Chapter 110

Translator: AkazaTL Proofreader/Editor: TenebrousGaze & JWyck *** Chapter 110 Early the next morning, Su Bei posted a group announcement. Thanks to joining early and giving Wang Qiangxin key intel, the group leader had granted him admin rights. The announcement read: “For just 2 voluntary points, you can get the locations of most city Different Space entrances. (Certified by the Ability Item ‘Contract.’ All candidates using my intel must give 1 point.)” The Ability Item “Contract” was from the Academy’s Point System Item Store. Thankfully, the final exam didn’t ban store items, though most offensive ones were excluded. The only universally useful item was the Invisibility Charm, which failed if you attacked or were injured. That’s why Su Bei used it first that day—later use risked being hit by stray attacks, causing failure. The group exploded. “What? No way! It’s only been a few days!” “Is this real? 2 points... I’m tempted...” “What if it’s fake?” “With ‘Contract’ as proof, we won’t lose points unless we use his intel.” “I know Su Bei—S-Class at our school. His Ability’s like [Prophecy], super strong.” “S-Class? I’m sold!” Soon, many private messages were sent to Su Bei, asking about the intel. With the Contract’s binding, even if they shared it, other people would owe him points. So, Su Bei sent his marked sewer map without worrying about loopholes. Wang Qiangxin was first, having traded before and trusting Su Bei’s reliability. Getting the map, he was shocked: “In the sewers? How’d you find it?” “Guessed,” Su Bei replied casually. “Don’t forget to spread the word.” Soon, many approached him. Su Bei’s 2-point price was trivial. The day before the exam, teachers said killing a Low-Level Nightmare Beast earned 0.5 points, giving candidates a baseline. 2 points equaled four Low-Level beasts. In a campaign, failing to kill four was a guaranteed low score—2 points wouldn’t matter. Those who could kill didn’t care about 2 points. Spending 2 points to pinpoint unknown Different Spaces—multiple ones—was far beyond their value. A steal. But for Su Bei, it was different. One person’s 2 points, with 500 candidates in “Campaign Reenactment,” meant 800 points if 400 used his intel—a jackpot. Not just direct traders—anyone using his intel, whether through others or teamwork, would owe 2 points under his Contract. With these points, exiting now would secure a high score. But Su Bei wasn’t leaving yet. He realized facing a campaign was rare. A massive Nightmare Beast surge was visually stunning. Experiencing it now prepared him for real campaigns, avoiding embarrassment later. No danger in an Illusion—why not gain experience now instead of during a real campaign? Staying was best. As Su Bei sent his message, Feng Lan posted his campaign warning on the forum and everywhere possible, timing it before the government could react. Even some people unaware of the media got his prophecy. With his certificate, his warnings were credible, unlike an ordinary person’s claims, which wouldn’t be believed or save many. But Feng Lan’s [Prophecy] was convincing. Campaigns, erupting since Ability Users appeared, were known dangers. Hearing this, city residents frantically hoarded supplies and rushed home. Su Bei’s Mother saw the news, relieved they’d prepared early with ample supplies. Still worried, she asked Su Bei: “Those monsters won’t break into our house, right?” Unlikely, but Nightmare Beasts were powerful—a wooden door wouldn’t stop them. Su Bei smiled reassuringly: “Don’t worry. The news is out early—the government’s surely prepared.” “Makes sense,” Su Bei’s Mother trusted the government, as did most residents. Su Bei sighed inwardly. They didn’t know that in real history, this government did nothing. Had they investigated the first entrance thoroughly, they might’ve found others. Even reporting externally could’ve prevented their isolation when it hit. The S-Class group was buzzing. Qi Huang: “Su Bei, you went big! I’m buying. Post the entrances in the group album—those who don’t want it, don’t click.” Great idea. Su Bei uploaded it to the small group’s album, then the big group’s, updating the announcement to reflect this. As long as they used the map, they’d pay points—no worry about dodgers. This saved him reply time, efficient and easy. After, he replied in the small group: “It’s up, grab it if needed. Trading’s fair—I treat everyone equally.” Wu Mingbai: “How’d you get this map? Is this from [Destiny Gear]?” Su Bei, as usual: “Guess?” Jiang Tianming knew him better: “Can we trade points for other intel?” Sharp! Su Bei’s eyes gleamed. Besides the 2-point haul, he planned to earn extra. Jiang Tianming was first to spot it. “Of course.” Before Jiang Tianming could private message, Si Zhaohua said: “How about 30 points total, and you tell us everything?” He added rigorously: “Feng Lan’s probably out. Anyone else not in can say now. Points are negotiable.” No one spoke—5 points each was affordable. Su Bei thought. He didn’t know much more. Pre-exam info was used up, the map was his best asset, and the rest was fragmented. 