Chapter 102
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Ripples of the World Tree
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The World Tree, having undergone its second growth spurt, had become a colossal tree beyond imagination.
Was this the ripple effect of its growth?
The Korean server's community forums exploded after players witnessed the giant tree, visible even from a great distance.
【Korea/LookAtMe: Is that some kind of event monster? Why's it so conspicuous?】
【Korea/No4IsAnIndividualist: You need your eyes checked? That's not a monster, it's a tree lol】
【Korea/Whatsol: Isn't that the World Tree?】
【Korea/BenSonSil: Lmao dude, I know the world's changed, but haven't you been reading too much fantasy? How can a World Tree already be here?】
A debate raged over whether the giant tree was the World Tree or just a very large tree.
But then, something appeared that put an end to the spreading controversy.
【Korea/ForkWieldingImposter: Guys. I think it really is the World Tree. I'm hunting nearby, and look at this notification I got. It's giving me buffs and debuffing monsters.】
【Korea/AttentionSeekerNO.436: Whoa, for real?】
【Korea/BSDetector: Hmm? This tastes like fake news.】
A post someone uploaded, with the notification attached.
Given the troll-heavy nature of the community forums, many comments suspected it was fabricated, but as more players in the area reported the same experience, the talk of it being fake died down.
In the end, the players learned that the giant tree was indeed the 'World Tree'.
Thanks to the buffs and debuffs granted by the World Tree, they could level up more safely and quickly. A sense of gratitude toward the World Tree grew, along with a single question.
(Who on earth made the World Tree sprout?)
The World Tree.
Literally the tree of life, considered the endgame among trees in fantasy.
To be able to grow such a thing, the player must surely have an incredible class-related destiny.
Sure, some suggested a monster might have grown it, but since the World Tree was buffing people and debuffing monsters, most concluded it belonged to a player.
Of course, a few players, unable to contain their curiosity, attempted to enter, but since humans only have one life, they only made attempts.
Few actually made it all the way in.
Thus, the much-talked-about World Tree gave rise to many questions and mysteries.
However, the mystery was solved in less than a day.
【Korea/EyesOfTruth: This is no lie, I have really good long-distance vision. I got as close as I could to the edge of its range and looked at the World Tree... and there are a ton of bees inside its flowers.】
【Korea/BlueIfIDie: Bees? If it's bees, it has to be Honeybee.】
【Korea/IsThisReal: Damn, how much more successful can Honeybee get!】
【Korea/AttentionSeekerNO.421: I believe. Beemen.】
Bees coveting the flowers of the World Tree.
Though it wasn't his intention, the World Tree unknowingly had a secret effect.
It solidified Seong-hyeok's honeybee religion even further.
* * * * *
Bzzzz~
Bzzzzzzzz-
As always.
The bees moved busily, making the most of their short day.
As it takes visiting 5.6 million flowers to produce one kilogram of honey.
No matter how far, the bees flew without rest.
They might seem to be flying aimlessly, but that was far from the truth.
Bzzzz!
The moment they encountered flowers exuding the sweet scent of nectar, the bees became genius connoisseurs.
After a scout bee discovered a cluster of flowers through acrobatic flight and performed its waggle dance, the other bees were assigned in appropriate numbers, each beginning to move strategically.
Buzz buzz buzz!
Bzzzzzzzzzz!
And then followed the bees' greed, more militant than ever.
Brrrrrr~
As if to be rewarded for all their wing-beating so far.
The bees, having plunged their heads into the flowers, wiggled their bottoms, single-mindedly indulging in the nectar.
Had an onlooker seen them, they would have looked like vicious plunderers beyond redemption.
But that was a misconception of the uninformed.
Bzzzz~
Pollen clung to the bodies of the bees that had finished their sweet nectar shower, buried deep in the flowers.
As if it were common courtesy to return a favor received.
The bees used their bodies as vessels, traveling from flower to flower, carrying out entomophily by transferring the pollen that had stuck to them.
Thus continued the abundance of nature.
As if proving they weren't chosen as insects symbolizing prosperity for nothing, the pollinated flowers began to germinate, blooming even more profusely than before.
Bzzzzzzzz-!
The flowers gifted nectar to the bees, and the bees became purveyors, making more flowers bloom.
A virtuous cycle born from the process of giving and receiving.
Needless to say, the benefits weren't limited to just that.
“You're all working so hard.”
The processed honey products perfected by Seong-hyeok's hands.
Because of them, Seong-hyeok grew stronger, both physically and financially, in proportion to the number of bees and flowers as time passed.
And was that all?
[You have met the conditions for the reward stage of the permanent quest, 'Restoration of the Ruined Nature.']
[You have acquired 20 points as a reward.]
[You have met the conditions for the reward stage of the permanent quest, 'A Bountiful Swarm of Bees.']
[You have acquired 35 points as a reward.]
......
Nature, trampled by the advent of this bizarre world.
As it was restored by the ever-expanding territory of the bees, and as their numbers grew, Seong-hyeok's destiny was acknowledged by the 'World', and he gained points for information trades.
Points Held: 153
Points that steadily accumulated over time.
This was the ultimate reason he'd made the contract with the server administrator, so Seong-hyeok never let his points sit idle.
