Chapter 121
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: The Blue Antler Tribe
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For Seong-hyeok, the auction had ended in resounding success.
The impact of the boon, achieved through an investment of over 100 million coins, on the beekeeping farm was beyond imagination.
[Using Brellian’s Mine (★★★★).]
[Using Permanent Ignition Stone (★★★★-).]
[Using Relly’s Egg (★★★+).]
[Using the Farming God’s Shine Muscat Seeds (★★★★).]
…
These were items with special effects, normally difficult to acquire.
In particular, the quality and efficacy of those put up by the Transcendent Beings were practically guaranteed.
*Rumble—*
*Peep! Peep—!*
*Rustle—*
Mines, livestock, crops.
And beyond that, items like the ignition stone, which could be used permanently without needing to be recharged.
An infrastructure was beginning to form, one that completely prioritized convenience.
“Seong-hyeok. We’re always so grateful.”
“Damn it all. Looks like I’ll have even more gukbap to cook.”
“We’ll be counting on you for more delicious food.”
One might call these minor details, but as they accumulated, they were bound to create an enormous gap in future growth.
Besides these aspects, Seong-hyeok’s capital investment in equipment could not be forgotten.
“...I shall use it gratefully, my companion.”
“Hoh, now this is a fine hammer. With this, I can churn out even more than my quota of honeybee armor.”
“I’ll put it to good use, Seong-hyeok!”
“Yes.”
Equipment was distributed to everyone, regardless of whether they were combat or production-focused.
Although their numbers were just over 600, the fact that they were ‘residents of Seong-hyeok’s Beekeeping Farm’ meant they could not be underestimated.
[You have acquired the rare natural flora, World Tree Wild Ginseng (★★★★+).]
[You have acquired the rare natural flora, World Tree Cultivated Ginseng (★★★+).]
[You have hunted an elite monster - Crystal Tribe Splasher Lv. 41 (★★★+).]
[You have hunted a field boss monster - Crystal Tribe Splash King Lv. 45 (★★★★-).]
…
Not only did they hunt elite and field boss monsters daily without a single break—monsters that outsiders struggled to even encounter—but they also gathered rare natural flora renowned for being hard to find.
And was that all?
[Using Guardian’s Seven-Colored Royal Jelly Pill (★★★+).]
[Using Guardian’s Seven-Colored Propolis Film (★★★+).]
[Using Bountiful Honey Milk (★★★).]
[Using Hearty Grandma’s Grandir Pork Head Gukbap (★★★).]
…
As if to encourage those who foraged and hunted, every mealtime came with high-quality food and health supplements.
Thanks to this daily experience, the residents’ levels had now grown beyond imagination.
Still, one might think that 600 people were far too few to protect the World Tree and the vast territory, but that was not a concern.
*Bzzzz—*
*Buzzzzzzz—*
“Hey, everyone. I really missed you.”
Upon his return from the auction, countless honeybees flew to Seong-hyeok.
Though it had only been a short while, these little creatures, pressing their plump bottoms against him, were the true masters of the beekeeping farm and the diligent workers who managed the vast domain.
“You guys are more than enough in terms of strength, but we’ll still need to recruit more people.”
Of course, that didn’t mean he had no interest in adding more residents.
Just as there were tasks only bees could perform, like carrying pollen and aging honey, there were also jobs that only humans could do.
After all, weren't things like the World Tree and the honeybee armor already making a huge contribution to the farm?
“And the forest races are important, too.”
There was the Dig tribe, which swam through the earth as if it were their home, and the three Elf factions, each faithful to their roles.
It was a thought he’d had before, but recruiting the forest races wouldn't be much of a problem.
______________________________
[Tree of Life]
* Classification: Special Situation
* Area of Effect: All allies within the World Tree’s domain
* Effect: All stats +5. Attracts forest-related life forms and earns their favor.
______________________________
A cheat-like effect from the World Tree’s Hidden Piece that drew them in automatically.
“Come to think of it, isn’t it about time for more to arrive?”
Setting aside the Poison and Holy Elves, whom Seong-hyeok had sought out himself, the Dig tribe and the Flower Elves had traveled a great distance to find this place because of that effect.
Now that the world had been integrated through the #4 Chapter update, if that effect was still active, there was a high probability that more were on their way to the beekeeping farm.
*Buzzzzzzz—!!!*
And as if in response to Seong-hyeok’s prediction...
[Monster discovered!]
[Monster discovered!]
[Monster discovered!]
…
“That was fast.”
Speak of the devil.
It was another great achievement by the ever-diligent reconnaissance bees.
Wondering if it might be Elves again this time, Seong-hyeok checked and couldn't help but be surprised.
[Murion, King of the Blue Antlers Lv. 49 (★★★★★+)] - Disaster-class Boss Monster
[Blue Antler Warrior Lv. 42 (★★★★★)] - Disaster-class Monster
[Blue Antler Shaman Lv. 42 (★★★★★)] - Disaster-class Monster
…
“...Deer?”
Following the Elves was another powerful forest tribe, a group of Disaster-class monsters.
They were deer-like humanoids with splendid horns growing from their heads.
* * * * *
The Blue Antler Tribe, a race he had never seen before.
As he watched them approach, gazing at the World Tree’s domain with longing in their eyes, Seong-hyeok first gathered his thoughts.
“Right, no reason to find this strange.”
This chaotic world had completely overturned the standards of life that had previously existed on Earth.
After encountering monsters like goblins and orcs, he had long since become desensitized to major surprises.
Moreover, Seong-hyeok had already accepted Elves—beings who were, by aesthetic standards, an upgraded version of humans—as residents.
“Is it true, my companion? The Blue Antler Tribe has come here?”
“To put it simply, my friend: they are troublesome as enemies, but as allies, they are incredibly reassuring.”
