A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 60

The team battle gave Su Bei much info, and readers got plenty too. The forums buzzed with new posts.

[Mu Tieren Fought Two Black-Clad Men Alone???]

[Everyone’s Coordination Is So Good, I Love Friends Teaming Up to Beat Enemies!]

[So Cool!!! Su Bei, You Really!!!]

[“Black Flash” Organization Discussion Thread]

[Who Was the Last Person?]

[Lowkey Shipping Su Bei and Si Zhaohua, Any CP Name?]

[Was the Final Battle Missing People?]

[“Don’t Think Too Highly of Your Companions…” I Smell a Knife!]

The first post caught Su Bei’s eye. He’d skimmed too fast to notice. But thinking back, though Class F classmates helped, their impact was minor. Mu Tieren essentially fought two enemies alone.

[Mu Tieren Fought Two Black-Clad Men Alone???]

[HoneySnowSugarNo.0: I really think Mu Tieren’s combat strength is a mystery. He seems the weakest in the protagonist team, but Jiang Tianming and Si Zhaohua teamed up against one enemy, while he faced two. Author, are you okay?]

[No.1: Hahahaha, I didn’t notice until you said it.]

[No.2: Author, are you okay?]

[No.3: It is weird.]

[No.4: Different enemy strengths, maybe? Those two didn’t seem bright.]

[No.5: Am I the only one who stanned Mu Tieren for this? Tough guys are the best!]

[No.6 reply to No.5: Me too, battle-damaged is hot! This type is common in comics but rarely charming.]

[No.7: I feel the author won’t make Mu Tieren just a big brother. He’s got more plot coming.]

[No.8 reply to No.7: Hope you’re right.]

[No.9 reply to No.7: Hope you’re right.]

[No.10 reply to No.7: Hope you’re right.]

[No.11 reply to No.7: Hope you’re right.]

[…]

[No.35: I pity Mu Tieren here, held back. Being the good guy often means hesitating due to hostages. But Zhao Xiaoyu hit my XP! No strong ability, but her high EQ lets her navigate enemies easily. She’d thrive anywhere.]

[No.36 reply to No.35: Aaaah, finally someone said it! Zhao Xiaoyu is amazing!]

[No.37: Of the female characters, I love Zhao Xiaoyu most. Scheming beauty forever!]

[No.38: Zhao Xiaoyu was the only one unharmed and helped everyone. Sometimes EQ beats strength—no, EQ is strength.]

[No.39: I envy high-EQ people. I’m terrible at talking. Zhao Xiaoyu feels relatable, but Lan Subing’s more immersive.]

[…]

[HoneySnowSugarNo.72 (OP): I come back from dinner, and it’s derailed. Anyone remember my main question?]

[No.73: Wow, it’s fully a Mu Tieren and Zhao Xiaoyu fan thread now.]

[No.74: OP, start a new thread.]

[No.75 reply to HoneySnowSugarNo.72 (OP): I don’t think the author’s crazy. Mu Tieren’s injuries were way worse than Jiang Jiang’s. Jiang Jiang and Si Zhaohua barely got hurt, but Mu Tieren tanked attacks with his body.

Those two enemies had average attack power and were melee, letting him shine. But against the purple-haired enemy, he might not win.

That said, if Jiang Jiang and Si Zhaohua swapped with Mu Tieren, they might not match his feat. Mu Tieren’s attack is weaker, but his durability outshines them, especially Si Zhaohua.]

[No.76: Big brain alert.]

[No.77: So many words, my head hurts.]

[No.78: Mu Tieren’s super durable—just look at him walking with those injuries. But Jiang Jiang’s no slouch. Last season mentioned his childhood, right?]

[No.79 reply to No.78: Damn, sudden knife?]

[No.80 reply to No.78: Poor Jiang Jiang baby, damn bullies, they should all die!]

[No.81: Jiang Tianming’s high endurance makes sense—he was “trained” as a kid. But why’s Mu Tieren so durable?]

[No.82: Good question, feels like a hidden backstory.]

Su Bei closed the post. He was curious about Mu Tieren’s family too, but his two indirect probes were brushed off.

Mu Tieren clearly didn’t want to discuss his family. From Su Bei’s observations, he didn’t seem like someone with an unhappy childhood or family issues.

Such people often showed distinct traits, like Jiang Tianming’s cautious coldness or Wu Mingbai’s sly charm. But Mu Tieren seemed like the eldest son from a happy family, kind and caring.

So why avoid the topic? The author would reveal it eventually. Lacking clues and investigative skills, Su Bei dropped it for now.

Posts about Su Bei were mostly screams, with a few questioning his ability. Good—questions bred guesses, and the stronger they imagined his ability, the stronger he’d become.

Seeing the “Black Flash” post, Su Bei clicked in. He knew more than readers, but they might spot something he missed.

[“Black Flash” Organization Discussion Thread]

[AnalysisFreakNo.0: At this point, the mandatory comic villain has surfaced.

