Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Forbidden Domain (2)
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Forbidden Domain.
A forbidden ground owned by Ridge Crossing Academy—one that had also appeared in Solo Biography.
'And a hidden field that could only be entered by fulfilling special conditions.'
Should it be classified as a Hidden Piece, or as a "monster"?
The Solo Biography veterans held daily tournaments debating the question.
And the conclusion?
'It never dropped.'
The Forbidden Domain was better than a Hidden Piece, in some ways.
Just... dangerous.
'Ridge Crossing possesses a total of three Forbidden Domains.'
Two had been uncovered by players, while the third came from the developer's notes.
'Treasure Vault, Mausoleum, and Inhuman Demonic Realm.'
He knew the details of the Treasure Vault and Mausoleum.
But honestly, even Sin Bihyeong didn't know much about the Inhuman Demonic Realm.
'Roughly speaking, it was like a prison where past villains who'd committed crimes were locked away, right?'
And then that place got devoured by monsters.
The wicked who'd sinned turned into monsters themselves, straying from the human path with no streets left to walk—that was as far as the developer's notes went.
'It mentioned being able to exponentially boost proficiency.'
But he had no particular desire to go.
Especially not now in the early story phase— it was a field only hinted at in Act 3, firmly mid-game territory.
'The further you push the main story, the higher players' levels climb.'
And like any other RPG, Solo Biography reserved its toughest spots for the late game.
'The Treasure Vault is simple: like an Ancient Relic, but a storage spot for all sorts of artifacts.'
One key difference was that the Treasure Vault—unlike monster Ancient Relics—also held things classified as elixirs or skills.
'Like the Great Return Pill, for instance.'
He'd seen a post about it once on the gallery.
They said eating it would transform your bones and marrow, even add Heavenly Martial Physique to your bloodline entry.
Just looking at the photo, it screamed total cheat item.
'The Mausoleum was where derived stories unlocked through various trials.'
For example, sit in lotus position before a spirit portrait holding a sword,
and you'd meet that figure in your dreams.
Endure the ordeals there, and you'd earn a derived story with beneficial buffs—like the Path to the Apex from orientation.
'...Not really tempting.'
The issue was that Bihyeong had zero interest in visiting any of the three.
Head to the Mausoleum, and it'd torment him in dreams until he cleared the story—fine in-game, but now that it was real, he had no intention of losing sleep over it.
Yokai were bad enough for interrupting rest.
'Treasure Vault's a no-go too—no guarantee he'd pass the trials right now.'
The easiest trial there recommended 3rd Hierarchy Rank.
You could barely scrape by after hitting mid-Act 2, grinding skill proficiencies and stats.
"Uhmm..."
Bihyeong clutched his phone, letting out a thoughtful groan. The Library Chairman caught sight of it and chuckled softly.
"Pondering hard, huh? 'Forbidden Domain' not clicking?"
No. It clicked too well—that was the problem.
"Hehe. Fair enough. Even faculty aren't allowed in. It's the academy's deepest secret. I was shocked my first time too."
No, that was exactly why he knew about it...
...Wait. What did she just say?
"You've been inside?"
Bihyeong's eyes went wide as he closed the gap. The Chairman momentarily lost her bearings and retreated two steps.
It was a playful advance, sure... but wasn't this a bit too close?
"Uh-huh. Went in. But why?"
The Chairman tilted her head innocently, but Bihyeong's shock lingered.
'The entry condition for Forbidden Domains? Complete an academy highest-grade mission.'
And those didn't come easy.
Even top 4th-years rarely topped out beyond advanced rank.
Yet here was a woman just one year his senior.
She was absolutely one of the academy's top powerhouses.
"What'd you get from it, sunbae?"
The Chairman started to reply candidly, then paused with a puzzled frown.
"Get? The way you phrase it... sounds like you've been inside too, hoobae."
"No, it's not—"
Damn, sharp as ever.
Bihyeong frantically brainstormed, scrambling for a convincing angle.
It was then.
"It's the academy's reward, obviously. They wouldn't hand out something worthless as compensation, right?"
