Ark Simulator: Didn't I Not Have a Physical Body?
Volume 18, Chapter 1168: Enya noticed something was wrong.
"In the future... if you want to see her, you can." Enya's voice was soft, yet carried a solemn, almost promise-like quality. "Just... be careful. And..." She paused, her gaze falling on Su Rui's ear, a knowing glint and... a barely perceptible, cold glint flashing in her eyes, "Don't let some... blind people bully you."
She seemed to have... guessed something? About the unnatural blush on Su Rui's ears, and the lingering anger that she tried so hard to suppress but could still keenly sense?
Su Rui's body stiffened slightly. He raised his head and looked at Enya. Enya was also looking at him, her lake-blue eyes still gentle, but beneath that gentleness seemed to hide a kind of inviolable, cold majesty belonging to a saint.
She was talking about... a mace?
Su Rui's heart skipped a beat, almost imperceptibly. He pursed his lips, neither admitting nor denying, but only uttering a very soft, indistinct nasal sound from his throat, "... Mmm."
Enya didn't ask any further questions. She simply rewrapped the small package, then pulled Su Rui to sit on the couch by the fireplace. She placed the package on the low table between them, and then, very naturally, pulled Su Rui into her arms, letting his head rest on her shoulder.
"Are you tired? Take a rest," Enya said softly, her fingers gently and intermittently combing through Su Rui's silver hair, massaging his tense scalp.
The warm breath, the gentle caresses, and the silent, complete trust and acceptance of the person beside him... the lingering anger and frustration in Su Rui's heart caused by the mace melted away little by little, like ice and snow under the sun. He relaxed his body, leaned against Enya's chest, closed his eyes, and let out a barely audible, satisfied gurgle.
Forget it... we'll talk about that blonde woman later. Right now, I have a warm embrace, some snacks (though they were given to me by Ensia Silverash), and... Enya.
That's enough.
As for revenge... Su Rui's lips curled into a barely perceptible, cold, calculating arc from an angle that Enya couldn't see.
There's plenty of time. We'll... have our fun with that woman named Jian.
Meditation Room, the fireplace flickered, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air. Enya held Su Rui in her arms, her eyes filled with serene happiness as she looked at the simple yet comforting bag of snacks from her sister on the low table. Su Rui, meanwhile, gradually relaxed in the warm embrace and gentle caresses, her mind beginning to take clearer shape in her future "revenge" plan.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and the wind and snow seemed to be starting again. But inside, it was warm as spring, filled with a unique tranquility called "home".
Night, as thick as the darkest ink, completely swallowed the Kjerag Holy Mountain. A sudden gust of wind arose, swirling fine snowflakes like countless tiny, icy needles, striking the ancient, sturdy stone walls of the monastery with a mournful, sighing sound. Meditation Room, the fireplace's flame was the only light source, casting warm, flickering shadows on the walls and ceiling, stretching the silhouettes of Enya and Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) together, making them appear long and intertwined.
Enya, holding Su Rui, had fallen into a deep sleep on the soft wolf-skin rug by the fireplace. She lay on her side, encircling Su Rui in her arms, her chin gently resting on the top of his head, her breathing even and long. Su Rui was also curled up in her arms, his cheek against her soft chest, feeling her steady heartbeat and reassuring scent. His bushy tail curled unconsciously, draped over Enya's calf. Both of them slept soundly, as if the wind and snow outside the window were merely distant, insignificant background noise.
However, Su Rui didn't actually fall asleep. Or rather, after Enya fell into a deep sleep, his consciousness, which had become somewhat hazy due to the warmth and comfort, slowly, like an undercurrent beneath the surface, became clear again. He lay quietly in Enya's arms, motionless, only opening his eyes. His obsidian-like eyes, in the dim light, shone with a clear and calm light, silently watching the leaping flames in the fireplace.
His gaze slowly moved, past Enya's shoulder, and landed on the other side of the Meditation Room, in the deepest shadow divided by the light and shadow of the fireplace.
