Chapter 320 - A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 320 Su Bei agreed with Mu Tieren's concerns. With so many children living in a communal room, it's understandable if they're three or four years old, but the youngest here are five or six, and the oldest are thirteen or fourteen, an age when privacy is absolutely necessary. Moreover, these children include both boys and girls. Even if they were family, there's still the principle that boys and girls should avoid unnecessary contact. If the children don't understand this, shouldn't the adults? Having them live together without any regard for gender or privacy might allow them to grow up, but mentally, they wouldn't be healthy. Shaking off these thoughts, the three exchanged glances. Speaking of which, Li Shu’s mindset was somewhat unhealthy. If he had indeed grown up in such an environment, well, that would explain things… "Let’s go check out that building." Without further delay, Su Bei headed towards the house. As they reached the doorway, the three of them wore a knowing expression of both surprise and expectation. Despite the house's outward simplicity, inside it was even more barren. The house itself wasn't large, and the interior was extremely cramped. At first glance, it seemed like a registration area with only a small table, and paper and pens on it. Other spaces were cluttered with random objects, giving an ambiguous character to the room. Given the large number of children seen going in and out earlier, the layout seemed even more like it was trying to conceal something. Qi Huang glanced around and opened her palm, causing the air above it to subtly ripple. She whispered, "Go." Following her command, the entire room seemed to warp, and Su Bei could feel the temperature rise, but not to a degree that would burn them. "What did you just do?" he asked curiously. While continuing to release her ability, Qi Huang replied, "I released invisible flames. Not only water can measure spatial areas; fire can too." Though she said it casually, both Su Bei and Mu Tieren understood that using fire to probe space was much more complex than using water. Qi Huang needed to control the flame so as not to damage anything in the room, nor should it harm the two of them in the room. This required a great mastery of her superpower and precise control over the flame’s temperature. "Impressive," Mu Tieren complimented with a thumbs-up. Although the method was perilous, he unwaveringly trusted in his friend's abilities. "Looking forward to your results." And Qi Huang didn't disappoint. Five minutes later, as the ambient temperature returned to normal, she retracted her hand and walked straight ahead. "Found it." Reaching the center of the room, Qi Huang tapped her foot on a specific tile. "The entrance to the basement is beneath this tile. There's no one inside, so it's safe to go. But how do we get down there?" The design was indeed clever. Even if one knew there was a basement in this room, the focus would likely be on obstacles like tables and clutter. Few would consider that the entrance was blatantly in the room’s center with no cover. "I guess it's my turn to do something." Mu Tieren obviously wasn’t going to rely on others the entire time. He extended his hand, which morphed into a high-tech tool akin to a crowbar within seconds. However, it clearly wasn’t just a crowbar. It seemed like a high-tech tool. Just a light touch on the tile seam and the crowbar's head released a tiny stream of water. It seeped into the tile gap, quickly corroding it wider. With the gap widened, the next step was easy. A gentle lift of the crowbar, and the tile popped out intact. Task complete, Mu Tieren looked up, offered a shy smile, then recollected himself, speaking with slight apprehension, "This is part of my body modified by the doctor. It can transform into various tools from recorded data." So this was what differentiated him from the sister’s [Arms Dealer] ability; each focusing on different aspects. Su Bei processed the information about the nervous Mu Tieren. Su Bei knew well what Mu Tieren was anxious about: a fully mechanized body diverged greatly from the traditional concept of humanity. Many traditionalists in novels often rejected people like this. Art oftentimes reflects reality. Although this wasn’t Mu Tieren’s first time using his mechanical abilities, they previously manifested as weapons, indistinguishable from superpowers. But this time, it transformed into a crowbar—one oozing with technological flair—naturally altering perceptions. Before Su Bei could say anything, Qi Huang mimicked Mu Tieren’s previous gesture with a thumbs-up. "Impressive. This ability is more convenient than superpowers and doesn’t require a license to use." Hearing her words and noticing her eyes devoid of any distaste, Mu Tieren finally relaxed. Then Su Bei inquired curiously, "I recall your ability can enhance these mechanical bodies while it strengthens your physical self. How