Chapter 125
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: A Fight for the World to See
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Jeongrichung, Jang Deok-su.
Watching Seong-hyeok’s battle in real-time with his team, he could feel his heart pounding.
‘...This is Honeybee?’
Honeybee, the operator of the largest and safest shelter in Korea.
Jang Deok-su had always thought that, given the enormous amount of processed honey products he produced, his financial power was second to none.
But there was something that even Jang Deok-su, who handled vast amounts of information, had never anticipated.
‘No way!’
It was this showdown with the Ancient Troll King, a Disaster-class boss monster at level 50.
Despite being a 'human,' his strength was not outmatched by a creature more than double his size.
From the information he had gathered, Jang Deok-su knew Honeybee was strong, but he had always assumed it was due to the bees’ swarm tactics and poison abilities.
‘This is huge. Absolutely huge!’
As Jeongrichung, Jang Deok-su’s profession required him to handle countless pieces of information, whether he wanted to or not.
Thus, he had experience gathering intelligence not just from Korea but from various other countries as well.
Naturally, among those reports were subjugations of Disaster-class monsters.
In the most recent successful subjugation by the United States, over 300 high-level players above level 40 had participated. Even with a massive investment in equipment and consumables, they had suffered a staggering 10% casualty rate.
But what was this?
*Kwoong! Crack-!*
*C-craaack-!*
*Splurch!*
Seong-hyeok’s body clashed with the Ancient Troll King’s, all on its own, without the help of his bees.
A normal player would have been sent flying or had their body torn apart by the impact, yet he stood his ground, relentlessly stabbing Honeybee’s unique stinger into any opening.
*Gulp.*
Such a fierce battle was unfolding right before their eyes.
Of course, one wrong move, and they’d be caught in the crossfire, leading to a pointless death. But who were they?
‘I can’t miss this.’
‘The BEST. No, this will be an unprecedented BEST in the entire world.’
‘And I’m the one filming it. I’m the one filming it!’
They, too, were part of an information team, born with a unique professional calling.
Filled with the drive to capture every bit of information, valuing it even over their own lives, they fell into a trance, recording the scene without missing a single detail.
* * * * *
On the global server’s community forum, where people from all over the world gathered.
Given its immense size and the rapid rate at which new posts appeared, most threads were quickly swept away in a tide of information and chatter. But one, in particular, caught everyone’s eye.
【Jeongrichung: This is an exclusive live video of Korea's Honeybee fighting a Disaster-class boss monster solo. A properly edited version will be uploaded later. For now, please understand that I cannot provide detailed responses.】
Added in the #3 Chapter update.
The topic of Disaster-class monsters was bound to attract players' interest.
【Thailand/Power-Hiding Dangmu: Huh? What's this?】
【Korea/Fry: A one-on-one subjugation against a Disaster-class boss monster?】
【USA/Forokwab: LOL, there's a limit to how much you can lie. Do you guys even know how hard that tier is to fight?】
However, the reaction from the majority was cold.
After all, what kind of monsters earned the title of 'Disaster'?
To players, they were the ultimate version of a field boss.
Beings that required a life-or-death raid to even attempt to defeat.
And someone was taking one on alone?
It was the lowest of the low, the cheapest of cheap clickbait.
Most people dismissed it as a pointless boast, but then they reread the title and were startled.
【Switzerland/Gir: Wait a minute, Honeybee? That name sounds familiar.】
【Japan/Totogashi: As a member of the Bee Cult, I could never forget that name!】
【Korea/Dropout Crewmate: Come to think of it, this Jeongrichung guy is a big name in Korea. Why would he pull such a low-effort stunt for no reason?】
Honeybee and Jeongrichung.
On the Korean server, they were both so famous that not knowing them was practically unheard of.
The community forum system was structured to prevent impersonation, even if it was rife with clickbait. As if drawn by a spell, people clicked on the post and were left in utter shock.
【Korea/15-Second Impostor Win Meta: W-what is this?】
【Pakistan/Karousa: Haha... I'm at a loss for words. Was Beekeeper always this strong of a class?】
【India/Impostor with a Fork: This is so broken.】
The era of superhumans that dawned after the world turned upside down.
