Ark Simulator, Am I Not Without a Physical Body?

After a long while, until the coffee in his cup was empty and the heat on his face gradually subsided, Su Rui breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. He secretly glanced at Mostima out of the corner of his eye and found her gazing intently at the starry sky, her profile serene in the moonlight.

"It doesn't seem so unbearable after all?" A strange thought popped into Su Rui's mind. As long as she didn't play any dangerous pranks and just stayed quietly by her side... it didn't seem entirely unacceptable?

This realization surprised even himself.

Just then, the discussion in the living room seemed to come to an end. Lemuen pushed her wheelchair to the balcony door, smiling as she looked at them, "What were you talking about? It's so quiet."

"Looking at the stars~" Mostima immediately chimed in with a grin, "And while I was at it, I fed a certain picky young master a little~"

Su Rui glared at her (though it wasn't very effective), but didn't argue back.

Volume 17, Chapter 1086: Mostima Doesn't Need to Take Off Today

Lemuen noticed that although Su Rui still had no expression, his aura was much gentler than usual. She then glanced at Mostima, who was grinning like a cat that had just stolen cream, and understood. She pushed her wheelchair over to Su Rui's side, naturally took his free hand, and softly asked, "Is the coffee good?"

Su Rui hummed in agreement and gripped her hand tightly in return. The slight coolness of Lemuen's fingertips calmed the last trace of agitation in his heart.

Fiammetta followed her out, stretching. "Ah~ finally done! I'm exhausted!"

The four stood on the balcony, enjoying the night breeze and gazing at the starry sky. No one spoke, but a strange, warm, and harmonious atmosphere quietly spread. Su Rui was being led by Lemuen, with the chattering Mostima on his left and the yawning Fiammetta on his right. He was still the most silent one, but the feeling of being excluded and lonely seemed to have faded considerably.

He looked down at Lemuen holding his hand, then looked up at the starry sky. Perhaps... such occasional "liveliness" wasn't so bad? As long as they didn't cross the line, as long as Lemuen was by his side. He tightened his grip on Lemuen's hand slightly, thinking to himself. And the spot on his face where Mostima had brushed against him... didn't seem so important anymore.

Night deepened. The conversation on the balcony gradually subsided, and the sea breeze grew cooler. Fiammetta yawned widely, rubbed her eyes, and was the first to excuse herself and go back to her room to rest. Mostima also stretched, winked at Su Rui and Lemuen, and left with a "I won't disturb your time together~", before cheerfully and lightly slipping back to her room.

On the balcony, only Su Rui and Lemuen remained. The starry sky was still dazzling, and the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore was like an eternal background sound. Su Rui pushed Lemuen's wheelchair back to the living room. He carried Lemuen to the soft sofa, covered her with a light blanket, and then sat down beside her.

Only a warm yellow floor lamp was on in the living room, casting long, intertwined shadows of the two people on the wall. A tranquil and peaceful atmosphere filled the air.

Lemuen leaned back on the sofa cushions, her lake-blue eyes showing a hint of weariness, but mostly contentment and peace. She looked at the silent Su Rui beside her; he was slightly bowing his head, his silver hair falling down, obscuring part of his profile and making his expression unreadable. He seemed... to be thinking about something?

"Su Rui?" Lemuen called softly. "What's wrong? Are you tired?" She reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of his hand, which was resting on his knee.

Su Rui's body shifted almost imperceptibly, as if startled from deep thought. He looked up, his dark eyes appearing softer than usual in the warm yellow light, yet a complex, almost imperceptible emotion lurked within. He grasped Lemuen's hand in return and shook his head. "... Not tired."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Lemuen's legs, which were covered by a thin blanket. His eyes flickered, as if he had made up his mind. He was silent for a few seconds, then spoke in an extremely calm tone, as if stating a given fact. "We... can stay here for a few more days."

Lemuen paused, somewhat surprised. Hadn't Su Rui always been uninterested in vacations, even finding them a bit of a hassle? Why was she suddenly suggesting staying a few more days? A hint of doubt flashed in her lake-blue eyes, but more so, delight. "Really? You're willing to stay a few more days? That's wonderful! I was worried you'd get bored." She assumed Su Rui had taken a liking to the tranquil atmosphere of Siesta.

