Chapter 243

Chapter 243

Chapter 243

The rankings in this post seemed relatively objective to me, though I disagreed on some points. For example, Lan Subing—in my view, her combat power definitely deserved T1.

True, she could only use Word Spirit sparingly, but because of this, she deliberately chose critical commands during development, making her ability precise and potent, not as limited as the OP thought.

But the OP was right about one thing—Lan Subing’s Mental Energy was indeed a weakness.

Her Mental Energy wasn’t low, but her ability consumed a lot. Like my ability, it traded Mental Energy for strength. This was why, after changing my ability, I prioritized boosting my Mental Energy. Without strong Mental Energy, even the most powerful ability was useless.

After a brief rest, we returned to school. Life seemed back to normal, but we all knew it was just the calm before the storm.

On Friday, Feng Lan finally received his latest prophecy. I didn’t know the details, only that he didn’t come to school that day. From then on, we got busy again.

There weren’t frequent field missions this time; instead, the Academy’s training became far stricter. It was clear the teachers were purposefully training us, focusing not on ability practice but on endurance.

Every day, we fought in round-robin battles—one against the other thirteen. Sometimes abilities were allowed, sometimes not.

The only noteworthy thing during this time was another manga update, featuring Lan Subing, Wu Mingbai, Zhao Xiaoyu, and Si Zhaohua.

They were drafted by the government to help patrol and ran into a Nightmare Beast raid on the vault. After a big battle, they successfully kept the Life Stone from being taken.

Since it didn’t involve me, I skimmed it but noticed Feng Lan’s prophecy. It was simple: the next campaign was about to start, in Suqi City, right next to the Ability Government.

Due to the low number of ability users, cities like the one housing the Ability Government or the ability academies had more users, but others, even nearby Suqi City, had few stationed ability users.

Thanks to Feng Lan’s prophecy, the government had time to prepare. Many resident teachers from Endless Ability Academy left, heading to Suqi City to stand guard.

Not just them—sophomores and juniors with combat ability went too. This wasn’t just a campaign but a great training opportunity. The ability world’s future rested on these youths.

But their departure gave me a bad feeling. If most ability users went to Suqi City, wouldn’t other places be left vulnerable?

Though Feng Lan’s prophecy pinpointed Suqi City, it didn’t mean other places were safe. In fact, his Prophecy often tripped people up with a twist of fate. I strongly suspected other areas would face Nightmare Beast tides too.

After class, I stopped Feng Lan: “Feng Lan, come here. I’ve got a question.”

In a secluded spot, I got straight to the point: “Are you sure your prophecy only says one city will face a campaign?”

Feng Lan froze. To avoid panic, at the government’s request, he hadn’t told anyone else. How did I know so clearly?

He considered asking but, realizing it was me, lost the urge. With my ability, knowing anything wasn’t strange. So, he just answered: “Not necessarily, but Suqi City will definitely have the biggest outbreak.”

Hearing this, I had no objections. It made sense to send the most people to the most dangerous place, and other areas weren’t left unguarded.

After parting with Feng Lan, I began planning how to use this campaign. My ultimate goal was eliminating Nightmare Beasts, so I couldn’t miss anything related to them.

Large-scale campaigns always sparked thoughts of wiping out Nightmare Beasts for good. If a method to do so appeared now, readers would find it perfectly reasonable.

I needed a way to release the information while ensuring the author would include it in the manga.

Without relying on luck, there were two ways. First, make it so well-known in the manga world that the author had to include it. Second, let the key protagonists—Jiang Tianming, Lan Subing, and Wu Mingbai—see it, as their seeing it meant readers saw it.

The second was simpler, but I couldn’t just use a fake book like last time. Repeating the same method risked annoying the author and readers.

What was the most believable way to let Jiang Tianming’s group learn this while ensuring they’d trust it?

I soon had a great idea—eavesdropping. Undoubtedly, overhearing was the most convincing way to gain information. If Jiang Tianming’s group overheard Nightmare Beasts discussing that the only way to eliminate them was to clear the Meteorite powder from their world, I didn’t believe the author wouldn’t draw it.

Plus, this method was hard to pull off, so even if Nightmare Beasts blabbed, it wouldn’t raise suspicion.

The only issue was, where would I find two High-Level Nightmare Beasts to act with me?

Real ones wouldn’t do—Nightmare Beasts shared vision, so if one said it, others would know, risking complications.

Faking it…

I took out a long-unused prop from my storage ring—Dream Bubble.

Besides testing abilities in dreams, this prop could create fully realistic objects in reality, though they had no attack power and were fully controlled by me.

Last winter break, I used Dream Bubble’s ability to trick two Wanted Criminals, helping Jiang Tianming’s group escape.

