A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Calming his racing heart with a hand on his chest, Su Bei finally asked, “When did you arrive? ()?() [Come[]? Read the latest chapters? Full chapters] ()”

“I’ve been following them all along,” Wu Jin indicated, referring to the captured group.

—

Upon hearing this, Su Bei raised an eyebrow. “You were originally with Zhao Xiaoyu?”

The purple-haired youth nodded.

Understanding dawned on Su Bei; Wu Jin must have evaded notice with his abilities when that person came to capture them, allowing him to escape successfully.

With this clarity, he circled around Wu Jin, preparing to leave for a good night’s sleep. Yet, Wu Jin’s eyes, mostly obscured by his hair, held a gaze that was impossible to ignore.

Wu Jin: Staring—

Su Bei: “…”

He took a couple of steps, feeling a prickling sensation at his back, and finally couldn’t help but turn around, asking with a hint of exasperation, “Do you need something?”

“Save people.” Wu Jin replied succinctly.

Su Bei fell silent once more, and after a moment, he responded, “They will all end up locked away in one place. You might as well go to that place; you could save more people.”

Perhaps finding his reasoning sound, Wu Jin pondered for a moment before nodding, then darkly fixed his gaze on Su Bei. “Together.”

This marked the second time Su Bei fell silent. He couldn’t hold back any longer. “You know I don’t want to go, right?”

Wu Jin was honest enough. “I know.”

“Then you…”

Before Su Bei could finish, Wu Jin seemed to anticipate his words, replying, “But you can.”

You don’t want to, but you can.

This “can” referred not only to the ability to rescue people but also to the act of saving them.

Hearing this, Su Bei’s interest was piqued, and he no longer felt the urgency to leave. “What makes you say that?”

Wu Jin thought for a moment. “Emotions?”

Interesting. Although Su Bei didn’t wish to save anyone, he indeed could. In fact, due to the other’s earlier demeanor, he found himself devoid of any strong reluctance to go now.

But he was certain that his earlier demeanor had not betrayed anything; after all, he had been acting for so long that he had enough control over his expressions. Yet, Wu Jin claimed he could sense his emotions.

It must be noted that Wu Jin’s ability was “Silence is Silence,” a power that could diminish one’s presence, entirely unrelated to emotions.

So was this feeling of his a natural sensitivity to emotions, or was it connected to that second state he exhibited in the comics?

“How about this,” Su Bei said cheerfully, “I’ll help you save these five people, and you tell me why you hide your face with your hair. Deal?”

Wu Jin paused for a moment, then surprisingly agreed without hesitation: “Sure.”

Now it was Su Bei’s turn to be taken aback. Was it really that easy? He felt as if he had walked into a trap.

But he did not go back on his word, moving closer to the group once more. It was evident that the ability of this man in black was related to ropes; if they were just ordinary ropes, someone as light as him would surely have managed to escape from binding those five.

Ropes were akin to whips, so defeating this leader would be much like overcoming that purple-haired woman from before.

Yet what he needed was not to defeat the opponent, but to rescue the people, which meant there was a simpler way.

He pondered for a moment, then manipulated two gears, skimming along the ground under the cover of night, and touched Zhao Xiaoyu and Mu Tieren’s ankles.

Since there was no one watching at the back, Mu Tieren simply looked down and spotted the copper gear.

Zhao Xiaoyu, who was chatting with the man in black, shifted her expression slightly, casually brushing her hair back, and inadvertently lowered her head, catching sight of the gear as well.

To be honest, if it were anyone other than Zhao Xiaoyu chatting with the enemy, Su Bei would never have dared to use the gears to touch her at that moment. What if the other party screamed in surprise? It would endanger her and alert the enemy.

But since it was Zhao Xiaoyu, there was no need for such concerns. She was a clever person, never one to lose her composure easily.

Upon seeing the gear, Zhao Xiaoyu’s mind stirred, and she subtly stepped back a bit. Of course, she recognized whose gear it was; although she couldn’t fathom why Su Bei would come to her aid, it didn’t hinder her from plotting for herself.

It was obvious that to save them, they would need to attack the enemy. Standing too close to him could lead to accidental harm, so it was better to step back a little.

“What are you going to do?” Wu Jin, standing beside Su Bei, asked curiously as he gazed at the group not far away. Of course, his expression revealed no hint of curiosity; he looked utterly lifeless.

