A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Yet, despite this speculation, Su Bei couldn’t be certain he would emerge unscathed from this crisis. In any case, there was nothing pressing; even without him, the protagonist group would surely defeat the villains. He could simply find a safe place to hunker down and let it all unfold.

He didn’t know if it was the position he chose that was problematic, but barely two hours after lying down, someone approached beneath the tree.

It was a familiar face—Si Zhao Hua.

—

Si Zhao Hua had run all the way here, but now he was clearly exhausted, gasping for breath, and in a swift motion, he ducked behind the tree that stood beneath Su Bei.

In the moment he vanished from sight, two adults in school uniforms came chasing after him. Being adults, their stamina was somewhat superior to Si Zhao Hua’s, and the pursuit had not worn them down too much.

Seeing their quarry suddenly disappear, the two halted, exchanging glances.

“Should we just keep running forward?” One of them lifted a foot, ready to press on.

The other quickly stopped him, a cold smirk curling his lips. “How could he just vanish? He must be hiding somewhere.”

With that, the first man paused. This area had a small clearing, and they were not far from Si Zhao Hua. Given the speed he had been running, it was impossible for him to have simply disappeared.

Thinking this, he called out, “I advise you not to hide. Just surrender. With your status, we won’t do anything to you.”

Long before this operation, they had already investigated several notable students in the first year, specifically targeting the stronger ones.

The man speaking possessed the ability of [Flight Restriction], not particularly powerful, but highly effective against those who could fly. Thus, anyone with such abilities would find themselves completely restrained in his presence.

The smarter of the two chimed in, “Exactly. Your friends have already been captured. If you don’t surrender, we can’t guarantee what will happen to them.”

Hiding behind the tree, Si Zhao Hua gritted his teeth. Their words struck at his deepest fears. Ai Baozhu and Zhou Renjie might not be able to run far; if captured, what fate awaited them?

Yet he did not emerge. Si Zhao Hua understood all too well that if he were caught now, he would truly lose all initiative. These people dared to provoke even the Ability Academy; would they fear a mere family?

From his perch in the tree, Su Bei observed the scene without moving. After all, Si Zhao Hua was unlikely to come to harm, and he was curious about how things would unfold.

The two men waited for a moment, but when no one appeared, they wasted no more time and began to search the small clearing. At their pace, it wouldn’t be long before they found Si Zhao Hua.

With no other choice, Si Zhao Hua tore open the invisibility talisman, cloaking himself, and swiftly departed the area.

After a thorough search, they found no trace of Si Zhao Hua, but they did discover signs of his presence left behind at the tree. Realizing they had missed him, the two kicked the tree in frustration.

The clever one remarked, “It seems he used an invisibility talisman. No matter, that thing can only be purchased once per person. Next time we encounter him, he won’t be able to escape.”

“Ah, too bad the watch went black after being taken off; if only we could use their own things against them, wouldn’t that be delightful?” the other mused, filled with longing. He truly wished to possess an invisibility talisman—not for any particular purpose, but out of sheer curiosity.

Invisibility services were rare, only powerful factions like the Ability Academy could afford to release so many at once.

—

The Welfare Mall is a new feature of the Ability Academy, designed specifically to target them. Once the watch is removed from the wrist, the mall becomes inaccessible—not even a glimpse can be caught.

Yet, the organization had kindly informed them in advance about the items available for exchange in the mall. With this foreknowledge, it would be difficult for them to fall into traps.

Hearing his words, a companion scoffed, “Are you dreaming? Do you take others for fools?”

Moreover, if the Ability Academy truly imposed no restrictions, they would be too afraid to use it. As the saying goes, no one is a fool. If they dared to open it up for use, it surely meant they were unafraid of what was exchanged. What a risk! Who knows what traps might lie within those items?

With that, he slung an arm around his companion’s shoulder, and together they departed from the place.

Once the two had left, Su Bei raised an eyebrow. He had just learned that once the watch was taken off, it would go completely black.

The cap-wearing man had mentioned before that he knew what was sold in the Welfare Mall because members of the organization outside had informed him.

This revelation hinted at a staggering secret: there was a mole within the academy!

And to know what was sold in the Welfare Mall, this individual must have been involved in its design. After all, Su Bei did not believe the academy would carelessly let so many people in on this matter; it was undoubtedly an internal secret.

From this, it could be inferred that not only was there a mole within the academy, but this mole likely held a significant position.

No wonder the killer who had slain Sun Ming managed to infiltrate; it turned out there were issues within the academy.

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This was certainly not good news for others, but for Su Bei, this information might not be bad; it could be turned to his advantage.

