“In exchange for the photos, I agreed to one of her conditions.”
Hearing this, Ying Gong Tong’s mind went blank for a mont.
Unwanted, inappropriate images crept into her thoughts uncontrollably.
“President, what do you an by agreeing to one of her conditions?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
Yan Huan blinked, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally replied, “You know her grades are terrible, right?”
“I do—66 points. Hard to believe a human could score that low... Although, for her, it makes sense.”
Ying Gong’s sharp retort was restrained by her aristocratic poise. Were it Yan Huan, he would’ve simply said, “She’s a poetic disaster.”
“That idiot knew she’d be forced into the study group. She didn’t want to do it, so she blackmailed
with those photos to help her get out of it.” Yan Huan shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“...”
But Ying Gong froze for a mont, doubt creeping into her voice.
“President, she took those photos on Monday, but the grades were released on Tuesday. Are you saying she could predict she’d end up in the study group before the results ca out?”
Yan Huan sighed. “Her family background isn’t simple, Ying Gong. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
That explanation, while oversimplified, was hard to refute.
Spencer’s connections to the Golden Lion Group and her potential access to insider information made such foresight plausible. It wasn’t exactly a lie on Yan Huan’s part—Spencer really had used that condition.
But there was a problem Yan Huan didn’t foresee: Ying Gong wasn’t easily deceived.
She wore a mask of politeness and composure, but her sharp mind caught details others missed.
True, Spencer’s family ties explained her knowing about the principal’s plans. But it didn’t explain the strange look on Yan Huan’s face when he first saw her na in the study group list on Tuesday.
Nor did it account for his unusual behavior on Thursday after returning from a eting with Spencer. At the ti, Ying Gong had been too distracted to notice.
Just as Nara had said: when it ca to Yan Huan, Ying Gong’s intelligence tended to nosedive.
But now, facing Spencer head-on, she was in her sharpest state, and the inconsistencies quickly stood out.
The truth was clear—things between Yan Huan and Spencer were far more complicated than he claid.
But why would the President lie?
Was it possible all his kindness toward her—those shared selfies, his care for her feelings—was just part of a flirtatious ga between him and Spencer?
No, that couldn’t be it.
Ying Gong had seen the genuine dislike in Yan Huan’s eyes when he looked at Spencer.
Which made the situation even more intriguing.
Her mind worked rapidly, piecing together a theory:
The President had fallen victim to Spencer’s superpower!
Ying Gong recalled the odd, fleeting monts when her own thoughts seed inexplicably softened toward Spencer—monts where her wariness waned and Spencer’s actions seed reasonable.
This had to be related to Spencer’s ability. It would also explain why Spencer had managed to shatter Ying Gong’s barrier with one kick.
Ying Gong speculated that individuals with such abilities could partially resist each other’s effects, which might explain why her barrier’s influence on Spencer was weaker than Spencer’s power over her.
Could it be a matter of levels?
Her current barrier level was 2. Perhaps Spencer’s ability operated at a higher level, overpowering hers. If only her barrier level could rise higher...
The thought stirred sothing dark and viscous within her, as if her suppressed fears and desires had taken root and were beginning to grow.
And then there was Yan Huan.
Unlike her, he had no superpower at all. He might already be fully under Spencer’s influence.
Ying Gong’s hands tightened at her sides. She couldn’t bear the thought of Spencer’s ability corrupting Yan Huan to the point where he beca the broken figure in her earlier nightmare.
“Sorry, Ying Gong... I... I can’t go back anymore...”
No, she had to protect him from Spencer at all costs.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Ying Gong maintained her composed exterior. She blinked calmly and said, “I see, President. That makes sense.”
Feigning acceptance, she mirrored Yan Huan’s approach, her true intent being to keep him far away from Spencer.
Looking around, she pointed to a hallway. “Let’s head to the nurse’s office now.”
“Alright, let
figure out how to get there.”
“It should be this way,” Ying Gong said, gesturing toward a wall-mounted, scratched-up sign. The arrow indicated a staircase leading to the second floor, where the nurse’s office was located.
“Ahhhh! It hurts... It hurts so much!”
Suddenly, a bloody-faced NPC appeared at the window of a nearby classroom, pressing its pale, disheveled visage against the glass. Its distorted screams echoed down the corridor.
