Mature Fantasy Power Invasion

Chapter 18

Yinggong Tong believed she had a terrible habit.

That habit was hypocrisy.

Of course, everyone has a degree of hypocrisy—no one wants to hear the truth all the time. That's why people put on masks and act, hiding their true feelings.

But Yinggong Tong was fully aware of just how hypocritical she could be—and how unbearable the truth hiding beneath that hypocrisy truly was.

So, the girl who had thoroughly analyzed herself grew thorns of rational rejection under a gentle exterior.

That was why, upon entering school, she publicly declared, "I will absolutely never fall in love."

It sounded like a statement of disdain for everyone else, but in truth, it was a defense mechanism—meant to keep others from getting close enough to pierce those thorns and see the real, unbearable her.

Because when that moment came, when someone saw the real her, any so-called love would run away, frightened by the darkness inside.

Since that was the inevitable outcome, better not to start at all.

However, what she failed to realize was that those thorns only kept others away—they couldn't stop her truest self from yearning to reach out, to get closer to someone.

She couldn't remember exactly when she started liking Yan Huan.

She only recalled one specific afternoon when she invited the student council members over to her rented apartment. They had planned to eat out, but Yan Huan ended up cooking for everyone.

She remembered eating her favorite caramel pudding that day, and her eyes naturally wandered to Yan Huan—he was the one who had made the dessert.

Then she saw her three pet cats snuggling up to him affectionately, meowing and acting spoiled, like they truly adored him.

And he was so patient, smiling softly as he lowered his head and gently scratched the cats’ chins.

At that moment, the part of her buried beneath the thorns stirred—it began to ache with desire to know more about him.

She wanted to know everything—his thoughts, his mindset, his habits, his emotions, even his body.

To figure out when Yan Huan would arrive at the student council office, she installed the first hidden camera there.

And from that point on, everything spiraled out of control.

She installed more cameras—at Yan Huan’s classroom, in school corridors, the student council office, outside his part-time job, even the exterior of his rented home.

Do you remember that Friday when Ye Shiyu hypnotized Yan Huan, and Yinggong Tong suddenly sent a message via plane chat?

That was the usual time Yan Huan finished work and headed home. But that day, Yinggong Tong didn’t see him leave the pub or return to his place.

Panicked, she sent a message—and even called directly without hesitation, catching Ye Shiyu off guard.

Rationally, Yinggong Tong knew this wasn’t a healthy way to like someone—she shouldn’t be surveilling him like this or trying to control his life.

But her truest self could no longer be suppressed. It was as if she were a prisoner shackled inside her own rationality.

And that prisoner danced elegantly while trapped inside the persona of "considerate Vice President Yinggong"!

In fact, in the folder on her laptop just now, there weren’t just countless photos of Yan Huan taken in secret—she had also recorded everything he said.

She had reached a point where she felt the need to decipher the meaning behind every word he uttered—trying to fully understand him through this obsessive method.

Of course, many times, she couldn’t understand the things Yan Huan said at all.

[Fish, such a big fish, tiger-striped shark.]

The document included a screenshot of the plane chat, with Yinggong Tong’s handwritten notes and dates below.

"March 9th Plane Chat Log. Message sent by Yan Huan after visiting the aquarium."

"Doesn’t seem to refer to any specific shark species. He didn’t respond clearly to my follow-up. Meaning unclear—for now, just recording it."

[I'm fighting Sukuna, for real?]

"March 6th. After I handed the task of reporting to the principal over to the President, he suddenly said this."

"Why would he compare the principal to a mythical monster? Does he think the principal is terrifying? Meaning unclear."

[Where did you get this dried stuff, is this even still in the country?]

"March 4th. The President said this after seeing how I’d reorganized the student council office before the semester started."

"Did he think it no longer looked Linmen-style? But all I did was rearrange the desks and add some bookshelves."

Beneath that were many more records—her ongoing attempts to analyze Yan Huan from last semester to now.