does that work?" In battle, Mu Tieren rarely displayed this capability. His weapons were inherently powerful, capable of incapacitating most superpower users or Nightmare Beasts, who couldn’t withstand bullets. Those who could typically had special skills, rendering weapon enhancements unnoticed. Though Su Bei didn’t imply it, his question successfully redirected Mu Tieren’s attention: "I’ve developed a few features. First, my mechanical body’s durability has greatly increased, able to withstand common abilities. Secondly, these limbs have certain regenerative and self-repair abilities, preventing part malfunctions. In terms of attack power, using a rifle as an example, firing speed and range are enhanced, with automatic calibration. This superpower’s upgrade provides considerable flexibility, tailored to my needs." In his specialized field, Mu Tieren rambled on enthusiastically. To Su Bei, the enhancements seemed beneficial though limited to Mu Tieren's unique condition. For anyone else, this superpower might only rank in Class C at best. Having satisfied his curiosity, Su Bei didn’t waste more time. He scanned the basement with his mental power, confirmed it was empty, and jumped in first. The basement was a completely different world, distinct from above. If the upstairs was a cluttered registration area, downstairs it resembled a sophisticated yet sinister clinic. Indeed, it was a clinic, precisely a surgery room. Upon entry, one could see an opulent lounging sofa, a shelf full of books, and an actual registration counter. Going further, there was an enclosed surgery room, visible through a glass window. It seemed a bona fide surgery suite, equipped with an operating table, spotlights, and assorted instruments. "So, are they here for...medical check-ups?" Qi Huang hesitantly asked, bewildered by the scene. If it was just for check-ups, why hide it in a secret room? Normally, a medical facility should be above ground. Mu Tieren approached the surgery room door, twisted the handle but couldn’t open it. This time, Su Bei didn't let him handle it. Su Bei approached, fiddled with the latch using a pin from his brooch. "Click!" The door opened. "Where did you learn to do that?" Qi Huang asked suspiciously as she entered. Before Su Bei could respond, noises indicated someone coming down. The trio was startled; Su Bei swiftly moved Mu Tieren inside, closed and locked the door, and activated a camo charm. His companions followed suit, recalling they had invisibility charms too, and all went invisible just before someone appeared. Two people, a man and a woman, both with pink hair, entered. Dressed in white lab coats, they were likely clinic doctors. The woman held a medical chart, shaking her head and saying, "The quality of the last batch of kids was average. Let's hope this batch is better." "Don’t worry. If not this batch, the next one, or the one after that. As long as we keep breeding, we're bound to get quality ones." The man replied casually, retrieving keys from his pocket to open the surgery room. His words didn’t win the female doctor’s approval. She sneered and glared at him. "Of course you’re not worried. All you have to do is your bit of work. Childbirth, even at its easiest, is damaging to women’s bodies, alright?" "Alright, alright, I stand corrected." The man raised his hands in surrender. "You fetch the data; I’ll check the equipment." Being old partners, the female doctor skillfully approached the computer desk, logged in, extracted, and printed data. Meanwhile, the man inspected the operating table and equipment. Surgery is precise; any tool malfunction could be disastrous. Watching their actions and reflecting on their conversation, Su Bei mused. Their dialogue implied that the Li family viewed the children as expendable resources, which aligned with previous information: this family, irrespective of gender, was prolific in producing offspring. Among the Li family, it seemed like the process of having children was much more straightforward than for ordinary people. In a scenario where a single pregnancy can result in multiple births so effortlessly, is it a matter of their physical constitution or perhaps related to their superpower? Pondering this, Su Bei took out his phone and sent a message in the group chat. [East South West: Does anyone know what superpower the head of the Li family possesses?] With no immediate responses, he didn’t fret, putting away his phone, and subtly moved to the female doctor's side to glance at her computer screen. Displayed were the health conditions of fifty-four children, likely the ones they saw exiting earlier. The detailed health data included not just height and weight, but thorough evaluations of organ conditions, appearing quite comprehensive. "The data looks promising, a few kids are in pretty good health," the female doctor noted as she highlighted the promising data in red before pressing the print button. "Hand this information to the family head, he should