Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

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, but it carried a solemn, promise-like meaning. “Just… be careful. And…” She paused, her gaze falling on Su Rui’s ear, a knowing look 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 Suri'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's 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 Suri to sit on the couch by the fireplace. She placed the package on the low table between them, and then, very naturally, pulled Suri into her arms, letting his head rest on her shoulder.

"Are you tired? Take a rest." Enya said softly, her fingers gently 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.

Never mind... 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), and... Ensia.

This is enough.

As for revenge... Suri's lips curled into a barely perceptible, cold, calculating arc at an angle that Enya couldn't see.

There's plenty of time. We'll... have our fun with that woman named Jian.

Inside the meditation room, the fireplace flickered, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air. Enya held Suri 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. Suri, 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 sacred mountain of Kjerag. 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. Inside the meditation room, the fireplace's flames were the only source of light, casting warm, flickering shadows on the walls and ceiling, stretching the silhouettes of Enya and Suri (Snow Leopard version) together, making them appear long and intertwined.

Enya, holding Suri, had fallen into a deep sleep on the soft wolf-skin rug by the fireplace. She lay on her side, Suri nestled in her arms, her chin resting gently on the top of his head, her breathing even and long. Suri was also curled up in her embrace, his cheek against her soft chest, feeling her steady heartbeat and reassuring scent. His bushy tail curled unconsciously, draped over Enya's calf. Both slept soundly, as if the wind and snow outside were merely distant, insignificant background noise.

However, Suri wasn't truly asleep. Or rather, after Enya fell into a deep sleep, his consciousness, which had become somewhat hazy from the warmth and comfort, slowly, like an undercurrent beneath the surface, regained its clarity. He lay quietly in Enya's arms, motionless, only his eyes open. His obsidian-like eyes, in the dim light, gleamed 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, standing still like a statue—Yela.

She was still wearing that impeccably tailored black maid's dress adorned with traditional Sherag 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, yet also appearing to be in the most devout, timeless state of vigil. Her presence was so subtly controlled that she almost blended into the surrounding air; were it not for Suri'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... Suri's gaze lingered on her for a long time.

He actually... knew it from the very beginning.

From the moment he first "consciously" perceived this world, feeling Enya's gentle yet resilient spiritual energy field envelop him like a warm nest, he vaguely sensed another existence. That existence was intimately connected to Enya, yet entirely different. It was more ancient, more profound, more...cold and vast, like the eternally unmelting glaciers of Kjerag, like the ceaselessly flowing ley lines beneath the sacred mountain, brimming with immense energy. 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 Sherag) 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 Shivaish's house at night, and Yera "happened" to appear on his way out, making that "deal" with him. At that moment, the pure, cold, unquestionable majesty and a certain... almost "divine" indifference emanating from Yera, which almost froze the air, 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 Sherag faith, the embodiment of the will of that eternally frozen holy mountain itself, or rather, the god that the Sherag people have worshipped for generations and who protects this land—Yelagand.

Volume 18, page 1169: Jeragund (Gangmen)

No wonder Yera was so powerful and perceptive, able to easily see through his movements, clear obstacles for him as he descended the mountain, and win his compromise with a kiss. No wonder Enya had a trust in her that went beyond that of master and servant, bordering on dependence. Because Yera was Sherag's "heaven," the "god" through whom Enya, the saintess, served and communicated.

This realization didn't instill fear or awe in Suri. Perhaps it was the loss of most of his memories, or perhaps it was an indifference towards so-called "gods and demons" ingrained in his very being, or perhaps... Yera never truly displayed that suffocating pressure and distance befitting a "god" in his presence. She existed more as the concrete, cold, and awkward (in his eyes) "maid" figure of "Yera." She would make him tea, groom his tail, and "discipline" him along with Enya when he "made a mistake," and when he needed it, she would tacitly approve of or even help him do some "outrageous" things.

This contradictory and complex feeling led Suri to maintain a peculiar, tacit silence regarding Yera's "true identity." He never revealed it, and Yera never spoke of it 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 Yera'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 Yella would react when this unspoken understanding was touched, very slightly and tentatively.

