The Cold and Ruthless Supporting Male Lead

Bing Jingxue’s imagination was wonderful. She assumed that as soon as she entered the game, the map would automatically appear in her inventory.

She considered herself the chosen one. Since the map had originally been in her inventory, she couldn’t understand why she was accused of using cheats.

The map had always been there; it wasn’t stolen. In a way, she wasn’t wrong. However, she overlooked one critical issue.

Knowing that no one else had this map, Bing Jingxue developed an inflated sense of pride. She believed that others reaching the next level by following her was entirely her doing.

This sense of superiority led Bing Jingxue to view her teammates as completely useless, incapable of doing anything without relying on her map.

The thrill she gained in the game was something she could never experience in real life. After backing up the map and transferring it into her computer, Bing Jingxue logged into the game again.

Although only half a day had passed in the real world, much more time had gone by in the game world, and the announcement about her cheating was long gone.

Quietly, she changed her ID to a new name: Menghuang Zhixue.

***

During the half-day Bing Jingxue spent away from the game, half a month had passed in the game world. Hai Ku and his team had already arrived at the temple.

However, after searching for so long, they still hadn’t made any progress.

The number of players who had entered the fourth level was increasing, but no one had managed to reach the fifth level.

The rabbit perched silently on Hai Ku’s shoulder had been quiet for a long time, like a decorative ornament. This state continued for so long that Hai Ku stopped paying attention to it.

Regardless, Lan Bai had been of great help to him; at least the female lead’s map was gone now.

Hai Ku assumed Lan Bai would remain silent like this until the game ended, but just as they entered a rest period, Lan Bai quietly hopped down.

Still in the form of a rabbit, with his ears drooping, Lan Bai whispered to Hai Ku, “I need to leave now. She’s back.”

Hai Ku tilted his head. “Hmm?”

“Bing Jingxue is back. Didn’t I report her earlier? There was a bit of personal grudge involved, but she’s been publicly shamed on the announcements for several days now, so I feel less upset about it.” Lan Bai’s tone remained the same. Initially, it had been hard for him to accept, but eventually, he treated it as a lesson learned. Quietly enduring humiliation wasn’t his style.

Originally, he had promised Hai Ku to guide him to the final level. However, on second thought, doing so would be no different from handing Hai Ku a cheat. Now that Bing Jingxue’s map was gone, they were on equal footing.

Hai Ku nodded, understanding what Lan Bai meant.

Then again, it was no wonder this NPC could develop feelings for a girl. The author had made this NPC so human-like, even giving him the temperament and vengeful tendencies of a real person.

But what did it matter?

In any case, he no longer liked the female lead.

After Lan Bai disappeared, Hai Ku didn’t forget about their task. At the temple, they managed to gather more information.

Although the Elven King’s crown was last seen there, after leaving the temple, the Elven King had actually returned to his palace.

The Elven King’s palace was a place ordinary people couldn’t enter, which was why most overlooked it.

Of course, if they could think of this possibility, so could the other teams.

By the time they arrived outside the palace, the area was already packed with people. While ordinary people couldn’t enter the palace, there were still ways to gain access.

Their chosen method was the most straightforward; applying to become one of the Elven King’s guards. Clearly, everyone present had the same idea.

Among the crowd, the most eye-catching figure was Bing Jingxue, dressed in a pure white gown and holding the mayor’s son from the third level in her arms.

Her appearance had undergone some changes. Her elven features made her look even more stunning, and the 40% beauty enhancement she applied to various areas made her perfectly align with the elves’ aesthetic standards.

Her beauty was flawless, so much so that even the Elven King sitting above couldn’t help but cast his gaze in her direction.

The selection process for the guards had not been announced publicly. It was only stated that the Elven King would make the choice himself, and there was only one position available.

The chosen one would be regarded as the favored child of destiny. Those not selected could only seek other methods to proceed.

Although the map was gone, Hai Ku still remembered some of the storyline. The Elven King was the final boss of this level. If an NPC like Lan Bai could be so human-like, it made Hai Ku suspicious of the Elven King as well.

“It will be him.” The Elven King casually pointed toward Bing Jingxue’s direction, his tone indifferent.

All eyes turned to Bing Jingxue. Some were envious, some jealous, and others spiteful. Bing Jingxue, however, wore a smug expression.

Just as Hai Ku was beginning to think the female lead was incredibly lucky, the Elven King added, “Over the years, I’ve never had a human as my guard. That child over there seems clever enough. Bring him up.”

“Huh?” Bing Jingxue’s arms tightened slightly, causing the mayor’s son to feel a bit of pain. He looked up at the elder sister holding him, confusion written all over his face. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing…” Reluctantly, Bing Jingxue pushed the child out of her arms. She felt slightly cheated; after all, she had brought this child up from the third level herself.

As the guards began leading the child away, Bing Jingxue couldn’t help but take a step forward. “That child was brought here by me. Can I visit him later?”

“Don’t worry,” one of the elves holding the child replied after some thought, raising his voice so everyone could hear. “The King’s guard changes every 2 days. He will be released after that.”

This was, after all, just a game. While becoming the King’s guard involved some element of luck, it wasn’t reasonable to let one person hoard all the good fortune. Players still needed to clear the level, and in 2 days, the game would reset.

If players couldn’t clear the fifth level within these 2 days, they would have to seize another opportunity after the reset.

This openly revealed the fact that the crown was in the Elven King’s palace.

***

After the child was brought inside, the surrounding players began to disperse, each planning to use other methods to gain entry.

