A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Translator: AkazaTL

Proofreader/Editor: JWyck

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Chapter 304

Wu Di wasn’t surprised I knew him. At my age, joining “Destiny” likely meant the leader recruited me personally—it was normal to meet him.

“Can you convince ‘Destiny’ to collaborate with ‘Endless Ability Academy’? I mean, letting some graduates join ‘Destiny’ directly,” he asked bluntly, proposing a big deal.

A win-win: for “Endless,” “Destiny” membership was all gain, no loss. They didn’t exclude other affiliations, and membership had no constraints.

For “Destiny,” an intel organization needed personnel. One requirement: hold at least 1 Point. With no Points for over a month, you’re out, your notebook destroyed.

More people meant more intel. Unless they joined and never used the notebook, they’d contribute.

Seeing I didn’t reply, Wu Di added: “We couldn’t contact the leader before. Since you can, ask for me. If not all graduates, just A-Class or S-Class joining is fine. They’ll likely gather key intel—‘Destiny’ won’t lose out.”

He tried hiding his “Destiny” membership, speaking as principal to boost his students’ prospects.

I pondered. He was right—“Destiny” needed fresh blood for more intel. But an intel organization thrived on mystery. A fixed joining channel would strip that veil.

After thinking, I replied: “If the leader contacts me, I’ll ask for you.”

That promise was enough. Wu Di smiled, encouraged me, and let me go.

Leaving his office, I stood briefly, then headed to the first-year S-Class classroom. I didn’t want their grilling, but I had to face it. Escaping was pointless—it was better to explain to Jiang Tianming’s group than get scolded by Meng Huai.

In the classroom, they were waiting. Qi Huang was animatedly recounting her days outside, even challenging Si Zhaohua to spar.

Seeing me, Lan Subing asked curiously: “What’d the principal want?”

“Asked about… uh… job stuff,” I said after weighing, giving a safe answer—neither revealing anything nor lying.

Hearing this, Lan Subing dropped it, starting anew: “So, how’d you escape the illusion?”

Everyone was curious. Si Zhaohua looked at me: “You left suddenly because you foresaw danger triggering soon, right?”

After so many crises, they’d long expected my abrupt exits. This time, when I proposed leaving, they felt unease.

But the situation didn’t allow stopping. Even guessing the plan wouldn’t go smoothly, they had to halt the Clown’s purge mode. Otherwise, no second trap would be needed—they’d be wiped out.

In that case, knowing I was escaping alone, they couldn’t stop me. They couldn’t flee—should they block me? No sense in that.

I answered Si Zhaohua first: “Didn’t you already know? Teleportation wouldn’t return to the venue. So, I had to get back my way.”

Then, Lan Subing’s question: “By destroying the array core. The Clown was key.”

They’d studied this, so they got it. Wu Mingbai realized: “The Clown was key? That’s fitting. Where’s the core?”

“The haunted house we entered,” I replied with a mischievous grin, earning four pained expressions. Knowing the exit was where they started hurt.

Suddenly, Jiang Tianming caught something: “Wait? If the Clown’s key, you destroyed the core before purge mode activated?”

Purge-mode Clowns were irrational, ignoring players. Kiting them to the core was tough—destroying it took five seconds of staying put. Clowns wouldn’t do that.

I nodded matter-of-factly: “I knew danger was coming—so I prepped my exit.”

“Classic you,” Lan Subing gave a thumbs-up.

But Wu Mingbai focused elsewhere: “Why not tell us? Can’t anyone destroy the core? There’s more than one Clown.”

If a teacher asked, I’d craft a careful answer. But to a classmate, I answered half-joking, half-serious: “Only I could use that method.”

Wu Mingbai frowned, studying me, confirming I wasn’t BS-ing, then muttered: “Annoying Destiny types.”

Saying goodbye, I returned to my dorm, packed lightly, but didn’t leave. I sat to finish unread forum posts. New ones popped up, many plot-related.

《Jiang Tianming’s Abilities List》

《Great News! Beige Ran Again!》

《What Role Did “Black Flash” Play This Time?》

《Feels Like Nightmare Beasts’ Success Means a Human Traitor》

I clicked the “Black Flash” post, most curious.

