A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga - Chapter 89



Hearing his sigh, Jiang Tianming grew alert as always, and not just him; the other three wore expressions of unease.

“What did you see?” Jiang Tianming asked cautiously.

Su Bei paused for a moment, then replied with a weighty tone, “The auction tonight won’t be peaceful.”

He knew all too well that such a warning would change nothing. Even if he had foreseen trouble at the afternoon auction and they believed him, even shared it with the teachers, the problems would still arise. That was the nature of a forced narrative.

In an instant, the group’s earlier good spirits evaporated. Yet, Su Bei seemed to grow more optimistic, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face as he remarked, “Seeing you all unhappy makes me happy.”

The others: “…”

As they wandered about, several classes shone brightly in their own ways. It was hard to imagine that there were even acrobats among them; truly, this was an academy of the extraordinary.

The grand hall had been taken over by students from various classes, hosting a continuous stream of performances. Su Bei and his friends managed to escape after witnessing a rather eye-watering skit featuring seven gourd children battling 007.

“I thought it would be a serious performance,” Jiang Tianming, who had initially suggested going to the hall, said with a sigh. “A Bing tricked me.”

In the morning, it had been Lan Subing’s break time. When the group met at noon, she had earnestly informed Wu Mingbai that the performances in the hall were incredibly entertaining, and missing them would be a grave loss.

Wu Mingbai scoffed, “Next campus festival, I’ll tie her to the stage for a performance.”

Suddenly, Mu Tieren spoke up in a low voice, “What if Subing genuinely thinks this play is interesting?”

At this, the group fell into silence. It was indeed a possibility that couldn’t be dismissed.

After a full circuit, having briefly checked out each class, Jiang Tianming sighed, “Our class is still too conservative in choosing venues.”

Indeed, some classes were not only imaginative but also audacious. There were those who used the entire school for a designated obstacle course, others who turned the principal’s office into an adventure site, and some who begged their homeroom teacher to transform a painting into a real space for games.

Returning to the playground, they found numerous classes setting up stalls, selling food, handmade crafts, or creations born of their abilities.

Among the items, a few props caught their attention. One seller offered a set of stationery: a pen, an eraser, and two notebooks.

The words written with the pen were colorless, only becoming visible when erased. The function of the notebooks was that anything written in one would appear in the other.

According to the seller, this entire set of stationery was collected individually. The pen was simply a colorless pen, the eraser could reveal any writing, and the notebooks were gifts from a pen pal at a neighboring academy for the extraordinary.

But together, these three items felt like a complete set, so she decided to sell them as one.

A wondrous artifact of supernatural ability, perfectly suited for the transmission of secrets, Su Bei decisively purchased the entire set.

There was also a card created by a card-wielding esper, capable of collecting powers. This item, in theory, held immense potential and should have been quite precious. Yet, the cards sold at the school festival were merely imitations crafted by this esper, lacking any true potency.

First, these cards were one-time use; once the stored power was unleashed, they would be destroyed. Second, they had to be used within 24 hours of storing the power, or they would automatically disintegrate. Moreover, to store a power within, one had to obtain the consent of the original esper. The power released would only retain 50% of its original strength.

Despite these numerous limitations, it remained a decent alternative. One must understand that genuine cards capable of storing powers were sold in the school’s point marketplace for a staggering 1,000 points each, even more expensive than storage rings, highlighting their rarity.

The school festival concluded at six in the evening. Today was a Friday, and aside from the student council members, everyone else was required to return home, to return again the following Monday.

As night deepened, the lights in the classrooms and on the playground gradually dimmed, and Su Bei and the others boarded a bus heading to the auction venue.

This auction was a grand affair, jointly hosted by three esper academies. It was said that the items for auction were plentiful, promising to greatly broaden the horizons of the students. As for what they might acquire, that was a distant thought. For Si Zhao Hua and the others, it was a possibility, but for the rest…

Upon arrival, many students responsible for setting up the venue busily moved tables, chairs, and food. Mo Xiao Tian and the other patrollers, who had arrived on an earlier bus, circled the venue, striving to keep any suspicious individuals at bay.

After disembarking, Zhao Xiao Yu and Su Bei were assigned to the side with a list, tasked with identifying guests.

Soon, they would be responsible for guiding these individuals to their respective seats.

Once they had each reviewed their lists, they exchanged them, reasoning that it would help identify any unfamiliar guests later. As for what they truly thought, that was known only to themselves.