Su Rui didn't explain why, he just gave a faint "hmm", his gaze still fixed on her legs, his eyes focused and deep. Beneath his seemingly calm exterior, a silent storm was raging inside him.

Just now, while gazing at the starry sky from the balcony, he subconsciously reviewed his upcoming schedule and available free time in his mind. As a highly authorized executor, his time wasn't entirely free, but he did have a relatively relaxed vacation that he could arrange himself recently. He had originally planned to leave as scheduled, but a strong, sudden thought, like a seed breaking through the soil, frantically occupied his mind—

He wanted to heal Lemuen's leg.

This thought didn't come about on a whim. It had been buried deep in his heart for a very long time, like a hidden thorn. Every time he saw Lemuen needing a wheelchair, and saw the occasional glint of longing for running and standing in her eyes, this thorn would gently prick him. He possessed power and resources unimaginable to ordinary people, yet he had never been able to find a way to completely heal her. Lemuen's leg injury was unusual; it wasn't a simple bone or nerve damage. It seemed to involve something deeper, some remnant of Originium Arts or a curse, something that even Laterano's top medical team couldn't cure.

But... just now, when he held Lemuen's hand, felt the warmth of her fingertips, and looked at her gentle smile, an unprecedented, intense impulse and... a vague, deep-seated intuition told him—he could do it.

No complicated instruments or cumbersome procedures were needed. All that was required was... his touch and his will. An ability he had never tried, or even was unsure if, lay dormant deep within his soul, now stirring restlessly, ready to burst forth. The feeling was wondrous, adventurous, even somewhat absurd, yet he inexplicably... believed in it.

He didn't want to tell Lemuen his plans. He didn't want to give her false hope, and what if... he failed? He couldn't bear to see the disappointment in her eyes. He just wanted to try quietly and discreetly. If he succeeded, it would be the biggest surprise for her. If he failed... then he would pretend nothing had happened.

"There's still enough time," Su Rui added, his tone still calm, as if he were simply stating an objective fact. He released his grip on Lemuen's hand, his fingertips curling almost imperceptibly, as if gathering some kind of strength, or rather... courage.

Lemuen, unsuspecting, beamed with joy. "Hmm! That's great! We can visit more places. I've heard the sunrise in Siesta is beautiful too, we can get up early to see it..." She began enthusiastically planning their next itinerary.

Su Rui listened quietly, his gaze never leaving her legs. He took a deep breath, as if making his final decision. He reached out and, with an extremely natural movement, pulled the thin blanket that had slipped down to Lemuen's waist back up, covering her again. Then, seemingly unintentionally and extremely gently, his palm landed under the blanket at Lemuen's knees.

His palms were warm, even... unusually hot.

Volume 17, Chapter 1087: Shifting Attention

Lemuen was getting into her story when she felt the warmth of Su Rui's hand and the gentle pressure. She paused slightly, looked down, and asked, "What's wrong? Is the blanket not on properly?" She assumed Su Rui was simply helping her tidy up the blanket.

"...Hmm." Su Rui's voice was low, with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness. His palm did not immediately move away, but remained gently covering his face. He lowered his eyelids slightly, his thick silver eyelashes concealing the complex and focused emotions surging within his eyes. He began to concentrate, gathering all his thoughts, all his expectations, and all his hidden strength into his palm.

A faint yet exceptionally warm energy, like a stream thawing in early spring, slowly seeped from his palms, gently and carefully flowing through the thin blanket and clothing into Lemuen's legs.

The feeling was wonderful; it wasn't pain, nor was it intense stimulation, but rather a deep, gentle, soothing sensation. It was as if cold, long-dormant soil had suddenly been bathed in warm sunlight and nourished by sweet spring water. Lemuen didn't even immediately notice anything unusual; she only felt a comforting warmth emanating from the area covered by Su Rui's hand, dispelling the night's chill and causing her leg muscles, which had been stiff from sitting for so long, to relax involuntarily.

