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

Chapter 274: Layena calling

Amanda’s lips parted, and her shoulders slumped in pure astonishment as she stared at the screen before him.

"Waah, how did you do it?"

The boss she had spent the past hour struggling against had fallen to Kyle on his very first attempt.

Even more unbelievable, he had cleared the fight without using a single healing item. And on top of that, he hadn’t even lost half of his health points.

Totally crazy.

"You must have played this before!"

She pointed an accusing finger at him, refusing to believe what she had just witnessed.

It wasn’t as if Amanda was bad at games. Wanting to spend more time with Kyle doing what he enjoyed, she had played games quite a bit in the past.

More recently, she had even picked up a few mobile games to get back into the habit. She was far from inexperienced, so there had to be another reason behind the huge gap between them.

Then how had he defeated the boss so effortlessly?

Surely he knew something she didn’t. He must have at least seen the walkthrough or something.

"This game only came out the day before yesterday. I haven’t even watched a single stream of it," Kyle replied with a chuckle.

He wasn’t lying. He had heard about the game because of the movies connected to its universe, but until today, he had never actually seen what the game itself was like.

"Then... how did you beat that giant bear so easily? It’s so huge that I could barely even see my own character moving around," she whined, clearly frustrated by the overwhelming gap between their skills.

Smiling, Kyle set the controller aside and gently pulled her onto his lap.

Wrapping his arms around her, he said, "Because I’ve developed a skill called observation over time. I don’t attack blindly or rush in. I watch, learn, and wait."

He lightly tapped the tip of her nose.

"You, on the other hand, jump in the moment you see an opening. Which, to be fair, suits your personality."

Amanda narrowed her eyes.

"What did you just say? My personality?" Her brows arched as she stared at him. "Are you calling me aggressive, Mister Kyle?"

He chuckled. "Am I wrong? I can think of hundreds of incidents that prove my point."

"Mmm... you’re asking to be punished now."

A playful growl escaped her lips as she shifted on his lap, turning to face him completely.

Grabbing the front of his collar, she leaned in until only a breath separated them.

"This beauty has thorns," she whispered. "You should be careful."

Kyle’s grin only widened.

"I’m an experienced player," he said without the slightest hint of fear. "I know how to wait for the perfect opening."

She narrowed her eyes even further and leaned in, her lips stopping just inches from his chin.

"I’ll never give you that opening."

Before Kyle could respond, his phone began ringing.

He let out a quiet sigh. "May I take that?"

"No, you can’t."

Amanda denied him without hesitation before snatching the phone from his hand.

"Hmm? Layena?" She frowned at the screen. "Why is she calling you?"

Kyle shrugged. "I haven’t really talked to her these past few days."

Taking the phone back, he answered the call and immediately switched it to speaker.

"Hey, Layena."

Amanda was pleased by the gesture. She scooted closer and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

{Good afternoon, Kyle. I hope I didn’t disturb you.}

Amanda nearly rolled her eyes.

Even over the phone, Layena sounded as stiff and formal as ever. Then again, that was exactly what she expected from someone like her.

"No, it’s fine. I was just playing some games."

Kyle intertwined his fingers with Amanda’s and leaned back against the couch.

{I see. I believe that’s a good way to relieve stress. You will start your academic life from tomorrow}

Kyle chuckled. "Why do you think I’m stressed?"

{Are you not?}

Layena asked calmly.

At the same time, Amanda turned toward him with an almost identical expression, her eyes silently asking the very same question.

Being questioned from both sides, Kyle could only smile awkwardly.

"Well... not really. I’m more excited than stressed. Though, I guess there’s a little nervousness too."

{Hmm. Don’t be too nervous. Everything will be fine.}

Her reassuring words somehow carried the exact opposite effect. It sounded less like encouragement and more like she had little faith in his ability to keep himself together.

Kyle glanced at Amanda.

The girl had her lips tightly pressed together, desperately trying not to burst into laughter.

Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he flicked her forehead before returning his attention to the call.

"So, how are things on your end? Where are you? It sounds pretty noisy over there."

{I am near the state highway. Ethan is here as well. We’re currently overseeing the security arrangements after a massive rift appeared there last night.}

The moment Layena mentioned the state highway, Kyle’s expression subtly changed.

Of course, she would be there. A Special-ranked appeared so the PSC would be guarding the area.

Amanda noticed the subtle change in his expression before Kyle asked,

"Oh? Is everything alright?"

{Yes, but the Commander was injured. It’s understandable, considering she fought the monster alone.}

Kyle swallowed hard.

"I see... I hope she’s alright."

{Hmm? Aren’t you going to check on her? The last time I saw you two, you seemed rather close.}

A flicker of nervousness crossed Kyle’s face.

He instinctively glanced at Amanda, only to find that she looked just as puzzled.

Thinking quickly, he forced out an explanation.

"I actually spoke with her this morning, but she asked me not to tell anyone what we talked about. She... seemed pretty shaken up."

Sorry, Veronica...

He silently apologized for using her name as an excuse.

{Ah...}

Layena’s voice carried a hint of surprise.

Amanda’s eyebrows rose as well.

He hadn’t mentioned any of this to her.

Still, it was a promise between two friends. If Veronica had entrusted Kyle with something in confidence, Amanda had no intention of prying into it.

{Well, I hope she recovers soon. And I wish you a warm welcome when you arrive at the academy.}

Kyle smiled wryly.

"Don’t raise any flags, Layena. Anyway, we’ll talk later. If you’re busy, just focus on your work."

{I will wait for your call. Goodbye.}

With that, the call ended.

Kyle turned toward his girlfriend and let out a quiet sigh.

"Sorry for not telling you about my conversation with Veronica."

Amanda gently shook her head.

"No, it’s okay... but didn’t you find something strange?"

Kyle tilted his head.

"What do you mean?"

"A Special Grade human and a Special Grade rifter aren’t even comparable."

She leaned back, her expression growing thoughtful.

"When she fought that Special Grade criminal, she ended up hospitalized for nearly a week. But this time, after fighting a Special Grade monster all by herself, she’s just resting at home?"

"..."

Kyle fell silent.

Why was she focusing on that?

Then another thought struck him.

If Amanda could notice such an obvious inconsistency so casually...

Wouldn’t the Central Administration notice it too?

Hopefully... this case doesn’t attract too much attention.