Through this list, Su Bei learned that not all attendees were espers; many were ordinary people. Most of these were politicians from the mundane world, not just from their own country, but from many foreign lands as well.

The school had arranged for several teachers to form a security detail, primarily to protect these individuals. After all, those who rose to high ranks in the esper world were typically powerful espers themselves, not in need of protection. Ordinary people, in contrast, were far too weak in the eyes of espers, despite their firearms.

Before long, the guests began to arrive. Su Bei, maintaining a relaxed demeanor, guided them to their seats, striking a balance between courtesy and ease, devoid of any tension.

Since discovering he was in a comic world, his mindset had indeed shifted; envisioning everyone as comic characters made it difficult to feel any anxiety towards them.

Moreover, he had experienced quite a bit during this time, even aware that the world teetered on the brink of destruction. With such immense pressure weighing upon him, it was hard for anyone else to add to his burden.

Once he completed his assigned tasks, Su Bei settled into his seat. Helping the student council not only earned them points but also granted them the privilege of attending this auction.

For convenience, he chose a seat right next to the last person he had just arranged. The individual was a middle-aged man in his forties, and being a non-esper, he was quite curious about the espers around him.

Su Bei’s composed demeanor had left a good impression on the man, who, seeing him seated beside him, curiously inquired, “Young student, which grade are you in?”

“Uncle Liu, I’m in the first year,” Su Bei replied politely, while subtly scanning the surroundings, wondering from which direction the unexpected might emerge.

Hearing that he was just a first-year student, the man showed a hint of surprise: “You can participate in such events as a freshman? You must be quite impressive at your school.”

Yet, he was not an ability user, and he understood that an academy would never allow ordinary students to partake in such activities. If any danger were to arise, those unprotected ordinary students would surely be the first to suffer.

“Not really that impressive. How much can a first-year really do?” The temperature in the venue was a bit high. After speaking humbly, Su Bei removed his school uniform jacket and placed it beneath his chair.

Leaving it draped over the back of the chair would mar the overall aesthetic of the hall. The teachers had repeatedly emphasized that they were not to do so. Fortunately, it was Friday; leaving his jacket on the floor wouldn’t matter much, as it could be washed clean by tomorrow.

The vice director, Mr. Liu, was quite the chatterbox, only pausing his monologue when the auction began. However, he didn’t ask any questions that warranted caution, not even inquiring about Su Bei’s abilities, which felt oddly respectful. He merely asked what subjects they studied and if they had any cultural classes.

As the auction commenced, staff members came around to serve each of them a glass of water. Just as Mr. Liu had been talking for so long, he was thirsty and gulped it down in one go.

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Su Bei, having accompanied him in conversation, felt parched as well. Yet, looking at the glass of water, he hesitated, pretending to take a sip before placing it back in its original spot.

He wasn’t certain if the water was tainted, but it was wise to be cautious when out in the world. Knowing that this auction was bound to have its troubles, it was best to avoid consuming anything offered here.

The venue was now filled to capacity. Glancing back, he saw Mo Xiaotian standing guard at the entrance. Patrol duty seemed rather unfortunate, yet the other’s demeanor suggested he was enjoying himself.

Once the vice principal finished his opening remarks, Teacher Ye Lin, clad in a dark green qipao, exuding charm, stepped up to the front stage to introduce the first auction item.

Naturally, items produced by the academy were of the highest quality, and the first was the “Substitute Doll,” which made Su Bei’s mouth water. This prop frequently appeared in various novels and comics, and its purpose was immediately clear.

The first item was a treasure that could grant one an extra life—truly befitting the top-ranked ability academy. One could only wonder what kind of ability was required to create such a prop; Su Bei felt a genuine envy.

As the function of this item was revealed, Su Bei could hear the collective breaths of the crowd quickening. Whether ordinary people or ability users, everyone was salivating over such a precious item.

The bidding began in the hundreds of millions, skyrocketing in a frenzy. The final price soared to a staggering ten billion, and this was merely the first item.

Of course, even with three schools collaborating, they weren’t extravagant enough for every item to reach such heights. After the first item set the tone, the subsequent offerings were considerably more ordinary.

Yet, in this context, “ordinary” still meant treasures that ordinary ability users would flock to. Potions that could enhance mental strength, fruits that could evolve abilities, cloaks that allowed invisibility without cooldown…

Listening to each item, Su Bei could only lament his own poverty; even acquiring one of these props would be enough for him to “stir up trouble.”

