The barrier

'Why is everyone in this world so weird!?' Ryoshu helplessly screamed in his mind, feeling a tumultuous mix of frustration and bewilderment. The day's strange events had already worn him down, and now this bizarre new predicament only added to his confusion.

As he approached the dormitory gate, Ryoshu's stride was suddenly interrupted by an inexplicable sensation. His arm abruptly stopped as if it had struck an invisible barrier. It wasn't the typical resistance one might expect from an obstacle; instead of bouncing back, his arm seemed to sink deeper and deeper into the obstruction. Intrigued and alarmed, he pushed his hand further, only to witness a ripple effect, like water's surface when disturbed.

The barrier was inanimate, yet it gave Ryoshu the unsettling impression of being almost alive. The sensation was eerie, sending a chill down his spine. Goosebumps rose on his skin as a cold, invisible force enveloped his entire body, heightening his dread.

'I thought I was done with wei