Chapter 1

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 1

Chapter Title: Book of Restraints

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I definitely remember playing that adult game until late last night, rage-quitting after seeing the message for my ten thousandth failed season clear.

So why, when I opened my eyes, was I staring not at the familiar ceiling of my one-room apartment that I'd grown sick of, but at some strange, unfamiliar ceiling?

And on top of that, there was this holographic blue screen floating in midair.

"...Am I still half-asleep or something?"

At first, I figured I'd stayed up too late gaming and was just mixing up dreams with reality for a bit.

But then.

"...Huh? What do you mean, mysteriously vanish?"

The screen started a 30-minute countdown with that ominous message.

It was just like a game quest window, threatening death if I didn't reach the Academy in time.

That's when I realized I'd been possessed into the very game I'd been playing.

"What the hell!"

With the situation fully grasped, I threw on some clothes and bolted out of the dorm.

29 minutes later.

"Huff... ugh! I... I made it. I'm alive."

Thankfully, I made it to the Hunter Academy—the main stage of the game—just in time for the entrance ceremony to start without me being late.

"What rank did you get in?"

"Me? I came in 72nd. Got lucky with a decent magic-type trait. You?"

"Similar rank for me. 67th. Looking forward to it."

'Damn... did I get here too late? Everyone else already has friends.'

As I entered the auditorium where the ceremony was underway, most of the students were already chatting in small groups, building connections.

Up on the tall podium at the front stood the Academy Dean, Baek Hyun-ryong, a former S-Rank Hunter, preparing to speak.

"Please quiet down, everyone. We will now begin the freshman entrance ceremony."

Thud— The sound of him tapping the mic echoed through the hall, and the students' murmurs died down instantly.

Baek Hyun-ryong looked around to confirm the silence before speaking into the mic.

"Today marks the meaningful day when you all officially become members of the Academy.

And over the next four years, you will hone both academics and martial arts, competing and cooperating with your peers."

"..."

The students' ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠expressions varied wildly.

Faces swollen with excitement, tense with fear, smug with arrogance.

I sat in the back, trying to stay inconspicuous as I scanned the room to check if all the key figures were present.

'Hmm, looks like all the freshmen and professors are here. No sign of the heroines, though... where are they?'

"The path ahead of you will by no means be easy.

But at its end, a completely transformed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠version of yourselves and glory await without fail."

"Next, the freshman representative will recite the oath."

"...?"

I'd only looked away for a split second, and already the dean's speech was over.

A first-year freshman representative had taken the podium and begun reading the oath.

"We, the incoming freshmen, pledge to abide by the academy rules, devote ourselves to study and training..."

Her clear, resonant voice filled the auditorium.

"Whoa... that's Wol Ha-yeon, right? The fifth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠SS-Rank trait awakener in ten years."

"Gotta ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be. That unique two-tone hair—pale purple and deep blue—and she always wears a crescent moon hairpin."

As the representative began her recitation, the students who'd been holding their breath whispered softly.

I snapped out of checking the key figures and realized I was staring, half-dazed, at Wol Ha-yeon's back.

'...Wow, seeing her in 2D versus real life is on another level. Beyond imagination.'

Honestly, I'd focused more on the main story than the game's adult elements, prioritizing quest clears.

So I hadn't expected much from meeting the heroines.

I'd seen their faces plenty while playing, and since they were all beautiful anyway, I figured it wouldn't hit hard.

But I was wrong.

Right now, Wol Ha-yeon read her speech indifferently, ignoring the reactions around her, radiating stunning beauty that shattered my assumptions.

'...This makes possessing an extra hurt way more.'

At the same time, I recalled what had happened just after arriving at the auditorium.

I'd immediately checked my status window to assess the character I'd possessed: Kang Hyun-sol.

And I learned he was one of the extras who never even showed his face in the original story.

His stats and traits were so abysmal, it was a wonder he'd even gotten into the Academy.

That's why I'd planned to ignore the heroines, but seeing that overwhelming beauty suddenly made me regret it.

But.