"Su Rui, your hands are so warm," Lemuen said with a smile, her tone languid and content. "It feels so comfortable to hold them like this."

Su Rui didn't answer. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, his breathing became shallow and long, and all his attention was focused on that small area in his palm. He could "see" (or rather, sense) a faint golden light, carrying the aura of creation and repair, hidden deep within his power, carefully combing, repairing, and activating the damaged, dormant, and tangled energy channels and physiological tissues in Lemuen's legs, guided by his will, like the most skillful weaver. This process was extremely delicate, requiring unimaginable control and consuming a tremendous amount of his mental strength.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment. The living room was so quiet that only the two of them could hear their soft breathing and the eternal sound of the waves outside the window. The warm yellow light shone on them, and Su Rui's focused and tense profile, and Lemuen's relaxed and contented face, created a tranquil and strange scene.

A few minutes later, the warm, pervasive sensation gradually subsided. The unusual temperature in Su Rui's palm returned to normal. He withdrew his hand very slowly, with a barely perceptible tremor. He felt completely exhausted, leaning back into the sofa, his face pale, and the sweat on his forehead even more pronounced. He closed his eyes and let out a long, silent sigh. Had he succeeded...? He wasn't sure. The method of using that power was too unfamiliar; he had no idea how effective it would be.

"Huh?" Just then, Lemuen suddenly let out a soft, puzzled exclamation.

She subconsciously moved her legs, which had been covered by the blanket. A strange, slight tingling sensation, like a tiny electric current, spread from her knees down her calves! This feeling... hadn't occurred to her in a long time! Due to an old injury, her legs mostly felt cold and numb, or occasionally tingling. This tingling sensation, imbued with "life," was almost... a miraculous sign!

She incredulously threw back the blanket and looked down at her legs. Outwardly, nothing seemed to have changed, but... an indescribable, faint yet real sense of connection had been re-established! She tried, very slightly, to contract the muscles in her calves—

There was a response! Although it was very faint, she could clearly feel the muscles twitching! It was no longer the powerless feeling she had before, where her commands seemed to disappear without a trace!

"Surrey... Su Rui?!" Lemuen suddenly looked up, her lake-blue eyes filled with shock, ecstasy, and disbelief! Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, "My leg...just now...I think I can feel it again?! A...tingling, numb feeling! I...I think I can control it a little bit?!" She looked eagerly at Su Rui beside her, wanting to share this sudden, enormous joy!

Then she saw Su Rui's pale face and the sweat on his forehead, and his eyes were closed, as if he were extremely tired.

"Su Rui! What's wrong?!" Lemuen's heart tightened, worry instantly replacing her surprise. She quickly reached out to support his arm. "You look terrible! Are you feeling unwell?!" She suddenly recalled the unusual warmth of his hand and the prolonged covering it had been in earlier... An unbelievable thought struck her like lightning!

Could it be... that miraculous feeling just now... was Su Rui...?!

Su Rui slowly opened his eyes, his dark pupils revealing an undisguised weariness, but deep within them gleamed a faint, relieved light. Looking at Lemuen's shocked and worried face, at the almost overflowing joy and hope in her eyes, the heavy weight that had been pressing on his heart finally eased somewhat. He tried to force a reassuring smile, but it came across as strained from exhaustion.

"...It's nothing." His voice was hoarse and weak. "I'm just...a little tired." He avoided her question, neither admitting nor denying it.

But Lemuen already understood! Looking at Su Rui's exhausted appearance and feeling the long-lost, faint but real sense of life coming from her legs, a huge wave of emotion and heartache overwhelmed her instantly! Tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.

"It was you... wasn't it? Su Rui... you did it, didn't you?" she asked, choking back tears, gripping his hand tightly, her voice filled with love and unbelievable gratitude. "How... how did you do it? Your face... did it take a lot of effort? I'm so sorry... I..."

Su Rui raised his heavy arm, gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips, shook his head, and gestured for her not to ask or say anything more. He didn't need her gratitude or apology. As long as she could get better, this little bit of exhaustion was nothing.