Once the thought took hold, it grew wildly like weeds. Suri 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 silently walked towards Yera in the shadows on the soft carpet.

Yera seemed oblivious to his approach, her eyes still lowered, like a perfectly sculpted statue. But Suri knew, she definitely knew. She was simply... waiting.

Suri walked up to Yera and stopped. He looked up, his dark eyes calmly and unblinkingly fixed on Yera'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. It was as if he were truly just a wisp of air.

Suri pursed his lips. He tiptoed slightly (though Yera wasn't much taller than him) and leaned close to Yera's ear. His warm breath gently brushed against Yera's cold earlobe.

Then, in an extremely soft, almost breathy, yet exceptionally clear tone, he whispered in Yela's ear:

"...Yeragand."

Four words. Clear and unambiguous.

There were no questions, no awe, just a calm statement. As if saying, "The weather is nice today."

The moment the words fell, Su Rui could clearly feel that Yera's seemingly unchanging, ice-sculpted body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a fleeting instant! Although the stiffness was so slight as to be almost imperceptible, Su Rui's keen senses accurately captured it!

Yera'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 Suri, 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 Yera, like an invisible tide! The air seemed to freeze, and the flames in the fireplace seemed to tremble, the light flickering erratically.

Suri'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, indifferent—it was as if the one standing before him was no longer the "maid" who combed his tail, but the sacred mountain, this land, this millennia-old ice and snow itself!

However, Suri's dark eyes showed no sign of hesitation or fear. He remained calm, even with a hint of inquiry, as he met Yella's cold, soul-freezing gaze. Though his body stiffened instinctively, his eyes were clear and resolute, as if saying: 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.

It's unclear how much time passed—perhaps just a moment, perhaps a long time. The suffocating pressure and scrutiny in Yera'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 had been slightly agitated by the earlier pressure and was still somewhat tense.

The force... wasn't light, it even carried a hint of punishment, the fingertips applied slight pressure, pinching the soft flesh on his cheek.

"Ugh..." Su Rui was caught off guard, his cheek stinging from the pinch. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his dark eyes. This woman... she's using this trick again! Always pinching his cheeks!

However, Yela's next move made him widen his eyes instantly, forgetting the pain in his cheek!

Volume 18, page 1170: I won't listen, I won't listen.

After pinching his cheek, Yela didn't let go; instead, she leaned down slightly! Her cold and perfect face magnified rapidly in Suri's suddenly contracting pupils! Then, in the instant before Suri could react and his mind went blank, Yela gently, yet with unusual clarity, pressed her cold, soft, and pale lips onto Suri's slightly parted, pale lips, which were parted in surprise!

A cold, brief, yet unmistakably divine kiss, 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 in an instant, visible to the naked eye! The redness spread 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, expressionless, goddess-like maid… how dare she?!

However, Yera acted as if she were doing something utterly ordinary. She released her grip on Suri's cheek, straightened up, and calmly looked at Suri's completely petrified, flushed, and confused state with her dark eyes. The corners of her mouth, almost imperceptibly… curved upwards in an extremely subtle, almost pleasurable arc? Though that arc was so fleeting it was like an illusion.

Then, before Suri could react in any way (such as pushing her away, wiping her mouth, or screaming), Yera reached out again and, with an irresistible yet unusually gentle force, gently pulled the still frozen, brain-dead Suri into her cold embrace.

Her embrace wasn't warm; it was even somewhat cold and hard, carrying an air of ice and antiquity. Yet, it was exceptionally firm, possessing a mountain-like stillness 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.

He 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, feeling the steady, strong pulse of her carotid artery. His stiff body, in this cold yet strangely comforting embrace, and under those gentle pats, actually…little by little, relaxed. Only his cheeks remained burning, his heart pounded like a drum, and the thunderous shock of being “kissed by a god” still reverberated in his mind.

Yera lowered her head, her cold lips almost touching the tip of Suri's red, furry ear. Her voice, like the gentlest breeze, carried a strange, almost sighing, deep magnetism, clearly reaching Suri's ears and seemingly resonating directly in his heart:

"Shelag... 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 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 the 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.”

