Translator: AkazaTL

Proofreader/Editor: JWyck

***

Chapter 124

As for the lightning or rain functions, he could find equivalents in the Destiny organization’s item inventory. Instead of spending Points, he’d rather get more for Invisibility Charms, which he needed.

In the end, Wu Mingbai took the item. Compared to others, he lacked ability variety, and this item complemented him well.

After dividing it, they went home. Staring at his already-written Training Reflection, Su Bei pondered. Should he add more? It seemed too short.

After hesitating, he chose to slack. He didn’t believe Meng Huai, who disliked writing reflections, would read it closely. At worst, he’d get scolded.

In two days, he’d visit Feng Lan’s home. After that, school would start soon. Su Bei planned to cherish these last rest days.

But first, he had to investigate the two wanted criminals. He never saw their faces but knew two things: they were a couple, and one had a control-type Ability.

He checked the wanted list for the Weather Different Space but found no couple or even a woman.

With no choice, he searched the main wanted list. This time, he found them quickly—the two conditions were uncommon, narrowing it to one target.

The man’s Ability was [Frost Mage], as the name suggested, using ice magic. It relied heavily on talent—gifted users became devastating mages, while lesser ones made ice cubes for summer relief.

Undoubtedly, the male criminal had talent, or he couldn’t navigate High-Level Different Spaces or team with a high-Mental Energy partner, even if she was his girlfriend.

Su Bei was curious: after Jiang Tianming gained this Ability via his own, did he inherit the criminal’s full mastery, or did he need to retrain?

He only knew Jiang Tianming’s Ability was [Death Summon], but wasn’t sure if he summoned the killed person or their Ability.

Both had pros and cons. The former saved time by not requiring retraining but was limited to the deceased’s mastery level.

The latter required time to train each new Ability, and talent might limit mastery below the original user’s, but offered growth and flexibility.

The female criminal’s Ability was [Immortal-Binding Rope], a powerful control Ability. Per official data, it immobilized targets and sealed their Abilities.

Their combination reminded Su Bei of two game characters. Admittedly, they were quite a match.

But neither Ability should’ve let Jiang Tianming face two High-Level Nightmare Beasts alone. He likely relied on his original Ability.

What was it?

As he pondered, Manga Consciousness’ prompt sounded: “《King of Abilities》 has updated. Please check.”

A manga update? Su Bei raised a brow, unsurprised. With this Different Space training, it’d be odd if the manga didn’t include it.

This was good—he wouldn’t need to rack his brain over how Jiang Tianming faced two High-Level Nightmare Beasts. The manga would likely reveal it.

The manga started from Jiang Tianming’s perspective, with brief chats and a call with Lan Subing, hinting at the main plot.

They were completing winter break homework—training in a Different Space.

Su Bei arrived, and the two, informed, went to meet him, soon noticing a tail. Through comments, Su Bei learned the red-haired boy wasn’t new but appeared early in season one.

Due to the long gap and his minor villain role, Su Bei hadn’t paid attention, so he didn’t recognize him in person.

After minor events, the three met Lan Subing and headed to the Different Space. Via Jiang Tianming’s thoughts, the manga briefly introduced the Different Space.

While queuing, they discussed homework, sparking lively comments.

“Hahahaha, only now do I feel they’re students like us.”

“Ability Users or not, they still write homework (gloating).”

“Damn reflections, Teacher Meng, you...”

“Male mom Jiang Tianming (whisper).”

“Su Bei, you?”

“Anyone who finishes homework early is evil!”

Entering the Different Space, the initial rooms amazed readers. Su Bei found this Different Space fascinating—less dangerous than the maze one, though too eventful with the protagonist group to stay longer.

They soon reached the Sunny Room, its massive sun prompting a flood of question marks.

“??????”

“What are they looking at? Oh, a joke!”

“A sun?”

“What a wild Different Space. Jiang, you guys okay?”

“Hahahahahaha.”

Su Bei fake-laughed, skipping useless parts to find what he wanted. The Necklaced Man’s threat was now a minor episode; the real focus was the plot after he lured the Wolf-Tailed Man away.

As the manga followed Jiang Tianming’s perspective, the next events were unknown to Su Bei. After he and the Wolf-Tailed Man left, Jiang Tianming’s group dealt with the Necklaced Man, waiting for Su Bei’s probe results.

The Necklaced Man wasn’t worried—only Su Bei went out. If all four fought the Wolf-Tailed Man, he’d be concerned, but one ungraduated student couldn’t defeat him.

