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

Oh my god, how could she say something like that! It's so embarrassing! What will Su Rui think? Will she think she's too childish, too domineering, too…?

But… the thought of Renata getting close to Suri, speaking to her with that look and that tone, filled her with uncontrollable anger and fear. Suri was hers, her miracle, the light that pulled her from the abyss. She would never allow anyone, in any way, to take him away from her! Not even a thought!

The washing machine hummed behind her, mirroring the chaotic pounding of her heart.

In the living room, the sound of the vacuum cleaner resumed, mingling with the subtle rustling of furniture being wiped. Suri (in his sheep form) had already sat back down on the bar stool and picked up his phone. The game seemed to have ended; he was calmly browsing other information, as if the little commotion from just moments ago had never happened.

However, if you look closely, you might notice that the corners of his usually tightly pursed mouth seem to have turned up slightly more than usual, with an almost imperceptible curve.

The cleaning work, undertaken by housekeeper Aunt Mary and senior student Renata, was finally completed in a subtly tense atmosphere. Perhaps it was Suri's promise of a "20% tip" that motivated them, or perhaps Renata had completely given up on any illusions after her attempts to "take shortcuts" failed; in any case, the two worked with exceptionally high efficiency and meticulous care. When Eyjafjalla finally emerged from her mental preparations in the laundry room (and secretly splashed cold water on her cheeks several times to cool down), she was greeted by a completely renovated villa.

The windows gleamed, the floors were spotless, and all the furniture surfaces shimmered with a warm glow. Even the stainless steel appliances and countertops in the kitchen were polished to a shine. A faint, refreshing lemon scent of cleaning agents filled the air, dispelling the last trace of the subtle, lingering smell of new building materials. The already tidy lawn in the backyard had been trimmed, and the terrace was wiped clean.

“Mr. Suri, Ms. Eyjafjalla, the deep cleaning and basic tidying of all areas are complete.” Aunt Mary wiped the sweat from her brow, a kind smile on her face as she handed over a list. “This is our work list. Please take a look. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can redo it immediately.”

Volume 19, page 1325: The vast majority of people have no other way.

Su Rui (in sheep form) put down his phone (the game was long over, and he seemed to have returned to browsing information), calmly scanned the list, then glanced around the bright and clean living room, which had a somewhat "showroom" feel, and nodded almost imperceptibly. "Okay."

He didn't even get up to check carefully; he simply took out his phone and made a few movements. "The fee and tip have been paid into your company's account. You can leave after confirmation."

His tone was flat and businesslike, offering no further comment on Renata's previous actions or any special praise for their efficient work, as if everything were merely a cold, contractual transaction.

Renata stood behind Aunt Mary, her head slightly bowed. The bright smile that had graced her face was gone, replaced by a silent tension. Hearing Suri's words, she finally looked up, glancing quickly at Suri. Her azure eyes held a complex mix of emotions—embarrassment, disappointment, and perhaps a hint of anticipation for the impending extra tip. Ultimately, however, she simply murmured a "thank you," and together with Aunt Mary, quickly packed up their tools, politely said goodbye, and hurried away.

The door closed, shutting out the two "helpers" with their own agendas. The huge villa was now empty except for Suri and Ayjafjalla, and the low hum of the washing machine in its final spin cycle in the laundry room.

The fresh scent of lemon cleaner in the air, mixed with the warm feeling of the afternoon sun shining on the grass outside the window, made the whole space feel unusually quiet, even somewhat empty.

Eyjafjalla stood there, recalling the complex look in Renata's eyes before she left. The sense of victory she felt for "protecting" Suri, a mix of shyness and satisfaction, was gradually replaced by a more complicated emotion. It was a feeling of confusion, a hint of lingering fear, and a little... indescribable awkwardness.

She was well aware of Suri's charm. From the gloomy streets of Cumberland to the bustling campus of Tremont, Suri's breathtaking beauty and unique charisma attracted almost every gaze directed at him, regardless of gender. Eyjafjalla had long since grown accustomed to those gazes—those of amazement, inquiry, or infatuation—and to staying close to Suri, silently asserting her "ownership" with her eyes and gestures.

