Chapter 106
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: The Basilisk's Gamble
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“Haha, well, thank you very much for this.”
“Alright! We’ve all gotten something good, so let’s raise our quotas and get to work!”
“Hunting’s going to be a lot more fun thanks to you, sis.”
“I shall eat this with gratitude, friend of my companion.”
The only added ingredient was ginseng, but the number of dishes that could be made with it could be in the dozens. Empowered by powerful buffs, the residents each began their activities, from combat to production.
They started their work with renewed vigor.
- *Kkiiiaaang!* Stretch and support the looooad!
Though two people did the cooking, the greatest credit for this outcome belonged to the treasure item, Doldor-i, which had provided an abundance of ginseng.
“The residents getting stronger is a welcome development for me.”
Food, the most basic necessity for human life.
The overflowing supply of food, with its advantages in flavor and stat points, was bound to create a gap between the outside players and the residents of the bee farm.
Moreover, the increase in stats was beneficial not only for combat classes but for production classes as well.
Particularly in the process of gathering the high-grade ingredient, ginseng, gathering-related professions leveled up quickly, and the same applied to those who cooked.
Considering that not only their levels but also their skill levels—as important as tools for production classes—were rising, it was truly a case of killing three birds with one stone!
“Now that we have a new product, it’s standard procedure to start promoting it.”
No, from Seong-hyeok’s perspective, it was even better—killing four birds with one stone.
And why was that?
“Might as well raise expectations. Shall I register a few samples?”
The auction house that opened every Sunday.
A stage where Seong-hyeok sometimes played the fool, yet ironically, also a place where he could earn an uncountable amount of coins.
Even if the honey pickles weren’t fully aged yet, there was no better place to showcase them as a new product.
『Here is the data for the items to be registered. I’m counting on you again this time.』
『You know our style, don’t you? Just leave it to us!』
On top of that, Seong-hyeok was in a mutually beneficial relationship with Jeongrichung, a reliable hype man.
Honestly, to others, it would look like they were colluding, but in a world of survival of the fittest, what laws were there?
『Then I’ll start laying the groundwork.』
The value of the name Honeybee, and the firepower of the community forums that Jeongrichung held.
And finally, a new product that suggested the possibility of a new way to raise stat points.
“This is what you call money making money.”
A combination of three things, almost like a holy trinity.
As a result, at this auction as well, Seong-hyeok’s—
Honeybee’s—name value continued to skyrocket day by day.
* * * * *
A large sum of coins earned from the successful auction, and various armaments acquired by spending them.
He practically swept up all the items put up for sale not only by ordinary players but also by Transcendent Beings for their amusement or as a form of support, investing them in himself, the bee farm.
And he provided them to the residents of the farm as an investment, spurring their growth at a rate incomparable to outside players.
“Th-thank you so much.”
“I don’t know how I can ever repay this kindness…”
“I will not forget this.”
In this chaotic world where lives were constantly threatened.
There was nothing that inspired loyalty quite like receiving help in such a harsh place.
Unless they were beasts, there was no way the residents wouldn’t be aware of Seong-hyeok’s investments.
High-grade gathering tools, armaments with performance incomparable to other crafted items, and more.
Whenever Seong-hyeok provided them with things of a value they would normally never dream of affording, his words were always the same.
“Please focus only on protecting the bees. It was all thanks to the bees that I was able to purchase these things.”
Twenty-four years of a single-minded life dedicated to bees.
Honestly, at this point, his obsession was on the level of a bee fanatic who lived and died for bees.
But what made it not seem strange was that Seong-hyeok’s actions perfectly matched his words.
Among all the residents of the bee farm, Seong-hyeok worked the fastest and most diligently.
“In my entire life, I’ve never seen someone whose actions so perfectly match their words.”
“At this rate, I wonder if a bee religion is going to be founded.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
An extraordinary sincerity towards the bees.
