Ark Simulator, Don't I Lack a Physical Form?

Ren Dong snapped out of her surprise, got up to check that the door and windows were locked, then returned to the sofa and lowered her voice as she spoke with Su Rui:

'Where did you find this document?'

"On the internet, obviously. This document might not even be real, so don't believe it. Who would put development plans for the next decade or more online? Even if it was encrypted, that would still be far too careless. I think it was probably just a prank."

Su Rui's judgment made sense to Ren Dong, but after noticing Mrs. Sicilian's signature, she simply could not believe anyone would dare impersonate such an important figure.

'Su Rui, how strong was the encryption when you decrypted this document? Was it difficult to crack?'

"Mm, it was fairly heavily encrypted. I specifically picked the document with the highest level of encryption I could find. But don't tell me you actually believe it? I think it was probably some hacker's private little prank."

'Sometimes, you need to learn to believe. Perhaps certain powerful people can be careless too.'

"So you believe that encrypted document that looks like a prank? I just found it after casually browsing the internet."

Su Rui tried to persuade her again, but Ren Dong had already made up her mind. She curled back up on the sofa. In any case, no one besides Su Rui knew about this, so there was no need to worry for now.

U-chan's Stream

Even if Mrs. Sicilian truly intended to follow the plan in that encrypted document and begin preparing to build a Mobile City sometime later, it would still take a long time for the city to be completed.

Such a lengthy construction period would give every family enough time to prepare. So even if she knew beforehand, it did not necessarily grant her any greater advantage over the other families.

Therefore, Ren Dong could bury this major piece of news in her heart and pretend she knew nothing.

'Right, so were you browsing classified documents online just now?'

No wonder he had been so focused that he ignored me. Being able to see all sorts of secrets must satisfy Su Rui's curiosity.

Children were always curious. Although Su Rui's judgment and voice both seemed to indicate that he was an adult, his attitude and way of looking at things always made Ren Dong unconsciously treat him like an energetic youth.

"Huh? No, I was watching someone stream a game online."

Ren Dong froze for a moment. After gaining the ability to observe every secret across the entire internet, Su Rui was only using it to watch livestreams?

'You really weren't looking at classified intelligence?'

"Why would I look at that stuff? It has nothing to do with me. And most of it is probably boring, hard-to-understand text, right? I prefer game streams."

As Su Rui spoke, a livestream appeared in Ren Dong's field of vision:

"This is one I just found. It's not a game stream, but it's pretty interesting. Want to watch it together?"

'...All right.' Ren Dong nodded and looked at the stream before her.

A pink-haired Zalak girl with twin tails was filming herself and the scenery behind her with a selfie stick. It seemed to be the campus of some university.

The girl was introducing herself to the viewers:

"Hello, everyone! Welcome to U-chan's livestream channel! I'm a new streamer, Eureka! I'm currently a university student!"

As she introduced herself, Eureka shifted the camera slightly to reveal a large rocket-like device on the field behind her. She enthusiastically explained:

"This is a project being prepared by some upperclassmen at our school. It seems to involve technology for exploring the sky! I'm sure everyone is interested in those mysterious realms we've never set foot in! Today, let U-chan show you the development of cutting-edge technology~"

As the girl finished her introduction, Su Rui and Ren Dong saw that the rocket-like launch device behind her seemed to have developed a problem. One section began spraying out mist as though it were leaking gas.

"Looks like there's a small problem? But exploring new fields is often difficult. I believe our upperclassmen can solve this problem perfectly. Let U-chan..."

Before Eureka could save face for the project team's upperclassmen, one of the students operating the device behind her shouted:

"Everyone, run! The fuel is leaking!"

The shout instantly sent the students gathered around the conspicuous project scattering in all directions. Even Eureka could only force a smile as she hurried away from the rocket.

Then, before she could get very far, the rocket captured on camera ignited from the leak and exploded several seconds later.

"Ah!~"

With Eureka's scream, Su Rui and Ren Dong watched the phone attached to her selfie stick fly from her hand and land on the ground nearby. Cracks appeared across the image, and then the screen went black.

'She seems to be in trouble? Is this a university in Columbia?'

