Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream-Chapter 21: Friends
The first reply came from One-eyed.
One-eyed: [Just think of us as watchers. We oversee matters that mortals cannot handle.]
"So... you’re Gods?" Kyle asked, brows lifting in curiosity.
One-eyed: [We do not label ourselves. Observers. Protectors of balance. Call us whatever helps you sleep.]
Kyle hummed softly, still struggling to process the fact that the same people he once gave advice to, even scolded at times, were beings beyond mortal comprehension.
"So how am I supposed to treat you? Should I be more... formal?"
WarHorse: [We are brothers! There is no formality between us!]
Tharos: [Kyle is Kyle. Me is me.]
Myuri: [Nuuuuu! Our souls are connected now! Don’t you dare create distance!]
Ethara: [We have shared blood and promises. We remain as we have always been.]
One-eyed: [As you can see, we have grown fond of the real you. Do not suddenly treat us like strangers.]
Kyle chuckled. "Honestly, I’d struggle to do that anyway. Especially after hearing all the ridiculous mistakes you’ve shared in the past."
[...]
A strange silence filled the chat.
Kyle shook his head. "So why give me these powers? I doubt it’s just to keep me streaming."
One-eyed: [That was part of it. But more importantly, you needed to see the truth. Otherwise, you might have lost someone precious without ever understanding why.]
Kyle bit his lower lip.
He knew that was true.
If things had stayed normal, Blake’s condition would have been labeled as some incurable ailment. He would have been told it was unavoidable.
Kyle did not even want to imagine that version of reality.
"I... really want to thank you, One-eyed. You gave me a chance to save my brother."
One-eyed: [You have done much for us in the past as well, without asking anything in return.]
Kyle smiled warmly. Though his mouth was hidden, the curve of his eyes gave him away.
Then—
Myuri: [That’s unfair. Why does only this old geezer get thanked?]
Ethara: [Agreed. Kyle, I shall offer you a gift as well.]
Kyle blinked. "Wait... seriously?"
Ethara: [Indeed. However, the balance of your world has already been disturbed by our interference. If you wish to receive it, you must earn it.]
The system notification appeared instantly.
[Quest: Obtain 500 SP]
[Reward: Aquilla of Archilles]
[Grade: SSS+]
[Description: A mythical bow forged in the Star Workshop, crafted by the refined hands of high dwarves. Further information will be revealed upon obtaining the divine arm.]
Kyle stared at the screen.
"SSS+...?"
His heartbeat quickened.
This was no ordinary reward.
One-eyed: [I am not entirely certain you are prepared for something like—]
Ethara: [None shall stand between us.]
One-eyed: [...]
Kyle could sense the hesitation.
Whatever Ethara had chosen for him... it was not small.
Maybe he was not ready.
Maybe he was not worthy.
He had awakened Genesis just yesterday. He already possessed the absurd ability of God’s Eye.
And now...
A divine weapon.
It was insane.
Myuri: [I want to give something too! Hmm... how about I gift myself to Kyle? Wrapped in a ribbon. Just a ribbon... eheh~]
Kyle’s heartbeat skipped.
He did not even know if Myuri was truly a woman, but the tone, the teasing, the way the others addressed her... it certainly felt like she was.
Tharos: [Kyle... pervert.]
Kyle jolted upright. "Hey! I didn’t say I would accept that!"
Myuri: [We shall see once I stand before you~]
One-eyed: [Myuri... we spoke about restraint.]
No reply followed.
Kyle exhaled slowly, then typed again.
"Thank you. For everything. Beyond the gifts and powers... you five were there during my highs and lows. As friends. That’s something I can’t repay."
WarHorse: [That is the bare minimum between brothers.]
Tharos: [Kyle... I can always listen to your complaints.]
Ethara: [You may rely on us. Just do not speak of severing this connection.]
Myuri: [We are always waiting for you, Kyle!]
One-eyed: [You can always turn to us when things feel overwhelming.]
Kyle’s eyes softened.
Five strangers.
He had never seen their faces. Never heard their voices.
And yet... they felt closer than most people in his real life.
He shook his head and continued chatting.
Two hours passed before he finally ended the stream, his stomach growling loudly.
As he stood up to prepare a protein heavy breakfast, he asked inwardly,
’Is there a way for me to control Genesis better?’
He could not afford to be tracked every time he went hunting. According to the system, the current output of God’s Eye was so intense that even in a crowd, he would stand out.
That could not continue.
[Explore, Host. Wander. Inspect. Appraise. Push your limits. Efficiency comes from understanding usage. Just like training your body. You learn your maximum capacity, then adjust to reduce fatigue and extend duration.]
Kyle hummed thoughtfully.
’But I only have twenty minutes a day to use it.’
[Exactly. When you activate God’s Eye indiscriminately, it is like powering an entire house with a backup generator just to charge a phone. Learn to narrow the output.]
Kyle paused mid step.
"...That actually makes a lot of sense."
He was genuinely impressed by how clearly the system explained it.
After a brief pause, Kyle asked, ’Would you help me control the God’s eye so I don’t end up needlessly using it on everythng?’
[Does the host want to switch God’s Eye to voice-accessed mode from manual?]
[In this, the host would need to specify what the host want to use the God’s Eye for rather than willing it and letting it happen?]
Kyle didn’t have to think for long, ’For now, yes.’
He would go out tonight and get a better idea of this skill.