be pleased." The male doctor, satisfied, patted the machine. "Everything's in working order. Once the data's printed, we can lock up and leave." He exited the operating room, sinking into the luxurious couch facing it. "The view is open here. It's no wonder some people love sitting here." "You’re as perverted as they are?" the female doctor teased sharply, approaching with the freshly printed documents. The male doctor disagreed. "I wouldn't call it perverted. It's about personal interest, ensuring there are no quality issues with one’s own assets." Their perspectives varied, but there was no need for disagreement. With a roll of her eyes, the female doctor handed him the documents. "Let’s go, time to clock out." After the two left, Qi Huang, removing her invisibility, tentatively voiced her speculation. "So do they mean someone's here to watch these kids undergo examinations or surgery? Could it be their parents?" In that context, the most logical assumption was the parents. Given the abundance of children produced, members of the Li family might see them as "their property", making periodic health check-ups plausible. Yet Qi Huang had an inkling something was still amiss. The female doctor seemed to support the Li family system, so why did she find the parental behavior despicable? Observing a child’s check-up, even if not heartwarming, shouldn't equate to perversion. Of course, it couldn’t be that simple; otherwise, it wouldn’t fit a manga-style plot. Reverse engineering the process from the conclusion, Su Bei quickly pinpointed a discrepancy: "If the ones assessing the children were their parents, shouldn’t the health data be handed over to them? Those two clearly intended to only deliver the data to the family head, without any mention of the parents." Speaking of the family head, he recalled another matter: "By the way, do you guys know what superpower the head of the Li family possesses?" As he posed the question, he checked his phone for new messages. Only Jiang Tianming had replied with a "No information found earlier." It seemed their side was also encountering problems, Su Bei deduced, wondering if they had found Li Shu. Qi Huang, the one most likely to have an answer, shook her head. To reclaim her standing, she explained, "It’s not that I didn’t check. The current Li family head never attended a superpower academy, and his power license was specially issued by the Superpower Government. So I only know he has a superpower, but not the specifics." There are a few possibilities for obtaining a license from the Superpower Government without formal schooling. One scenario involves discovering their superpowers adulthood, having missed the chance for schooling. Such individuals can attend a year-long crash course at the Superpower Government, featuring intense training and rigorous exams. Failing to pass means retaking the entire course. This crash course barely allows networking within the superpower world, as attendees typically came from ordinary backgrounds, rendering them blank slates in the superpower community. Due to the demanding curriculum, there’s little room for socializing in class. Su Bei chose to spend three years at the Infinite Superpower Academy rather than wait for graduation to take such a cram course. Another possibility involves making significant donations or contributions to the superpower realm. While indicating they are superpowered, such individuals might obtain a license. The Li family likely fell under the latter category. Superpowered individuals gaining licenses through this method had their abilities documented solely with the Superpower Government, which maintained confidentiality to preserve credibility. This explained why Qi Huang couldn’t uncover the details of the family head's power. Clearly, there was an issue with the family head’s superpower. Su Bei had suspected whether the Li family's prolificacy was due to superpower or physiological reasons. The latter seemed more plausible now. Such a power, facilitating multiple births, would be considered miraculous in ancient times, possibly earning a place of honor with an emperor. In modern contexts... could it provide children to affluent individuals unwilling to bear them themselves? With scarce clues, the truth remained elusive. However, Su Bei wasn’t particularly concerned with uncovering the truth. "We should head out, who knows how Jiang Tianming and the others are doing..." He couldn’t finish his sentence as commotion began outside. Even in the basement, they could faintly hear fighting and shouting. Mu Tieren grew anxious. "Tianming and the others must have been discovered! We need to get out there..." "Why go out?" Su Bei asked leisurely, "To distract the enemies?" Mu Tieren paused, considering Su Bei's suggestion seriously. "Well, it's possible." Now, Su Bei found himself at a loss. Seeing Qi Huang equally eager to leave their safe haven and head to the surface, Su Bei decided to respect their choices. "Then