Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream-Chapter 18: Earned

Kyle was breathing heavily as he sat on the ground, his back pressed against the door.

His face was pale, sweat glistening on his forehead. He had run all the way home, avoiding cameras and prying eyes the entire time. He took detours, carefully choosing where to stop before moving again. He had to be cautious. If anyone traced his route back to his house, it would all be over.

When his breathing finally steadied and his vision cleared, he asked the system, "Did... I get it?"

[Indeed, host.]

[The last hunt granted the host a total of 200 SP.]

A weak smile formed on his lips, then slowly widened. "Haha... if only I knew..." He had been chasing those two hundred points from the very beginning.

He had struggled for more than fifteen minutes, only to fall short by around forty points. And yet, a single hunt had given him exactly what he needed.

Shaking his head, he ran a hand through his hair and asked, ’How did I do it? Hunting that monster? And why was it scared of my presence?’

When he had seen Layena fighting that towering creature earlier, he had understood something. The girl who usually stood like a frozen statue around others was a powerful Nightwalker. The system had warned him as well.

[Host, due to your lack of control over Genesis, the more you use God’s Eye, the more energy you release. Your presence unsettled the Majin. Your energy also seeped into your weapon, which caused such a violent reaction from your foe and forced it to retreat.]

Kyle hummed before asking, ’What about the explosion? I nearly broke a concrete wall.’

He was certain that awakening his supernatural side did not suddenly make him overwhelmingly strong. His stats should not have changed that drastically.

[The weapon the host used had absorbed a large amount of Genesis. Upon contact with Absence, the unstable energy detonated. The host is fortunate it did not explode when striking the Majin.]

That made him stiffen. Damn.

’System, you should have told me that beforehand.’

[I apologize, host. We have only been connected for five hours.]

That was true. So much had happened since he returned home that he had completely lost track of time.

Letting out a slow breath, he asked, ’So? Have I earned it?’

[Indeed, host. Please check your drawer.]

Kyle blinked, then sprang to his feet.

He walked toward his computer desk. If he was being honest, he felt a trace of paranoia as he reached for the drawer. The last time he opened it, the gift that emerged had nearly crushed him.

The pain still made his head ring.

Even so, he slowly pulled it open. And there it was. A small vial, delicate star patterns etched around the tube. Inside the transparent container rested a crimson liquid.

The remedy.

Kyle carefully picked it up and asked, ’So this will heal my brother?’

[Indeed, host. However, you must proceed with caution.]

Kyle hummed softly, signaling the system to continue.

[The subject was injured recently. If the host suddenly heals him and it is captured on camera, the host will be questioned.]

Kyle nodded. To the world, he had nothing to do with the Aether realm. And then he would suddenly appear and feed his brother a liquid that cures an illness with no known remedy. That would be inviting disaster.

Still, he clenched the vial slightly. ’I can’t let him suffer any longer. I have to give him this.’

[The system understands, host. However, it suggests waiting a few days until the subject is transferred from the hospital to a more private setting. That will allow the host to remain outside surveillance.]

Kyle let out another long breath and shook his head.

This was difficult. After hearing from the system about the symptoms his brother would have to endure over the next few days, he was growing increasingly restless.

The system continued its explanation.

[Circuit damage begins affecting the body immediately. However, the more severe symptoms manifest after a few days. The host c—]

’Tell me something,’ Kyle cut in suddenly. ’Why are you so insistent on me hiding my identity as an awakened?’

He had noticed it by now. The system was doing everything it could to keep him hidden from the world, for reasons unknown. He did not necessarily mind it. He barely understood how the other side of society functioned. Still, he was curious. Why was the system so stubborn about this?

A brief silence followed.

Then the system finally responded.

[Host, the patrons believe that if you become deeply involved in the Aether world, it would interfere with your regular streaming.]

Kyle turned silent. A minute of pause then he finally asked, ’You mean to say...those people who watch my stream regularly are asking you to keep me away from the aether world...so...what the heck?’ He rubbed his eyes in confusion and exasperation.

He really needs to understand what those people were. However, for now,

"Haah..." He slowly staggered to the bed and fell on it.

As soon as his body hit the comfort, he blacked out.

All the shock, fatigue, and knowledge he received in just one day finally caught up to him.

And...he fell asleep.