Investing in My Harem in the Apocalypse Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 17: Alex’s Arrogance (2)

Chapter 17: Alex’s Arrogance (2)

Cain recognized him as one of the university’s weightlifters.

Alex stood around 193 cm tall. His arms were thick, while his shoulders stretched the black shirt covering his body.

Even before the apocalypse, Alex had been known for his raw physical strength.

After reaching Level 20, his body had become even larger.

The survivors Cain brought from the hospital began entering the auditorium.

Professor Holt’s group followed behind them.

Alex glanced toward the entrance but did not appear concerned. His eyes stopped on Cain’s boots instead.

Ron also noticed them.

He temporarily forgot about the confrontation.

"Did you just get those?"

Cain looked at him.

"Yes."

"Are they good?"

Cain glanced toward Alex, then an idea entered his mind.

"They’re Rare-rank Windstep Boots that have the effect of increasing Agility by 10 and Sense by 5."

Ron’s eyes widened as he stared at the boots.

His expression became increasingly excited.

"Give them to me."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

"I’m the fastest person here. They’re obviously more suitable for me."

Cain continued ignoring him.

Ron stepped closer.

"Just let me borrow them."

Cain smacked the top of his head.

Bang!

A small bump immediately appeared.

Ron covered his head and stepped backward.

"Fuck, why did you hit me?!"

"You were too annoying."

Ron stared at him.

The strike had landed before he could react.

His Agility had increased several times after leveling up.

Under normal circumstances, he could avoid most people before they finished moving. Yet Cain had struck him casually.

Ron looked at the Windstep Boots again.

Then he studied Cain’s posture.

’How much stronger did this bastard become after raiding the hospital?’

Alex walked toward them.

"It seems you’re quite fast."

Cain turned his head.

Alex stopped several steps away and chuckled, "However, speed alone isn’t enough."

He looked down at Cain with a smile.

"How about this? Lend them to me." Alex pointed toward the Windstep Boots.

Cain remained silent.

Alex continued, "In return, I’ll protect you and guarantee your safety."

Ron looked at Alex as if he had said something ridiculous.

Professor Holt frowned.

Jack stepped forward, but Cain raised one hand and stopped him.

’Finally the fish has taken the bait.’ Cain sneered in his heart.

Cain looked up at Alex.

"How about this?"

He smiled faintly as he continued, "Instead of lending them to you, I’ll give them to you if you can take them from me."

The auditorium became silent.

"...Interesting." Alex’s smile widened.

His gaze moved toward the information above Cain’s head.

[Human | Level 11]

Alex clearly saw the difference in their Levels.

He believed Cain’s speed came entirely from the boots.

Alex approached until only a short distance remained between them.

Cain needed to tilt his head upward slightly.

He was around 180 cm tall, but Alex still towered over him.

Alex extended his right hand.

"Alex."

Cain looked at the offered hand and understood that it was a challenge.

However, he accepted the handshake with a calm expression as he had calculated about such a possibility.

The moment their palms connected, Alex tightened his grip.

His fingers pressed against Cain’s hand.

Alex poured his strength into his arm and attempted to crush Cain’s grip.

Cain’s eyebrows rose as he didn’t expect that Alex was this strong.

Without using Ruin Dragon Force, Cain began losing the contest.

His arm was slowly being squeezed.

Alex’s smile became more arrogant.

He had intentionally chosen a handshake because Cain would be unable to run away by then.

As long as Alex held his hand, his speed would become useless as he was already caught by him.

Cain looked at their connected hands.

’His pure Strength is higher than mine.’

Alex had reached Level 20. He was also a weightlifter who had likely placed most of his Free Stat Points into Strength.

Cain’s base Strength had only reached 65.

However, base stats were not the only source of power.

Dark gray energy flowed from Cain’s chest, Ruin Dragon Force entered his right arm.

The muscles beneath his sleeve tightened.

Alex’s expression changed when he noticed that Cain’s hand stopped being squeezed.

Then the situation slowly reversed.

Alex increased his strength, but it did not help.

Cain continued pressing his grip.

"What’s wrong?" Cain smiled.

Alex’s face became tense.

"You haven’t eaten yet or what?" Cain chuckled as he tightened his grip further.

Several survivors laughed quietly.

Alex’s expression became ugly.

He had planned to humiliate Cain in front of everyone.

Instead, his arm was being squeezed by someone 9 levels below him.

Alex suddenly swung his left fist toward Cain’s face.

Cain saw the movement before the fist fully left Alex’s side.

A faint opening appeared near Alex’s right shoulder. Another line revealed how his weight shifted toward his front leg.

Cain tilted his head in response.

The punch passed beside his face.

Alex’s eyes widened as he didn’t expect that Cain dodged his attack easily.

Cain released his hand, then slapped Alex’s left cheek.

Slap!

The sound echoed through the auditorium.

Alex’s head snapped sideways.

Before he could recover, Cain slapped the other side.

Slap!

Alex stumbled and Cain caught the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.

"You wanted half of my resources?"

Slap!

Alex tried to raise his arm, but Cain stepped on his foot.

His Faultline Vision (SS-rank Talent) showed every opening created by Alex’s clumsy movements.

Cain slapped him again.

Left.

Right.

Alex’s cheeks quickly turned red.

His companions stood frozen at a distance.

Nobody had expected the Level 20 Alex to be treated like this by someone at Level 11.

Cain pulled Alex’s face closer.

"Grit your teeth. Unless you want to lose some of them."

Slap!

Cain’s palm struck him again.

Alex’s face began swelling.

Cain did not stop. Every time Alex tried to move, Cain avoided the attack and answered with another slap.

The auditorium filled with the repeated sound of palm striking flesh.

Slap!

Slap!

Slap!

By the time Cain finally released his shirt, Alex’s face had swollen so badly that his previous arrogant expression could no longer be seen.