Rules of the Unusual: I am the Final Boss

The room fell silent again, leaving only Shi Mo. He walked to the expensive-looking chaise lounge in the center of the room, lay down comfortably, and stared at the ceiling with his heterochromatic eyes, seemingly lost in thought or simply spacing out.

Just then, the system's electronic voice, tinged with obvious confusion and caution, rang in his mind:

[Host...that...]

Shi Mo didn't even lift his eyelids, lazily replying in his mind, "Speak."

[It was just... when Captain Bai Xu was struggling...] The system's voice carried a hesitation that defied logical calculation. [According to this system's precise scan and data comparison, Captain Bai Xu's strength attribute is currently above 105 points, while your current strength attribute is... 20 points. There is a huge, theoretically insurmountable gap between them. According to the laws of physics and the basic strength confrontation model, he should have been able to break free easily...]

The system paused, seemingly performing complex calculations, and finally arrived at a conclusion that even it found unbelievable. Its electronic voice trembled slightly: "Host… how… how did you do that? Why can't he break free?"

It simply couldn't comprehend how someone with only 20 points in strength could restrain a highly trained, top-tier awakened individual with over 100 points in strength using just one arm. This completely defied all the common sense and laws of physics in its database!

Upon hearing the system's question, Shi Mo's expression remained unchanged:

"Oh, that?" he said casually. "It used a little bit of the power of the divine contract."

【…】

A brief, deathly silence.

immediately--

【Wh...what?! Divine Contract?!】The system's electronic voice instantly rose eight octaves, so sharp it almost pierced Shi Mo's meninges. 【Host, what did you say?! You used the Divine Contract?! Just to...just to hold Captain Bai Xu's waist and prevent him from breaking free?! Just for such a trivial matter?!】

The system's voice was filled with extreme shock, disbelief, and a heart-wrenching pain, as if watching a spendthrift son use the Imperial Seal of the State to crack walnuts!

[Host, ahh ...

The system stammered for a long time, unable to find a suitable word to describe what it considered a childish interaction. It felt its core code was about to burn out due to the overload of logical conflicts and emotional simulations (mainly crashes)!

[Just to prevent Captain Bai Xu from breaking free?! Just to interrupt his questioning?!] The system's voice was trembling with tears.

【Host! We have so many other methods! You can use [weak hypnosis] to suggest he temporarily forget the problem! You can use [mental link] to forcibly divert his attention! Even... you can even directly use your mental attributes to withstand it, let him struggle a few times, and then find an excuse to say you used a special skill! Why do you have to use the Divine Contract?! That's a Divine Contract!!!】

The system was practically incoherent. It felt like it wasn't assisting a cold and powerful host, but rather a willful and unruly brat who treated the nuclear missile button like a toy!

Faced with the system's volcanic-like collapse and questioning, Shi Mo's reaction remained shockingly calm.

"Other methods are too troublesome." He gave a simple, almost dismissive reason: "Divine Contract is more convenient."

[Convenient?!] If the system had a physical form, it would be pounding its chest in frustration right now. [Host! Cooldown time! Burden! Don't you consider these things?! What if tomorrow, no, what if the very next second you're suddenly pulled into a high-difficulty dungeon, and you happen to need to use the Divine Contract to save your life?! What if you're on cooldown or your body can't handle it and... and...]

The system could no longer imagine the terrible consequences.

"No." Shi Mo interrupted its daydreaming, his tone still flat. "I know what I'm doing."

[You have a plan?! What plan do you have, host?!] The system was practically smoking with anxiety.

[You only used an extremely small amount of energy just now, not even actively activated, just a superficial touch! But that's the essence of the Divine Contract! Even a tiny bit is an extra burden on your body right now! And the cooldown timer has already started counting down! Look! Look at the system log!]

Shi Mo casually glanced at the system interface, which only he could see. In the corner, there was indeed a tiny, almost imperceptible gray icon displaying a long cooldown countdown. But he quickly looked away, clearly not caring at all.

"Oh," he replied.

[“Oh?”?! Host, is “Oh” all you have?!] The system felt its core processor temperature soaring. [Do you know that this means you won’t be able to use this strongest trump card for a considerable period of time! Our upcoming dungeon strategy must be significantly adjusted! The risk factor is skyrocketing! You…you…]

The system uttered "you" for a long time before finally letting out a long, desperate electronic wail.

Shi Mo was getting a little annoyed by its noise and frowned slightly: "It's so noisy."

[Host! This isn't about arguing! This is a serious waste of strategic resources! It's an extremely irrational act!] The system tried to make a last-ditch effort, using a serious tone (if electronic voices could simulate it).

[Host, we must cherish every opportunity to use high-level abilities, especially when our attributes haven't fully recovered! Every use should be strategic, such as fighting powerful enemies, breaking through dire situations, or seizing crucial resources... not, not for... teasing our teammates!!!]

"Teasing?" Shi Mo seemed to take a liking to the word. He repeated it and then said casually, "I just chose the most efficient way to shut him up."

[Where is the efficiency?!] the system screamed, [This is clearly the most costly method! The cost-effectiveness is outrageously low!]

"I think it's well worth it." Shi Mo's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "The results are excellent, aren't they?"

system:【……】

It was completely speechless, feeling that there was a chasm called "values" between itself and its host, no, an insurmountable barrier!

Looking at its host's self-righteous attitude of "I did it, so what? It worked great, I'll do it again next time," and then thinking about the long, despairing cooldown time, a deep sense of powerlessness swept over its code.

What else can it say? It's just a weak, pitiful, and helpless system bound to a capricious big shot.

"[...Host,]" the system's electronic voice was weak and listless, carrying a sense of resigned exhaustion, "[Next time...next time if a similar situation arises, could we...discuss it? At least consider the cost-effectiveness?]"

Shi Mo did not answer directly, but closed his eyes, seemingly preparing to take a short nap.

Just when the system thought he wouldn't respond and was feeling secretly sad, it heard him say calmly, "It depends on my mood."

system:【……】

(Destroy it already, I'm tired.)

Its electronic heart was ice-cold at that moment. It seemed to have foreseen that in the long (or perhaps not so long, since it might soon be brought to its knees) years accompanying this big shot, its own collapse would not be the last.

Shi Mo had already adjusted to the most comfortable position on the soft couch, his breathing becoming even and long, as if the conversation that had brought the system to the brink of collapse, and the little episode that had used a trace of divine power, were nothing more than an afternoon breeze, not worth mentioning.

He certainly knew what was going on.

As for concerns about the system? That was not within his consideration.