NIKKE: The Apocalypse Arrives, But the System is 100 Years Late

In the laws of the Ark, Nikkes are assets of the Central Government, belonging entirely to its jurisdiction. This means that Nikkes have no personal freedom, no individual rights, and are not recognized as "citizens" under legal definitions.

The Central Government holds the legal right to dictate any actions regarding Nikkes. Should a Nikke defy orders, it can be summarily executed on command.

While elite Nikkes from major corporations enjoy a certain degree of autonomy, ordinary Nikkes, especially mass-produced models, are not as fortunate.

They are treated as tools, assigned to all kinds of dangerous tasks. If damaged, they are often scrapped rather than repaired—producing a new unit is simply more cost-effective.

Nikkes that reach the end of their operational lifespan face an even harsher fate: immediate decommissioning, melted down into meaningless scrap metal and spare parts.

Others, like those handled by this company, are sold to the Outer Rim as disposable war assets, dying in bloody skirmishes and power struggles.

"I haven't broken any Ark laws, so you have no right to arrest me!" The CEO, emboldened by this fact, straightened his back, his earlier submissiveness gone.

D frowned, feeling momentarily helpless: after all, he wasn't wrong.

There was no law in the Ark against selling mass-produced Nikkes. They weren't people—they were tools, assets. Even if an unscrupulous company sold them off, the worst punishment would be a fine for operating beyond licensed boundaries.

Moreover, judging by the CEO's brazen attitude, it was obvious that he had connections higher up, making him unafraid of any legal repercussions.

D felt a wave of powerlessness wash over her. 

She knew these people were criminals and she knew what they did was wrong. Yet she couldn't convict them.

"Now that your confession is over," Mo Chen, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up.

The CEO froze. Confession?

"Sir, what do you mean by that?" He still didn't want to offend Mo Chen.

Mo Chen stood up, walked over to the CEO, and patted him on the shoulder. "It means your trial can begin now."

"Trial?" The CEO looked even more bewildered.

Realizing what Mo Chen meant, he quickly protested, "Wait! What right do you have to judge me?"

Respect was now the least of his concerns.

Mo Chen's sharp, piercing gaze locked onto him with a faint smirk, like a death row inmate being measured for the gallows.

"Tell me, why can't I judge you?"

"I haven't committed any crime! Even if I did, only the Ark's courts have the authority to judge me! Not even you can resort to vigilante justice or extrajudicial killings!"

"Vigilante justice? Extrajudicial killings?" Mo Chen chuckled, as if hearing a ridiculous joke. "Let me make sure you die with clarity, so you don't go to your grave confused."

With that, he casually tossed something forward.

A soft "thud" echoed as a booklet landed at the CEO's feet.

Startled, he glanced suspiciously at Mo Chen before hesitantly picking up the booklet.

The booklet wasn't large or thick and on the cover, a few words were printed.

"Universal Human Rights…?"

The CEO read the words aloud, momentarily stunned.

He didn't recall any law by that name.

Flipping to the first page, he saw the opening line.

"Every being with consciousness, whether Nikke, mass-produced units, or intelligent mechanical life, shall be regarded as an independent individual, entitled to the same civil rights as humans…"

As he continued reading, a sudden realization hit him. His mind flashed back to the rumors circulating within the Ark. He abruptly lifted his head, staring at Mo Chen as if he had seen a ghost.

"This… this is…?"

Mo Chen sneered. "Looks like you've figured it out."

The Universal Human Rights was legislation Mo Chen had enacted back at the Outpost Base.

Initially enforced only within the Outpost, it caused a massive stir, even reaching the Ark, hundreds of kilometers away.

It sparked an unprecedented debate about the definition of citizenship.

As someone deeply involved with the Ark's upper echelons, the CEO, Laurie, had certainly heard about this law.

But he never took it seriously, dismissing it as nothing more than a farce.

After all, Mo Chen was merely a commander back then.

Who would have thought that Mo Chen would climb through the ranks, becoming a major general and one of the Ark's most influential figures?

And that laughable law—now it had come back to haunt him.

D was equally shocked. She had only heard of the law before, never expecting Mo Chen to bring it here.

Clearing his throat, Mo Chen's tone turned solemn.

"The verdict is as follows: Laurie, for the purpose of personal profit, you bribed Ark officials and colluded with them, illegally trafficking mass-produced Nikkes to the Outer Rim, resulting in significant casualties among the Nikkes and severe damage to the Outer Rim."

Laurie was dumbfounded.

With charges like these, it could only mean one thing—execution.

Was he really going to kill him over this?!

Even now, he couldn't believe that Mo Chen would go to such lengths over what he considered a trivial matter.

"Therefore, the sentence is as follows: Laurie, guilty of human trafficking, bribery, war crimes, and organized crime, sentenced to death, permanent revocation of political rights, and confiscation of all personal assets."

Each word was delivered with a resolute weight, solemn and unwavering.

Laurie felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

He quickly came to his senses, shouting desperately.

"No! You can't kill me! This isn't Ark's law! You have no right to kill me! You can't kill me!"

He was truly terrified.

It was clear that Mo Chen was serious about this.

Mo Chen looked down at Laurie from above, as if gazing at an ant on the ground.

"The Universal Human Rights are not limited to the Outpost Base. It applies anywhere humans exist, even within the Ark."

Long-arm jurisdiction really was satisfying.

Mo Chen used to be annoyed whenever certain countries employed this tactic, seeing it as hegemonic and oppressive. But now that he was using it himself, he finally understood why they enjoyed it so much.

With a wave of his hand, D immediately understood and stepped forward, already gripping the axe that gleamed with a chilling light.

"No! Stop! You can't kill me! This is murder!"

Calling this murder at a time like this?

A cold glint flashed in D's beautiful eyes.

As Laurie turned to flee, she swiftly grabbed his arm, twisted it back with a sharp motion, and a loud crack echoed as his shoulder dislocated. Laurie let out a scream, but she paid no mind. She drove her knee into his lower back, forcing him to his knees with a thud.

"Ahhh—!"

As his piercing screams echoed, D's axe was already at his neck, ready to sever his head.

"No, no—!"

Laurie's face turned deathly pale, eyes filled with terror as he begged for his life, drenched in sweat and completely broken by fear.