Chapter 114

Translator: AkazaTL Proofreader/Editor: TenebrousGaze, JWyck & Ekko *** Chapter 114 The Manga used Su Bei’s perspective to hint at the campaign’s possible events, then shifted back to the protagonist team. Next, Jiang Tianming stole a phone, joined the group chat, and found Lan Subing and Su Bei. After they met up, the plot switched to the other Campaign Reenactment. Su Bei skimmed the early, irrelevant parts, focusing on noteworthy content. The rest could be studied later. Back to Su Bei’s side, his next appearance was exploring the sewers. The Manga depicted this through the teachers’ screens. He’d half-expected it already, but his sewer trip happened under the teachers’ watch. He’d guessed this, as the sewers were a key point of the campaign and someone going there would draw attention. He just hadn’t expected it to be shown on a big screen. In the panels, he held a map, “fully equipped,” searching the sewers. At certain spots, he’d pause, circling areas on the map. Uninformed readers’ comments were predictably confused, unsure what he was doing. Until he reached a formed Different Space, exclaiming in surprise: “There’s one already formed,” readers finally caught on. “Is this the city sewers?” “Hahahaha, that outfit is hilarious!” “Baby, you’re a clean freak.” “Where’d he get a sewer map? That’s not easy to come by, right?” “What’s Su Bei looking for?” “Wait, I think I get it...” “So that’s it! He was looking for unformed Different Spaces!” “Damn, that’s chilling! How does Su Bei know where the Different Spaces are?” “With a map, this instance’s examinees have a huge advantage.” “As expected of Su Bei, always a step ahead.” That Different Space was undeniably dangerous; its Illusion alone could fool many. His inner thoughts about a High-Level Nightmare Beast were included. Seeing Meng Huai’s comment about him, made his mouth twitch, unable to retort. He’d never considered sharing the map honestly. Giving away a map I worked hard for, for free? Forget my persona; even I wouldn’t be that foolish! Not just him—among the S-Class, only Si Zhaohua, Feng Lan, Lan Subing, Wu Jin, and Ling You might share it. The rest would demand compensation. After exiting the sewers, the focus shifted to Jiang Tianming, who uncovered the Ability Government’s conspiracy through Uncle Li. Everyone gathered, brainstorming solutions. The plot progressed to Feng Lan and Su Bei releasing the Prophecy and map, then cut to the neighboring instance. Their campaign was the one he’d pondered about—three Different Space entrances appearing outside the city, followed by a massive Nightmare Beast assault. They had no Prophet, but luckily, an examinee knew about this campaign. Unlike Su Bei’s, theirs wasn’t a surprise attack that could be prepped for. Knowing the entrances’ locations didn’t help much. Ling You, a natural War-Type Ability User, was heavily relied upon by those aware of her Ability. Unlike Su Bei’s side, their plot quickly shifted to fighting Nightmare Beasts. Ling You’s Ability shone, decimating Nightmare Beasts with diseases in just one day, leaving corpses strewn about. But on the third day, she fell into a coma, unrousable. Her Ability collapsed. While fighting the city’s outer Nightmare Beasts, they searched for the cause of Ling You’s coma. After much effort, Ai Baozhu’s group deduced it was due to a High-Level Nightmare Beast. At that point, the focus returned to Su Bei’s side. After clashing with the Ability Government, the campaign erupted. Thanks to most residents hiding in safe zones, initial casualties were low. While showing combat snippets, group dynamics from the three academies, and conflicts between the protagonist team and other academies, the two High-Level Nightmare Beasts finally appeared. Simultaneously, Jiang Tianming’s plan was revealed. His plan was set without knowing about the second Nightmare Beast. Though Su Bei had warned them that there might be more than one, they hadn’t seen others. Only when the Teleportation Nightmare Beast appeared did Jiang Tianming add killing it to the plan. With the plan set, the Manga cut to the neighboring instance, covering their group’s efforts to awaken Ling You by entering a