With this thought, he closed his eyes once more.

Just as he was deep in contemplation, the long-absent “Comic Consciousness” suddenly reappeared: “You really don’t need to be so cautious.”

At this, Su Bei smiled slightly: “You mean?”

He was feigning ignorance; it was clear that the “Comic Consciousness” referred to his reluctance to engage in the main storyline.

“You’ve already deduced that this time, deaths won’t come easily. What’s there to worry about?” the “Comic Consciousness” asked directly.

—

Aside from certain thoughts, most of the newcomers in Su Bei were open to the “Comic Consciousness.” They were like grasshoppers in the same boat; if he strayed in any way, the “Comic Consciousness” would promptly remind him.

Even if the rules forbade it, hints could still be dropped.

Now, hearing the other party’s words, he realized he had been right just moments ago. The academy had not only anticipated the dangers they would face but had at least made some preparations.

It made sense, after all. No matter how safe this place seemed, it was still an otherworldly realm teeming with nightmare beasts. How could the school neglect to make follow-up arrangements for the students’ safety? That watch was useful, but one should always keep a backup plan, right?

Sure enough, it came in handy.

Su Bei shook his head. “But what can I do?”

The individual battles had already showcased his abilities, while team battles were typically where bonds were forged. If he were to dive into this unfolding narrative without forming any connections or friendships, he would easily fall behind.

Yet, if he did forge those bonds, it would be awkward to remain distant later on.

It was better to stay as he was now, finding a quiet place to rest. If something truly needed doing, he could always jump back in later.

The “Comic Consciousness” wanted to ask him if he didn’t care about the plot, but suddenly recalled that during the last incident, when Jiang Tianming and the others were hunting for the culprit, Su Bei hadn’t participated either.

Thinking this way, he had indeed remained consistent.

Instantly, the “Comic Consciousness” found itself with little to say. The other’s thoughts had never changed, and it was naturally unable to persuade him otherwise.

However, there was one thing it hadn’t reminded Su Bei: whether it was luck or fate, the very spot where he lay was bound to see quite a bit of action soon.

He was destined for unrest.

Sure enough, not long after, Si Zhaohua returned along the same path. He was clever enough to know that this place had just been searched, and in the short term, those two wouldn’t expect him to come back.

What kind of ability did the other possess that kept him from flying? Indeed, the power of the “Angel” ability was not solely reliant on flight, but for a newcomer like him, flying was the easiest skill to master and the one that ensured his safety the most.

Now unable to take to the skies, his trump card could only deal with one person for the time being. While he could shield himself with his wings closed, it merely protected him from harm; he could still be captured.

Moreover, his current defenses were sufficient against first-year students, but they would be inadequate against more formidable ability users.

“What on earth is going on?” Si Zhaohua stared at the newly appeared tasks on his watch. “Is this arranged by the school?”

—

“Shouldn’t be.” A voice drifted from the woods.

Si Zhaohua spun around like a startled cat, and there stood Jiang Tianming, the very person he had always found distasteful. Clearly, he too had become separated from his team.

Seeing a familiar face, even one with whom relations were strained, Si Zhaohua couldn’t help but exhale in relief, then furrowed his brow and asked, “How do you know?”

Jiang Tianming did not hold back on this matter: “Do you know about the incident where a student named Sun Ming was murdered at school?”

Si Zhaohua nodded. “I know.”

Though the incident hadn’t caused a huge uproar, it had led to the cafeteria being locked down, and many students were aware of it. Moreover, the Si family had come to check on his safety due to the incident, making it hard for Si Zhaohua to remain oblivious.

Seeing him nod, Jiang Tianming continued, “The murderer had a black lightning symbol on the back of his neck, and I just saw that these enemies have the same mark on theirs.”

If these people were deliberately arranged by the school to test them, there would definitely not be such a mark on their necks. It was clear that the current situation was a genuine invasion by enemies.

Upon receiving this answer, Si Zhaohua’s expression darkened immediately. If this group dared to kill at school, their situation in this alternate space would be even more perilous.

“Black lightning…” Si Zhaohua felt as if he had heard something related before.

Soon, he recalled that as a member of an old family of supernatural beings, the Si family was privy to many secrets, and as the young master, he naturally knew a bit more than most.

However, having the answer did not bring Si Zhaohua any joy; instead, his face grew even grimmer. “I know who they are now. They are from ‘Black Flash.’”

“‘Black Flash’? What is that?” Jiang Tianming had never heard of this name.

Su Bei, perched in the tree, perked up his ears, curious about this organization he had long wondered about. The only villainous group that had emerged so far was this “Black Flash,” and the imbalance of good and evil surely had something to do with them.