Bing Jingxue narrowed her eyes, a faint smile on her face, as she walked toward Hai Ku and his team.

She had changed her appearance and even her ID. She was fully confident that Hai Ku and his team wouldn’t recognize her.

“Can I join your team?” Bing Jingxue asked with a slight smile. Her stunning appearance momentarily left Xi Hai in a daze, though he quickly turned his gaze toward Dong Hai and the others.

Her beauty drew a lot of attention, and as she was alone, many other teams were also watching her. However, Bing Jingxue thought she should rise again from where she had fallen. She wanted those who had once looked down on her to kneel at her feet in admiration.

Hai Ku was speechless, finding it hard to believe she could be so foolish.

Even though her appearance and ID had changed, her account name hadn’t, and besides, she had just been holding the mayor’s son. Her identity had essentially been announced to the world. How could she think we wouldn’t recognize her?

Ignoring the sweet smile on her face, Hai Ku silently opened their team chat.

[Hai Ku: What do you all think she’s planning?]

[Dong Hai: Take her in or let her go?]

[Longde Chuanren: I’m fine with either. Your call.]

[Xi Hai: Let’s take her in and see what she’s up to. She looks good anyway—she can be our decorative flower vase.]

Nan Hai and Bei Hai stayed silent, but their expressions made it clear they didn’t mind either way.

“Our team already has its roles assigned. If you don’t mind, you can tag along, but we don’t have room for new members,” Hai Ku finally decided, preferring to keep her nearby for now to observe her actions.

The female lead had lost her map yet returned with such confidence; there had to be more to her plan!

But Hai Ku’s assumption was wrong…

Bing Jingxue smiled slightly. Though dissatisfied, she already knew Hai Ku’s personality; selfish, inconsiderate, and completely disrespectful toward women. He didn’t have the slightest bit of gallantry.

She shot a resentful glance at Longde Chuanren, harboring bitterness toward him as well. To her, he was ungrateful and disloyal.

Taking a deep breath, Bing Jingxue said with a smile, “Then I’ll stay by your side for now. What are your plans next?”

Quietly opening a screenshot of her map, Bing Jingxue brimmed with confidence.

The crown’s location was under the Elven King’s bed. She had already instructed the child to steal the crown when he went in. Now, all she needed to do was wait.

Hai Ku glanced at her, utterly clueless about the source of the confidence that radiated from her face.

“There are still 2 days before the child can come out. Let’s find a place to rest for now.” With a soft, gentle demeanor, Bing Jingxue attempted to gain their favor. “I know a place with a side quest. I accidentally discovered it when I was clearing this level, but I didn’t dare to go alone.”

With a pitiful expression, Bing Jingxue’s intentions were clear.

In order to gain their goodwill, Bing Jingxue was willing to go all out.

This side quest on the map was rated five stars. If the quest was successfully completed, it allowed players to skip an entire level.

What did it mean to skip a level? If you were already on the sixth level, using a skip token would immediately transport you to the seventh level, advancing much faster than other players.

Though she had no real interest in the game’s final destination, Bing Jingxue was determined to impress Xi Hai and the others. She spared no effort.

“That doesn’t sound too good,” Hai Ku said with a reluctant tone. The map had long been updated, and he didn’t believe there was anything worthwhile in the place Bing Jingxue mentioned.

Him again!

Bing Jingxue was annoyed. Her expression darkened further. Every time I say something, this person just has to jump in and interrupt!

“There really is a side quest there. Please, just come with me…” Ignoring Hai Ku entirely, Bing Jingxue turned her attention to Longde Chuanren.

Longde Chuanren felt overwhelmed. He thought he had already repaid Bing Jingxue for her past help. But now, with her standing in front of him, he found it hard to make a clear decision.

Unsure of what to do, he turned to their group chat for help.

[Longde Chuanren: What if I just go with her to take a look? After all… sigh, she did help me clear a few levels before.]

The group members, unable to sway him, reluctantly agreed.

“Then Longde Chuanren and I will go with you to check it out. Xi Hai, you guys can wait here. 2 days in the game will pass quickly,” Hai Ku said calmly.

He looked at Bing Jingxue, curious about what she was planning. Why is she so fixated on our group? Is it just because we’re a supporting male character team?

Bing Jingxue held her breath, suppressing her urge to lash out at Hai Ku. It’s always him!

She forced a neutral expression and nodded slightly, moving to stand next to Longde Chuanren. “Let’s go. We shouldn’t waste too much time.”

Eager to gain their favor and show off her strengths, Bing Jingxue couldn’t wait for them to admire her. Ideally, they would fall in love with her on the spot!

After all, many online relationships started in games. That useless, burdensome image she once had would never attract any male players.

Men needed someone like her; skilled, capable, and someone who could carry them to victory.

Smirking inwardly as she envisioned her future success, Bing Jingxue led Longde Chuanren and Hai Ku to the hidden level on the old map.

***

The hidden level on the old map was located in a lake. Only by reaching the deepest part of the lake could they find the skip token.

Bing Jingxue had been full of confidence, but when she brought them to the location, she froze.

Where the lake had once been on her map was now a vast plain.

“How could this be…” Bing Jingxue’s face showed disbelief. “There was a lake here before…”

“Didn’t you know?” Hai Ku feigned surprise, though he was internally amused. “There was a server maintenance for 2 days. During that time, all the maps were updated.”

What is Bing Jingxue thinking? There had been a 2-day server maintenance. How could there not have been any changes?