There stood a figure, almost blending into the shadows, as still as a statue— Yela.
She was still wearing that impeccably tailored black maid's dress adorned with traditional Kjerag patterns, her black hair neatly pulled back, revealing her smooth forehead and the cold, hard lines of her profile. Her back was straight, her hands clasped in front of her, her dark eyes lowered, seemingly dozing, or perhaps simply offering the most devout, timeless protection. Her presence was so subtly concealed that she almost blended into the surrounding air; were it not for Su Rui's extraordinary, keen snow leopard ears and some deeper, ineffable intuition, he might not have even noticed her presence.
This silent, cold "maid," who always stood beside Enya like a shadow, yet seemed to know and control everything... Su Rui's gaze lingered on her for a long time.
He actually... knew from the very beginning.
From the moment he first "consciously" perceived this world and felt Enya's gentle yet resilient spiritual energy field envelop him like a warm nest, he vaguely sensed another existence. That existence was closely connected to Enya, yet completely different. It was more ancient, more profound, more... cold and vast, like the eternally unmelting glaciers of Kjerag, like the ever-flowing, immensely energetic ley lines beneath the Holy Mountain. It silently protected Enya, and... observed him as well.
At first, he thought it was some kind of special ability of Enya, or some kind of "spirit" of the Holy Mountain. But as he materialized, his senses gradually became clearer, and his understanding of this world (especially Kjerag) gradually increased (through the terminal and listening in), and the "identity" of that being became clearer and clearer in his mind.
Especially that time when he sneaked into the SilverAsh Family at night, Yela "happened" to appear on his way out, making that "deal" with him. At that moment, the pure, cold, and unquestionable aura emanating from Yela, which almost froze the air, along with a kind of... almost "divine" indifference, made the last bit of doubt in Su Rui's heart disappear.
This woman, who always presents herself as a "maid," is extremely respectful to Enya, and is sometimes cold towards him and sometimes (when he doesn't resist) strangely indulgent... is the core of the Kjerag faith, the embodiment of the will of that eternally frozen Holy Mountain itself, or rather, the god that the Kjerag people have worshipped for generations, the guardian of this land— Kjeragandr.
Volume 18, page 1169: Kjeragandr (Gangmen)
No wonder Yela is so powerful and perceptive, able to easily see through his movements, clear obstacles for him as he descends the mountain, and win his compromise with a kiss. No wonder Enya has a trust in her that transcends master and servant, bordering on dependence. Because Yela is Kjerag's "heaven," the "god" that Enya, the saintess, serves and communicates with.
This realization did not fill Su Rui with fear or awe. Perhaps it was because he had lost most of his memories, or perhaps it was because he inherently carried an indifference towards so-called "gods and demons," or perhaps... Yela never truly displayed that suffocating pressure and distance that belonged to a "god" in his presence. She existed more as the concrete image of "Yela," a "maid" with a cold and awkward (in his view) demeanor. She would make him tea, groom his tail, and "discipline" him with Enya when he "made a mistake." She would also tacitly approve of or even help him do some "outrageous" things when he needed them.
This contradictory and complex feeling led Su Rui to maintain a peculiar, tacit silence regarding Yela's "true identity." He never revealed it, and Yela never said anything either. Between the two, there seemed to be an invisible understanding that maintained the superficial yet exceptionally "solid" relationship between "maid" and "those being cared for."
However, tonight, looking at Yela's figure standing quietly in the shadows, feeling the profound tranquility emanating from her that was so out of place yet so harmonious with her surroundings, and... a hint of barely perceptible, almost "tired" loneliness, a strange impulse suddenly welled up in Su Rui's heart.
He wanted to... confirm it. Not with words, but in some... more direct way. Or rather, he wanted to see how Yela would react when this unspoken understanding was touched in the slightest, tentative way.
Once the thought took hold, it grew wildly like weeds. Su Rui carefully and extremely slowly moved out of Enya's embrace. His movements were so gentle that he didn't disturb the sleeping Enya. Barefoot, he stepped onto the soft carpet and silently walked towards Yela in the shadows.
