Chapter 21-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation
Ye Zheng opened the real-time comments. The scrolling text was much more detailed than the manga content.
[Ah, Old Uncle, don't let my baby get hurt again!]
[Even though no one dies in this manga, I'm still worried.]
[Percy pulled Roy, who was at a loss. I'm shipping them!]
[I really dislike 'that person' hiding behind Percy... Is my son your shield?]
[Speechless. What a girl who always 'sticks' to others.]
Ye Zheng read through the original plot's comments and found that according to the original plot, "Ye Zheng's" reputation was even more unbearable. The readers' insults were very direct.
Compared to this, the forum comments that ostracized Ye Zheng now seemed almost cute.
"So in this original plot, my role is to act as a foil for Percy's bravery and intelligence by constantly giving him 'supportive' reactions."
[Your role is a healer, and you can't fight. In this situation, you can only be protected.]
[So it's normal that everyone in the original plot disliked you. In shonen manga, 'being weak is a sin.' Even growth-type protagonists are not popular anymore; they all start as max-level pros returning to the beginner's village.]
Ye Zheng thought that it wasn't that she couldn't fight, but that the creator was unwilling to give her any moments of glory, even ignoring the fighting scenes she should have had.
[Don't worry. You have almost 80 action points now. You can totally add some effective plot for yourself, like helping Percy eliminate some low-level monsters.]
"The creator never disappoints me when it comes to disappointing me. I already have a plan."
The girl quickly regained her composure and started to think.
It didn't matter if there was no effective plot related to her; she could still get useful information from the clues in the main storyline.
Ye Zheng tapped her finger on the phone screen. This future plot must have happened in a Demonic Domain. The half-human-tall dark figures summoned black butterflies to attack... The black butterflies reminded her of Lucy's [Butterfly Dance] ability.
Abilities could be similar, but not exactly the same.
Could the enemy replicate their skills?
With this clue, she could act more calmly in the Demonic Domain.
The next day, the one-month-long third phase of the competition officially began.
In the hotel's reception room, four youths sat together, staring at a rectangular sensor. The screen showed a simplified map of the lower district's east district. Once a Demonic Domain descended, a red dot would flash at the specific location on the map.
Lucy lay on the table listlessly. "Are we just going to stare at this? It's so boring."
"An average of two Demonic Domains descend a day in the east district. We'll definitely get one today."
Roy replied, a hint of impatience on his face as well.
"Before a Demonic Domain descends, everyone should try on the new equipment."
The door to the reception room was suddenly pushed open. A slightly hoarse voice attracted everyone's attention. The black-haired, green-eyed youth walked in, carrying a bag. He placed the bag on the table the youths were sitting around, and they looked at it curiously.
"This texture... it must be soft armor made from the hide of a rank-A demonic beast!"
Caleb's eyes widened as he carefully stroked a piece of soft armor in the bag.
Percy picked up a pair of fingerless gloves, his eyes sparkling. "What a wonderful elasticity. I feel like they can withstand my hands turning to metal."
"The first time we met, you were bitten by a demonic beast while saving me. These gloves are my thank-you gift."
"Everything inside is for you, not just as a thank you, but also so our Cloud-Soaring Squad can go further."
Everyone looked at the smiling Zhao Mei with moved expressions. The one thing their Cloud-Soaring Squad lacked the most was these hard resources!
"Tsk, this gear absolutely trashes the stuff Cloud-Soaring Academy gave us. Percy, you've really recruited a 'big moneybags' for us this time."
Roy, who was usually sarcastic and arrogant, sighed in admiration.
Caleb couldn't help but defend his father's Cloud-Soaring Academy, his voice low. "Our academy's qualifications are too low. The Ability User Association doesn't give us access to purchase these high-level pieces of equipment. We can't buy them even with money."
"My dad has tried his best to get them."
Roy's face stiffened. He seemed to realize he had said something wrong but was too embarrassed to admit it.
Percy sighed, expertly mediating. "The principal has tried his best. Now it's up to us to win glory for the academy."
His gaze then turned to the gentle-mannered youth.
"Thank you so much, Zhao Mei. Even if a group of us with E-rank and D-rank abilities wanted to buy this level of equipment, the officials wouldn't give it to us."
This was the cruel and realistic ability rank system of the Holy Sei Empire. The limited high-level equipment was prioritized for the strong. For those like them, who had no power or low-rank abilities, they could only buy from the black market, but even as 'poor little guys,' they were not worthy of going to the black market.
Lucy, wearing her small high heels, jumped up and put her arm around the new 'moneybags''s shoulder. "Zhao Mei, you must have an amazing background!"
The quiet and handsome boy smiled. "I don't have much personal property. I just happened to have some channels to get these things."
[You spent 20 action points to add this plot for yourself and set up a 'team patron' persona!]
Ye Zheng thought blandly. Otherwise, with the plot the creator gave her, even if she was walking around as a male character, it would be difficult to save her popularity and reputation.
Besides that, she had a little personal motive.
She picked up a pair of flat shoes from the bag and handed them to Lucy. "These are yours. Try them on."
Lucy took the shoes and looked at them, showing a surprised expression. "How did you know my shoe size? I know—"
"You've had many girlfriends, haven't you!"
"...I have no dating experience. That's not the point. These shoes are specially made. Their defensive properties are very strong. You should wear them from now on."
Lucy looked down at her pretty little high heels, her face showing a difficult expression. "But the little high heels look better and make my legs look longer. And I'm used to fighting in them."
The gentle youth chuckled. Lucy looked at him blankly, not understanding why he was laughing.
It wasn't a mocking laugh, but a helpless and tolerant one.
"Okay, put the shoes away for now. Maybe one day you'll be willing to wear them."
For some reason, Lucy felt a little down inside. The flat shoes looked a little ugly, but they seemed very comfortable to wear. However, she couldn't resist a girl's love for beauty...
Suddenly, Lucy felt a warmth around her waist. She looked down, and a pair of long, fair hands gently tied a waist protector around her, covering the fair skin above her shorts.
She subconsciously wanted to refuse, but the youth preemptively cut her off. "This waist protector was processed by a famous designer in the upper district. Both its defensive properties and design are impeccable."
"This time, you can't refuse, can you?"
The warmth remained on her skin after the waist protector was tied. Lucy had a strange urge to cry, which even she found odd.
She looked at the pair of flat shoes in a daze. Maybe she should try them on someday.
"Hey! The sensor is lit!"
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the screen of the sensor, which was flashing a red dot.
Percy made a quick judgment. "It's not far from us. Let's go!"
The youths, now in their new gear, were full of spirit, and their determined eyes encouraged each other. They were ready to welcome their first battle.
"Are you sure?"
The black-haired, green-eyed boy spoke calmly.
"This Demonic Domain is showing that it has already been locked onto."
"The closest team to this Demonic Domain is... the Divine Academy team."
The youths looked stunned. Their excited steps paused, and they stood still, looking at each other.
Going to this Demonic Domain meant they would have to confront the strongest academy representing the Sei Curia, which was also the first-place team from the last phase!
Ye Zheng lowered her head to look at the location displayed on the sensor. Her falling black bangs cast a shadow on her fair face.
For her, how to conceal her identity as Zhao Mei in front of the group of strange people from the Divine Academy, who were familiar with her, was the most difficult challenge...
Author's Note:
I'm starting VIP chapters tomorrow as planned. I will give you a ten-thousand-word update then, my dears!
Ye Zheng will not only change her own fate but also bring other female characters with her. Thank you for your support!
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