'...Yeah, no point dreaming now that I'm stuck as an extra. Better to give up quick and move on.'

Unlike the protagonist, whose handsome looks were plot armor, I had a perfectly average face.

I was in a position where competing was impossible from the start.

Sure, girls don't fall for looks alone, but doesn't it help to have some foundation?

Thinking that way lightened my mood a bit.

'I'll just focus on clearing the main story.'

"This concludes the freshman oath."

As Wol Ha-yeon's oath ended, the auditorium fell deathly silent again.

Dean Baek Hyun-ryong rose slowly to wrap up the ceremony.

"Very well. From this moment, you are no longer examinees but official Academy students.

The days ahead will be a series of trials and tests."

"But if you endure to the end, you can all become hunters worthy of respect.

So strive hard until the finish. This concludes the freshman entrance ceremony."

A bell rang out the moment the dean finished.

The official signal that the ceremony was over.

"Heading straight to the dorms? Or wanna tour the Academy first?"

"Gonna unpack at the dorms first. See you at the magic hall later."

"Sure."

Students rose one by one, chatting as they filed out.

Some exchanged contacts with new friends; others approached professors with questions.

I stayed seated in the back, observing for a bit.

I planned to grab a hidden piece right after most left.

'...How far is the library from here? Pretty long way, I think.'

The Academy library held a hidden piece so well-concealed that 99% of players didn't even know it existed.

I'd only known of it but never bothered using it before, since I didn't need to.

But now, circumstances had changed—I had to get it.

'...Time to head out.'

Confirming most students had left, I slipped out the back door quietly.

Before going, I glanced one last time at the podium.

I just wanted to etch Wol Ha-yeon's figure into my eyes one more time.

But she was already off the stage, surrounded by rabid fans, and it looked seriously dicey.

'Her face looks murderous... she might actually deck someone.'

Feeling the sharp vibe even from afar, I turned away quickly.

I hurried out of the auditorium, sticking to back alleys to avoid eyes.

After about 30 minutes of travel, the Academy library loomed even grander than in the game.

Red sunset light filtered through the stained-glass ceiling, drenching the interior like a movie scene.

After admiring the view briefly, I followed my memory through the paths.

Past the main hall to the rare books storage no one ever checked.

Then, behind it, an old wooden door without even a lock.

Creeeak—!

Opening it carefully unleashed a wave of moldy stench and thick dust.

"Cough! Ugh, gross smell."

Descending the pitch-black stairs slowly revealed the underground archive where the hidden piece slept.

"...First time actually coming here."

The shelves brimmed with dusty tomes that looked ancient and valuable.

But what I sought wasn't some ordinary book.

Second shelf from the center, bottom row, amid a pile of junk as tall as a person: an exceptionally worn grimoire.

I picked it up, dusted it off lightly, and checked the cover.

[Book of Restraints]

"Hmm... found the right one."

The Book of Restraints.

True to its name, one of this world's three forbidden tomes, granting power in exchange for imposing restrictions on the user's desires, urges, skills, or traits.

I planned to use it to gain an S-Rank trait and boost my stats as much as possible.

"Hoo..."

After a final deep breath, I opened the book.

"First: Until I witness the end of the world, I will not form any relationship beyond a certain level with any woman."

I chose this first restraint because one of the game's main narratives was romancing the heroines.

By setting, the more tied to human desires and urges, the stronger the restraint's effect.

"As expected..."

And just as I'd hoped, I secured an SS-Rank restraint.

I could stop here, but if I was doing this, I needed to push myself to the brink.

Only then would the payoff be huge, raising my odds of clearing the main story.

"Second restraint: When facing villains designated as evil by the world, I will never retreat, no matter the peril to my life."

"..."

I stared blankly at the system messages for a moment, then gritted my teeth.

I knew full well this was a crazy choice.

The first was one thing, but the second meant throwing myself at villains without hesitation.

But without this resolve, an extra like me couldn't take a single step forward.

Gazing at the Book of Restraints as it slowly faded away, I made my final vow.

"...Alright. This time, I'm definitely seeing this game's ending."