【FriendlyFamilyNo.0: “Black Flash”’s involvement in the illusion teleportation came from “Destiny,” and Teacher Meng’s reaction confirms it’s accurate. Jiang saw a “Black Flash” prop on a Nightmare Beast.

So, question: everyone ended up in the Nightmare Beast world, no “Black Flash” appearance. What role did they play?】

【No.1: Maybe kept them from being found instantly?】

【No.2: Good question】

【No.3: Scattered them, I think. Together, they’d be wiped out easily】

【No.4: Could just say it, but author loves cliffhangers】

【No.5: Maybe “Black Flash” flopped—meant to nab Jiang Tianming’s group, but Nightmare Beasts outsmarted, stole props】

【No.6 reply No.5:

Hahahaha love to see it】

【No.7 reply No.5:

Poor “Black Flash”—rare good deed, still flopped. Without “Destiny” leaking, no one’d know they tried saving players】

【No.8 reply No.7: ?】

【No.9 reply No.7:

Sis, overimagining? Who said “Black Flash” was saving? Feels like they fished in troubled waters, oriole behind the mantis】

【No.10 reply No.7:

“Black Flash” ain’t saints—don’t overthink】

【…】

【No.26: Gotta push back on “Black Flash” flop theory. “Destiny” isn’t idle—if “Black Flash” failed, why leak this? Pointless intel!】

【No.27: New angle, true… “Black Flash” succeeded, so “Destiny” shared it】

【No.28 reply No.27:

“Destiny” just confirms accuracy, not utility. “Black Flash” involvement’s fact—success or not, what’s it to “Destiny”?】

【No.29 reply No.28:

Support—don’t overhype intel orgs】

【…】

【No.47: “Destiny” angle unclear, but from author’s view, “Black Flash” played a key role. Why else spread this and bury hints? Padding plot?】

【No.48 reply No.47:

Most sense—author built “Black Flash” involvement so long, they didn’t flop, or why write it?】

【No.49: Above’s right—back to OP: what was “Black Flash’s” role?】

【No.50: Aesthetic role】

【No.51: Maybe like No.1 said—kept players from instant Nightmare Beast capture】

【No.52 reply No.51: Would “Black Flash” do such good secretly?】

【No.53 reply No.52:

“Destiny” hyped it for them. Premonition: “Destiny” got this from “Black Flash” intentionally】

【…】

【No.101: Next door suspects “Black Flash” as Nightmare Beast spies—this post assumes no collab】

【No.102 reply No.101:

Same—before, “Black Flash” scorned Nightmare Beasts, but they’re not static】

【No.103: If “Black Flash” really colluded, no way Jiangjiang’s group escaped, right?】

【No.104: Author’s clues too sparse】

【No.105: Always admire forum plot debates—answers might drop in two chapters】

【No.106: Done guessing—can’t get it right. Author better drop a jaw-dropping twist】

【…】

I dove into the traitor post next, curious who they suspected. Better not be me, or I’d lose it.

《Feels Like Nightmare Beasts’ Success Means a Human Traitor》

【FateLuckNo.0: The competition host isn’t dumb—past plots said Nightmare Beasts always cause trouble here, so they’d prep thoroughly.

Yet, hotel-hidden Nightmare Beasts, spectator spies, illusion master betrayal—I can’t help suspect Sesbia’s internal issues】

【No.1: +1, either Sesbia’s compromised or author dumbed them down】

【No.2: OP makes sense】

【No.3: If so, Sesbia’s got more plot coming—traitor’s not surfaced】

【No.4: Collab with Nightmare Beasts? Unacceptable—they’re total opposites】

【No.5 reply No.4:

It’s Nightmare Beasts opposing humans. If they didn’t kill, who cares what they’re made of?】

【No.6: Resentment-born Nightmare Beasts killing humans makes sense, but humans colluding? Why? Earth empty? Align with 100% enemies?】

【No.7: Cult vibes—maybe traitor thinks Nightmare Beasts rule the future, bowing early】