After two hours, a break was called. Su Bei gathered with a few friends. Zhao Xiaoyu’s face was flushed, brimming with excitement. As soon as everyone approached, she whispered nervously, “Do you know what the grand finale item is today?”

Typically, the most significant item at an auction is the last one, and it must be something even more formidable than the first.

The crowd, naturally, was filled with curiosity. They were not the invited guests of the auction, merely peripheral staff accompanying those who were, and thus had no means to know what treasures lay in wait. Yet, it was easy to surmise that an auction hosted by the three academies would feature items of extraordinary nature.

However, for Si Zhaohua and Ai Baozhu, their different status granted them insight; family members had received invitations to this event, and they were privy to some truths.

After taking a deep breath, Zhao Xiaoyu whispered to the group, “According to the big shot beside me, there’s an item that can awaken latent abilities in ordinary people!”

At this revelation, astonishment rippled through the crowd. The notion of enabling ordinary folk to awaken powers was unprecedented. If such a thing were true, the world would surely undergo a monumental transformation.

Su Bei, too, found clarity in this moment. No wonder so many ordinary people had been invited to the auction. If it were any other event, the presence of commoners might be understandable, but why invite them to an auction specifically for those with abilities?

After all, ability-enhancing items were far more potent in the hands of those who already possessed powers. Many of these items required mental energy to activate, leaving ordinary people with little room to maneuver in such a setting. Most crucially, without an ability license, it would be a hassle for them to use any of these items.

Yet, if the centerpiece of the auction truly was an item that could transform ordinary individuals into those with powers, it would undoubtedly hold immense allure for them. Whether for personal use or for their children, its value was undeniable.

With this understanding, Su Bei felt a wave of relaxation wash over him. Given the presence of such an item, it was likely that any adversaries were drawn here for it, and as a guest, he should remain safe.

After all, even the members of the “Black Flash” organization could not simultaneously covet the item and seek to ensnare all the guests. Greed could lead to downfall; wanting everything often resulted in losing it all.

Having been so deeply involved in the previous events, Su Bei yearned for a moment of respite.

“By the way, Xiao Tian, has anything unusual happened during this time?” Lan Subing asked quietly. “If something were to go wrong at an auction like this… oh my, I can hardly bear to think of it.”

Though the auction was jointly hosted by two academies, if trouble arose, it wouldn’t be fair to blame just one. A disaster would bring shame upon the entire realm of abilities; no one could claim innocence.

Mo Xiaotian shook his head, a bit dazed. Before he could respond, Mu Tieren, who had also been assigned to patrol, frowned and said, “I have a feeling something has gone awry. The teachers who were with us at the start have dwindled significantly.”

“Really?” Mo Xiaotian’s surprise was palpable as he recalled the earlier moments, his astonishment growing. “It’s true!”

Lan Subing was at a loss for words, wondering what had possessed her to ask Mo Xiaotian in the first place.

Wu Mingbai wore a forced smile, sunshine masking his concern. “Mo Xiaotian, hold your tongue for a moment. Class leader, have you asked where those teachers have gone?”

The original F-class had long since grown accustomed to calling Mu Tieren “class leader.” Fortunately, the current S-class had yet to appoint a new leader, so the title remained unchallenged.

Mu Tieren shook his head. “When the last teacher left, I inquired, but he only told us to patrol diligently, not to stray too far from the venue. He had matters to attend to.”

Upon hearing this, a sense of foreboding settled over the group. Qi Huang murmured, “It seems tonight will not be peaceful…”

As soon as the words left his lips, Jiang Tianming, Wu Mingbai, and Mu Tieren all turned to look at Su Bei in unison. They remembered clearly that earlier in the afternoon, while wandering the school, Su Bei had uttered something similar.

Su Bei knew all too well why they were staring at him now. He shrugged helplessly, “With these auction items, if we make it through the night unscathed, it’ll be a miracle.”

He wasn’t wrong; if they were villains, they would surely have their eyes on this auction. Even if it was just to steal one item and make a fortune, right? It was likely that not only the “Black Flash” organization was stirring the pot; other smaller villainous groups were probably lurking in the shadows as well.

The break was brief, and soon the second half of the auction resumed. The more significant items were being prepared backstage, ready to be brought out for display at a moment’s notice.

If nothing unexpected happened, it was precisely at this moment that something would go awry.

