A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

The perspective undoubtedly focused on Jiang Tianming, who, after the lights went out, made a swift decision to dash outside the auction venue. Jiang Tianming was clear in his thoughts; there must be people waiting for him outside. He only needed to find them to trace the thief of the stolen items.

With him were Wu Mingbai and Lan Subing, two individuals undoubtedly acting in concert. Since the main forces of the “Black Flash” organization were still inside the auction house, they indeed managed to locate the people waiting outside.

That group was driving a truck, blending in with the multitude of vehicles, making them inconspicuous. Yet the tense gazes of those guarding the truck alerted them to something amiss, prompting them to boldly sneak aboard.

Seeing this part of the story, Su Bei shook his head in admiration; truly, the main characters had guts. If it were him, he would have likely gone straight to report to the teacher.

Speaking of which, where was Mo Xiaotian?

Suddenly, Su Bei noticed this question. Mo Xiaotian had returned with them, so logically, he should have boarded the truck with Jiang Tianming and the others. But now, it was clear that only the two original main characters were present. Where had Mo Xiaotian gone?

The comic continued, showing Jiang Tianming and his companions being taken into the otherworldly space. Along the way, aside from the repeated dangers of being discovered, they gathered quite a bit of intelligence.

The driver chatted about how, if not for Aboguo’s wealth and advantageous position, their “Black Flash” organization would never have collaborated with that group of brutes.

Moreover, they mentioned that they had researched something very important, something no one had considered before—a branch of research yielding such results.

The most critical line was, “Is the mother body safe in that otherworldly space?”

This statement not only piqued Jiang Tianming’s curiosity but also sparked Su Bei’s thoughts as he read the comic.

He had recently heard the term “mother body.” The scorpion-braid who had kidnapped them had mentioned something similar. However, back then, it seemed she was referring to the crystal ball in the secret chamber, the mother body of those small pills.

In this light, the larger crystal ball discovered in the otherworldly space must be the mother body of all the crystal balls.

At this thought, Su Bei couldn’t help but chuckle. No wonder Mo Xiaotian had been so impatient, deliberately making mistakes to release some dark mist. It seemed that this destroyed crystal ball was indeed crucial to the “Black Flash” organization; they had suffered a significant loss this time. The phrase “to steal a chicken but lose the rice” seemed to fit perfectly here.

Once they were taken into the otherworldly space, they seized the opportunity to disembark and then blended into the ranks of laborers.

Before the laborers entered, their identities were scrutinized with strictness, but once inside, the vigilance waned.

The two of them managed to slip into the supervisor’s room, adding their names to the latest list, and thus successfully blended in.

The main characters, naturally, were the troublemakers; even the seemingly demure Lan Subing possessed a heart bold enough to match. After establishing their identities to remain here, the two began their search for the “mother body” they spoke of.

What followed was entirely predictable; they quickly discovered that this place was not an ordinary mine, but a realm of the uncanny. Soon after, another secret unfurled: those punished with dismissal were not truly cast out, but rather sent to another location.

As they uncovered this truth, the scene shifted, the focus landing on Si Zhaohua.

Si Zhaohua’s narrative began with him awakening in the back of a truck. Realizing he could not conceal his identity as an ability user, he fiercely engaged the kidnappers, yet refrained from using his powers.

Due to his reluctance to unleash his full strength, he was swiftly subdued. Though the kidnappers were incensed by his rebelliousness, they also let their guard down. After all, in their minds, if Si Zhaohua were indeed a formidable ability user, why had he not used his powers just moments ago?

Bound and tossed back into the truck, Si Zhaohua remained of value to the “Black Flash” organization; even a weak ability user held worth. Thus, despite his earlier defiance, the kidnappers would not treat him as they would an ordinary person, executing him as a warning.

They merely bound him, occasionally mocking him to vent their frustrations.

The scene then shifted to their arrival in the reception room, where Zhao Xiaoyu’s appearance sparked a wave of excitement in the comments. Previously, it had seemed this was solely Si Zhaohua’s storyline, yet here was another teammate.

To protect Si Zhaohua, Zhao Xiaoyu was forced to enact a Stockholm syndrome scenario; the embarrassment on her face starkly contrasted with the grotesque expression of the chibi figure above her head, eliciting laughter from the viewers.

