A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 292

As expected, by 8 p.m. the next day, Mu Yunfan’s group showed no signs of waking. The unknown toxin stumped doctors, who didn’t dare treat rashly.

Oddly, despite checking many poison Abilities, they couldn’t identify the toxin. Even an [Ability Identification] Ability User was stumped, leading them to realize it might be a normal human poison, not an Ability.

But this realization came too late—there wasn’t enough time to identify and treat it.

Another event that day: the detective found the culprit. With Ability aid, the investigation was swift. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Saint Dante but an obscure academy Endless had eliminated.

They had motive—already losing two matches, Endless’ 5-0 sweep ended their competition.

But logically, they were nobodies, never ranking top ten. Why so resentful? And why only target Endless, not others who beat them?

How did an obscure academy bypass security to poison in Sesbia’s competitor restaurant? There had to be a mastermind.

The detective knew this wasn’t the full truth. To dig deeper, they’d need the academy’s competitors, who’d flown home at noon. Pressuring their country to bring them back would take time.

The poisoning stalled, but the competition continued. Teacher Li gathered everyone to discuss the lineup.

After stating the topic, seeing no one speak, she said directly: “You can decide who competes. I’m fine with anyone. If you can’t, I’ll pick five, and it’s final.”

With the main team down, she didn’t care who went. In her mind, Endless couldn’t take first. As first-year alternates, a low ranking wouldn’t draw criticism.

It was a safe bet—good results were a bonus, poor ones cost nothing. She wasn’t worried. Offering to choose was to avoid arguments.

After the second option, she stood: “I’ll get tomorrow’s rules. Discuss and have a result by my return for reporting.”

She left, giving them space.

“…Let’s start with who must go,” Jiang Tianming said, not handing the choice to Teacher Li, taking charge. “Su Bei, Subing, Zhaohua—these three are musts. The last two come from the rest of us. Any objections?”

The three had strong, Team-Battle-friendly Abilities. He should’ve included himself, with multiple Abilities, but avoided putting Wu Mingbai and Qi Huang in a tough spot.

Wu Mingbai saw through him, adding: “You’re a must too. Qi Huang and I will decide.”

He looked at Qi Huang: “Rock-paper-scissors?”

Qi Huang didn’t laugh at the “genius” method, pondering before turning to Su Bei: “Can I talk to you outside? I have a question.”

Surprised, Su Bei followed: “What?”

“I want to know…” Qi Huang hesitated, “Can you foresee if Nightmare Beasts will cause trouble outside during the second round?”

“They will,” Su Bei answered directly.

With an army gathered, how could they not? Some trouble would be outside, no doubt.

Though he’d signed a contract with the Gourd Nightmare Beast not to reveal their hotel presence, he’d been clever, limiting it to that. He knew far more than they thought.

Getting her answer, Qi Huang took a deep breath and nodded. They returned, and she announced: “I’m not going. Wu Mingbai, you go.”

“Why?” Everyone was shocked, eyes darting between her and Su Bei, wondering what they’d discussed for her to give up.

She’d been eager to compete, and her competitive nature wouldn’t let her yield for others.

“I didn’t say anything,” Su Bei shrugged, defending himself.

Qi Huang, hands on hips, said confidently: “I just don’t want to. Isn’t this perfect? One extra person, and I’m out—everyone’s happy.”

“Really?” Lan Subing asked, still incredulous, worriedly.

“Yeah, I have something I want more,” Qi Huang nodded seriously, showing no reluctance, confirming her choice.

Indeed, after Su Bei’s answer, she had a bigger goal. Always a standout, her Ability shone post-awakening. But in Class S, she wasn’t the best—her Ability and grades were outdone.

This frustrated the proud Qi Huang. She wanted to be Endless’ Student Council president to prove herself.

But as she’d noted, not excelling in any area, how could she beat Si Zhaohua? She’d held little hope, just a lingering wish.

