Chapter 346 - A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

**Chapter 346: Preparing to Depart** Time swiftly passed, and before long, the day of the decisive battle arrived. Even though Su Bei was in the remote and desolate Arctic, he still received news about the Nightmare Beasts through the superpowered beings' official website at the earliest opportunity. The entire official website had turned red, the blood-red background signifying the critical situation. Entrances to alternate spaces had appeared all over the world, far more numerous than before. More importantly, each of these entrances was as large as a football field. With such massive gates, the number of Nightmare Beasts emerging would undoubtedly be substantial. Thus, unlike the previous occasion, these disturbances couldn't be controlled simply by eliminating the Nightmare Beasts within the alternate spaces to manage their numbers. The day after these entrances appeared, an investigation by a superpowered individual with unique abilities suggested that the entrances might not connect to alternate spaces at all, but to the Nightmare Beasts' world. Therefore, these were effectively Gates to the Nightmare Realm rather than alternate space entrances. This discovery sent humanity into a frenzy. With direct access to the Nightmare Beasts' world, there would be no limit to the number of Beasts emerging. They dared not imagine the scale of the eventual war. While it's true that superpowered individuals were more hated by the Nightmare Beasts than ordinary people, it was clear things had escalated to a point where the Beasts might no longer differentiate in their enmity towards humans. Thus, a state of emergency was declared nationwide. The government designated several safe zones devoid of Gates to the Nightmare Realm and had earth-element superpowered individuals construct walls hastily to establish temporary refuge cities. All civilians were relocated to these refuge cities, protected by groups of defense-type superpowered beings. As for the remaining superpowered individuals, they were tasked with fighting in the battle zones outside these cities. Under such extraordinary circumstances, all superpowered beings had to report their abilities and participate in combat as designated by the government. Those unwilling to comply could not enter the refuge cities. Su Bei, naturally, had no need to enter one. In the Arctic, things were less hectic. Though three Gates had appeared there, Su Bei didn't believe many Nightmare Beasts would emerge from them. Those fearing attacks from the Nightmare Beasts had already been assisted by the government to leave by plane. Only a small number remained, unwilling or simply unafraid. This meager number likely wouldn't warrant the Beasts expending effort to linger here. After all, if people elsewhere perished, those here wouldn't survive either. If humanity triumphed, the loss of a few people here was negligible. The Nightmare Beasts didn't give humanity much time to prepare. Although the battle was sure to be a long-drawn affair, they aimed for a surprise attack against humanity at the onset. So, as soon as the Gates to the Nightmare Realm opened, they swarmed out under the fire of the superpowered defenders. None of this concerned Su Bei, as he had no intention of joining the initial melee—too troublesome. While he acknowledged the true value of those who fought tirelessly throughout campaigns, his awareness of narrative arcs in manga told him that initial appearances often relegated characters to mere labor, whereas later appearances could grant them moments of glory. In the uncertain situation of victory or defeat, Su Bei was willing to genuinely contribute to humanity's cause, for if humanity faltered, he too would face the consequences. But knowing full well that humanity would eventually prevail, he felt less urgency. The initial stage would see humanity hold out for a while, without the need for him to worry about widespread devastation. He was, after all, just a 16-year-old superpowered teenager, not a core member of the protagonist team, and wouldn't make a significant impact anyway. Nonetheless, Su Bei hadn't been idle. Quietly, he had ventured through the Gate to the Nightmare Realm that stood in the Arctic, entering the world of the Nightmare Beasts. Aware that the Beasts planned some sort of ritual, which the protagonist team would undoubtedly resolve, he couldn't afford ignorance when stepping onto the battlefield. Ending up needing rescue rather than providing help would hardly be a heroic sight. In the Arctic, with few Nightmare Beasts around, Su Bei had little trouble slipping through the Gate unnoticed using an invisibility charm. He then employed the "Gears of Fate": "I always find my target when lost." This wish, a passive support, was granted successfully as the gear vanished. Su Bei then used a random teleportation tool to transfer himself unpredictably within the Nightmare Beasts' world. Being randomly teleported, especially in the Nightmare Beasts' domain, meant he would inevitably get lost. The "Gears of Fate" worked so profoundly that by his third teleportation, Su Bei found himself amid a dense gathering of Nightmare Beasts. There was no Gate to the Nightmare Realm here, confirming that the Beasts' congregation wasn't for