Chapter 300

A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Proofreader/Editor: JWyck

***

Another reason was that the reserves' quality could hardly compare to the main team's. Third-year students had the best physical condition, objectively outperforming the other two grades slightly, so the main team was generally selected from third-years.

In one grade, it was already difficult to find five top-tier talents with Abilities suited for competition; the rest were inevitably inferior.

"Endless Ability Academy" purely benefited from the protagonist group attending school there, resulting in more formidable individuals this year. For other schools, the situation was only worse.

Thus, most of the remaining reserves weren’t as strong as Qi Huang, with many being single-target attackers or support-type Ability users. They could hold out barely, but resolving the crisis ultimately depended on Qi Huang.

[The doctorate indeed understood this clearly. If Qi Huang didn't recover her Mental Energy, her collapse would spell trouble for everyone.

At that moment, a richly dressed individual, resembling a hotel manager, stepped forward: "Others, go hold them off. Student Qi Huang, come with me. I'll take you to rest."

They tried to leave, but the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast didn't block them. Mainly because Qi Huang's damage was too high, with Nightmare Beasts dying in swaths—the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast worried too. Once all low- and mid-level Nightmare Beasts died, it would be at their mercy.

After Qi Huang left, it thought to exploit the time gap to kill all ordinary Ability users first, then wear down Qi Huang. Even if other Nightmare Beasts died, it wouldn't panic, as it could absorb attacks. If needed, it could just leave—with its mission accomplished, a few escapees mattered little.

On the other side, the manager led Qi Huang through twists and turns to a secret room. Opening the door, he introduced: "Here, I have a hidden treasure called Untitled, painted a century ago by a [Painter] Ability master. It's my family's heirloom. Viewing the painting not only restores Mental Energy but also has a chance to breakthrough your Ability. Though the probability is minimal, my ancestors did have someone whose Ability mutated from viewing it, soaring to success. You have ten minutes; what you grasp depends on you. When time's up, I'll knock."]

Watching Qi Huang in the manga grow increasingly tense, vigilance maxed out by the end, phoenix flames igniting on her hand behind her back, Su Bei couldn't hold back a light chuckle.

Clearly, Qi Huang seriously doubted the manager's intent in bringing her here—if he explained a second late, he might have become a little fire person courtesy of Qi Huang.

But the other party producing something like Untitled for Qi Huang to "level up" was unexpected to Su Bei. Considering the manager's identity, though, it wasn't surprising. Someone managing Sesbia's world competition designated hotel surely had an extraordinary family background. Though not strong in Ability, he had good items on hand.

This was protagonist group treatment. If it were him, Su Bei was certain that unless he maxed his luck, such encounters wouldn't come knocking.

That Untitled was a seemingly patternless yellowed parchment at first glance, yet in Qi Huang's eyes, it became a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix painting.

As expected, her Ability gained purification. From original phoenix flames to true inextinguishable fire. Once ignited, it burned endlessly, unquenchable by any means.

[Qi Huang's strength surged. Just as the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast found one of its targets—Mu Yunfan and the others—and prepared to strike the comatose, defenseless group, Qi Huang returned in time.

Upon return, she fearlessly engaged the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast directly, aiming to capture the king first. Defeat it, and the remaining Nightmare Beasts posed no threat.

Unaware that in ten short minutes, Qi Huang not only recovered Mental Energy but also achieved a qualitative Ability leap, the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast absorbed her attacks into its belly as before.

Yet this time's effect differed entirely. Inextinguishable fire grew endlessly; the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast felt its body heat up, internal heat escalating rapidly.

Sensing trouble, it frantically spat flames from its belly. But it couldn't finish—the flames were endless. Flames burned ceaselessly inside, his belly swelling.

Finally, with a "bang," the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast exploded.

All settled.]

For the plot outside the illusion, the manga ended here. After reading, Su Bei sighed in admiration—it had been bountiful for Qi Huang this time. Henceforth, even without skills, merely releasing flames amounted to an area attack.

As long as one Nightmare Beast bore flames, it could spread to others. Like Ling You's Ability [Plague], it diffused autonomously.

Besides spreadability, the inextinguishable fire's unquenchable trait was remarkable. It discarded traditional flame weaknesses. Unless Qi Huang retracted the flames or the ignited object burned out completely, flames wouldn't cease.

Though surely not without counters, Qi Huang had made substantial progress compared to before.

"So badass!"

"Qi Huang turned misfortune to fortune—great"

"This Ability change is strong"

"When Jiangjiang and co. emerge, they'll be baffled by Qi Huang's change"

"Evolution finally for my Qi Huang"

"Can this attack get Qi Huang elected Student Council Secretary?" "So envious, I want such an Ability too"

He'd grown tired of saying "envy," Su Bei sighed and continued reading.

Manga plot returned to inside the illusion. After obtaining confirmed intel from the Clown, Jiang Tianming and the others brainstormed methods. Spreading the intel wasn't the priority—having the illusion creature Clown do it was best. If they helped, trust might falter.

