I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 24. The Pleasant(?) Judgment Confirmation Time
“Lord, shall I escort you to your chamber?”
“No need. I’ll have the Maid handle it from here.”
Despite the numerous hardships, I had managed to escape the Treasure Vault safely.
I had sent away the sinister mastermind with her tragic past, and even though a cannibalistic spirit—her summoned creature—clung to my back, survival was what mattered.
Rather than dwell on what had transpired, I resolved to focus on what came next.
This meant I had secluded myself in the Lord’s Chamber alongside the Maid, who carried scrolls and potions that Zehar Al Rashid had personally prepared.
“Should I simply lay out all the scrolls and alchemical potions?”
“That’s correct.”
The cannibalistic spirit—or rather, Aisha—tilted her head in confusion.
Scrolls and alchemical potions were expensive items. It was understandable to wonder why she was being asked to spread them across a table rather than pack them carefully into a bag.
But I saw no reason to explain myself.
I needed every moment to test at least one more scroll.
‘Let’s start with the buff scrolls.’
The moment the items touched the table, I seized a scroll and tore it open.
There was no brilliant flash, but I felt something being drawn into my body.
Checking the system window, I saw the ‘Serenity’ buff had been applied.
‘Good. The scroll activation method is identical.’
I tore open basic attack magic scrolls, dispel scrolls, and antidote scrolls as well.
Each scroll traded for roughly two gold coins—expensive items—yet I felt no regret in using them.
‘Money can be earned, equipment can be crafted, but a single misjudgment in mechanics could cost someone their life.’
In a turn-based game, the most critical element is ‘judgment mechanics.’
Which spell applies first, what happens when you use a nullification effect, in what order do debuffs get removed—these details matter.
On Story or Easy difficulty, you could overlook these mechanics, but on Hardcore difficulty, survival hinged entirely on how thoroughly you understood the judgment system.
‘Since the game has become reality, there must be subtle differences in how things work.’
I needed to verify these mechanics in advance, preparing for battles where victory or defeat hinged on the edge of a blade.
Aisha’s expression grew increasingly peculiar as she watched, but I didn’t stop—I tore through every scroll I had brought.
‘Good. The scrolls are done… Now for the potions.’
I took a deep breath and uncorked a vial.
The potion, preserved by enchantment, was no different from when it was first made—it reeked terribly and had a viscous consistency.
‘I’ll have to drink these eventually while climbing The Tower anyway.’
Without hesitation, I gulped down the potion.
‘Ugh…!’
The foul taste made my stomach churn, but I suppressed it and checked the system window.
Even after swallowing it down my throat, the character sheet showed no changes.
About three seconds passed before the ‘Poison Resistance’ buff finally appeared in the window.
‘Found it.’
Unlike in the game, potions in reality took effect only after being absorbed into the stomach.
‘If the delay is due to absorption rates, I’ll need data on different races as well.’
Would species with shorter digestive systems or those that chew cud work the same way?
If the paper could breathe through its skin, would the effect be faster when applied, or would it actually be slower?
The gears in my mind clicked and whirred as I began spitting out new strategies one after another.
‘If delayed application is possible, I could play around with the order of administration… but how do poisons and flame potions work?’
I was dying of curiosity about what would happen when consumed rather than dropped or thrown on the ground.
‘If this were a game, I would have tested it long ago.’
This is why reality is so boring.
Clicking my tongue in frustration, I reached for the second potion bottle.
Until I tore the scroll, Aisha’s pupils had only trembled slightly, but now she asked with a pale face.
“My Lord, surely you don’t intend to drink all the potions?”
“Of course not.”
“Ah, I see…”
“I’ll drink until I become addicted to potions.”
True to her profession as a maid, Aisha neither screamed nor responded disrespectfully.
But her eyes were half-shouting.
‘Are you insane? With that frail body of yours, you’re going to drink potions until you’re addicted!?’
It’s fine. Netanel is here, so I won’t die.
‘I need to experience it at least once.’
Potion addiction is something you encounter fairly often when exploring dungeons.
It’s better to gain experience beforehand than to panic and flounder when it actually happens.
‘Don’t worry, Aisha. With the Lord’s stamina at 6, she’ll get addicted after drinking just five bottles or so.’
I poured the third bottle and gave an order.
“Pour the next one so I can drink it all at once.”
The next day dawned.
I barely slept from trying various things all night, so I was exhausted, but my mood was light as air.
‘Except for the potions, the judgment is identical to the game. Some things have even improved.’
If turn-based combat switched to real-time, it would still be worth trying.
I also conducted judgment tests on the inventory side, and it exceeded expectations as well.
‘I need to test it in actual combat soon… no, wait. I can’t get carried away like this.’
Since there’s no save-load, I need to fight as conservatively as possible in real combat.
I must absolutely avoid getting into fights where I twist the judgment system.
‘The judgment is ultimately just something I learned for emergencies. Insurance, so to speak.’
I am a failed character.
I am incompetent!
‘Caution, and more caution!’
Having steeled myself once more, I entered the Training Grounds.
“You’ve arrived, employer?”
“My Lord.”
The party members who were already there bowed respectfully to me.
Nashu Shumel, who had been swinging an axe around while receiving instruction from Rohengreen Ashen, hurriedly lowered her head.
“Oh, oh, you’ve arrived, my Lord!”
‘Oh, Shusu’s condition is better than I expected?’