Sure enough, despite the two academies being on high alert, chaos erupted backstage. A sudden, piercing scream rang out: “It’s gone!”

The guests in front of the stage immediately fell into disarray.

What else could vanish from backstage but the auction items?

This was a major incident; they had traveled from afar just for those few pieces. Moreover, trouble backstage meant that this place was not safe, and it was impossible for everyone to remain calm.

Yet sometimes, the more frantic the situation, the more chaotic it became. In the midst of everyone’s tension, the lights of the auction suddenly went out with a “pop.”

Power outage.

At that moment, Su Bei heard the voice of the “Comic Consciousness” whispering in his ear: “The latest chapter of ‘King of Abilities’ has been updated. Please check it out.”

An update at this time??? Wouldn’t that get him cursed by the readers? Su Bei was momentarily stunned, and before he could even mentally complain, the voice of the “Comic Consciousness” continued.

“Now, over 80% of readers believe you have an intelligence organization behind you. You can choose to go back and establish it yourself, or I can arrange it for you; you only need to take the key steps.”

At these words, Su Bei was overjoyed. He had thought he would have to wait a while longer to leave such a profound impression on the readers, but it seemed it could happen now?

It appeared there were quite a few microscope readers in the forum, as they had revisited the comic and unearthed the clues he had left behind, which led others to start believing wholeheartedly.

“Let’s talk about this later,” he said. Despite his excitement, the current situation was not the time for such thoughts. He quickly pulled his focus back to the stage.

Earlier, to prevent anyone from peeking outside, the windows had been covered with thick curtains. With the lights out, the entire hall was engulfed in darkness, not a glimmer of light to be seen.

Su Bei had expected a scene of frantic escape to unfold, but instead, it seemed that hardly anyone stood up. He heard Uncle Liu’s voice nearby, weak and bewildered: “So sleepy… why am I suddenly so tired?”

Then he collapsed onto the small table attached to the chair.

At the same time, many others voiced similar sentiments, succumbing to sleep one after another.

It was the effect of that cup of water!

Understanding this in his heart, Su Bei feigned weariness, settling into a comfortable position as he lay down, deliberately pulling the hood of his black sweatshirt over his head to conceal his golden hair.

Running away now was out of the question. Since they dared to plunge the entire hall into utter darkness, it was clear they had individuals with night vision among them. If he stood up and fled while all the guests were unconscious, wouldn’t he be like a target?

As he lay there, Su Bei pondered his current predicament. They had all fainted, which clearly indicated someone was targeting these politicians.

As for the screams from backstage just moments ago… perhaps a feint? Or was the “Black Flash” organization truly so arrogant as to attempt to abduct politicians while also seizing the auction items?

He was a student from the Ability Academy, and logically, when L and his group came to take away these unconscious politicians, they should overlook him. However, they might also choose to snuff out this flower of his homeland in its cradle, after all, he was, in every sense, an enemy.

If it were the former, there would be no issue, but if it were the latter, that would be troublesome. Fortunately, the likelihood of the latter seemed slim; the enemy’s ability to infiltrate such a joint auction held by two academies suggested they had a clear objective and strict discipline, unlikely to create unnecessary complications.

He wondered how Jiang Tianming and the others would be entangled in this incident, but he assumed he wouldn’t be participating. Perhaps that was for the best; while it would mean one less opportunity for change, appearing every time might risk losing its novelty. There were pros and cons to both participating and not, and he could accept either.

Just as Su Bei was lost in thought, his mental acuity suddenly sensed a figure emerging from the far left of the front row, slowly making its way toward him. With each step closer, the figure would point a hand, and then that person would vanish.

Including the row Su Bei occupied, the first, middle, and second rows were all filled with ordinary politicians, and without a doubt, this figure was the culprit behind everyone’s fainting, currently in the act of abducting them.

Su Bei grew alert, cautiously using his mental energy to gauge the position of the hands on the clock above him. Good news—the hour and minute hands were both pointing in the right direction. Though the minute hand was somewhat centered, he felt reassured.

The man moved swiftly, and before long, L had reached the second row, where Su Bei sat. Soon, Su Bei felt the man standing right in front of him; his previously fluid movements halted, hesitating for a moment, and then suddenly, he raised a hand.

Su Bei’s heart raced; before he could react, he felt a dizzying whirl.

This sensation was all too familiar; it was the same feeling he experienced every time he was transported by Leizen’s teleportation array. It seemed the other party intended to take him away.