5 points per person was a steal. He agreed: “Deal.” After signing the Contract, he shared: “The circled entrances on the map are formed. One has a High-Level Nightmare Beast with Illusion powers. There’s likely more than one High-Level beast.” The last bit wasn’t a guess. That beast, still in the Different Space after forming, was waiting for something. Ordinary beasts wouldn’t make it wait—only another High-Level one could. Logically, it might be waiting for other entrances to form for a full assault. But that didn’t add up. If so, it could order beasts to stay put and scout outside. It stayed because an important ally was coming, and it needed to wait. High-Level Nightmare Beasts... Su Bei hadn’t seen or fought one. He was curious how the protagonist team would win. A beast tide might not stump them, but High-Level beasts were another story. He needed a prime spectating spot soon. Otherwise, missing a close-up view would be a loss. Turning to Feng Lan: “In your future fragments, where was I slacking? Know the spot?” Feng Lan shook his head: “Couldn’t tell, but probably not a building rooftop.” Su Bei noted it, unsure but duly informed. Back to his phone, the group had piled up messages. Now, Si Zhaohua and Feng Lan were the focus, the only two who’d seen High-Level Nightmare Beasts. Sadly, neither knew much. Feng Lan typed while telling Su Bei: “Before becoming Ability Users, my family kept us from the Ability world.” “My knowledge of High-Level Nightmare Beasts is limited. They’re as smart as humans—smarter than most. Their minds seem linked. If one targets you, others know.” Si Zhaohua’s info was similar, but this alone was shocking. Mind-sharing High-Level Nightmare Beasts sounded less like a shonen manga and more like a sci-fi. From the moment Su Bei shared his clues, he felt the group’s Ability Users spring into action. The map cost only 2 points—they didn’t hesitate, so others wouldn’t either. Many people likely had it, and early action secured prime spots. When Su Bei went, many entrances were unformed, just fluctuations. Two days later, many had likely formed. Jiang Tianming’s group of six went, a perfect squad. Su Bei and Feng Lan idled at home, phone in hand. The next day, the government finally acted. Somehow getting Su Bei’s map, they sent Ability User squads to the sewers, confirming the situation. So many Different Spaces meant big trouble. Dropping glory-chasing, they scrambled to stop the disaster. Su Bei learned the rest that night from Lan Subing. The government squad clashed with the exam candidates in a fiery showdown. Candidates didn’t want to fight, but the government thought so many Ability Users in the city, especially in the sewers, were enemy spies, possibly even causing the Different Spaces. The government pinned the majority of the blame on them. However, as they were outnumbered, the government team could only sling accusations after fighting briefly, and flee. Waking the next morning, Su Bei saw candidates complaining in the group. The government treated them as enemies. Despite explaining they were from other cities to clear Different Spaces, the government refused to believe, insisting on fighting. Even worse, after a few skirmishes, they realized the government was just posturing—fighting briefly before fleeing. Smart candidates like Wu Mingbai connected the dots. The government knew they meant no harm but, to cover their failure to spot the entrances, planned to pin the blame on them. This theory won universal agreement. Given the government’s past—ignoring safety for glory—shifting the blame made sense. Though an Illusion, they didn’t want to be scapegoats. It was frustrating, and it might let the real culprits off. Who’d want that? But this was an exam—scoring was the goal. Wasting time on the government was costly. In the small group, Qi Huang messaged: “If we got evidence of the government’s crimes, would that count as a contribution?” A wake-up call! Right. Killing bad Nightmare Beasts earned points, so why not toppling a corrupt government? Since this government acted so disruptively in “Campaign Reenactment,” their true nature likely surfaced after the real event. Exposing them and serving justice would surely earn rewards. Lan Subing