Though still tense, there had been some shift in her mindset over the past day—she wasn’t trembling severely or wearing a miserable expression.
“Are your preparations proceeding well?”
“Y-yes, yes. I’m… I’m doing my best…!”
Though she trembled slightly, Nashu Shumel answered while clenching her fists tightly in response to Camilia’s question.
‘This should be acceptable.’
Camilia, thinking it fortunate, opened her mouth.
“Nashu Shumel, today you will fight me.”
The girl’s eyes, which had been brimming with enthusiasm, suddenly widened in shock.
“Pardon? I didn’t hear you correctly?”
“You didn’t hear? You must fight me.”
“…W-why? Why would you…!?”
Why, you ask, Nashu?
Because among the party members, only you and I haven’t been properly tested for capability.
‘And I need to verify how you respond to mental magic as well.’
Camilia spoke with shameless confidence.
“Prepare yourself, Nashu Shumel.”
As if she had never worn that spirited expression, Nashu’s face crumpled in an instant.
“I… I really don’t want to do this…”
“I’ll give you ample time to choose your equipment.”
“I… I really, truly don’t want to…!”
Nashu turned to Rohengreen Ashen, silently pleading for her life.
But the Knight Order commander she had trusted merely patted her shoulder.
“It’s fine. Trust the Lord.”
“B-but trusting the Lord and actually fighting are completely different things…!”
Even as she trembled, Nashu had said her piece.
Before she could burst into tears and flee, Camilia added magnanimously:
“Don’t worry. If you merely touch my body, I’ll count it as your victory.”
“R-really…?”
“Yes. So prepare yourself.”
“R-really just a touch is enough? I can use a stick or something instead of my hand, right?”
Fearing she might lose this golden opportunity, Nashu sought confirmation two, three times over.
Once Camilia accepted all the conditions, she finally felt reassured and began selecting her weapon.
In the meantime, Camilia also prepared—nothing extraordinary, just carefully stretching her ankles to avoid falling ungracefully.
Netanel Fragma, who had somehow become the healer for the occasion, asked with a reluctant expression:
“It’s lamentable that only I can say this in the current situation, but… my employer, is your health not quite well?”
“Your concern is appreciated, but today it won’t be me who needs your treatment.”
With the help of the maid Aisha, Camilia tied her hair up and ascended the rectangular Duel Arena.
Nashu likewise climbed up, gripping a long wooden spear.
Though I had deliberately led her to this, the method was so obvious that I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Shusu, if you increase the distance, you’ll only be at a disadvantage.’
I’d stake my life on it: there’s no way a warrior can defeat a skilled mage at range.
It would be better to fight bare-handed or wield a shield and one-handed sword instead.
Rohengreen Ashen seemed to reach a similar conclusion, his expression growing somewhat anxious.
But the duel includes the choice of equipment as well.
The purpose of this duel wasn’t to boost Nashu Shumel’s confidence—it was purely a test.
I watched Nashu Shumel standing at a reasonable distance and made my declaration.
“Begin.”
“Y-yes!”
The nervous girl charged forward, spear in hand.
She was being far too cautious, her strikes unnecessarily wide as if desperate to avoid touching my body.
Showing such ridiculous restraint against a Sorceress—the fastest spell-caster among all Casters?
‘Then she deserves to be hit.’
I stood motionless and activated my spell.
‘Dominate.’
The system window opened, and the dice began to roll.
Nashu Shumel already had low resistance due to her unique trait ‘Troublemaker.’
There was no need to even see the result.
[Critical Success!]
I spoke lightly.
“Nashu Shumel, stop.”
“Ugh!?”
Nashu Shumel collapsed mid-swing, her spear clattering away.
Even as she fell, she struggled and groaned, trying to break free from the domination, but I had no intention of waiting patiently.
Here, I go straight into a combo.
‘Dominate.’
Of course, another critical success.
There was only one command to give.
“Nashu Shumel, strike your own head with your weapon with all your strength.”
“Uh…”
Before she could even comprehend the order, her hand moved.
Crack!
A sound so tremendous it wouldn’t be strange to call it an explosion—the wooden spear collided with Nashu Shumel’s skull.
The result: the wooden spear shattered halfway.
Nashu Shumel’s head swayed violently.
I calculated coldly.
If someone with Strength 16 or higher strikes the head, there’s a 30% chance of triggering a stun.
But for Nashu Shumel specifically, it’s guaranteed to be 50%.
Her unique trait ‘Troublemaker’ fixes the status ailment chance she inflicts at 100%, but fixes the status ailment chance she receives at 50%.
‘Here’s the question: what happens when Nashu Shumel’s 100% status ailment infliction rate clashes with her 50% status ailment reception rate?’
The answer was simple: “The one at 100% always wins.”
Why?
When abilities collide upon impact, the ability being cast applies first.
‘She’ll be knocked unconscious without fail.’
Camilia’s judgment proved correct.
Nashu Shumel lay motionless on the ground, whether truly unconscious or simply collapsed.
‘This is why confirming the judgment is so crucial.’
In any case, the test was a resounding success.
“Magnificent, my Lord!”
Seeing Rohengreen Ashen’s admiration, it appeared I had succeeded in another regard as well.
‘Shouldn’t he disapprove of a lord tormenting a young girl?’
Rohengreen Ashen was certainly no ordinary man.
With that thought, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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