Chapter 135
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: The Expedition to Russia
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Episode 135
【Korea/Sangyeoja: Surely you all realize this isn't the time to be fighting amongst ourselves?】
【Korea/Green Bean: What's important is finding a way to overcome this, rather than debating the truth of the matter.】
Besides, was this situation in any way ordinary?
A monster of unknown grade, boasting a level of 75.
In the current era, where even a disaster-class monster in the 50s required significant sacrifices to defeat, this was tantamount to a suicide mission.
【USA/Odor: I get what you're saying, but sending support seems difficult. I'd rather not get myself killed for nothing.】
【Thailand/Males: Then what do we do? A monster like that won't just stay put in a corner forever. Aren't we all going to die eventually, sooner or later?】
【Canada/Maple Syrian: Oh, then why don't you go?】
【Thailand/Males: Huh? So the people who go risk their lives, while the cowards who hide get to save their skins for free? Have you no conscience?】
One way or another, with lives on the line, the heated discussion began to flare up once more.
But unexpectedly, the sparks started flying toward Honeybee.
【USA/Odor: Can't Honeybee just handle this alone? He's skilled enough to clear raids by himself, right?】
【Canada/Maple Syrian: That's right. With Honeybee's power, a level 75 should be a piece of cake.】
【Korea/Attention Seeker NO.2: Wow, these people are unbelievable… Just because he's strong doesn't mean his life isn't precious, you know? This post was made to gather our strength in the first place.】
【China/Emperor's Tongue: kkkk That's the nice way to put it. The not-so-nice way is that it's just a recruitment post for meat shields, isn't it?】
It was the result of the weight of being globally powerful, mixed with human selfishness.
“I knew this would happen, but people are so shameless!”
Jang Deok-su was watching the situation unfold in the post.
He had expected it, but as public opinion naturally shifted toward sending Honeybee into the lion's den, Jeongrichung was about to lose his temper and jump into the comments.
【USA/Lucky Robert: And what if Honeybee dies trying? Huh? Am I the next sacrifice? And after that? Are we all just going to live like this until we're picked off one by one?】
The top-ranked player from the US, known as the strongest after Honeybee, had joined the fray.
His words, which in a way hit the nail on the head, instantly extinguished the flames.
After all, who would dare to openly challenge a top US ranker, even if they might talk behind his back?
And as if waiting for this moment.
As soon as Robert finished, a flood of comments followed.
【Korea/Captain Kim Gi-chan: We will also offer what little support we can from the rear.】
【Korea/Ttukbaegi Collector: If we're 100% dead if we do nothing, then what the hell, might as well give it a shot.】
【Pakistan/Gwarousa: I'm confident in chipping away at its health from the back lol】
Not only the Asian server, which had long recognized Honeybee's strength, but also others joined in.
【Germany/Moskito: This dragon is no lie. That thing… it laid waste to Russia!】
【France/White Will: We ask that you lend us your strength to overcome this crisis. Europe will not forget this favor.】
Even the European Union, which had once been at odds with Honeybee but had since reconciled to some extent, offered their support and requested help.
A global sense of unity was forming as formidable players stepped forward one by one.
“…This might actually work.”
Contrary to the worries that had first surfaced when he received the information from Honeybee, the situation was resolving itself smoothly.
A level 75 monster.
A raid on the Red Dragon, conducted by the strongest players from around the world.
Clinging to the hope that it could succeed, Jeongrichung,
【Korea/Jeongrichung: For those who wish to travel to the vicinity of Russia, you may use the large-scale dimensional tunnels installed in Japan and China!】
also did what he could to contribute.
* * * * *
An expedition to the European server, where the incident had occurred.
As soon as it was decided, Seong-hyeok’s first course of action was obvious.
“Aren't you scared, hyung? You're going off to fight a dragon, yet you can still focus on beekeeping…”
What more did a beekeeper need to do?
Harvesting the honey from the hives and processing the byproducts piled in the warehouse into crafted goods.
The endless cycle of beekeeping.
*Bzzzz!*
*Buzzzzz~*
Pets tend to resemble their owners.
Matching Seong-hyeok's workload, the bees tirelessly flitted between flowers, filling the empty hives with honey.
“It’s better than doing nothing. Is worrying about my life going to help?”
“Haha, you’re really something else, hyung-nim.”
It was the same in the old world and in this chaotic new one.
Nothing changes if you just stand still.
Wasn't it obvious just by looking around?
The common trait among those who survived until now, not as the weak but as the strong.
They don't stop, even when their minds are cluttered or they've become powerful enough.
“I could say the same about you. Who are you to talk, when you're busy crafting traps in this situation?”
“That's because you're the most extreme of all, hyung!”
Countless individuals strove to better their positions, never content to rest on their laurels.
All of this, happening within the shelter, was essentially a product of the example set by Seong-hyeok and his millions of bees.
One, two, three.
The harmony between the ten thousand humans and Forest Tribe members and the fourteen million bees.
The most crucial piece to make it all work.
Seong-hyeok’s importance as the one who commanded the bees was beyond words.
“Seong-hyeok. You have to come back alive.”
“Hahaha, our lady worries too much. Do you really think young Seong-hyeok is someone who'd die so easily? Go on, have a safe trip. By the time you get back, I'll have plenty of surprising new buildings ready for you.”
