I distinctly recalled playing an adult game late into the previous night, only to rage-quit after seeing the message of my ten-thousandth season clear failure.
Yet, upon opening my eyes, I found myself staring not at the familiar, tiresome ceiling of my studio apartment, but at a strange, unfamiliar one.
Adding to the enigma, a blue, holographic screen floated suspended in mid-air.
“…Am I still half-asleep?”
Initially, I dismissed it as a fleeting confusion between dream and reality, a consequence of playing games too late into the night.
However.
*Ding—!*
[Only 30 minutes remain until the Academy Entrance Ceremony. Failure to attend will result in the revocation of your player qualification, and Kang Hyunsul will become mysterious.]
“…Excuse me? Become what?”
As the chilling message initiated a 30-minute countdown, I stared at the blatant threat—a game quest window implying my demise if I failed to reach the academy within the allotted time.
It was then that the stark realization hit me: I had truly transmigrated into the game I had been playing.
[Time Remaining: 29 minutes, 12 seconds]
“This is insane!”
Having fully grasped the gravity of the situation, I hastily threw on some clothes and immediately bolted out of my lodging.
****
Twenty-nine minutes later.
“Hah… ugh! I… I made it.”
*Ding—!*
[Sudden Quest: Successfully attended the Academy Entrance Ceremony. Reward: 500 SP (System Points) awarded.]
Thankfully, I had managed to arrive at the Hunter Academy, the game’s main stage where the entrance ceremony was being held, just in time.
“What rank did you get for admission?”
“Me? I got in at 72nd place. I was lucky to awaken a decent magic-type trait. How about you?”
“My rank is similar. 67th. Let’s get along well from now on.”
‘Damn… did I come in too late? I’m the only one without friends.’
Upon entering the auditorium where the entrance ceremony was taking place, I saw that most students had already gathered in small groups, forging new friendships.
On the elevated platform directly ahead, Baek Hyunryong, the Academy’s Dean and a former S-rank Hunter, was preparing to begin his speech.
“Everyone, please be silent. The freshman entrance ceremony will now commence.”
*Tap—* The sound of the microphone being tapped echoed through the auditorium, instantly quelling the students’ murmuring.
Standing before the microphone, Baek Hyunryong scanned the room, and only after confirming that all students had quieted down, did he begin to speak.
“Today marks a significant day, as you officially become members of this Academy.
For the next four years, you will hone your academic knowledge and martial arts, competing and cooperating with your peers.”
“….”
The students’ expressions were varied: faces beaming with anticipation, others taut with fear, and some already brimming with arrogance.
I settled into a back seat, discreetly surveying my surroundings to confirm if all the key figures were present.
‘Hmm, all the freshmen and professors seem to be here. But none of the heroines are visible… why aren’t they here?’
“…The path you embark upon will by no means be an easy one.
However, at its end, a completely transformed self and glory undoubtedly await you.”
“Next, we will have the oath of the freshman representative.”
“…?”
I had only let my attention waver for a brief moment, yet in that short span, the Dean’s speech had already concluded.
Following this, the first-year freshman representative ascended the platform and began to recite the oath.
“We, the assembled freshmen, pledge to uphold the academy’s rules, dedicate ourselves to our studies and training, and….”
A clear and resonant voice filled the auditorium.
“Wow… that’s Wol Hayeon, right? The fifth SS-rank trait awakened in ten years.”
“Must be. They said they have unique two-toned hair, a blend of lavender and light blue, and always wear a crescent moon hairpin.”
As the freshman representative began their recitation, the students, who had been holding their breath just moments before, started to whisper in hushed tones.
Even I, who had been diligently identifying the main characters, found myself, upon regaining my senses, staring blankly at Wol Hayeon’s back, half-entranced.
‘…Wow, seeing this in reality is truly a different dimension compared to 2D? This is beyond imagination.’
To be honest, as someone who prioritized the main story and quest completion over the game’s adult elements, I hadn’t held high expectations for meeting the heroines.
After all, I had seen the heroines’ faces countless times while playing the game, and since they were all equally beautiful, I assumed I wouldn’t feel much of an impression.
However, I was entirely mistaken.
Even now, as Wol Hayeon indifferently read the speech before my eyes, seemingly oblivious to the reactions around them, their appearance radiated an immense beauty that defied my preconceived notions.
‘…If this is the case, then transmigrating as an extra feels incredibly regrettable.’
Simultaneously, an earlier memory resurfaced.
The moment I arrived at the auditorium, the first thing I did was check the status window to ascertain the information of the character I had transmigrated into.
The verification revealed that the character I had possessed, Kang Hyunsul, was merely one of the extras who had never even made an appearance in the original story.
Furthermore, their stats and traits were so abysmal that it made me question how they even managed to get into the academy.
Consequently, I had resolved to pay even less attention to the heroines, but witnessing such overwhelming beauty suddenly filled me with a sense of regret.
However.
‘…Right, since I’ve already transmigrated as an extra, such dreams are impossible. It’s easier to give up quickly.’
Unlike the protagonist, whose handsomeness was so profound it practically served as a plot device, I possessed only an ordinary appearance.
From the outset, I was in a position where competition was simply out of the question.
Of course, not everyone falls for looks alone, but shouldn’t there be at least some foundational appeal?
