I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 7

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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 7. The Lord Doesn’t Hold Back
“…A High Priestess? Of the Scales?”
[Zehar Al Rashid’s loyalty has decreased.]
[Zehar Al Rashid’s affection has decreased.]
The moment Zehar heard who she’d recruited as her new party member, the system notifications erupted before him.
“I don’t know what purpose she harbors in infiltrating the Territory. To think you’d enter The Tower alongside such a person.”
He voiced his opposition openly, but Camilia didn’t flinch in the slightest.
“You know my condition better than anyone, Zehar.”
I’m not a max-level lord anymore—I’m a level-one, sickly lord.
Without a healer, I can barely manage a single lap around the Training Grounds before my legs give out.
And who’s responsible for reducing me to this state?
You are.
‘If you had any conscience, you wouldn’t argue, you shadow mastermind.’
I shot him a look of resentment without holding back.
Whether he understood the weight of my words or felt his conviction waver for another reason, the sharp edge of his eyes softened and returned to their usual shape.
“I was merely concerned for your wellbeing, my lord….”
“I know. Keeping a stranger close at a time like this isn’t the wisest choice.”
Camilia gently patted his arm and whispered softly.
“I’m doing this because I trust you completely. With you by my side, how could anyone possibly harm me?”
“….”
The response was instantaneous.
[Zehar Al Rashid’s loyalty has increased.]
[Zehar Al Rashid’s affection has increased.]
As if they’d never dropped at all, both his loyalty and affection returned to their former levels.
I wasn’t particularly surprised. This was always how Zehar was.
‘He really does adore the lord, doesn’t he.’
Camilia patted him once more, his ears now flushed crimson.
And then I caught Rohengreen’s gaze briefly.
‘See, Rohengreen? There’s nothing to worry about.’
I offered him a light smile to convey that meaning.
In response, something like shock flickered across Rohengreen’s blue eyes.
[Rohengreen Ashen’s loyalty has increased.]
Suddenly?
Well, not that I’m complaining if it goes up.
Camilia opened the detailed window to identify the source of this unexpected loyalty increase.
And I was met with a rather absurd answer.
-The lord persuaded ‘Zehar Al Rashid’ with restraint and reason! +2
Wait, his loyalty increases over something like that?
And by a full 2 points no less. In game terms, that meant he was ‘moved’ by it.
Did the Previous Lord drive this man to madness? What kind of person gets moved by something like this?
‘…No, whatever happens, climbing is good.’
She wasn’t kind enough to dislike it, and there was nothing wrong with wanting to climb.
Thinking that good is good, Camilia led the three to the Office.
After that came the main discussion.
“We’ll begin our assault on The Tower tomorrow.”
The Tower’s first floor concept is ‘infiltration’.
It’s a tutorial floor designed to teach the turn-based CRPG system’s signature method of ‘infiltrating without being detected by enemies’.
The route is straightforward and there aren’t many roaming monsters, so a veteran like Camilia could reach the boss room with her eyes closed.
‘…In the game, anyway.’
Infiltration in reality differs from a game where you memorize routes by studying maps and simply position party members in the right spots each turn.
Reality has no isometric view and no pause button.
I couldn’t spend an entire day contemplating my next move on my turn.
Not that there was any real danger.
If I couldn’t overcome a mere first-floor mechanic, I hardly deserved the title of veteran.
Camilia gazed at The Tower, surrounded by a barrier, through the Office window and spoke.
“The enemy’s leader has emerged from The Tower.”
The strongest monster is sealed in the boss room, but there are powerful creatures roaming the floors as well.
These are what we call named monsters or boss-class monsters.
The first floor’s named monsters are the Goblin King and the Knoll Lord.
Both rely on numbers to win, so their intelligence is low—the moment The Tower’s seal was damaged, they bolted outside.
Even now they roamed within the barrier, venting their frustration on adventurers who hadn’t managed to escape.
“We’ll make them collide with each other.”
Low intelligence means they’d be susceptible to manipulation, and if the leaders fought, their subordinates would follow suit.
If they lacked numbers, they’d summon their kin from within the dungeon.
And if those creatures thrashed about outside in chaos?
Naturally, the first floor would be empty.
“Then we enter The Tower and repair the seal.”
Veteran strategy number one.
Finding infiltration difficult?
Then simply rob an empty house instead!
Simple, isn’t it?
Dawn broke.
The plan was flawless, and preparations were complete.
‘The party is ready too.’
Camilia changed into combat gear brought by her attendants and checked her status window.