Thanks to the bees, the residents were also enjoying an endless supply of sweet and healthy honey.
Whether for virility or skin care, it was no exaggeration to say that the residents also agreed 120% with protecting the bees.
“To rub against him so passionately… I’m envious of those bees.”
“Hoh? What’s this, Greendale? Don’t tell me you’re interested in that friend of ours? Should I help you out?”
“…Say a word, and you die. If they find out, you die. I’ll make you regret it, no matter what it takes.”
“Ahem… No. Well, I understand for now.”
Of course, amidst all this, one non-human elf accidentally revealed her envy for the bees, but like the Disaster-class boss monster she was, she silenced the quick-witted observer in an instant.
But did Greendale even know?
*Whiiirrrr-*
*Wheee-*
Just as the saying goes that birds hear the words spoken by day and birds hear the words spoken by night.
Day and night, and even now, a bee had overheard every word Greendale said.
The bees’ collective intelligence found her jealousy amusing.
They wiggled their thoraxes, contemplating whether to tell, but the final decision was NO.
There was no need to mention something that could become an unnecessary obstacle to the feelings between Seong-hyeok and themselves.
*Whiiirrrr-*
*Bzz- Bzzzz-*
After exchanging opinions at a speed unimaginable for humans, the queen bees’ command, summarizing the content, was brief.
From within the crevices of a single beehive, a queen bee that had finished her preparations flew towards Seong-hyeok.
*Wheeeing~*
A rather large body and a pure-looking white abdomen, a result of concentrated evolution on her physique and bodily organs.
“Is it already time?”
______________________________
[Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee (★★★★)]
* Growth Rate: 100%
______________________________
Was it because the focused attention through the Queen Bee Resonance skill had paid off?
The Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee had reached a 100% growth rate at an incredibly fast pace.
The Queen Giant Hornet’s carapace and the Greed-Stained Basilisk’s scales.
With a fine spread of evolution materials laid out.
“Shall we get to it, then?”
*Wheeeeng~*
All that remained now was the queen’s evolution.
* * * * *
The five types of bees that represented Seong-hyeok’s bee farm.
Each of them had their own designated role.
The Ruby Gem for reconnaissance, the Peridot and Poison Amethyst with a knack for bee venom.
And the Imperial Topaz, in charge of numbers, gathering, and construction(?).
Each exerted influence evenly across combat and production, but among them, the one that reduced the bees’ sacrifices the most was, without a doubt, the Diamond Geumgang.
Deundeun-i, the Geumgang Hornets, and the Geumgang Saw Jaws.
The physical-type bees capable of drawing enemy aggro and delivering powerful physical attacks.
Knowing this, Seong-hyeok had focused the effect of Resonance, which came with a growth rate increase, on this very one.
“Anyway, which evolution material should I use to make this a truly successful evolution?”
Moreover, Seong-hyeok possessed several items suitable for the Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee’s evolution.
______________________________
[Queen Giant Hornet’s Carapace (★★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material (Evolution)
* Has an affinity with hardening.
[Greed-Stained Basilisk’s Scale (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Material (Evolution)
* Has an affinity with greed and top-tier hardening.
* Usage Restriction: Strength, Control 1,000 or higher
…….
______________________________
Two evolution materials obtained through a previously encountered dungeon and the process of dealing with the North Korean dictator.
Since both items were related to ‘hardening,’ they would boast perfect synergy with the Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee.
“Still, using the higher-grade one would be best, right?”
Considering the situation was governed by a game-like system.
As was evident from the treasure items, it was a matter of course that higher grades boasted greater power.
He had hesitated a bit, but…
As they say, it’s a parent’s heart to want to give their child something better.
Honestly, what Seong-hyeok wanted to use as the evolution material was, of course, the Basilisk’s scale.
*Wheeeeng~!*
“You seem to like that one too, huh?”
It was the same with the Essence of Sweetness; the queen had a knack for picking items, her mind already made up.
