A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Translator: AkazaTL

Proofreader/Editor: JWyck

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Chapter 303

The birth of Element-type Nightmare Beasts is tied to the Nightmare Beast world—what does that mean? My expression became puzzled as I reread the reply. The answer came from a Nightmare Beast’s mouth, so regardless of the method, its accuracy should be reliable.

According to this, more Earth Element Nightmare Beasts meant the Nightmare Beast world needed more Earth Element. But why? Isn’t the Nightmare Beast world already overflowing with Earth Element?

From the boundless earth to the floating Meteorites, it’s all Earth Element. With so much of it, the Nightmare Beast world should need Earth Element the least. So why so many Earth Element Nightmare Beasts?

Was there an issue with the earth or the Meteorites?

I vaguely felt I’d touched the key to the problem but couldn’t pierce the fog to see clearly.

Forget it—I’d figure it out after visiting Yafei Kingdom and meeting Gao Di An Zhuo. No point stressing now; even if I came up with answers, I had no proof.

That afternoon, [Manga Consciousness]’s prompt sounded in my ear—the manga updated. My spirits lifted instantly. This meant Jiang Tianming and the others had likely resolved the danger and would return soon.

I quickly finished the last bits of food on my tray and hurried back to my room to open my phone. Sure, [Manga Consciousness] could mask it, letting me read outside, but my room felt safer.

Probably because a week had passed, the author wasn’t dragging it out. The manga opened directly in the Nightmare Beast world.

Seeing that black-white-gray world, I sighed silently. It happened—the outcome I dreaded most: “Black Flash” organization was collaborating with Nightmare Beasts.

Without collaboration, since “Black Flash” meddled in the teleportation, they wouldn’t let Jiang Tianming and others end up in the Nightmare Beast world. Even they couldn’t reach there.

Sesbia’s government wasn’t entirely useless—they’d set restrictions on the illusion, including no teleportation. So, despite Nightmare Beasts succeeding with “Black Flash’s” help, precise teleportation was impossible. They could only send players to a random spot, leaving discovery and escape to luck.

Nightmare Beasts weren’t worried. It was their home turf—they were confident they’d find Jiang Tianming’s group before they found a way back. Plus, scattered individually, weren’t they easier to pick off?

Jiang Tianming’s side started hiding, with each player using their vast knowledge to find allies, evade danger, and seek ways back from the Nightmare Beast world.

After outlining their plight, the scene shifted to the real world, starting when I emerged and met Qi Huang.

“Knew Su Bei didn’t get teleported!”

“Hahahaha how’d he escape the illusion early?”

“Beige, the escape master”

“Good he left—Nightmare Beast world would’ve been brutal”

“Jiangjiang’s group must regret not dragging Su Bei or following him. They’d be safe now.”

No way. Seeing these comments, I shook my head. If they’d followed me, everyone would’ve been teleported—not returned safely with me.

I quickly skimmed the rest, since players were scattered, the author ran multiple threads—mainly about Nightmare Beast world and the real world.

I knew the real-world events: “Endless Ability Academy’s” investigation and takedown of “Saint Dante Ability Academy.” In the Nightmare Beast world, I wasn’t interested in the events themselves—just their tie to “Black Flash.”

As the protagonist, Jiang Tianming cleared my doubts. While fighting a high-level Nightmare Beast, he unexpectedly found a “Black Flash” item on it.

This item, used against him before, was documented in the manga. Having suffered a big loss, Jiang Tianming remembered it vividly.

Why would a Nightmare Beast have it? Did they steal it? His doubts appeared as text, sparking reader discussion.

With a god’s-eye view, aware of real-world events, readers’ takes were sharper.

“‘Black Flash’ definitely involved—Sesbia’s intel wasn’t fake”

“Something feels off?”

“Thought ‘Black Flash’ was either saving Jiangjiang or disrupting Nightmare Beasts, but now…”

“No way—‘Black Flash’ and Nightmare Beasts collaborating?”

“‘Black Flash’ probably helped, like keeping them from being found instantly”

No, I think “Black Flash” was collaborating. With their strength, they wouldn’t let players fall into the Nightmare Beast world—it’d gain them nothing.

But readers and the good guys hadn’t realized “Black Flash” would collude with Nightmare Beasts. Even Jiang Tianming was just suspicious. Plus, as comments noted, “Black Flash” could explain it away.

If questioned later, they could claim they scattered the players to avoid a clean sweep or tweaked teleportation locations. Any excuse worked—it would be hard to suspect them.

If “Black Flash” used this info gap well, they could ambush humans fighting Nightmare Beasts.