Then, a tall couple entered from the opposite room. The man had a forehead scar, stubbly, menacing. The woman looked disheveled, icy.

Seeing the four, they exchanged glances, not yet planning anything. But Jiang Tianming, the team’s most observant, instantly recognized them as wanted criminals. While queuing, he’d scanned the entrance’s wanted posters. Seeing them, he recalled immediately.

To Jiang Tianming’s credit, he showed no outward signs. He knew revealing their recognition would end badly. With strong self-control, his pupils only shrank for a second before normalizing.

But the couple included a high-Mental Energy user. Unlike Su Bei, who relied on items, those who trained to high Mental Energy had strong control.

Su Bei could only move objects slightly or sense surroundings, but she could detect emotional shifts within her Mental Energy range.

Thus, she instantly noticed Jiang Tianming’s emotional fluctuation, deducing he might have recognized them. Though it might not be the reason, better to kill than let go. Would wanted criminals fear mistaken kills?

Unsurprisingly, the four were bound. Then came Su Bei’s Mental Energy probe, which was detected.

Jiang Tianming’s group was smart, using Su Bei’s probe to make the criminals wary, preventing immediate kills.

If their presence in this Different Space wasn’t confirmed, they’d prefer to hide. But if confirmed, the Ability Government would send targeted Ability Users, not just issue bounties to save resources.

By afternoon, Jiang Tianming’s group acted. Lan Subing caused a distraction, drawing the high-Mental Energy woman’s attention. Wu Mingbai left a hint for Su Bei.

After leaving the room, many voices sounded outside. The three were secretly surprised, wondering how Su Bei gathered so many people so quickly.

The manga didn’t shift to Su Bei’s perspective, leaving readers puzzled.

“So many people...”

“Su Bei’s efficiency beats my group project teammates.”

“How did he gather so many?”

“With this many, just charge in—can’t they beat the criminals?”

No one charged—the people were Fake People. After negotiations, the three were locked in the next room.

Through long observation, Jiang Tianming figured out how to break the [Immortal-Binding Rope]. The farther from the user, the looser it became. Struggling tightened it; staying still loosened it.

Realizing this, he stayed compliant and distanced from the woman, loosening the rope significantly. In the next room, he easily broke free, dragging Wu Mingbai and Lan Subing in a mad dash.

“Pfft!” Su Bei couldn’t help laughing. No wonder Lan Subing and Wu Mingbai’s butts were black—dragged like that.

Far enough, the [Immortal-Binding Rope] on the others was undone. Thinking it was over, they planned to report the criminals outside.

But soon, they were caught again. Only then did they learn the [Immortal-Binding Rope] left a lingering aura on targets.

They split up. Lan Subing was caught first but used [Word Spirit]. Unlike other Abilities, it worked reliably anytime.

“You cannot harm me” kept her safe long, though it drained her Mental Energy.

Meanwhile, Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai, circling deliberately, reunited to face the male criminal. His ice Ability was strong, aiming to kill, clearly intending no survivors.

The protagonist group was strong enough. Wu Mingbai used [Earth Element] to block attacks, while Jiang Tianming feigned only [Object Control], lowering the enemy’s guard.

When the criminal focused on Wu Mingbai, dismissing Jiang Tianming, Jiang Tianming, now behind, shot a black Laser from his palm.

What Ability was this? Su Bei’s eyes widened, shocked as the criminal, chest pierced, died.

Wu Mingbai, unsurprised, clearly knew this Ability. They returned for Lan Subing. Their good memory helped—others might’ve gotten lost in the complex rooms.

Back, the female criminal, with only a control Ability, couldn’t handle three, especially with Lan Subing untouchable. Jiang Tianming took both kills.

The manga formally revealed his Ability via their chat.

[Death Summon]: If someone died because of him, he gained their soul, using their Ability when summoned. It was limited to the deceased’s trained level, un improvable.

“What a villainous Ability...”

“Guessed Jiang’s Ability, but still shocked.”

“Is this really a shonen manga, author?”

“Love it! This Ability’s ceiling is high! If a villain had it, it’d be terrifying!”

“Jiang’s used Black Laser, Object Control—anything else?”

“Ahhh, Jiang’s finally powering up!”

Su Bei found the Ability very villainous. If a villain had it, he couldn’t see how heroes would win—it was too strong. Given time, it’d be unstoppable.

Good thing it was the protagonist’s, or he’d be done.

The plot continued. After killing the criminals, they searched for Su Bei, reuniting at midnight in a Mental Crystal Room.