“Hidden Piece information. The ones most suitable to achieve right now.”
- ...Making a custom order, are we now?
“I have to seize my advantages. And if I get stronger, it's good for you too, isn't it?”
- Kikikik, that's true. And this is a legitimate trade, no need to worry about sanctions.
______________________________
[Incarnation of Flowers]
* Classification: Title
* Effect: All Stats +1
* Flower's Dominator: The growth rate of nearby 'flowers' increases significantly.
* Description: As the dominator of flowers, you cause numerous flower clusters to bloom in your vicinity.
[King of the Domain]
* Classification: Title
* Effect: All Stats +1
* Mark Territory: Designate a 5km radius around you as your territory. However, the marked territory can be breached. (Cooldown: 15 hours)
* King of the Domain: All stats increase by 7% within the territory.
......
______________________________
Titles belonging to Hidden Pieces, acquired by spending points as soon as he earned them.
In truth, for Seong-hyeok, who had the class specialization of 'Processed Honey Product Aficionado', the stat boosts weren't that big of a merit. The true appeal of Hidden Pieces lay elsewhere.
'Flowers and a 7% boost to all stats. Depending on how I use this, the effect could be tremendous.'
The special effects that came as a buy-one-get-one-free deal with the titles.
For 'Flower's Dominator', it was needless to say how useful it was for the bees who lived and died by flowers. And a percentage-based increase to all stats, like from 'King of the Domain', was a perfect fit for Seong-hyeok, who already possessed high stats.
'This makes the contract worthwhile.'
Things others couldn't easily obtain.
That's why they were Hidden Pieces.
Weren't they, in other words, called hidden fragments?
Needless to say, knowing such a method and doing nothing was a fool's move.
Seong-hyeok set his goals in a way that would earn him the most points, relentlessly rolling his snowball.
- Hooh. You honey-lover. It seems luck is on your side. A Hidden Piece about a Treasure item has appeared. Interested?
“Is that even a question?”
The Ring of Greed, and the Ring of Lust, which he didn't own but shared its effects.
At the news of another Treasure item he could find, Seong-hyeok once again.
[You have paid 138 points through an information trade.]
[You acquire information befitting its value.]
[Treasure Item, Propagating Ginseng (★★★★★+) - A hint about the treasure is revealed only to you.]
[Investigate the area around the marked location.]
Prepared to roll a massive snowball.
* * * * *
“Man, that's far away.”
Was it because the limit of the information trade's scope was the entire Asia server, not just Korea?
Just as the Poison Elf village had been located in Japan.
The location marked for this Treasure item, 'Propagating Ginseng', was on the Thailand server.
Thinking of the honey that steadily filled the hives each day, it was an outing he was reluctant to take, but what could he do?
He couldn't just let the information he'd spent precious points on go to waste.
Plus, he couldn't ignore the possibility that another player might snatch it at any moment.
“I need you to take care of the honey collection while I'm gone.”
“Companion. If it's alright, how about taking me with you?”
“Ah... that's okay. If you show up, things might get a little noisy. Just guard the farm well and focus on collecting honey.”
“Understood. I shall do my utmost in that regard.”
Still, having residents was a relief.
Perhaps it was thanks to the reassuring presence of the Poison Elves, who were capable of beekeeping activities.
While it couldn't compare to the divine beekeeping of Seong-hyeok, the Honeybee Guardian, having someone who could collect the honey that would otherwise be spilled on the ground put his mind much more at ease compared to when he went to North Korea.
'Right, let's look on the bright side. At least it's in Thailand.'
Thailand was at least relatively close to Korea.
If it had been Uzbekistan or India, who knew how long the round trip would have taken.
Satisfied with the decent situation, Seong-hyeok used the Dimensional Hive to store the 1.5 million bees that would accompany him on the expedition to Thailand.
“Alright. Now I just need to call Yeon-ah.”
The diligent bees were all ready.
Seong-hyeok then summoned Kang Yeon-ah as a member for the trip to Thailand.
【Tough Gal: Huh? Thailand, all of a sudden? And just me?】
【Honeybee: Yep. That's the plan, so pack your things and come quick. Maha and Nareu are coming too.】
【Tough Gal: Gasp! Really? O-Of course! I'll definitely come!】
It was an outing he had to take anyway.
In that case, it was best to secure a way to return to the farm quickly.
Naturally, Kang Yeon-ah's help was essential for saving time.
The large-scale dimensional tunnel obtained through the incarnation contract with Blanqui, the Mover of Dimensions.
As long as its entrance existed here at the bee farm, he could return to the farm in one go just by creating an exit.
“I'm here!”
“Alright Maha, you and Nareu work hard for me. I'll give you some honey on the way.”
“Kkuing kkuing!”
And there was another one with a great talent for shortening time.
※ Blessing of the Runner: Movement speed increases by 50%. (Permanent)
'Blessing of the Runner,' one of the blessings obtained from the wild honey Danbi ate before giving birth.
Not to mention the other two furballs.
The Maha Taxi was even faster than Yongbi and Danbi, who were renowned for their speed.
After feeling the soft, fluffy fur unique to a baby bear,
“Kkueeeeeeeng!”
The Maha Taxi, its mouth smeared with honey, began to sprint.