Ark Chess Player

"I...don't want to go back."

Misha hugged her knees and buried her head between her legs.

"Someone... please save me..."

The skeleton kidnapper's frantic pace came to a halt.

Due to inertia, Misha felt her surroundings sway slightly and raised her head in confusion.

Through Misha's hazy vision, she seemed to see a familiar figure beyond the obstructions.

She instinctively tried to see clearly, but the birdcage was cramped and limited in space, and she could only see the outside scene by straining her entire body.

Misha reached out and stirred the flowing liquid, struggling and twisting, finally managing to lean forward and place her hands on the transparent barrier.

“…Ugh.”

Misha couldn't tell whether the liquid on her face was the golden liquid or her own tears.

A petite figure stood in front of the skeleton kidnapper.

An ill-fitting blue coat fluttered in the wind, revealing the pitch-black Ark Drive.

Its slender rabbit ears stood upright, its eyes, as blue as the sea, were resolute, and its small hands, adorned with five rings, were raised high.

"Give Misha back to me!"

Amiya scolded.

Chapter 335 Let's get down to business, Exusiai (4K)

"Ah... thank goodness we didn't go straight back to the company, otherwise we would have had to go on a long detour before coming out to carry out the mission again."

Exusiai from Penguin Logistics let out a long sigh, her short, flowing red hair whipped up by the strong wind, revealing bright eyes beneath her bangs. She had exceptionally beautiful eyes and excellent eyesight, able to see figures as small as sesame seeds in the distance without needing binoculars.

Beside her, a stunningly beautiful woman with a chocolate bar in her mouth held a blue mobile terminal, typing so fast that her fingers left afterimages, and a sound came from touching the screen.

Texas is passing the intelligence she has obtained to Rhodes Island's liaison, Razer, including but not limited to the estimated retreat routes, approximate locations, numbers, and weapon types of the Reunion Movement.

Texas had already discussed the upcoming cooperation with Amiya and reached a consensus. Penguin Logistics was responsible for suppressing the Reunion Movement's infected, while the giant monster... would be dealt with jointly by Rhodes Island and the Guard Bureau.

"Texas, did you know? The boss is here!"

Exusiai was jumping around happily, completely unaware that she was on the battlefield.

Texas nodded, deftly put away her mobile device, and chewed up the half-eaten chocolate bar in her mouth, swallowing it. The bitter, rich flavor lingered on her tongue, and the slowly seeping sweetness soothed her tired mind, slightly rousing her.

Exusiai chuckled and said, "I didn't expect Rhodes Island to be so powerful, actually managing to get the boss involved. I'm really curious what it is that requires the boss to personally handle it, instead of ordering it for us to deliver. But it's good though, the boss is going to get fat if he doesn't exercise, you chubby penguin."

“…The boss has acquaintances on Rhodes Island, the kind of relationships that are rather complicated,” Texas replied, gently tapping Exusiai’s head with her index finger. “Also, don’t let the boss hear that you have something to say about his physique, or he’ll get angry.”

"Haha, you won't tell on me anyway~" Exusiai scratched the back of her head foolishly.

"Really? A cup of Jasmine White Soy Milk Tea, less ice, normal sugar, and remember to add taro balls and agar jelly. This is a bribe, otherwise, this is off the table." Texas said, taking advantage of the situation, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Exusiai's eyes widened, and she blurted out, "Why don't you just go and steal it!"

"You can't make money this way by robbing."

Texas chuckled, and whether it was just her imagination or not, she felt the lingering chocolate in her mouth tasted even sweeter.

Exusiai immediately bristled and lunged at him, baring her teeth.

"Alright, alright, stop fooling around. We can't let the Reunion Movement be too idle."

Texas raised her hand to stop Exusiai from trying to hug her and tickle her, while simultaneously wiping the remaining cookie crumbs on Exusiai's shoulder. The movements were practiced and seamless, clearly the work of a repeat offender. Exusiai sometimes didn't even know what smelled like on her; it depended on Texas's mood that day and the snacks she had on her.

"Amiya has probably circled around to the monster's trail. We can't let her face multiple enemies at the same time."

Texas narrowed her eyes, sorting through the intelligence they had gathered, and then, putting herself in Amiya's shoes, said in a deep voice, "I have a feeling that Amiya will do something foolish to rescue Misha. The best we can do now is to support her as much as possible."

"That little rabbit leader..."

Exusiai blinked, crossed her arms, and gently raised and lowered her fingers, as if she was pondering something.

"I have a good impression of her, and if possible, I would like to become her long-term partner. If she dies here, I will probably, maybe, possibly... be a little sad?" Exusiai muttered to herself.

Texas's lips curled up slightly: "Just a little bit?"

"You're so annoying."

Exusiai puffed out her cheeks in displeasure, tilted her head slightly, and said in a low voice, "How could you and I be unmoved by a child so young directly trusting and entrusting us with such responsibilities? She's so young, yet she has to bear such heavy pressure. If I ever see that so-called doctor, I'll definitely teach him a lesson! How can he push so many things onto a child!"

"Don't get fooled and end up losing everything," Texas cautioned.

"How could that be? I'm Exia!"

Exusiai proudly puffed out her chest, unaware that she would one day fall completely in love.

"Let's get down to business, Exusiai."

Texas gripped the hilt of the Originium Sword, looked at her friend, and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Ready, Captain! Let's go capture the Reunion Movement!"

"Then let's do some warm-up exercises, starting with their sentry posts."

