CHAPTER 256

Chapter 256

It might seem like no difference—both ended with him tied to Black Flash. But the former was the author’s plot, potentially making the collusion sinister. The latter was in Su Bei’s control; he was just a Destiny member taking a task, staying relatively neutral.

As for readers’ misunderstandings, he wasn’t in a rush to clarify. He’d planned to dabble with the villains, as they were far more sensitive to crises and opportunities than the heroes. A visit might yield new info.

As long as he stayed neutral, he’d have chances to clear things up. Unless the backlash was extreme, he wouldn’t use his Prophet account.

Confirming no oversights, Su Bei sat comfortably on the high platform, watching the show. Thanks to his invisibility, no one bothered him. Bored, he used the Gear to kill Nightmare Beasts. The effect was mediocre, but better than nothing.

Soon, a loud noise came from where he’d left—where Jiang Tianming’s trio and Cyril’s duo were. Whatever happened, all Nightmare Beasts rushed toward it.

Seeing this, Su Bei understood. The plot was nearing its end; the manga update was imminent.

But their plot wrapped up early. He’d thought Moyun City, with the protagonist trio and three high-popularity characters, would be the main storyline.

Thinking this, he asked, "Are there a lot of plots in the other cities too?"

Manga Consciousness replied promptly, cutting through his confusion, "Yes, because the author’s adding extra chapters, so there’s more plot this time."

Knowing Su Bei’s sharpness, it added, "All three locations have significant plots."

The specific mention caught his attention. Three locations? Why emphasize that?

It had to be the three groups’ locations, all facing trouble. What was special here?

If anything stood out, it was the author targeting him, trying to paint him as Black Flash.

Wait—Black Flash?

A spark hit Su Bei. All three groups were tied to Black Flash somehow.

His group had him, Mo Xiaotian’s had Mo Xiaotian, and Si Zhaohua’s had Zhou Renjie.

Su Bei raised an eyebrow, "Zhou Renjie’s coming back?"

Seeing him quickly grasp the hint, Manga Consciousness marveled at choosing him, confirming, "Zhou Renjie’s currently fighting Si Zhaohua."

Next, it’d depend on whether Zhou Renjie could turn back and redeem himself. From the author’s earlier foreshadowing, Su Bei guessed he’d soon see Zhou Renjie back in class.

But his return likely meant Mo Xiaotian’s exposure. After so long in Black Flash, he couldn’t have gained nothing just to help the protagonists once.

If he had gains, the biggest was likely knowing there’s a mole in Class S and some of their traits.

The author had given red herrings before. This time, the suspects were likely them again. Su Bei would be quickly cleared, as the author genuinely wanted him as a villain, not just a feint. Leading readers on now would risk a “boy who cried wolf” scenario.

Uninvolved, Su Bei lost interest, resuming his slacking. Though slacking, he was memorizing Destiny’s database.

Before he could settle into studying, Wu Mingbai’s voice came from below, "Su Bei, you here?"

Seeing Wu Mingbai, who should’ve been dealing with Black Flash, Su Bei raised an eyebrow, jumped from the bell tower, and dropped his invisibility, "What’s up?"

He didn’t doubt how Wu Mingbai guessed his location. Last time he went out at night, it was here. Missing from the dorm, this was the logical spot.

If Wu Mingbai asked about finding the Nightmare Egg or its purpose, Su Bei would answer honestly. If he was accusing him, he’d vanish on the spot and reappear when Wu Mingbai calmed down.

Surprisingly, Wu Mingbai’s purpose was neither. He got straight to the point, "Jiang wants you to help figure out how to get outsiders here sooner. We think you might know a way."

Pure guesswork, as Su Bei always seemed omniscient. They’d ask him for solutions. If he couldn’t help, no harm—it was expected. If he could, it’d be a bonus.

They guessed right—Su Bei did know.

If they identified the cause of the city’s unfindability as the Lost Nightmare Beast, the solution was simple. Knowing the beast meant knowing how to counter it.

To use its ability on an object, the Lost Nightmare Beast had to stay near it. For small items, it could carry them. For something like Moyun City, it had to stay inside to keep the city hidden.

So, the Lost Nightmare Beast was definitely in Moyun City.