go ahead, I'll hold down the fort here. If anything goes wrong, I'll report it to the teacher immediately." "Don't paint your laziness as some noble task!" Qi Huang scolded, exasperated. Nonetheless, acknowledging Su Bei's point that someone needed to stay behind, they didn’t force him, though warning, "Stay here, and hopefully by the time we resolve the Li family issues, you haven’t disappeared." Su Bei put on an innocent face. Once alone, he became active. Given the side quest's prominence, missing a moment of glory would indeed feel like a loss. He couldn't simply slack off; he needed to contribute. In particular, his superpower hadn't seen much enhancement through the forum lately. Previous tasks had been relentless, dragging him into primary plots, leaving no headroom for power advancements. But this instance was different. With the relative safety of the side quest stage and no primary plot pressure, it was an optimal performance platform. It was an opportunity to enhance his superpower. Having decided, Su Bei faced two issues to address next. First, what specific elements did he aspire to improve? Su Bei had long deliberated on this, definitely not stepping into the narrative unprepared. [Gears of Fate] had consistent weak points. Overall, they were defensive capability and the gears’ own offensive power. However, having already enhanced the latter multiple times, with “Precision Gear” as an experimental result, persisting in that path might exhaust reader interest. Moreover, clearly, the author restrained his capability in this regard. Despite multiple upgrades, it hadn’t notably bolstered his attack power. It was logical; he was already overpowered in many aspects. With top-notch attack strength, how would other characters even compete? That left defensive capability. To become an all-rounded character, boosting superpower defense was crucial. Naturally, Su Bei had considered this. Sitting in the armchair, fingers tapping rhythmically, he mused: "Causality Defense—if fate says I won’t get hurt, it makes perfect sense, right?" Ideas aside, executing it was a challenge. Previously, with the Seer account stirring up the forum using microscope-like elaborations, he could self-direct to cement reader belief in his powers. Now, however, he couldn’t risk revealing the Seer account before the finale, meaning he couldn’t discuss anything related to Su Bei with it. This change meant he needed to convincingly showcase his new ability, ideally acknowledging it outright so readers could swiftly embrace it. What action would accomplish this? Facing Li Shu, uncovering the Li family’s secrets, clashing with the family head—those were the main crew's tasks. With their roles fulfilled, Su Bei wouldn’t encroach on others’ highlights. Moreover, since it wasn't part of his main storyline, the author might not grant him the chance to showcase or articulate his new abilities. After all, the author already felt uneasy about him, so why would they allow their character to grow stronger? It's likely that his appearances would be limited. However, if Su Bei orchestrated something significant that forced the author to feature him in the comic, it would be a different story. For the sake of quality, the author would definitely not skimp on his storyline, increasing the likelihood of his abilities being displayed prominently in the manga. Closing his eyes, Su Bei contemplated for a long time. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and they shone with an astonishing violet light. If there was something the main crew might overlook, it was likely on the list of tasks that the Superpower Government or the Infinite Superpower Academy needed to deal with later. And one item that consistently appeared on that list was the punishment of criminals. The main crew would at most defeat the head of the Li family, leaving the rest to the Superpower Government. Yet, this incident clearly involved the entire Li family, and given their wealth, it's possible the outcome may mirror that of the Holy Westland event, where only the mastermind was apprehended while others were lightly treated due to the principle of non-retaliation against many. Su Bei wasn't certain if this might occur, but he thought he could prepare proactively. If the government intended to let criminals slip through, he'd gather enough evidence to force them into fair judgment. This might seem to contradict his character, but Su Bei had a reason prepared. Being inexplicably hunted down warranted a little reprisals, wouldn't it? Besides, this wasn't unprecedented for him; based on his understanding of manga readers, they wouldn't delve too deeply. Even if he was mistaken and the government had a proper resolution, it wouldn't matter. He didn’t necessarily need to exploit this as a chance to enhance his superpowers; it was just that this was an excellent opportunity. Having formulated his plan, Su Bei touched the gear-shaped brooch on his chest and stood up to take action.