Harsh, Strict, Unfair
Noun and な adjective
こく
それをあいつに頼むのは、ちょっと酷すぎやしないか。
Asking that guy for it is a little too unfair.
Cruel people tend to be really severe and strict. That's what makes you call them cruel in the first place.
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!