After splitting the crystals, the couple left. Jiang Tianming briefly recounted the events to Su Bei.

His cautious “Do you think I’m cruel?” sparked a comment peak.

“Wuwuwu, Jiang! I’m crying!”

“Jiang really values friends.”

“Not your fault—how could anyone blame you?”

“Hahahahahaha.”

“Su Bei: Me?”

“Lmao, Su Bei’s the last to care.”

“Worried for nothing, hahahaha.”

Su Bei shook his head helplessly. If it were someone like Mu Tieren with high justice, Zhou Renjie with animosity, or Zhao Xiaoyu, a pure ordinary person, they might’ve criticized him.

But even they’d have low odds, and Su Bei had none.

He wasn’t exactly a saint himself...

The next segments were routine Different Space daily life, transitioning time.

After daily life, the climax came: a room with a cloud-covered ceiling.

The cloud Nightmare Beast’s first two questions were brainteasers requiring keen observation. The third question slyly placed thoughts and answers on the next page, sparking speculative comments.

“Can’t see the answer—is it unsolvable?”

“Gotta say ‘No.’ If right, the Beast must let them go. If wrong, the true answer is they’ll go, so they leave.”

“This Beast is sly—never said answering right means freedom.”

“Missed that in all calculations...”

“Gotta fight then?”

“A fight’s fine—good for power scaling.”

No fight happened. Su Bei’s seemingly absurd but valid answer stunned everyone.

The cloud Nightmare Beast was stunned too, but bound by the Contract, it had no choice but to reward. Hearing the reward was just one question, comments complained the Beast was too cunning, with disproportionate effort and gain.

Until Su Bei’s question.

“??? Nightmare Beasts and humans’ relationship?”

“Did I miss episodes? When did they connect?”

“Su Bei knows stuff we don’t.”

“The High-Level Beast’s reaction—this question’s big.”

“What did I just see?”

“...?”

“Author, what a wild worldview—humans become Nightmare Beasts?”

“So Su Bei knew something?”

After answering, the cloud Nightmare Beast suicided. As High-Level Beasts shared vision, its clever leak of a critical secret meant other High-Level Beasts would kill it if it didn’t. Better to end it now.

Jiang Tianming’s group thought they were safe to leave, but Su Bei pointed out they’d likely face High-Level Beast ambushes.

Tension rose. After brief discussion, the perspective followed Jiang Tianming out.

This was Su Bei’s focus—he wanted to know how Jiang Tianming faced multiple Nightmare Beasts. If he guessed right, a major secret would be revealed.

Leaving the Different Space, Jiang Tianming called Meng Huai while heading to an empty area. He didn’t plan to rely on staff but to face the High-Level Beasts alone.

The entrance had strong Ability Users, but they could only block some attacks. With Nightmare Beasts’ elusive Abilities, staff couldn’t fully protect him.

Rather than cause casualties, he’d face them in an empty area, keeping secrets. Jiang Tianming was clear on this, with a firm goal.

Soon, two High-Level Nightmare Beasts arrived, launching killing moves. The manga showed purple and black Ability beams targeting Jiang Tianming, drawn in a panel to feel lethal.

But as the beams neared his face, they vanished.

Jiang Tianming, as if expecting this, stood in a defensible, hard-to-attack unfinished building, unmoving.

After several such instances, the Beasts grew restless, resorting to melee. High-Level Beasts’ melee skills varied like humans’. The Teleportation Nightmare Beast they met couldn’t fight head-on.

Generally, the stronger and stranger the Ability, the weaker the melee, a balance.

From their earlier Abilities, these Beasts’ powers were complex, so their melee was weak. Two-on-one, Jiang Tianming held his own.

When Lei Ze’en descended, Su Bei paused flipping, pondering the plot. The truth was clear.

Jiang Tianming likely had an Ability-nullifying Ability. Manga Consciousness’ claim that he could face Si Zhaohua’s ultimate move likely relied on this.

Su Bei thought of the Black Flash boss, Mo Xiaotian’s grandfather. When Su Bei tried using his Ability on him, no Destiny Compass appeared.

He’d had two theories: the grandfather had an Ability to nullify Abilities used on him, or he had a special item to negate Abilities.

If the latter, Su Bei doubted the grandfather wouldn’t equip Mo Xiaotian with one, so likely the former.

In other words, the grandfather had Ability nullification. If Jiang Tianming had the same, he shared the Black Flash leader’s Ability?

Su Bei was curious who gave him this Ability. Was there a dramatic backstory?

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