Don’t even think about it

The system didn't reply this time.

It did the same thing where it went silent when it was asked a question that it didn't want to answer.

"There's no point in playing dead since I've already figured it out." I didn't give the system a chance to remain silent this time.

The system remained silent, but this time I could tell that it wasn't staying silent because it wanted to. Rather, it was staying silent because it had no choice but to stay silent since it didn't know what to say.

For once, I had actually outsmarted the system.

There was this feeling of pride that filled me at the fact that I had led the system into giving me the answer that I wanted.

But then…

"Host, do you wish to be punished?"

I was completely caught off guard by the sudden statement from the system that the feeling of pride completely disappeared.

"System, are you allowed to punish me arbitrarily like this?"