But this was the first time she'd encountered such a direct, blatant, and even transactional approach from Renata. It was different from the simple attraction to beauty she knew; this was more…realistic, and more unsettling. Renata's goal was clear—Suri's wealth, or rather, the tuition fees that wealth could afford, fees far beyond her means.

Eyjafjalla didn't despise Renata for struggling to pay her tuition; she herself had experienced similar despair. But using one's body and dignity as bargaining chips to exchange for money and opportunities… this filled her with a chilling sorrow, and also made her more wary. Were there more people like this around Suri? Coveting him in various ways, trying to get something from him?

She turned around and looked at Suri. Suri (in sheep form) had left the kitchen island and was walking towards the large, comfortable gray fabric sofa in the living room. He didn't sit down, but stood beside the sofa, his gaze calmly fixed on the bright backyard outside the window, as if he were thinking about something, or perhaps simply "on standby".

Eyjafjalla bit her lip, walked over, and stopped beside Suri. Instead of immediately grabbing his arm as usual, she hesitated for a moment, then, under Suri's somewhat surprised gaze (though the degree of "surprise" was almost negligible), she kicked off her slippers, curled up like a kitten seeking comfort, and sank into the large, soft corner of the sofa. Then, she reached out and gently tugged at Suri's sleeve.

Suri (in lamb form) looked down at Eyjafjalla's pink eyes, which were filled with obvious confusion and dependence. She paused for about a second, then sat down next to her with a slight pull.

Almost the instant Suri sat down, Eyjafjalla moved closer, resting her head gently on Suri's shoulder. Her arms naturally wrapped around his waist from behind, embedding herself entirely in Suri's embrace, seeking that familiar and reassuring cool breath and firm touch.

Su Rui's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, as if she was still a little uncomfortable with this overly intimate, undefined "needs"-laden embrace. But in the end, he didn't push her away; he simply adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable, and then turned his gaze back to the window, as if the girl in his arms were just a kitten that had suddenly snuggled up to him and needed to be petted.

“Suri…” Eyjafjalla buried her face in the crook of Suri’s neck, her voice muffled, carrying lingering confusion and a hint of barely perceptible grievance, “That… Senior Renata, why… did she do that?”

Her question was somewhat vague, but Su Rui clearly understood what she meant. His dark eyes remained fixed on the window, sunlight filtering through the clean glass, casting dappled patterns of light in his eyes, yet failing to penetrate the deep tranquility within.

“For survival resources.” Suri’s (in sheep form) voice rang out, calm and even, as if stating a law of physics: “In a social structure where resources are limited, competition is fierce, and access is highly capitalized, individuals tend to take all effective means to obtain necessary or desired resources (such as opportunities for higher education), including utilizing their own exchangeable capital. Appearance, body, and time can all be regarded as exchangeable capital in specific situations.”

His words were cold and rational, stripped of all moral judgment and emotional coloring, and were merely an analysis from the perspectives of social behavior and economics.

Eyjafjalla lifted her head from Suri's embrace, her pink eyes filled with even greater confusion: "But...does it really have to be that way? Working, taking out a loan, applying for scholarships...isn't there any other way?"

“Yes,” Suri (in sheep form) replied succinctly. “But the efficiency, the threshold, and the success rate are different. For individuals lacking sufficient initial capital (family wealth, social connections, top talent), selling labor (conventional work) for remuneration is far less efficient than selling other, more ‘scarce’ or ‘exclusive’ capital. Loans require credit and repayment ability, and scholarships are highly competitive and have limited coverage. When the expected returns of conventional paths cannot cover the target costs (high tuition fees), some individuals will turn to unconventional paths, even if those paths come with higher risks (health, legal, social evaluation) and moral costs.”

