Chapter 185

Chapter 185 Chapter 185 But how could the spying "Black Flash" let them exploit a loophole? They sent pursuers, forcing the students to scatter. Those in Ian’s Ability had to emerge—otherwise, if Ian was caught, they’d all be done for. Su Bei skipped the chase, mere atmosphere-building and an artist’s flex, often left to assistants, unworthy of focus. Flipping to the next page, he saw Jiang Tianming uncover the solution. Initially, Jiang Tianming, after over an hour of sweeping the building, found twenty-four adjustable clocks. The number twenty-four wasn’t special, but for time, it was significant—a day has twenty-four hours. Noticing this, he rushed to the first floor, checking each clock’s time. Their stopped times were random but always on whole hours. This sparked a theory: what if he set the twenty-four clocks to the twenty-four hours? Would something happen? He shared this with Si Zhaohua, and they prepared to test it. But before they could, ‘Black Flash’s’ BOSS personally intervened. The students hadn’t followed his script and were nearing the book world’s truth—he couldn’t sit still. With no choice, as black-clad figures stormed in, Jiang Tianming and a few companions drew their attention, while Si Zhaohua executed the plan. Meanwhile, Ian hid in his "Golden House" space. Once inside, no one else could enter, but in this moment, self-preservation trumped protecting others. Not that Ian was cowardly—hiding ensured they wouldn’t be wiped out. The situation was dire, swarming with ‘Black Flash’ operatives. Students couldn’t match seasoned adults; total defeat was possible. If that happened, Ian’s survival could reveal the book world’s events, offering a chance for vengeance. If all perished, even the teachers might never know. Su Bei roughly knew what followed. ‘Black Flash’s’ BOSS shared his story, with the manga adding vivid visuals, more engaging and emotional than mere words. "Falling to darkness for love" resonated with some readers, especially since his late wife was a genuine altruist. Coupled with his human-benefiting research, some barrage comments wavered, even joking they were the heroes. As time passed, the manga depicted Jiang Tianming and the others’ aged forms. As Su Bei noted, manga and reality differed starkly, creating a surreal contrast. In reality, their aged selves were ordinary elders; in manga, wrinkles, cheekbones, and shrunken cheeks were exaggerated, far from realistic. Readers, seeing only the manga, felt no such contrast, but the characters’ elderly looks alone were novel. Soon, the manga reached Su Bei’s entrance. When he emerged with the book, Su Bei felt his real-world popularity firsthand—the barrage exploded. "AAAAAAAA Su Bei!" "Clutch moment entrance—so cool, right?" "Where’d you pop out from?" "Once North God appears, I know it’s handled." "Jiang and them are more shocked than us." The author, adept at teasing readers, had Su Bei push the door, say, "What’s that? Someone can’t get out?" then cut to Si Zhaohua. The perspective followed Si Zhaohua evading pursuit, adjusting clocks—first top-down, then reverse after failing, finally opening the book world’s exit. Only when Si Zhaohua reached Jiang Tianming’s group, confronting the ‘Black Flash’ BOSS, did the story resume. They asked why Su Bei was there, triggering his flashback, starting with him perched on the clock tower’s edge. It began playfully, showing people flung out the clock tower door below, regrouping to fight again, with flashing lights and text for battle sounds, highlighting the chaos. Su Bei sat calmly above, spectating. Amid barrage cries of "hahaha" and "slacker," the commotion below stopped. The manga’s blond boy leapt down, investigated, found everyone gone, raised an eyebrow, and headed to the manor. Others didn’t grasp his intent until Su Bei returned to the clock tower, pinpointing the Knowledge Nightmare Beast’s location via coordinates. "So it was a Knowledge Nightmare Beast!" "Jiang Tianming and them didn’t realize they were in a book world, huh?" "How’d he figure it out so fast? Su Bei, you’re too cool!" "Pinpointing coordinates is insane! Not just cool—super, invincible, cosmic-level cool!" "You can always trust Brother Bei." "Though not in the fray, nothing escapes Su Bei’s eyes." From his entry, the book world’s story neared its end. But the manga didn’t, as Su Bei predicted—this chapter was an "Alpha Ability Academy" special, continuing their tale. With little real-world buffer, the manga gave only two pages of rest after the book world. Curiously, it didn’t show their rewards. Those two pages were pure daily life. Thinking about it, manga protagonist groups rarely got rewards after big deeds—praise at most. This fit shonen manga’s vibe: doing good without expecting reward, sometimes anonymously. But for a group like theirs in a formal