Chapter 111
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Treasure Hunter
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‘Something like this can trigger a Hidden Piece?’
The unexpected activation of a Hidden Piece, Great Disaster.
Honestly, since the condition was just to gather boss monsters, it might have seemed easy.
But Seong-hyeok soon looked at his own situation and understood.
“...Right, it's not exactly an easy condition to meet.”
Three or more boss monsters.
But there was one condition attached: they had to be ‘Disaster-class’.
He’d grown numb to it since the Poison Elves had been living as residents, but they were formidable beings boasting a level of 48.
He shouldn't forget that besides himself, only someone on Cha Hye-rin's level could fight them properly.
“Still, I'm really hesitant to check it.”
It was a prejudice most people develop over time.
Just from the word ‘disaster,’ it didn't sound good, and it wasn't just any disaster, but a ‘Great Disaster’.
“Better to know than to be in the dark.”
A part of him wanted to ignore it, but this was information about a Hidden Piece.
And he couldn't just ignore something within the bounds of his bee farm.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power, so Seong-hyeok checked the information.
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[Great Disaster]
※ This active effect can only be used by Disaster-class boss monsters.
* Classification: Special Situation
* Area of Effect: 10km radius around the Disaster-class boss monster.
* Effect: All Stats +5
* Effect (Active): Summons a Monster Gate for 1 hour. The monsters that emerge from the summoned Monster Gate do not distinguish between friend or foe and will devour everything ravenously. However, the summoned monsters will perish when the gate disappears. (Cooldown: 15 days)
* Effect - Gate Reinforcement (Passive): The level and respawn rate of the monsters that appear are enhanced based on the power and number of Disaster-class boss monsters near the summoned Monster Gate.
* Description: Multiple disasters have gathered to form an even greater disaster. The menacing convergence of disasters will unleash a terrible storm of blood upon the surroundings.
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The formidable power of a Hidden Piece that granted all allies within its range a +5 bonus to all stats.
Anyone seeing it for the first time would be astonished, but Seong-hyeok was already used to this level of effect from a previous Hidden Piece, the ‘Tree of Life’.
For Seong-hyeok, who already possessed immense stats, the more interesting part was the Monster Gate.
The description alone revealed a brutal option that couldn't be taken lightly.
Although it had the drawback of not distinguishing between friend and foe, depending on how he used it, it could be utilized for defense if the bee farm were ever attacked. There were various potential uses.
However, the first thing that came to Seong-hyeok's mind was something else.
“If I use this well, I could speed up my growth significantly.”
A perfect event hunting ground for power-leveling.
Honestly, an endless stream of monsters was a terrifying prospect, but if he could change his perspective and hunt them all, it would be possible to obtain a massive amount of loot.
“Companion. I trust in your strength, but you must not underestimate this.”
“I share my sister's thoughts.”
“Even if you didn't try to stop me, I have no intention of acting on it right now.”
Of course, he had only considered the possibility; he had no plans to implement it anytime soon.
The potential of the Monster Gate, with its long 15-day cooldown.
Besides, this was reality, wasn't it?
He didn't treat his one and only life like a game, and considering the sacrifice of the bees that would die, it was best to attempt it only after making the utmost preparations.
“Human, master of this land. We ask that you guide us to the great tree.”
“Alright, follow me.”
First, he had to deal with the new residents who had joined this time.
Guiding the Flower Elves was the priority.
* * * * *
The World Tree and Elves.
He already knew the connection between these two representative entities from the Poison and Holy Elves, but the Flower Elves' reaction was quite different.
“Ooooh!”
“To think there's such an overflowing power of abundance...”
“This is the ultimate harmony, created by the union of the great tree and the bountiful bees.”
“...”
How should he describe this?
The Flower Elves' love for the World Tree was close to fanaticism.
The Flower Elves, adorned with flowers and various plants all over their bodies, moved as close to the World Tree as possible and soaked in its abundance, much like rooted plants photosynthesizing.
“Seong-hyeok? Are those the new residents?”
“For now, yes.”
“But what are they all doing?”
“I'm not sure either.”
As he wasn't a plant, he couldn't comprehend the Flower Elves' actions.
Especially since these were the ones who, unlike Greendale and Leon, consistently spoke to him in a blunt, informal manner, even though he had achieved the 'Druid of the Forest' accomplishment.
So, he expected them to treat Yeon Su-hee the same way, but what was this?
“Are you the master of this great tree? As their representative, I express my gratitude for nurturing it so bountifully.”
“Ahaha, you're too kind.”
Did the Flower Elves have their own sense of decorum?
A polite attitude completely opposite to how they had behaved toward Seong-hyeok.
He was a bit dumbfounded by their personality changing so drastically just because of the World Tree, but the unexpected benefit that came with it overturned his expectations.
“If you permit it, we would like to settle beside the World Tree with our treasure, the Solar Flower. Would that be alright? We are willing to share its effects.”
It was none other than the Treasure item that Rayleese had mentioned possessing when he first met her.
The Flower Elves were offering to share that precious item with Yeon Su-hee without any conditions and were even asking for permission to plant it.