Its strongest defense was applying its ability to itself, making it unfindable. It could use two “lost” effects at once—hiding the city and itself. Normally, even knowing it was in the city and large, no one could find it.

But Su Bei wasn’t normal. Destiny’s database detailed how to counter it, and he knew, "Let’s go to the city wall."

Few knew that this powerful double-hiding ability had a simple counter: leave the hidden object to find the beast’s body.

Outside Moyun City, the Lost Nightmare Beast could be easily spotted.

But leaving meant they couldn’t return due to its ability. So, they’d go to the wall, half in, half out, to spot the beast without losing the city.

Even in buildings, it wasn’t a concern. The beast’s size—four to five meters, slime-like—meant no structure could hide it.

If not found from the wall, it’d be in one of the few places large enough: the mall’s first floor or the art gallery.

Then, Jiang Tianming could sweep through with his Ability.

Hearing Su Bei had a plan, Wu Mingbai’s eyes lit up, and he followed to the wall. Few Nightmare Beasts were around—most were blocked outside, and the few inside were drawn to the Nightmare Egg, making other areas safe.

The residents’ feared doomsday hadn’t arrived; they faced no danger. But Su Bei noted that after this, some would face their real doomsday.

Moyun City wasn’t lawless. For now, criminals were detained due to the situation, but after, they’d face legal judgment.

"Were you really not trading with Black Flash?" After a short walk, Wu Mingbai couldn’t resist asking.

Su Bei blinked, "Wasn’t I clearly being threatened?"

"Didn’t look like it," Wu Mingbai rolled his eyes, "If it was anyone else, we’d have grabbed you on the spot."

Only Su Bei, full of secrets, made them hesitate—half suspecting him, half thinking his actions were normal.

Su Bei shook his head, "If you saw anyone from our class doing that, you wouldn’t just grab them."

Wu Mingbai paused, then agreed. After so long together, classmates deserved some trust. In that scene, they’d assume there was more to it, not immediately label anyone a traitor.

"But only you…" Wu Mingbai trailed off.

He meant only Su Bei could deal with Black Flash and still seem understandable. As long as he wasn’t truly harmful, Wu Mingbai could accept it.

Was giving the Nightmare Egg to Black Flash harmful? No. Su Bei found it; he could give it to anyone, even if they weren’t good.

Convincing himself, Wu Mingbai dropped it, asking, "So what’s the Nightmare Egg?"

Su Bei briefly explained its role. If Nightmare Beasts got it, it’d be bad. In Black Flash’s hands, it was neutral—used for research.

This was likely why Su Bei acted so decisively—it wasn’t inherently bad.

As expected, Wu Mingbai thought similarly, hesitating, "So… giving it to Black Flash isn’t an issue?"

From past clashes, he knew Black Flash’s research was impressive. If they gained something from the Nightmare Egg, it could benefit humanity.

Su Bei offered no opinion, shrugging, "Do what you want."

He’d handed it over, settling accounts with Black Flash. Whoever got the Nightmare Egg now was irrelevant—in a manga world, it wouldn’t end up with the beasts.

At the city wall, packed with Ability Users fighting Nightmare Beasts, Su Bei and Wu Mingbai climbed quietly to avoid disturbance. Uninterested in fighting the Lost Nightmare Beast, Su Bei had Wu Mingbai lean halfway out.

"I see it!" Wu Mingbai, prepped by Su Bei, spotted the massive black Nightmare Beast in the city—the Lost Nightmare Beast.

Seeing its size, he marveled. Such a huge beast roamed the city unnoticed—its ability was formidable.

Confirming the location, they hurried, avoiding busy areas, to the beast’s street. But even knowing it was there, they saw nothing.

Staring at the empty street, Wu Mingbai asked, confused, "Now what? Still can’t find it."

What a blockhead, Su Bei thought, giving him a look, "Don’t you have AoE skills?"

Wu Mingbai got it, ignoring Su Bei’s expression. Activating his Ability, he stomped, cracking the street. Countless stone spikes rose, forcing the Lost Nightmare Beast to reveal itself—its protection failed when attacked.

"Your turn," Su Bei said, completing his task, patting Wu Mingbai’s shoulder, and leaving.

