Chapter 105
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Ego of the Ginseng
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The forest races.
The powers possessed by those who lived in harmony with nature, never destroying it, were all elite.
The Poison Elves, skilled in handling bees and poison, and the Digs, who swam through the earth as if it were the sea.
And now, the newly joined Holy Elves, proficient in buffs and tanking.
Their numbers, around twenty, were a mere fraction compared to the over 600 human residents, yet their individual influence was comparable to, or even surpassed, that of all the residents combined.
And was that all?
*Buzzzzzzz—*
A purple rump wiggled as if to say, "Don't forget about us."
The contributions of the Poison Amethyst Bees, Greendale's kin, were also too numerous to describe.
Moreover, another contributor was about to be added to their ranks.
[You have cleared the Treasure-exclusive quest, Revival of the Proliferating Ginseng.]
"Are you satisfied now, you little rascal?"
It was the Proliferating Ginseng, the original objective of the expedition to Thailand.
The 5-star+ grade treasure item trembled as if in satisfaction, drenched in the honey products Seong-hyeok had invested.
But the most surprising thing came next.
[As a reward, the Proliferating Ginseng has been activated and awakens a power befitting the owner's karma (Adapting Ginseng King).]
[Specific awakening conditions have been met. -> Awakening of the Adapting Ginseng King]
[You have inherited the karma of the Honeybee Guardian. A sweet honey component will be fully infused within the random ginseng generated by the Proliferating Ginseng.]
[Due to the infused honey component, the bitter taste is eliminated, and specific effects are added upon consumption.]
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[Proliferating Ginseng (★★★★★+) - Treasure]
※ Becomes bound upon equipping and cannot be transferred to others. To obtain ownership, the bound target must be killed.
* Classification: Special Object
* Effect: When it takes root deep in the ground, it periodically proliferates random, highly effective ginseng nearby. (Can be accelerated by soil condition and additional effects.)
* Effect - Retrieve (Active): Recalls the planted Proliferating Ginseng. It will return to the bound owner regardless of its location. However, upon retrieval, all ginseng that has taken root from the Proliferating Ginseng will lose its efficacy. (Mana Cost: 1,000 / Cooldown: 30 days)
* Effect - Adapting Ginseng King (Passive): Due to the owner's karma, a honey component is generated from within the Proliferating Ginseng. The taste becomes sweet, and its effects are enhanced.
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Not only was it activated and ready for use, but the effect of honey was now applied to the ginseng thanks to the Honeybee Guardian's karma.
"This isn't half bad."
Good medicine tastes bitter, as the saying goes.
But that old adage held no water before the Honeybee Guardian.
The ginseng had been transformed to taste like honey by the Adapting Ginseng King.
With the added option of enhancing its effects, it was an occasion for Seong-hyeok, the producer of the ginseng, to welcome with open arms.
"Not just open arms, this is a total jackpot."
A broad grin spread across Seong-hyeok's face, his mind filled with thoughts of planting this treasure item in the beekeeping farm right away.
But what happened next made him pause.
"Unhand me, Master! I shall decide where I am to be planted!"
"Huh?"
"Can't you hear me?! Ugh! You're ridiculously strooong!"
The Proliferating Ginseng struggled in his hand, squirming on its own.
A 5-star+ grade.
Was it the influence of not just five stars, but the 'Treasure' designation?
[The ego of the Proliferating Ginseng awakens due to its activation.]
"Attend to me!"
“……”
Even with its head caught in Seong-hyeok's grip, the creature struck a dignified pose.
Amazingly, the Proliferating Ginseng was no ordinary item.
It was a ginseng with an ego.
* * * * *
"...I've heard of an ego sword, but an ego ginseng is a first."
The fact that it could think and move on its own like a living creature, despite being an item.
Whatever it was, this was a tremendous advantage.
It meant that it could perform its function on its own, without Seong-hyeok having to use it directly.
Of course, that didn't mean it only had advantages.
"Offer me honey!"
The creature threw a tantrum like a spoiled child, lying on the ground and kicking its ginseng roots wildly.
Perhaps because it had been fed processed honey products to fill its satisfaction meter, it was now demanding honey.
Naturally, as an item, it had no coins to pay for it.
"Delicious!"
Was this what they meant by getting robbed blind?
The honey was practically snatched away by the ginseng.
However, Seong-hyeok was rather pleased with this development.
Why, you ask?
[The Proliferating Ginseng absorbs the consumed honey into its body. The grade of the random ginseng produced hereafter will slightly increase, and they will become even sweeter.]
It was a bizarre scene of an item eating another item, but as expected of a high-class being, an additional effect manifested.
At this rate, Seong-hyeok was more than willing to keep feeding it processed honey products.
"Burp— I feel good, so I want to be planted quickly!"
Now that it had finished its hearty meal.
The creature patted its belly with a ginseng root, preparing for its next task.
"The soil here is fertile, I like it. There's a giant World Tree, too!"
Should he consider this fortunate?
The soil in the beekeeping farm was fertile, thanks to the World Tree, the Digs, and the Giant Worms.
"Need help getting in?"
"It's fine. I can do it myself!"
"Alright. Have fun, then."
"Yup! I'm going to go play!"
Whether taking root in the ground was considered playing by ginseng standards, the creature scurried off and burrowed into the earth in the blink of an eye.
With that action, the long-awaited notification sound greeted Seong-hyeok.
[The Proliferating Ginseng takes root in this area.]
[Ginseng proliferation begins. Random ginseng will be produced in the vicinity at regular intervals.]
