Chapter 14 – Treasure Hunting

There were three kinds of treasure chests in Dark Tower.

The first was the ordinary treasure chest.

It appeared at random and contained things like potions or gold.

The second was the advanced treasure chest.

It also appeared randomly, but held magical equipment or spell scrolls.

The third…

Was the Special Treasure Chest.

Unlike the others, it always appeared whenever the Boss Chamber had just been unsealed or resealed.

Only one person could open it.

The Lord—the game’s protagonist.

And once the chest was opened…

Something rather extraordinary happened.

“It produces whatever I desire.”

Netanel, who had been listening to Camellia explain the relationship between the Sealing Chamber and the treasure chests as they walked, blinked in surprise.

“…Really?”

“Not absolutely anything.”

“But if it is something I desire…”

“And it is obtainable on the First Floor…”

“Then it is guaranteed to appear.”

“…That’s incredible enough.”

“If you wanted to…”

“You could simply keep creating legendary equipment.”

Camellia shook her head.

“Would you repeatedly open and close the Sealing Chamber merely for equipment?”

“That would be foolish.”

That was what she said.

In the game, however…

She’d done exactly that countless times.

There was no more efficient way to farm equipment than repeatedly stuffing unwanted companions or monsters into the Sealing Chamber to reset the Special Treasure Chest.

Even during her first Hardcore clear…

Treasure chest farming had carried her through.

Normally, sacrificing companions is the fastest method.

But Mind Sorcerers are the exception.

Because of the class’s nature…

Recruitable companions were extremely rare.

The few she managed to obtain had to be treasured.

She could never afford to raise disposable companions solely for chest farming.

…Which, honestly, is a relief.

Between her conscience and survival…

She would always choose survival.

But if she could avoid staining her conscience altogether…

She preferred that.

Perhaps having such a terrible class wasn’t entirely bad for her mental health.

With that thought…

She finished her explanation.

“…In any case, I have no intention of deliberately opening and resealing the chamber.”

“But since a Special Chest has already appeared…”

“There is no reason to leave it untouched.”

“That certainly sounds reasonable.”

Netanel nodded before asking,

“Out of curiosity…”

“What treasure are you looking for?”

“Gold?”

“Jewels?”

“Scrolls?”

Camellia shook her head.

“Those things can be acquired outside the Tower.”

“There is no need.”

After all…

The First Floor’s item pool wasn’t particularly impressive.

Even the magical equipment dropped by Named Monsters and bosses was merely average.

Except…

For one item.

One piece of equipment…

That, when used correctly…

Could remain useful until the very end of the game.

“First…”

“We must find it.”

She glanced at the map before giving an order.

“Rohengrin.”

“Search the corridor.”

“At once.”

The knight immediately hurried off.

He returned only moments later.

“I don’t know whether it’s the special treasure chest…”

“But there’s a red chest at the end of the hallway.”

Oh?

First try.

That’s lucky.

Under Netanel’s curious gaze…

And Jehar’s worried one…

Camellia walked forward.

Just as Rohengrin had reported…

A crude wooden chest rested at the corridor’s end.

Anyone who had ever played a game would instantly recognize it as a treasure chest.

Its unnaturally vivid crimson color made it resemble a warning beacon.

Without hesitation…

Camellia approached.

Then quietly whispered,

“Give me Disguised Gold.”

Clunk.

Something heavy dropped inside the chest.

The item she had requested had appeared.

“…It really does produce what you ask for.”

Netanel couldn’t hide his amazement.

Camellia simply nodded as though it were perfectly ordinary.

Then reached toward the lid—

Ow!

My hand!

The lid was so heavy she nearly sprained her fingers.

Strength 4 can’t even open a treasure chest?!

It was so ridiculous she almost felt wronged.

Still…

A Lord shouldn’t lose her temper over such trivial matters.

Swallowing a sigh…

She stepped back with perfect dignity.

“Rohengrin.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Apparently assuming the task naturally belonged to him…

Rohengrin stepped forward and lifted the lid effortlessly.

Inside…

Rested a brilliantly gleaming golden breastplate.

It was somewhat small.

Rounded.

Frankly…

It resembled a giant golden onion more than armor.

Even Rohengrin tilted his head uncertainly after lifting it from the chest.

“…Is this…”

“…actually armor?”

Rather than answering…

Camellia opened the system window.

Item Information.

The instant she thought those words…

A holographic panel appeared above the golden breastplate as though she’d hovered a mouse cursor over it.

---

Disguised Gold

Defense: 19

◆ Gold Prospector
When equipped by a Golden Clan Dwarf, greatly increases the chance of discovering special locations.

◆ ???
Activates when certain conditions are met.

◆ ???
Activates when certain conditions are met.

---

Bingo.

She’d worried that perhaps the Disguised item series no longer existed.

