Seeing yourself turned into a was never pleasant.
And not just any , but the guy who got cheated on and dumped for soone "better," soone richer, soone with a secure future.
Post after post flooded the university forum. People tagged him openly.
Kyle rolled his eyes at one of them. It showed a split image. On one side, Amanda texting him, their nas marked with asterisks above their heads, a wall drawn between them. On the other side, a faceless guy hugging Amanda from behind while she typed, "I love you," to Kyle.
Did it hurt?
Yes.
He was still human.
He knew most of them disliked him for one reason alone. He ca from a privileged background.
With a sigh, he muted the notifications. He did not leave the group. That would only confirm that the jokes had gotten to him.
Rubbing the back of his head, he muttered, "I’m not going to uni today."
Just yesterday, he had resolved to focus on his studies and not miss lectures. But after everything that happened, he was drained. ntally. Physically. He needed a day to gather himself.
His gaze shifted to the computer.
"I hope I didn’t dream everything that happened yesterday... System?"
[No, Host. You didn’t.]
He exhaled slowly.
He did not know whether to feel relieved or burdened. If it was real, then his brother was truly fighting for his life in the hospital.
He grabbed his phone and called his mother.
No answer.
Then he dialed his father.
After three rings, the call connected.
"Kyle."
"How is he?" Kyle asked, standing up from the bed. "How is Mom?"
"Your brother is... recovering. Slowly. Your mother is sleeping. She was dehydrated, so the nurse gave her electrolytes."
Kyle’s chest tightened. When he was sleeping peacefully, his father must have remained awake taking care of both.
After a short pause, his father asked, "Where are you?"
"In my room."
"Hmm. Don’t go to the university today. And Kyle... avoid that area near the station late at night."
Kyle frowned. "What do you an? Is sothing on the news?"
[It must be about the chaos you caused yesterday, Host.]
Kyle gave a wry smile.
As expected, his father avoided specifics.
"There are rumors of a pickpocket operating in the alleys near the station. Just stay away from that area at night."
Even the information had reached his father.
It was not as if he could confess that he had been the one creating that "ruckus."
After a mont, Kyle asked, "Father... is Blake going to stay at the hospital?"
He wanted to feed his brother the Elixir he had earned. But under hospital surveillance, that would be nearly impossible.
Fortunately, his father replied, "No. He’s being transferred to our main house in Fortis tomorrow. You can visit him there."
Kyle allowed himself a faint smile. "I will."
....
Outside his house, Amanda stood waiting.
Kyle usually left for university around this ti.
But the door remained closed.
She knew he might skip today. That ant she might not get a chance to speak with him. Still, she wanted to see him.
Astortia Blake was not an ordinary Nightwalker. He was powerful, influential, soone who could even challenge their Commander in battle.
For soone like him to be injured was already shocking.
But to hear that his circuits were damaged?
That ant the injuries were severe.
Amanda could barely imagine what Kyle must be going through.
For him, his brother went through a severe accident and the doctors couldn’t help him for unknown reasons.
She was debating whether to knock when her phone buzzed.
The mont she saw the na on the screen, her expression darkened.
Ethan.
"Where are you?" he asked as soon as she answered.
"Do you need sothing?" Her tone was colder than usual. Ever since yesterday, irritation had taken root inside her. She knew Ethan had not directly forced her to stay away from Kyle, yet her heart still blad him.
"Tell you haven’t gone to et Kyle."
She frowned. "Why does that concern you?"
He clicked his tongue.
"Layena got injured yesterday. And instead of being here to hear the full report, you’re wandering around, still stuck in your little love ga—"
She ended the call.
Gritting her teeth, she stepped closer to Kyle’s door and lifted her hand to knock.
But she froze.
His words from yesterday echoed in her mind.
If you ever respected our relationship, don’t ever approach again.
She bit her lower lip.
Her chest felt tight, torn between pride and longing.
In the end, she lacked the courage to knock.
She turned and walked away.
’If only I had never awakened this curse...’
.....
Kyle sat in front of his computer, preparing to stream.
Just yesterday, he had nearly decided to shut the channel down.
Now... that thought felt distant.
Leaning back in his chair, he muttered, "Will anyone even show up?"
He usually went live after returning from university.
[There’s no harm in checking, Host.]
The system nudged him.
Kyle nodded. He booted up the computer, put on his face mask, adjusted the cara, and finally pressed the Go Live button.
The stream connected.
He was now live on one of the most popular streaming platforms.
But popularity of a platform did not an popularity for him.
He did not stream trending gas.
He did not participate in high stakes death matches for money.
He did not wear flashy outfits to attract attention.
Yet despite all that—
Five viewers joined instantly.
And then—
The chat exploded.
Myuri: [Kyle! Kyle!]
WarHorse: [You conquered the battlefield! My brother is back!]
Ethara: [Welco back, Kyle. Your eyes look pretty as well.]
Tharos: [Kyle... hug .]
One-eyed: [Hoho~ look who’s here. How was your experience last night?]
Myuri: [Don’t phrase it like that.]
Tharos: [Agreed.]
Ethara: [That didn’t sound well to my ears. Beware, old man.]
Kyle let out a slow breath.
The familiar chaos.
The sa strange usernas.
He leaned closer to the microphone.
"Before anything else," he said calmly, "can you tell who you all actually are?"
The chat slowed slightly.
His eyes narrowed behind the mask.
"One-eyed. Myuri. All of you. What exactly are you? How can you turn a normal guy like into a Nightwalker? And what is this system?"
Silence did not fall completely.
But the usual teasing paused.
Kyle’s fingers tightened around the edge of the desk.
"I want answers."
Not jokes.
Not riddles.
Answers.
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