Different Space for a cure. Ai Baozhu found something to save her at the High-Level Nightmare Beast’s origin point—perhaps the proverbial antidote within seven steps*. But due to the vast strength gap, they were captured, only surviving thanks to Ai Baozhu’s Ability. Only Mu Tieren remained outside. Seeing only Mu Tieren left, Su Bei raised an eyebrow. This setup usually meant that he was the focus of the episode. But as far as Su Bei knew, after Zhao Xiaoyu’s Ability mutated, Mu Tieren was likely the weakest in S-Class. He was curious how he’d save everyone in this situation. In the manga, Mu Tieren pressed his neck, a strange red glint flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, he seemed to super-evolve, his speed and strength reaching new heights. The Nightmare Beast, a Mental-Attack-Type like the Bubble Nightmare Beast, tried subduing him, but its attacks had no effect on him. After some maneuvering, he actually rescued everyone. Su Bei watched in awe. He’d long suspected Mu Tieren had secrets—nobody that ordinary could be in the protagonist team. But what was this Ability that multiplied his physical prowess? Was it a temporary boost or a seal release?** Another detail intrigued him: why was Mu Tieren immune to the High-Level Nightmare Beast’s mental control? Ai Baozhu’s group survived in its domain because they had a counter—a special mint. Applying its juice to the temples negated the Nightmare Beast’s sleep effect. But Mu Tieren had no special preparations. How was he completely unaffected? Undoubtedly, the Nightmare Beast was a Mental-Attack-Type. To be immune, the most common method was having vastly superior Mental Energy. For example, with Su Bei’s current Mental Energy, Li Shu couldn’t control him. In their duel, his best effort only caused minor visual distortions, easily seen through. But Mu Tieren shouldn’t be like that. Countering a High-Level Ability User’s mental control required Advanced Mental Energy. If he had that, how had Su Bei, who was in the same class, never sensed it? So, his agile mind considered another possibility—Mu Tieren had no Mental Energy. Those without Mental Energy were also immune to mental control or attacks. If there’s none, what’s there to affect? Thinking back, Mu Tieren never trained Mental Energy at school and his Ability didn’t require it. This guess seemed logical! But could someone have no Mental Energy? Even ordinary people should have some, let alone Ability Users. What secrets was Mu Tieren hiding? Su Bei’s curiosity grew. He also realized that with Mu Tieren’s plot, the search for the mole would likely be sidelined. Readers are easily distracted, especially by sudden secrets, making Mu Tieren a mole candidate. Even Su Bei was shocked by this plot and the comments naturally exploded. “???” “Iron Bro, what other surprises do I not know?” “666666, the honest guy goes off.” “So cool, turning the tide, saving everyone!” “Can someone explain this Ability?” “Super Saiyan transformation! (X)”*** “I knew Mu Tieren had secrets!” “Is Mu Tieren the mole?” After Mu Tieren’s rescue, the plot returned to Su Bei’s side. Jiang Tianming’s team completed their plan. The Teleportation Nightmare Beast faked its death, while they proceeded as planned, unaware. Since he’d witnessed the following events, he skimmed until his appearance, then slowed to read. [Si Zhaohua, drained from his ultimate move, used his last strength to descend slowly. At that moment, a black shadow appeared behind him. Like a horror movie killer, a shadow-like, little black figure raised a dagger high, slashing toward Si Zhaohua’s neck. At the critical moment, an exquisitely drawn Gear shot from above, striking the dagger. The immense force sent it flying. The startled little black figure glanced toward the Gear’s origin. But in an instant, it vanished. Feeling the danger pass, Si Zhaohua looked up. The frame followed his gaze, giving Su Bei a grand close-up, spanning two panels. The blond boy in the frame had a slight smirk, utterly composed, as if he hadn’t just saved someone. Si Zhaohua’s sky-blue eyes widened in shock, staring at Su Bei, who shouldn’t be here. Like a savior, Su Bei leaped from the high