Thinking this way, my mind felt somewhat lighter.
‘I’ll just focus on diligently completing the main story.’
“With that, the freshman oath concludes.”
As Wol Hayeon’s oath ended, the auditorium once again fell into a suffocating silence.
Dean Baek Hyunryong slowly rose from his seat and began to conclude the entrance ceremony.
“Excellent. From this moment forward, you are no longer mere applicants but official students of the Academy.
The days ahead will be a continuous series of tests and trials.”
“However, if you persevere and endure to the very end, you will undoubtedly become splendid Hunters, respected by all.
Therefore, I urge everyone to strive diligently until the finish. With that, I declare the freshman entrance ceremony concluded.”
Simultaneously with the Dean’s concluding remarks, a bell chimed, signaling the official end of the entrance ceremony.
“Are you heading straight to the dorms? Or do you want to look around the academy first?”
“I’m going to the dorms first to unpack. See you later at the Magic Tower.”
“Alright.”
Students began to rise, one by one, conversing as they exited the auditorium.
Some students were already exchanging contact information with their newfound peers, while others approached professors to ask questions.
I remained in my back seat, observing the situation for a moment, as I intended to retrieve a hidden piece the moment most of the students had departed.
‘…How far was it from here to the library? I seem to recall it being quite a distance.’
Within the Academy’s library lay a meticulously concealed hidden piece, one that 99% of players were completely unaware of.
Of course, I had only known of its existence and, having no particular need for it previously, had simply left the item untouched. However, given the altered circumstances, finding it was now imperative.
‘…It’s about time to leave.’
Having confirmed that most of the students had exited, I quietly made my way towards the back door of the auditorium.
Before stepping out, I cast a fleeting glance at the platform.
I merely wished to take one last look at Wol Hayeon.
However, she had already descended from the platform and was surrounded by fervent fans, her situation appearing quite precarious even from a casual glance.
‘Her expression is incredibly fierce… she looks like she could kill someone.’
Sensing the sharp, tense atmosphere even from afar, I immediately turned my head away.
Swiftly exiting the auditorium, I moved into a secluded path, doing my best to avoid the gazes of others.
****
After traveling for about 30 minutes, I arrived at the Academy’s library, which was even more magnificent than it had appeared in the game.
The crimson light of the setting sun, filtering through the stained-glass ceiling, cast an ethereal glow within the library, resembling a scene from a film.
Having briefly admired the library’s splendor, I proceeded along the path I remembered.
Past the grand hall straight ahead lay the ancient book storage room, a place supposedly never sought out by anyone according to the lore.
Beyond that, I found a dilapidated wooden door, devoid of even a lock.
*Creak—!*
As I cautiously pushed the door open, the scent of mildew and a thick cloud of dust assailed me simultaneously.
“Cough! Ugh, what a smell.”
Slowly descending the stairs into the absolute darkness, the underground archive, where the hidden piece slumbered, finally revealed itself.
“…This is my first time actually coming here.”
Though the bookshelves were crammed with seemingly expensive, antique volumes that appeared to have weathered decades, I wasn’t searching for an ordinary book like those.
On the bottom shelf of the second bookcase from the center, nestled amidst a stack of miscellaneous items as tall as a person, lay a particularly ancient-looking tome, even more worn than the surrounding books.
I picked up the old book, gently brushed off the dust, and examined its cover.
[Book of Restrictions (制約の書)]
“Hmm… I found the right one.”
The Book of Restrictions.
True to its name, it was one of the three great forbidden books (禁書) in this world, granting power commensurate with the restrictions a user placed upon their desires, urges, skills, or even traits.
And I intended to use it to acquire an S-rank trait and maximize my stats.
“Hoo….”
Taking one final deep breath, I opened the book.
*Ding—!*
[The Book of Restrictions (制約の書) has been opened. The contract begins. User Kang Hyunsul, please state your restrictions.]
“First, I will not engage in any relationship beyond a certain level with any woman until I witness the world’s true ending.”
The reason I imposed this as my first restriction was that one of this game’s main narratives revolved around heroine conquest.
According to the lore, the stronger a restriction’s connection to a person’s desires and urges, the more potent its influence would be.
*Ding—!*
[First restriction completed. Restriction rank (SS). Would you like to add more restrictions?]
“As expected….”
And just as I had anticipated, I successfully acquired an SS-rank restriction.
While I could have stopped there, if I was going to impose restrictions, I needed to push myself to the absolute brink.
Only then would the reward be substantial, and the likelihood of fully resolving the main story would increase accordingly.
“My second restriction is… if I am to fight against villains defined by this world, I will never retreat and will confront them to the very end, even if my life is in peril.”
*Ding—!*
[Second restriction completed. Restriction rank (S).]
[Current total restriction rank: SS+]
[Reward: All stats +10 / Growth coefficient x2 / Acquired ‘Crisis Overcome’ trait / S-rank trait selection ticket.]
“….”
I stared blankly at the system message for a moment, then gritted my teeth.
I knew well enough that this was a crazy choice.
Even if I overlooked the first restriction, the second implied I had to throw myself into battle against villains, even if it meant risking my life.
However, without this level of resolve, I, as an extra, could not advance a single step.
Watching the Book of Restrictions slowly vanish, I made a final vow.
“…Alright, this time, I will definitely see this game’s ending.”