Yera'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 seen, “…you are special. You have strength, you have wisdom, although sometimes…you are a little disobedient and like to run around.”

Suri: "..." He nestled in Yella's arms, barely uttering a smirk. Who's being disobedient?!

“I hope…” Yera’s voice regained its calm and deep tone, with a strange tone that was almost a “plea” but also seemed to be a “statement of facts,” “that Sherag 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 Suri'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 Sherag? Protect Enya? Or... deal with those troublesome "squirrels" and "bears" down the mountain?

Suri blinked in Yera's cold embrace. Her chaotic thoughts gradually became clearer because of Yera's straightforward and down-to-earth (relative to her divine status) "request".

It turned out to be the case.

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 is quite a scheme... both straightforward and cunning.

Suri's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He raised his hand, wanting to push Yera 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 Yera's words, though tinged with "calculation," also contained undeniable sincerity and deep concern for this land and for Enya?

Or perhaps... it's just because he doesn't actually hate this place? He doesn't hate Enya, he doesn't hate this peaceful (sometimes boring) holy mountain, and he doesn't even hate this "maid" deity who is sometimes cold and sometimes awkward, but always gives him tacit approval and help at crucial moments?

He remained silent for a long time. So long that Yera seemed to think he was asleep, or... contemplating how to refuse.

Volume 18, Chapter 1171: I'll see how it goes.

Finally, Suri lifted his head slightly from Yera'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 Yera's icy black eyes so close to his own, he pursed his lips and mumbled something in a slightly nasal, awkward voice:

"...Okay, I understand. 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 Suri'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." Yera'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."

Suri 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 if I want. 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... Suri scoffed inwardly. Perhaps, while "helping" maintain peace in Sherag, he could also... settle the score?

With this vague thought in mind, Suri drifted off to sleep in Enya's warm embrace and by the cozy firelight of the fireplace. Meanwhile, Yera 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, timeless tranquility, like an ancient starry sky, and… a faint, almost imperceptible tenderness.

Outside the window, the wind and snow continued. But this small world atop the sacred mountain, because of an unspoken "agreement" and a quietly changing bond, appeared exceptionally peaceful and... steadfast. 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 a beast tail.

Since that unspoken yet thrilling "showdown" and "deal" with Yera that night, Suri (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 Yera, 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 Yera'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 Suri 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, Yera never explicitly stated what to do. Suri didn't bother asking. 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 traveled 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. Yera, citing the need to "arrange the Saintess's robes," did not accompany her and remained in the meditation room.

When Enya's footsteps disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving only Yera and Suri in the meditation room, the illusion of tranquility crumbled quietly, like thin ice under the sunlight.

Yera 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 Suri kept his head down, his fluffy snow leopard ears turned almost imperceptibly toward Yella, indicating that he was not completely immersed in his own world.

“Suri,” Yella said, her voice as cold and calm as ever, yet carrying an unmistakable air of “serious business.”

Suri paused his swiping on the screen, slowly raised his head, and calmly looked at Yera with his obsidian-like eyes, waiting for her to continue.

Without wasting words, 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 gently brushed her fingertips along several specific, extremely hidden patterns with a peculiar rhythm.

"Click...click..." A few extremely faint yet heavy-sounding clicks of machinery turned echoed. The stone wall silently slid open, revealing the entrance to a small but exceptionally deep and dark secret chamber. A scent mingled with ancient sheepskin, cold metal, and some strange fragrance wafted from within 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 the true "storage room" of Yela, this "god"?

Yera didn't go in; she simply stood at the door of the secret chamber, speaking softly into it. She used a language Suri had never heard before, an ancient and difficult-to-pronounce syllable, as if it were the most primitive prayer of Sherag, a prayer to the earth and its snow.

Inside the sealed 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 Mount Kjerag, slowly "floated" out of the darkness and hovered before Yera. The cylinder was small, about an arm's length and two fingers' width, radiating a restrained, cold metallic sheen, and an extremely faint yet exceptionally pure aura of ice and divinity—an aura inherent to Yera herself.

Volume 18, Chapter 1172: Yera: 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.