Texas patted Exusiai on the side and instructed, "This is already beyond Lungmen's jurisdiction. If necessary, don't hesitate to use the Etching Bullets."

"Yes, Captain!!"

"So, why do you call me captain!?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Longmen Desert, an abandoned area.

Yellow sand, wasteland, rocks, and night—this place has all the elements of wilderness warfare.

If we consider the right timing, location, and people, then this place possesses the first two advantages, making it a strategically vital location.

The Reunion Movement had already laid an ambush here, but the commander wasn't Mephisto, but W. Despite her seemingly madwoman-like appearance, W's combat experience far exceeded what others imagined, and... she had even learned a great deal under Terra's most outstanding battlefield commander. No matter how much she hated that man, she had to admit that the skills he taught her would allow her to survive longer in this cruel world.

In the abandoned buildings on the desolate land, at a makeshift rest area for the wounded, Suigu, a cadre of the Reunification Movement, slowly opened his eyes.

Broken Bones stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling, then looked down at his wounds wrapped in makeshift bandages. He tried to sit up, but felt that no part of his body was intact, and he gasped for breath in pain.

"you're awake?"

W swung her long legs over to Broken Bones, bent down, and pinched Broken Bones' chin with her small hand. She looked him up and down, then pried open Broken Bones' eyelids to check his eyes. After confirming that he hadn't suffered a concussion, she revealed a malicious smile and gave him a thumbs up.

What number is this?

"...Stop messing around, W, I saw the bomb remote control in your hand."

"Aha, that's clever."

She originally intended to tell him after Broken Bones answered that this was actually the third bomb, Bites the Dust, but the other party cleverly did not take the bait.

Broken Bones tried to lift his hand, but was uncomfortable due to the pain and couldn't get rid of W's hand.

W turned the remote control, gently tapped Broken Bones' head, and smiled, "Why are you so excited? Do you want to kneel down and thank me? Don't rush to thank me, there's a reason I saved you."

"...Why should I thank you? Aren't all my injuries thanks to you? You detonated the bomb, it was you, W."

As excruciating pain coursed through his body, Shattered Bones gradually regained consciousness, and memories from before his unconsciousness flooded back. Even though he now appeared light and easily pushed over, with W pinching his chin like an older sister bullying a little boy, his eyes remained sharp.

"Oh dear, you've found out."

Upon seeing this, W did not get angry but laughed, and laughed even more happily.

She released her grip on the broken bone, turned and walked to the other side, throwing the two gun blades at him.

Broken Bones frowned, enduring the tearing pain in his arm as he took the weapon, a slight tremor running through his body. A deep blue aura emanated from the weapon, calming his pain. This ancient hunter's weapon possessed a spirit; once bound by blood, it could only be wielded by the chosen bloodline, and anyone else would suffer a backlash.

"call……"

Shattered Bones slowly exhaled, the pain gradually subsiding. Nearly half of his strength relied on this weapon. If he were to use an ordinary Reunion Movement standard longsword, he might not be as effective as a Sarkaz centurion.

"Now you should thank me, right? Do you think I got all these injuries from somewhere?"

W shook her right hand, which was wrapped in bandages to stop the bleeding.

She suffered a lot in order to bring back the weapon from the shattered bones.

"...Thanks."

Shattered Bones, clutching the gun blade, said somewhat reluctantly.

"Saving you doesn't really give me any sense of accomplishment, but as I said, there's a reason I saved you."

W waved his hand, casually sat down on something that could barely be called a table, and glanced at the broken bones.

"I originally thought you were just an easy-going, honest tool who only needed a little encouragement. But now it seems you're smarter than I thought. Congratulations, at least you won't die an unclear death."

"...Can I take that as a compliment?"

"Of course, most people don't know they're just a tool until they die, but you, at least, can stay awake in your dreams."

"I don't think you're praising me at all."

Broken Bones was speechless. He suddenly had an urge to kick the beautiful girl from Zaun in front of him.

W's smile slowly faded, and she said in a deep voice, "Misha has been kidnapped by Mephisto."

Shattered Bones' expression shifted slightly. His feelings were complex; he said softly, "Isn't that good? Mission accomplished, we can return to Chernobog. Our compatriots who died in Lungmen can rest in peace..."

Is this your true thought?

W said coldly, directly interrupting Broken Bones' seemingly weak voice.

"Others may not be aware of what Mephisto has done, but as a member of the leadership, you certainly are. What do you think Misha will face next? Living happily within the Reunion Movement? Don't even think about it. Once the activation key to the Chernobog core city is found on her, her fate will only be to become Mephisto's experimental subject, lose her mind, and turn into a hideous monster—"

"He dares?" Broken Bones roared.

“Why wouldn’t he dare!” W raised her voice, her hand on the black and red gun, her eyes icy. “Why do you think he spent his time constantly smearing the Kingkiller in the Reunion Movement? Denying her past contributions and achievements to the organization? And how did he manage to manipulate her direct troops, turning them into the inhuman monsters they are now?”

“Listen carefully. If I hadn’t brought you back from the ruins, you would have become a new member of that monster group. Mephisto will never let you go, just as he has always coveted the Kingslayer. It’s not just you and Misha; I, Frostnova, and even that old man Patriot are on his hunting list. He’ll probably only let his little boyfriend Faust and Talulah go. Everyone else is just a toy in his eyes.”

W's anger was contained in her eyes; the smile on her face vanished, and she looked like the calm before a storm.

"Tell me, Alex, are you really okay with handing over Misha... your own sister, to that devil like this?"

"...Are you telling the truth?"

Believe it or not.