Wu Mingbai didn’t complain, his expression serious, attacking the beast without hesitation.

Normally, Wu Mingbai, a first-year, couldn’t handle a High-Level Nightmare Beast alone. His strength lagged behind his overpowered friends.

But Su Bei knew he could. He was Wu Mingbai, a protagonist of King of Abilities.

Sure enough, when purple-black portals appeared mid-air and dozens of Ability Users jumped out, Su Bei knew Wu Mingbai had defeated the Lost Nightmare Beast.

Without that, the Ability Government’s reinforcements wouldn’t have arrived so fast. With them here, the crisis would soon end.

Su Bei leisurely returned to his dorm, awaiting the resolution.

The crisis ended quickly. Soon, gongs and drums sounded outside—the city’s crisis was over, not just Black Flash but also the breaching Nightmare Beasts.

The beasts outside couldn’t be cleared quickly, as new ones kept coming from the Different Space. Only finding and closing the Close Point would end it.

Jiang Tianming’s trio, after a busy half-day, returned to the dorm. Whatever Wu Mingbai said, they didn’t mention the earlier incident and seemed unlikely to spread it.

Seeing this, Su Bei didn’t bring it up, packing with them.

With many strong Ability Users arriving, they weren’t needed in Moyun City anymore and could help other affected areas.

Barring surprises, they’d face no more danger, just seeing the campaign’s end.

After packing, they checked the Ability Government’s website. To calm residents, it updated campaign statuses regularly.

The initial three Different Spaces were closed. Ling You closed two, Feng Lan one via Prophecy, and the government two.

Moyun City and the other two groups’ cities’ Different Spaces would likely close soon.

Few dangerous Different Spaces remained. Barring surprises, the campaign would end soon.

After helping clear more Nightmare Beasts, their paper airplane arrived. With combat power sufficient, the Ability Government wouldn’t let students risk more, sending them back despite their ability to stay.

At departure, Mu Yunfan and Zhang Sheng were there—not to return but to see off their juniors.

After brief farewells, Su Bei’s group boarded. Mu Yunfan waved a handkerchief tearfully, "Don’t forget to hype up my glorious deeds to the juniors!"

In the air, Lan Subing sighed, "The president’s so lively."

"More than Mo Xiaotian?" Wu Mingbai compared.

Lan Subing thought seriously, "Not quite—different kinds of lively."

One was natural, the other narcissistic. Mu Yunfan was more punchable—Su Bei had to say, if he were in their class, he’d get mobbed.

Wu Mingbai’s restraint from mocking him was purely out of respect for the Student Council president.

Back at the long-missed campus, it was on alert. Though not an affected area, with most teachers and strong students gone, the rest were weak, necessitating vigilance.

Thankfully, no incidents occurred, not even a Black Flash sneak attack. Dispatched students were returning, and normalcy would resume.

"You’re back!" An F-Class first-year on patrol at the gate called out excitedly.

"Long time no see, Wang Peng," Jiang Tianming, with a sharp memory, recalled his name despite only a month together.

Wang Peng felt flattered. Though classmates briefly, the first exam created a vast gap, likely ending future interactions. Yet Jiang Tianming remembered him.

His demeanor gave Wang Peng confidence to ask, "Heard you were sent to the campaign. How’s it going? Is the situation okay?"

The government’s updates were official, raising fears of sugarcoating. News from Jiang Tianming’s group, fresh from the battlefield, was more reliable.

"It’s stable, or we wouldn’t be back, right?" Jiang Tianming replied, guessing from the government’s decision to release them.

The surrounding students, eavesdropping, sighed in relief. The weakest Ability Users, like them, were prime targets for Nightmare Beasts—attractive yet defenseless. If the government faltered, they’d die first.

Reassuring them, the four returned to their dorms. Their classmates, Meng Huai, and other teachers weren’t back, so no classes were needed.

Expecting to slack off, a teacher approached after learning of their return, "Since you’re free, help with campus security."

The four exchanged glances, agreeing reluctantly. It was just a few days, low risk, so they’d help.

Su Bei wasn’t so altruistic. He feared offending the teacher, a new [Traditional Chinese Medicine] Ability User. Annoying him might mean extra bitter herbs at the infirmary.