Yan Huan instinctively stepped back, not out of fear but to check on Ying Gong.
Her widened eyes betrayed her shock, though she quickly composed herself. “I’m fine, President.”
Even though she knew the NPCs were her own team mbers in costu, she couldn’t bring herself to look directly at the grotesque figure. She hurried past to keep up with Yan Huan.
Just as she was about to pass, a cold hand brushed her sleeve.
“!!”
President! Save !
Before she could cry out, the "ghost" extended a hand holding a small Bluetooth earpiece.
Ying Gong froze, staring at the NPC.
Despite the blood streaked across its face, the “ghost” winked at her playfully.
“...”
Casting a quick glance at Yan Huan, who was still walking ahead, Ying Gong discreetly took the earpiece and slipped it on.
“Miss Ying Gong, can you hear ?”
It was Nara’s voice.
Ying Gong glanced up at the hidden cara embedded in the corridor ceiling. She didn’t speak but gave a small nod.
“Good. Miss Ying Gong, those two girls have entered the haunted house. Should we proceed with the original plan or—”
Ying Gong imdiately shook her head. Walking alongside Yan Huan, she mouthed a silent response toward the cara.
Nara paused, then her tone shifted knowingly. “The blonde idiot... That must be the Spencer girl, right?”
Ying Gong nodded, gesturing to indicate she wanted Spencer and her companion kept away from Yan Huan.
“Understood, Miss Ying Gong. You’ll head to the nurse’s office, correct? It connects to a secret exit.”
Nara quickly laid out the routes: “The nurse’s office has two entrances—one from Corridor A, the other from Corridor B. You’re in Corridor A, so you’ll need to walk a bit. Spencer’s group is closer, but we’ll do our best to slow them down. Take the shortcut and get out as soon as you can.”
Ying Gong acknowledged with a thumbs-up, her resolve firm.
“President, let’s hurry. I’m worried we’ll run into her again,” she urged, keeping her tone light.
Yan Huan nodded, clearly in agreent, and quickened his pace.
As they reached the blood-sared staircase leading to the second floor, Yan Huan ntally called out:
“ow-chan.”
A shadowy black cat materialized on his shoulder, its tail curling around his neck.
“ow~ What’s up?”
“Can you check where Spencer is? I don’t want her crossing paths with Ying Gong. Today’s not the day to deal with her Modifier.”
ow-chan shook its head. “I can’t stray far from you, Yan Huan.”
“Why not?”
“I’m the manifestation of your Modifier in this world. Since the Modifier is tied to you, I can’t move too far away.”
The cat leapt forward to demonstrate, disappearing into motes of light as it reached its 15-ter limit.
“The range is about a 15-ter radius,” ow-chan explained, reappearing on Yan Huan’s shoulder.
“However, I can sll her. They’re on the other side of the corridor.”
Yan Huan nodded subtly, gripping the railing as they began their climb. They had to move fast—the blonde idiot was closing in.
“Ying Gong, over here.” Yan Huan gestured ahead.
“Yes, President.” Ying Gong ascended the stairs, but as Yan Huan glanced back at the maze-like layout of the first floor, a thought troubled him.
This place had a complicated design. To reach the second-floor nurse’s office, you had to navigate several classrooms, guided by faint hints along the way. How could soone like Spencer, with her limited brainpower, possibly catch up so quickly?
anwhile, in one of the abandoned classrooms, Spencer squatted on the floor, idly playing with broken chair fragnts.
“Spencer,” An Le said nervously, staring at a blood-scrawled hint on the wall, “I think... we’re supposed to go to the nurse’s office. That’s probably where the exit is. Xiao Huan and Ying Gong Tong will definitely head there too...”
“Huh?” Spencer tilted her head and clapped the dust off her hands as she stood up.
“Where’s the nurse’s office, anyway?”
“It should be upstairs. This is Corridor B. There’s a staircase down that way... Ah!” An Le froze mid-sentence as a ghostly shadow passed by the classroom door. Her face turned pale.
On her shoulder, Little Finger slapped her cheek with its tail.
“What ghost? If anyone here’s a ghost, it’s —sothing nobody else can see! What are you scared of? Hurry up! Xiao Huan’s waiting for you!”
