The next morning, Kai woke up with his shoulders still aching. It was not from the fight itself, but from the way the temporary strength had left his body. It was like the System had borrowed power from somewhere and then taken it back with interest. His arms felt normal again, but there was a dull emptiness underneath the skin, as if something had been there and was now gone.
The phone was already live.
AngelVesper is LIVE – Kai's Perfect Day #53
Current Viewers: 71,486
She looked almost glowing on the feed. Hair done carefully, soft makeup, that same gentle smile that never quite matched the intensity in her eyes.
"Good morning, everyone. Our star is awake. Look at him. Still thinking about yesterday, isn't he?"
Kai sat up slowly and rubbed his face. He didn't answer. He never did on camera. But the memory of Tyler's shocked expression kept replaying in his head. The way the bigger guy had looked small and scared. He had never seen such an expression from him before. And the way the power had felt when it flooded his body.
It had felt good.
That was the part that bothered him the most.
He went through his morning routine in silence while Angel narrated every small movement. The drone was already waiting outside when he left the apartment. People on the street didn't stare as openly as they had a few days ago, but a few still glanced his way longer than necessary. Word was spreading. The fight had been captured clearly and the clips were already floating around campus group chats.
By the time he reached the main gate of the college, he could feel the difference.
Students looked at him differently. Some with curiosity and some with caution. A few with something closer to fear and respect. Tyler and his two friends were nowhere near the entrance. When Kai passed the basketball courts later, he spotted them in the distance, but they turned the other way the moment they noticed him.
That should have felt satisfying but it did not.
The power had been temporary. Everyone who watched the stream knew that. Including Tyler. The next time they met, the System might not be in a generous mood.
Angel's voice stayed light and cheerful through the earpiece.
"The viewers are so proud of you, Kai. You protected yourself so well yesterday. Some of them are even saying you looked… impressive. A very strong man."
Her last word came out softer than the others.
Kai kept walking.
Classes dragged. He sat through two lectures without really hearing them. Every time his phone buzzed with a gift notification, he felt the same mix of irritation and reluctant relief. Money kept appearing in his account. Not huge amounts, but steady. Enough to make the constant watching feel slightly less like pure punishment.
During lunch, Lena found him near the vending machines.
She looked more cautious than she had a few days ago.
"Hey," she said. "I saw the clip. Are you… okay?"
Kai nodded once. "Yeah."
She hesitated. "People are saying weird things. About some streamer. And that you suddenly got strong enough to throw Tyler around like it was nothing."
"It's complicated."
Lena studied his face for a second longer, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Just… be careful. That kind of attention doesn't usually stay clean."
She left without pushing further. Kai watched her go, feeling the familiar buzz of another poll starting on his phone.
Live Poll Active!
How should Angel respond to the side character showing concern?
A) Let her stay (Mild interest)
B) Gentle warning (Protective)
C) Make her lose interest (Clean cut)
The results came in quickly.
Poll Results: 72% chose C – Make her lose interest
A few minutes later, Lena's phone lit up across the courtyard. She frowned at the screen, glanced once in Kai's direction, then turned and walked away faster than before. Whatever message she had received, it worked.
Angel's voice came through the earpiece, soft and satisfied.
"There. Better. She won't get in the way anymore. The viewers agree with me. You're safer this way."
Kai closed his eyes for a second and exhaled through his nose.
Safer.
That was one way to put it.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of lectures and quiet stares. By the time he left campus, the viewer count had climbed past eighty thousand. Gifts kept coming in. The chat was full of people replaying the fight from yesterday and asking when Kai would get permanent strength.
He hated how much part of him wanted the same answer.
Back in his apartment, the blue panel appeared the moment he closed the door.
[Observer System – Star Interface]
Temporary Power Fragment fully consumed
Host obsession level: Critical
Permanent ability pathway unlocked
Next major spike required to stabilize permanent combat fragment
Warning: Permanent abilities strengthen the bond permanently
Kai stared at the floating text for a long time.
That single word sat heavier than the rest.
If he kept shining the way Angel and the viewers wanted, the System would give him more power. Real power this time. Strength that wouldn't fade after a few minutes and skills that would stay.
But every time he used it, her hold would tighten.
He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the blank TV screen. It turned on by itself a few seconds later, as if it had been waiting for him to settle in.
Angel was already there, leaning closer to the camera than usual. Her smile was soft, almost gentle, but her eyes held something sharper underneath.
"You were thinking about it, weren't you?" she said quietly. "The strength you suddenly had and how it felt. How easy it was to stop them."
Kai didn't answer.
"I liked watching you," she continued. "I liked seeing you strong. I want you to keep being strong. The viewers want it too. All you have to do is keep going the way you are. Let us help you. Let me help you."
She tilted her head slightly, still smiling.
"The next time something happens… it won't be temporary, I promise you, I can feel it. The System is almost ready. And when it is… you'll be even more perfect."
Kai looked at her for a long moment. Then he reached out and turned the TV off manually.
The screen went black.
For a few seconds, the apartment was quiet.
Then his phone buzzed once more.
A single private message appeared from Angel's account. It was not through the stream.
I can't wait to see what you become.
Kai stared at the message until the screen dimmed.