【Mom's Home Cooking: Seong-hyeok. What do you think?】
【Honeybee: You can do as you please. I trust your decision, Su-hee.】
【Mom's Home Cooking: Hmm, I understand.】
Among all the people on the bee farm, Yeon Su-hee was one of the most trustworthy, so Seong-hyeok decided to trust her choice without any ifs or buts when she whispered him.
“Of course, you're welcome.”
“We will not forget this kindness.”
And as if to answer Seong-hyeok's trust, she gave her consent without hesitation.
Was getting permission that important?
“Everyone, hurry!”
Rayleese gave the order without hesitation.
With that, the Flower Elves began to detach seeds from their bodies and plant them in the ground.
His curiosity about their body structure was brief.
Once the preparations seemed complete, Rayleese planted the root of a flower that looked extraordinary at a glance.
[The Solar Flower takes root in this area.]
[The power of the sun begins to imbue the soil. Solar Crops, imbued with special power, will be generated at regular intervals.]
[The World Tree's Embrace is applied.]
“Hoh.”
Following the Multiplying Ginseng, another Treasure item that would have a huge impact on the entire farm was added.
He hadn't seen these ‘Solar Crops’ yet, but since Yeon Su-hee had accepted them, they were sure to bring extraordinary benefits to the bee farm.
And as if to prove that her wise choice was the right one...
In addition to the notification about the Solar Flower, another alert sounded.
[Special Situation, the conditions to unlock Treasure Hunter have been met. -> 5 or more activated Treasure items have been gathered.]
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[Treasure Hunter]
* Classification: Special Situation
* Area of Effect: The one who possesses the Treasures.
* Effect: You become the target of all players and monsters seeking the Treasures.
* Effect - Treasure Guardian (Passive): All Stats +10% per Treasure owned.
* Description: An excess of treasure is bound to attract many eyes. The presence of numerous accumulated Treasure items will draw in countless creatures.
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It was another Hidden Piece, its conditions met right after the Great Disaster Hidden Piece.
[Transcendent Being, Insect Queen Ninetito, is astonished.]
[Transcendent Being, The Patient Sion, says that holding on brings victory.]
[Transcendent Being, Goddess of Abundance Prepion, worries that you might burst from greed.]
[Korean Server Administrator, Riggle, asks if there's any point in trading information at this rate.]
“...Hahaha.”
A feast of Hidden Pieces, when others struggled to get even one.
There were probably quite a few players who'd feel it was unfair, but what could be done?
“The little ones are spoiling me rotten, so I might as well enjoy it.”
*Buzzzzz~*
The way for a beekeeper to succeed.
It was all thanks to the bees.
* * * * *
“Phew, feels like it's gotten tougher.”
“Is this difficulty spike for real?!”
It was already a given that stronger monsters appeared on the bee farm than outside.
But was it because of the influence of the newly added Hidden Piece, Treasure Hunter?
“Kuaaaaaah!”
“Kiek! Kiiieeeek!”
[Field Boss Monster ‘Spirit White Tiger (★★★★+)’ has appeared.]
[Field Boss Monster ‘Goblin Lord Trikin (★★★★)’ and the Goblin Tribe have appeared.]
...
Field boss monsters, which used to appear at most once a day, were now showing up in hordes.
The bees and residents were having a tough time with these aggressive creatures appearing from all directions, but despite the difficult situation, smiles graced their lips.
“Still, it's not unbearable.”
“Thanks to this, the levels are piling up.”
“The harder the work, the greater the reward, I guess.”
It was no wonder, as the residents—whether combat or production classes—were already buffed by honey products and the dishes made by Yeon Su-hee and Lee Yeon-bun.
Add to that the innately powerful baby bears and the Elves, and it was actually harder for there to be any casualties!
And was that all?
*Buzzzzz~*
*BUZZZZZZZZ-!!!*
The carpet bombing from the bees, the true powerhouses of the bee farm.
“My goodness. I almost feel sorry for the monsters.”
“Tell me about it.”
The offensive from the countless, multi-colored bees was enough to make even their allies tremble.
In fact, these factors alone were enough to make them an outlier, but Seong-hyeok's bee farm had another source of support.
“But what are those plants?”
“I'm not sure of the details, but they say it's the effect of a new Treasure item.”
“Wow, he's like a nesting doll. Honeybee just keeps revealing more and more.”
The Solar Crops, appearing throughout the farm due to the newly rooted Solar Flower, not only provided stat buffs just by being consumed raw.
But also added unique plants that could distinguish between friend and foe, attacking and defending as if they could think for themselves.
This made a significant contribution to raising the survival rate of the bees and residents, encouraging even safer growth.
Moreover, Seong-hyeok's preparations didn't end there.
[Five-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★+) has been completed.]
[Five-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★+) has been completed.]
[Five-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★+) has been completed.]
...
The beeswax walls were completed one after another without rest.
The purpose of completing them, even by deploying all the Geonchug-i except those already assigned to the wild hives, was singular.
“Boss! I've finished installing the traps all over the walls. But is there a reason you made it a complicated, maze-like space? It seems like an area like this would be hard to use properly.”
“What do you think? It's for mob hunting, of course.”
“...Huh?”
The hunting method he had thought of the moment he learned about the Monster Gate.
Now that all the preparations were complete, all that remained was to power-level safely, just as he had planned.