Ark Chess Player

Ibitas rode on Lin Lu's neck, hugged his head, and imitated Lin Lu by rubbing his hair.

The white-faced owl tilted its head, seemingly not understanding what Lin Lu was doing, and gestured aimlessly at the air.

"Doctor, the white-faced owl is not joking. Please leave immediately; the situation is getting out of control."

"Are you kidding? Who have I, Lin, ever been afraid of? Do you know Kal'tsit? That fierce woman, I can chat and laugh with her without batting an eye!"

Lin Lu, sporting the Ibitas hairstyle, strode out the door, shouting menacingly, "I want to see who dares to kill me! Who dares to kill me! Who dares to kill me!!"

Then Lin Lu saw a woman with long, grayish-white hair tied in a ponytail swaying as she moved at the end of the corridor, and a black giant sword slung over her shoulder.

She seemed to hear Lin Lu's voice, and slowly turned her head. Her crimson jade eyes, which Lin Lu could feel intense pressure from a hundred meters away, stared directly at him and the space above his head...

Ibitas trembled, almost crying from the look in his eyes, and quickly burrowed into Lin Lu's deep spiritual domain.

She felt as if she had encountered her natural enemy; this was the first time the child had ever felt fear.

Is it shameful or not? He is still a great figure. Can't he be as unstoppable as Lin?

"Ah...this..."

Lin Lu clutched his abdomen, feeling the lingering, illusory pain as if he had been severed at the waist.

He gazed at the white-haired girl in the distance, feeling a surge of post-traumatic stress disorder, his stomach aching more than the injuries he had sustained during his night of fighting in Chernobog.

"Doctor, haven't you always been afraid of no one?"

The white-faced owl glanced at Lin Lu and suddenly felt less anxious. She had been a little worried, but now she was surprisingly happy.

"I...I...I'm not panicking!"

"Doctor, your voice cracked."

"I didn't!"

Lin Lu forced himself to endure the stomach pain and comforted himself.

It's okay, maybe it's just someone we've met before.

At most, it's just that she slashed me before, it's nothing serious, nothing serious.

I haven't done anything wrong, and I don't recall offending her, so it's not a big problem.

It wasn't until Lin Lu saw a small head peek out from behind the gray-haired woman, giving him a sweet and charming smile.

"Doctor, these are the new clothes you gave me. What do you think?"

The white-haired, red-eyed girl wearing a bowler hat turned slightly to the side, revealing her handcrafted, comfortable, and form-fitting nun's habit, seamlessly integrated into her everyday attire. The pristine white scarf blended with her long, soft, snow-white hair, and the infection monitoring ring around her neck emitted a faint blue glow. It was the Cambrian winter collection of clothing, Dark Current, a gift from Lin Lu.

"Ghost Shark..."

Lin Lu let out a wail like Ximen Qing being confronted by Wu Dalang at his doorstep.

The white-faced owl looked around and tilted its head to ask, "Doctor, do you have any other strategies to stop Skadi?"

"Ah...yes."

"The White-faced Owl would like to hear more details."

“Our Joestar family has a traditional fighting strategy, and I also have an optional tactic.”

"Really? Based on the White-faced Owl's analysis, there's an 80% probability that your combat skills are..."

The white-faced owl blinked, deciding to keep a certain distance from Lin Lu to avoid getting blood splattered on it later.

Lin Lu's lips twitched slightly, and he said proudly, "As expected of you, Bai Gugu, there aren't many people who understand me as well as you do."

"Doctor, you flatter me. Please try your best to live."

"Of course, I won't stop! As long as I have a breath left, I'll—run away on my legs, Bai Gugu!"

Without hesitation, Lin Lu turned and ran. His thin, light green hospital gown fluttered in the wind, and the sound of his flip-flops hitting the floor echoed in the corridor. He was convinced that no one could outrun him, Si Bide!

"Wait for me here."