institution, no rewards seemed unlikely—just not drawn. Oh, wait, there was a reward: as Meng Huai predicted, "Alpha Ability Academy" upheld its Banner tradition. Su Bei was forced to accept an "Altruistic Helper" Banner. He didn’t want to dwell on it. The day after receiving a Destiny Track skill book, Su Bei was made to accept the student-made Banner before the whole class. Since only he entered to save others—others merely performed well under danger, not "altruistic"—he alone received it. Meng Huai, tipped off, came to watch, snapping photos and sending them to the class group. Seeing his despairing face in the video and the class group’s "hahaha" spam, Su Bei was numb. Worse, not only did "Alpha Ability Academy," Meng Huai, and classmates not spare him—the manga author didn’t either! He drew this scene! Su Bei didn’t get it! He did a good deed—why this torment? Was his dignity not dignity? Did anyone think a Banner was a reward? And the blasted author—why include this? Couldn’t he save space? Ignoring his cool moments to draw his embarrassment? Had he known, he’d have acted composed. If he wasn’t embarrassed, others would be. For a mysterious character like Su Bei to flop, readers ate it up, gloating. "Hahahahaha Su Bei, you too have this day!" "Truly a face of despair." "Who’s the genius behind the Banner?" "Hahahaha sorry but it’s hilarious." "Su Bei: What did I do wrong?" "Since Feng Lan got a Banner too, they’re not the Prophecy Group anymore—Banner Group." "Hahahaha Banner Group bullet, savage!" The barrage reminded Su Bei of his glee when Feng Lan was forced to accept a Banner. Who’d have thought karma would hit? Being the later recipient made him feel more clownish. Expressionless, Su Bei closed the barrage and kept reading. After two daily pages, Cyril’s raid began, predictably from Jiang Tianming’s perspective. Control Track Class 1 waited for their teacher, but when Class Monitor Kayla rose to check the office, her body stiffened, then slowly turned. Yes, Kayla was the class’s first to mutate. Classmates didn’t immediately realize something was wrong, so several were scratched unprepared. Kayla could sense her kind, avoiding those soon to mutate and targeting normals, quickly infecting nearly the entire class. Jiang Tianming, seasoned by countless dangers, sensed trouble when Kayla bit someone. As she lunged, he dodged warily, fleeing the classroom, evading the first infection wave. By now, the barrage caught on. "Whoa! Zombies!" "AAAAA I hate this!" "Who’s behind it? ‘Black Flash’ again? You guys never quit." "Kayla’s bloodied face is creepy." After escaping the Control Track hallway, the story followed battles and reunions with allies. Since Su Bei was in most of it, he didn’t linger, flipping quickly for unknown plot points. Thankfully, the author loved giving readers a god’s-eye view, interspersing details characters didn’t know, so Su Bei found plenty. First, how Meng Huai contacted them: his phone, specially made by "Endless Ability Academy," could connect anywhere with Mental Energy, unless specifically blocked. Second, the White-Bearded Principal lost to Cyril due to Ability-sealing spores. These spores, oddly, sealed the Ability of the strongest person in range, a peculiar plant. Su Bei planned to research it later to avoid being caught off guard. Despite sealed Abilities, the principal held his own against Cyril, showcasing his strength. Cyril’s Ability wasn’t just infecting students. From the principal’s flashback, his true Ability was [Cell Control]. He could control humans, animals, even cells. Yes, Nightmare Beasts had cells too. Though formed from the dead’s resentment, who said resentment couldn’t form cells? While some lacked them, most lifeforms were vulnerable to his Ability. The school’s infection stemmed from him altering students’ cells—one facet of his Ability, yet it overwhelmed them. [Cell Control] was that potent. Recalling Lan Subing’s warning, Su Bei was certain they’d face Cyril again. As non-"Alpha Ability Academy" students, they’d get no mercy, so knowing the enemy and preparing countermeasures was vital. Knowing Cyril’s Ability, Su Bei began pondering ways to counter it. The manga’s end showed Cyril returning to ‘Black Flash’s’ headquarters to report. Task failed, he faced punishment, but as Si Zhaohua predicted, the shadowy BOSS gave no life-threatening penalty—just a stint training on Magma Island, then a new mission. The BOSS didn’t specify the mission, but the manga cut to Lan Subing’s joking remark. It was a hint—no, a blatant sign—Cyril was coming for "Endless Ability Academy." Thus, the manga ended. This chapter was packed, introducing two new ‘Black Flash’ characters and unveiling some of their secrets, giving readers a glimpse into the long-mysterious organization. Replacing ‘Black Flash’ as the new enigma was naturally "Destiny." As ‘Black Flash’s’ veil lifted, "Destiny" emerged, plunging readers back into the unknown. Manga done, Su Bei hit the forums. Major plot updates always sparked discussion. Opening it, he found a flood of new posts and hot threads. This update’s focus was undeniable. Su Bei first clicked a thread on ‘Black Flash’ to see reader takes. ["Black Flash" Organization Big Reveal!] [VillainFanNoCrimeNo.0: Ahem, bit of a clickbait title, but I want to analyze the manga’s ‘Black Flash’ reveals. The masked man in the book world is likely ‘Black Flash’s’ BOSS. From known info, he and his wife were scientists benefiting humanity. After her death, he strayed to resurrect her, researching "turning Nightmare Beasts back into humans," even at others’ expense. Now Cyril—a clear mini-BOSS. He joined ‘Black Flash’ ostensibly to avenge Leeds, but even after learning Leeds’ death wasn’t the principal’s fault, he didn’t leave, suggesting he aligns with their true goal. Not a wild guess—look at Cyril’s words. He didn’t think Leeds’ human experiments were wrong, even resenting the principal’s interference. He and the big BOSS share a belief: sacrificing a few for the many. This makes me think ‘Black Flash’ as a whole might share this mindset. In pursuit of lofty goals, sacrificing individuals is acceptable, even expected. They might even sacrifice themselves. Gotta say, this hits me hard! Since the big BOSS hasn’t shown his face, I’ll stan Cyril for now.] [No.1: You’re stanning already? That quick?] [VillainFanNoCrimeNo.2 (OP) replies to No.1: Check my username.] [No.3: Ignoring their disregard for lives, ‘Black Flash’s’ purpose and research seem pretty righteous. If they could ally with the heroes, that’d be great.] [No.4: From OP’s take, their cohesion sounds strong.] [No.5: The BOSS is kinda pitiful—turning villain for love, a timeless shonen trope.] [No.6 replies to No.5: Plenty eat it up, like OP.] [VillainFanNoCrimeNo.7 (OP) replies to No.6: As long as their villainy has a solid reason, I’ll stan.] [No.8: That’s villain fans for ya.] [No.9: Even stanning the same guy, reasons differ. I stan Cyril just ‘cause he’s hot!] [...] [No.37: Is Cyril becoming a recurring villain? His looks suggest he won’t exit fast.] [No.38 replies to No.37: From Subing’s line at the end, seems likely.] [No.39: Wanna see Cyril vs. Su Bei—two blond hotties clashing, yes!] [No.40: Anyone pity the protagonist group? They solved someone else’s mess and brought trouble home.] [No.41 replies to No.40: Hahahahaha that’s shonen protagonist life.] [No.42: Cyril as a recurring villain’s fine—good for my eyes (yep, shading some mangas).] [No.43: From flashbacks, Leeds was hot too. Shame he’s unlikely to revive.] [...] [No.113: No one discussing Cyril’s Ability? Cell control is OP—how do you fight that?] [No.114: It’s strong, but from his shown powers, it’s a bit like Ling You’s [Plague]. I know they’re different, just think they’d match up.] [No.115: Same Control Track, Jiang, reflect on your Ability.] [No.116: If Jiang got Cyril’s Ability, he’d be unstoppable.] [No.117: Geez, you guys, I’m losing track of who’s the villain here.] Other threads discussed Cyril’s story, the BOSS’s, the book world, and campus infection—plot enthusiasts abounded. Skimming, Su Bei found nothing novel. Some readers had wild theories, but with his knowledge, they were just that—theories. Like assuming Su Bei, Jiang Tianming, or Wu Mingbai, with unclear family ties, were related to the BOSS. Su Bei: "..." Right direction, wrong people. Closing the forum, he searched for the Ability-sealing spores, as planned. But perhaps his terms were too vague, or the data was restricted—either way, he found nothing. Undeterred, he texted Meng Huai: "Teacher, can I ask why ‘Alpha Ability Academy’s’ principal couldn’t beat Cyril?" With the day’s chaos, Meng Huai replied only the next morning: "Why not because Cyril’s stronger than the principal?" Su Bei retorted confidently: "The principal wouldn’t be surpassed that easily." If a ‘Black Flash’ mini-BOSS matched a school principal, they’d rule the world, not play conspiracies. Meng Huai didn’t probe, answering directly: "‘Stronger Mushroom,’ a fungus first found in the Nightmare Beast world. During its mature season, it releases spores that temporarily disable the Ability of the most threatening person in range, as perceived by the mushroom." As an "Endless Ability Academy" teacher, Meng Huai’s knowledge was vast. Even without seeing the mushroom, he deduced the principal’s affliction from his reactions. "Why didn’t I find it online?" Su Bei asked curiously. Even specialized Ability plant books lacked it. "The Ability Government bans bringing ‘Stronger Mushroom’ to the human world," Meng Huai replied, sending a "disdainful dog" emoji. "But there’s always smugglers. Their bans only limit regular Ability users."