Now, Jiang Tianming and co.'s primary task was pondering escape under these circumstances.

The academy-provided clearance method was unusable; brute-force breakthrough—at least Jiang Tianming and others lacked confidence. So, they had to seek alternatives.

Coincidentally, Su Bei's entrusting Clown to spread messages inspired them, realizing Clowns might hold secrets—why spread intel otherwise? This behavior wasn't task-required.

If they had autonomy, perhaps they could aid players voluntarily?

But before probing, they must inform absent Su Bei.

On their chat, the author dedicated a panel to the the chat interface. The Author faithfully displayed the content, revealing Su Bei knew about the illusion killing issue long ago, and the truth-revealing Clown was his arrangement.

Next, perhaps to show problem-discovery wasn't solely Jiang Tianming's way, the author depicted how he discovered and approached the Clown via flashback segments, unaltered.

"My god! What else doesn't Su Bei know?"

"Su Bei knew long ago? Why no reminder earlier?"

"Su Bei arranging Clown to tell truth: good; author designing vicious plot: bad!"

"So that's how he discovered it—high Mental Energy is great"

"Relieved it wasn't pre-illusion discovery"

"Su Bei truly intel broker"

"Thus, Clowns play positive roles? I found them eerie before"

"Sudden thought: Beige why still say own points hahahahaha"

"Premonition: Su Bei must've earned bucketfuls"

But unexpectedly to Su Bei, his casual arm cut to verify his guess sparked discussion.

Some ached for him, even wildly suspecting self-harm tendencies—Su Bei felt it unnecessary but understandable. Readers sometimes added tragic hues to favorites for protective urges.

But the rest "hiss ha hiss ha"—what?

Exiting flashbacks, author gave side characters panels. Not just protagonists bought intel; many sides did too. Realizing they'd truly killed many, several collapsed.

As ivory-tower students, even prodigious Ability wielders, many had never killed before. Most felt inevitable guilt on their first kill, even enemies.

Worse, their first kills were temporary rivals—fellow humans; overwhelming guilt crushed less mature students.

Here, the protagonist group's maturity shone. Younger by two years, yet they accepted the bombshell instantly, then strategized.

As protagonists, abundant opportunities came with equal dangers. Gains with losses—that was it.

Next, the lens switched to Elvis and Huangfu Mingzhe. Their reactions were swift; after brief torment, they rallied, attempting respective breakthroughs. Huangfu Mingzhe aimed for forceful illusion breach. Elvis sought the array core.

After others' updates, the plot returned to Jiang Tianming. Seeking a breakthrough via Clowns, they scoured the amusement park contacting Clowns. After talks, they all sensed issues—Clowns seemed to be guiding towards something, warranting caution.

Finally, Jiang Tianming pierced the truth: Clowns guided lies. Lying to Clowns likely triggered bad events.

Sadly, whether that realization came late—or even early wouldn't help. Ten liars; condition met; Clowns activated purge mode.

Their killing method was simple: chase one with a saw for physical attacks. But resistance triggered rage mode, speed +200%; upon catching, immediate self-explosion.

Clown explosions were immensely powerful, and instant—once a student was in range, BOOM was unavoidable.

Few Abilities countered explosions; top-tier [Word Spirit] did. Lan Subing cleverly used [Word Spirit] to revert pursuing Clowns from purge mode, solving trouble permanently.

Here, Su Bei realized why that Clown answered honestly, not bombing them like others—it was already "reverted."

Reverted Clowns dutifully answered questions; purge mode was added one second pre-competition—that’s Sesbia's pre-check missed it.

If all Clowns ended purge mode, he could send everyone out. Realizing Subing's Mental Energy was insufficient for all the clowns; the group thought of Su Bei. Su Bei mentioned Elvis; the group sought Elvis. Finding Elvis, the group raised an issue; the group refound Su Bei.

Su Bei knew the rest; he quickly flipped to the last page. Manga end: the group ended the Clowns' purge. The next second, the illusion sky birthed a massive black hole, sucking all students in.

Manga concluded.

Finishing both chapters, and grasping all prior events, Su Bei exhaled turbid breaths slowly. The plot was fine, with no unknowns—the best news possible considering the situation.

But Su Bei vaguely felt something off, something he was unable to pinpoint.

No matter; if it was overlooked, it was likely Jiang Tianming's side. Safe in the hotel room, Nightmare Beasts couldn't reach him.

Opening the forum, he focused on the top post discussing plot.