Ren Dong looked at the blackened stream with mixed feelings. She had not expected something like this to happen in a livestream Su Rui had picked at random.

"Yes, it really is a stream from Columbia. Pretty interesting."

In Ren Dong's field of vision, Su Rui followed the stream before closing the black-screened channel and switching to a game stream.

'You're still going to follow her? She caused such a huge mess on her very first stream. She probably won't be in the mood to keep streaming.'

"What if she does? I think she's pretty interesting. If she survives and keeps streaming, I'll be her loyal viewer."

Su Rui sounded delighted. "Isn't this streamer named Eureka interesting?"

'Even if she might run into terrible accidents like this every time she streams afterward?'

Although she knew it was wrong to "curse" a stranger like that, Ren Dong somehow felt that she was not wrong.

But Su Rui's answer was even more unexpected. "If that happens, that would be perfect! I like big spectacles. The more bloodshed, the better! Then I'd have even more reason to follow her!"

I'd better not bring this up again. Noticing Su Rui's excitement, Ren Dong decided to change the subject. She glanced at the game stream in her vision, realized she neither understood nor cared about it, and took out her phone.

'I'm planning to message the assistants I picked and ask them to come over now. What do you think?'

"Sure. What are you planning to do, talk to them about your ambitions? Or just tell them they'll be working under you from now on? Try to seem approachable."

Ren Dong had piqued Su Rui's curiosity again. Although the livestream remained open in her field of vision, she was confident that Su Rui in her mind was waiting intently for her answer.

"Of course we'll have something to eat and make things more relaxed. Didn't you say they were only helping me... with errands?"

The words "do manual labor" nearly slipped from Ren Dong's mouth, but she caught herself in time. It also caused a small shift in her mindset.

She could not let Su Rui lead her astray so easily. She had decided to recruit these women because she was relatively familiar with them.

Besides, there was no need to have them do anything difficult or confidential. She could simply use them as ordinary subordinates. Ren Dong had no plans to hand over any secrets to them, so naturally she did not need to worry about spies infiltrating her side.

However, while waiting, Ren Dong felt an urge to tease Su Rui:

'By the way, since you like looking at women, should I have them change into prettier clothes before coming over?'

"No. That would be too abrupt. Besides, most clothes don't actually make that much difference."

That was completely wrong, Ren Dong denied inwardly. But she did not argue with Su Rui. There would be plenty of time to make him realize his views were mistaken.

As it turned out, Ren Dong's so-called gathering was simply calling the women she had selected to her bedroom, where they sat on the sofa drinking tea and chatting like a girls' tea party.

However, because of Su Rui, Ren Dong became somewhat hesitant whenever topics such as underwear and cosmetics came up.

Ren Dong had been worried that Su Rui might eavesdrop, but her mind remained utterly silent.

Although Su Rui had closed the stream in her field of vision, Ren Dong was now certain that he was watching a game stream rather than eavesdropping.

Su Rui probably did not have that kind of scheming nature. If he had really been eavesdropping, he likely would not have been able to resist interrupting while Ren Dong and her subordinates chatted, and then Ren Dong would have discovered him.

Since Su Rui was quiet, he must have been absorbed in online streams or something else.

Realizing this, Ren Dong relaxed a little and happily chatted with her subordinates about all sorts of topics.

When women chatted, they inevitably discussed their appearances, marriage, and the opposite sex.

As the highest-ranking person there, Ren Dong naturally drew attention. Her subordinates looked at her curiously.

"Ms. Ingrid? What do you hope for in a future partner?"

"Let me think."

Ingrid pinched her chin. After confirming that Su Rui was quietly watching a stream, she began describing the vague silhouette in his System Materialization Progress panel.

"If possible, I'd prefer a Wolper too. Preferably someone skinny and cute, with nine tails."

"Nine tails? Aren't those only found in the Eastern Kingdom? And aren't they highly respected God's People there? It seems Ms. Ingrid will have to put in quite a bit of effort if she wants to pursue someone she likes."

The subordinates all exclaimed, and their gazes toward Ingrid inevitably carried a hint of astonishment: How can you be so fanciful?

