Chapter 104
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Holy Elves of the Thai Jungle
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Monsters began to appear with the advent of the topsy-turvy world.
In most cases, they attacked humans to secure food, but not all monsters were the same.
“...Is this to be our new home?”
One of the disaster-class monsters that appeared with the Chapter 3 update was the Holy Elf.
They worshipped a god of nature and preferred to live in harmony rather than engage in senseless slaughter.
They were a unique species in this chaotic world.
A group of humans had actually managed to traverse the deep jungle and find the Holy Elves' village, but they were in a sorry state.
“Ahhh…”
“A disaster-class monster.”
“I-is this the end?”
It was a remote region, deep within the jungles of the Thai server.
The players had clearly fought many intense battles with monsters along the way, as there were numerous injuries among them.
Encountering a disaster-class monster in such a condition meant their chances of survival were practically zero.
But as mentioned before, the Holy Elves, far from attacking them, used their holy power to heal them and send them on their way.
“W-we will never forget this kindness.”
“Thank you!”
They had found a path to survival in the face of certain death.
Through the testimonies of these survivors, information about the Holy Elves—monsters that helped people—spread across the Thai server's community boards.
But hadn't they heard the old saying about not taking in black-haired beasts?
【Thailand/Expedition: Recruiting members to subjugate the Holy Elves who can't attack people. Experienced guide available. Compensation…】
【Thailand/Sawasdee khrap: Aren't those guys disaster-class monsters, all level 40 and above? How do you plan on taking them down?】
【Thailand/Ddokddok khrap: You idiot. They obviously didn't attack because of some penalty, right? You don't actually think a monster would save us, do you?】
This line of thought emerged from among the very people who had been helped by the Holy Elves.
A great number of people gathered, assuming that there must be some penalty preventing these high-level, disaster-class monsters from attacking humans.
They set off on an expedition, dreaming of the loot they would get from hunting the monsters, but it turned out to be the worst possible choice.
“G-guaaaah!”
“K-keuk!”
The Holy Elves possessed skills befitting their level.
As if to prove that holy power wasn't just for healing.
Their divine energy transformed into savage, deadly weapons.
The people who had so confidently launched the attack tucked their tails and ran as the scene instantly turned into a slaughterhouse.
“P-please spare us!”
They threw down their weapons and begged for their lives, but all they received in return were the puzzled expressions of the Holy Elves.
“I do not understand. You were the ones who attacked us first.”
“…”
If you are prepared to stab another, you must be prepared to be stabbed yourself.
It was clear self-defense.
“The pain will be but a moment.”
The only mercy the Holy Elves could offer in the end was a single, painless strike to finish them off.
One by one, the bodies of the humans fell to the ground.
Their decision left behind nothing but corpses to become fertilizer for nature, and in doing so, created the worst possible problem.
It had awakened the vigilance of the Holy Elves, who had not previously been hostile to humans.
“Are the humans here all the same, then?”
“It seems extermination would be more helpful than giving them a chance.”
“But we shouldn't judge all of them based on the actions of a few, should we?”
“We ask for your wise judgment, Chief.”
Extermination or harmony with humankind.
The decision between the two factions, the hard-liners and the moderates, effectively rested with their leader.
“Hmm…”
Unlike other elves, Leon was heavily armed in plate armor and carried a massive shield, lost in deep thought.
Depending on his choice, a storm of blood could sweep across the Thai server.
However, the survival of his tribe was paramount, and his heart was leaning toward the hard-liners, but only for a moment.
“Who goes there?”
The approach of not one or two, but millions of entities.
Leon and the Holy Elves perceived it, and using their senses augmented by holy power, they were shocked to identify the newcomers.
“B-bees?”
“Is a human controlling that many?”
“How can such a human exist?”
The bees were brimming with the bounty of nature.
And the human, who appeared to be their master, had achieved the class of a Druid of the Forest.
“To overflow with such natural power. It seems your judgment was correct.”
“...What will you do?”
“I will meet him myself.”
“As you wish, my chief.”
Did the Thai server have any idea?
That Yu Seong-hyeok's timely appearance…
…had just saved the lives of many of its people.
* * * * *
Holy Elves and Poison Elves.
Just as humans and even bees have different appearances and characteristics depending on the terrain and environment they live in.
Seong-hyeok had naturally assumed elves would be different as well, but he was still a little surprised by the individual before him.
[Holy High Elf Leon, Level 48 (★★★★★+)] - Disaster-Class Boss Monster
A High Elf of the same level and grade as Greendale, who had already joined the apiary.
But while Greendale was more of an assassin who used poison, Leon was a sturdy tank.
In gaming terms, he was like a paladin.
He had the characteristic height and slender build of an elf.
But with the addition of his heavy armor and equipment, he had a weighty presence that seemed it could match Deundeun-i from the apiary.
And most importantly…
[Recognizing a Treasure possessed by Holy High Elf Leon.]
[Possesses the Indomitable Shield (★★★★★+).]
Just as Greendale had the Ring of Lust.
As befitting a disaster-class monster, Leon also possessed a Treasure item, triggering the notification.
Unless he revealed it himself, the effects wouldn't be shown, but in a situation like this, the fact that Seong-hyeok possessed the Ring of Greed and the Multiplying Ginseng would have also been revealed to them.
‘In times like these, striking first is the best way to win.’
They already knew what he had, anyway.