[The World Tree's Embrace is applied.]
[The growth rate of all growable natural vegetation and crops within the World Tree's domain is accelerated by 150%, and the appearance frequency of rare natural vegetation is greatly increased.]
"I knew it."
He had expected this to some extent.
After all, the ginseng proliferated by the Proliferating Ginseng was also classified as natural vegetation.
It was only natural that there would be synergy with the World Tree's Embrace, which accelerated growth speed and increased the appearance rate of rare natural vegetation.
And perhaps thanks to that?
"I found one!"
"Hahaha! This is a jackpot!"
"Aaaah!"
The residents with gathering professions let out continuous screams of joy throughout the beekeeping farm.
Thanks to the Proliferating Ginseng, the ginseng farm at the beekeeping farm was now in full swing.
"Now then, shall we prepare a high-quality new product?"
With a proper production system in place.
All that was left was to pickle the ginseng in natural, wild honey.
* * * * *
*Buzz~ Buzz~*
*Buzzzzz—*
The sweet scent of honey wafted through the air every time a processed honey product was made.
For a moment, a cute scene unfolded with bees, mesmerized by the spreading sweet aroma, circling above Seong-hyeok's head.
Seong-hyeok focused on processing the new product, showing off the knowledge he had honed through his life dedicated to bees.
*Plop— Plop—*
*Drizzle—*
The five-colored World Tree Honey Soy Sauce and Vinegar had already been processed once through honey brewing.
It was worth mentioning again, but the appeal of honey wasn't just its health benefits.
Depending on the production method, it could be used for tea, alcoholic beverages, soap, and more.
Natural honey boasted a wide range of uses, like a multi-talented beauty!
And the ultimate in honey processing was, of course, to take something made of the same honey components and process it multiple times to draw out the power contained within the honey to its absolute limit.
[Honey Preserve production is a Great Success! The Honeybee Guardian's blessing is engraved on the Honey Preserve.]
[Guardian's World Tree Wild Ginseng Honey Preserve (★★★★+) has been created.]
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[Guardian's World Tree Wild Ginseng Honey Preserve (★★★★+)]
※ Remaining aging period: 10 days (Taste and effects will be greatly enhanced upon completion of aging.)
* Classification: Consumable
* Upon consumption, provides incredible vigor enhancement, stamina recovery, and satiety. The individual gains the 'Essence of Wild Ginseng Honey Preserve' and their Durability permanently increases by 4 one time only. Current consumption: 0 / 1
※ Essence of Wild Ginseng Honey Preserve: For 150 minutes, maximum Health and maximum Mana increase by 3,100 (+560), and Durability stat increases by 45 (+7). (No cooldown)
…….
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As mentioned before.
This new product was preserved using a harmonious blend of various brilliant honeys, starting with honey soy sauce and vinegar.
In particular, the appetizing ginseng within was no ordinary ginseng.
It was the honey-flavored ginseng, a result of the Honeybee Guardian's karma reacting with the 'Adapting Ginseng King'.
"Mmm. This tastes absolutely amazing."
"It's not bitter at all!"
"It's delicious and healthy... this will be a huge hit if you put it on the market, hyung-nim."
Honey added to something that already tasted of honey—how could its sweetness be anything but extraordinary?
A taste so good that even children who despised anything bitter would fight over it.
"A remarkable flavor indeed. It seems my hand keeps reaching for more without stopping."
"Squeak! Squeak-squeak!"
"Kkueeng!"
"Guwooong!"
Furthermore, it wasn't just humans who acknowledged its taste.
Elves, moles, and bears all recognized the true flavor of the honey preserve.
And above all, it came with effects that no man, regardless of race, could ignore—vigor enhancement and stamina recovery, not to mention a stat increase. It was a guaranteed blockbuster if it were ever listed on the market.
"But before that, there's something more important."
The true effect of the ginseng-filled honey preserve came from aging.
※ Remaining aging period: 10 days (Taste and effects will be greatly enhanced upon completion of aging.)
As the item description stated, it would be more effective to wait for the aging period to end before selling, rather than selling it immediately after creation.
"...Looks like I'm going to be even busier."
This new product was the type whose value increased the more you stockpiled it.
Due to this unique characteristic, Seong-hyeok's time would become even more pressed, but...
"Let's live an even more fulfilling life!"
*Buzzzzzzz—*
A diligent master befitting his diligent bees.
Feeling that even a moment's rest was a luxury, Seong-hyeok began to busily move his hands, building up his inventory.
* * * * *
The treasure item's ability to proliferate an unexpectedly large quantity and variety of ginseng-type natural vegetation.
Perhaps thanks to that?
With a surplus of ginseng, mealtimes were now filled with a healthy and flavorful atmosphere.
"Ooh! This meat is bursting with healthiness!"
"W-what is this, nunim?"
"What do you think? It's pork from pigs raised on wild ginseng, you rascals."
"Whoa, w-wild ginseng?"
"Is it okay to just give away the secret like that?"
"It doesn't matter, since you couldn't copy it anyway."
The secret to the flavor of Lee Yeon-bun's gukbap was pigs raised on wild ginseng.
A secret recipe that no one but the incredibly wealthy could even attempt to replicate.
And was that all?
"If you're done with your meal, you should have some dessert. You can each take three."
Yeon Su-hee, whose cooking skills were on par with Lee Yeon-bun's, forming a two-pronged assault on the palate.
For her, the large quantity of ginseng was a foundation upon which she could attempt a variety of dishes.