platform, his voice carrying its usual laziness: “Life-saving plus escape—how’s that? Worth the price?”] “Aaaaah, Bei-ge, you’re so cool!” “Damn! Damn! Damn! My heart’s racing!” “I’m just a reader, and this scene makes me swoon. Young Master Si, are you really not moved?” “Su Bei’s every appearance is stunning.” “No wonder he said no tasks needed. Su Bei probably foresaw this, right?” “What’s Su Bei’s strength? He can clash with a High-Level Nightmare Beast?” “Handsome, strong, and clutch—I love Bei-ge!” “LOL, a life-saving debt... Zhaohua, just give in!” The Manga ended with him taking Si Zhaohua away. He was slightly surprised when he closed the chapter. He hadn’t used the forum to boost himself before or this ending could’ve sparked big discussions, likely aiding his plans. Sighing, he touched the Dream Bubble in his pocket, closed the Manga and opened the forum. As expected, many posts were about him. Most were fan posts, but one seemed useful, so he clicked it. “Su Bei’s Strength Is a Mystery” [BornToBe1No.0: From Su Bei’s first appearance to now, I still can’t figure out his strength. At first, he faced the bandit chief without panic, seeming confident. Later, he went toe-to-toe with the top-ranked Si Zhaohua, nearly winning, but seemingly losing on purpose. In the team battle, he easily beat the Purple-Haired Woman, whom Jiang Tianming and Si Zhaohua couldn’t defeat together. Likely using his Ability, though it’s unclear how. He was at ease against a Mid-Level Nightmare Beast, as if he knew its secrets, playing the game from a god’s perspective. Now, he can even tangle with a High-Level Nightmare Beast? Bro, those in the know say your Ability is [Destiny Gear], but the unaware might think it’s [Fifty-Fifty]!] [No.1: Hahahahaha, OP’s roast cracked me up.] [No.2: Gotta say, the title’s spot-on. Su Bei’s strength is a mystery.] [No.3: Doesn’t matter, he’s the strongest.] [No.4: I’ve always wondered if Su Bei’s constantly improving or was this strong from the start.] [No.5 reply to No.4: Definitely from the start. Who improves that fast?] [No.6: What if Su Bei’s like Tianshan Child Granny****?] [No.7: You upstairs...] [No.8: Even if he’s a 180-year-old grandpa, I’d love him!] [...] [No.21: Let me analyze. Regardless of Su Bei’s true strength, his Ability must’ve been crucial in OP’s examples. The manga’s called 《King of Abilities》, so he can’t be getting strong without his Ability. The author hasn’t shown what his Ability does, only that [Destiny Gear] can peek at fates. Forum discussions suggested he might alter fates, which I think is likely. If we follow this, his strength has two possibilities: either he changed his own fate, or his opponents’.] [No.22 reply to No.21: Big brain alert!] [No.23 reply to No.21: Boss, amazing analysis! If he can change others’ fates, isn’t Su Bei the strongest in 《King of Abilities》?] [No.24: I haven’t seen any cost for Su Bei using this Ability.] [No.25: Amid all the ‘Su Bei’s so hot’ posts, this one’s a breath of fresh air.] [No.26 reply to No.21: I think he might not just alter fates but create new ones.] [No.27: Upstairs, that’s too OP, right?] [...] [No.55: Aren’t we mythologizing Su Bei too much? If he’s that strong, how’s he just a student?] [No.56: Feels like some are blindly hyping.] [No.57: Not blind hype. Su Bei’s never lost against enemies, right?] [No.58: Gotta say, I don’t want to see Su Bei fail.] [No.59 reply to No.58: Bei-ge’s gotta stay the strongest!] Reading the post, Su Bei raised an eyebrow. No.21 nailed his Ability’s function, but it didn’t matter. His Ability could evolve and exposure wouldn’t diminish it. No.26 offered a new idea—creating new fates, something he hadn’t considered. If it was feasible, it’d boost Su Bei’s strength significantly. But developing or forcing this change through the forum wasn’t easy. It needed long-term planning. The last few comments made his heart sink. He knew his persona demanded him to appear overwhelmingly strong. But when forum readers expected him to be undefeated, he couldn’t help feeling as if they were planting flags. Sighing, Su Bei clicked on posts about Mu Tieren. After this update, most posts were about him and Su Bei. Compared to his