With this in mind, I crafted two High-Level Nightmare Beasts based on past encounters—one a Black Bubble Nightmare Beast I’d seen once, the other a Knowledge Nightmare Beast.

They looked nearly identical to the real thing, but Nightmare Beasts had an unpleasant aura that Dream Bubble couldn’t replicate.

I didn’t mind. From a distance, this minor flaw wasn’t noticeable. A 70-80% likeness was enough; details didn’t matter. Would Jiang Tianming’s group really attack two High-Level Nightmare Beasts on sight?

Wait… maybe they would?

If there were several of them, they might not fear two High-Level Nightmare Beasts. No, I needed to prepare more and pick a time when their group was small. Otherwise, I was afraid they’d charge in and expose my ruse, which would be a real hassle.

With the core plan set, I needed to refine the details. To ensure Jiang Tianming’s group overheard the conversation without it going off track, I had to be on-site to control it.

Since I’d be there, the setup had to be done in advance, at a place they’d definitely visit—either in Suqi City or within Endless Ability Academy.

Though I didn’t know when the campaign would start, it had to be soon. One setup was out of town, so I needed to act now.

“What? You want to take leave and leave school?” In the office, Meng Huai asked, shocked, “At a time like this?”

With the current situation, school was the safest place. Outside, countless Nightmare Beasts had likely sneaked into the human world over the Life Stone, making ability users easy targets for ambushes.

I nodded firmly: “I’ve been too tired lately. I need a break.”

“Can’t you rest in the dorm?” Meng Huai asked suspiciously, sensing I was up to something. The excuse was so flimsy it was obviously fake, making it hard not to doubt me.

My eyes widened slightly, as if shocked by his words, and I retorted confidently: “How is staying at school a break?”

Meng Huai: “…”

Though the comment was cheeky, as a former slacker, Meng Huai couldn’t disagree. Even lying in the dorm at school wasn’t relaxing—school just had that oppressive vibe.

“No way,” Meng Huai said leisurely, unconvinced. “Everyone else isn’t tired—why just you?”

He didn’t buy my excuse. Sure, I usually seemed lazy, but in training, I was always pummeling Jiang Tianming and kicking Si Zhaohua’s butt. If anyone was tired, it was them, not me.

If I was just being lazy and looking for an excuse to skip, Meng Huai wasn’t about to let me.

Despite Meng Huai’s resolve to deny me without a real answer, I was prepared. I said calmly: “If I don’t go, the whole world will be in trouble.”

“Hah? Think I was born yesterday?” Meng Huai scoffed. “Why not say you’re off to save the world?”

“Maybe I am saving the world,” I half-joked. “The Academy has a lie detector, right? Test me and see if I’m lying.”

“You’re serious?” Meng Huai’s expression finally turned serious. He sat up, his sharp eyes locked on me.

“Of course. Do I look like a liar?” My reply seemed casual, almost flippant.

But Meng Huai wasn’t fooled by my demeanor. He asked more seriously: “What exactly are you going out to do?”

“Teacher, some things are like wishes—say them, and they won’t come true,” I answered earnestly, clearly not planning to share.

But I wasn’t lying. Creating a way to end the Nightmare Beasts—how was that not saving the world?

Suppressing the urge to punch me, Meng Huai rolled his eyes: “You really can’t say?”

“Really can’t,” I replied sincerely.

After a pause, Meng Huai asked practical questions: “How many days? Any danger? Need our help?”

This showed he believed me. Meng Huai knew his troublesome student well enough—I wasn’t one to throw around “saving the world” lightly.

Honestly, Meng Huai was just glad I wasn’t talking about destroying it.

If I said this was that important, it probably was. Not saying was normal—some things, like Feng Lan’s Prophecy, couldn’t be casually shared. Who knew what fate had tasked me with?

So Meng Huai only asked if I needed help. If I was doing something world-changing, any assistance would be great.

“Three days, no danger. As for help… just give me a good excuse for the leave,” I said nonchalantly. I only needed to do two things: scout and set up the perfect spot.

Unless something went wrong, the author wouldn’t include this in the manga. So, I needed a solid excuse for my absence to avoid suspicion. Even if suspected, it wouldn’t matter much, but I preferred no loose ends.

Getting my answer, Meng Huai couldn’t be bothered to pry further. He leaned back impatiently and waved: “Get lost.”

“Got it!” I turned and left.

Outside the Academy gates, I silently asked Manga Consciousness: “Can my actions these three days be hidden?”

I was a bit worried Meng Huai might have someone tail me out of concern. Ability users had many ways to track someone undetected, with following being the crudest.

“If I said no, what would you do?” Manga Consciousness asked curiously.