Su Bei smirked, activating the gears he had strategically placed around, launching an assault on the man in black.

Some of these gears were wrapped in leaves, others propped against pieces of wood, and some were even embedded in clumps of earth. These disguised gears surged toward the man in black from all directions, as if a multitude were besieging him.

The man in black immediately panicked; dealing with the large figure at the back was already taxing enough. If he hadn’t cleverly threatened the other students, he wouldn’t have been able to subdue him at all.

At the same time, the hulking figure that had finally quieted down seemed to have reached an agreement with the group outside attacking him, erupting into chaos once more.

The man in black felt his powers being frantically

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pulled at, his mental energy rapidly depleting.

With troubles both within and without, the man in black was acutely aware that he stood no chance against a group of students, even if they were merely first-years.

What mattered more, glory or life? Undoubtedly, the latter. So without hesitation, he abandoned the five students he had painstakingly captured, retracted his powers, and fled at breakneck speed.

Su Bei was contemplating whether to step in; he had already saved everyone, and he had no desire for accolades. Besides, once the gears were set in motion, would they even recognize it was his doing?

Yet if he chose not to intervene, Su Bei feared Wu Jin might say something that would lead others to misunderstand his intentions, making him lose face.

As he pondered, Wu Jin suddenly remarked, “Impressive.”

Su Bei blinked: “I was just about to ask, what’s with your two-word responses? Is there a rule to it?”

“Convenient,” Wu Jin replied with another two-word answer, then realizing this might lead to further misunderstandings, he added, “As long as it’s clear.”

This question had been a spur-of-the-moment thought, but now, prompted by Wu Jin, Su Bei recalled their earlier exchange: “So, can you answer my previous question now? Why cover your face with hair?”

Wu Jin nodded: “Because I’m exceptionally good-looking.”

Upon hearing this, a flood of comic tropes surged into Su Bei’s mind—like being so attractive that anyone who saw his face would die/faint/fall in love…

Thinking along those lines, he directly asked, “So what happens if I look directly at your face?”

“You’ll be shocked,” Wu Jin replied with utmost seriousness.

Su Bei: “…?”

Even gazing into Wu Jin’s sincere half-open eye, Su Bei found it hard not to think he was being teased. “You’ll be shocked”? What kind of answer was that!

Undeterred, he pressed on: “Isn’t there any other effect? I won’t have any issues seeing your true face?”

If there were no issues, then what about the hearts in the pupils of that person who fought Wu Jin in the comic? If it was merely shock, that seemed a bit far-fetched.

Seeing the other party nod, Su Bei decided to take a risk: “Then can you let me take a look? I’ve been curious about what you really look like for a long time.”

As he spoke, he synchronized his thoughts with a “comic consciousness”: “If I end up being controlled or something, could you let me know afterward?”

He feared that he might be controlled without realizing it, or perhaps even forget everything entirely.

Perhaps this request was not too out of line, or maybe it was destined to be futile; in any case, the “comic consciousness” immediately agreed: “Sure.”

For whatever reason, Su Bei felt a wave of relief wash over him upon receiving that answer. He relaxed, smiling as he looked at Wu Jin, ready to appreciate the beauty that was said to be “stunning.”

After agreeing, Wu Jin wasted no time. He lowered his head, swiftly brushing the scattered hair back with his hands, then tied it into a small braid at the back of his head.

Once he finished all this, he lifted his head.

In that instant, Su Bei’s once-normal eyes widened, and his breath caught for a second.

So beautiful, truly too beautiful!

What kind of face was that? Undoubtedly, it was a face that would leave one in awe at first glance. Every feature was exquisite, perfectly proportioned.

The pale gray eyes paired with a complexion so fair it bordered on pallid might seem a bit faint for an ordinary person. But on his face, it exuded an ethereal quality, as if he were not of this world.

The deep purple hair and the rosy lips added bold strokes to this celestial appearance, blending both an otherworldly grace and a hint of seduction, androgynous yet utterly captivating.

It was truly too beautiful; Su Bei had to admit he was indeed stunned.

Clearly, Wu Jin was well aware of the impact his face could have. He tilted his head back, revealing a confident smile: “What’s wrong? Are you also enchanted by me?”