Mina sidled up beside him, chin raised imperiously.
Nice assist, Mina! Though... why the thorny tone?
"Hmm. Good point."
The Chairman nodded, convinced.
"The one I entered was called the Treasure Vault."
"Yes."
"I... took a trial there."
"A trial?"
"Yeah. Y'know folktales? Greed brings punishment, purity brings reward—that sort."
The Chairman reminisced fondly.
"Mine was exactly that. Found out later, though."
"What about at the time?"
"Humming a tune without a care... and it passed. Learned a technique after—controlling spell power through syllable tones."
As she spoke, her voice pitch shifted subtly.
Each change sent ripples of spiritual power brushing his skin.
"Hope that's helpful."
She turned to leave.
"Hoobae. Keep that promise. Got it?"
With light steps, she vanished gracefully.
"......"
Bihyeong watched her go, then looked up.
'That story feels... familiar somehow.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After wrapping up the disciplinary committee successfully,
Bihyeong parted ways with Mina and headed back to the dorm.
He flopped onto the bed-sized sofa, then pulled out Eoduk.
"Whew. Elder. Thought I'd suffocate for real..."
Eoduk grumbled the moment he emerged from the shadow.
"That committee? Those old yokai's auras stinging my skin—nearly died."
"Fair. They were strong."
"But nothing next to the power in your lower dantian!"
Eoduk had compared the dantian charm's might to the council elders,
and deemed Bihyeong's edge—however slim—the winner.
"Less raw energy, but way more intimidating to yokai. You'll only get stronger, Elder!"
"Appreciate it, even if it's just talk."
"Not empty words!"
Eoduk bounced around wildly, insisting he never lied.
Bihyeong chuckled, hoisted him up.
"Eoduk."
"Yes, Elder."
"You felt it too, right?"
He set Eoduk on the table before the sofa, tone dead serious.
Eoduk matched it.
"That woman's words from before?"
"Yeah. Rings familiar."
The Treasure Vault trial she'd described.
Greed punished, purity rewarded.
"Passed just by humming."
This was straight-up...
"The Humpbacked Old Man's tale, right?"
"...What's that?"
"Fairy tale. With goblins."
Exactly.
The Humpbacked Old Man taught lessons on good and evil.
And the punishers? Goblins.
'Close match. The song interest, greed's punishment—fits.'
Bihyeong checked if kin like Eoduk might know it,
but no dice.
"Doesn't feel like it."
"...Not even a little?"
"No. Traits scream goblin, sure... but no other kin pings in this academy anymore."
Eoduk pondered, then ventured a guess.
"Maybe hid their presence specially? Like your Demon Core?"
"Possible."
Yokai self-seal, or academy-forced—either way.
'Then it's worth checking?'
Bihyeong hadn't planned on Forbidden Domains yet.
But if—just if—a goblin lurked there?
"Should we take a look?"
No heroic rescue fantasies for captured kin.
Just like with Eoduk.
If he stood to gain from that goblin?
'Met Eoduk, Night Parade of One Hundred Demons triggered.'
Sure, timed right before his unique story budded—pure coincidence.
But everything after? Purely his.
Taming Eoduk, binding his nature—all his doing.
'Incorporate another into the Parade?'
Instant force multiplier, no?
'...Mina's off-limits anyway.'
Eoduk didn't pass human, so fine.
But collaring a woman like Mina? ...Yeah, bad optics all around.
That was why her story shook him immediately.
Eoduk beamed, hopping madly.
"Oho! Elder! All for it!"
"Yeah?"
"Yes! More goblin pals seeing your greatness—huge!"
Bihyeong scratched his cheek at the hype, chuckling dryly.
"...Right. Wanna go bust your buddy out?"
"Now?!"
"Nah. Prep first."
Hidden field or not, minimum mid-Act 2 entry.
Current self? ...Nope, suicide.
"Gonna grind specs first."
And he had one ready to boost now.
'Nine Yang Severed Meridians.'
Derived story: Nine Yang Severed Meridians.
Time to complete it. Claim the Nine Yang Divine Body.