After over half a year together, the student council had gotten used to the President occasionally saying strange, incomprehensible things.

Maybe it was local slang from Linmen or Longguo?

(*) Linmen and Longguo are fictional place names, possibly used to represent different regions or cultural backgrounds.

But Yinggong Tong had asked several people from both places, and none of them understood those phrases either.

And it wasn’t just that his words were hard to understand—often, while speaking with Yan Huan, he would also show emotions she couldn’t comprehend.

One particular scene from last semester came to mind. She and Yan Huan were taking an elective together and had to prepare a group report on well-known companies.

While reviewing some data, Yan Huan suddenly muttered,

"The Gold Lion Group gets off work at 4:30 PM?"

"Yes, President. That’s why dealing with them is tricky—there are often weeks-long waitlists."

"I see."

It had been just a normal conversation, so why did Yan Huan show such a complex, unreadable expression at that moment?

So many questions burned in her mind, but she didn’t dare ask. She was afraid it would expose her feelings.

And if he discovered that she liked him, he might start to scrutinize her more closely.

Then he’d find out that many of her questions were about things she had no right to know.

"Why do you know I didn’t go home?"

"Why do you know what time I get off work?"

"Why do you know who I talked to in class?"

'Because I’m always watching you from the shadows—always monitoring you!'

That was the unbearable truth—but Yinggong Tong couldn’t say it.

Because she knew her actions were morally wrong. If she confessed, he’d probably be terrified—and she might lose her place in the world entirely.

If only there were a place that could accept the ugliness in her heart—a place where, even if exposed, it would be considered normal.

In that place, she could openly watch him, study him, and even express her shameful desires.

As if it were common sense—as if it were a rule.

Just as that thought took form, a voice echoed in her mind:

[Activate Room Barrier?]

Room Barrier?

What was that?

[Barrier Level: 1]

[Effect Description: Once per week, designate a sealed area (within 50 square meters) to deploy a barrier. Maximum number of barriers: 1.]

[Within the barrier, you gain the following effects:]

[You can establish rules that must be followed, and receive omnidirectional surveillance. Simply imagining it allows you to view the interior from anywhere.]

[You can modify common sense for individuals within the area—but only one rule can be added at a time. Note: the rule must not be something the individual is completely incapable of doing.]

[Once the effect activates, those who leave the area will forget everything that happened inside. Their memories will be adjusted accordingly. However, if a third party is present, they may notice inconsistencies.]

[While you remain inside the deployed barrier, the barrier level will gradually increase, enhancing its coverage and effects.]

Even after reading all that, she didn’t fully understand what a "barrier" truly meant.

But the first time she deployed it in the student council office, she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

From that day forward, the barrier in the office was never deactivated.

*Pa!*

Yinggong Tong, lost in thought, was snapped back to reality by the sound of a finger snap. The phantom text floating before her eyes slowly faded.

The fading text read:

[Barrier Level: 2]

[Effect Description: Once per week, designate a sealed area (within 75 square meters) to deploy a barrier. Maximum number of barriers: 2.]

She blinked, pulling herself out of her daze, and looked over at Yan Huan beside her in his sportswear.

"Yinggong, class is almost over. It’s our turn for cleaning duty today."

It was Monday afternoon, and they were both in their elective class—volleyball.

After wandering around campus at noon with Ye Shiyu, Yan Huan hadn’t returned to the student council office. He’d taken a nap in a quiet spot before heading straight to the gym.

Yinggong Tong had very poor stamina. She only moved during teacher-led activities, and during free play or matches, she usually sat off to the side.

But today was different—she hadn’t moved at all, zoning out until class was nearly over.

"Okay, President."

Yinggong Tong blinked, looked at Yan Huan standing in front of her, as if she wanted to ask something. But in the end, she just stood up and nodded silently.

Inside the gym, most of the volleyballs had already been collected into a small cart.

Yan Huan and Yinggong Tong still needed to take down the net and return the cart of volleyballs to the equipment room.

"Yinggong, you barely moved today. Are you feeling okay?"

