I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 67

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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 67. A New Market
Capturing the Gold Slime proved remarkably simple.
Using potions and disguised gold, I entered the Colosseum, subdued the Gold Slime with my dominion ability, and stuffed it into a large burlap sack—that was all.
Two knights then shouldered the sack and loaded it onto a carriage waiting outside The Tower.
Upon arriving at the Castle, Zehar Al Rashid, who had prepared in advance, secretly transported the sack using his summoned creatures.
Since I’d restored the Gate leading to the Workshop, there was no need to struggle through the arduous journey as before.
I took the Gate directly to the Workshop with the slime in tow.
The only thing I hadn’t anticipated was that both Zehar Al Rashid and Rohengreen Ashen brought needles.
My blood was necessary to activate the magic circle for entering the Crown of Creation, after all.
I clicked my tongue at the needle extended toward me.
“You two are being awfully fussy.”
“It’s better than risking your lordship’s hand being badly injured.”
“I agree with the Steward as well.”
It was absurd, but they looked so serious that I couldn’t bring myself to scold them.
Still, Zehar Al Rashid was overly cautious—he couldn’t even hold my hand, let alone prick me with a needle. My body was simply too resilient.
In the end, it fell to Rohengreen Ashen to prick my finger.
Why couldn’t I do it myself?
‘Being pricked hurts, doesn’t it….’
If I were to nervously make a shallow prick, wouldn’t that damage my dignity as Lord?
Fortunately, Rohengreen Ashen, with the precision of a swordsman, pricked it very carefully, so it didn’t hurt much.
And exactly one drop of blood fell.
Even after entering the Farm through the magic circle, Zehar Al Rashid remained busy observing me.
He seemed troubled by the time I’d complained about taking damage to my soul(?) before.
Ever since my master playfully feigned pain, he’d become like a worried cat, and I felt a twinge of guilt.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“My apologies. I was simply concerned about your lordship….”
As I reassured him gently, he lowered his head with his eye corners trembling. I wondered if he was deliberately being pitiful, but I let it slide.
It wasn’t the first time Zehar Al Rashid had sought my affection and attention.
As always, I lightly patted the back of his hand and headed toward The Device.
Then I pressed a key to summon the system window, placed the Gold Slime in three designated zones, and pressed the cultivation button.
Uuuuuuung!
The Crown of Creation roared to life with a mechanical hum.
Now slimes would be generated in each zone up to their designated maximum capacity.
I’d devoted all three opportunities available once a year entirely to Gold Slime cultivation.
‘I need to succeed in reversing the Territory’s reputation with this fortune.’
I wasn’t particularly worried.
Horan, the vice-director of the Golden Fleece Trading Company, was an exceptionally capable individual.
Upon arrival, he released food supplies and launched a massive publicity campaign for waterworks maintenance projects, dramatically lifting public sentiment and instantly transforming the Territory’s reputation from -30 to -10.
Though I’d continue monitoring just in case, it seemed I could trust him with matters for now.
‘Next, I’ll reform the Adventurer Guild, prepare Mina and Vlad as well….’
I was turning over my next plan in my head when I suddenly felt a gaze upon me.
Rohengreen Ashen was staring intently at me, lost in thought.
‘This is rather bothersome.’
Before I knew what he was doing, I’d thought nothing of it, but now that I was aware, I couldn’t ignore it.
As I left The Tower, I suppressed the urge to reactivate the mind-reading ability I’d deactivated and opened my mouth.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
Rohengreen Ashen flinched, apparently not expecting the question.
“My apologies, Lord Camilia. If I’ve caused offense….”
“Your apology is noted. Now answer the question.”
Rohengreen Ashen, who had been hesitating, finally spoke.
“…I simply couldn’t understand why you’ve filled this place only with Gold Slimes, and I wanted to ask you about that.”
Sensing his explanation was incomplete, he quickly added more.
“I wondered why you don’t bring stronger monsters here to cultivate and fill the Seal Chamber instead.”
‘So he’s curious why I’m not prioritizing Tower management?’
I first corrected the facts for him.
