How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead

Whoosh!
A sudden gust of snow-laden wind sent Iann’s white cloak billowing dramatically. Derrick clicked his tongue again. Why did a mage even need such a long cloak? The newly cynical Yuhwa, having picked up some of Derrick’s mannerisms, crossed her arms and stared at Iann with the same thought in mind.

Not that it mattered. As usual, Iann, all about appearances, let the cloak flutter grandly as he walked forward at a leisurely pace. The snow crunched under his feet, and his steps left clear prints on the thick snow as he moved ahead.

Screeeeeeech!
The monster’s cry grew louder as he approached. Only then did Iann force himself to focus on the blurry sight he’d been deliberately avoiding.

‘Ew, I made eye contact!’
He barely swallowed the scream that nearly escaped his lips. His gaze met the reflective black eyes numbered 2, 13, and 54. His body trembled as a wave of terror washed over him. His brain screamed for him to run, and his legs tensed instinctively.

But he couldn’t look away. To cast attack magic, he needed to keep his eyes on the target. There was no turning back.

‘You can do this, Iann. You’re the world’s most handsome, dashing, and powerful mage! You’ve got this!’
Iann opened his eyes wide, steeling himself. Sure, he might lose his appetite for a day—or a week—or even three weeks. Maybe he’d have nightmares of this wretched thing for a month! But better to endure a brief moment of eye contact than let his spell miss and unleash havoc.

‘Please, please, please. Great, fiery explosion. Big. Fiery. Explosion. Focus, Iann de Loit.’

Iann recited the incantation for a fire spell in his mind. Cold sweat trickled down his temples, but he forced himself to appear nonchalant, as if this was nothing.

Of course, a high-level monster was genuinely nothing to Iann. But it had to be a bug-type monster. And not just any bug—this time, it was a silverfish. Even an ordinary silverfish would send him fleeing. To Iann, this grotesque monstrosity was a nightmare come to life.

Barely three seconds passed—just as the young mage holding back the creature began to waver, his face contorted with effort—before Iann made his move.

Snap!
He flicked his fingers. A golden magic circle flared to life beneath the monster, glowing brightly.

Screeeeeeech!
Flames erupted from the creature’s body, engulfing it entirely. The raging fire roared, and the monster’s grotesque black form was briefly visible before it disintegrated into ash. Not even a scream remained.

The once-fearsome creature was reduced to nothing but faint scorch marks on the snowy ground.

“Wow…”
The young mage, frozen in shock, rubbed his eyes furiously before springing to his feet.

“Wow!”
It’s the Tower’s pride, Lord Iann! The others, who had been too stunned to speak, finally found their voices and cheered alongside the mage.

Iann, never one to miss an opportunity for glory, responded with a composed smile. He even stomped his foot lightly for dramatic effect as he turned, his white cloak billowing elegantly behind him.

Even Derrick, who was well aware of Iann’s penchant for theatrics, occasionally found him impressive in moments like this. At times, Iann’s arrogance seemed almost justified. Watching Iann stride back quickly despite his feigned indifference, Derrick let out a warm chuckle.

“This time, you really did—”

“Get down!”

A fierce gust of wind blew past Derrick. Iann’s voice, now much closer, rang loudly in his ears.

A dull pain spread across Derrick’s back, and he heard Yuhwa scream behind him.

“Iann!”
Finally, the young mage’s frantic cry echoed.

Screeeeech! Boom!
An earth-shaking crash reverberated as a chaotic cacophony erupted. Derrick quickly regained his senses. Far ahead, where he and Yuhwa had just been standing moments ago, Iann was now alone, fending off the monster’s attack. His stance suggested he had teleported there in haste. The snow beneath his right leg, previously pure white, was now stained a deep crimson.

“Iann!”

“Don’t come any closer!”

“That thing is twice the size of the last one—and a higher tier! What are you planning to do alone?”

“I’ll win!”

Derrick clenched his teeth, swallowing the retort that Iann was already injured. Iann hadn’t glanced back even once during their brief exchange. He was too focused. Interrupting him now would only add to his burden—an act of utter foolishness.

“Derrick…”

Yuhwa’s anxious voice brought Derrick back to reality. He reassured her, keeping his voice calm.

“It’ll be fine. He’s an Archmage, after all.”

Derrick was also reassuring himself. Yuhwa, regaining some composure, gently activated her divine power, preparing to heal Iann as soon as the fight was over.

Thud, thud.
Heavy impacts reverberated through the ground as the creature advanced. This new silverfish monster was far larger than the previous one. Its grotesque form loomed over the ancient forest like a hideous tower. And it had too many legs—far too many legs.

‘So many damn eyes, damn it.’

It wasn’t that Iann lacked mana or physical strength. What was wearing him down was the sheer psychological impact. Every time one of those antennae brushed against his right arm, his concentration wavered.

‘Shouldn’t it grow proportionally? If it’s that big, shouldn’t the legs and eyes also get bigger? Why do they stay small but just multiply? Is this even real?’

Damn it, damn it. Iann cursed internally. He needed to focus on reciting his spells, but all that came to mind were expletives.

‘Kill it quickly and go home to watch a cute animal compilation. Focus, damn it. Recite the fire spell, Iann de Lo—ACK!’
“You filthy bastard! Spitting on me is crossing the line!”