Andoain, and I am me. If you want to know about him, go find him in person, or look at the things he left behind. Don't bother me." His refusal was crisp and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

Kong Gou seemed a little anxious, and subconsciously took half a step forward. "But Mr. Andoain has already left! I... I just wanted to see things from a different angle..."

"I'm not interested in offering you any 'perspectives'," Su Rui interrupted her, finishing the last bit of his coffee and tossing the empty paper cup precisely into the nearby recycling bin. "Your curiosity is none of my business. Now, we're going back. Don't follow us."

His tone carried an ultimatum-like tone. After speaking, he took Lemuen's hand and walked straight past Kong Gou without looking at her again.

Kong Gou frozen in place, watching the two figures leave. He opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent, though the disappointment and embarrassment on his face were clearly visible.

After walking a distance and confirming that the Sankta named Kong Gou hadn't followed again, Lemuen sighed softly, "You're really too rude to girls." Although she understood that Su Rui didn't like being disturbed, the other party didn't seem to have any bad intentions; it was just that his approach was inappropriate.

"Otherwise what?" Su Rui snorted. "Do you expect me to stop and have a long talk with her about life ideals? That would be a waste of my time." He has always lacked the most basic patience and politeness towards people he doesn't care about.

"But she mentioned Andoain," Lemuen reminded her. "It seems that even after Andoain left, quite a few people are still pondering the problems he left behind." Just like that Gardener, Barton.

"Thinking?" Su Rui scoffed. "Most of it is just another form of curiosity and boredom. People who truly have ideas either do it themselves like Andoain, or they find ways to survive like those mixed-race people, instead of sneaking around at night to stalk others." His assessment remained sharp and sarcastic.

Lemuen smiled helplessly, knowing it would be difficult to persuade him on this point. Su Rui's worldview was simple and straightforward: he cared about very few people; everyone else was just an insignificant background figure, not worth expending any effort on.

"Okay, you're right." She stopped arguing and steered the conversation back on track. "But thankfully, she was just curious, nothing more."

"Otherwise, she would be lying on the ground by now." Su Rui replied with perfect ease, as if stating something perfectly natural.

Lemuen was speechless, and could only shake her head, tightening her grip on his arm.

At the end of the passage, the entrance to the residential area was already visible. The little incident earlier was like a pebble thrown into water; although it created a ripple, it quickly sank to the bottom and disappeared, leaving no trace in Su Rui's mind. His attention had completely shifted to the upcoming rest and whether he should find something more exciting to do tomorrow, such as going to the training ground to vent his energy.

As for the librarian Kong Gou, who awkwardly appeared because her halo was exposed, and her unfulfilled curiosity, he had long forgotten about her and she was not worth mentioning.

The door to the living area closed gently behind them, briefly isolating them from the constant low rumble of the Mobile City and all the outside noise. It was a temporary dwelling, not too large but quite comfortable, with soft ambient lighting automatically turning on as they entered, casting a warm glow.

The slight ripples caused by the insignificant incident in the passage earlier vanished quickly upon entering this space that belonged only to them. A faint scent of cleaning agent and leather seemed to linger in the air, mixed with the subtle sweet fragrance emanating from Lemuen's hair.

Su Rui slammed the door lock shut with a crisp click. He casually tossed the empty coffee cup precisely into the corner's recycling bin, his movements displaying his characteristic nonchalant efficiency. After doing this, he turned around, leaning against the cold door, his gaze fixed on Lemuen.

His gaze shed all the impatience, arrogance, and aloofness he displayed in public, becoming direct and focused, like a sharp blade stripped of all pretense, gleaming with a deep and burning light. He simply looked at her, without speaking, but a silent, powerful gravitational field had already rapidly formed between them.

Lemuen didn't speak either. She stood in the center of the room, tilting her head slightly to look back at him, her lake-blue eyes filled with a gentle smile and a knowing, silent invitation. She raised her hand and gently untied the ribbon binding her hair, letting her smooth hair cascade down like flowing honey, brushing against her shoulders and neck.

This subtle movement seemed to be a silent signal.

Su Rui moved.

Like a cheetah locking onto its target, he swiftly and silently approached, instantly closing the already brief distance between them. His cool fingers, with an undeniable force, gripped her chin, forcing her to lift her head slightly to receive his sudden kiss, tinged with the bitter aftertaste of coffee.

This kiss was different from the previous touches up high, which carried a gentle breeze and a sense of probing. It was deeper, more urgent, with an almost predatory aggressiveness, as if to confirm something, or rather, to erase all unpleasant traces from the outside world, leaving only proof of each other's existence. His other hand tightly gripped her waist, holding her firmly in his arms, their bodies pressed together so tightly that they could almost feel each other's suddenly quickened heartbeats.