Yela seemed oblivious to his approach, her eyes still lowered, like the most perfect sculpture. But Su Rui knew, she definitely knew. She was just... waiting.
Su Rui walked up to Yela and stopped. He looked up, his dark eyes calmly and unblinkingly fixed on Yela's profile, which, in the dim light, appeared somewhat soft (or perhaps it was just an illusion?) in the light and shadow.
The two were very close, so close that Su Rui could clearly see Yela's long, thick eyelashes, her tightly pursed, pale lips, and feel the cool and mysterious fragrance emanating from her, a mixture of ice, pine, and some ancient sacrificial spice.
Yela remained motionless, without even looking up at him, as if he were truly just a wisp of air.
Su Rui pursed his lips. He tiptoed slightly (though Yela wasn't much taller than him) and leaned close to Yela's ear. His warm breath gently brushed against Yela's cold earlobe.
Then, in an extremely soft, almost breathy, yet exceptionally clear tone, he whispered in Yela's ear:
"... Kjeragandr."
Four words. Clear and unambiguous.
There were no questions, no awe, just a calm statement, as if saying, "The weather is nice today."
The instant the words fell, Su Rui could clearly feel that Yela's seemingly unchanging, ice-sculpted body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment! Although the stiffness was so slight as to be almost imperceptible, Su Rui's keen senses accurately captured it!
Yela's dark eyes, which had been lowered, suddenly snapped open! Like a cold, sharp star suddenly illuminating the deepest night! Her gaze instantly locked onto Su Rui, who was standing right in front of her! Gone were the barely perceptible indulgence or helplessness that occasionally flickered in her eyes when she was with him; replaced by a... unfathomable, soul-piercing, divine, cold and indifferent scrutiny! An invisible, immense sense of oppression, a mixture of ancient majesty and absolute power, spread silently from Yela, like an invisible tide! The air seemed to freeze, and the flames in the fireplace seemed to tremble, the light flickering erratically.
Su Rui's body stiffened abruptly under this sudden, purely spiritual pressure! Every hair on his body (including those on his ears and tail) almost stood on end! His heart felt as if it were being gripped by an icy hand! This was the true pressure of a "god"! Completely different from Yela's usual deliberately restrained demeanor! Powerful, vast, cold, and indifferent, as if what stood before him was no longer the "maid" who combed his tail, but the Holy Mountain, this land, and the millennia-old ice and snow itself!
However, there was no sign of retreat or fear in Su Rui's dark eyes. He remained calm, even with a hint of inquiry, as he looked back at Yela's cold, seemingly soul-freezing black eyes. Although his body was stiff with instinct, his gaze was clear and firm, as if to say: I know it's you.
The two faced each other silently in the dim light. The invisible pressure and cold scrutiny in the air clashed fiercely with Su Rui's calm and straightforward gaze.
Time seemed to stretch out countless times at this moment.
How much time had passed—perhaps just a moment, perhaps a long time—was lost. The suffocating pressure and scrutiny in Yela's cold, star-like black eyes receded like the tide, returning to their deep, calm state, yet seemingly... with a subtle, inscrutable ripple...?
She didn't speak. She simply slowly raised her hand.
That hand, with distinct knuckles, long fingers, and skin so white it was almost translucent, carried an icy chill that seemed inanimate. She reached out, her aim clear... and pinched Su Rui's furry cheek, which was still somewhat tense and slightly agitated from the earlier oppressive aura.
The force... wasn't light, it even carried a hint of punishment; the fingertips applied slight pressure as they pinched the soft flesh of his cheek.
"Ugh..." Caught off guard, Su Rui felt a sharp pain in his cheek as he was pinched. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his dark eyes. This woman... she's using this trick again! She always pinches his cheeks!
However, Yela's next action made his eyes widen instantly, and he forgot the pain in his cheek!
