Chapter 114
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Spoils of Victory
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“I am who I am today because of all of you.”
In this chaotic world where the law of the jungle now reigned.
For an orphan like Seong-hyeok, a society where monsters attacked and the rule of law had collapsed, where people killed each other for personal gain, was the absolute worst.
He had no proper connections, no financial backing, and nothing to his name but his affection for and knowledge of honeybees.
But under the pretext of ‘karma,’ Seong-hyeok had become the Honeybee Guardian and survived.
And he had faced numerous crises on his journey to the present.
From the first field boss monster, Lich Belmorn, to threats from China and North Korea.
Seong-hyeok knew better than anyone that he had endured and survived it all thanks to the sacrifices and help of his countless honeybees.
“I’m just giving back what I’ve received, so don’t be discouraged. Just be your usual selves.”
The diligence and charm of the honeybees, unchanging even as the world changed.
Seong-hyeok was happy just watching them, and he wanted to protect their home and their queens.
His 24-year-long life, dedicated solely to bees, could be seen as long or short.
It must have been this life that gave birth to his role as the Honeybee Guardian.
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzzzzzz!*
In response to Seong-hyeok's heartfelt words, the bees spread their once-drooping wings wide and answered with a wiggling butt dance.
“You little rascals…”
It was like watching a children's talent show.
The adorable wiggling of the honeybees’ rears brought an involuntary smile to his face.
They possessed a devilish charm that he could stare at for 24 hours straight and never get tired of, but he managed to restrain himself.
“Daddy has work to do, so you all get to it, too.”
*Bzzzzz~*
As if acknowledging his words, the bees flew off with a display of acrobatic flight.
Though he was the one who sent them away, he felt a pang of disappointment. But as he’d said, Seong-hyeok had work to do.
“This must be why people do raids.”
The rewards were on a completely different level from hunting regular monsters.
If one had to name a reason why people challenged these threats despite the risk to their actual lives, wouldn't it be for rewards like these?
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[Royal Gacha Ticket (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable
* Description: You can choose one of three sample items, limited to the 5-Star+ grade.
[Salomet's Mud Essence (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material (Evolution)
* Related to abundant mana and control.
* Upon consumption, you will acquire the Authority Specialization ‘Mana Mud Heart’ one time only. Current consumption 0 / 1
※ Mana Mud Heart (Permanent): Maximum mana is permanently increased by 20%.
* Usage Restriction: Durability, Mentality 1,000 or higher
* Description: A ★★★★★+ grade Mud Essence that was located in the core of the Mud Giant Salomet. As the nucleus and driving force of mana that animated Salomet, it holds immense mana potential.
[Mud Giant's Treasure Fragment (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Miscellaneous
※ Combined Treasure: When combined with another treasure fragment, it creates a single random treasure item. However, the type of completed treasure item will change depending on which treasure fragment is used as the base.
…
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“They all seem to have their uses.”
Moreover, the items he obtained were all 5-Star+ grade, and each had a remarkable purpose.
From the Royal Gacha Ticket that let him draw a 5-Star+ item, to the Mud Essence that could be used as a consumable and an evolution material.
And finally, the Treasure Fragment, which was related to a treasure item.
“The problematic one is the Mud Essence.”
But perhaps it was because the 5-Star+ grade was so versatile?
What muddled Seong-hyeok’s thoughts was the diversity of power contained within the Mud Essence.
It could be used for its Authority Specialization, permanently increasing his maximum mana by a whopping 20%, or as an evolution material for a Queen Bee.
Both options were undeniably essential for securing his future survival.
“Hmm…”
Honestly, if it were the old Seong-hyeok, he would have used it as a supplementary material for a queen’s evolution without a second thought.
His philosophy had always been to put his bees before himself.
But paradoxically, it was for that very reason that Seong-hyeok decided to consume the Mud Essence himself.
Why?
It was because of the experiences he had accumulated in this chaotic world.