Next, Su Bei made his entrance. During his time of captivity, he had no chance to look in a mirror, thus he had never seen his transformed self. The first glimpse he caught of his new appearance was through a comic, a sensation both strange and wondrous.

Both the unfolding plot surrounding his entrance and Zhao Xiaoyu’s inner thoughts indicated the unusual nature of the role Su Bei played, prompting discussions in the comments about his identity.

Some speculated he was the child of a school teacher, others believed he was the offspring of a high-ranking politician, while some even theorized he was affiliated with “Black Flash,” their imaginations running wild.

Yet, regardless of their guesses, the interactions between the two gradually eased the audience’s suspicions. Su Bei did not appear to be a villain; otherwise, he would not mingle so freely with the main characters.

His identity was first questioned here, when Uncle Liu remarked, “You two seem to have quite the bond.” Not only did Si Zhaohua and Zhao Xiaoyu’s thoughts spiral, but the comments erupted as well.

“Why do I feel this kid is a bit odd?”

“Uncle’s words awaken the dreamer!”

“Is Si Zhaohua really someone who can easily connect with others?”

“Good relations… he can’t possibly have any powers to increase favorability, right?”

“Could it be someone familiar?”

Fortunately, his subsequent display of narcissism, along with the food dilemma, successfully captured the readers’ attention, and for the moment, no one had guessed Su Bei’s identity.

Though it wouldn’t be a problem if they did figure it out, revealing it immediately would make it seem like he was hiding it too clumsily.

Due to the bandits’ brazen intentions, no one dared to touch the food. At that moment, Zhao Xiaoyu cleverly devised a plan, and the barrage of comments erupted in praise.

Meanwhile, Su Bei, willing to be the first to take the plunge, drew the barrage’s attention once more. They couldn’t quite discern whether Su Bei’s audacity stemmed from trusting Zhao Xiaoyu’s judgment or if he already knew the food could be consumed this way.

Next, the group of politicians began plotting their escape. Like Su Bei, Zhao Xiaoyu and Si Zhaohua also found their plans rather unreliable.

After a series of escape attempts by the politicians concluded, the two surrendered together. They cleverly used storage rings to feign taking medicine, successfully deceiving the Scorpion Braid, and incidentally rescuing Su Bei.

Then, the comic finally unveiled the main plot of this segment: the “Loyalty Crystal.” The terrifying power of this artifact sent shivers through everyone.

Now, reflecting on it, Su Bei felt a chill. If they truly succeeded in using the “Loyalty Crystal” to control those politicians, and the controlled could then infect others, in just half a year, the entire political sphere of the nation might fall.

They had indeed thwarted this conspiracy, but who could say whether the “Black Flash” organization had used this artifact on people from other countries? Further, how many politicians were now part of “Black Flash”?

The thought sent a shiver down his spine… Taking a deep breath, he continued reading the comic.

Upon learning that only Zhao Xiaoyu might be able to touch the “Loyalty Crystal,” but with a high mortality rate, Zhao Xiaoyu and Si Zhaohua fell into silence, then began actively seeking other solutions.

Amidst the heavy plot, the nighttime dialogue between Su Bei and Si Zhaohua added a touch of humor to the crowd, prompting readers to speculate about “Yan Nan’s” identity.

“Hahahahahahaha!”

“Seeing Si Zhaohua get flustered is so satisfying (whispers).”

“His identity must be suspicious, otherwise, why wouldn’t he say anything?”

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“I always felt Yan Nan seemed a bit familiar too…”

“Ah, this little brat really gets to me (whispers)”

“Ah, ah, ah, what on earth is his identity? Old thief, stop keeping us in suspense!”

Below, the plot unfolds in two parallel lines: Zhao Xiaoyu chats with the kidnappers while Si Zhaohua explores the terrain, and Su Bei, playing the brown-haired boy, lounges in the hall, absorbed in a book.

Everyone finds it strange, pondering his true intentions, yet no one is foolish enough to think Su Bei is merely slacking off.

He is not slacking; he harbors his own plans. Yet, during this time, he has indeed enjoyed a leisurely respite.