Volume 18, page 1170: I just won't listen, I just won't listen.
After pinching his cheek, Yela didn't let go; instead, she leaned down slightly! Her cold, perfect face magnified rapidly in Su Rui's suddenly contracting pupils! Then, in the instant before Su Rui could react and his mind Blank, Yela gently, yet with extraordinary clarity... pressed her cold, soft, pale lips onto Su Rui's slightly parted, pale lips, which were parted in surprise!
A cold, fleeting kiss, yet unmistakably divine, almost a "gift" or a "mark"...
They separated in an instant! Swift as lightning! Yet, like a thunderclap, it exploded in Su Rui's mind!
"!!!" Su Rui froze completely! His dark eyes were filled with disbelief, shock, and... utter chaos! His cheeks flushed crimson at a visible speed, all the way down to his ears and neck! Even his furry ears turned completely pink from extreme shame and shock, and even trembled slightly! He could still feel the cold, soft touch with its strange, refreshing fragrance on his lips, a sensation like a brand, burning him with panic!
Yela... kissed him?! Kissed his... lips?! This ice-cold-faced, expressionless, goddess-like maid... how dare she?!
However, Yela acted as if she had done something completely ordinary. She released her grip on Su Rui's cheek, straightened up, and calmly looked at Su Rui's completely petrified, flushed, and confused state with her dark eyes. The corners of her mouth, almost imperceptibly... curved upwards into an extremely subtle, almost pleasurable arc? Although that arc was so fleeting as to be almost an illusion.
Then, before Su Rui could react in any way (such as pushing her away, wiping her mouth, or screaming), Yela reached out again and, with an irresistible yet unusually gentle force, gently pulled the still frozen, brain-dead Su Rui into her cold embrace.
Her embrace was not warm, even somewhat cold and hard, carrying an air of ice and antiquity. Yet it was exceptionally firm, possessing a mountain-like calm and strength that seemed capable of bearing everything. Her chin rested gently on Su Rui's head, and one hand, like soothing a frightened little animal, gently and rhythmically patted Su Rui's slightly trembling back.
Su Rui was held in her arms, the cool, mysterious scent of her emanating from him filling his nostrils. His cheek pressed against her slightly cool yet soft neck, he could feel the steady, strong beating of her carotid artery. His stiff body, in this cold yet strangely reassuring embrace, and under her gentle pats, actually... little by little, relaxed. Only his cheeks remained burning hot, his heart pounded like a drum, and the thunderous shock of being "kissed by a god" still reverberated in his mind.
Yela lowered her head, her cold lips almost touching Su Rui's red, furry earlobe. Her voice, like the gentlest breeze, carried a strange, almost sighing, deep magnetism, clearly reaching Su Rui's ears and seemingly resonating directly in his heart:
"Kjerag... needs peace, needs tranquility."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable weight, as if resonating with the earth beneath her feet.
"It has endured so much... snow and strife that it shouldn't have had to bear. Now, it needs time, it needs to rest and recuperate, it needs... to slowly melt the ice and snow under the sun and sprout new buds."
She paused, and seemed to tighten her grip on Su Rui's arm a little.
"Enya ... is a child chosen by this land. She is kind, resilient, and cares for everyone. But she... also needs protection, support, and... someone to lean on when she is tired."
Yela's voice seemed to soften slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"And you..." Her gaze seemed to pierce through the top of Su Rui's head, landing on a place deep within his heart that even he himself had never fully understood, "...you are special. You have strength, you have wisdom, although sometimes...you're a little disobedient, and you like to run around."
Su Rui: "..." He nestled in Yela's arms, giving a barely perceptible smirk. Who's being disobedient?!
"I hope..." Yela's voice regained its calm and deep tone, carrying a strange tone that was almost a "plea" yet also like a "statement of fact," "that Kjerag can develop peacefully and tranquilly. That Enya can be more relaxed and happier. That the children down the mountain (referring to the three major families?)... can have less pointless fighting and more reverence and love for this land."