Still, everyone was merely chatting. Who could not fantasize a little? As long as no one took it seriously, it was fine.

The ladies quickly dismissed Ren Dong's words as a joke and continued discussing other topics.

Perhaps that request had merely been Ms. Ingrid joking with them? After all, she could not possibly go to the Eastern Kingdom and kidnap a God's People, could she?

The ladies' tea party lasted until late. Even when Su Rui grew bored of watching streams and came back to himself, they were still chatting.

"It's already dark outside. Are you still going to keep talking with them? And aren't you hungry?"

Ren Dong had not been particularly hungry before, but after Su Rui said that, she felt that she did need something to eat.

So Ren Dong lightly clapped her hands to interrupt the others' conversation, then smiled and said:

"It's time for dinner. Let's eat something. We'll stop here for today. I'll notify you if anything comes up later."

The gathering then dispersed. Ren Dong rose from the sofa and headed toward the kitchen.

"A separate kitchen in an apartment inside such a large estate... I thought you all ate together in the dining hall."

"That only happens during celebratory banquets. Most of the time, family members cook for themselves. Of course, the dining hall provides food too, but Siracusans are also very passionate about cooking."

As Ren Dong spoke, she took out a kitchen knife and began cutting ingredients for dinner.

'Would you like me to prepare dinner for you too? I'm fairly good at cooking.'

"Are you asking the obvious? Make an extra portion, then. After you eat it, maybe I'll be able to taste the part you can't finish."

Su Rui rolled his eyes irritably. Although Ren Dong could not see his expression because he had no physical form, she could hear his impatience from his tone alone.

Like teasing a small animal—it would grow impatient at the movement of your fingers and grab them, but would not truly bite because of the relationship between the two of you. That sort of amusement was quite nice.

Ren Dong suddenly understood why people kept little pets like Creek Beasts.

After dinner, Ren Dong sat by the bed holding a glass of water, intending to read for a while before sleeping, when she heard Su Rui's voice:

"Are you drinking ice water?"

'Hm? It's a glass of water.' Ren Dong did not understand why Su Rui suddenly asked that. She answered in confusion, then heard Su Rui emphasize as though refuting heresy:

"Ice water is bad for your body. Do you have a water heater there? You should boil the water before drinking it."

'Why boil it?'

"That kills the bacteria and microorganisms in the water, making it harmless to the human body."

'This glass of water won't affect my body, but thank you.'

Ren Dong could not help smiling. She nodded, took a sip of water, and set the glass aside.

'Besides, people in Syracuse generally don't drink hot water. We usually drink alcohol. Alcohol is very clean.'

"You can't make children drink alcohol too, can you? It's bad for them."

'Of course not. Children can drink water.'

"..." Su Rui seemed to realize they were having a meaningless conversation and fell silent for a moment.

"All right, get some proper rest. I think there'll be things to do tomorrow. Otherwise, you might not be able to sleep well tomorrow."

'You already know what will happen tomorrow?'

Ren Dong was somewhat curious. Since Su Rui already possessed so many unusual and useful abilities, seeing the future did not seem all that surprising.

"Of course not." Su Rui rolled his eyes. "I just noticed someone returning to this estate in Venice in a hurry. It doesn't look like a small matter. Though maybe it's only not a small matter to that person."

'So that's how it is.'

Ren Dong nodded and closed her eyes. Such things were commonplace in Syracuse and would not affect her sleep.

However, before falling asleep, while her mind was still active, Ren Dong could not help thinking of the girl named Eureka she had seen on the livestream earlier. She subconsciously compared herself to her.

Although Eureka was energetic and cute, Ren Dong's capable, mature-sister style was also very attractive.

In terms of figure, the two of them seemed evenly matched, though Ren Dong felt she had a slight edge. Besides, both she and Su Rui were Wolpers.

In other words, Su Rui was probably only curious about that girl named Eureka. Ren Dong held every advantage.

The corner of Ren Dong's lips unconsciously curled into a smile. Before falling asleep, she suddenly thought:

Did Su Rui know that his race was a Wolper God's People?

The question Ren Dong had thought of before bed last night kept bothering her. Even after waking up the next day, it was the first thing that came to mind.