Chapter 18: CHAPTER 17 – Rules?

Garvit and Shera were alike in many ways.

Both of them looked intimidating.

Both of them were large.

They loved each other.

They knew when to show off, and they knew when to tone down.

They were soft from the inside.

And both of them knew how to identify a fat thigh, someone who could help them.

So, the moment Shera saw Alex, that tiger knew it.

It knew that Alex was the biggest fish it could try its luck on.

Shera's senses were better than Garvit's, which was the reason that Shera could estimate Alex's true power, even before Gurvit.

But now? Now Garvit knew the same thing.

Garvit didn't see Alex fight, but his trust in Shera was up in the clouds, and Shera judged Alex to be formidable enough to surrender even before a fight.

So, for Garvit, Alex right now was like those rich people who used to sponsor his circus.

"Shera, roll over!"

Garvit whispered a command to Shera, and the tiger did it without a single thought.

Shera was now lying on the ground with its ventral side, its defenceless side, or its stomach, facing the sky.

"Hey, come on, man.

This cute kitty is asking for a pat, give him some love."

Garvit's voice tinged with hope, temptation, and adoration, fell into Alex's ears.

"Expression!!"

Garvit let out a hushed scream with urgency in his voice.

'At least try to look cute!'

Garvit urged inwardly as he hurriedly looked toward Alex.

'Sigh….'

He sighed when he realized that Alex didn't see the uncute expression that Shera was making.

Shera, on the other hand, hurriedly shifted his expression, trying to make the cutest puppy-eyed expression.

But did it look cute…?

"Yes! Yes! That's it! You look so adorable right now!"

Garvit almost jumped in happiness the moment he saw the face Shera was making right, and Shera, who heard the compliment, started wagging its tail in pride.

Um…maybe both of their definition of cute was a bit messed up because the look Shera had right now only made it look more intimidating….

"He's getting up!"

Garvit exclaimed in a hushed voice, informing Shera about it, and Shera, who heard those words, hurriedly turned toward Alex with his watery and puppy-eyed expression.

But the moment both of them saw the glint passing in Alex's eyes, they trembled as a chill started creeping up in their hearts…

"H-Hey, Shera, I think he's mad…."

Garvit hurriedly whispered to Shera while his eyes continued to look toward Alex with obvious flattery and a bit of awkwardness in his eyes.

"Growl…"

Shera let out a growl with a 'No shit Sherlock' look.

"Do you not look cute to him….?"

Garvit whispered in an uncertain tone as if not believing that was even possible.

"Urrrrr…."

Shera just shrank in depression.

The next second, however, the chill they felt intensified as a strange glint passed through Alex's eyes.

Alex's icy golden eyes turned sharp, and just as their bodies tensed, they realized…..

'Fuck! He's about to use his skill!'

The chills and shivers they had were not something that would be possible without the use of a skill.

"Shit!"

Garvit exclaimed as he realized that he was being a bit too forceful in his approach.

However, the fact that horrified both Garvit and Shera was that Alex wasn't using his skill yet, he was about to do it.

The things they felt were just the pre-effects of the skill.

But then they saw Alex's body freeze on the spot.

"Huh?"

"Growl?"

They were confused, much more so when they saw Alex's frown growing deeper and deeper.

'What's happening?'

Alex muttered inwardly as he tried to force his body to move. Sёarch* The NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

No matter how much force he applied, it felt like he was trying to move a firm mountain.

The AI was about to say something, but a sharp yet melodious, mocking voice was heard.

[Tsk, tsk, tsk.]

"Grr…"

Shera, who was lying on the ground, stood up straight, his body bent forward, furs standing in warning.

'It's her.'

Garvit also placed one hand on Shera's back while he stared at a certain point in the air with a frown on his face.

'The system…'

Alex now realized it, the only thing strong enough to make him immobile in this area was none other than the system.

She could kill him, much less freezing his body.

The AI didn't continue its words because Alex was already looking up at the bright ball of light that appeared just beside the illusionary screen with the number of participants written.

The ball of light started transforming, and soon it took the form of the system that Alex had seen till now.

The moment she manifested completely, she had her hands folded in front of her chest arrogantly. A smug smile hung on her face as she looked at Alex with a taunting and mocking look.

[Look at you.

You're not immune to mistakes are you??]

The system commented as she giggled with a sense of victory.

She was finally able to make Alex break a rule or something!

"Why?"

But Alex just stared at her with an emotionless look.

He only asked one question - Why was he facing this punishment?

There was a rule clearly stating that the system would never step in, no matter what one does, unless someone breaks a rule.

[Huh?

You broke the first rule - Humans are not allowed to have any intentions of harming other humans.

Yet, you ask me - why??

Why are all humans so dumb?!]

The system didn't hold back on her words and freely mocked Alex.

Garvit and Shera, who were standing on their spot with a battle-ready stance, were completely ignored by the system.

But the look they had right now was completely different from the look they had all the time.

The look of hostility they had in their eyes was so apparent that even a child could tell.

'Once an enemy, always an enemy.'

This was something they lived on, so if someone got on their bad side, they would stay there until their death.

And the system was something they considered their enemy.

Every human, no matter who they are, has a serious and ruthless side. Even if they don't, this world could make them cruel.

So, how could Shera and Garvit, who had reached a height many could never dream of, not know how ruthless the world is?

They knew it very well, and they knew that the world would only turn more lawless in this apocalypse.

That was the reason they wanted to get someone strong like Alex, to have their backs.

"Grrrr…"

Shera growled, but Garvit patted its back.

"No. Not right now."

He, just like Alex, had read the rules, so he knew what they could do, and what they couldn't.

"We'll have our chance…."

Garvit was waiting for the right time, the time when the system was wrong.

After all, there were rules that the system couldn't break as well.

"Rules?"

But Alex's question made them turn toward him.