"Try it..." He looked at her, his dark eyes filled with encouragement and expectation, his voice still hoarse, "...Can you...stand up?"

Lemuen nodded forcefully, tears welling in her eyes. She took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement and nervousness, and braced herself on the sofa armrests, focusing all her attention on her legs. A faint sense of strength answered her call! She gritted her teeth and slowly, little by little, tried to channel her strength into her legs, supporting her body—

Volume 17, Chapter 1088: She did it.

An extremely slow, trembling, yet real... ascent!

Lemuen's buttocks lifted off the sofa cushion! Although it was only a few centimeters off, and she was wobbling precariously, threatening to fall back down at any moment, she had indeed managed to lift her body off the support using her own strength!

"I... I did it! Su Rui! Look! I..." Lemuen burst into tears of joy, her voice choked with sobs, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Su Rui watched her trembling yet determined figure, saw the smile on her face mixed with tears and unparalleled joy, and finally, a smile of extreme exhaustion yet utterly genuine relief and satisfaction appeared on her pale face. He reached out and firmly supported her arm.

"Hmm," he responded softly, his dark eyes seeming to sparkle like stars. "... Take your time."

He knew this was just the beginning. A full recovery might require time and repeated treatments. But the spark of hope had been ignited. And it was all worth it. The night was deep, and the warm light in the living room witnessed a quiet, gentle miracle.

The night was gentle, and a sea breeze, slightly salty and cool, drifted through the open French windows. In the living room, under the warm yellow light, Lemuen, supported by Su Rui, took her first, second, and so on, extremely slowly and cautiously. Her legs were still weak and trembling slightly with each step, like Firstborn fawn learning to walk. But the feeling of her feet touching the ground, the long-lost sense of strength from the contraction of her muscles, moved her to tears.

Su Rui held her hand tightly, his arm steadily supporting most of her weight, his dark eyes focused intently on her steps, his gaze carrying a barely perceptible tension and encouragement. His face was still somewhat pale, and fine beads of sweat remained on his forehead, clearly indicating that the previous "treatment" had taken a heavy toll, but at this moment, all his attention was focused on Lemuen.

"Slow down...yes, just like that..." His voice was low and gentle, with a rare patience.

The two of them moved slowly, step by step, through the spacious living room. From the sofa to the coffee table, from the coffee table to the window, and back again... The distance was short, the process slow, yet filled with an indescribable sense of ritual and joy. Each step felt like climbing a ladder of hope. Lemuen's face radiated happiness, her lake-blue eyes sparkling with tears and laughter. She would occasionally look up at Su Rui, as if to confirm that this was not a dream.

After walking for about ten minutes, Lemuen's forehead was covered in a fine sweat, and her breathing was a little rapid. Her strength was far from recovered, and standing and walking for a long time was a huge burden for her.

"Rest if you're tired." Su Rui immediately noticed her exhaustion, helped her sit back on the sofa.

"Mmm." Lemuen leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long sigh of relief, a satisfied smile on her face. "That's so good... Su Rui, really... thank you." She held his hand tightly, a thousand words condensed into those three simple words.

Su Rui shook his head, saying nothing, but simply tightened his grip on her hand. He got up, went to the kitchen, took two cans of chilled beer from the refrigerator, glanced at the grill and leftover ingredients from last night, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "... Are you hungry? Want to... grill something to eat?"

Lemuen looked at the beer in his hand with some surprise. She remembered that Su Rui had always avoided alcoholic beverages, especially beer, which was bitter and bubbly; he preferred water or black coffee. Besides, it wasn't mealtime yet.

"Beer? You... want to drink this?" she asked, puzzled.

Su Rui paused, a complex and elusive emotion flashing in his dark eyes, so fleeting that Lemuen almost mistook it for an illusion. He walked to the sofa, handed one can of beer to Lemuen, took the other for himself, and sat down beside her. He didn't answer immediately, but instead clicked open the tab, releasing a burst of white foam. He tilted his head back and took a large gulp.