Skadi, who had been watching Lin Lu intently, slowly placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. She first nodded slightly to Specter, then turned and charged forward.

"Boom-!!"

The Rhodes Island ships crashed into a mountain with a deafening roar.

Some of the sleeping agents thought it was an earthquake and reflexively rolled over and crawled under their beds, looking around warily.

"Holy crap!?"

Lin Lu staggered as a result, and then Skadi grabbed him by the back of the neck in mid-air and carried him into the shower room at the end of the fourth floor at a speed of 100 meters per second.

Skadi slammed Lin Lu against the wall, then braced herself with her right hand, blasting a small crater into the wall. Countless cracks spread from her palm like a spiderweb, causing the Rhodes Island ship to tremble again. Some operators who thought everything was alright, who had just crawled out from under their beds, were terrified and shrank back into their shells.

Wall slam.

The physical kind.

This was the first time Lin Lu had ever been pinned against a wall. At that moment, he covered his mouth with both hands like a young girl in love—to avoid screaming out loud and being too embarrassed. He also had his pride.

The water pipes inside the wall seemed to have cracked, and cold water dripped from the cracks in the wall, splashing irregularly onto the two of them and wetting their long hair.

Skadi gazed quietly at Lin Lu from close range. Water droplets soaked her black dress, revealing delicate flesh beneath the thin black bodice—a truly beautiful sight.

"Big, big, big..."

Lin Lu averted his gaze from Skadi's abundant fruit, which was almost touching his face, and looked up at those cold, ruby ​​eyes. He honestly said, "Big sister, there's nothing between me and Specter, really! You have to believe me! It was an accident, I...I...I—"

Lin Lu's sophistry was drowned out by the soft embrace. Before he could react, Skadi had already hugged him tightly.

Her gray and silver hairs intertwined in the cold water, and Lin Lu's face was buried deep in the silky cotton, making it hard for her to breathe.

Accompanied by the pounding of his heart, he heard the girl's deep, weary sigh, like an orca lost in the deep sea finding a companion.

"I've found you... Ritsu."

Chapter 139 Titi's First Time

Rhode Island - Recreation Area - Bars

To alleviate the psychological stress caused by the heavy workload of its operators and to alleviate the various physical discomforts caused by Oripathy, Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, as a conscientious company, naturally provides its employees with various recreational facilities. This is not to transfer the meager wages of its employees back to the company, absolutely not, absolutely not!!

All of this is for the healthy physical and mental development of the operators, their all-round improvement in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics and labor, and incidentally, to create economic reproduction.

An economy that facilitates circulation is a good economy.

Rhode Island offers a variety of pay-to-win programs, such as Columbia-style cafes in its lounge area.

The Columbia Café boasts a warm and elegant ambiance, where some intellectual operators often choose to spend their days off reading a good book while sipping rich, aromatic coffee, reflecting on how even difficult times can offer a rare moment of tranquility. According to a secret rumor, a coffee-loving head of the purchasing department once vehemently threatened the owner, demanding the use of Bolivar's premium coffee beans, or else the supply would be cut off. Later, Kroos was reprimanded by Kal'tsit, and while crying, she continued to supply coffee beans from various regions, giving these operators from all corners of the world the freedom to choose.

Furthermore, Rhode Island also has modern music rehearsal rooms.

This place features a professional sound-absorbing environment, rehearsal room partitions, professional touring equipment, and a variety of musical instruments.

When Kal'tsit saw Amiya submit her request, the usually frugal Kal'tsit, who avoided unnecessary extravagance, smiled warmly. She patted Amiya's head, then signed her name on the purchase list without hesitation.

This is a secret known to very few people; it belongs to Rhodes Island.

While purchasing equipment, Kroos didn't forget to change the strings on Amiya's violin.

Warfarin secretly used her salary, which she almost had to pay Rhodes Island herself, to buy violin sheet music for Amiya and gave it to her casually.

There's a reason for all of this.