"A bit. It’ll pass after this week."

She followed behind Yan Huan and began dismantling one side of the net.

This week?

Yan Huan paused for a moment, then his expression shifted as if something clicked.

He turned to look at Yinggong Tong and said,

"Then, Yinggong, you should go rest. I’ll take care of this."

"."

Yinggong Tong turned to glance at the smiling Yan Huan. She didn’t respond and simply continued folding the net.

"It's fine. Let's go together."

Actually, she wasn’t on her period—she just had something she wanted to ask Yan Huan.

Something about Ye Shiyu.

Normally, many girls at school paid attention to Yan Huan. While monitoring him, Yinggong Tong had grown used to their presence and didn’t really mind.

After all, Yan Huan had never shown anyone anything beyond polite courtesy.

But Ye Shiyu was completely different.

Yinggong Tong had never seen such patience and gentleness in Yan Huan's eyes before.

On Saturday, the President had suddenly called to ask her why she liked cats—it must have been because of Ye Shiyu.

That expressionless girl who looked like a puppet?

She had been watching the President since last semester and knew all his habits inside and out.

So what gave her the right?

'Just because you’re his Older Sister?'

'Can that "Older Sister" of yours even be considered a good sister?'

Unlike the impression Ye Shiyu gave—that Yan Huan was gentle to everyone—Yinggong Tong could clearly feel that Yan Huan treated Ye Shiyu differently.

But Yinggong Tong didn’t know that the core of Yan Huan's gentleness came from a very real survival instinct.

She told herself not to rush. After all, that night, the President had said something important.

He said he remembered why she liked cats.

'Could that mean he likes me?'

'If our feelings are mutual, then my peeking, monitoring, and controlling would all be justified, right?'

She needed to be certain about the President’s feelings.

However, the persona of a considerate and composed individual was already established—someone like Yinggong Tong would never openly pry into others’ private lives.

So, she had to use other methods.

"Seems like the weather’s warming up. It’s been nice lately, and it was really sunny over the weekend."

"When the President went to the aquarium?"

"Exactly, it was quite sunny that day."

Yinggong Tong finished collecting the net, placed it onto the small cart, and walked toward the equipment room behind the gym with Yan Huan, who was pushing the cart.

She opened the unlocked door, revealing a spacious, enclosed room inside.

Yuanyue Academy was well-funded—after all, the tuition was extraordinarily expensive—so the equipment room was fully stocked.

(*) Note: "Yuanyue Academy" appears to be a fictional elite school.

Inside were all kinds of balls, protective gear, field props, yoga mats, crash mats, and more.

Yinggong Tong stepped in first. Together with Yan Huan—one pushing, one pulling—they moved the cart farther inside.

"Done."

*Ding ding ding~*

The dismissal bell rang outside. Yan Huan glanced at Yinggong Tong, who was already panting from the light activity, and suddenly felt thirsty.

Not because of Yinggong Tong, but because he had just exercised for an entire class and hadn’t had any water.

"I’m so thirsty. Let’s go, Yinggong. I’m going to buy something to drink. Do you want anything?"

"I want to go off-campus to get some drinks. Maybe even grab a dessert. President, are you coming?"

"Dessert, huh..."

Just as Yan Huan was rubbing his chin, ready to leave with Yinggong Tong, the door in front of them suddenly slammed shut with a loud *bang*—despite there being no wind.

Yan Huan froze, while Yinggong Tong jumped in surprise, covering her ears at the noise.

"What’s going on?"

Yan Huan raised an eyebrow and walked over to the door, grabbing the doorknob and trying to turn it.

*Kakakaka*

The doorknob groaned under his grip, but no matter how hard he tried, the door didn’t move—it felt like he was pushing against a wall.

"President, what’s wrong?"

"Is the door locked?"

"Huh?"

Yinggong Tong furrowed her brows and also tried the doorknob.

When it wouldn’t budge, she shouted toward the outside, "Is anyone there? Whoever you are, stop playing this kind of prank!"

