I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 39

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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 39. The Shadow of Bankruptcy
Camilia smiled with evident interest.
“Do you believe I have a way?”
“If I didn’t think you did, I wouldn’t have renegotiated my contract with you in the first place, would I?”
Camilia appreciated dealing with someone who understood her, and answered readily.
“Climb the Tower and re-seal every floor.”
“Ah, surprisingly straightforward… The top is the 30th Floor, isn’t it? So I’d only need to close it twenty-eight more times.”
Instead of answering, Camilia simply regarded him in silence.
Netanel tilted his head and asked again.
“…Are there hidden floors? Around the 50th Floor, perhaps?”
“…”
“…How many floors exactly must I climb?”
Camilia, who had maintained her silence, finally spoke.
“Ninety-seven more floors.”
“Ninety…”
Netanel seemed at a loss for words—uncertain whether to be more shocked by the revelation of hidden floors within the Tower, or by the fact that despite having already re-sealed two floors, ninety-seven still remained.
Zehar Al Rashid spoke in his stead.
“…My lady. I do not doubt your intentions, but those of us here cannot ascend the middle floors alone.”
“I am aware. I have a method for that, so do not concern yourself overmuch, Zehar.”
Camilia added in an even tone.
“And do not worry excessively about my condition either. It will naturally improve as I climb the Tower.”
Zehar’s face remained clouded with concern, but he did not object.
He understood well enough.
To reclaim even a fraction of the power his lady possessed, ascending the Tower was the only path.
“This will certainly not be an easy task. However, I am not one to be stingy with compensation. Those who follow me shall receive rewards befitting their sacrifice.”
Camilia turned her gaze toward Nashu.
“Nashu Shumel, if you follow me, glory shall accompany you.”
“Ah, I, well, you don’t need to give me anything like that…”
She patted the flustered Nashu’s head once more, then turned her attention to Netanel.
“You too shall obtain what you most desperately desire. Though to claim it, you must ascend to a very great height indeed.”
Though it was merely a hint, Netanel seemed to have grasped what she was offering as compensation.
“…You truly know everything about the Tower, don’t you, my lady?”
“I am not so foolish as to invite a fox I cannot leash into my castle.”
Netanel stared at her with a complicated expression before exhaling a long breath.
“…Very well. Yes. If you promise such compensation, then I too must offer a price worthy of it.”
[Netanel Fragma’s loyalty has greatly increased.]
[Netanel Fragma’s affection has greatly increased.]
Netanel’s loyalty and affection, which had stagnated since the double rewards event two cycles prior, surged all at once.
It was because he had gained certainty that through Camilia, he could finally obtain the sacred relic of the Golden Scales he had sought so desperately.
‘Excellent. Once I repay the debt, Netanel should remain reliable going forward.’
Relieved, I turned to look at Zehar Al Rashid and Rohengreen Ashen.
Zehar Al Rashid noticed that I was about to propose something to him as well, and he responded with a bitter smile.
“I need nothing. What I truly desired has already been returned to me.”
Rohengreen Ashen followed suit with his own response.
“Serving my lord is a duty that I and my house must rightfully bear. I ask for no compensation.”
It was a response befitting Rohengreen Ashen.
“Very well, I shall trust in you both. I too will do my utmost.”
As my declaration ended, a system notification appeared.
[Rohengreen Ashen has awakened to his ‘Mission’!]
[Zehar Al Rashid has awakened to his ‘Mission’!]
[Nashu Shumel has awakened to her ‘Mission’!]
[Netanel Fragma is advancing toward her ‘Mission’!]
‘Ah, there it is.’
The primary reason I had deliberately gathered my companions to explain everything had been achieved.
Companions who have awakened to their missions maintain high loyalty and affection even when pushed somewhat harshly.
Because of this system mechanic, even I—someone who prioritizes efficiency—never skipped character stories and always watched them at least once.
To select the option that triggers a mission, I had to unlock all of each character’s personal stories.
‘In that sense, reality is better than the game.’
In the game, I could only see the options after completing Quests and gathering clues, but in reality, it was resolved with just one conversation.
‘If everyone has their missions set, this will be easy. I’ll definitely break through to the 10th Floor within next month.’
Just as I was busily arranging my schedule in my mind, Netanel Fragma raised her hand.
“Um, employer?”
“Is there something you’re curious about?”
“It’s not curiosity, exactly. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Netanel Fragma continued with a bright smile on her face.
“The thing is, if we’re going to keep traveling through The Tower, the city needs to remain intact, right? We need supplies and equipment replacements, so the market conditions must be stable.”
With that, Netanel Fragma dropped a bombshell.
“Nidst will be bankrupt in about six months at this rate.”
Regardless of whether my companions beside me gasped in shock or held their breath, Netanel Fragma pressed on steadily with her point.
“I’ve been organizing the city’s ledgers and documents lately, and when I looked into them, the problems are more than just one or two.”
There were debts left unpaid and neglected, liabilities with little time remaining until maturity, and even hidden debts on top of that.
“The same goes for supplies. The mana stones used for the barrier—they’ve all been depleted, you know? Just replenishing them would cost at least ten platinum coins.”
Incidentally, the warehouse was completely empty. The food and supplies that were supposedly stored there had vanished without a trace, and what little remained was of poor quality.
“Even if you sell all the mana stones you brought, my lord, we can only last until July at best. We absolutely cannot endure any longer than that.”
If we sold the equipment the Pantheon Party possessed, we would generate substantial funds, but this too could not be resolved in a day or two.
Equipment with history does not sell well.
And if it belonged to a worshipper of the Evil God, even less so.
“Since you’ve promised me what I desperately desire, I wish to help actively if possible… but you understand, don’t you? The Golden Scales does not extend further kindness to those who do not repay their debts.”
In other words, unless I repaid the debts owed to the Golden Scales, it would be impossible to bring in capital from the Pantheon or funds from the Golden Fleece Trading Company to bridge the gap.
Unlike my anxious companions, I was not surprised.
‘Hmm, I already know all of this.’
How could I not? In six months—no, five months now—the ‘bankruptcy’ that will unfold is part of the main story.
Just before the lord struggles to uncover the Tower’s secrets and truly enters the main story, the crisis of bankruptcy descends upon the city as if on cue.
‘That’s when outside forces reach out to Nidst.’
They approach the lord offering help—lending money, introducing allies, all while appearing to assist.
Which of these outside forces he allies with determines the branching path of the main story.
The problem is that the ones lending money are a demon, a loan shark with a ‘this bastard’ attitude, and a fanatic—one of each.
‘And as a bonus, all three will inevitably betray him.’
To even see the normal ending, he must refuse help from all outside forces without exception.
But then how does he prevent bankruptcy?
By the standard route, he’d need to conduct external expeditions and establish a merchant guild, grinding for another half year.
A full year spent merely building foundations and preparing.
But Camilia’s goal is to compress the standard five-year clear into a three-year completion.
For that, there’s no time to invest in tedious content like money-grinding.
So what’s needed here?
Gold farming.

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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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