“Black Flash” Organization: Known to be founded by scientist ability users but went underground for unknown reasons, now likely opposing Endless Ability Academy.

Known “Black Flash” events:

Murder Incident: Sent a purplish-red-eyed person disguised as a chef to the academy, purpose unknown, killed a student. Now captured.

Team Battle Incident: Many member clones entered the different space to capture first-year students, possibly with a deeper goal.

Spy Incident: The final scene suggests “Black Flash” planted a first-year spy in the academy. I suspect more than one, maybe even a teacher. Teachers can do more than students.

With limited info, this sums up what’s shown.]

[No.1: Bow to the big brain…]

[No.2: Wow, so many words (country bumpkin noise)]

[No.3: Your username fits.]

[No.4: They’ve done so much? I read it all but barely noticed.]

[No.5: I agree with OP on spies. “Black Flash” likely has more than one. Maybe a high-ranking one. The dean said the different space was academy-controlled. Without a spy, how’d they get in?]

[No.6 reply to No.5: Makes sense. The chef’s placement might’ve been a spy’s doing.]

[…]

[No.26: I suspect they entered to capture the first or top two. Remember Su Bei saying winning might not be good? Maybe he meant this.]

[No.27 reply to No.26: !!!!!]

[No.28 reply to No.26: So logical!]

[No.29: Damn cryptic Su Bei, why not speak plainly!]

[No.30: Su Bei definitely knows a lot. Fate’s a great ability.]

[No.31: For spy guesses, check the next thread. It’s wild!]

[No.32 reply to No.31: I’m going!]

The OP summarized well, but it was all Su Bei knew. Finding nothing new, he followed to the next thread.

[Who Was the Last Person?]

[BlankSpaceNo.0: No one’s unclear which scene I mean, right? The white sneaker’s owner is definitely “Black Flash”’s first-year spy.

After this, I reread the chapter.

Shoe screenshot.jpg

Many wear white shoes, so they don’t identify the person or even gender.

(Off-topic: Fighting in a forest with white shoes? These students lack life experience. Only Jiang Jiang and Wu Mingbai wore black shoes—true savvy kids!)

Ahem, some say “Black Flash” wouldn’t plant just one spy. I agree, but let’s not discuss that here—no clues.

The white shoe spy isn’t a random nobody. They’re either a Class F student or a prior character. Any suspects?]

[No.1: Li Shu, maybe? He appeared once or twice, with an interesting ability.]

[No.2 reply to No.1: I went back to check who Li Shu was. Didn’t notice him before. Hey, he’s kinda cute!]

[No.3: Classic pink hair, bet he’s a yandere who sees the protagonist as salvation. I ship it!]

[No.4: You up there…]

[No.5 reply to No.3: Nice, playing like that?]

[No.6: You’re sure he’s a yandere already? I didn’t see it.]

[No.7 reply to No.6: Not sure, just guessing. Let’s see if fans start cooking.]

[No.8: Jiang Jiang’s really getting yandere vibes.]

[…]

[No.21: Off-topic, I don’t think it’s Li Shu. He’s oddly fond of Jiang Tianming. If he’s a yandere, he’d expose himself easily…]

[No.22: Maybe “Black Flash” couldn’t stand the yandere, so they sent him as a spy.]

[No.23 reply to No.22: Hahaha, sent to torment others?]

[No.24 reply to No.22: Great idea, I buy it.]

[…]

[No.37: I think it’s a Class F rando. Low-profile, same info as others.]

[No.38: Spy’s likely in Class F. No plot if they’re not with the protagonists. Class F’s full of hidden gems!]

[No.39: So, Wu Jin and Zhao Xiaoyu are likely!

Zhao Xiaoyu’s obvious—she chats with black-clad men like it’s nothing. I thought high EQ, but maybe she’s with the enemy, unafraid.

Wu Jin’s also a suspect. Remember his weird ability in the match? He might be hiding his true ability.]

[No.40: Class F spy is probable.]

[No.41 reply to No.39: Great analysis! But I won’t let you diss Laughter sis. It’s Wu Jin—he’s shadiest.]

[No.42: Betting Wu Jin. His no-presence ability fits a spy.]

[No.43: Spy guessed this fast? You’re underestimating the author.]

[No.44: Agreed.]

[No.45: I’ll guess Zhao Xiaoyu. She’s scheming (not a diss).]

[…]

[No.81: Am I the only one thinking differently? I guess the spy’s in Class A. “Black Flash” wouldn’t send a weakling.

Class A gets more info than Class F. Comics showed Class A has more task and point opportunities.]

[No.82: Everyone got led astray. Like 81 said, think logically! A spy wouldn’t be a newbie.]

[No.83: If the spy’s in Class A, Zhou Renjie seems easy to sway…]

[No.84 reply to No.83: True… He planned to get back at the protagonists for humiliating him in the individual battle. He wasn’t with Si Zhaohua or captured with Ai Baozhu during the team battle. Who knows what he did?]