An Le’s emotions were still raw from earlier, making her easier to provoke. For soone as timid as her, this was the perfect mont to act rashly—to do sothing she’d never dare otherwise: reveal her childhood connection to Xiao Huan.
“Y-you’re right...” An Le patted her masked face, steeling herself.
“Ghost? Let
see!” Spencer, fearlessly bold, ran out into the hallway, only to find it empty.
“Tch, nothing there. If it was a ghost, it must’ve been a coward.”
“Ugh...” An Le couldn’t shake the feeling Spencer was indirectly calling her a coward. She hurried to catch up, her fear easing slightly with Spencer by her side.
“Spencer... The stairs are over there. Xiao Huan and Ying Gong Tong are probably heading to the nurse’s office too. If we hurry—”
A cold breeze blew through the hallway behind them.
“I hate it... I hate it... I hate it so much!!!”
“Eek!” An Le’s face turned white. She didn’t dare turn around but caught a glimpse in the window’s reflection of the door behind them creaking open.
“Spencer!”
“Huh?”
Spencer turned toward the door, arms crossed. But beyond the open doorway, there was nothing.
“What is it?”
Did I imagine it? An Le wondered, panting as she refocused on the path ahead.
But just then, her eyes widened in terror. Behind Spencer, a disheveled, bloodied female ghost silently appeared, her face contorted into a horrific grin.
“Eek!!”
An Le’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, covering her face like an ostrich. “Spencer, b-behind you...!”
The ghost smirked slyly. Though just an amateur actor hired for the haunted house, she felt a strange sense of accomplishnt scaring a guest into such a state.
So this is what they an by loving your job once you start it!
Satisfied, the ghost turned her attention to Spencer, ready for another scare. But she froze in confusion when Spencer’s face blurred into a residual shadow.
Residual shadow?
Before she could react, a burst of wind slamd into her right cheek as Spencer’s fist swung toward her.
“Whoosh!”
Instinctively, the ghost threw herself backward, landing awkwardly on the floor.
“Thud!”
The punch missed and hit the flimsy haunted house wall instead, leaving a gaping hole.
“Crash!”
Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling as Spencer’s punch reverberated through the corridor.
Sitting on the ground, the ghost gawked at Spencer, who stood wreathed in an almost visible aura of black energy.
Spencer exhaled deeply, eting the ghost’s stunned gaze.
“Scared
for a second there. Thought you were a real ghost. Turns out you’re just a fake.”
“...”
Now that the “real ghost” option was ruled out, Spencer’s expression shifted into gleeful curiosity.
“Your costu’s pretty cool, though. Let
have a closer look!”
The ghost shivered under Spencer’s intense gaze, as if she were so intriguing new toy.
“S-sorry!” The ghost scread, scrambling to her feet and bolting down the corridor.
“Don’t run!!” Spencer yelled, imdiately giving chase.
“Spencer, wait!” An Le shouted, forcing herself to stand and follow.
The terrified ghost ran blindly toward the second floor, the sound of Spencer’s sneakers pounding like a war drum behind her.
Through her earpiece, Nara’s frustrated voice barked: “What are you doing?! Why are you leading them to the second floor?!”
“I’m sorry! She’s terrifying! Please save , Nara-sis!” the ghost wailed.
“Tch! Fine. Keep running and lead her away from the nurse’s office!”
“W-what?! Nara-sis, help !!”
Nara swiftly issued orders to the rest of her team. “All NPCs on the second floor, block that blonde idiot! Keep her away from the nurse’s office!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
An Le, struggling to keep up, called out, “Spencer! Over there’s the nurse’s office! Let’s go—”
But Spencer didn’t seem to hear her, focused entirely on chasing the ghost.
“Ugh, why doesn’t she listen...” An Le muttered.
Little Finger, perched on her shoulder, smacked her with its tail. “Are you stupid? Rember what Spencer said? She’s helping you by distracting Ying Gong Tong! This is your chance to sneak to the nurse’s office and find Xiao Huan!”
“You’re right...”
“Go! Let Spencer and Ying Gong fight it out. You make your move now—straight for Yan Huan!”
“Marry...? But shouldn’t Xiao Huan marry m—”
“Shut up! Move!”
“Y-yes!”
An Le glanced once more at Spencer’s retreating figure before turning toward the nurse’s office, clutching the black bags in her arms for comfort as she walked cautiously through the eerie hallway.