Volume 19, page 1326: Marginal Bonus Items

Suri paused, seemingly feeling the need to help Eyjafjalla understand the logic more clearly, and added: “Colombia’s education system, especially its top universities, is highly tied to capital. Knowledge is commodified, and the barriers to obtaining qualifications (diplomas) are quantified in monetary terms. Renata’s behavior is based on seeking the most efficient exchange between her own capital (youth, appearance, body) and target resources (tuition fees) under the existing rules. Her target is me, simply because I demonstrated the ‘ability’ to pay for her target resources (this property, the act of employment), and was relatively ‘accessible’ (young, seemingly living alone). This has little to do with ‘charm’; it’s more a result of target selection and risk assessment.”

As Eyjafjalla listened to Suri's long, cold, rational, and almost emotionless analysis, the initial awkwardness and unease she felt about Renata's behavior gradually gave way to a deeper, more complex emotion. Suri was right. Renata's actions were driven by the suffocatingly high cost of education at Columbia University, and the reality of countless ordinary families and students struggling. She wasn't after "Suri" as a person, but rather the "money" that Suri represented, the money that could solve her predicament. It was a distorted and tragic survival strategy born of despair and the oppression of reality.

“So…it’s not your fault, Suri.” Eyjafjalla buried her face back in Suri’s arms, her voice low. “It’s not her fault either…it’s society, it’s those expensive tuition and book fees…”

“Not entirely,” Suri (in lamb form) calmly corrected. “Social structure and resource allocation mechanisms are the macro-level context. Individual choices and moral considerations are the micro-level variables. They influence each other, but they are not the same. Renata chose her path, and you, met me.”

His words remained objective, yet they sent a jolt through Eyjafjalla's heart. Yes, she had met Suri. This powerful, mysterious being, possessing incredible wealth, had, in ways she couldn't comprehend, forcefully pulled her out of that desperate future, a future where she might also be forced to make similar choices. How incredibly lucky she was.

A surge of gratitude and affection welled up inside her, and she hugged Su Rui even tighter.

But then, Eyjafjalla remembered something else. She lifted her head slightly from Suri's embrace, her pink eyes intently fixed on Suri's profile so close to hers. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows on his exquisitely perfect features; his long, thick silver eyelashes and his skin were so fair and smooth that pores were invisible. Even at such close range, under such calm scrutiny, his face still possessed a breathtaking, almost inhuman beauty.

“Suri,” Eyjafjalla’s voice held a hint of stubbornness, and a small, undeniable insistence, “Although you said that what Senior Renata did was mainly for money, and had little to do with your… well, your ‘charm.’ But—”

She stretched out a finger and gently poked Su Rui's cheek; the touch was cool and smooth.

“But, Suri, you’re too modest.” Eyjafjalla puffed out her cheeks, as if to emphasize her point of view. “Do you know how many people look at you every time we walk down the street? Men, women, old people, children… everyone’s eyes are drawn to you. Your hair, your eyes, your face, and your horns… you’re like you’re glowing, so beautiful… you don’t even look real.”

She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and pride as she recalled the admiring and infatuated gazes that practically clung to Suri on the school campus in Cumberland and Tremont.

"So, even if Senior Renata initially approached you for money, she must have thought you were incredibly beautiful! Maybe...maybe she was secretly pleased, thinking that if she could get money from you that way, she could not only solve her tuition problem, but also..." Eyjafjalla's voice lowered, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she still insisted on finishing, "...and even felt like she got the better deal!"

Her words were somewhat childish, tinged with obvious jealousy and possessiveness, but they also reflected her truest feelings. She couldn't believe that anyone could completely ignore Su Rui's stunning looks and unique charisma when facing him at such close range. Money might be a factor, but Su Rui's very presence undoubtedly amplified the allure.

When Suri (in his lamb form) poked Eyjafjalla's cheek, his dark eyes flickered slightly as he looked at her. Hearing her long, clearly biased discourse about his "charm," a subtle, almost bewildered glint seemed to flash across his calm eyes.

