I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 55
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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 55. A Library for Rest
After Malorik, the Adventurer Guild Master, departed, Zehar Al Rashid finally opened his mouth, having merely observed the exchange between the two of them.
“Is there a particular reason you wish to invite the other races into the city?”
Since I couldn’t mention the wall construction or farming assignments, I deflected Zehar’s question with one of my own.
“Why? Is there a reason they shouldn’t come to this city?”
Zehar hesitated for a moment.
He wavered uncharacteristically for quite some time before finally answering, his gaze fixed upon the floor.
“It’s just that… the Previous Lord conducted research through somewhat, or rather… quite extreme methods, so I was concerned.”
“What exactly did my predecessor do?”
This wasn’t me deflecting—I genuinely wanted to know.
In the game, the Previous Lord had caused various incidents, but none involving elves or dwarves.
‘Surely he didn’t kidnap elves or dwarves for experimentation?’
Even that would have been shocking, but unfortunately, the Previous Lord’s transgression far exceeded my expectations.
“For research purposes, he acquired branches of the World Tree and flames from the Eternal Furnace through… highly illegal means.”
“He stole them, in other words.”
Zehar answered with obvious reluctance.
“If you wish to characterize it that way, my lord, then yes.”
‘What’s the difference between that and stealing?’
The absurdity was so complete that I couldn’t even muster anger.
Even if he’d gone half-mad wanting to become the real lord, stealing sacred relics?
No wonder the hostility wasn’t merely hostile—it was extremely hostile!
“…Don’t tell me he also stole the Spring of Wisdom, the sacred relic of the Yongryeon Kingdom?”
Zehar still couldn’t lift his head.
Judging by his darkened expression, the reason for becoming extremely hostile toward the Yongryeon Kingdom was also theft.
I found myself rubbing the bridge of my nose without thinking.
“Why on earth did my previous self do such things…?”
Zehar spoke in a thoroughly dejected voice.
“I apologize, my lord. I should have served the Previous Lord better….”
Had he only listened to dissuasion, the relationship between them wouldn’t have fractured.
I sighed and responded.
“Enough. Regardless of my lost memories, a wrong is still a wrong. I will handle it.”
“My lord….”
I gently patted the back of his hand to reassure him.
The reputation quest had certainly become more complicated, but there was no lower bottom to reach anyway.
‘Difficult as it may be, it’s not impossible.’
I didn’t need them as allies—merely neutral would suffice.
If I wept that I couldn’t manage even this much after stagnating so long, my pride would suffer.
“I will allow the other races entry. I cannot ban them for wrongs they did not commit.”
“Those who harbor resentment may infiltrate with intent to harm you, my lord.”
“Does avoidance solve the problem? Nothing is resolved without confrontation.”
Zehar Al Rashid still looked troubled, but he obediently lowered his head when Camilia glared at him.
I understood Zehar Al Rashid’s concern.
But I absolutely had to bring in an elite adventurer party that included an elf and a dwarf.
‘That way, I can at least try to establish some form of contact with the homeland.’
Elite adventurers of that caliber invariably had connections to their homelands.
I intended to use those connections to subtly make contact with their respective nations.
In official diplomacy, prestige and reputation matter; in unofficial diplomacy, profit is what counts.
If I dangled an offer they couldn’t possibly refuse through them, surely at least one would bite.
‘They won’t take the bait all at once, but if I keep casting the line, eventually I’ll succeed.’
The dwarves, if anything, were the ones I should worry about hooking too quickly.
After all, I had a small cheat key sweating away in the Knight Training Grounds.
‘As for the elves… there’s no one I can’t reel in.’
I was Camilia, who had already raised reputation with elves—notoriously difficult to befriend—and even secured a firm alliance with them.
It would depend on which elite elf adventurer the Adventurer Guild Master brought, but whoever it was, I was confident I could win them over.
‘Good. That settles the groundwork for the reputation scheme.’
Having reached my conclusion, I opened my mouth.
“We’ll call it a day here.”
“Ah, yes. Will you be heading to the Training Grounds?”
“No. I’ll rest for today.”
“Rest? You actually… rest!?”
‘I’ve been singing about resting all this time, and now that I say I’m going to rest, why is he so shocked?’
Zehar Al Rashid seemed not to believe my words and asked repeatedly.
“Rest, you say? Truly? Even though the sun hasn’t set yet?”
“…Didn’t you just see me lying in bed resting not long ago?”
Zehar Al Rashid replied in an aggrieved tone.
“That wasn’t resting, my lady. That was being ill.”
‘How cowardly—attacking me with facts.’
Before losing the argument, I decided to change the subject.
I extended my hand, signaling for him to help me up and support me.
Though he recognized the transparent ploy, Zehar Al Rashid willingly took my hand and stood beside me as if escorting me.
“Then, where shall I take you?”
“The library. I wish to rest while reading books.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Zehar Al Rashid smiled genuinely, seeming truly pleased.
[Quest] The Secret of the World Tree
Ancient texts contain the following passage:
‘The roots of the World Tree are withering.’
It is an intriguing tale, but whether it is truth or fiction remains unknown.
It seems necessary to inquire of someone about this matter.
Objective
Ask an Elf about the World Tree (0/3)
Reward
????
I set down my book upon noticing the Quest window obscuring my view.
‘Finally, I got it.’
I felt a twinge of guilt toward Zehar Al Rashid, who seemed genuinely pleased that I was taking a break, but the real reason I’d carved out this precious time to visit the Library was to obtain this Quest.
I’d assumed it would be easy to acquire—the kind of Quest that triggers automatically when you click on elf-related books and select ‘read’—but it consumed far more time than I’d anticipated.
‘So I actually had to find the book containing the relevant passage for the Quest to appear….’
I resolved to avoid side Quests as much as possible going forward, sticking primarily to main ones.
Though realistically, it shouldn’t cause major problems.
The Dark Tower’s sub-Quest conclusions were notorious for being nothing but betrayals—simple betrayals, elaborate betrayals, delayed betrayals—there was nothing worthwhile about them.
The World Tree’s secret was equally infamous as a betrayal Quest. I’d prefer to avoid it if possible, but without it, there’s no way to seduce the elves, so I have no choice.
‘Anyway….’
I pulled up the special Quest that continued to follow me and placed it alongside the regular Quest window.
[Special Quest Appeared]
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward: Vlad de Vil (Level 6)
-Quest in Progress!
When I viewed them separately, I thought there was no significant difference, but seeing them side by side made it unmistakably clear.
‘The notation is so different. And this one doesn’t even disappear.’
Something felt off.
Yet having met Vlad de Vil had resolved many complications.
Today’s developments were only possible because of this special Quest.
Had I not known about the option to recruit NPCs as allies, I would never have found a way out when surrounded by increasingly hostile external forces.
‘Which is precisely why it feels so wrong.’
Everything fit together far too organically, as if someone who knew I would make these exact choices had designed and orchestrated it all.
In an ordinary game, following the growth curve would pose no real problem, but the game I’d transmigrated into was The Darkness Tower.
In a dark fantasy betrayal game, following the game’s guidance leads to only one outcome.
‘Tch….’
I was sinking deeper into contemplation despite knowing it was pointless when the Library door creaked open.
‘Hm? Who would come at this hour?’
I turned my head in curiosity, and a familiar face came into view.
Though not someone I’d expected to find in the Library.
And for good reason—it was Rohengreen Ashen.
Of course it was, since it was Rohengreen Ashen.
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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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