Lemuen let out a soft, indistinct moan, not a sign of resistance, but of complete acceptance. She clung to his shoulders, her fingertips unconsciously gripping the crisp fabric of his uniform, responding awkwardly yet passionately to the possessive kiss. The air seemed to grow hotter, an indescribable tension filling the silent room, broken only by the soft patter of water and increasingly heavy breathing.

Without realizing it, the two of them had stumbled to the bedside. With a slight pull, Su Rui slid her down into the soft bedding. He looked down at her, his silver hair falling messily over his forehead. His eyes, which always held arrogance and impatience, were now as deep as night, burning with a scorching flame, reflecting only her slightly flushed cheeks and hazy eyes.

He lowered his head and kissed her again, this time the kiss was long and delicate, like savoring some rare delicacy. The fine kisses followed her beautiful jawline down, lingering on her slender and delicate neck, leaving moist and hot marks there, like a silent vow.

Volume 17, Chapter 978: Quiet Moments

The rustling of fabrics became soft and ambiguous. The cold metal fasteners were deftly undone, and the slightly rough uniform fabric was impatiently pulled off, sliding casually onto the carpet with a soft thud. Then came softer fabrics, peeling away layer by layer like petals, revealing the warm and delicate skin beneath, shimmering with a pearly luster in the soft light.

The Mobile City the window are distant and blurry, like a galaxy seen through frosted glass. Inside, the air becomes thick and sweet, as if filled with invisible, sweet honey, gently enveloping and drowning one. Breathing becomes broken and rapid, interwoven with barely suppressed sobs and low murmurs overflowing from the depths of the throat.

Su Rui's fingertips traced her smooth back, sending a slight shiver through her, like ripples spreading across a lake. His movements were sometimes rapid, like a sudden storm, and sometimes slow, like a sweet torture, patiently exploring every inch of unfamiliar territory, listening to and controlling all her reactions.

Lemuen's fingers dug deep into his silver hair, then slipped limply, leaving faint red marks on his beautifully sculpted back. She was like a small boat tossed about on a turbulent sea of passion, clinging tightly to him as her only lifeline, rising and falling with his rhythm. Her consciousness blurred; all external sounds and thoughts faded away, leaving only their burning body heat, their rapid heartbeats, and their scorching breaths that seemed to ignite their very souls.

At one moment, he buried himself deep inside her, and the two of them almost simultaneously let out a suppressed sob, like a sigh. The world seemed to stand still at that moment, leaving only extreme tension and the engulfing, overwhelming waves that followed.

Like a taut bowstring suddenly released, or like a surging wave finally crashing onto the shore, shattering into countless glistening bubbles.

The intense rhythm gradually subsided, transforming into delicate ripples and gentle aftershocks. The burning breaths calmed down, and the rapid heartbeat slowly returned to a normal rhythm.

Su Rui remained on top of her, burying his face deep in the crook of her neck, greedily inhaling the reassuring, sweet scent mingled with desire emanating from her. Lemuen's arms were softly wrapped around his neck, her body as limp as melting spring water, even her fingertips flushed a lazy pink.

They didn't speak, nor did they need to. A profound intimacy and satisfaction enveloped their weary yet content bodies like a warm tide.

After a long while, Su Rui sat up slightly, pulled the soft, thin blanket over their intertwined bodies, and placed a gentle kiss on her sweaty forehead, a kiss completely different from before. Then he rolled over and lay down beside her, pulling her back into his arms and letting her lean against his chest, embracing her from behind with a completely possessive posture.

Lemuen settled into a comfortable position in his arms, letting out a cat-like, contented sigh, her eyelids drooping heavily.

The rhythmic roar of the Mobile City now sounds like the most soothing lullaby. The physical exhaustion and immense emotional satisfaction are like the most effective tranquilizer.

Su Rui's chin rested on the top of her head, her breath filled with her scent. All those chaotic thoughts—about the Sarkaz, about mixed race, about the Holy City's hypocritical tolerance, about superficial solutions—were now dispelled and replaced by the real touch of the warm, soft body in her arms.

His arms encircled her waist, feeling her steady breathing gradually become longer and more even.

Soon, their breaths mingled, and they both sank into a peaceful and deep sleep. Outside the window, the steel city continued to slowly move across the endless wilderness toward the unknown future, while inside, there was only tranquility and warmth, like a calm harbor after a storm.

The morning light streamed through the window, casting pale golden, hazy geometric patterns of light into the room. The deep rumble of the Mobile City seemed to have taken on a refreshing morning rhythm, no longer as somber as at night.

Su Rui's consciousness awoke before his body. The first thing he felt was the soft warmth of her embrace, and the comforting, faint sweet scent of Lemuen lingered around his nose. It was subtly different from the richer, more alluring scent he remembered from the previous night, yet it still made him feel comfortable. He closed his eyes, lazily not wanting to move, enjoying the tranquility and contentment of waking up.