“Cover it up,” I said casually. “I’ve got three days. First, head home, find the best spot through research, then slip out invisibly to set up the ‘stage’.”

I was going early to prepare this “stage.” When the time came, one touch of Dream Bubble, and the fake Nightmare Beasts would appear in perfect position.

After sharing my plan, I asked calmly: “But from what you said, there’s a way, right?”

Manga Consciousness borrowed my words: “After all, you’re saving the world.”

That evening, I took a bus to Suqi City. This bustling city next to the Ability Government was lively, with heavy traffic. But many vehicles were leaving, and I mostly saw outbound cars. I asked the driver about it.

Apparently, Suqi City’s government started evacuating people two days ago. No specific reason was given, but rumors said something big was coming—leave if you didn’t want to die, but you could return after. No need to leave forever.

Every few years, a campaign happened, so even those who hadn’t experienced one had some idea. Most residents followed the government’s orders and left promptly, especially since timely evacuation came with subsidies. Late leavers risked danger and lost money.

Walking a bit, I felt a Mental Energy sweep over me—not targeting me, just routine patrol. With a campaign looming in Suqi City, high-level ability users patrolling was normal.

Strolling against the flow of evacuating crowds, I studied a map of Suqi City on my phone, pondering the best location.

The spot had two requirements. First, it had to be somewhere Jiang Tianming’s group would definitely visit in Suqi City. Second, it couldn’t have too many people—ideally, when I used Dream Bubble, only the protagonist team would be there.

First, too many people risked exposing my fake Nightmare Beasts. I didn’t think Dream Bubble’s creations could fool everyone.

Second, the fake beasts appeared suddenly, so I needed a blind spot. With people everywhere, where would I find one?

Third, I wanted the “Nightmare Beasts can be eliminated” news to reach the protagonist team first, then become reality in the manga, and only later spread to the manga world. The order mattered to avoid complications.

Changing things through the manga took time—until the next update. If many learned and investigated early, they’d find it was false. If they debunked it, my plan would fail.

From a manga perspective, the protagonist team’s plot locations needed to be distinctive, like city landmarks.

Suqi City had three landmarks: a central library, a northern TV station (the tallest building), and a northern plaza, which had shut down promptly after the campaign news.

After careful thought, I headed to the closed northern plaza.

The central library was out—too crowded, violating my location criteria.

The TV station was a good spot for hiding Nightmare Beasts and plot triggers, but “tallest building” was too prominent. Historically, such spots were strategic targets, and I couldn’t make a scene in front of big shots.

By elimination, the plaza was the only choice.

Called a plaza, it was more like a large shopping center surrounded by a commercial street. The usually bustling street was nearly empty, with only a few vendors packing up.

I walked into the shopping center and pressed the elevator button. A low-level Nightmare Beast jumped out. Many had come searching for the Life Stone, and though most returned, some, like this one, were left behind.

But after dealing with the vine-like Dodder Nightmare Beast, I froze. I realized something—if I wasn’t mistaken, this was a Dodder Nightmare Beast! Like the parasitic dodder plant, it could only survive by latching onto a High-Level Nightmare Beast.

They could absorb a bit of a High-Level Nightmare Beast’s strength for attacks. The stronger the host, the stronger they were. Without a High-Level Nightmare Beast nearby, they’d just lurk in corners, powerless.

This Dodder Nightmare Beast had attacked, meaning a High-Level Nightmare Beast was nearby!

Just wandering and stumbling into a plot point—I felt a headache coming. But I couldn’t run. Even knowing a High-Level Nightmare Beast was here, I had to finish scouting.

Taking the elevator to the top fifth floor, I headed to the cinema. Dark and ideal for sudden appearances or eavesdropping, it was a great target.

Walking with my Mental Energy active, I soon sensed something in the cinema—a massive creature, likely the High-Level Nightmare Beast the Dodder depended on.

Sighing internally, I walked in. My ideal spot was in the cinema; I couldn’t avoid it and had to face it. But I was confident—one High-Level Nightmare Beast would only drain most of my Mental Energy.

As expected, upon entering, a giant spiderweb fell from above to trap me. But prepared, I easily dodged it, then flicked a Gear to slice another trap web: “Come out, no need to hide.”

“Da da da da…”

With an eerie sound, a massive Black Nightmare Spider, the size of a bedroom, crawled out on its eight furry legs: “As expected of a Destiny-type. You knew I was here, didn’t you?”

It spoke clearly, confirming it was a High-Level Nightmare Beast. I quickly analyzed it. It seemed Control Track, but I wasn’t sure if it was venomous. If so, killing it might not save me from poison.

Before I could answer, the Black Nightmare Spider asked: “What do you want, coming here to find me?”