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

Chapter 261: Missed quest

Sitting alone in the cafeteria, Kyle waited for Veronica. She had said she needed to finish her meeting with Russel before joining him.

He was fairly satisfied with his performance. Thankfully, the students hadn’t gone all out. Otherwise, the spar could have turned into something far uglier.

Even so, he knew there was room to improve.

He was confident in his mastery of God’s Eye, but facing several opponents who had spent years refining their magical abilities would have been an entirely different challenge. If they had chosen to cast sorcery instead of relying solely on close combat, the battle would have pushed him much harder.

[Host, you missed a quest during the live stream.]

The system’s voice echoed in his mind, making him blink in surprise.

’I did?’

[Indeed, Host. It came from the viewer <Brawler>, but you were so focused on your opponent that you completely missed the system notification.]

Kyle let out a sheepish smile.

’My bad. It was pretty difficult for me back then.’

Only now did he truly understand how exhausting it must have been for Hashu to constantly hold back his punches.

After today’s spar, he had experienced something similar himself.

[Host, your viewership has been steadily increasing. Today, you had ten viewers. Most of them chose to watch quietly instead of commenting. Keep it up, Host.]

Kyle’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

’What about Ethara? Did she join too?’

[No, Host.]

He let out a disappointed sigh.

This was proving far more difficult than he had expected.

Who else could tell him about her?

The system certainly wouldn’t.

Then... Aleda? Or perhaps one of the viewers?

If he could somehow meet Aleda again...

’System, is there any way I could train under Aleda once more? I still have a lot to learn about the Golden Limb.’

He deliberately kept his true intentions to himself. Had he voiced them outright, the system would have undoubtedly told him not to burden himself with such concerns.

[Host, to fulfill this request, the system will assign a quest.]

[Quest: Clear a First-grade Rift by yourself.]

"..."

What?

Not only had the system assigned him a quest out of nowhere, it expected him to clear a First-grade Rift alone.

That was ridiculous.

The PSC would never approve such a request. Not in a million years.

If he even brought it up, they would only tighten their surveillance over him.

The CPV already held a grudge against him. If anything went wrong, they would seize the opportunity to slap him with even stricter restrictions.

It was far more trouble than it was worth.

[Host can always go rogue once again.]

As if it had read his mind, the system offered its suggestion.

Kyle’s eye twitched.

The advice was completely insane.

The system was practically telling him to throw on a hood, hide behind a mask, and break the law all over again.

’System... why are you so determined to get me arrested?’

Aleda could genuinely help him. He had a strong feeling she knew something about Ethara.

But after finally joining the PSC and securing his place at the academy, was it really worth risking everything just to walk the path of a fugitive again?

[Host, no one would be able to catch you if you avoid using your usual techniques. Especially your mythical bow.]

"..."

Was he supposed to punch Majins to death instead?

Then a thought suddenly struck him.

Wait.

Right.

’System... can I complete this quest at any time?’

[Indeed, Host.]

A slow grin spread across Kyle’s face.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

This quest wasn’t as impossible as it first sounded.

In his blessed state, he became an entirely different person.

The new armament gifted to him by Ethara was something no organization had ever seen before.

And if he chose a Rift far from home, somewhere outside Montclair altogether, there would be no reason for anyone to connect it to him.

It was possible.

The plan could actually work.

Even so, the risks were enormous.

’System... I have a feeling you’re trying to lure me into a mousetrap.’

[Host, to be honest, the path you’ve chosen will inevitably limit your growth. Formal training, supervised duels, academy classes... those are not what you were meant for. You grew the fastest when you fought alone, facing whatever stood in your way. But things are different now.]

Kyle fell silent.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Not because he thought the system was making absurd claims.

Because he knew it was right.

Somewhere deep inside, he had always felt that ever since becoming a PSC intern, he had been holding himself back.

Yes, he had grown stronger.

The battle against the assassin had proven that.

But that growth hadn’t come from following orders. It had come because the situation had spiraled beyond anyone’s control, forcing him to push past his limits.

And what about the past week?

He had only dealt with a handful of Nightmares.

When he had finally gotten the chance to fight a Ghoul, someone had stepped in before the battle could truly begin.

He understood the PSC’s protocols.

He knew why they existed.

He understood that public safety came first.

Yet despite all of that...

It was frustrating.

Painfully frustrating.

"What’s on your mind?"

The gentle voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Kyle opened his eyes to find Veronica already seated across from him.

"It’s nothing."

Kyle shook his head, intending to ask about her meeting instead.

Before he could, Veronica smiled softly.

"Come on, tell me. Whatever it is, I won’t judge you. I promise."

Kyle let out a quiet sigh.

"I just... feel like your position as Commander might cloud your judgment if I’m completely honest."

Veronica’s smile faded ever so slightly.

"Kyle... do you remember what I told you?"

He looked at her without saying a word.

"I told you I joined the PSC for one reason."

Her eyes remained fixed on his.

"For you."

Kyle’s expression stiffened.

"And yet," she continued gently, "you think my position would make me see you differently?"

Guilt washed over him.

"I’m sorry..." he said quietly. "I shouldn’t have assumed that."

Veronica shook her head, "It’s okay, I understand what you mean." Her shoulders relaxed before she urged him, "Well, if you trust me as your friend then tell me. What got you so intense?"

Kyle pressed his lips for a moment before he decided to tell her after all.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.