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

Chapter 207: Crisis

When Kyle woke up, he felt completely refreshed.

The fatigue and internal complications he had felt before slipping into that dazed state were nowhere to be found.

He was still lying in a hospital bed, yet his body felt far too healthy for him to remain there. Unfortunately, even if he wanted to leave, there was little chance the doctors would allow it.

At least not today.

"I’ve checked your condition. You Nightwalkers really do have remarkable physiques. Recovering this quickly is no small thing," the doctor said while jotting notes onto his pad.

He then looked up over his glasses.

"That said, you won’t be discharged until tomorrow. I want to run a few more comprehensive scans to make sure you’re truly fit to walk out of here."

Kyle gave a wry smile.

"Expected nothing less, Doc."

Letting out a sigh, he settled back against the pillow before asking,

"Are there still people waiting outside?"

The doctor nodded.

"Not only are they still there, but their numbers have been increasing. They’re getting quite impatient too."

Kyle gave a sheepish smile.

He could only imagine what everyone outside was going through, especially Amanda.

The doctor then added, "They’ll be allowed to see you in a minute. First, take this medicine."

Kyle nodded and silently swallowed the capsules, washing them down with a mouthful of water.

Once he settled back against the bed and silence reclaimed the room, he turned his attention inward and addressed the system.

’So? What do you think?’

[The host has successfully leveled up. Several features have been updated, and the status panel has been improved for more efficient assessment.]

’Is that so? What about the new feature?’

[The system is delighted that the host has been looking forward to it. However, it would be preferable for the host to be discharged from the hospital before exploring the new feature.]

Kyle narrowed his eyes.

’Why is that? Are you planning to take me somewhere dangerous?’

[Indeed, host.]

Kyle’s eyebrows shot up.

’Wait, seriously?’

[Indeed, host.]

[The new feature is designed to provide the perfect battlefield for the host to gain combat experience, explore his abilities, and attract greater viewership.]

"..."

Somehow, that sounded incredibly dangerous.

’What exactly would I have to do?’

[The host would be transported to a place inhabited by dangerous beings capable of challenging the host both physically and mentally. However, the host need not worry about safety, as the system will keep the danger level within acceptable limits.]

Kyle frowned.

’Is it like a dungeon or something?’

He had read enough novels to recognize the setup. Many protagonists received access to special training grounds where they hunted monsters, gained experience, and rapidly grew stronger.

[Something similar, but far more real.]

Kyle’s expression stiffened.

’Real? What does that even mean? Would I be hunting monsters that exist on the same plane as us?’

He was trying to understand the nature of this ability before opening what felt suspiciously like Pandora’s box.

[Something like that, host. Just remember that this feature is intended to help the host gain experience without being interrupted or forced into medical leave.]

Kyle couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

’You think being admitted to a hospital is a waste too, don’t you?’

[The host’s regenerative abilities, combined with the restorative effects of the Lantern, easily surpass modern medical treatment. However, the system understands the situation.]

Kyle nodded.

Sometimes it wasn’t about what was logical or efficient.

It was about reassuring the people who cared about you.

He didn’t even want to imagine what Veronica, Amanda, and Blake would’ve said if he had insisted on recovering at home instead of coming to the hospital.

So yeah...

Maybe this new feature would allow him to keep growing stronger without constantly worrying everyone around him.

[Host, there is another piece of news the system would like to share.]

’What is it?’ Kyle asked with a smile.

The system paused.

[...Leveling up cost significantly more than anticipated.]

[Current Reserve: 312 SP]

...

The smile disappeared.

...

No.

No, it couldn’t be.

H-His seven thousand points...

Gone?

All of them?

’I think I’m feeling dizzy.’

Click

At that moment, the door swung open.

Before Kyle could even lift his head to see who had entered, someone suddenly threw their arms around him.

"Kyle!"

The moment he heard the voice, he knew exactly who it was.

And, of course, the familiar fragrance surrounding her had already told him who it was.

He raised a hand and gently rubbed her back.

"I’m fine now, babe."

Warmth filled his eyes as he added, "By now, you should realize just how tough I am."

Amanda sniffled.

"But that doesn’t mean you can keep throwing yourself into dangerous situations again and again."

Kyle chuckled.

"Trust me, if I could, I’d never step into another alley where misfortune is waiting for me. But... haah..."

He let out a sigh and trailed off.

There was no point explaining it.

Ever since awakening his powers, he had found himself caught up in one incident after another.

At first, they weren’t always about him.

Recently, though, they almost always were.

Some situations he could’ve ignored but chose not to.

Others he desperately wanted to ignore but simply couldn’t.

It was all just... messed up.

"The reports came back normal."

Kyle shifted his gaze toward the person who had spoken.

Blake was standing there with a report in hand.

His eyes then moved to the two women standing beside him, and a smile appeared on his face.

To Blake’s left stood a familiar woman with curly hair, Corella.

To his right was an equally familiar lavender-eyed girl who had been one of this hospital’s member until only a few days ago.

"Hey, you two."

Kyle waved at them as Amanda stepped aside, giving him a little space.

Corella smiled.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Just a little dizzy, that’s all."

A mischievous grin spread across Corella’s face.

"Want me to sneak in some hot loaded ramen to cure that?"

Kyle’s eyes lit up.

"Please... that would be the best."

"Ahem."

Blake’s interruption instantly crushed their little scheme.

"You are not having ramen or any complicated food until the doctor gives the green light."

No one knew the exact condition of Kyle’s digestive system at the moment. His internal organs had been affected by the extreme forces his body had endured. He had suffered severe fractures throughout his body as well.

Just because he had recovered remarkably quickly didn’t mean he could afford to be careless.

Kyle groaned.

"Understood."

Corella gave him a sympathetic smile but wisely kept her mouth shut.

At that moment, Layena spoke up.

"I... brought some vegetable porridge. Would that be okay, Senior?"

Her quiet demeanor and polite tone made Blake pause to consider it.

Humming, he thought for a moment before answering.

"I’ll go ask the nurse, but I think that’s fine, so you can serve it."

Porridge was easy to digest, and it would also satisfy Kyle’s craving for something savory. Restricting even that felt unnecessarily harsh.

Suddenly, Amanda found herself facing an unexpected identity crisis.

Despite being Kyle’s girlfriend, she hadn’t brought him anything.

Meanwhile, Layena had thoughtfully prepared exactly the kind of porridge he liked, not sweet, not plain, but seasoned just the way he preferred.

Kyle somehow sensed her dilemma.

Secretly nudging her, he said, "I probably won’t be able to lift the spoon myself... so I hope you’ll help me eat it."

Amanda’s mood improved instantly.

So what if Layena had cooked it?

Amanda would be the one feeding him.

That meant her feelings would be mixed into every spoonful too.

Hmph.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment if you have been enjoying the story so far.