agreed first: “It definitely counts! Anyone want this task?” For them, battlefield kills yielded more points. This task’s points were uncertain—guaranteed, but how many? Qi Huang, who suggested it, wouldn’t take it. Her [Flame Phoenix] was battlefield-suited—other tasks wasted it. Meanwhile, Lan Subing was suited for the task. Her [Word Spirit] was strong, but her current Mental Energy couldn’t handle mass destruction. Rather than fighting beasts and needing protection after exhausting Mental Energy, taking down the government fit her more, venting anger and earning points. Surprisingly, Zhou Renjie was interested: “I kinda want to...” He faced Lan Subing’s issue—strong Ability, but limited strength meant it couldn’t shine in battle. For Low-Level Nightmare Beasts, his latest training record was swallowing five at once. Meng Huai said he was far from his limit, and Zhou Renjie agreed. As a first-year, with years to grow, limited Ability output was normal. But in an exam, it meant low points. Zhou Renjie had been stressed. This was a three-school joint exam! A poor score would let his cousins from other schools mock him, shaming his family. He needed results. Qi Huang’s idea gave him a path—earning points via finding evidence of the government’s crimes. High points would solve his issue. Low points weren’t a disaster. He knew teachers saw his actions. Scoring low for justice, though he scoffed at it, was honorable publicly. Even a bad score wouldn’t shame his family. Feng Lan, after thinking, replied: “Count me in.” Under Su Bei’s shocked gaze, he said calmly: “For experience.” He wasn’t skilled at killing beasts, nor needed to as a [Prophecy] user. But as family head, he’d need to deal with governments. Like Su Bei was seeking exposure, Feng Lan also wanted to see a corrupt government up close. That night, silent Jiang Tianming appeared: “Assassins came for the first person to warn the government, Uncle Li, and the jailed candidate.” It was 2 a.m., but few slept. Everyone was clearing Nightmare Beasts in Different Spaces before the surge, too busy for rest. Si Zhaohua, just back from a Different Space to recover Mental Energy, saw Jiang Tianming’s message. Shocked, he quickly grasped why assassins were sent. They were undoubtedly government-hired. They’d discussed getting evidence of the government’s crimes. Uncle Li and the candidate were proof of their negligence on Different Spaces. Clearly, they were silencing them. “Need help?” Si Zhaohua asked. As a hot-blooded youth and Si Family heir, he couldn’t stand the injustice. He’d stayed out for the exam and because others were handling the government. Now, seeing the government’s schemes, even with the exam, he couldn’t hold back. “Yes.” Jiang Tianming, ever calm, never let grudges get in the way of possible aid. Even if it was Zhou Renjie who asked, he’d still have said Yes. “I’m planning a jailbreak and need outside support.” Jiang Tianming had a plan. “I’ve convinced the candidates, Feng Chun and Uncle Li, to escape with me.” Time was tight; he typed fast: “Feng Chun’s Ability is [Earth Escape]. We’ll flee underground to the sewers. I need someone at the nearest sewer to the prison with normal clothes. We’ll pose as beast-killers.” Then: “I killed the assassin but couldn’t stop him from sending a message. The government will know soon and send more. I’m escaping now.” He went silent, likely executing his escape. Si Zhaohua fell quiet too. Later, Lan Subing popped up: “What’d I miss?” The next morning, Su Bei saw the messages. As a successful point-rich, resting early was his motto. “Where are you staying?” he typed, not asking if they saved them—obviously, they succeeded. Jiang Tianming replied: “At Si Zhaohua’s place, but it’s not safe.” Si Zhaohua added: “Sewer-going Ability Users are easily ID’d by the government. They’re dead-set on killing Li Shu and the others, and likely searching their homes at this moment.” “Come to my place,” Su Bei typed, glancing at Feng Lan. “You’ll have to leave.” The government knew Jiang Tianming’s group was with Ability Users and would search their homes. Su Bei hadn’t revealed his Ability User status, so hiding them was safe. But with Feng Lan, a known Ability User, it was riskier. Feng Lan suggested: “Why not my place?” His stay at Su Bei’s wasn’t secret—reporters were yesterday spotted in-front of the door; fearless, foolish or both. His place was seen as empty, perfect for hiding people. They agreed, and Feng Lan left. Today, he’d start gathering government crime evidence with Lan Subing. Witnesses were one thing; physical evidence was needed too. Note : Write a Review on Novel Updates for a Bonus Chapter.