He clearly doesn't understand, nor can he empathize with, the kind of strong subjective aesthetic feedback based on the visual cortex that Eyjafjalla describes, and the complex social behaviors and emotional reactions that result. In his cognitive model, external form is merely one of the information carriers; efficiency, function, and logic are the more important evaluation dimensions.

But he didn't refute Eyjafjalla. Instead, after she finished speaking, he calmly stated a fact:

“Based on comparisons with existing social aesthetic databases, my physical appearance data falls within the high threshold range of current mainstream aesthetic preferences in human society. This may improve the efficiency of social interactions mediated by ‘physical attractiveness’ in specific situations, or serve as an auxiliary variable. However,” he paused, his dark eyes calmly fixed on Eyjafjalla’s stubborn pink eyes, “in behavioral decision-making models similar to Renata’s, ‘paying power’ and ‘accessibility’ are the core driving variables, while ‘physical attractiveness’ is a marginal bonus, not a determining factor. Without the former, the probability of the latter triggering such transactional behavior on its own is extremely low.”

Simply put, Suri believes that no matter how beautiful someone is, if they lack money and power, someone like Renata wouldn't approach them in that way. Money is fundamental; good looks are merely icing on the cake, or perhaps not even the "cake," just a slightly more attractive "icing."

Listening to Suri's still rational, even somewhat jarring, analysis, and seeing his earnest explanation, Eyjafjalla's inexplicable sourness and stubbornness suddenly deflated, turning into a helpless feeling that was both amused and exasperated. She knew, of course, that Suri had a point; Renata's behavior was mainly driven by tuition fees. But… she just didn't want to admit that Suri's stunning beauty might only be a "marginal bonus" in other people's eyes!

Volume 19, Chapter 1327: Eyjafjalla Wants to Go Out Together

This is simply an "insult" to Suri's charm! Although this "insult" comes from Suri herself.

She glared at Su Rui, who looked back at her calmly, her puffed-up face clearly reflected in her dark eyes.

After staring at each other for a few seconds, Eyjafjalla finally gave in, burying her face in Suri's arms again in frustration, and said in a muffled voice, "Okay, okay, you're right, you're the rational Suri, and I'm the emotional Eyjafjalla... Anyway, no matter why anyone takes you in, you're not allowed to pay attention to them! You're mine! I found you! You're mine!"

She spoke her last sentence with absolute certainty, tightening her grip on her arms as if to use her actions to firmly lock Su Rui to her side.

Suri (in his lamb form) felt the almost domineering declaration and tightening grip of the girl in his arms. Data streams silently flashed through his dark eyes once more. He remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly processing this command that contained a strong emotional claim and a sense of ownership. Ultimately, he didn't give a yes or no answer, but simply raised his hand, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then somewhat awkwardly, gently patted Eyjafjalla's fluffy pink head.

"Ah."

A simple syllable, devoid of emotion, yet offering no rebuttal.

Eyjafjalla snuggled against Suri, and finally couldn't help but let a small, satisfied smile curve her lips.

The memories of Cumberland, along with that night of farewell, pain, and rebirth, are like carefully preserved old film reels, gently stored in a soft corner of Eyjafjalla's heart. Meanwhile, 119 Oak Street, this spacious, bright, and thoroughly cleaned villa, is quickly filled with traces of her and Suri's shared life, gradually taking on the shape of a "home."

The days flowed by leisurely in the warm sunshine and gentle breeze of early summer in Trimont. With several months to go before the start of school, this was a rare buffer period for Eyjafjalla, who had just experienced a dramatic change in her life and stepped into a brand new world, allowing her to breathe freely and adapt.

Suri (in his sheep form) always seemed to have endless things to do, things Eyjafjalla couldn't fully comprehend. He spent most of his time in the room on the second floor of the villa, which had been converted into a temporary "workshop"—a room filled with electronic devices Eyjafjalla couldn't understand, multiple screens flashing complex data, and strangely shaped metal or crystal components whose purpose she couldn't recognize. Suri would sit in front of those screens and devices, his fingers rapidly tapping and sliding on the keyboard or touchpad, his dark eyes reflecting the flowing data, sometimes for hours, sometimes even a whole day. Eyjafjalla was very considerate and rarely disturbed him, only preparing simple meals on time (or, more often, Suri "conjured" nutritionally balanced food) and quietly placing them beside him.

