Urban System in America

But Aren's thoughts didn't spiral any further, cut short by Rex's calm voice from the other side of the seat.

"Kaelan, stop somewhere suitable. Aren can get off here."

Kaelan gave a brief nod from the driver's seat, wordless as always. The car rolled on for another few minutes before easing to the curb in a quiet spot.

For Aren, the moment felt like a lifeline. For all his gratitude and admiration,the atmosphere inside the car had been suffocating… Rex's presence, his casual power, the ease with which he commanded respect from men who were supposed to be untouchable. Every word, every gesture only reminded him how far apart their worlds really were.

When the car slowed, Aren couldn't help the small breath of relief that slipped past his lips. His chest loosened, the pressure easing as though a great weight had just been lifted off him.

The tires stilled, and before Kaelan could even open the door, Aren was already leaning forward. He turned to Rex, forcing a steady smile onto his face though his palms were damp.

"Thank you, Rex," he said quickly, his tone sincere but rushed, as if afraid to overstay his welcome. "I'll… I'll head in from here."

Rex, composed as ever, simply inclined his head, his expression unreadable. There was no grand farewell, no lingering look. Just a quiet acknowledgment, as though this entire exchange was routine.

He hurriedly pushed the door open and stepped out, bowing his head in parting, clutching the strap of his bag a little tighter. The city's noise rushed in... the hum of engines, the distant chatter of pedestrians...so different from the quiet, heavy air inside the car.

The city air hit his face, cool and relaxing. He closed the door behind him, and without daring to glance back again, gave a quick nod through the tinted glass.

The moment the car pulled away, Aren couldn't help but breathe deeper, he felt his shoulders sag, his heart pounding still.

But what Aren didn't know was that Rex was even more impatient to be alone than he was.

The instant the door shut, Rex let out a dramatic sigh, collapsing into the seat like an actor who had just finished a three-hour Shakespeare play. His back slid down the leather, one leg stretched out ridiculously far, and the other bent awkwardly on the seat.

"Finally…" he groaned, tugging at his collar as if he'd been suffocating under his own aura. With a dramatic sigh, he sprawled across the leather seat, legs spread, hair falling over his forehead, like he owned the car (which, technically, he did).

The intimidating, untouchable Rex from a moment ago had evaporated, leaving behind someone who looked more like a tired college student after finals week.

He sagged against the leather seat, tilting his head back with a faint groan, eyes half-closing as though he might just drift off then and there. His hand lazily reached for the small control panel by his side, pressing a button. With a soft whirr, the glass partition between him and the front seats slid up, cutting him off from Victor and Kaelan.

Neither of them thought much of it. Kaelan kept his focus on the wheel, weaving the car through the city streets with steady control, while Victor's eyes remained fixed on the sidewalks and mirrors, watchful as always, scanning for any potential threat.

"Man, that was exhausting," Rex muttered under his breath, his voice stripped of the polished calm that had defined him earlier. As he stretched his arms over his head before flopping sideways into the seat like a cat claiming a sunlit couch.

"Do you know how hard it is to keep a straight face while people look at you like you're a god? Haaah… my cheeks hurt from fake smiling."

He kicked one shoe off with a little thunk and then the other, sighing in relief as if he'd just thrown away shackles. "There. Much better. Who even wears shoes this long? My poor feet…"

He wriggled sideways until he was half-lying down, poking the soft leather with his finger. "At least this seat loves me. Unlike Aren. That brat was looking at me like I was gonna eat him alive. I'm not scary, am I?" He turned his head toward the empty space beside him, as if waiting for an answer.

He rubbed his stomach with a pitiful groan. "And what's worse? I didn't even get dessert. I wanted cheesecake. A big one. With strawberries. But nooo, that brat had to come at exact moment, I was about to order dessert.

If Aren could see him now, he'd probably choke on his own disbelief. The man he'd just thought of as an untouchable mastermind of money and power was currently sulking, barefoot, mumbling about cheesecake like a spoiled kid who got denied candy at the store.

After sulking for a while, Rex kicked at the seat in front of him like a petulant teenager, muttering under his breath.

"Ugh, so tiring… all that serious face and big-man talk. Why do I have to act like some intimidating boss when all I want is a nap and maybe a slice of cheesecake? This is the reason I just wanted to live a carefree life in this lifetime, but alas, life has other plans for me."

He flopped back against the leather, groaning theatrically. "Man, being cool is exhausting.

For a moment, he lay there, wallowing in self-pity like a child denied dessert. But slowly, the corners of his lips curled upward. His eyes started to sparkle again,that could rival a child on their birthday morning, the gloom melting away as anticipation crept in.

He sat upright, adjusted his posture with exaggerated importance, and clasped his hands together as if he were about to open the heavens. The shift was almost comical—one second sulking, the next brimming with smug confidence.

"Alright," he said, rubbing his palms together gleefully. "Enough whining. It's showtime." His grin widened, arrogance returning in full force. "Come out, System. Let me see what this Weekly Career System is all about."

His tone shifted into arrogance, as though he was summoning a loyal servant instead of a cold, unfeeling program. He tilted his chin up, voice dripping with mock authority.

"System, your mighty master commands you—reveal yourself! Don't keep me waiting, or I'll sue you for emotional damage."

He even pointed dramatically at the air in front of him, as though expecting the system to cower under his finger.

(End of Chapter)