“Miss Ying Gong, we can’t hold off the blonde girl much longer. She’s heading your way.”
“Damn it...”
Ying Gong’s expression darkened as she reached the nurse’s office door.
It wasn’t Nara’s fault—if Spencer really had so kind of ability, stopping her would’ve been difficult regardless.
Still, Ying Gong seethed internally. Spencer’s physical strength was almost superhuman. All her brainpower must’ve gone to her muscles. No wonder she’s so fit but so dim-witted.
“Ying Gong, we’re here,” Yan Huan called from inside the nurse’s office, inspecting the blood-soaked sheets and faint tallic tang of the air.
The room was filled with clues pointing to the story’s central NPC, “Manako,” but there was no clear exit.
“Does this place really have a way out?” Yan Huan asked, glancing back at Ying Gong, who stood in the doorway, covering her nose against the sll.
“It should. All the clues lead here,” she replied.
Just then, Nara’s voice ca through Ying Gong’s earpiece: “Miss Ying Gong, she’s almost there!”
Ying Gong’s face turned icy.
That blonde idiot... She was overstepping her bounds.
To think Spencer dared to use her ability to manipulate Yan Huan when Ying Gong herself had never crossed that line.
Her eyes flickered toward Yan Huan. A sudden idea ford in her mind.
Last ti, Spencer shattered the barrier from outside its range. But what if she were trapped inside it?
With the barrier’s 75-square-ter limit, it could perfectly encompass this section of the corridor. Yan Huan would remain safe inside the room, and Spencer could be contained.
“Ying Gong, co in and shut the door. I think I found sothing,” Yan Huan called.
Yan Huan hadn’t actually found anything in the nurse’s office, but he still turned to Ying Gong Tong and said, “Ying Gong, co inside.”
He’d just heard ow-chan’s warning from his shoulder.
“Spencer’s scent is getting stronger, ow! She’s right outside in the hallway!”
Yan Huan’s plan was simple: get Ying Gong into the room. If necessary, he’d face Spencer alone—anything to prevent Ying Gong from falling under the influence of the Modifier.
But unbeknownst to Yan Huan, Ying Gong had the exact sa thought:
I can’t let the President be affected by Spencer’s ability.
That damned Spencer...
Driven by frustration and an inexplicable longing, the darkness around Ying Gong seed to respond to her emotions. The smile she gave Yan Huan beca brighter and more dazzling, even as an unseen force within her surged like floodgates bursting open.
In her vision, shimring text suddenly appeared:
[Congratulations! Your Barrier Level has increased!]
[Barrier Level: 2 → 3]
[Weekly usage count increased to 2 tis, maximum coverage expanded to 100 square ters, and up to 2 Barriers can now exist simultaneously.]
[You now have enhanced control over the rules within your Barrier. You can add two “common sense” alterations.]
Ying Gong’s delicate fingers lightly touched the doorway as she prepared to step inside. She responded to Yan Huan with a sweet, “Alright, President.”
But the next second, the door inexplicably slamd shut in her face.
Her expression froze in surprise.
“Ying Gong! Watch your hand!” Yan Huan exclaid, his eyes narrowing in concern as he saw her hand on the doorfra.
She quickly let go, but not fast enough to avoid being locked out of the room.
“Bang!”
Yan Huan rushed to the door and tried to force it open, but no matter how hard he pulled, it wouldn’t budge. It felt as if the door were fused with the surrounding space.
This situation was eerily similar to before, and Yan Huan instantly understood:
It’s the Modifier!
Spencer!!
His face darkened, though he couldn’t help feeling a slight sense of relief.
If this was Spencer’s doing, then it ant the Barrier was centered on the room he was in, leaving Ying Gong safely outside and out of Spencer’s influence.
But sothing didn’t add up.
If Spencer’s ability involved plundering or altering reality, what would isolating Yan Huan alone achieve? There wasn’t even anyone else in the room to manipulate.
Last ti, when Spencer trapped him and Ying Gong together, it set the stage for her iconic, “You don’t want this photo circulating, do you?” drama.
But now? What was the point?
Or maybe... this wasn’t Spencer’s doing at all?
“ow~”
As Yan Huan was pondering, a soft noise drew his attention. He turned and saw a girl standing quietly near the now-sealed room.