Su Bei: “?”

First, he had to admit that even with such an expression, Wu Jin looked exceptionally good. Moreover, it was far more appealing than the previous ethereal quality, adding a youthful charm that made one’s heart flutter.

Secondly… did he have a dual personality? Was the switch as simple as brushing his hair aside? Otherwise, Su Bei found it hard to explain the stark contrast in his demeanor.

“Is your hair some kind of seal?” Su Bei couldn’t help but ask, gesturing with his hands, “You weren’t like this just a second ago.”

Wu Jin remained as honest as ever, but his words were nothing short of shocking: “No, I just habitually make myself feel invisible by hiding my face with my hair. But when I reveal my face, I know I am the most beautiful person in this world.”

……Is there something wrong?

To be honest, Su Bei was already weary of silence, yet he couldn’t help but pause, struggling to find his voice: “Haha, your mental state is quite remarkable, isn’t it?”

He felt the awkwardness of the moment, quickly shifting the topic: “So, why don’t you ever push your hair back? I used to think you had social anxiety.”

This was not untrue; from his usual demeanor, it seemed Wu Jin would gladly wish to vanish from sight, hiding behind his hair.

At this, Wu Jin couldn’t help but laugh, a laugh that was both enchanting and melancholic: “Hahaha, but when I step out, trouble always follows, doesn’t it? Sometimes, beauty feels like a sin.”

With that, he wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, gazing at Su Bei, whose expression was a mix of complexity: “But in front of you, it’s different. I know it’s safe to tell you.”

“Thank you for your misplaced trust,” Su Bei replied calmly.

He had certainly caught the underlying sorrow in Wu Jin’s words, but since the other seemed indifferent, he would not bring it up deliberately.

As for what Wu Jin had said afterward, Su Bei could only conclude that he was bound to misplace his trust. For Su Bei, every secret he gleaned was merely information to be wielded in the future.

If an opportunity arose to enhance his abilities, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t exploit that secret.

Though he thought this, Su Bei refrained from probing Wu Jin for more secrets, even though he knew there were more hidden truths.

He pushed aside the grass ahead, glancing at the group of five they had seen earlier. They remained in place, each tending to their wounds with healing potions exchanged from the marketplace.

Staying put wasn’t a bad idea; although the dark-clad figure who had captured them might return with companions, it was now night. If they wished to capture anyone again, they would likely wait until daybreak. Moreover, the others would assume they had fled and wouldn’t think to search the same spot.

Seeing they hadn’t left, Su Bei turned to the now gloomy Wu Jin, who had let his hair fall back into place: “You should go find Zhao Xiaoyu and the others.”

“And you?” Wu Jin, back to his usual self, continued to speak in clipped phrases.

“Me?” Su Bei raised an eyebrow, “I’ll just continue to enjoy myself.”

With that, he turned away without a second thought, striding into the forest, waving casually: “I hope our next meeting is in class.”

After leaving that place, Su Bei found a spot, kindled a small fire, and drifted into a light sleep.

When he awoke the next morning, it was his habit to check his watch first thing. As expected, a new task had appeared on the display.

“Ultimate Task: Destroy the enemy’s stronghold. Upon destruction, all may leave the alternate space.”

Task Clue: The base camp lies within the forest, a solitary house. Let those with tracking abilities lead the way, or else you may find yourself lost.

Task Reward: 10,000 points.

Ah, it seems the hint he received earlier might come in handy. Su Bei raised an eyebrow, his mood lightening. As long as that hint proved useful, he wouldn’t worry about his presence, even if he didn’t make an appearance on the final day.

Indeed, on this last day, Su Bei had no intention of taking action. If what he sought was to become a popular character, then naturally, the more plot and highlights, the better. But he merely needed to leverage the comic to alter his abilities, so there was no need to show up every time.

This was no longer the time to seek attention; before he had fully transformed into his ultimate form, speaking too much could lead to mistakes. To avoid revealing himself, it was wiser to remain in the shadows.

He decided not to go, and for the entire day, Su Bei stayed perched in the tree. Even when classmates were captured below, he remained silent.

Taking advantage of this time, Su Bei skillfully used his abilities to observe the compass. He had deliberately chosen a tree not far from the base camp to rest in, and many people passed by, each with a compass above their heads displaying different fates.

