Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream-Chapter 25: Feelings?

Kyle stood frozen.

A woman stood before him, one who had somehow uncovered his identity.

And it was not just that.

"You really thought that messing with a Nightwalker and hunting a majin would not prompt us to investigate thoroughly?"

She crossed her arms beneath her chest and continued, "There are over a hundred and twenty cameras in that sector alone. How many do you think you managed to avoid?"

Kyle drew in a slow breath, steadying himself. He did not respond. There was no point denying it.

She was not guessing.

She knew.

She knew that the one who hunted the nightmares in the alley last night was him.

She stepped closer, her eyes glinting dangerously. "Did you truly believe that after releasing such a massive surge of energy, you would remain hidden from me?"

A faint smirk curved her lips.

Kyle forced himself to speak. "What proof do you have that it was me?"

Even as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He had been caught on camera. If she confronted him so confidently, she must have already reviewed the footage.

But the woman merely chuckled.

"Proof?" she echoed softly. "Why would I need proof, dear? I have the authority to put cuffs on your wrists right now and drag you to prison. Not only for injuring an official Nightwalker, but also for interfering with her operation."

From her tone alone, Kyle understood that this woman possessed both the strength and the authority to have him arrested on the spot.

Yet she had not done so.

Which meant only one thing.

"What do you want from me?" he asked calmly.

Her eyes gleamed in satisfaction. He had understood.

She was not here to arrest him. She was here to negotiate.

"Let us sit down first," she said smoothly. "Then we can talk."

Kyle followed her toward a nearby park. Though she walked a few steps ahead, he could feel it. Her awareness never left him. Every movement of his was being measured.

As they walked, she added casually, "Oh, my name is Veronica. I work for the government."

"Do you think I care?" Kyle replied flatly.

She laughed softly. "You should. Your future depends entirely on how you behave around me."

Kyle scoffed but held his tongue.

Soon, they reached the park. It was deserted.

At this hour, most families were already inside their homes. The place, usually filled with children and chatter, now stood quiet beneath the dim streetlights.

Kyle remained silent, his arms crossed.

The woman tilted her head slightly. "Do you not want to remove that mask? It does not really matter anymore."

He did not move.

If she truly lacked solid proof, revealing his face would only work against him.

She did not press the matter.

"There is a reason the government keeps a close watch on every Nightwalker," she continued calmly. "Secrecy has always been our top priority. We make sure Genesis users do not grow reckless and expose their powers to civilians."

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Get to the point. What do you want from me?"

Veronica gave a soft hum. "You are quite impatient."

She crossed her arms again and finally stated, "I can keep your identity hidden. I can also erase the footage that links you to last night."

Kyle’s eyes narrowed slightly.

So that was the offer.

Which meant the price would not be small.

"What is the condition?" he asked coldly.

She smirked. "Work for me."

"...What?" Kyle frowned.

She nodded as if it were obvious. "I will tell you where to come, and you will come immediately. No questions asked."

"And where exactly would you call me? For what purpose?"

She gave a careless shrug. "Anywhere. An amusement park. A bookstore. Perhaps somewhere quieter."

Kyle stared at her.

Was she serious?

Inside his mind, he asked, ’System, are you seeing this? What is wrong with her?’

[Host, if you wish, I can analyze her physical condition.]

’Do it. I cannot read her at all.’

A faint burning sensation flickered behind his eyes. Moments later, a translucent panel appeared.

[Condition: Continuous finger twitching. Slight facial flush. Brief pauses during speech. Elevated breathing pattern. Indicators suggest nervousness combined with excitement, host.]

Kyle went silent.

That only confused him further.

He observed her more closely.

Her breathing was indeed uneven. The tips of her ears were faintly red.

He was not dense.

Those signs were familiar.

He suddenly stepped forward.

Veronica instinctively stepped back.

"You said your name is Veronica, right?" His eyes locked onto hers.

She nodded stiffly. "Y-Yes. That is correct."

Kyle tilted his head slightly. "And what if I refuse? What if I say I do not care about what you want? What exactly can you do?"

She narrowed one eye at him, trying to appear intimidating.

It did not work.

Instead, a strange thought crept into his mind.

Why does it feel like this woman... has feelings for me?

And the absurd part was, he did not even know her.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.