Fortunately…

The Special Treasure Chest system worked exactly as it had in the game.

“Handle it carefully.”

“It’s important.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Netanel glanced skeptically at the shining breastplate Rohengrin now carried.

“…With all due respect to your judgment, my employer…”

“It just looks like a gilded breastplate to me.”

“Was it truly worth entering the Tower a second time just to obtain that?”

“Absolutely.”

“If it reaches its rightful owner…”

“It possesses the power to change the world.”

Her unwavering answer caused not only Netanel…

But even Rohengrin…

To stare at the golden onion with identical expressions.

That thing?

Yes.

Exactly that thing.

As ridiculous as it looked…

Disguised Gold was one of the most infamous game-breaking items ever introduced.

The moment it appeared in the DLC…

Nearly half the active player base quit.

Why?

Because it’s the admission ticket to the dedicated gold farming room.

Of course…

It wasn’t that simple.

Using Disguised Gold required several difficult conditions.

Every one of them was troublesome.

Fortunately…

I already know every single one.

Better yet…

She had already secured the most important key required to transform this useless-looking gilded armor into the goose that laid golden eggs.

Assuming the Head Maid had done her job…

She would meet that key the moment they returned to the castle.

Gazing at the unnecessarily shiny golden onion…

Camellia smiled inwardly.

I’m looking forward to it.

---

Like every game…

Dark Tower had its share of overpowered characters.

You absolutely have to recruit this character.

If you skip this one, you’ll never clear Floor 38.

They’re weak early on, but become amazing later.

Characters everyone agreed were mandatory recruits.

Among tanks…

Three stood unquestionably at the top.

Rohengrin.

The classic defensive tank.

Reliable.

Durable.

Steady.

Raza.

A damage-focused tank who defeated enemies before they could even attack.

Shushu.

Fragile…

But capable of locking bosses down endlessly through stuns, silence, knockdowns, and every status ailment imaginable.

Each possessed such a distinct style…

That choosing your main tank completely changed the game’s meta.

Camellia usually chose either Rohengrin…

Or Shushu.

Rohengrin because he was easy to raise.

And maintaining his Loyalty wasn’t difficult.

Shushu…

Because although she was much harder to build…

She would never betray you.

Because by the time you recruit her…

Her soul has already been destroyed by the Berserker’s Curse.

Within the game…

She was essentially a living golem animated by magic.

Practically a summon.

Meaning Loyalty and Affection management barely mattered.

In a game where betrayal was the greatest danger…

That was an enormous advantage.

Still…

There was a drawback.

Humanoid beings suffering from Soul Destruction permanently suffered a 10% reduction to all attributes.

Their magic resistance fell.

They struggled in Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks.

Compared to Rohengrin…

She lacked versatility.

Which also means…

She was powerful enough that people still used her despite all of that.

Remembering the pale, gloomy Shushu from the game…

Camellia looked at the girl now standing before her.

An old, wrinkled maid uniform.

Straw-like pink hair…

Mostly hidden beneath a maid’s kerchief.

Freckled cheeks.

Rough skin.

Timid green eyes.

She was short thanks to her dwarven heritage…

Though sturdily built.

Aside from that…

She looked perfectly ordinary.

“U-Um…”

“I-I heard…”

“Th-that…”

“Y-Your Ladyship…”

“W-wanted to see me…”

Even her voice trembled every time she spoke.

She looked as though one stern word would make her collapse to the floor begging for mercy.

Lightly tapping the armrest of her chair…

Camellia studied her.

So…

This is Shushu before she became the Berserker.

Her character profile had always stated:

“Before her soul was destroyed, she was an ordinary girl.”

Back then…

Camellia hadn’t cared.

Every game character came packaged with tragic backstories.

It was as normal as cheese on a cheeseburger.

But now…

Shushu wasn’t just data anymore.

She was a real person.

A real person’s tragedy is better left unwritten.

And having a soul…

Was certainly preferable to lacking one.

Having made up her mind…

Camellia spoke.

“Nashu Shumel.”

“Beginning today…”

“You will become a knight.”

“…Huh?”

“I’m… a maid…”

“And you will train…”

“To enter the Tower with me.”

“…Wh-What…?”

“I’m… really just a maid…”

“You will also wear the armor I bestow upon you.”

“I-I’m seriously a maid!!”

The poor girl looked moments away from fainting.

Watching the incomprehensible exchange…

Rohengrin finally seemed to realize something.

He leaned close and whispered,

“My Lady…”

“The one destined to wear the armor that can change the world…”

“Surely you don’t mean…”

Of course I do.

Shushu is a descendant of the Golden Clan Dwarves.

Naturally…

She couldn’t reveal the girl’s secret heritage so abruptly.

So Camellia answered with her usual composed expression.

“That’s correct.”

“That child is the one.”