A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga-Chapter 73

Chapter 73

The next morning, Meng Huai brought several contracts, one for each person. The content wasn’t deceitful; it simply stated that during the training, life and death were their own responsibility.

The few short lines carried heavy pressure. Without the teachers’ covert protection, the outside world was extremely dangerous for these students who had always lived in an ivory tower, especially in an Ability world where real combat was required.

Despite this, not a single person chose not to sign the contract. The pride of Class S wouldn’t allow them to back down.

Truthfully, Su Bei wanted to opt out. On matters of life and safety, he didn’t have such lofty pride. Besides, with his comic persona, not signing wouldn’t be a big deal—after all, he was the trickster type.

But there was no need. Su Bei knew that despite the teachers’ serious demeanor in making them sign, they would still follow.

So signing now didn’t matter, lest someone mock him for fearing death. Granted, he didn’t see fearing death as a flaw, but as a comic character, it was best to avoid plots that could be used against him.

Once everyone signed, Meng Huai announced the day’s training: “You’ve been dealing with Nightmare Beasts for over a month, all low-level ones. Today, you’ll face mid-level ones.”

Low-level Nightmare Beasts, like Nightmare Snakes, Nightmare Rabbits, and Nightmare Tigers, could be considered animals with superpowers, in a sense.

Mid-level Nightmare Beasts shed animal forms, taking diverse shapes, all uniformly black. Their Abilities were more varied, posing greater threats.

High-level Nightmare Beasts hadn’t been covered yet, but they were said to have human forms and human-like intelligence, making them formidable.

Hearing they’d face mid-level Nightmare Beasts, everyone showed excitement. They were eager to see other types, especially high-level ones, which were the most intriguing. But those were hard to capture, so they likely wouldn’t encounter them now.

The calmer ones were students from established Ability families, like Si Zhaohua. Though families didn’t expose them much to the Ability world before awakening skills, Nightmare Beast attacks were common in Ability hubs, so they’d seen them once or twice.

“Teacher, how will we encounter them? Are there mid-level Nightmare Beasts in this desert Different Space?” Unsurprisingly, Mo Xiaotian was the first to speak, raising his hand excitedly.

“There are indeed mid-level Nightmare Beasts here, but it’d take you forever to find them,” Meng Huai scoffed, not beating around the bush. “There are two missions. Based on yesterday’s groups, decide which mission your team takes.”

He tossed out some items. Jiang Tianming caught them steadily, looking down to see two file folders and fifteen mission execution permits from the Ability Government.

After assigning the missions, Meng Huai prepared to leave. The missions’ time, place, and objectives were clearly detailed; they weren’t preteens, so he didn’t need to explain further.

Zhao Xiaoyu promptly expressed concern: “Teacher Meng, where are the other two teachers? Why aren’t they here?”

Meng Huai glanced back, answering while walking: “They have other tasks. Worry about yourselves first.”

Once he left, everyone grabbed their permits and reviewed the mission details in the folders. They’d examine specifics after picking missions to save time.

Unsurprisingly, both missions involved mid-level Nightmare Beasts, but the details differed.

Mission 1: A fugitive mid-level Nightmare Beast needed capturing. It knew the terrain well and had high attack power. Many Ability teams had failed this mission.

The upside was that, with so many teams attempting it, the beast’s general behavior was well-documented, so they wouldn’t be clueless during the hunt.

Mission 2: A household had issues. Residents grew progressively weaker. Even after moving out, their condition didn’t improve, reaching a critical state. New tenants, lured by the low price, started showing the same symptoms.

Tests detected Ability fluctuations in the house, likely caused by a mid-level Nightmare Beast.

But since entering the house caused these symptoms, no Ability team had taken this mission yet.

Failing to solve it would require expensive healing Ability users to undo the effects, and finding one wasn’t guaranteed. The risk outweighed the reward.

But Su Bei’s group didn’t worry. Ye Lin, a healing master, could likely handle it. Plus, backed by the Endless Ability Academy, few Abilities could stump them.

“So, which mission do you want?” The two groups discussed separately. Si Zhaohua got straight to the point.

This time, he didn’t decide for everyone. Though he had a preference, mission choices should reflect the group’s will.

Their group had seven: Wu Jin, Su Bei, Li Shu, Si Zhaohua, Zhao Xiaoyu, Lan Subing, and Wu Mingbai. They weren’t talkative but weren’t shy either, quickly forming opinions.

Su Bei, Li Shu, Zhao Xiaoyu, Lan Subing, and Wu Jin chose Mission 2. The missions were clear: compared to physical labor, they preferred mental challenges, naturally picking Mission 2.

Majority ruled. Though Si Zhaohua and Wu Mingbai preferred the combat-heavy chase, exploring a house was fine, so there was no conflict.

Simultaneously, the other group decided, choosing Mission 1, the opposite of Su Bei’s group.

With no conflicts, each group took their mission materials and dispersed.

Si Zhaohua led everyone to his room. The double room was spacious enough for seven.

They gathered as Si Zhaohua read the Mission 2 details from the documents.