In a world where humans hunted monsters, most had grown desensitized to ordinary combat, but this was a completely different story.
A Disaster-class boss monster.
A being on a completely different level from the monsters that spawned normally.
【Japan/Omae wa mou Shindeiru: I want to see it from the beginning! Hurry up and make a full video!】
As the saying goes, when the world changes, you adapt.
Monster-hunting videos had now become a form of content in their own right.
And didn't they say word travels fast?
Once the spark was lit, rumors of the post spread like wildfire.
The story of a monster known as a calamity to mankind being subjugated spread so quickly that it soon became difficult to find anyone who hadn't seen it, the view count skyrocketing.
【Germany/Moskito: Is this real? Huh? Is it really? It’s not some edit or a scam, is it!?】
【Russia/Vladimir: Crazy... How are we supposed to beat a monster like that? Should I apologize now?】
【France/Will of White: This is maddening.】
Not only the executives of the European Union, currently designated as Honeybee's enemies,
【USA/Lucky Robert: LOL, this kid's got a big future ahead of him. Or is he already a big deal?】
【USA/MemoryHolder: Isn't this totally broken?】
【USA/Big Brother: He might be worth keeping an eye on.】
but it also drew the overwhelming attention of the United States, which had previously subjugated a Disaster-class boss monster.
Capturing the gaze of countless people across the globe.
[Target view count reached. You have acquired a certain amount of experience.]
[Target recommendation count reached. You have acquired a certain amount of experience.]
[Target comment count reached. You have acquired a certain amount of experience.]
[Post has been listed as BEST...]
Honeybee.
Yu Seong-hyeok's might was now seared into the minds of all who watched.
* * * * *
He had already faced the Mud Giant Salamet through a monster gate.
That creature was level 52, much higher than the Ancient Troll King, but perhaps there was a world of difference between hunting alone and receiving help from High Elves.
A fierce battle, a long exchange of blows.
But Seong-hyeok's advantage wasn't just his overwhelming stats.
"Krrroooar! What a vile poison. You coward!"
"You’re not one to talk."
Bee poison was Seong-hyeok's main source of damage.
Flesh rotted and fell away, only for new flesh to grow back in its place.
It was a potent toxin that would have made it difficult for a normal human to even move, but true to its name, the Ancient Troll King endured with its regenerative power. However, even that had its limits.
*Splurch!*
"...Krwoooar!"
Letting out a final scream, the creature collapsed, impaled on his stinger.
No matter how outstanding its regeneration was, the combined effects of various bee poisons and being overwhelmed by superior stats meant victory ultimately belonged to Seong-hyeok.
"That was truly nasty."
As the saying goes, one is happiest when acting according to one’s innate calling.
As a Beekeeper and Honeybee Guardian, Seong-hyeok naturally found more joy in beekeeping than in combat.
The fatigue from the long battle and the flesh and blood of Kurarara clinging to his body were enough to sour his mood!
But his foul mood vanished in an instant.
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzzzzzz~*
The moment the battle ended, the bees flew to Seong-hyeok, rubbing against him.
He was drenched in blood and must have smelled awful, but they didn't hesitate to approach him.
"Alright. From now on, Dad will take care of guys like this."
The bees had been itching to join the fight the entire time.
But just as with the Mud Giant, Seong-hyeok had faced the Ancient Troll King entirely on his own.
Forcing his bees to sacrifice themselves was something he would only allow within the confines of his beekeeping farm.
"Alright, time to clean up."
High risk, high return.
The reward for a hard-won victory was bound to be valuable.
Ready for the alpha and omega of any raid—the loot distribution—Seong-hyeok brushed off his tired and filthy body and checked his spoils.
[You have hunted the Disaster-class Boss Monster, Ancient Troll King Kurarara Lv. 50 (★★★★★+). You have acquired experience, 5,660,000 Coins, a ★★★★★+ Royal Gacha Ticket, Blood of the Ancient Troll King (★★★★★+), and a Treasure Fragment of the Ancient Troll King (★★★★★+).]