largely staged plot, Mu Tieren’s drew more discussion, as he’d genuinely revealed a secret. “Mu Tieren: Haha, Bet You Didn’t Expect? I’m Not Honest Either!” [GuillotineNinthNo.0: Mu Tieren, you fooled me hard! I thought Class Monitor was the most plain, honest guy in S-Class. Today, with those red eyes, you made me a clown.] [No.1: Hahahahaha] [No.2: I was stunned too. Bro, you hid that well.] [No.3: Nobody really thought the protagonist team had normal people, right? Right?] [No.4: Why can’t the protagonist team have normal people? (Angry)] [No.5: Now the original protagonist team feels the most normal. Author, buff them! (Angry)] [No.6 reply to No.5: +1. Author, look at Wu Mingbai! As an original protagonist team member, he’s got no cheat yet. Isn’t that too stingy?] [No.7: Poor little Mingbai. Author, if you want Mo Xiaotian to replace him, just say it.] [No.8: Fill some plot holes, author. Stop dropping hints.] [No.9: What’s this got to do with Mo Xiaotian? Stay on topic.] [No.10: Poor Mo, dragged into this.] [...] [No.32: Back on track. What’s Mu Tieren’s Ability?] [No.33: Don’t ask—it’s Super Saiyan transformation!] [No.34: Look at the eye change. First, his eyes flashed red. Second, his speed and strength seemed boosted (maybe?). Could this be his Ability? I thought his Ability was physical enhancement, just raw strength, but now it might be sudden physical boosts.] [No.35 reply to No.34: Could be!] [No.36: Wait, if so, why didn’t he use it in the individual battle?] [No.37: From my years of manga experience, Mu Tieren’s expression was desperate, forced to reveal it. Mu Tieren pressing neck.jpg] [No.38: Agree. It’s a hidden Ability. But why hide a sudden physical boost? Is it for banned substances?] [No.39 reply to No.38: The author never hinted at such things. No setup, so probably not.] [No.40: Now that I think about it, Mu Tieren’s pretty mysterious. His parents never appeared.] [No.41 reply to No.40: Besides Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai, who are orphans, only Mu Tieren and Su Bei’s families haven’t appeared. The rest showed up at the Campus Festival.] [...] [No.79: How does Mu Tieren post-buff compare to Su Bei? Both saved people from High-Level Nightmare Beasts unharmed.] [No.80 reply to No.79: Good question.] [No.81 reply to No.79: Sounds similar, but I firmly believe Su Bei’s stronger.] [No.82: Different. Mu Tieren just saved people; Su Bei clashed with a High-Level Nightmare Beast.] [No.83 reply to No.82: But Mu Tieren saved a whole group.] [No.84: Both turned the tide saving people. What’s to compare?] [No.85: These days, people argue over whether the south or north is colder. Of course they’d compare manga characters.] [No.86: It’s not really a fight. Su Bei’s got tons of fans. If it was a real fight, it’d be bigger.] [No.87 reply to No.86: He’s one of 《King of Abilities》’ hottest guys, after all.] ————————— Wyck-Note: Love how the author nails the average fandom, really shows the amount of manga he’s read. * The Chinese saying "antidote within seven steps" refers to the poem "Seven Steps Verse" (七步诗, Qībùshī) by Cao Zhi. It’s an idiom describing someone who is quick-witted and can find a solution or express themselves effectively in a short amount of time. The poem itself uses the metaphor of boiling beans with beanstalks to illustrate that even though two things come from the same root, one can still be harmed by the other. In this case the idiom was used more literally. ** Ekko-Note: Love me some sealed Powers. It’s the quintessence of Shonen Anime, right after Power-Ups! *** Tenebrous-Note: Wow I guess Dragon Ball Z has become a universal trope haha **** Tianshan Child Granny refers to the character Tianshan Tong Lao from the wuxia novel “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils” by Jin Yong. She is the leader of the Lingjiu Palace and a powerful martial artist, known for her mastery of the Tianshan Six Yang Palms and the Tianshan Plum-plucking Hand. She plays a significant role in the story, particularly in the development of the character Xu Zhu. She also looks like a 9-year-old girl, while being old as shit Note : Write a Review on Novel Updates for a Bonus Chapter.