《This time Nightmare Beasts caused trouble, so Jiangjiang and co. likely teleported to Nightmare Beast world?》

【84DishSoapNo.0: Thought about it—indeed most dangerous for Ability users, their turf; teleporting effortless, all gain no harm.】

【No.1: Who says all gain no harm? Wait till Jiangjiang, these "troubles" enter Nightmare Beast world causing chaos】

【No.2 reply No.1: Hahahahahahahahaha】

【No.3 reply No.2: Laugh to death】

【No.4: I think Nightmare Beast world too, hard escape hard rescue】

【……】

【No.21: Answer too obvious; guess Nightmare Beasts won't hide in known spot—must be unexpected】

【No.22 reply No.21: Makes sense, but give inference result?】

【No.23 reply No.21: Then I guess absurd: teleported to hotel】

【No.24 reply No.23: 6666 truly absurd】

【No.25: Then I guess to 'Endless Ability Academy'】

【No.26 reply No.25: Another master】

【……】

【No.57: Say, anyone feel this final turf-teleport familiar?】

【No.58 reply No.57: Don't get; familiar means King of Abilities others did similar, or other mangas' roles】

【No.59 reply No.57: King of Abilities】

【No.60: 57 means 'Black Flash' org right? They love trapping then array-teleporting away】

【No.61 reply No.60: Makes sense!】

【No.62: So 57 says later teleport maybe not Nightmare Beasts' plan—'Black Flash' causing?】

【No.63: Speaking of, 'Black Flash' long absent】

【No.64: Recall they retreated researching total Nightmare Beast extinction. If out now, research outcome? So curious】

【No.65: Wondered earlier—in illusion already; if Nightmare Beasts had world-teleport method, why not immediate? Better effect. If later teleport 'Black Flash' doing, makes sense.】

【No.66 reply No.65: Disagree; no opening teleport maybe to self-kill first. Vs direct kill, self-kill heart-destroy more fun for Nightmare Beasts】

【No.67 reply No.66: Indeed, feels author would design so】

【No.68: Sigh, dare not imagine midway truth reaction. Killed many classmates, guilt super heavy】

【No.69: Thus students' mentality decent, few collapsed; most accepted fast, no one thinking eternal by killing all】

【No.70 reply No.69: Too dark】

【……】

【No.122: Long-awaited 'Black Flash' org, finally appearing? Villain fans blessed】

【No.123: Can Cyril appear? Super like him!】

【No.124: I like last appeared beauty Gong Yuzhi】

【No.125: Want Ye Lin and Meng Huai Lei Ze’en meet; their grudges time to resolve? Though really only Ye Lin's grudge】

【No.126: When author drags 'Destiny' org out?】

【No.127 reply No.126: Support! Our 'Destiny' popular too ok?】

【No.128: Beige when reveal 'Destiny' org intel to lens? Curious long】

【……】

【No.184: Say no one suspects 'Black Flash' org and Nightmare Beasts collude harming? Earlier threads separate them?】

【No.185 reply No.184: Cuz impossible】

【No.186 reply No.184: Earlier Nightmare Beast purge 'Black Flash' truly contributed; goal total extinction—how collude harming humans? What benefit to 'Black Flash'?】

【No.187: Us villains have a bottom line, ok?】

【No.188: These sides deep enmity right? How think collude? Not to say 'Black Flash' unwilling, even Nightmare Beasts maybe not】

【No.189: Vs pondering 'Black Flash' issues, better think Sesbia problems—trash organizers, let Nightmare Beasts mess competition so much】

【No.190 reply No.189: Support, suggest self-end somewhere】

Finishing the post, Su Bei's expression shifted unpredictably. He finally knew what he missed earlier: as the post said, this transfer method indeed resembled 'Black Flash's' style, and they have indeed been absent for a while.

But unlike forum readers, Su Bei didn't think 'Black Flash' absolutely wouldn't collude with Nightmare Beasts. They had the basis and conditions.

First, if 'Black Flash' truly wanted to collaborate, Nightmare Beasts would never refuse. Nightmare Beasts lacked morals; they would collaborate with anyone if it was beneficial, and betray them instantly if there was no profit, with no hesitation.

For 'Black Flash,' Su Bei originally thought collaboration to be absolutely impossible. There would be no benefit to Black Flash doing so.

But now it was different—if 'Black Flash' understood Nightmare Beasts couldn't revert back to humans, via the underground people research results, they'd realize their prior efforts were futile.

Others members were fine—they were young enough to restart. But the leader was different—having aged greatly, he would be unable to switch to a new topic.

Moreover, researching Nightmare Beasts to change his Nightmare Beast wife back into a human—was far more vital to him than the total extinction of mankind.

With his hope shattered; in this manga world, what he did wouldn't surprise Su Bei by any means. Honestly, it wasn’t 'Black Flash's' decisions that managed to surprise him; what always truly amazed him was the odd ways in which that research was being utilized.

If this event was truly a 'Black Flash' and Nightmare Beasts collaboration, it could only mean the leader had fully abandoned his humanity—or else he wouldn't exterminate so many students.

Of course, this only represented the leader's view; whether other members or Mo Xiaotian shared it was uncertain. Whether they truly agreed with executing the plan, or possibly hoodwinked remained to be seen.

—

Wyck-Note: If you’re struggling to read the forum discussion, sorry.

If you didn’t notice it, then nevermind.

Either way, now you'll know which type of reader you are.