But why take him? Wasn’t abducting politicians enough? Did they need to capture an ordinary student as well?

It wasn’t until the last second before consciousness slipped away that he realized—perhaps they mistook him for a guest too!

When he opened his eyes again, he was jolted awake. It felt as though he was sitting in a poorly made vehicle, bumping along a muddy road, which explained the jarring motion.

Silently and cautiously probing with his mental energy, Su Bei quickly discovered he was indeed in a vehicle—a truck’s cargo hold. Besides him, there were about ten other people crammed inside.

—

Everyone but him lay in a deep slumber, which was only to be expected. After all, the abilities of the gifted far surpassed those of ordinary folk, and he had not been drugged into unconsciousness, so waking up was only natural.

Through the tendrils of his mental energy, he sensed the presence beside him—Uncle Liu. If nothing else, it was clear that the others had likely been taken by the same politicians.

He kept his eyes shut; who knew if someone outside was watching them? To be the first to open his eyes, especially as a child, would be akin to announcing to the world that he was one of the gifted.

So he waited, biding his time until the others stirred. Surely, they wouldn’t sleep all the way to their destination, but if that were the case, he certainly shouldn’t open his eyes just yet.

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Before long, others began to awaken, one by one. Once he confirmed that more than half were conscious, Su Bei finally opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings.

As expected, familiar faces greeted him. It was almost comical; the once lofty politicians now resembled prisoners confined within this cramped carriage, their fate unknown.

Noticing the commotion, the few who had woken turned their gazes toward him. Upon seeing a boy awake, their interest waned instantly.

Yet, one kind-hearted woman in a tailored suit leaned in with concern, “Whose child are you? Damn it! They don’t even spare the children!”

Su Bei feigned a yawn, rubbing his eyes, while swiftly activating the “Disguise Mask (Fake)” he had exchanged for at the academy’s points shop. In an instant, he transformed into an ordinary, youthful visage, deliberately shrinking his height.

Fortunately, the dim light of dusk cloaked the carriage, and the others likely hadn’t noticed his true appearance. He even altered the color of his hair beneath the cap to a nondescript brown, presenting himself as an utterly unremarkable boy of about ten.

He had intentionally made himself appear much younger, knowing that children evoke less suspicion. At fifteen, he was still too old; his current predicament offered no advantages.

Once he completed his transformation, he let his hands drop, adopting a look of innocent bewilderment. “I came with my dad. I suddenly felt so sleepy and just… fell asleep. Could it be that someone has taken us?”

This tale was foolproof. The woman sighed, “It seems this so-called academy for the gifted isn’t so reliable after all. Is your father here?”

Su Bei shook his head, pondering for a moment before adding, “My dad went to the restroom just now and hasn’t returned.”

The auction had dragged on for ages, with brief breaks, so many who had gone to relieve themselves were still missing. Su Bei had noted this, emboldening his lie.

Sure enough, the woman showed no signs of suspicion. “Then your father likely hasn’t been taken; that’s a good sign. You must believe he will come to rescue you.”

Before Su Bei could respond, a man in a suit nearby scoffed, “He looks nearly ten! He’s not some four or five-year-old child. You needn’t treat him like a fool. He can see he’s been taken.”

Noticing Su Bei’s gaze, he snapped irritably, “What are you staring at? It’s clear we’ve been captured by the gifted. How could your dad, an ordinary man, possibly…”

—

As he spoke, his words suddenly faltered, a glint flashing in his eyes: “Little one, tell Uncle, is your father an ordinary man or a power wielder?”

The others, hearing his words, turned their gazes toward him. If this child had a power wielder in his family, it would be advantageous for them. Not that they would immediately go mad and use him as a bargaining chip, but it was certainly useful information.

Yet, to their disappointment, the little boy looked dejected: “He’s an ordinary man, but my dad said after this auction, he might become a power wielder!”

The weight of that statement was heavy, and the crowd instantly lost interest in him. Clearly, the other party had come for the grand finale item, which must be an ordinary person.

As for whether Su Bei might be lying, deliberately making them think his father was an ordinary man? Please, what could a ten-year-old child possibly deceive anyone about? Could he even think that far?

The man who had asked the question kicked the wall in frustration: “What a shame they’re supposed to be power wielders, yet they let us get captured so easily. When we get back, I’ll make sure to report this, let others see just how incompetent they are!”