Yeon Su-hee worried openly, while Im Seok-cheol, though his words were casual, showed twice the concern on his face.
And beyond them were the countless new residents who were just beginning to appreciate the value of the bee farm.
The worries of so many people were piling up, knowingly and unknowingly, to a degree that even the most oblivious person could sense.
Seong-hyeok himself was most aware that the burdens on his shoulders were anything but light, and he had no desire to risk his life, but what could he do?
Unless someone stepped up, the level 75 monster would never be defeated.
Left unchecked, that creature would eventually devour Seong-hyeok and his bees.
Of course, facing it alone was a task with a near 100% chance of failure, but Seong-hyeok was no longer the lone orphan he once was.
“To be embarking on a journey with Honeybee-nim for the first time. I'm very much looking forward to this.”
“I can't miss out on an adventure with Dal-su hyung-nim!”
Within the Korean server, Go Dal-su and Park Jong-su were powerful enough to claim the 1st and 2nd ranks, excluding Seong-hyeok and Cha Hye-rin.
Well, Go Dal-su was a message-spamming stalker, but their skills were certainly worthy of recognition.
And was that all?
“Companion. You must allow me to accompany you this time.”
“Many may not look favorably upon our brethren, but to us, the life of our friend is more precious.”
“If our compatriot dies, the prosperity of our tribe will also suffer. I, Murion, will also lend my strength to our compatriot.”
“Squeak! Squeak-squeak!”
The Forest Tribe members, each possessing a formidable presence that couldn't be ignored, had also joined.
Considering that each of them was powerful enough to rival the top players of most servers, slaying the dragon was not an impossible task.
“Dimensional Hive.”
*Buzzzzzzz~*
Moreover, from Seong-hyeok's perspective, he had the most dependable support of all: his elite bees.
And so, after taking care of all he could for the bee farm, both materially and mentally.
As all preparations were complete.
[Player Sangyeoja has left a message.]
『I'm ready, oppa! The atmosphere is grim, so come over quickly!』
The expedition to Russia.
The preparations for the Red Dragon raid had officially begun.
* * * * *
The combination of Cha Hye-rin’s transport ability and Kang Yeon-ah’s large-scale dimensional tunnel had been used during the North Korea conquest.
Arriving on Russian soil in the blink of an eye, Seong-hyeok’s first action was simple.
“I’m counting on you. If your life is in danger, pull back immediately. Got it?”
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzz-buzzz-buzz!*
Information gathering is the most fundamental aspect of any raid.
Starting with the scout bees, led by Ssing-ssing-i, scattering in all directions, Seong-hyeok’s next preparation involved the architect bees.
The rapid construction speed of the 90% of architect bees from the farm.
Go Dal-su let out a cry of admiration at the sight of beeswax walls materializing one after another.
“Are you planning to make this place a castle? No, a fortress?”
“That’s the plan for now.”
The opponent was no ordinary monster, but a level 75 Red Dragon.
Normally, Seong-hyeok would have taken the lead himself to finish things quickly, but the current situation was far from suitable for that approach.
“For this raid, safety is the top priority, not speed.”
An enemy that even Seong-hyeok would struggle to handle.
Engaging such a foe head-on was not just courageous, but foolish.
Therefore, Seong-hyeok's initial plan was to complete a fortress, as if preparing for a siege.
[The Seven-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★★-) has been completed.]
[The Seven-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★★-) has been completed.]
[The Seven-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★★-) has been completed.]
…
He had already experienced building a castle with beeswax walls for the monster gate hunting grounds.
He had also saved up a considerable amount of beeswax.
The bees expertly raised the beeswax walls, first creating a massive gate.
Then, as several hours passed, the massive gate was reinforced with multiple layers, and a wall extended in all directions from the exit of the large-scale dimensional tunnel.
In other words, it was being constructed into a beeswax castle, just like the one at the bee farm.
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★★★-) is attempting to scout.]
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★★★-) is attempting to scout.]
[Ruby Gem Speed-Kito Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) is attempting to scout.]
…
And all the while, scouting reports from the bees continued to pour in.
Should he consider it fortunate, given their current state of fortification?
The Red Dragon had not yet been spotted.
However, that certainly didn't mean the Russian server was in good shape.
“Are there no survivors?”
He hadn't forgotten that in this chaotic world, human lives were as fragile as flies.
But that was usually the outcome of a lost battle.
The state of the shelters and players on the Russian server, trampled by the Red Dragon, was catastrophic.
As if a great cataclysm had swept through, from the completely shattered buildings to the utter absence of any sign of people—adults or children.
Seong-hyeok had a feeling he knew why there were no traces.
“How horrible…”
The Red Dragon’s breath and powerful flame-based skills.
The Russian server had turned into a sort of desert due to the aftermath.
It was obvious what the sand, which radiated intense heat, was made of.
“It melted them all down, bones and all.”
The more the bees scouted, the more he learned about the state of the Russian server.
The thought that the sand he was standing on was the crushed bones of people was horrifying.
‘For now, I should be the only one who knows this.’
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
Seong-hyeok decided against sharing this fact with the others.
[The Seven-Colored Beeswax Wall (★★★-) has been completed.]
He hurried to fortify the area.