Initially, a family of five lived in the villa: father, mother, a sixteen-year-old brother, an eight-year-old sister, and grandfather.

The issue began a year ago when the grandfather felt weak, dizzy, with dark spots on his body. Hospital tests found nothing.

They thought it might be allergies or some condition, but his symptoms worsened, soon bedridden, with spots turning bluish-black, like corpse marks.

Within two months, he passed. The family held a funeral. Then the daughter showed the same symptoms. Suspecting a contagious disease, they rushed to the hospital, but tests revealed nothing.

Fortunately, the father, a government worker with connections, contacted an Ability user. The user suspected a Nightmare Beast and had them move out, with the Ability Government taking over.

After moving, the daughter’s symptoms eased, no longer worsening rapidly, but didn’t improve, only stabilizing.

Next, the second household. Though the Ability Government took over, they didn’t restrict the first family from selling the house, only requiring full disclosure.

With no progress from the Ability Government, the first family sold the villa to recoup losses. Despite their honesty, some didn’t believe the warnings and moved in for the low price.

The second household was a couple who moved in together. By the third month, both developed the same symptoms.

They were broke, having spent everything on the house. With no choice, they endured two months. Adults’ resilience likely kept them alive, but they were extremely weak.

The Ability Government tried intervening, urging them to move or issuing a mission to resolve it. But the couple refused, fearing resolution would mean losing the house.

The first family was cunning. The sales contract stipulated that if the Ability Government resolved the issue, the house would revert to its original price. The buyers would need to pay the difference to keep it or take their money and leave.

But the couple couldn’t afford that. If they could, they wouldn’t have bought the discounted house.

With no choice, as death loomed, they allowed the Ability Government to intervene.

After hearing the mission’s full context, Wu Mingbai quipped cheerfully: “Find a Nightmare Beast, but no tools provided. Are they expecting us to use our bodies as bait?”

For ordinary people, the Nightmare Beast wouldn’t appear. But for Ability users, it was different—Ability users were like Tang Monk’s flesh to Nightmare Beasts.

On sarcasm, Li Shu and Wu Mingbai were in sync. Li Shu said softly: “What a brilliant plan, worthy of the government.”

Their banter gave Si Zhaohua a headache. As leader, he coughed loudly: “Cough! If you’re willing to pay, you can rent a Nightmare Beast detector from the Ability Government.”

That was true. To aid Ability users, the Ability Government offered many tools, but they cost money.

They weren’t stingy; many tools were unavailable elsewhere, so their provision was generous. freёwebnoѵel.com

For now, no one planned to use government tools. Wu Jin rarely raised his hand, still looking gloomy: “I can roughly sense where the Nightmare Beast is.”

Everyone paused. Su Bei’s mind stirred, recalling something. Wu Jin had mentioned being sensitive to emotions—could he sense Nightmare Beasts’ emotions?

But Wu Jin didn’t elaborate, retreating to his corner like a mushroom after speaking.

Si Zhaohua said confidently: “No need to worry. The Nightmare Beast will come out on its own.”

It sounded like he trusted Wu Jin, but Su Bei’s mind stirred again. If he recalled correctly, Si Zhaohua’s [Angel] Ability was highly attractive to Nightmare Beasts.

Su Bei figured that was why he was so certain.

“Shall we act now?” Zhao Xiaoyu asked. “There’s no set time for this mission, so we can go anytime.”

Unlike the other mission, which required nighttime since that Nightmare Beast was nocturnal and hid well during the day.

No one wanted to waste time. Finishing early meant more rest. If they beat the other group, they’d get even more rest. Su Bei cared about rest; others might care about honor.

They agreed and prepared to head to the destination. First issue—Wu Mingbai raised his hand: “Taxi or bus?”

Si Zhaohua gave him a haughty glance, spitting out: “Car.”

He stepped aside to make a call.

Meng Huai hadn’t forbidden family assistance for this training, but generally, no one would use it, as it defeated the purpose.

But for something minor like a car, comfort trumped all. Young master Si Zhaohua wouldn’t inconvenience himself.

Lan Subing wasn’t surprised; she’d planned to call her driver too. Seeing Si Zhaohua act first, the low-key girl was happy to relax.

Su Bei reminded: “Pick a spacious car, or get a few.”

It wouldn’t matter going, but they’d be tired returning. More space meant better rest.

While calling his family’s dedicated driver, Si Zhaohua flashed Su Bei an “OK” gesture. Soon, he got a message and led everyone out. Outside, a low-key luxurious van waited.

A man in a black suit stepped out, bowing to Si Zhaohua: “Young Master Si, your orders.”

“...So cringey,” Lan Subing muttered, shrinking behind Wu Mingbai. A stranger made her uneasy.

Hearing her, Su Bei was surprised: “Your family isn’t like this?”

Though he found the display excessive, he wasn’t shocked. TV dramas had conditioned him to think rich families were like this.

“Of course not!” Lan Subing shook her head vigorously, looking offended. “My family has a normal driver uncle.”