“Did I not tell you? The monsters inside The Tower are nothing but nightmares conjured by the evil sealed in the Seal Chamber.”
They have no souls.
Therefore, they cannot enter the Seal Chamber.
“Why do you think those creatures leave only mana stone fragments when they die outside The Tower, then vanish? It’s because they are incomplete existences without souls.”
Rohengreen Ashen asked carefully.
“By that logic, Gold Slimes should also leave only mana stones. Unless something changes in this place?”
It was a rather sharp question.
“You’re right, Rohengreen Ashen. The environment here is similar to The Tower. Thus, while I cannot inject souls into nightmares, I can make their physical forms more vivid.”
“Ah….”
It’s not entirely true that The Tower contains no monsters with souls.
There are beings trapped within The Tower itself rather than in the Seal Chamber, like the Grim Reaper I saw on Floor 1.
‘There are actually several among the monsters.’
The Previous Lord tore the First Lord’s soul to shreds and scattered it throughout The Tower to steal the administrator’s authority.
Some of those scattered soul fragments came to dwell within monsters.
The largest fragments are held by the boss monsters of the gateway floors that appear once every 10 floors.
These gateway floor bosses and the scattered soul fragments of the First Lord play quite an important role in the game.
Whether to absorb the soul fragments and become a complete Lord.
Or to leave them as they are and use them to protect the precarious Tower.
The ending branches depending on which choice you make.
‘If I had my way, I wouldn’t absorb even the first fragment.’
I had readily accepted the notion that recovering my soul would make me stronger and unlock administrator abilities, but now the first bad ending I’d witnessed came to mind.
I learned very well back then that this is a game where doing everything as instructed gets you betrayed and a bad ending.
I stared blankly at the cage surrounded by light, then turned my body around.
“We should return. There’s still much work to be done.”
Over the following days, I focused on domestic affairs.
The sewage system had only just begun its renovation, and the city itself was entering full-scale reconstruction.
During this process, Netanel and Horan proposed something to me.
The Golden Scale Merchant Guild wanted to focus its efforts on market expansion and establishing trade routes for monster byproducts.
“So about that—we were thinking of having someone other than Horan manage the market. What do you think?”
“If there’s talent available, there’s no reason to refuse. Go ahead and recommend them.”
The moment I accepted without hesitation, Netanel promptly brought someone forward.
A middle-aged woman with a slightly plump appearance—her first impression was hardly remarkable.
Her face bore remarkably few wrinkles for her age, and aside from the gold-rimmed glasses she wore, there was nothing particularly distinctive about her features.
Yet I recognized her instantly.
She was an NPC who appeared whenever merchants tried to cheat the system—”The Golden Scales’ heretic inquisitor has come for revenge on bankrupt merchants!”
A debt collector masquerading as a heretic inquisitor would certainly excel at managing the market and collecting taxes, but wasn’t Netanel bringing someone far too formidable?
Whether Netanel sensed my bewilderment or not, he introduced her with a fox-like smile.
“I thought she was perfectly suited for the market position. That’s why I brought her.”
“Is that all?”
“Her name is Noma Sterea. She’s an exceptionally skilled accountant and administrator.”
Noma, who had been standing quietly with a smile, stepped forward beside Netanel and bowed her head slightly.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Camilia. I look forward to serving you with utmost dedication.”
As I stared at her without responding, Netanel’s eyes widened.
“Why are you looking at me like that? You know I can’t be rejected even if you’re displeased, right? You gave me full authority.”
I had no intention of rejecting her. Having a high-level Priest in my territory was nothing but beneficial.
My concern was with Netanel instead. While I had indeed sought the Religious Order’s assistance, the investment was far larger than I’d anticipated.
“It’s not that there’s anything to criticize—it’s that it’s excessive. Are you overextending yourself?”
“Oh… is this a situation where I should be surprised? How on earth do you know so much about our Religious Order?”
Netanel pretended to be shocked despite showing no actual surprise, then smiled broadly.
“Don’t worry. Despite my appearance, I’m an apostle, and I’ve never failed an investment I’ve staked gold on.”

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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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