But Eyjafjalla herself wasn't idle. In her suitcase, the basic textbooks on geology and Originium theory she'd brought from Cumberland County had already been read countless times, the margins filled with meticulous notes and questions. She knew her foundation was weak, especially compared to her future classmates who had grown up in Columbia's elite education system. So, with Suri's permission, she used Suri's "magical" phone to apply for temporary access to the Columbia National Library's online system and began voraciously downloading and reading more relevant professional books and open papers.

In a corner of the living room on the first floor of the villa, she had set up a small study area. A comfortable armchair, an adjustable reading lamp, and a small round table piled high with printed materials and her newly purchased notebooks. She often sat there for an entire afternoon, immersed in the complex and fascinating ocean of knowledge—the structure of rocks, the changes in the earth, the relationship between the fluctuations of Originium energy and geological activity, and so on. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating her long silver hair and focused profile; her pink eyes sometimes furrowed in confusion, and sometimes sparkled with understanding.

However, beyond her studies, the young girl's heart always yearns for more. It's not just about filling her knowledge gaps, but also about a closer connection and companionship with that special person by her side.

Eyjafjalla knew that Suri disliked crowds, especially meaningless social interactions and being disturbed. After what happened with Renata, she herself had become more sensitive and wary of strangers' glances at Suri. But early summer in Tremont was so beautiful—the sun was shining, the breeze was gentle, the sycamore trees lining the streets were lush and green, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of coffee, flowers, and freshly baked bread. She longed, so longed, to go out with Suri and, like countless other ordinary couples in the city (though she wasn't sure if she and Suri counted as "couples," they were at least "people living together"), enjoy a leisurely time just for the two of them.

She cautiously brought up this idea to Su Rui.

"Suri, um... how about we go for a walk tomorrow afternoon? Just nearby, nothing too far." After dinner one day, Eyjafjalla was clearing away the dishes when she asked casually, her pink eyes secretly glancing at Suri, who was sitting on the living room sofa, seemingly "on standby."

Suri (in lamb form) turned her gaze from the window to Eyjafjalla, her black eyes calm and unwavering, as if assessing the necessity and potential risks of the proposal.

Eyjafjalla quickly added, "We can go somewhere less crowded! I know a really expensive coffee shop near the university town. I heard the environment is really nice and quiet, and there aren't many customers... Well, the food is a bit pricey, but..." She looked at Suri, her eyes filled with anticipation, "We can go there, sit down, have a drink, read a book, or just look at the street scene... okay?"

She knew that Suri didn't care about money, so being "expensive" was actually an advantage—it could filter out most irrelevant people.

Suri (in sheep form) remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly rapidly searching for data on the location, surrounding environment, customer reviews, and potential safety risks mentioned by Eyjafjalla. A few seconds later, he nodded almost imperceptibly.

"can."

Eyjafjalla's eyes lit up instantly, as if stars had fallen into them.

The next afternoon, the sun shone brightly. Ayjafjalla had specially changed into a soft, light beige dress that Suri had bought for her. The dress reached her knees, and the neckline and cuffs were adorned with delicate lace, making her skin appear even whiter. Her long, silver hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, making her look fresh and adorable. She had even secretly used some lip balm that Suri had "conjured" up, which had a light floral scent.

Volume 19, Chapter 1328: An Accidental Explosion

Suri (in her lamb form) was still wearing her ever-changing, well-tailored dark casual outfit. Her silver hair was soft, her lamb horns were clean, and her black eyes calmly reflected everything around her, including Eyjafjalla's barely concealed, excited yet slightly nervous expression.