The author had plans, and I didn’t intend to interfere. I just reminded myself to be extra wary of “Black Flash” henceforth. Before, I was confident they wouldn’t target me, a “Destiny” member and potential ally. Now, I wasn’t so sure. A “Black Flash” collaborating with Nightmare Beasts wouldn’t have human partners.

Continuing the manga, the protagonist group, drawn together by their aura, quickly regrouped, with each bringing along a few allies. Though they were first-years, Jiang Tianming’s group outshone many third-years in maturity and handling crises, naturally becoming team leaders.

Fully assembled, Lan Subing pulled out Lei Ze’en’s teleportation charm. Shocked, Jiang Tianming, knowing its value, asked: “How do you have this?”

What followed made me laugh and cry. Lan Subing said she got it because I’d used one during finals, thought it might be useful, and privately asked a teacher for a group-effect one.

But Nightmare Beasts blocked teleportation items then, so it was useless. Unexpectedly, it now came in handy.

Everyone was overjoyed. With this item, finding all students meant everyone could return together.

Even I hadn’t expected the protagonist group to use that item—an upgraded version. With it, returning wasn’t a problem.

But per plot conservation, if trouble didn’t lie in escaping, it’d be elsewhere.

Sure enough, two issues arose: finding other students in the vast Nightmare Beast world and the group teleportation charm needing five minutes to auto-etch the array—unlike instant single charms.

Five minutes wasn’t long, but searching for others would attract Nightmare Beasts. Facing so many strong ones, defending would feel eternal. Without preparation, five minutes could kill them all.

They couldn’t pre-use the charm—only half a minute early at most when the last group arrived.

Jiang Tianming assigned roles: half searched for scattered players, half set up defenses to hold on for five minutes and allow everyone to leave.

Finding others relied on Wu Mingbai. His strong [Earth Element] let him commune with the land, spotting nearby humans clearly. This skill also dodged Nightmare Beasts—a must-have travel ability.

But it was tough—limited to pure soil, not stones. Though stones were Earth Element, his Ability wasn’t that strong yet.

Despite a few slipups, Wu Mingbai led teammates to gather everyone. Defense was Jiang Tianming’s job, with him revealing a new Ability from Vixi Holy Land—his first defensive one.

Called [Gambler’s Protection], it was unique. It could expend Mental Energy for a shield; and attackers had to guess the percentage used. Closer guesses weakened the shield; a perfect guess broke it. Larger gaps strengthened it.

Smart ones might pick 50—it was never too far off, keeping the shield moderate.

But Nightmare Beasts were bold, choosing 1, thinking Jiang Tianming wouldn’t use all his Mental Energy on group defense, saving much for himself.

That’d work on others, but not Jiang Tianming. He predicted their prediction, boldly using 99% of his Mental Energy for the shield.

The huge gap made the shield unmatched, safely holding five minutes for everyone to escape the Nightmare Beast world.

The manga ended with Wu Mingbai princess-carrying a Mental Energy-drained, comatose Jiang Tianming, and everyone appearing on “Endless Ability Academy’s” field.

Seeing the final scene, I raised an eyebrow and headed out. During summer break, the academy had few students, so even a crowd on the field caused no stir.

Reaching the field, I saw them sitting messily on the grass. Si Zhaohua was on the phone, likely with Meng Huai or Teacher Li.

“Meng Huai’s probably unreachable these days—try Teacher Li or the others,” I said casually, strolling over.

Meng Huai was likely hassling “Black Flash” to find Jiang Tianming’s group, absent from the academy. I’d tried calling him to leave earlier—it didn’t go through.

Hearing me, Si Zhaohua and the others looked up, surprised: “Su Bei! Why’re you here?”

“You guys didn’t return, so I couldn’t leave,” I shrugged, returning to the topic. “No need to call—Teacher Lei should be here soon.”

When I used the teleportation charm to return, Lei Ze’en called immediately. No reason they’d return unnoticed.

“Jiang’s phone’s ringing!” Wu Mingbai, eyes wide, gestured for Lan Subing to grab it from Jiang Tianming’s pocket—he was still holding him.

Lan Subing pulled out the phone, unlocked it deftly, and answered: “Teacher Lei? Yes! We’re back! Su Bei? He’s here. Okay, see you soon.”

After a brief talk, she hung up, saying: “Su Bei’s right—Teacher’s coming. He said you should host us first.”

Looking at the exhausted, thirsty, hungry, sleepy crowd, I thought a bit and decided to play a courteous host: “Let’s hit the cafeteria. There’s no food now, but the shop’s open.”

They nodded, knowing everyone was teleported to “Endless Ability Academy.” As a renowned academy, its safety was trustworthy.