The story reaches a small climax when Zhao Xiaoyu realizes she has no means to evade danger. To escape, she must risk her life to see if she can touch the “Crystal of Loyalty.”

After confirming that no other options exist, the comic vividly portrays Zhao Xiaoyu’s struggle and anguish. The author excels in this nuanced depiction, avoiding melodrama and instead laying bare the roots of her suffering.

Though a small portion of the comments nitpick, claiming she is too selfish, arguing there’s no room for hesitation—after all, if she does nothing, she will die; if she acts, there’s a glimmer of hope.

Theoretically, they are not wrong, but if one could analyze everything with pure reason, they would cease to be human. In the face of life-and-death matters, few can remain composed, especially when Zhao Xiaoyu is merely a 15-year-old girl.

Thus, more comments express sympathy for her, while others curse the old thief who penned such a fate for the girl. Some viewers, moved by Zhao Xiaoyu’s struggle, find themselves liking her more; after all, those who struggle resemble ordinary people.

The protagonists in comics often appear noble and righteous, stirring emotions yet feeling distant. It is rare to encounter a character so grounded, naturally resonating with a part of the audience.

After a detailed portrayal of her struggle, the scene shifts directly to Su Bei announcing he has found the information, as Si Zhaohua and Zhao Xiaoyu gaze at him in astonishment, leading the plot into a brief flashback.

The flashback reveals Su Bei’s activities over the past few days, succinctly illustrated in a few panels.

When he finally uncovers the experimental data on the “Crystal of Loyalty,” the comments explode.

“Little bro, you’re the best!”

“I can’t even imagine if I were that smart at eight; my ancestors would be rolling in their graves!”

“I don’t understand this chart at all…”

“Eight years old? Is this really eight years old?!”

“I’m really a fan of this kid; can we bring him to the academy?”

“I look closer and feel something’s off. Is this guy really a child?”

Through the data sheets provided by Su Bei, the two discerned a pattern. Si Zhao Hua handed over a life-saving artifact worth its weight in gold to Zhao Xiao Yu, prompting a flurry of praise in the comments.

Next, they began to prepare their plan. Su Bei quickly flipped through a few pages, landing directly on the day of their operation.

In unison, they spoke the password they knew, then exchanged a knowing smile. Once the door swung open, Zhao Xiao Yu began to test the pattern, only to find that she matched only half of it—stable, yet not steadily decreasing.

Here, Zhao Xiao Yu showcased her charisma once more, honestly and resolutely stating that her intent was not merely to save others, which in itself was a kind of allure.

Immediately, Su Bei chimed in, claiming she was there to save lives, to which Zhao Xiao Yu blurted out, “Are you Su Bei?” Though in the comic, Zhao Xiao Yu had been easily misled, the readers outside the pages were not so easily fooled.

“Damn! It’s Su Bei!”

“So it’s Su Bei! No wonder this kid is so impressive! Makes sense now.”

“Su Bei, you little rascal… so slick!”

“Don’t let him fool you, give him a beating!”

“Truly a jester, he’s been playing the part all along.”

“Yan Nan (Yan Xi), Su Bei (Su Bei)? These two names can’t be antonyms, can they?”

Seeing that the readers had already pieced together his identity, Su Bei was not surprised. He had guessed that once Zhao Xiao Yu revealed her name, the readers would inevitably connect the dots.

At this moment, the truth was just about to spill, especially since he would reveal even more later.

After successfully shattering the crystal, the two made a hasty escape. Watching Su Bei sprint with the speed of an eight-year-old, the comments erupted in laughter.

“Hahahahahaha!”

“Hahahahaha, you guys, turn around and look!”

“No way, you’re not even pretending anymore, huh?”

“Su Bei, you…”

“A genius child right beside me?”

“I can hardly imagine the look on Si Zhaohua’s face when they discover the truth.”

The unfolding drama made Su Bei chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. Sure, he had been slacking off while the Scorpion Braid and the others launched their attack, but did it really need to be illustrated like this?

Si Zhaohua and Zhao Xiaoyu, two larger-than-life figures, were fighting desperately in the front, while he was depicted as a chibi character, squatting in the back to watch the show. Cute, yes, but it was undeniably infuriating.