“This will be the right choice.”
He had previously consumed Zher's Meatballs.
Normally, the effect should have ended with just the ‘Flame Immunity’ Authority Specialization, but this game was overflowing with hidden elements called Hidden Pieces.
In reality, a synergy with the Honeybee Guardian had been triggered, applying the Flame Immunity not only to Seong-hyeok but to all his honeybees as well.
And hadn't Zher's flames even been imbued into the Ramdok Kamikaze Bees?
‘Still, it’s better to check just in case.’
Of course, as the name ‘Hidden Piece’ implied, there was a chance the conditions wouldn't be met, but Seong-hyeok had an insurance policy.
‘Riggle. I want to trade information regarding a Hidden Piece between Salomet's Mud Essence and the Honeybee Guardian.’
- …You’re quite meticulous.
‘It’s about my bees.’
- Fine. Since you possess all the components, the ‘World’ will offer a fair price.
[You have paid 35 points through an information trade.]
[You have acquired information befitting its value.]
An information trade with the server administrator.
It was a quick and easy exchange.
The result of the check was just as he had expected.
[A Hidden Piece related to the Honeybee Guardian's authority is concealed.]
[Method to fulfill specific awakening condition -> Secure the Mana Heart]
- Then I wish you the best. Your growth is my path to promotion, after all.
‘Whatever.’
Considering what Riggle had done to the Korean server, he couldn't view him favorably as a Korean, but in the end, whether it was the ‘Civilians vs. Soldiers’ incident or the many others…
The server administrator may have placed the weapons in their hands, but it was they themselves who had swung them.
Falling for the devil's whisper doesn't wash away the sins one has committed.
‘Even if he's a devil, if it benefits my bees, I'll gladly join hands with him.’
Seong-hyeok’s way of distinguishing between good and evil was based on a very simple logic.
Did it help the bees, or did it harm them?
If it helped, he would join hands with a devil. If it harmed, he would eliminate even an angel.
“...Alright, shall I give it a try now?”
Now that he had confirmed the existence of the Hidden Piece through the information trade.
All that was left was to consume the Mud Essence.
“What will this one taste like?”
Perhaps it was thanks to his previous experience with Zher's Meatballs.
That peculiar dish had caused a searing pain in his mouth with every chew.
The Mud Essence, on the other hand, wasn't even a dish but looked like a lump of rock. Moreover,
* Usage Restriction: Durability, Mentality 1,000 or higher
The requirement was 1,000 or more, twice as high as the 500 durability required before.
And it demanded not only durability but mentality as well, so the consumption process was unlikely to be pleasant.
“It’s not like it’ll kill me, right?”
It was all or nothing anyway.
Still, since he sufficiently met the usage restrictions, Seong-hyeok went for it boldly.
*Gulp—*
He didn't know how it worked, but the Mud Essence melted away the moment it entered his mouth.
He thought that might be the end of it, but there was no way a 5-Star+ item would go down that easily.
[Salomet's Mud Essence (★★★★★+) is seeping into your heart.]
As if living up to its name, Mana Mud Heart.
An energy rushed toward his heart.
“Urgh…”
A sharp pain followed, as if his chest were being squeezed, but perhaps thanks to his 2,000 durability and 1,500 mentality backing him up?
[Salomet's Mud Essence (★★★★★+) has been fully absorbed.]
[You have acquired the Authority Specialization, Mana Mud Heart.]
Contrary to his expectations, the consumption process was over quickly.
Calming his chest, which had endured the pain well enough, Seong-hyeok awaited the next notification.
[You have fulfilled a specific awakening condition. -> Mana Heart Secured]
[The Honeybee Guardian's authority grows stronger. The maximum mana of all bees in the swarm increases by 10%, and a more enhanced Mud Heart's Blessing is granted to some of the unique individuals.]
“Nice!”
An additional 10% mana, which was essential for bees in producing venom and using special skills.