In the Nightmare Beast world, high tension masked bodily needs. Now safe, they felt parched.

From the second round to now—four days had passed. Early on, they hid and fought stray Nightmare Beasts. For the last two days, they regrouped and battled. Passive defense via Jiang Tianming’s shield wasn’t enough—active offense was needed.

Each drained stamina heavily, and the Nightmare Beast world offered no rest or supplies. Food was manageable—most Nightmare Beast meat was edible. Though it was raw, third-years, trained by schools, could stomach it.

Water was different—no normal sources existed. The one river they found was polluted by Nightmare Beasts. Without Water Element Ability users, they’d have died of thirst.

Everyone bought water, chugging bottles like water buffalo. Two bottles per person quenched their thirst.

During this, I briefly explained what happened while they were missing. Nothing major—just the Ability world searching for them and “Black Flash”’s role in the illusion teleportation.

I skipped Mu Yunfan’s recovery and “Saint Dante’s” dissolution—it was only relevant to “Endless” students, not worth mentioning with outsiders present.

As I finished, Teacher Lei arrived, with Principal Wu Di. Wu Di, seeing the students, said reliably: “I’ve contacted your schools—they’ll be here soon.”

Hearing this, everyone relaxed. Their own schools felt safer than a strange one. After escaping danger, they craved familiar teachers.

After calming them down, Wu Di pulled our students aside, asking what happened. Hearing they ended up in the Nightmare Beast world, he and Lei Ze’en frowned.

“‘Black Flash’ intervened, right?” Lei Ze’en asked, confused. “I thought they’d take the students.”

Having clashed with them often, he thought he knew “Black Flash.” This behavior was unexpected—a mistake?

“Ask and find out,” Wu Di said, looking at Si Zhaohua. “You know ‘Black Flash’ was involved, right? Did you see anything related?”

Before Si Zhaohua replied, Wu Mingbai spoke: “Jiang said he saw a prop on a Nightmare Beast, one only ‘Black Flash’ members had.”

“Unique to ‘Black Flash’?” Wu Di asked.

Wu Mingbai nodded uncertainly: “It’s not in books—probably part of their research.”

“I see…” Wu Di looked thoughtful.

Lei Ze’en marveled: “Then ‘Black Flash’’s people messed up, losing props to Nightmare Beasts. Their skills slipped after retreating.”

Without responding, Wu Di looked at Jiang Tianming, on a cafeteria chair: “Jiang Tianming’s Mental Energy’s drained? Take him to the infirmary… never mind, I’ll do it.”

His appearance shifted subtly—ears pointed, hair turned long silver-white, skin faintly green. Green light from his hand scanned Jiang Tianming.

As it faded, Jiang Tianming woke up.

Everyone was stunned. Wu Di’s Ability was clearly healing—powerful Mental Energy restoration. But as the strongest Ability user, he couldn’t be healing-type.

“A Multi-Ability user,” Si Zhaohua said, eyes burning, glancing at Jiang Tianming. As the Si Family’s young master, Wu Di’s hidden Abilities didn’t fool him. Many knew he was a multi-Ability user.

Even as a healing-type, restoring drained Mental Energy was shocking. For Ability users, Mental Energy was the mana bar, tied to health. A Mental Energy restorer was a walking health pack—coveted by all teams.

And this was just one of Wu Di’s Abilities—no wonder he was the strongest.

I knew Wu Di’s Ability—[Bloodline] spawned multiple Abilities. “Bloodline” Abilities, hereditary, were typically strong, ensuring quality.

I was envious again. Too bad it’s unreplicable—the protagonist group already had a multi-Ability user, Jiang Tianming, the manga’s male lead.

I was sure if I’d given myself a similar Ability, clashing with Jiang Tianming, the forum would’ve torn me apart as a “royal” copycat.

Then, forget forum progress—readers not dousing me with oil would be kind.

Other schools’ teachers needed time to arrive. With arrangements set, I didn’t linger, hands in pockets, standing: “Teachers, can I go? I mean, leave school for home.”

Wu Di was surprisingly agreeable: “Sure, but can we chat first?”

Helping others helps oneself—he’d agreed to let me go home, so I couldn’t refuse. Before leaving, Jiang Tianming called: “Don’t leave yet—we’re waiting in the classroom.”

Why wait for me? I grumbled inwardly, following Wu Di to his office. He studied me, then asked curiously: “Do you know ‘Destiny’ organization’s leader? The black-robed guy?”

My expression turned subtle. That’s how he called me privately? Sure, I wore a black robe to hide my face, but I thought he’d be more respectful.

Hesitating, I nodded: “You could say I know him.”

I know myself—no issue.