Feng Manman’s advice inspired her—reputation might be her only shot.

Competing in the second round, even if they miraculously won, was a team effort, splitting credit, not enough to outshine Si Zhaohua.

Staying outside, with Nightmare Beasts causing trouble, offered a chance to shine like Feng Manman, giving her a shot at secretary.

Competing wouldn’t boost her reputation enough. Facing Nightmare Beasts outside, though tough against stronger Ability Users, had a slim chance of success.

Qi Huang was chasing that tiny chance.

Seeing her sincerity, everyone relaxed. Su Bei sitting out would’ve been ideal—he likely didn’t want to go. But youthful pride drove Jiang Tianming’s group to compete and aim high.

Su Bei’s strength was needed.

With someone stepping back peacefully, it was perfect.

Then, Manga Consciousness chimed: “King of Abilities updated. Please check.”

Back in the dorm, with Si Zhaohua showering, Su Bei opened his phone to read.

The manga continued from the last chapter, showing Mu Yunfan’s group’s incident. With the prior chapter’s hints, anyone could see who was behind it. But readers had a god’s perspective—characters needed evidence.

Notably, readers weren’t surprised by Su Bei’s foresight anymore. Half a manga of predictions—surprise would be odd.

The rest was the detective’s investigation and doctors’ treatment, known to Su Bei. He skimmed, looking for unknown details.

He found two. First, Qi Huang’s reason for staying out. Now he understood why the battle-loving girl gave up. She stayed to face external dangers alone.

Though uninterested in being president, Su Bei admired her choice. Facing danger for a 1% chance took courage.

He never disliked ambition—it drove progress. As long as it wasn’t underhanded, he respected ambitious people.

Readers agreed.

“Wow! I’m becoming a Qi Huang fan!”

“Ambitious girls are so charming!”

“Our girl faces challenges head-on! Dream: Qi Huang beats Si Zhaohua for secretary!”

“She’s chasing her dream, no regrets!”

“So ambitious, love it!”

The other unknown plot was about the Nightmare Beasts.

[On the rooftop, the Gourd Nightmare Beast asked the Brain Nightmare Beast via shared perspective: “I think he’s onto us. Should we do something?”

It posed as if ready to kill.

The Brain Nightmare Beast stayed calm: “Do what? Act now, and we’re exposed, ruining the plan. Don’t move—he’s not one to meddle.”

“True, he’d probably enjoy watching humans’ drama,” the Mermaid Nightmare Beast nodded, also familiar with Su Bei. “Good thing it’s him, not someone else.”]

Su Bei knew this was about him, post-contract with the Gourd. The author included it vaguely, not revealing his identity or the forced contract to hide their plot.

Though not explicit, many readers guessed.

“Who’s this?”

“Sounds human.”

“Doesn’t meddle, loves human drama. I think I know…”

“North Bro, you puzzled too?”

“So Su Bei knows their plot but won’t tell?”

“Classic drama-lover.”

Su Bei chuckled, shaking his head. Exposed so fast, but no harm.

After the manga, he checked the forum. One plot-related post: “Is the Nightmare Beast Talking About Su Bei?”

Though uninterested, he clicked to check reader sentiment, wary of the author swaying opinions.

[Is the Nightmare Beast Talking About Su Bei?]

[HalfBookNo.0: The beasts say someone knows their plan and talked with the gourd one. They call them “non-meddling” and “loves human drama.” I don’t know what you think, but I thought Su Bei instantly.]

[No.1: Definitely Su Bei, no question.]

[No.2: Su Bei’s always lurking behind conspiracies.]

[No.3: OP, don’t doubt yourself.]

[No.4: Admire Su Bei’s intel-gathering. No wonder he’s in Destiny.]

[No.5: Knowing this early, he’s prepared, right?]

[…]

[No.38: Be better if he spilled it.]

[No.39 replying to No.38: Who says he didn’t? He told Qi Huang. Su Bei’s the type—don’t ask, I don’t tell; ask, and I might share.]