"Hunting alone really pays off."
Was it because he had claimed 100% of the contribution?
Thanks to the massive amount of experience, Seong-hyeok's level instantly shot up to 53.
And it wasn't just the experience; the amount of coins was no joke either.
"5.66 million. I'm looking forward to the next auction."
5.66 million from a single monster.
For an ordinary person, it would be like winning the lottery, but for Seong-hyeok, who constantly sold processed honey products, money held little excitement. His interest lay elsewhere.
"Items are the best."
______________________________
[Blood of the Ancient Troll King (★★★★★+)]
* Type: Consumable, Material (Evolution)
* Related to tenacious life force.
* Upon consumption, you will acquire the authority-specialized ability 'Vigorous Regeneration' once. Current consumption: 0 / 1
※ Vigorous Regeneration (Permanent): Permanently increases maximum Health by 10% and Health recovery speed by 50%.
* Usage Restriction: Durability, Mentality 1,000 or higher.
* Description: The blood of a ★★★★★+ grade Ancient Troll King. It contains a potent regenerative ability.
[Treasure Fragment of the Ancient Troll King (★★★★★+)]
[Royal Gacha Ticket (★★★★★+)]
...
______________________________
Priceless 5-star+ grade items that couldn't be bought even with a fortune at the auction house.
Not only did one grant a powerful authority ability,
but the Royal Gacha Ticket allowed him to choose one of three options!
They were all fantastic items, but what satisfied Seong-hyeok the most this time was the Treasure Fragment.
[You have met the conditions to use the combined treasure. Would you like to combine the two treasure fragments into one? YES / NO]
※ If you accept, the Mud Giant's Treasure Fragment and the Ancient Troll King's Treasure Fragment will be consumed.
One fragment was just a high-end junk item, but with two, it was a different story.
[The two treasure fragments are merging. You have acquired the Treasure - Origin of Regeneration (★★★★★+).]
The birth of a Treasure item, a game-changer for any player.
As if to live up to its name, Origin of Regeneration, the effects of this armor were substantial.
______________________________
[Origin of Regeneration (★★★★★+) - Treasure]
※ Becomes bound upon equipping and cannot be unequipped. To claim ownership, the bound target must be killed.
* Type: Armor
* Defense +20%, Health and Mana Regeneration Speed +50%
* Durability +40, Mentality +40
※ Resonance of Regeneration: When Health is restored, Mana is also restored. When Mana is restored, Health is also restored.
※ Shield of Regeneration: When the recovered amount exceeds the maximum, it forms a shield. However, the shield's value can only go up to 100% of maximum Health and Mana.
※ Recovery of the Origin: Recovers 50% of Health and Mana over 10 seconds. (Mana Cost: None / Cooldown: 24 hours)
* Durability: ∞ / ∞
...
______________________________
"This is quite something."
The armor boasted options that easily made it the best piece of defensive gear he had ever owned.
Especially since, thanks to his Honey Product Enthusiast specialization, Durability was the stat from which Seong-hyeok had benefited the most.
Furthermore, with the special effects it possessed, it was hard to even imagine how much tougher Seong-hyeok would become!
"Haha, from now on, Dad will take all the hits meant for you."
*Bzzzz~*
*Bzzzzzz~*
As expected of the Honeybee Guardian.
Instead of rejoicing that he could now protect his own life, he expressed his joy at being able to protect his bees.
As if they understood his sentiment, the bees buzzed their wings energetically, wiggling their plump little behinds.
"First, let's move from here."
Honestly, he wanted to keep watching the irresistibly cute sight 120% of the time, but the area had turned into a gruesome sea of blood from the battle with Kurarara.
He had lingered for a bit, curious about the Treasure item's effects, but he couldn't stand it any longer. Besides,
"Honeybee-nim, over here!"
"We're sorry for staying back!"
"No, it's fine."
The video was filmed as Seong-hyeok had requested.
Now, this would become a tool.
A tool to ensure that Korea—no, that Honeybee—could no longer be ignored.