[No.85: I was sure it was Wu Jin or Zhao Xiaoyu, now I’m leaning Zhou Renjie. I’m such a flip-flopper.]

[No.86: Wasn’t the spy pre-planted? Zhou Renjie could only be newly swayed.]

[No.87 reply to No.86: The comic didn’t say the spy was pre-planted. The final scene doesn’t suggest it.]

[No.88: Got it, makes sense. Zhou Renjie could be swayed.]

[No.89: I just thought, if Zhou Renjie turned, he wouldn’t be dumb enough to approach black-clad men during the team battle. So “Black Flash” must’ve known he hated the protagonists and approached him.

This happened at school. If “Black Flash” knew so quickly, another spy must’ve informed them.

We could reverse-engineer a high-level spy. Few knew Zhou Renjie was out the second-to-last day.

Assuming Zhou Renjie’s the spy.]

[No.90 reply to No.89: 66666]

[No.91 reply to No.89: Makes sense. Now I hope Zhou Renjie’s the spy.]

[No.92: Zhou Renjie as the spy is most acceptable. But would those white shoes fit a big guy?]

[No.93 reply to No.92: Good question.]

[No.94 reply to No.92: Everyone wants Zhou Renjie as the spy, ignoring details.]

[…]

[No.126: No one thinks the spy’s in the protagonist team?]

[No.127 reply to No.126: Nope!]

Zhao Xiaoyu and Wu Jin were options Su Bei hadn’t considered, but they fit well, especially Wu Jin, whose secrets invited misinterpretation.

From the shoe size, Zhou Renjie wasn’t ideal, but it depended on the author’s intent.

“Tch.” Su Bei felt annoyed. The shoes weren’t his, yet he had to work to avoid suspicion.

He clicked another post that caught his interest.

[Was the Final Battle Missing People?]

[LeuwenhoekIsMeNo.0: Everyone knows team battles are for team spirit, but the final battle had Jiang Tianming, Lan Subing, Wu Mingbai, Mu Tieren, Si Zhaohua, Ai Baozhu, and Feng Lan.

Where were Su Bei and Mo Xiaotian? They were totally absent! Author, are you human? Can’t you give equal parts?]

[LaughWhatLaughNo.1: I was gonna say, why were they gone? Su Bei I get—even if he joined the villains, I’d buy it, let alone disappearing.

But Mo Xiaotian? Even Feng Lan was there—why not him? Author, did you listen to those Wu-toxic fans and drop Mo Xiaotian from the protagonist team?]

[No.2 reply to LaughWhatLaughNo.1: What? What drama did I miss?]

[No.3: Same, who’re the Wu-toxic?]

[LaughWhatLaughNo.4 reply to No.2: Lots of Wu-toxic fans commented under the comic that Mo Xiaotian’s stealing Wu Mingbai’s role and spotlight, asking the author to be fair to veterans… Hard to judge.]

[LaughWhatLaughNo.5 reply to No.3: Wu Mingbai’s toxic stans.]

[No.6: Wow… Comic fandom turned idol stan.]

[No.7: I get hot characters having toxic stans, but Wu Mingbai’s not that hot, right?]

[No.8: King of Abilities is a hit. Wu Mingbai’s a main character—how’s he not hot? Jiang Tianming and Lan Subing have toxic stans too. After this update, Su Bei’s toxic stans might pop up. I’m his fan now.]

[No.9: Full idol stan vibes.]

[No.10: Help! Is this a comic forum?]

[No.11: What’s OP’s deal? Our fan advocacy isn’t hurting you.]

[No.12: I was scared to say, but this thread feels so hostile to Wu Mingbai…]

[No.13 reply to No.12: Maybe we’re not hostile to Wu Mingbai, but to you toxic stans?]

[No.14: No one knows what Mo Xiaotian was doing. He had no screen time—why blame us?]

[…]

[No.84: Mo Xiaotian’s absence is odd, but not for OP’s reason. I bet he has hidden plot not shown.]

[No.85: You’re discussing plot in this mess of a thread? Impressive.]

[LeuwenhoekIsMeNo.86 (OP): Derailing’s a habit. Seeing someone discuss plot is touching.]

[No.87: I think Mo Xiaotian has other plot. The author wouldn’t forget him.

If anyone should complain, it’s Su Bei’s fans. He’s the one likely without plot here.]

[No.88 reply to No.87: This NorthStar was happily eating drama, but your comment dropped my melon.]

[No.89 reply to No.87: …Damn! Makes sense!]

[No.90: No way Su Bei was slacking the whole time? Author, be human!]

[No.91: But if Su Bei had plot, what was he doing? Why am I thinking of the spy thread?!]

[No.92 reply to No.91: …No way? Better he’s slacking!]

[No.93: Su Bei as a spy is kinda thrilling…]

[No.94: Don’t want a spy in the protagonist team, and Su Bei’s too obvious.]

[No.95: Can’t decide if him having plot or not is better.]