He transformed back into his true form when Zhao Xiaoyu fell from the cliff. Though he was in a child’s body, the comic still portrayed Su Bei’s heroic rescue with remarkable grace. Behind him loomed a shadow of his true self, strikingly handsome.

Perhaps it was because the upcoming events fit perfectly with the themes of youthful adventure, that even though they weren’t the main characters, the comic artist still chose to depict this segment.

Su Bei laughed heartily as he reverted to his original appearance, and the two youths in the air burst into laughter, as if no sorrow or worry could dampen their joy.

The usually image-conscious Si Zhaohua, the ever-cautious Zhao Xiaoyu, and the enigmatic Su Bei, all laughed unabashedly in that moment.

“Armor O Warrior, transform!”

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

“This is youth!”

“I declare that at this moment, you are my dream team of heroes!”

“Su Bei’s smile is so charming; it’s the first time I’ve seen him look so… youthful, right?”

“Wow, wow, wow! What a great atmosphere!”

“I love how in youth comics, after overcoming a major crisis, everyone shares a moment of laughter together.”

“Vigorous young people!”

After the scene of soaring into the sky concluded, the perspective shifted to the politicians led by Uncle Liu. They did not waste the hard-won opportunity created by Su Bei and his companion. Hearing the chaos outside, they seized the moment to slip away.

Thanks to their previous experience, they were somewhat familiar with the area outside the base. They ran all the way to the dock, just in time to spot a cargo ship with only one or two people aboard.

Twenty or so against two ordinary ability users was still a fair fight. After successfully taking control of the cargo ship, a politician skilled in operating yachts stepped forward, leading the group toward the sea.

The comic glossed over the part where Su Bei and his companion found Meng Huai. The final scene of their segment showed Zhao Xiaoyu being sent back to the academy, while he and Si Zhaohua prepared to venture into another dimension to rescue Jiang Tianming and the others.

The narrative here reaches a pause, the lens shifting back to Jiang Tianming’s side.

It must be said, this comic’s content is surprisingly lengthy; even Su Bei is starting to feel weary. He takes a sip of water, suddenly recalling a question he had yet to ask, and thus speaks up: “Are you still there?”

The “comic consciousness” understands this inquiry is directed at it, and replies, “Yes, what’s the matter?”

Seeing it still present, Su Bei’s curiosity piques: “In the original plot, were only Si Zhaohua and Zhao Xiaoyu captured by the kidnappers?”

Excluding his unexpected role, this storyline splits into two paths: one with Jiang Tianming and the original protagonist group alongside Mo Xiaotian, and the other with Si Zhaohua and Zhao Xiaoyu. It seems the latter’s cast is rather thin, doesn’t it?

“…There is no original plot.” After a moment of silence, the “comic consciousness” earnestly answers his question, “The author had at most an outline before drawing; aside from Jiang Tianming and Mo Xiaotian, no specific participants were involved. So, the participants this time are just the two of you.”

This response leaves Su Bei momentarily stunned. No original plot?

Guessing what he might be thinking, the “comic consciousness” adds, “You have already become a character in the story.”

Su Bei feels a bit disoriented— a character in the story…

In truth, he had always strived to remain an outsider; each previous engagement in the plot was merely to leverage the comic for his own growth. Yet this time, he is passively drawn in, and judging by the recently updated comic content, this update seems to offer no enhancement to his abilities.

From this perspective, he has indeed become a character actively woven into the narrative by the author. He has truly integrated into the main protagonist group.

This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing lies in the fact that he no longer needs to force himself into the plot; the author will provide him with opportunities to participate.

But the curse is that it will become increasingly difficult to remain an outsider. Opportunities to watch from the sidelines, like when he ventured into the desert’s alternate space with the teachers, may dwindle.

With a complex mood, Su Bei presses his lips together and continues to read the comic.

On Jiang Tianming’s side, after uncovering the secret of the alternate space, the two of them seek ways to face punishment together. Unlike Su Bei and Si Zhaohua, who have more time to spare, they resort to the conventional method of being locked up for failing to complete their tasks for two consecutive days.