Is it Wrong to Copy Abilities in Apocalypse?

"Rules?"

Alex, confused, questioned with a frown.

Garvit and Shera, on the other hand, had their eyes wide open.

'He can speak?!'

For a while, Garvit had thought that Alex was mute.

Alex didn't say a word since he entered the dome, after all.

But then, his focus also shifted to the topic at hand.

'What rules is she talking about?'

Alex's words made Garvit ponder about it as well.

Rules were something none of them heard or known about yet.

Yes, they knew what rules meant, but not the ones the system was talking about.

Alex stared at the system with a frown, and it only deepened when he saw her grin widen.

[Oh? There's a rule section in tutorial 2, which clearly states- oh, wait….]

The system held her head as she tried to make an exaggerated, regretful expression. The grin, however, never left her lips.

[Did I not tell you guys that you guys are part of tutorial 2 from the moment you entered the dome??]

She dropped a bomb on their heads.

That information was the most important thing right now, and she forgot about it?

No way.

The system was obviously playing with them.

It was as clear as it could be.

"You are supposed to tell us when such important information."

It was Garvit who uttered those words in an inquisitive tone.

Alex, however, remained quiet.

From what he knew about the system, it was not something that would make such an obvious mistake.

There has to be something they missed…..

[I'm not supposed to tell you how to check the tutorial information and how to access your status screen every time.

At least not until the main scenarios start.

So, shut up, and don't speak up when I'm not talking to you.]

The system answered Garvit dismissively, without even looking at him.

Garvit gritted his teeth at the flash of disgust he saw in the system's eyes.

The system didn't even turn to look at him, sure, but the moment his words were heard, she had a look of distaste on her face.

It was only for a moment, but it did appear, and even Alex noticed that minute change.

However, that is not important right now.

The system was looking at Alex with a grin, and although Alex didn't like it, he knew that he had already stepped on the mine.

"Tutorial,"

Alex called out, and the blue illusionary screen popped up like always.

{Tutorial 2.

Objective: Form a team and fight against the goblin wave (you can't be alone in a team).

Rules:

1. No human can harm another human.

2. Upgrading your stats or skills during the fight is not allowed.

Details: -

You know how to kill because of the first tutorial, now you need to learn the reality of the scenarios.

The scenarios always have a penalty, no matter how light they are, and in scenarios, you will have to form groups, so this tutorial is there to show you the minimum level of difficulty a team-type scenario can have.

The goblins, known as the weakest monsters, will be let inside the dome.

They could come in hoards, so don't try to count the numbers, just try to survive till the time runs out.

The goblins will range from level 1 to level 2. Not too much, not too low.

This tutorial is here to teach you how to work with unknown people as a team.

Time before the tutorial: 10 minutes.

Reward: 20 coins for surviving, 20 coins/ Goblin, and a 3-minute head start before the next tutorial.

Tutorial special offer: The more Goblin you kill, the more you earn: -

+1 Goblin will give you +2 coins.

+2 Goblin will give you +3 coins.

…..(Extend)

Penalty: If any member of your team is killed, then you will have one of your random skills, gone forever.

Penalty for breaking any of the rules: Judged by the system depending on the severity of the crime.

Tutorial duration: 10 minutes.}

Alex, who read the tutorial with utmost focus, frowned again.

'Judged by the system….'

Alex gritted his teeth. His body couldn't move, but his fists were clenched.

He didn't like the sound of it or more like, he hated it.

It was basically telling them that their life depended on the system's decision.

That was not something Alex wanted, especially when the system was this bitchy.

<The system can't be partial or biased, it can't go overboard or light with its punishments.

The rules said that.>

The AI, on the other hand, had other thoughts.

No matter how arrogant, annoying, bitchy, or ruthless the system is, it won't break a rule.

Or at least that's what it said in the information regarding the system.

If one thought that the system was being unfair, they had the option to report that issue.

Alex looked at the option….

[Report]

It was a red button at the end of the status window.

It was always there.

Alex wondered if he should press it, but he could only use the report for one time.

The report function worked like that.

One-time use function, though if you're correct with your allegations, then you will be able to redeem the report function.

However, Alex didn't press it yet.

He just stared at the system.

[What?]

The system stared back at Alex with a grin as she questioned.

But Alex didn't say a word.

He just kept staring at her.

The staring competition went on until Alex spoke again.

"What did you do to me? And why?"

Alex inquired in a low purr.

His question was barely a whisper, but the system, Garvit, and Shera, all heard it clearly.

[Hm? Well, you did try to use your skill on him, and with the rank of your skill, it would've affected him more than you can guess.

What if he had some trauma and your skill triggered it?

We can never be sure, so I gave you the lightest punishment that was on the list.]

The system paused, taking a good look at Alex's face.

She wanted to remember the face that Alex had right now.

No normal person would notice it, but she could see a light of frustration shining in those cold golden eyes of Alex.

[5 minutes petrification.]

The system revealed what the penalty was.

The system was really, really strong.

It could guess what Alex was going to do, what rank his skill was, or what kind of skill Alex was going to use just from the mana flow in Alex's body and the killing intent that started leaking out of his body.

So, it decided to interfere.

Just like the AI pointed out earlier, the system can never be partial to her decisions; that was going against the rules that were set up.

But Alex, who heard her voice, tensed.

He had tried many times, trying to break free of the restriction he had, but he couldn't break out of it.

Alex didn't comment on the AI's words.

He just closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

[Enjoy your time now, human.

Not like it's going to be hard; your petrification will be gone before the goblin attack, after all.]

Those were the system's last words before it vanished.

The regret in her tone made Alex's cold eyes turn into an icy storm.

It was clear that the regret she had was because she couldn't see him suffer more.

But Alex….

'This will be the first and last time….'

Alex was not going to give the system another chance to do the same thing.

He was new to this, so he made a mistake, but this was going to be the only time it had happened.

The system might not have realized it, but that picture she imprinted in her mind might be the only one she would even have.