.

But there was no response.

Yan Huan took a deep breath and gestured for Yinggong Tong to step back. He also backed up a few paces.

Then, he suddenly sprinted forward and kicked the door hard.

*BANG!!*

A loud sound rang out, but at the moment of impact, it felt like he had kicked solid concrete.

The door didn’t move at all. The force of his kick disappeared like a drop of water in the ocean—vanishing without a trace.

Instead, the recoil sent him stumbling back several steps.

"President! Are you okay?!"

"I’m fine."

Yinggong Tong lowered her hands from her ears and quickly came to Yan Huan’s side, frowning at the door.

"What on earth is going on? Did someone shut us in?"

"I don’t know."

Though he said that, something already felt off to Yan Huan deep down.

Sure enough, in the eerie darkness under the door, a small slip of paper mysteriously floated in and landed at their feet.

Yan Huan bent down, picked up the paper, and looked at it with Yinggong Tong. It read:

[Want to get out of here?]

[Then the two of you must hold hands for ten minutes, hug for ten minutes, and kiss for ten minutes.]

Yan Huan stared at the paper, his mind going blank.

It all made sense now.

Everything that had seemed absurd suddenly became logical.

He turned his head and looked at Yinggong Tong, who had covered her mouth in shock.

In that moment, he realized something deeper.

Then, he silently activated his ability.

[Perfect Expression Control: Activate.]

At the same time, sensing Yan Huan’s gaze, Yinggong Tong looked startled and took a few steps back.

Her eyes flickered with doubt, as if she briefly suspected this was all some twisted prank planned by Yan Huan.

But then she remembered his past behavior—he wasn’t the type to do something like this—so she chose to trust him.

Even so, she still kept her distance, her voice more brittle and trembling than usual.

"President... what exactly is going on?"

Seeing her genuine reaction in this male-female alone setting—so unguarded—made Yan Huan suddenly feel unsure of himself.

She really seemed to think he had locked them in here to do something inappropriate.

"Calm down, Yinggong. Don’t panic. Let me think—what exactly is happening?"

"Mhm... it’s okay, President. I just—"

Yinggong Tong pursed her lips and decided to trust him.

'Could it be... it wasn’t Vice President Yinggong?'

Besides, the Vice President Yinggong had always been measured and considerate—unlike Ye Shiyu, who was clearly the chosen modifier host type.

'Could someone else have done this?'

'But why?'

Ye Shiyu had used the modifier because her possessiveness flared up—she wanted to kick him out of the house.

'So why use it now?'

Judging by the situation, someone had used the modifier to trap the two of them here... just to secretly watch them do indecent things?

'What kind of perverted fetish is that?!'

*Hiss*—'No, wait, don’t say it... It actually kind of checks out.'

As the thoughts spiraled, Yan Huan’s heart suddenly ached. The perfect expression on his face nearly cracked.

Watching someone you like—or have feelings for—with someone else...

Then hiding in the shadows, still unable to look away...

Buried memories suddenly resurfaced, stabbing into his mind. For the first time, he felt that knowing too much was a curse.

In that moment, he understood the core maxim of the Cthulhu Mythos: 'Knowledge is a curse.'

(*) Note: The "Cthulhu Mythos" refers to a fictional universe created by H.P. Lovecraft, where forbidden knowledge often leads to madness.

Right now, Yan Huan truly believed humanity was beyond salvation.

'You people can get off on anything, huh?'

"But the problem is—which possibility is actually the correct one?"

"Vice President Yinggong did it?"

"But what would her motive be?"

Yan Huan turned his head to look at Vice President Yinggong, but she had already quietly moved behind the equipment mat, as if deeply worried about what Yan Huan might do in this situation.

'But if it wasn't Vice President Yinggong who used the modifier—'

'Then who exactly is the one using it?'

'And what does it actually do?'

Clutching the slip of paper with the exit method written on it, Yan Huan suddenly fell into deep thought.

[End of this chapter]