Just as Eyjafjalla had described, the coffee shop was located on a relatively quiet tree-lined avenue on the edge of the university town. The storefront was unassuming, but through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the stylish interior—dark walnut furniture, soft leather sofas, warm yellow lighting, and the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the sweet scent of baked goods filling the air. Most importantly, in the afternoon, the shop was nearly empty, with only an elderly couple sitting quietly by the window and a young man wearing headphones and typing on a laptop in the corner.

Eyjafjalla breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the high price had indeed served as a filter. She pulled Suri along and chose a relatively secluded booth at the back, partially separated by a bookshelf.

A well-trained waiter in a well-fitting uniform quickly brought the menu. Ayjafjalla nervously flipped through the heavy leather menu, her eyes dazzled by the dazzling array of coffee names and exquisite pastry pictures, and the prices made her gasp – a simple latte cost almost as much as her weekly food expenses in Cumberland. But thinking of Suri, she mustered her courage and ordered a signature hand-chopped Geisha coffee and a very tempting-looking muffin topped with fresh berries and cream.

When it was Suri's turn, he didn't even look at the menu and simply told the waiter, "Freshly squeezed orange juice, room temperature. Thank you."

The waiter paused for a moment, seemingly surprised that someone would only order orange juice in a shop renowned for its specialty coffee, but his excellent professionalism immediately brought back a smile: "Okay, sir. Would you like some ice or sugar?"

"Need not."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

The waiter collected the menus and left. Eyjafjalla looked at Suri with some curiosity: "Suri, don't you like coffee?" She seemed to have never seen Suri drink coffee before; he usually either drank that clear, unidentifiable liquid or pure water.

"The stimulating effect of caffeine on the human central nervous system and its interference with some physiological rhythms do more harm than good. Moreover, its flavor complexity does not fit my energy intake efficiency and sensory preference optimization model," Suri (in lamb form) explained calmly, as if stating an objective scientific conclusion.

Eyjafjalla blinked, roughly understanding what Suri meant: coffee doesn't taste good and it's bad for your health; juice is much better. Hmm, very much in line with Suri's style.

The desserts were served quickly. In an elegant bone china cup, amber-colored coffee exuded an enticing floral and fruity aroma; in a stemmed glass, bright orange-yellow freshly squeezed juice shone; the muffins were fluffy and soft, garnished with bright red strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, drizzled with golden honey, and accompanied by a small bowl of whipped cream.

Eyjafjalla carefully cut off a small piece of the muffin and put it in her mouth. The fluffy texture and sweet fruity aroma instantly melted on her taste buds, mixed with the silky smoothness of the cream, making her eyes squint with happiness. She picked up her coffee cup and, imitating the elderly couple next to her, took a small sip. Slightly bitter, followed by a bright fruity acidity, and then a lingering sweetness... It was indeed completely different from instant coffee. Although it was a bit expensive, it was a once-in-a-lifetime treat, and... it was with Suri. She secretly glanced at Suri across from her, who was quietly drinking orange juice, and her heart was as sweet as the muffin in front of her.

Suri (in his lamb form) seemed uninterested in the juice and snacks in front of him, only taking a few symbolic sips of orange juice. His gaze swept calmly over the elegant ambiance of the coffee shop and the occasional passerby outside the window. His very presence was a silent spectacle, attracting the attention of the occasional waiter and other scattered customers even while seated in the corner. Fortunately, the place was indeed sparsely populated, and the patrons seemed to be of high caliber, mostly glancing at him with a fleeting look before politely looking away, unlike the unabashed stares he often displayed on the street.

Eyjafjalla ate her muffins slowly, sipped her coffee, and occasionally glanced up at Suri, then at the sun-dappled tree-lined path outside the window, finding the moment peaceful and beautiful. She even took out a small booklet she had brought with her, an overview of Colombia's geological structure, intending to do her homework while enjoying afternoon tea.

However, the afternoon tranquility of Trimont, Colombia, always seems fragile, especially when it is not located in the most central and heavily guarded affluent area.