If her driver acted like this, she’d have died of embarrassment at school. How did Si Zhaohua stay unfazed by such theatrics?

She had more to critique—the driver’s suit, the bow, his words—but gossiping behind someone’s back wasn’t nice, so she stayed quiet.

But Wu Mingbai wouldn’t miss a chance to tease, grinning: “Worthy of a young master, so refined.”

Perhaps from hanging out with Wu Mingbai, Li Shu showed his true colors, still gentle but more sarcastic.

“Don’t say that. He called the car. Don’t stoop to Wu Mingbai’s level, Young Master Si.”

The title made everyone chuckle. Lan Subing stifled a laugh: “You didn’t spare him either.”

They boarded the car, heading to the destination. En route, Zhao Xiaoyu called the house’s current owners, the couple, to gather details. Her social skills outshone the others.

Though the couple agreed to let the Ability Government intervene for safety, they likely wouldn’t be cooperative. They were the type to risk their lives for a bargain, only relenting when forced.

A weak-voiced woman answered: “Hello? Who’s this?”

“Hello, we’re here to solve your problem,” Zhao Xiaoyu said cleverly, avoiding mentioning the Ability Government.

To the couple, the Ability Government solving the issue meant losing their bargain, which they’d resent. Not mentioning it didn’t hide their identity but reduced resistance.

The woman paused, then caught on: “Oh, oh! You’re those... Ability users, right? Your voice sounds so young!”

A fifteen-year-old girl’s voice couldn’t sound mature, even distorted by the phone.

Zhao Xiaoyu admitted openly: “We’re still students. If you’re unhappy with our youth, you can find someone else.”

She said this but wasn’t worried. The mission had been open for two months with no takers; the couple must be desperate. Who else could they find?

As expected, the woman paused, then said eagerly, almost fawning: “No, no, you’re fine. Heroes come young! At your age, I was skipping class to go to internet cafes.”

Seeing she understood, Zhao Xiaoyu got to the point: “We’re heading to the villa. Can you get there soon?”

“We’re renting a place a bit far off. It’ll take about two hours,” the woman replied after thinking.

Zhao Xiaoyu had no issue. The folder included the house keys, so they could enter first: “No problem. We’ll check it out first and wait for you to explain the details.”

While she called, everyone stayed quiet. Once done, they discussed.

“They don’t seem as difficult as the documents suggested?” Lan Subing wondered. The couple must have really offended the Ability Government, as much of the file described their unreasonableness.

Wu Mingbai shook his head: “Thanks to Zhao Xiaoyu.”

If Zhao Xiaoyu hadn’t implied they didn’t need to take the mission, the couple wouldn’t have been so agreeable.

Zhao Xiaoyu smiled, not out of modesty.

They soon reached the destination, a small villa with white decor, a standard Western-style house with a pretty garden outside. Without being told, they’d never guess a mid-level Nightmare Beast lurked inside.

Using the key, they opened the door, greeted by dust. Uncleaned for two months, furniture was lightly coated in grime.

After confirming the house had a mid-level Nightmare Beast, the Ability Government had sealed it with tools, ensuring the beast couldn’t escape even with no one inside.

The government was reliable. Though hands-off, they didn’t hinder.

Seeing the house’s state, Si Zhaohua frowned in distaste. Zhao Xiaoyu laughed: “Why don’t we clean first? It’s a chance to explore the house.”

“Good suggestion,” Li Shu said gently, quickly finding the bathroom and grabbing three brooms and some rags. “I’ll sweep the first-floor living room. You guys divide the rest?”

When normal, he seemed harmless, like a gentle high schooler.

“...Can I call for help? My driver’s outside,” Si Zhaohua said, looking troubled. Su Bei wasn’t wrong about his slight cleanliness obsession during the skewer incident.

That was fine; everyone had their methods. With no objections, he called his driver to help clean. Lan Subing, also from a wealthy family, had no such qualms, naturally wiping tables.

Seeing her ease, Zhao Xiaoyu, aware of her background, asked curiously: “Do your parents make you do chores at home?”

Lan Subing shook her head: “We have a maid, but I sometimes help with chores.”

Glancing at Si Zhaohua, she added: “Wiping tables is easy once you start. Cleanliness obsession is another issue.”

Meanwhile, Su Bei and Wu Jin were sweeping the second floor. The villa had two floors, no attic, making it straightforward.

Just the two of them, Wu Jin washed his hands and casually swept back his purple hair, revealing his refined features.

Though Su Bei had seen it before, he still paused before asking: “Not worried someone might come up?”

“I’ll know if someone does,” Wu Jin said, checking the mirror. His Low Presence Ability ensured he noticed others’ presence. “Gotta let this gorgeous face breathe.”

Back to his narcissistic self, but with that face, he wasn’t wrong. Su Bei chuckled, then got to business: “Sense the Nightmare Beast’s location?”

Wu Jin shook his head: “Only when it uses its Ability.”

Su Bei raised an eyebrow. Had he guessed wrong? Did Wu Jin’s sensing not rely on emotions, needing the beast to act first?