Seong-hyeok had come with the intention of bringing the Holy Elves to his village, so the best way to build trust was to show some of his cards.
He also had the Druid of the Forest title, which could earn him the favor of forest races.
Confident they wouldn't become enemies, Seong-hyeok took the initiative and revealed the effects of his Ring of Greed and Multiplying Ginseng.
“Hm? Human. You seem not to understand. Are you certain it is wise to share such things with me, who could become your enemy?”
“The very fact that you say that probably means you have no intention of attacking, for now.”
“Hahaha. I like your nerve.”
As if to prove that making the first move was always the best strategy.
A satisfied laugh escaped Leon’s lips.
“Since you’ve revealed two, I suppose I cannot refuse.”
As if to show that elves, too, have their pride.
Leon also revealed the information of his Treasure item.
Sure enough, what goes around comes around.
This kind of inducement was far better than trying to pry information out by force.
______________________________
[Indomitable Shield (★★★★★+) - Treasure]
* Classification: Armor
* Defense +30%
* Durability +80
※ Unyielding One: Grants 100% immunity to all crowd control effects.
※ Indomitable Strength: Increases defense by 1,000% and absorbs all damage taken by allies within a 10km radius. However, while Indomitable Shield is active, movement speed is reduced by 95%. (Mana Cost: 600 / Maintenance Cost: 200 per minute / Cooldown: 30 minutes)
* Durability: ∞ / ∞
* Description: A ★★★★★+ grade Treasure imbued with indomitable power. It holds an unbreakable will.
...
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“What do you think? Of our tribe’s treasure.”
“It’s incredible.”
A 5-star+ grade.
And effects befitting a rare Treasure item.
In particular, if he activated the Indomitable Strength embedded in the item, it would be possible to increase the survival rate of the bees to an incomparable degree, provided a steady supply of mana.
He had intended to recruit them anyway, but seeing this gave him even more reason.
If he could, he would have kidnapped them on the spot.
But there was an order to all things.
“Would you be willing to become a resident of my village?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I must protect this village and my brethren.”
As expected, Seong-hyeok’s proposal was rejected.
But he had a trump card to counter such a response.
“My village has a Tree of Life. The World Tree, as you know it.”
“...I gratefully accept.”
“A wise decision.”
The ultimate secret to making elves readily abandon their village and form an alliance… no, to make them move.
It was the World Tree, the manifestation of the Tree of Life's Hidden Piece.
* * * * *
Thanks to Kang Yeon-ah, whom he had brought along, the return was swift.
Bzzzz~
Bzzzzzzzz~!
The bees greeted Seong-hyeok the moment he returned to the apiary.
He welcomed the little ones as they rubbed against him, as if pouring out all the sorrow they felt from being separated for a relatively long time during his outing.
Following the bees, the next to approach was Greendale.
“Welcome to this place, my brothers and sisters.”
“I did not expect to find others of our kind here. I, too, wish for us to get along.”
Poison Elves and Holy Elves.
Though their appearances differed, they were of the same ‘species.’
Perhaps because their populations were so small despite their strength, as one could tell just by looking at the two elven factions that had joined the apiary.
Despite having just met, a cooperative relationship was already forming.
“Thank you for bringing my brothers and sisters, partner.”
“I’ve heard the full story. I express my gratitude for your pure intentions.”
“Ahem. Don’t mention it. I’ll leave you to show the Holy Elves around, Greendale.”
“Leave it to me.”
After receiving heartfelt thanks from Greendale and Leon.
Seong-hyeok entrusted the tour of the apiary to the fellow elf, and what he did next was already decided.
“There’s so much to take care of.”
Even if the Poison Elves had harvested honey while Seong-hyeok was away, processing it was ultimately his role.
Furthermore, the Poison Elves couldn't harvest the wild honey that had filled the wild honeycombs built by Geonchug-i, so they were waiting to be collected at 100% capacity.
Was this the sorrow of a specialist?
Even a short trip away resulted in a mountain of work piled up.
Of course, that didn't mean he was complaining in the slightest.
“Shall we warm up and get to it?”
For Seong-hyeok, who had lived a life dedicated to bees, being buried in honey was a welcome event.
With the karma of a Mad Researcher added to the mix, Seong-hyeok began to efficiently handle the large inventory, crafting processed goods one by one and stacking the finished products in the warehouse.
Bzzzing~
Bzzzzzzzz!
Even the diligent bees seemed to praise his efforts, wiggling their abdomens!
But Seong-hyeok’s work wasn't finished yet.
[Investing Guardian's Rubydot Bee Venom Wine (★★+) into the Multiplying Ginseng. Satisfaction increases by 0.1%. Current Satisfaction - 25.6%]
[Investing Guardian's World Tree Tocheong Five-Color Honey Wine (★★★★+) into the Multiplying Ginseng. Satisfaction increases by 2.6%. Current Satisfaction - 28.2%]
[Investing Guardian's World Tree Seokcheong Five-Color Bee Venom Honey Tea (★★★★+) into the Multiplying Ginseng. Satisfaction increases by 2.3%. Current Satisfaction - 30.5%]
...
The Multiplying Ginseng, the primary reason for his expedition to Thailand.
A perfect, balanced harmony of health from the wild ginseng obtained from the Treasure item and natural honey.
“I’ll feed you plenty of honey, until you’re fully satisfied.”
To activate the Multiplying Ginseng, Seong-hyeok began to pour his processed honey products into it.