Furthermore, given their vast numbers, he could maximize the benefits through their venom and various skills.
And that wasn't the only effect brought by the Mud Essence's Hidden Piece.
[The Mud Heart's Blessing is bestowed upon the Imperial Topaz Architect Legion Commander Bee (★★★★+).]
[The Mud Heart's Blessing is bestowed upon the Peridot Cheonramdok Legion Commander Bee (★★★★).]
[The Mud Heart's Blessing is bestowed upon the Peridot Hachodongchung Legion Commander Bee (★★★★).]
…
A feast of notifications, ringing out one after another.
Starting with Geonchug-i, Teunteun-i, and Dongchung-i, the bees that required a lot of mana were granted an even more enhanced blessing.
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[Mud Heart's Blessing (Lv.1)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: None
* Effect (Passive): Maximum mana increases by 10%.
* Effect - Two Hearts (Passive): Recovers 50% of mana consumed.
* Effect - Vigorous Venom (Passive): Venom recovery speed is greatly increased.
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It was a special blessing that literally pushed mana efficiency to its absolute limit.
Among its effects, the one that particularly pleased Seong-hyeok was 'Vigorous Venom.'
“With this, there shouldn’t be any disruptions in venom bullet production.”
The venom of Teunteun-i and Dongchung-i, whose offensive capabilities were second to none at the apiary.
If the production of these two types of venom increased, the bees' combat power would naturally rise along with it.
“A satisfactory trade.”
He had essentially thrown away 35 points on the information trade, but these were powers he gained because he had confirmed the existence of the Hidden Piece.
This was a highly satisfactory outcome.
But the Mud Essence wasn't the only thing Seong-hyeok had obtained from this raid.
[Using Royal Gacha Ticket (★★★★★+).]
Setting aside the unusable Treasure Fragment for now, there was the Royal Gacha Ticket he could use immediately.
With the ability to obtain one of three sample items, he was bound to get something quite useful unless he was incredibly unlucky.
And his prediction was not wrong.
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[Clockwork Candy (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable
* Upon consumption, you can select one of your skills to reset its cooldown. Afterward, its total cooldown is permanently reduced by 10%.
[Resurrection Sigil (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable
* When engraved on the body, you will be resurrected at a designated location 10 minutes after death. Additionally, all coins and items in your possession will not be lost.
[Hammer of Sundering Thought (★★★★★+)]
* Classification: Weapon
…
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“Hah…”
The three options that appeared from the 5-Star+ Royal Gacha Ticket.
Excluding the Hammer of Sundering Thought, which was useless to Seong-hyeok who used Bee Sting Arts, the other two items were tempting enough to make him hesitate.
An advantage in skill cooldowns, and an extra life in this harsh world where one's life could be snuffed out at any moment.
He couldn't give up either, and if he had the ability, he desperately wanted to take both.
“Still, this is the right one to take.”
But after mulling it over, if he couldn't have both, the normal course of action was to choose the one that appealed to him more.
[You have selected Clockwork Candy (★★★★★+).]
What Seong-hyeok chose was the Clockwork Candy, which gave an advantage in cooldowns.
Frankly, to an outsider, it might seem like an unnecessary item for Seong-hyeok, whose only combat skill, Bee Sting Arts, had no cooldown.
But Seong-hyeok had long since decided where this effect would be applied.
If you were to ask where, the answer was obvious.
* Number of Queen Bees that can be possessed: 4 / 6
The Queen Bee, the ultimate and fundamental core of the Honeybee Guardian.
The 20-day fixed cooldown, which didn't change even as his level rose, had always been a problem, but now, those worries were over.
“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
[Dimensional Queen Bee Capture (Lv.9)] -> Remaining Cooldown: 22 hours 36 minutes]
Less than a day remained until he could welcome a new queen.
A smile refused to leave Seong-hyeok's lips at the thought of welcoming two new queens with the help of the Clockwork Candy.