She paused again, then, in that cold, deep voice, whispered her last words in Su Rui's ear—the true "purpose" behind her "revealing" her identity, giving him the kiss, and embracing him at this moment:
"If... you could help me out even a little bit... I would be very grateful."
Help? Help with what? Maintain peace in Kjerag? Protect Enya? Or... deal with those troublesome "squirrels" and "bears" down the mountain?
Su Rui blinked in Yela's cold embrace. Her chaotic thoughts gradually became clearer because of Yela's straightforward and down-to-earth (relative to her divine status) "request".
I see.
This deity, after going through all this trouble—intimidating him with her power, "marking" him with kisses, and "soothing" him with her embrace—ultimately wanted him, this "outsider" and "unstable element," to contribute a little to maintaining the peace of the land she protected after enjoying the protection of the Holy Mountain and Enya's gentleness? And... the happiness of the saintess Enya, whom she "favored" (?)?
This plan is... truly... straightforward yet cunning.
Su Rui's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He raised his hand, wanting to push Yela away, but his hand, pressed against her cold yet resolute chest, inexplicably lacked strength. Perhaps it was because this embrace, though cold, felt strangely reassuring? Perhaps it was because Yela's words, though tinged with "calculation," also contained undeniable sincerity and deep concern for this land and for Enya?
Or perhaps... it's simply because he... doesn't actually dislike this place? He doesn't dislike Enya, doesn't dislike this tranquil (sometimes boring) Holy Mountain, and even... doesn't dislike this "maid" deity who is sometimes cold and sometimes awkward, yet always gives him tacit approval and help at crucial moments?
He remained silent for a long time. So long that Yela seemed to think he was asleep, or... contemplating how to refuse.
Volume 18, Chapter 1171: I'll see how it goes.
Finally, Su Rui lifted his head slightly from Yela's embrace. His cheeks still held a lingering blush, but his dark eyes had regained their calm, even carrying a hint of their usual cold, slightly mocking light. Looking into Yela's icy black eyes so close to his own, he pursed his lips and mumbled something in a slightly nasal, awkward voice:
"Okay, I know. Stop nagging."
There were no promises, no guarantees, just this extremely perfunctory, even somewhat impatient, response.
But a fleeting, almost satisfied glint flashed in Yela's dark eyes. She seemed to understand Su Rui's unspoken message—"I understand, I'll handle it."
She didn't say anything more, but lowered her head again and placed a kiss on Su Rui's smooth forehead that was even gentler than before, yet just as cold. Then, she released her arms and let Su Rui go from her embrace.
"Go to sleep." Yela's voice returned to its usual calm and even tone, as if the conversation about "gods," "peace," and "help" had never happened. She had returned to being the taciturn and dutiful "maid."
Su Rui glanced at her, said nothing, and simply turned back to the fireplace. He lay down beside Enya, who was still fast asleep, and curled himself up in that warm and familiar embrace. He closed his eyes, as if he were truly about to fall asleep.
However, from an angle that Enya couldn't see, the corners of his mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly, forming a tiny arc that carried a hint of helplessness and... a trace of resignation that he himself didn't even notice.
I'll help out. Anyway... I'm just killing time. Besides, watching those "squirrels" and "bears" argue, and occasionally stepping in to "mediate," seems... kind of interesting? At least it's more "challenging" than reading scriptures and playing games every day.
As for that blond "big goat" (mace)'s score... Su Rui scoffed inwardly. Perhaps, while "helping" maintain peace in Kjerag, he could incidentally... settle the score?
With this vague thought in mind, Su Rui drifted off to sleep in Enya's warm embrace and by the cozy firelight of the fireplace. Yela, however, remained standing quietly in the shadows, her dark eyes watching the two sleeping in each other's arms. The ice in her eyes melted away, leaving only a deep, ancient tranquility, like the starry sky, and... a very faint tenderness that even she herself was unaware of.