[Party](4/4)
Synergy: None
Camilia Lord
Level: 1
Class: Mind Sorcerer
Rohengreen Ashen
Level: 3
Class: Knight
Zehar Al Rashid
Level: 5
Class: Arcane Mage
Netanel Fragma
Level: 15
Class: Apostle of the Scales
One might find it strange that the Knight Commander is level 3 while the High Priestess is level 15, but the Dark Tower operates under a low-power system.
Level 30 is the maximum.
Anyone level 20 or above is classified as a Transcendent—a rank unreachable for most unless they belong to certain elite professions or superior races.
Level 15 is nearly the cap, and levels 3 and 5 are quite formidable in their own right.
‘Though Zehar’s true level certainly isn’t 5.’
True to his nature as the hidden mastermind, he had imposed restrictions upon himself, deliberately concealing his actual level and class.
To glimpse his true power, one would need to pursue the lover route—or expose him as the mastermind outright.
The latter, of course, triggers an immediate boss battle event, so it’s absolutely off-limits.
The lover route isn’t without its own dangers, either.
As a companion, he is faithful and obedient; as a lover, Zehar becomes the very embodiment of obsession and jealousy.
If the lord had any companion with affection above 70, he would drive them away—or eliminate them entirely.
Couldn’t one simply manage companion affection carefully and reap the benefits without the drawbacks?
‘As if.’
Even in the game, accidents occurred despite careful attention to specific conversations and events.
In reality, where sudden events erupt constantly, believing one could manage affection with surgical precision isn’t foresight—it’s delusion.
‘It’s fine. I won’t regret it. Even without the seal-release version, Zehar is a tier-one mage.’
I tried to console myself, forcibly tearing my gaze away from Zehar’s level column.
“My lord, I am ready.”
The commander had finished as well.
I closed the status window and examined my reflection in the mirror.
My hair was braided into a ponytail.
Considering my stamina and strength, I kept my outfit as light as possible—a shirt and leather trousers, with a knee-length short robe draped over top.
My footwear was sturdy leather boots.
I also fastened a self-defense dagger and a waist pouch.
‘The ensemble actually looks quite coordinated.’
In the game, I’d often thrown on whatever gear matched my stats, resulting in a ragged appearance more often than not.
Stepping into the corridor with these idle thoughts, I found Zehar waiting.
He too wore a short robe and light armor in preparation for entering The Tower.
I expected him to greet me, but instead, he simply gazed at me with a somewhat dazed expression.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s just… it’s been so long since I’ve seen you armed, my lord.”
Zehar Al Rashid’s eyelashes trembled as a sorrowful smile crossed his face.
“You’ve truly returned. It wasn’t a dream after all….”
‘Damn.’
Despite my resolve never to let my guard down—knowing full well his true nature—that single devastating blow shattered my composure entirely.
I could have sworn I heard phantom voices.
-After all, Zehar Al Rashid is the true love interest, right? If you don’t know, memorize it: ‘Z-T-L’
‘No. Not this demon.’
Camilia steeled her resolve desperately to endure his vicious emotional assault.
I’m only clearing The Tower. I’ll conquer it and reach the normal ending no matter what.
There’s no room for some obsessive, pathetic romance to wedge itself in.
Zehar Al Rashid’s true power level isn’t exactly worthless… but I don’t need it!
“Right. It has been a long time since I’ve entered The Tower.”
Camilia composed herself and redirected the conversation.
“Are the conquest preparations proceeding well?”
After yesterday’s strategy briefing, I’d entrusted the detailed arrangements to the Steward, Zehar Al Rashid.
Given his competence, I’d assumed he’d handle everything flawlessly, but his response was unexpected.
“A slight problem has arisen with the Adventurer Guild.”
“A problem?”
“We haven’t yet assembled quite half of the required personnel.”
Zehar Al Rashid explained with some hesitation.
Apparently, conflict had erupted when dividing the infiltration and defense squads.
“Since we divided the teams by ability, those dissatisfied with their assignments have grown resentful.”
‘What are they doing?’
Heat flooded my mind in an instant.
With monsters potentially breaching the barrier and overrunning the city, what in the world were they thinking?
In dark fantasy, kindness returns as betrayal—that’s the rule—but there are limits.
‘Is a contract a joke? They’re backing out because they’re upset?’
Sensing the intensity of my anger, Zehar Al Rashid hastened to add more.
“The Guild Master has guaranteed he’ll keep everyone in place before the operation begins. Please don’t be too displeased….”
“There are only hours until dawn, and he claims he’ll bring them?”
Camilia issued a curt command.
“Tell the Guild Master to ride to the Castle immediately.”

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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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