“If that’s what you want. I guess I’ll have to request this be made into armor for Deundeun-i.”
Besides, not using the Queen Giant Hornet’s carapace now didn’t mean he was throwing it away.
Among the residents of the bee farm, a considerable number were blacksmiths.
From Kim Cheol-gang, who first crafted the bee armor, to Oh Hae-pal, who was making a name for himself as Fergus.
If the many blacksmiths put their heads together, this carapace could be transformed into a very high-quality piece of equipment.
“Then let’s go with this.”
*Wheeeeng!*
As he set aside his hesitation and took out the Basilisk’s scale, the queen expressed her joy with a flutter of her wings.
When he attempted the evolution, the familiar notification sound appeared before Seong-hyeok.
[Using Greed-Stained Basilisk’s Scale (★★★★★+) as a supplementary evolution material.]
[The content of the available choices will be partially modified.]
A notification he had seen through numerous evolution attempts before.
But as they say, it’s more startling to encounter something new amidst the familiar.
“…What is this?”
______________________________
[Notification]
※ The medium’s status is not high enough to contain this item. As a penalty, the benefits of the evolution and the details of the evolution paths cannot be confirmed.
※ A path has opened for the Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee (★★★★) that has met the conditions to evolve into a Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee (★★★★★). As the master, please choose a path. Time remaining: 30 minutes
※ Greed-Stained Basilisk’s Scale (★★★★★+) is being used as a supplementary material. -> ???
[Evolution List]
* ???
* ???
* ???
______________________________
Three types of evolution paths, with no indication of what they meant.
Faced with an evolution list filled with ‘???’, Seong-hyeok clutched his head.
* * * * *
Some might say.
Since a 5-star+ grade item was invested as an evolution material, the foundation wouldn’t change even if it split into three evolution paths.
That he would never regret the outcome of the evolution.
But there was something that shouldn’t be forgotten.
The framework of this game, learned through dozens of days of experience, was heavily reliant on luck.
Naturally, the possibility that the outcome of a 5-star+ grade item wouldn’t necessarily be positive couldn’t be ruled out.
[As the master of the Diamond Geumgang Queen Bee (★★★★), please select an evolution path. Time remaining: 26 minutes 57 seconds]
This wasn’t just anything; it was the queen bee, the alpha and omega of the bee farm, on the line.
While he was clutching his head over a matter he couldn’t easily decide, was this a prompt?
A tactless notification chimed in as if urging him to choose quickly.
“This is driving me crazy.”
He couldn’t move forward, and to retreat was to have already activated a time bomb.
Just in case, he thought about trusting the queen’s choice, but…
*Whee, wheeeeng…*
“N-no, it’s not your fault, so cheer up.”
The queen’s wings drooped, as if she couldn’t read the ‘???’ notification either.
As he offered words of comfort at her pitiful sight.
“…If you think about it, this is a Hidden Piece, isn’t it?”
The completely unknown ‘???’ and the hidden elements, Hidden Pieces.
A path forward based on a sudden thought.
[Time remaining: 10 minutes 32 seconds]
Either way, he had to make a choice when the time ran out.
Whether it turned into a feast or a famine, it was better to try everything he could.
- You know how to use your head, don’t you? To think of using an information trade like this.
“Shut up and give me the info!”
- …Yes, sir.
Riggle, acting nonchalant even as time, precious as gold, ticked away.
Startled by the roar of Seong-hyeok, who could turn into a demon when it came to his bees, the creature quickly brought the information it possessed.
[250 points have been paid through an information trade.]
[Acquiring information befitting the value.]
[The information for the ‘???’ displayed in the evolution is being interpreted.]
As expected, the power of the server administrator was practically omnipotent within the game, as long as one could pay the proper price.
Now, with less than 10 minutes remaining, Seong-hyeok focused with all his might and read the interpreted evolution list, and he couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.