Unfortunately, the comic had only just begun updating, and although this organization had been implicated in the last case, the details were murky, leaving him with almost no information.

Now, with someone who knew the ins and outs present, at least they could discuss some generalities.

Earlier, when Su Bei saw Si Zhaohua unexpectedly return, he had regretted his poor choice of location. After all, he was an important character and would surely trigger the plot.

To his surprise, the plot triggered was precisely the one he needed, and he immediately ceased his complaints.

“‘Black Flash’ is a supernatural organization that has supposedly existed for many years. It was originally founded by a scientist with supernatural abilities as an academic group, and the members are characterized by a black lightning symbol tattooed on the back of their necks. Over time, they gradually faded from public view.”

Si Zhaohua began with some easily accessible knowledge before delving into the insider information he possessed: “However, I once heard by chance that they seem to still be active, just hidden in the shadows. At that time, the elders expressed great disdain for this organization, so I suspect they are involved in some nefarious research.”

Though he was merely guessing,

Su Bei believed it to be eight parts true. The profession of scientist in comics often veers into dark territories; just considering the ones he had read, eight out of ten featured a scientist up to no good.

It is known that the secrets of the human body are many, and when a scientist seeks to conduct research, trouble is all too easy to find.

What this “Black Flash” organization aimed to study was still a mystery. Based on past experiences, a scientist bent on malevolence typically sought to eradicate privilege. Thus, Su Bei’s initial suspicion was that they intended to awaken superpowers in all humanity, or perhaps to make all superhumans vanish.

From Mo Xiaotian’s demeanor, Su Bei felt that if either of these possibilities were true, it was most likely the former.

Yet, who could say? Such a conventional plotline could hardly maintain a balance of good and evil. Su Bei had no idea what the comics of the real world were like, but he selfishly imagined they were not so different from the one he inhabited.

Stories, after all, when well-crafted, follow a rhythm of rise, fall, and resolution. The themes, settings, and character designs might carry some intent, but the core remains the same.

Why was it that in every other tale, the forces of justice triumphed, while in his own author’s narrative, the balance was not only shattered but inverted? One need not have seen a pig run to know how it goes!

Thus, he surmised that perhaps the author had a “brilliant idea” and introduced some fresh concept into the comic, leading to this predicament.

While Su Bei pondered, the two below did not cease their exchange. Upon hearing Si Zhaohua’s intel, Jiang Tianming furrowed his brow: “If that’s the case, their trapping us might be for some kind of experiment.”

Si Zhaohua shared this suspicion: “I suspect the same. Human experimentation has always been rampant, especially since we bear superpowers.”

If they were captured, these students would likely face a grim fate.

“What items have you exchanged?” Jiang Tianming suddenly inquired.

Taken aback for a moment, Si Zhaohua grasped the intent behind the question, raising an eyebrow: “You want to complete a mission?”

If one were not interested in completing a mission, there would be no need to exchange items. He understood that Jiang Tianming’s inquiry hinted at a desire for collaboration.

Jiang Tianming couldn’t help but roll his eyes: “Haven’t you stayed behind as well?”

Those of them with watches who had not left were all driven by the desire to complete special tasks. If before it was merely for the allure of points, now it was truly about saving everyone.

Unlike Si Zhaohua, he spoke directly when not facing an enemy. Perhaps that was why Si Zhaohua found him somewhat intolerable. Yet, Jiang Tianming was equally put off by Si Zhaohua’s pretentious air.

But the situation was different now; they were in crisis, and both could be certain of the other’s reliability. Jiang Tianming remained as straightforward as ever: “Shall we cooperate?”

At his words, Si Zhaohua was slightly taken aback. But then he realized that in this moment, they truly needed to band together for warmth. Thus, he modestly nodded: “Let’s cooperate.”

—

Watching this scene from the tree, Su Bei sighed inwardly, addressing the “comic consciousness”: “Back when I used to read shonen manga, I adored the bonds between the protagonist and their friends. If I really liked one, I’d reread it several times. Who would’ve thought I’d see a live version now?”

This classic friendship, where two people start off at odds but eventually reconcile, was something he had seen plenty of. Yet witnessing it in reality still carried a certain dramatic flair; indeed, it was worthy of a comic world.

However, ever since he enrolled in the Ability Academy and realized this was a comic world, it seemed he hadn’t touched a shonen manga in ages. Su Bei mused that after this was over, he’d have to buy a few to get reacquainted with the tropes, right?! ↑Back to Top↑

After Jiang Tianming and the others reached an agreement, they didn’t leave but instead huddled under the tree to discuss strategies. Seeing they had no intention of departing, Su Bei felt a headache coming on.