Two years ago, in order to become a qualified leader as soon as possible, Amiya put down her beloved musical instrument and devoted all her time to studying, intensive training and work.

Whether it's Kal'tsit, Kroos, Warfarin, or the other operators, everyone sincerely hopes that this girl can give herself a little breathing room.

In addition, we must mention—the cat tree in the public lounge area, which is loved by all Rhodes Island operators! No one can resist it!!

Here, you can often see Felin operators gathered. The younger Felin operators often can't control their instincts and pounce on the cat tree, fully enjoying the fun. The slightly older Felin operators, with a certain degree of self-control, will restrain themselves for a few minutes until they lose control and become the most dazzling star on the cat tree.

The other operators watched them with peaceful expressions, their hearts purified, their moods soaring, and they were able to happily return to work at the manufacturing and trading posts.

This is why Rhodes Island was able to become one of Terra's top 500 companies within just two years of its debut. Everything is meticulously planned, with the physical and mental well-being of its employees being the top priority. The medical director, Kal'tsit, is kind and charming, the Doctor remains rational at all times, and the operators never work overtime. Every day, the HR department receives numerous resumes from people who have come specifically to recruit operators.

Rhode Island bars tend to be quiet bars, playing soothing music and using warm-toned lighting.

Amidst the melodious piano music, Lin Lu raised his self-mixed mojito in salute to the lady accompanying him.

"Cheers."

"Cut what?"

Skadi blinked, somewhat puzzled, and picked up the wine glass that was placed on the table.

She inhaled softly, the fragrance filling her nostrils—a scent she loved. Her ruby-red eyes brightened slightly, and she couldn't resist taking a small sip.

A slightly sweet and sour, refreshing flavor bursts on the taste buds, while the rich aroma of strong liquor slowly emerges, gradually softening with the addition of mint, without being pungent.

"Cheers, meaning cheers."

Lin Lu responded with a smile, while thanking the logistics officer who was also working as a bartender for giving him the opportunity to treat Skadi to a drink.

Thirty minutes earlier, Lin Lu and Skadi had embraced tightly in the fourth-floor bathroom, like long-lost comrades reunited.

When Kroos, sporting dark circles under her eyes, stormed into the bathroom carrying her toolbox and grumbling, her expression upon seeing the two of them in their position was quite something.

A lone man and woman in a room, wet bodies, a toilet, large breasts, female dominance, riding—these labels were thrown right at her. Good heavens, good heavens, Kroos was instantly wide awake. She had been on the verge of a mental breakdown after two sleepless nights, but now she was instantly energized, ready to use her portable camera to record the ultimate operation.

If Kal'tsit ever decides to remove her from her position, she can use the Doctor's photo to threaten him and force him to side with her.

Kroos's idea was wonderful, but when Skadi got up, she accidentally pinned her against the wall again... The water pipe burst, and Kroos was flooded and at a loss.

Cameras that are not waterproof naturally became the victims.

The two, both soaking wet, suggested they go somewhere else to chat. After Lin Lu nervously escorted the silent Specter back to her ward, Skadi suggested going to a bar on Rhodes Island.

"...Ritsu, you've lost your memory?"

Skadi stared directly at Lin Lu, trying to find something in his cobalt blue eyes.

"Although I've been asked countless times, I really can't remember anything from before... I do remember knowledge about various things, such as the ingredients for this drink: lime juice, mint leaves, syrup, rum, soda water, and ice. I remember how many milliliters of lime juice and how many mint leaves I need, but I don't remember where I learned that from."

Lin Lu raised his glass and took a sip, then involuntarily tilted his head back slowly, letting the taste of the wine rush to the top of his head.

The fiery liquor mixed with the cool mint poured down my throat, and perhaps because of my complicated mood, the taste of this drink became much more bitter.

As people he knew from the past began to contact him one after another, Lin Lu's unease grew stronger.

The unknown is always frightening; who knows whether those who knew him in the past were friends or foes?