Just as Eyjafjalla opened the book and Suri was halfway through her orange juice, a sharp, ear-piercing screech of brakes suddenly rang out from the once peaceful street outside the coffee shop's heavy glass door, inlaid with brass patterns, followed by a deafening crash of metal colliding violently!

"Bang--!!!"

The loud noise made the coffee shop's glass windows rattle. The customers inside, including the elderly couple and the young man in the corner, were startled and looked out the window with suspicion.

Eyjafjalla was startled, and the coffee spoon in her hand clattered onto the bone china plate. She instinctively looked at Suri, only to see Suri (in her lamb form) still sitting there calmly. Her dark eyes weren't even looking in the direction of the loud noise outside the window; instead, they were calmly, almost indifferently, scrutinizing the environment and the reactions of the people in the shop. It was as if the loud noise was merely a slightly abrupt note in the background noise.

But the commotion didn't stop. Then, angry shouts, chaotic running sounds, and... came from outside the window.

"call out--!"

A sharp whistling sound pierced the air!

A crossbow bolt, gleaming coldly, flew past the edge of the coffee shop's huge floor-to-ceiling glass window and, with a "thud," embedded itself deeply into the thick trunk of a sycamore tree outside the window, its tail feathers still trembling slightly.

"Ah—!" In the coffee shop, the elderly woman from the couple let out a short scream, and her husband quickly pulled her into his arms. The young man in the corner also turned pale, quickly closed his laptop, and looked warily toward the door.

Eyjafjalla's heart leaped into her throat. A crossbow bolt! What was happening outside?!

As if in response to her question, an even louder sound followed.

"Bang bang bang!" It wasn't the continuous explosion of a gun firing, but a more muffled, yet more impactful, sound of explosions! Judging from the sound, it sounded like some kind of homemade explosive.

Volume 19, Chapter 1329: Danger is everywhere!

"boom!"

Something seemed to have been blown up in the street; flames and thick smoke shot up suddenly. Even through the coffee shop's glass windows, one could see figures moving about in a chaotic scene. Shouts, fighting, the sound of things breaking, and sporadic "whoosh" sounds—what appeared to be crossbow bolts—mingled together, creating a violent street brawl that clashed sharply with the elegant and tranquil atmosphere inside the coffee shop.

Was it a gang fight? Or some other conflict? Eyjafjalla had heard of and even witnessed some chaos in the lower-class neighborhoods of Cumberland, but this was the first time she had encountered it so closely and directly. She nervously gripped the hem of her skirt, her pink eyes filled with terror, and instinctively wanted to move closer to Suri.

However, Suri (in lamb form) remained as calm as a rock. He even picked up the glass, finished the last bit of orange juice, and gently placed the glass back on the table with a soft "tinkle." His gaze finally turned to the chaotic street scene outside the window. In his dark eyes, data streams flashed silently and rapidly, as if he were calmly analyzing the situation outside, the number of participants, the weapon composition, the threat level...

Just then, the coffee shop door was suddenly kicked open from the outside! A man wearing a tattered jacket, with fresh scars on his face and a fierce look in his eyes, stumbled in, holding a cocked crossbow in his hand, the cold glint of the bolt pointed straight into the shop!

"Don't move! Hand over all the money! Now!" the man roared, his gaze sweeping over the few customers in the store before finally settling on Su Rui, who seemed the calmest (or rather, the most indifferent), and the stunningly beautiful silver-haired girl beside her, dressed in an exquisite dress and looking terrified. A glint of greed and violence flashed in his eyes.

Eyjafjalla was so frightened she almost screamed; her body stiffened, and her mind went blank.

However, just as the man aimed the crossbow at Su Rui, his finger about to pull the trigger—

"boom!"

A crisp and decisive gunshot rang out from outside the coffee shop! It wasn't the muffled thud of a homemade explosive device during a street shootout, nor the whistling sound of a crossbow bolt cutting through the air, but the explosive roar of a standard, unmodified firearm!