Who doesn’t know that where there’s a protagonist, there’s bound to be a plot? He had originally wanted to get through this storyline peacefully, but now he found himself in a predicament.

As he expected, it was anything but peaceful with a protagonist around. Before long, they were found by an enemy. But this one wasn’t the one who had chased after Si Zhaohua; it was a stranger.

The opponent had deep purple short hair that fit the villainous persona perfectly, clad in a black bodysuit. If one only looked at her brows and eyes, she might seem gentle. But the lower half of her face narrowed into a sharp, oval shape, and with those fiery red lips, one couldn’t help but think she was a femme fatale.

One thing about the comic world was quite nice: aside from a few undercover agents, good and bad characters were usually easy to distinguish by appearance.

“Well, look what I’ve found! Two little mice!” She cast a mocking glance at Jiang Tianming and the others, “Are you ready to be obediently taken back by me?”

As she spoke, the woman activated her powers, conjuring a two-meter-long snake-skin whip out of thin air: “If this whip lands on your skin, it’ll leave a scar; if it hits your face, it’ll ruin your looks. You two are so good-looking, I’d hate to mar that beauty~”

Her tone was sweet as honey, yet her expression betrayed her malice: “If you surrender right away, I might be a bit gentler.”

Surrender was clearly out of the question. Si Zhaohua let out a cold laugh, spreading her wings wide: “Surrender? You’re not worthy of that!”

With that, she grabbed Jiang Tianming and flapped her wings, lifting him high into the trees. He could have flown even higher, but if he went too high and was spotted by others, it would attract more enemies.

Suddenly forced into the air, Jiang Tianming was taken aback: “Huh?”

He wasn’t afraid of heights, but being thrust into the sky like this made him feel dizzy, and he exclaimed in surprise, “What are you doing?”

“Saving you!” Wasn’t it obvious? Si Zhaohua shot him an annoyed glare, feeling that they truly didn’t mesh well.

She was clear in her mind; the purple-haired woman’s whip had a long reach, making it easy to get hit on the ground. Though she wasn’t sure of the enemy’s strength, getting struck would definitely be unpleasant. So it was better to fly up, out of reach of the whip, once and for all.

“Well, you could’ve at least warned me first.” Jiang Tianming finally stopped feeling dizzy and recognized Si Zhaohua’s good intentions, but that didn’t stop him from bickering, “Are you sure you can handle this? Don’t drop me!”

“I can’t.” Si Zhaohua sneered, “I might just throw you down.”

—

“Are you two really so oblivious?” The violet-haired woman laughed, but she was no fool; she immediately recognized Si Zhaohua’s unique ability. “An [Angel]? I didn’t expect to catch such a big fish.”

As the heir of the Si family, Si Zhaohua was a prime target, and those involved in this operation were well aware of his presence.

Though the organization had specifically assigned several people to capture him, anyone else who managed to do so would earn a handsome reward. To her surprise, luck was on her side, and she had stumbled upon him.

Imagining the rewards that awaited her upon capturing Si Zhaohua, the violet-haired woman smiled sweetly. “You fly so high, do you think I can’t reach you?”

With that, she flicked her whip in their direction.

The whip, which had seemed only two meters long, suddenly elongated, hurtling straight toward Si Zhaohua.

Caught off guard by the whip’s unexpected length, Si Zhaohua’s expression shifted. He flapped his wings rapidly, narrowly evading the strike. Yet, his wings offered no real speed advantage; if this continued, trouble was inevitable.

The whip sliced through the air with a distinct whoosh, a sound that made one’s teeth ache. It struck a nearby tree, leaving a deep gash in the trunk; another hit like that, and the tree would surely splinter. Such was the power of her attack.

Jiang Tianming, having fought alongside Si Zhaohua before, quickly grasped the situation. “Attack!” he shouted.

Only by striking back could they hope for a sliver of survival.

“Who asked you?” Si Zhaohua retorted, but he began to unleash a flurry of feather attacks.

Though they had never coordinated before, Jiang Tianming instinctively used [Object Control] to manipulate the feathers he had previously sent out, directing them for a second assault.

As a newcomer, Si Zhaohua’s mental strength was still developing, so his control over the feathers was somewhat limited. He could manage a few, but not with complete precision—at best, he could manage a boomerang effect.

With Jiang Tianming sharing the burden, he felt a wave of relief. Together, they maneuvered the feathers, diversifying their attacks.

The violet-haired woman’s whip was a ranged weapon, and she found herself struggling against this barrage of hidden projectiles. Though she managed to deflect a significant portion, the sheer number still inflicted wounds.