Su Bei focused primarily on the large pointer; he had yet to see the small pointer point downward, while he already knew the upward content, making it unnecessary to pay too much attention.

The large pointer showed considerable variation, and through a day of observation, Su Bei began to form some ideas.

Each point on the compass should represent relatively fixed content, but overall, the compass could be divided into two halves. The upper half generally indicated good fortune, while the lower half typically signified misfortune.

However, the distinction between good and bad here, compared to the small pointer, was that the large pointer indicated significant events rather than minor occurrences.

For instance, Su Bei noticed a figure in black; although the small pointer pointed left, the large pointer was directed downward. After some time, when the figure returned, they captured Jiang Tianming.

Upon seeing that Jiang Tianming was the one caught, Su Bei understood immediately. Clearly, this was the opponent’s scheme, likely aimed at completing the ultimate task: to blow up the base camp and escape the alternate space.

Capturing Jiang Tianming was a minor victory, but bringing him back to trigger the destruction of the base camp would be a major failure.

So that was it; it seemed that adjusting the direction of the large pointer was the key to the problem. To save the world, he needed a true victory, not just a temporary one.

Su Bei felt he had finally grasped a part of the crucial insight. If he could appear in the comic’s grand showdown, then he could simply watch Jiang Tianming’s fate compass at that moment.

At the very least, the world’s destruction would surely be linked to the protagonist; otherwise, he would have no reason to be the main character in this world. When the time came, if Jiang Tianming’s large pointer pointed downward, he would strive to shift it upward.

Alright, Su Bei knew his thinking was overly simplistic; the reality would likely be far from his expectations. But it didn’t matter; after all, the grand conclusion was still far off. Let him hold onto this beautiful fantasy for a bit of self-comfort!

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Around eight in the evening, when darkness had fully settled, Su Bei suddenly sensed a rustling beneath the tree, as if someone were running. He leaned down to look, but there was no one below; yet the grass was bent low.

Seeing this, Su Bei revealed a knowing expression. It seemed someone had slipped away from the stronghold using an invisibility charm, and judging by the commotion, there were quite a few of them.

The captured ones in the stronghold had all managed to escape; it appeared Jiang Tianming and the others had begun their operation.

In that case… Su Bei lifted his gaze, his eyes drifting far towards the location of the stronghold.

“Bang!”

“Bang bang bang!”

Before long, a series of violent explosions erupted from the stronghold, flames shooting into the sky, screams mingling with the relentless roar of detonations.

“Beep!”

His watch suddenly emitted a short, sharp sound. Su Bei raised his hand to look, and a line of red text appeared on the main screen—“Countdown to leave the alternate space: 04:59.”

Five minutes left to escape.

Seeing that he would soon be free, Su Bei stretched widely, feeling the stiffness in his body after spending a day hiding in the trees. He would need a good rest once he got back.

Just as he was lost in thought, a beam of red light shot up into the night sky from not far off the stronghold, bursting into a small firework in the air.

Su Bei froze for a moment, then suddenly realized what it was.

When he had disguised himself as the cap-wearing man’s superior, he had told him that if needed, he could fire a signal flare to seek help.

That must have been the signal flare just launched.

Tsk, trouble was brewing.

Su Bei glanced at his watch again, estimating the time in his mind, then tore off the invisibility charm, leaped down from the tree, and with a powerful push, sprinted towards that direction.

Five minutes was a short span, but with the enhanced physical abilities of a supernatural, and given that Su Bei was someone who trained regularly, he reached the destination in just four minutes.

It was a small clearing, marked with clear signs of a struggle. From the traces, it seemed those who had been here had fought their way westward.

So what had he intended to achieve by firing that signal flare?

Su Bei furrowed his brow, beginning to search the area. He could only hope that the flare had been sent up to guide him to something left behind, rather than a desperate call for rescue.

If it were the latter, then he would have to abandon this line. Su Bei had no confidence in rescuing anyone under the onslaught of the main characters.

Fortunately, he guessed right. After searching for a little while longer, he found a sheet of white paper in the grass not far from this clearing.

This sheet of white paper was utterly out of place in the forest; after all, they had entered with nothing but two bottles of water and a backpack.

If it wasn’t a product of supernatural abilities, then this paper could only have been brought by the “Black Flash.”