crossing into the human world. Something special was drawing them together instead. Instead of immediately entering the adjacent cave dwelling, Su Bei explored the Beast habitat nearby. He quickly uncovered startling information: This place harbored solely Advanced Nightmare Beasts. A rough count estimated over a hundred were present. Over a hundred Advanced Nightmare Beasts gathered here, away from external battle lines, clearly not for a chat. Clearly, this was the ritual site. Shooting a meaningful glance towards the cave dwelling, Su Bei wondered what significant entity could coerce so many Advanced Nightmare Beasts to linger outside willingly. To prevent any accidental exposure, Su Bei combined the invisibility charm with mental shielding, ensuring total concealment before venturing cautiously inside. Within the cave, only two beings resided: a cross-like Advanced Nightmare Beast and an elderly man with grayed hair and beard. The former was unfamiliar to Su Bei, but the latter was unmistakable—Leader of the "Black Lightning" organization, Mo Xiaotian's grandfather. Ah, so that's how it was. Su Bei mentally noted. The ritual methods probably stemmed from "Black Lightning." The leader was indeed audacious, opting to take the entire human race to oblivion alongside his personal demise. Come to think of it, Mo Xiaotian hadn't surfaced for quite a while. Had Su Bei not encountered his grandfather, he might have forgotten him. Mo Xiaotian would likely play a significant role by the story's climax, though the cost remained uncertain. While some shonen mangas concluded with happy reunions, most required sacrifices by the end. Regrettably, Mo Xiaotian seemed the most fitting candidate. With these thoughts, Su Bei couldn't help but ask his "Manga Awareness": "Will Mo Xiaotian die?" "Manga Awareness" hesitated. Reluctant to answer, knowing Su Bei's insight into others' fates meant any falsehood would easily unravel, it ultimately decided to speak the truth: "He will die." Su Bei sighed softly, "Can he be saved?" While rescuing wasn't his priority, Su Bei was willing to help a fellow classmate if possible. Unfortunately, "Manga Awareness" wasn't inclined to provide that option: "It's not possible." And as if fearing Su Bei might attempt regardless, it hastily added, "That is the best ending for him." Stunned at first, Su Bei soon fell silent. Since returning to "Black Lightning," there were likely many misdeeds Mo Xiaotian had committed—unlike Zhou Renjie, who was undercover, making any harm done justifiable. Mo Xiaotian willingly chose malice, fully aware of his wrongdoings. Thus, he deserved death. Were he simply pardoned, how could those he wronged find peace? While atonement through actions might grant him a glimmer of hope—a major undoing like sabotaging "Black Lightning's" collaboration with the Nightmare Beasts, saving humanity—this truly could atone for parts of his transgressions. But was such a redemption what Mo Xiaotian truly sought? At heart, he embodied the quintessential shonen manga hero, but the path diverged early due to villainous upbringing. Inherent to such heroes is resilience and tenacity. Had he clung to his original beliefs, he might resist despair. Yet, choosing collaboration with the protagonist team marked the abandonment of former ideals. As he came to realize the falsehood of his past actions, as he watched a cherished kin trod an irredeemable path, killing his only family...death became his best outcome. Sighing, Su Bei pulled the corners of his mouth upward slightly, "I understand." Setting aside complex emotions, he refocused on the present conundrum. What role did the cross-like Nightmare Beast serve? Given its distinctive features, Su Bei swiftly identified it in the "Fate" organization's notebook. The cross-like Nightmare Beast could drain energy, whether from humans or other Nightmare Beasts. Thus, the reason over a hundred Advanced Nightmare Beasts had gathered was unveiled—they were to serve as its sustenance. Once the Beast absorbed copious energy, the ritual could proceed. Yet, it appeared a collaboration with the real world was necessary, or else they could have conducted the ritual in secrecy, instead of launching an overt assault on humanity. Based on the information he already had, Su Bei wasn't sure what else he might not know. Therefore, he planned to stay there for the next few days to see if he could gather any additional intelligence. Moreover, another reason for staying put was the aftereffect of using the "Gears of Fate" wish. Currently, wherever he intended to go, he wouldn't reach his intended destination. It was wiser to stay put here rather than risk ending up somewhere undesirable. Noticing that Su Bei showed no intention of leaving, "Manga Awareness" couldn't help but remind him, "You aren't planning to resolve this matter early, are you?" "Of course not," Su Bei replied with a puzzled expression, "Why would you think that?" Was he really such a selfless person? Hearing this, "Manga Awareness" felt reassured and explained, "Isn't it because the restrictions from the manga's limitations no longer apply to you?" It observed clearly that, apart from the persona crafted for manga popularity, Su Bei was genuinely a considerate and kindhearted person. --- Sorry for forgetting to update due to being out, orz.