Her head was lowered, her face half-hidden by a white mask. She wore an oversized T-shirt, similar to Yaqiao Mu’s style, which emphasized her well-proportioned figure. Her black hair frad her blushing face, and her large, sparkling eyes peeked up at him shyly.
It was An Le.
Yan Huan didn’t recognize her, only seeing her as the mysterious girl following Spencer around earlier.
“...”
The pieces clicked in Yan Huan’s mind. He’d wondered earlier how soone like Spencer, with her abrasive personality, could possibly have a friend.
Now, everything made sense.
Spencer must have brought this girl to set up one of her ridiculous sches. The strange atmosphere, the inexplicable Barrier...
This had Spencer written all over it.
anwhile, perched on An Le’s shoulder, an unseen Little Finger was practically bouncing with excitent.
“See? Didn’t I tell you? Spencer and Ying Gong Tong are off dealing with each other, and now you’ve got your chance to swoop in!”
An Le blushed, sneaking a glance at Yan Huan. She didn’t notice the spectral ow-chan on his shoulder, nor did Little Finger notice its feline counterpart.
“But... Little Finger, how did you know Vice President Ying Gong would be drawn away?” she asked silently.
“Uh, because... I’m brilliant! Obviously, I can predict anything!” Little Finger boasted.
In truth, it had no clue why Ying Gong wasn’t present. Spencer wasn’t exactly reliable, and Little Finger certainly didn’t trust her. But fate—or sheer luck—had handed them this golden opportunity.
“Now’s the ti!” Little Finger urged, its tone almost giddy. “Say sothing to Xiao Huan! Don’t waste this chance!”
“...”
An Le bit her lip and clenched her fists, seemingly coming to a decision. She raised her head, eting Yan Huan’s gaze.
anwhile, Spencer had chased the ghost actor through a twisting corridor, only to lose sight of her after a sharp turn.
Panting slightly, she paused and glanced around, realizing An Le was nowhere to be seen.
“...”
Slapping her forehead, Spencer muttered, “Crap. Did I lose An Le?”
Little Finger had guessed wrong.
Spencer had completely forgotten her earlier promise to An Le about distracting Ying Gong. Enthralled by the ghost’s costu, she’d gotten carried away. Now, with An Le missing, she was utterly lost.
Adding to her troubles, Spencer was notoriously bad with directions.
Without An Le guiding her, she couldn’t retrace her steps to the nurse’s office.
Scratching her head, she glanced at a nearby classroom door. It didn’t budge, no matter how hard she pulled.
“Tch,” Spencer muttered, letting go of the handle and kicking the door in frustration.
Unbeknownst to her, Ying Gong was observing from the shadows, her Barrier allowing her to monitor Spencer’s every move.
Ying Gong wasn’t planning to reveal herself or confront Spencer directly. Her primary goal was to keep Spencer away from Yan Huan.
She had two reasons:
Her Barrier couldn’t last too long. Although it had temporarily disabled the second-floor surveillance, prolonged use would arouse suspicion from Nara and the others.Spencer’s abilities were still largely unknown. Her strength and possible ntal influence were already concerning enough, but Ying Gong suspected there was more to her power.
Ying Gong’s icy gaze followed Spencer’s movents as she pressed her palms together, experinting with her newfound ability to alter common sense within the Barrier.
[Violence is not allowed]
Within Ying Gong’s perspective, Spencer’s figure briefly stiffened, scratching her head.
Then she kicked a nearby door with enough force to send a resounding “boom” echoing through the corridor.
Ying Gong blinked in shock.
It didn’t work?
anwhile, Spencer grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “Breaking the rules feels great!”
“...”
Hidden in the shadows, Ying Gong steeled herself. She wouldn’t give up so easily. This was just the first move in their invisible battle—a clash between two powers subtly unfolding in the abandoned hallway.
But her thoughts couldn’t help drifting back to Yan Huan.
Is he worried about , all alone in the nurse’s office?
Ying Gong smiled faintly, thinking of how considerate he’d been during their previous ti alone together.
She reminded herself why she was doing all of this:
To protect the President.
Fixing her gaze on the nurse’s office, Ying Gong resolved to guard it as fiercely as a MOBA crystal. Spencer would not take another step closer to Yan Huan.
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