Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream-Chapter 22: Daily Quest

"Layena was injured?!" Clara gasped, then immediately covered her mouth and glanced around.

The girl’s long pink hair moved with her frequent movements, her shiny golden eyes searching to see if someone heard her.

They were seated in their usual corner of the cafeteria, away from the rest. No one disturbed them. Not out of courtesy, but caution. A few had tried in the past, only to be met with Ethan’s fist. From the next day onward, they avoided even meeting his eyes.

The blond young man sighed. "Yes. It’s true."

Hannah, the blue-haired girl beside Clara, leaned closer and asked quietly, "How? She’s the strongest in our unit."

If Ethan was called a prodigy, Layena was considered a born genius. She came from no influential family, had no backing, yet climbed the ranks purely through talent and relentless effort.

Many admired her.

Ethan more than most.

"A ghoul appeared near the station yesterday," he said. "But that wasn’t what injured her. A rogue Nightwalker interfered during the operation."

His fist tightened at his side, frustration clear on his face.

"A rogue?" Clara frowned. "I’ve never heard of something like that."

The others exchanged uneasy glances.

When someone awakened Genesis, the surge of released energy was impossible to miss. Organizations like theirs detected it immediately and moved to recruit the individual.

Those who refused could operate as freelancers, also called, Drifters but even then, their movements were monitored. Government restrictions ensured they remained on record.

So the idea of a Nightwalker who was not on any chart, not under any surveillance, was deeply unsettling.

For all of them, it was the first time hearing such a case.

"Yes, it’s true," Ethan said. "From what we gathered, he was likely born somewhere remote and only recently immigrated to Fortis. That is probably how he avoided detection."

"What were his power readings?" Hannah asked quietly. "For Layena to lose... was he First-grade like her? Or maybe..." She hesitated. "Special grade?"

Even saying it sounded excessive.

Clara scoffed. "I doubt that. Maybe Layena just got overconfident—"

Hannah immediately pinched her under the table and shot her a sharp look.

Clara huffed. "I know Ethan admires her, but Layena is still human. She can make mistakes."

"No, Clara. You are wrong," Ethan replied.

His tone remained calm, but his eyes carried absolute conviction.

"She does not make careless mistakes. This rogue Nightwalker is just a slippery rat who knows how to run."

A faint glow flickered in his eyes.

"And I will catch him. No one will ever question Layena again." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Clara’s shoulders sank at the sight of that expression.

She had always known Ethan admired Layena. More than admired.

But being reminded of it so plainly still hurt.

Sensing the shift in mood, Hannah quickly changed the topic. "By the way, where is Amanda? I did not see her after classes ended."

Clara shrugged. "Probably sulking somewhere. I am surprised she did not approach Kyle today."

Hannah frowned. "Seriously, Clara? Do you ever look anywhere else in the classroom besides Ethan? Kyle was absent today."

Clara flushed faintly and swung her fist at Hannah’s thigh, but the girl moved aside and her knuckles thudded against the wooden bench instead.

Ethan sighed. "She has been acting foolish lately. We have something important approaching. We need her cooperation, and instead..."

Clara and Hannah exchanged a glance.

"I will talk to her," Hannah said. "Do not worry."

"Please do," Ethan replied firmly. "I do not want us to make some silly mistakes and disappoint the Commander."

....

Kyle lowered himself for another push up, arms trembling slightly before he pushed his body back up.

Why push ups?

Because archery was not just about aim. It demanded strength. Stability. Endurance.

Back when he lived with his parents, everything had been structured. His diet was monitored by a personal chef who ensured he received the right balance of nutrients to build and maintain a strong physique.

His days had followed a rigid routine.

Morning workouts.

School.

Archery training.

Private tutoring at night.

It had been strict.

But he had excelled in every area.

Now, things were different.

He had left home of his own will. Pride would not allow him to return and ask for support. But that did not mean he could neglect himself if he intended to use his powers again.

Yesterday had been proof of that.

He had nearly fainted from exhaustion.

That alone exposed how much stamina he had lost.

And it was not just stamina.

His body had softened. A thin layer of fat had formed around his stomach and sides. His arms still held strength. His aim remained sharp. But without a proper foundation, those skills would crumble under pressure.

He needed endurance.

He needed discipline.

He needed to rebuild from the ground up.

"Thirty... haah."

[Ding!]

[Quest: Back in Shape]

[Push ups: 30/30]

[Run: 0/3 km]

[Pull ups: 0/30]

Kyle wiped the sweat from his chin.

He had already felt the need to improve. The weakness from yesterday still lingered in his muscles. But just to have a proper routine, he asked the system to generate something that could push his stats to the maximum of mortal limits.

A daily task.

According to the system, if he followed the daily quest, he would reach the limit of the first stage within weeks. Given his body has tasted Genesis now, his growth would be faster compared to others.

As he pulled off his shirt and changed into lighter clothes for the run, he muttered inwardly, ’Show me my stats.’

[Stats:]

Strength: 6 → 6.2

Speed: 4

Endurance: 4 → 4.5

Intelligence: 8

[Soul Points: 361]

[Host requires 1000 SP to level up.]

[Active Quests: 2]

Kyle hummed thoughtfully.

’What does leveling up even do? Do I gain something significant?’

[Yes, Host. Upon leveling up, the Host will be able to break past normal mortal physical limitations. Additionally, the Host will receive a reward upon leveling.]

Kyle’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Break past mortal limits.

That alone was tempting.

If he could strengthen his body beyond what normal training allowed, then rebuilding himself would not just be possible.

It would be inevitable.

Sighing, he wore his shoes and got ready to get out.

’Well, let’s hope I don’t come across another problem tonight.’

°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. The story might appear boring at first but I don’t want to rush things. So please, keep reading till the end of the first arc.