The slightly bitter, malty-scented, cool liquid slid down his throat. Su Rui frowned almost imperceptibly, clearly not enjoying the taste. But he swallowed it anyway, then turned to look at Lemuen, a faint smile playing on his lips, tinged with... relief and... reluctance?

"Occasionally... to change things up," he said softly, his tone calm, yet it made Lemuen's heart sink for no apparent reason.

She took the beer, but didn't drink it; she just held it in her hand, the cool touch spreading from her fingertips. She looked at Su Rui's profile; in the warm yellow light, his outline appeared somewhat blurry, and an ominous premonition, like a dark cloud, quietly enveloped her heart.

Su Rui didn't say anything more, but silently picked up the portable barbecue grill from the coffee table, skillfully started a fire, and placed the marinated meat skewers and vegetables on the grill. The sizzling sound of oil and the tempting aroma quickly filled the air, dispelling a trace of the night's chill. He grilled with great focus and fluid movements, as if performing an important ritual.

Lemuen watched his busy figure quietly, her unease growing stronger. Su Rui was acting very strangely tonight. He offered to stay a few more days, he healed her leg, he drank beer—something he usually disliked—and he was grilling meat so late at night... It all felt like... a deliberately created warmth before parting, and... a final indulgence?

The meat skewers were quickly grilled, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an irresistible aroma. Su Rui placed the grilled skewers on a plate, handed them to Lemuen, and took a few for herself. The two sat on the sofa, enjoying their late-night snack with ice-cold beer.

The atmosphere was somewhat quiet, broken only by the sounds of chewing and the soft crackling of the grill's residual heat. The sea breeze remained gentle, and starlight streamed in through the window.

Finally, Su Rui finished his meat skewers and put down the bamboo sticks. He picked up his beer, took another sip, and this time, his furrowed brows relaxed a little, as if... he had gotten used to the bitterness? He turned his head and looked deeply into Lemuen's eyes. That gaze no longer held its usual coldness or languor, but was filled with a heavy, resolute determination about to be spoken.

"Lemuen," he said, his voice low and clear, carrying an undeniable calm.

Lemuen's heart skipped a beat, and she gripped the beer can tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white. The moment she had foreseen was finally approaching.

"I... I should go," Su Rui said, looking at her and enunciating each word clearly.

Despite having a premonition, hearing those words still felt like an invisible hand was clenching Lemuen's heart, the pain almost suffocating her! Tears welled up instantly, but she forced them back, biting her lower lip hard, her lake-blue eyes filled with sorrow and confusion.

Volume 17, page 1089, was somewhat abrupt.

"Why... so suddenly?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Your mission... didn't you still have time? We... didn't we agree to stay a few more days?" She wanted to watch the sunrise with him, to go to more places together, she wanted to... truly and steadily walk a path in front of him, to show him!

A flicker of pain crossed Su Rui's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper resolve. He reached out and gently stroked Lemuen's cheek, his fingertips cool and damp with the scent of beer. "There are some things... that need to be dealt with." His voice remained calm, yet carried an unwavering determination. "We can't delay any longer."

He couldn't tell her the truth. He couldn't tell her that healing her legs had consumed a primal power he had accumulated over time, a power that sustained his existence in this world, accelerating his "return." He could have stayed longer, but for her sake, he chose to use that power sooner, and thus, their separation came sooner. He didn't want her to feel guilty, he didn't want her to worry. He only wanted her to remember this last, tender moment.

"We... will meet again." He looked into her eyes and said with utmost seriousness, as if making a solemn promise, "We definitely will."

Lemuen finally couldn't hold back her tears, which streamed down her face. Looking into the unfathomable depths of emotion in Su Rui's eyes, and at his forced composure, she suddenly understood everything. She understood his sudden healing, his unusual behavior, all his unspoken words... He had known all along! He was using his last moments to create a miracle for her, to be with her through her final days!

"Su Rui ..." she choked, unable to contain her grief any longer. She threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and burying her face in his neck. Tears instantly soaked his clothes. "Don't go... please... stay with me a little longer..." she pleaded, like a helpless child.