Outside the window, the wind and snow continued. But this small world atop the Holy Mountain appeared exceptionally peaceful and... steadfast because of an unspoken "agreement" and a quietly changing bond. It was as if no matter how much wind and snow there was outside, it could not erode this peculiar "home" jointly built by gods, saintesses, and an awkward boy with animal ears and tail.
Since that unspoken yet thrilling "showdown" and "deal" with Yela that night, Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) seemed to have entered a new, delicate balance in his life at the Holy Mountain Monastery. He continued his lazy, "parasitic" life, "raised" by Enya and Yela, playing games, looking at documents, occasionally having his ears and tail rubbed, or being fed various snacks. Enya's gentleness and indulgence towards him remained unchanged, and Yela's silent "care" for him also remained the same, as if that conversation about "gods" and "help" that night was just a vivid dream.
But Su Rui knew that something had subtly changed. Yela's gaze occasionally held a hint of something extremely subtle, almost "observational" and "expectant." And he himself, while enjoying this peace, seemed to be harboring a faint, vague sense of "responsibility" or "task" deep within him. Since he had agreed (though only vaguely saying "I understand"), then perhaps... he should do something?
However, Yela never explicitly stated what to do. Su Rui didn't bother to ask. He was used to waiting for instructions, or... finding his own "fun."
This opportunity quietly arrived on a snowy afternoon.
Enya was invited by several devout tribal elders who had come from afar to preside over a small blessing ceremony at the Holy Mountain Temple, which required her to leave the Meditation Room for a while. Yela, citing the need to "arrange the Saintess's dress," did not accompany her and remained in the Meditation Room.
When Enya's footsteps disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving only Yela and Su Rui in the Meditation Room, the illusion of tranquility crumbled quietly, like thin ice under the sunlight.
Yela put down the magnificent and elaborate holy robe in her hand, which didn't need any "tidying up" at all. She turned around, her dark eyes like the deepest, coldest pool, and calmly looked at Su Rui, who was nestled on the soft couch, holding a terminal, seemingly indifferent to everything around her.
Although Su Rui kept his head down, his fluffy snow leopard ears turned almost imperceptibly toward Yela, indicating that he was not completely absorbed in his own world.
"Su Rui," Yela began, her voice as cold and calm as ever, yet carrying an unmistakable air of "serious business."
Su Rui paused her swiping on the screen, slowly raised her head, and calmly looked at Yela with her obsidian-like eyes, waiting for what was to come.
Without a word, Yela walked to the seemingly ordinary stone wall on one side of the Meditation Room, which was carved with intricate ice and snow patterns. She stretched out her hand, and her fingertips gently brushed over several specific, extremely hidden patterns with a peculiar rhythm.
"Click... click..." A few extremely faint yet heavy-sounding mechanical clicks rang out. The stone wall silently slid open, revealing the entrance to a small but unusually deep and dark secret chamber. A scent mixed with ancient sheepskin, cold metal, and some strange spice wafted out from the chamber.
A flicker of surprise crossed Su Rui's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He put down the terminal, stood up from the soft couch, and looked curiously into the secret room. So, this was Yela's true "storage room"?
Yela didn't go in; she just stood at the door of the secret chamber and whispered something to the inside. She used a language that Su Rui had never heard before, with ancient and difficult syllables, as if it were the most primitive prayer of Kjerag, communicating with the earth and the snow.
Inside the secret chamber, a faint light seemed to flicker. Then, a slender cylinder, crafted from an unknown dark silver metal and etched with intricate and mysterious runes strikingly similar to those of Kjerag Holy Mountain, slowly "floated" out of the darkness and hovered before Yela. The cylinder was small, about an arm's length and two fingers' width, radiating a restrained, cold metallic luster, and an extremely faint yet exceptionally pure aura of ice and divinity, belonging to Yela's very being.
Volume 18, page 1172: Yela: This is part of the plan.
At the same time, another soft, light piece of fabric, shimmering with a gentle luster like fresh snow under the moonlight, floated out of the secret room and landed on Yela's outstretched arm.