“Really?”
“Still, do not let your guard down, human. Their hatred for humans is as intense as ours. And for the most part, their instincts override their reason, so they may well attack.”
“Thanks for the information.”
“...I only told you because the bees will be safer if you live longer.”
Furthermore, was there some common thread that connected the forest tribes?
Just as they had when welcoming the new Elves, the High Elves already knew about the Blue Antler Tribe, despite them being a completely different ‘race.’
Rayleese’s final warning weighed on his mind, but Seong-hyeok decided to relax.
‘Either way, this is the bees’ land.’
When it came down to host and guest, the masters protecting this land where the World Tree stood were, in the end, Seong-hyeok and his bees.
Besides, Seong-hyeok had never assumed that all forest races would become his allies.
Even if he earned their favor through the harmony of the Tree of Life and the Forest Druid, two Hidden Pieces, the possibility of being attacked still existed.
And if his bees were harmed in the process, Seong-hyeok had no intention of standing idly by.
‘There’s nothing to lose, anyway.’
The value of a Disaster-class boss monster was immense.
While great as an ally, it also meant that the rewards for killing one would be substantial.
“Would you mind coming with me?”
“Of course, my friend.”
It was always best to plan for the worst-case scenario.
Leading the High Elves, whose very appearance could serve as an excellent deterrent to battle, he went to face the deer-like humanoids.
The Blue Antler Tribe reacted first.
“A human?”
“Why is a lowly being who knows nothing of the forest’s blessings here?”
“A foul, disgusting stench assaults my nose!”
“We will eliminate the lowly ones. It will benefit the forest!”
As if to prove the words that their instincts overrode their reason, they brandished their large, blue horns, displaying a menacing aggression.
A battle could have broken out at any moment.
But unexpectedly, it was the honeybees that stopped them.
*Bzzzz—*
*Buzzzzzzz—*
Their bewitching bottoms were enough to captivate any onlooker.
The procession of adorable honeybees began to quell the tribe’s boiling bloodlust.
“Honeybees? Why are nature’s workers here?”
“A forest filled with sweetness, not a rotten stench?”
“Everyone, calm down! From this moment on, anyone who acts on their own will be punished by me, in the name of Lady Iseria!”
Murion, King of the Blue Antlers.
With a roar from the Level 49 Disaster-class boss monster, all fighting instincts completely vanished.
Next, he looked around Seong-hyeok and let out a cry of admiration.
“Incredible. To think I would see Elves—three tribes of them, no less—living alongside a human with my own eyes.”
A human and Elves.
A coexistence between a Player and monsters that should have been impossible.
Yet the sentiment in Murion’s words was by no means sarcastic.
“Human. No, O master of the forest and the bees. I apologize for our earlier rudeness. Would you be willing to accept me and my tribe as part of this forest?”
A desire to join this unbelievable coexistence.
Needless to say, Seong-hyeok’s answer was already decided.
“As long as you don’t cause any trouble, I look forward to working with you.”
“I thank you for your decision.”
The addition of Disaster-class monsters.
It was a matter directly linked to the survival of his bees, something to be welcomed with open arms.
* * * * *
The influence of the forest races on the beekeeping farm was immense, to say the least.
The Poison Elves were a great help with poison and beekeeping, the Holy Elves with combat, the Flower Elves lent a hand with farming and blooming flowers, and the Dig tribe tilled the land.
He had seen so many extraordinary things that he thought nothing could surprise him anymore, but perhaps the potential of the forest races was truly limitless.
“I see now why the prideful High Elves have settled here. Such beautiful abundance.”
The World Tree at the center of the beekeeping farm, and the swarms of bees flying in and out.
Seeing it seemed to solidify Murion’s resolve, and his next action was enough to make Seong-hyeok’s jaw drop.
*Crack— Snap—*
“W-what are you doing!”
The horn of the Blue Antler Tribe was clearly a part of their body.
Even humans felt pain if a fingernail or toenail was ripped off, so how could he just pull out a horn growing from his head?
The sight alone was enough to make one wince, yet Murion, the one doing it, seemed completely unfazed as he handed the horn in his hand to Seong-hyeok.
“I am not familiar with human culture, but we of the Blue Antler Tribe gift a horn to those we recognize as kin or a mate. I look forward to seeing how you choose to use it.”
“Uh… th-thanks, but that horn… it grows back, right?”
“Kuhahaha! Do not worry. The pride of the Blue Antlers, our horns, can regenerate at any time.”
His concern over the pain was brief.
*Gulp.*
Seong-hyeok’s throat bobbed as he gripped the horn of the Blue Antler.
‘To think the day would come when I’d receive a deer antler from a deer-man himself…’
In Seong-hyeok’s opinion, the best health supplement was, without a doubt, honey, but deer antler was a top-tier medicinal ingredient that was certainly not inferior.
Besides, was this any ordinary deer antler?
______________________________
[Murion’s Blue Deer Antler (★★★★★-)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Description: A ★★★★★- grade blue deer antler gifted by Murion, the king of the Blue Antler Tribe. It holds the potential to become a powerful piece of equipment or an excellent medicinal ingredient, depending on how it is used.
______________________________
As if to say it shouldn’t be compared to the ordinary, the massive horn showed off its brilliant blue hue.
At a 5-star minus grade, it boasted a rank one step higher than the World Tree Wild Ginseng, the highest quality ingredient obtainable from nature. The effects after processing it would surely be worth looking forward to!
‘First, shall I start with deer antler honey?’
Just as combining two delicious things creates something even more delicious, combining two things good for one’s health creates an even higher quality health food.
Just as he had blended ginseng with honey, Seong-hyeok anticipated dissolving the deer antler in honey, and his peculiar obsession quietly reared its head.