Su Rui's body stiffened for a moment, then he sighed deeply, a sigh filled with endless longing and reluctance. He raised his arms and hugged her tightly, as if trying to meld her into his very bones. He lowered his head, burying his face in her fragrant hair, greedily inhaling her scent.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered in her ear, his voice barely audible, with a heavy nasal tone and... a barely perceptible sob?

The two embraced tightly, as if trying to imprint each other into the depths of their souls. Only Lemuen's suppressed sobs and Su Rui's heavy, suppressed breathing filled the living room. Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

After an unknown amount of time, Lemuen felt the strength in her arms holding her seem to be... weakening? Su Rui's body began to feel... lighter? Even... transparent?

She abruptly raised her head, and through her teary eyes, she saw in horror that Su Rui's body, starting from the edges, was gradually turning into countless tiny, shimmering golden dust particles, like fireflies scattered by the wind, slowly drifting into the air!

"No! Su Rui!" Lemuen cried out in anguish, holding him even tighter, trying to stop the terrible dissipation!

Su Rui at her tear-streaked face, pale as she forced a reassuring yet incredibly weak smile. His dark eyes remained fixed on her, filled with reluctance, love, and... apology.

"Don't be afraid..." His voice had become extremely weak, almost a whisper, "Remember... I will... come back to find you... I promise..."

The moment his words fell, his body completely transformed into countless swirling, dreamlike specks of light, like fireflies on a summer night. In Lemuen's futile embrace, they quietly dissipated, ultimately merging into the air and vanishing without a trace...

In the living room, only Lemuen remained, still in the embracing position, her arms empty. The warmth of the barbecue lingered, and condensation on the beer can dripped down with a crisp sound. The sea breeze remained, the starlight remained, as if nothing had happened.

Only the faint, lingering scent of Su Rui's chill in the air, and the tear stains on her cheeks, proved that the silver-haired boy had truly existed, had been there, and then... left.

Lemuen slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly at the spot where Su Rui had disappeared, tears streaming silently down her face. A wave of immense sorrow and emptiness overwhelmed her. But at the same time, a faint yet real sense of strength emanating from her legs acted like the only light in the darkness, supporting her broken heart.

He said... we'll meet again.

must.

She clenched her fists tightly, letting the tears flow freely, yet a faint but incredibly firm hope ignited in her heart.

Then, Lemuen stood up. She no longer needed the wheelchair; she had only wanted Su Rui to spend more time with her.

A biting wind, swirling with fine snowflakes, howled across the perpetually snow-capped peaks and frozen canyons of Kjerag. The sky was leaden gray, oppressive and heavy, as if an even greater blizzard could descend at any moment. In stark contrast to the warm and humid coastal scenery of Siesta, everything here exuded an aura of harshness, solemnity, and... sacredness.

At the foot of Kjerag Holy Mountain, inside a monastery built of massive granite and hardwood, a warm fire flickers in the fireplace, dispelling the chill outside. The air is filled with the faint scent of burning pine and a cool, minty aroma.

Deep within the monastery, in a simply furnished yet sacred Meditation Room, Saint Enya of Kjerag knelt on a soft prayer mat, eyes closed in deep concentration. She wore an elegant white robe adorned with traditional Kjerag patterns, her long, silvery-white hair, like the purest snow, cascading down her back, the ends almost touching the ground. Her face was serene and holy, like a lotus flower atop a snow-capped mountain, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath her eyelids, radiating a peaceful yet powerful spiritual glow.

She was performing her daily meditation, communicating with the will of the Kjerag Mountains. This was an important duty of her as a saint, and the source of her power. Her consciousness, like gentle tentacles, extended to the surrounding ice, rocks, and the ancient energy flowing in the air, sensing the breath and pulse of this land.

However, just as her meditation reached its deepest point, when her consciousness was at its most ethereal and acute—

An extremely abrupt sense of alienation, completely out of place in this icy and snowy landscape, shattered her meditative state like a pebble thrown into a calm lake!

Volume 18, Chapter 1090: Cheese Snow Leopard