[No.40: Sigh, wish someone else heard it, but the author wouldn’t set it up otherwise.]

[No.41: With Su Bei in the know, I’m relieved.]

[No.42 replying to No.41: Yeah, he’s got a safety net.]

[No.43: Su Bei, wreck their plan!]

[…]

[No.91: So curious what Su Bei knows? And why let him go after knowing he knows?]

[No.92 replying to No.91: He’s bold because he’s got cards.]

[No.93 replying to No.91: The gourd said it—killing him risks exposure, ruining the plan.]

[No.94 replying to No.93: Right, who’d kill? It’d alert Sesbia, revealing the beasts. Can they hide then?]

[No.95: Such fearless swagger.]

The forum was fine, and Su Bei relaxed, closing his phone. Tomorrow’s match loomed, and the Nightmare Beasts’ plot was likely big.

As he pondered, his phone pinged—Teacher Li sent the second round’s rules.

The rules were simple: competitors entered an Illusion, tasked with eliminating Nightmare Beasts and others. Each eliminated person added 5 points, Low-Level Nightmare Beasts 1 point, Mid-Level 3 points, High-Level 10 points. Scoring reflected difficulty—High-Level Beasts were tougher than people.

Additional tasks in the Illusion didn’t add points but offered helpful items, likely for finding beasts or opponents.

The match ended when the last opponent was eliminated, ranked by team points.

Notably, eliminating someone granted half their points, deducted from their total, making elimination costly.

This rule offered strategic flexibility.

Teams had to decide: entrust all points to a stealthy member for protection or spread them to avoid a single loss. When facing elimination, players could surrender all points to survive. Half points for elimination versus all for mercy—survival was wise.

After the rules, Teacher Li called them to her room to discuss tactics.

As interim captain, having thought it through, Jiang Tianming answered quickly: “I think we give all points to Su Bei—he’s the type to survive longest. Others stick together, focus on beasts early, and eliminate opponents later.”

After a year, Su Bei’s escape skills were legendary.

Teacher Li didn’t reject it but suggested: “Our academy was a top contender, targeted heavily. Now, with you first-years, you’ll be underestimated as soft targets.”

“Teacher, you mean… be cautious of them targeting us early?” Jiang Tianming asked, unsure.

Wrong. Teacher Li shook her head, teaching through questions: “If you knew a weak team was on the field, under these rules, what would you do?”

The hint was clear. Jiang Tianming’s eyes lit up: “Keep them alive, let them fatten up, then kill!”

Let them clear beasts early—first-year alternates could handle Low- and Mid-Level ones. Later, kill them for half or all points via threats. The best strategy for others.

“Exactly,” Teacher Li smiled. “So, maintain your ‘soft target’ image.”

She couldn’t judge their strength among second-round teams, as they were meant to be mascots. But she knew they weren’t weak and could surprise.

She didn’t expect first place but believed in good results if not targeted and prepared. First-years, despite talent, lagged behind second- and third-years in raw strength.

Hence her advice—survive to the late stage for a shot at a good rank. Su Bei’s Ability thrived with fewer people. If he shone, Endless could stay top ten.

Not just Su Bei—Lan Subing’s Ability also favored fewer opponents. Mental Energy-based Abilities worked best with less.

Teacher Li had studied Su Bei’s feats, noting his ability to wipe out many enemies at once, defying her understanding. She didn’t know how but believed fewer opponents suited him.

After team strategy, she addressed individuals, starting with Si Zhaohua: “Your [Angel] lets you fly, giving advantages in past fights. But advantages can be weaknesses. Many competitors fly, and academies prepare anti-flight measures. Your Senior Wei Yuexi’s weapons include a Signal Jammer, disorienting fliers.”

Si Zhaohua nodded earnestly: “Got it, Teacher. I’ll avoid flying.”

It’d lower his strength slightly, but better than being trapped mid-air.