【…】

【No.42: Not necessarily Sesbia’s traitor—other orgs infiltrating to aid Nightmare Beasts makes sense; they’re pros at spies】

【No.43 reply No.42:

Suspecting you’re shading “Black Flash”】

【No.44 reply No.43:

That’s blatant shade】

【No.45: “Destiny” fits too—members everywhere】

【No.46 reply No.45:

True, but “Destiny” folks aren’t spies—their org work’s the side gig】

【No.47: If OP’s right, a traitor colluding needs power or a big backer. Former’s too broad—latter? Only named orgs in 《King of Abilities》: “Black Flash” and “Destiny”】

【No.48 reply No.47:

Just them? Academies, governments, Vixi Holy Land, Feng Family, Si Family—big players】

【No.49 reply No.48:

True, but if those colluded, humans are doomed】

【No.50 reply No.48:

No—governments, academies can’t collude; not individual-led. Colluders are a minority—hard to collude secretly in non-dictatorial groups.

Vixi Holy Land’s an exception—isolated island mode aligns them, dissenters won’t betray】

【No.51: Great analysis】

【No.52: So focus on “Destiny” and “Black Flash”? Both appeared this chapter—author hinting one colluded?】

【No.53 reply No.52:

Gotta be “Black Flash”—“Destiny,” a loose intel org, what’s it got to collude with?】

【No.54 reply No.53:

Not necessarily—past plots show “Destiny” does tasks, so they’ve got leader-controlled manpower】

【No.55 reply No.54:

Why’d an intel org collude? “Black Flash” is the real villain!】

【…】

【No.99: You forgot a prior hint—Su Bei met the Black Gourd Nightmare Beast early, and he’s “Destiny.” Its words suggest no collab with him or “Destiny,” so if an org’s involved, it’s “Black Flash”】

【No.100: No way—“Black Flash” hated Nightmare Beasts before】

【No.101: It’s all guesses—maybe a lone character colluded】

【No.102: Forgot key info—“Black Flash” emerged from retreat! Forgot why—research what?】

【No.103 reply No.102:

Underground humans, I think】

【No.104: Research to revert Nightmare Beasts to humans. Did they succeed?】

【No.105 reply No.104:

If they did, collab could be to gain trust for conversion. If not… collab’s scary】

【No.106 reply No.105:

Why scary?】

【No.107 reply No.106:

“Black Flash” aimed to wipe out Nightmare Beasts. Goal failed, now colluding—means they think eradication’s impossible, so join them】

【No.108 reply No.107: !!!】

【No.109: That’s creepy—‘Black Flash’ turning to ‘make all humans Nightmare Beasts’ villainy?】

【No.110: What’s Mo Xiaotian think? He’s been gone ages】

【No.111: Feels like “Black Flash” is coming back】

【…】

I nodded after the second post. No suspicion on me—just as I hoped. A few doubted me, but others cleared me via prior plot.

I’d thought the author might splash dirt on me, but after reading why I’m not the traitor, I realized he wouldn’t. This ties to the “Black Flash” and Nightmare Beast collab mainline. I’d be a red herring at most—not inserted into the mainline, it’d be too risky since I’m uncontrolled.

As a red herring, there was no need for dirt. “Boy who cried wolf”—I’ve been a decoy before. If the author overuses it, when he wants me in real trouble, readers won’t buy it.

So, I figured he’d avoid framing me in small ways. Only a fatal blow could sink me.

Or he might ditch framing me—there’s many ways to kill a character reasonably, good, evil, or neutral.

Either way, not being framed was good. Being framed raises revival difficulty—I’d need to clear stains for readers to believe I’m alive. A natural death? A Prophet post on the forum could sway hopeful readers.

I shifted focus to something vital—“Destiny”’s manga presence was growing.

As my creation, “Destiny” had low presence before. Even when I pushed it into plots, the manga glossed over it.

Not this time—I clearly felt “Destiny”’s stronger presence. The author could’ve glossed over it as usual.

Was he planning a “Destiny” plot arc?