Chapter 143
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: An Offer from China
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Even in the old world, being strong wasn't just about military might.
Before strength, people were living beings who needed to eat and drink to survive.
Supporting the economy that followed was never a choice, but a necessity. And in that regard, Honeybee.
Yu Seong-hyeok could fulfill all those conditions.
He possessed the military power that had been most influential in subjugating the Red Dragon, and an economy built on honey products—a veritable water of life that was saving countless people worldwide through the exchange.
How could people possibly overlook such a figure?
『The European Union will always support you, Honeybee. If there is anything you need, we will not hesitate to provide it.』
『I watched the dragon hunt with great interest. If you wouldn't mind, could we have a conversation?』
『The United States wishes to form a close relationship with you...』
Naturally, it was as if a floodgate had opened.
Approaches from people all over the world poured in.
Perhaps it was because the majority of them had participated in the dragon raid and witnessed Seong-hyeok's power firsthand?
Their approaches bordered on obsession.
Most of the messages were similar, so he was about to just archive them.
But one message caught his eye.
“Well, look at this.”
『Greetings, Honeybee. We are Mogeun and Jeongriui Teo, who were under the Emperor on the Chinese server. We will apologize as many times as it takes, so would you please be generous enough to sell us your honey products?』
The Chinese server, which had once threatened Seong-hyeok.
A crushing defeat, followed by a halt in the sale of honey products.
And even ostracism from neighboring countries.
Perhaps that was why this was so surprising.
“The continent is still the continent, I guess.”
Just as it boasted a vast territory, it also had all sorts of powerful monsters.
Disaster-class monsters must have appeared several times, yet they had endured until now.
They were certainly a country with a large population, so if he sold them honey products, he could make a lot of money from honey tea alone.
But he had no intention of selling to them just because of a few words and the prospect of immediate profit.
“There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
Even if they had declined several times in this chaotic world due to the Emperor's foolishness and the war, the sheer scale of the continent would undoubtedly remain.
Just as with the European Union, it was standard practice for the party that wanted something to open their wallet first.
China must have expected this to some extent, offering 5 million coins despite their strained circumstances. But who was Seong-hyeok?
『Unfortunately, that's not going to be enough. I think we can start talking once we have at least 20 million coins on the table.』
『T-Twenty million? That amount is absolutely impossible!』
『Twenty million.』
『No way! T-Ten million! Any more than that is beyond my authority...』
『Twenty million!』
『...』
When you take a bite, you don't just nibble; you take a huge chunk. That's how you savor it.
He presented the price and didn't back down.
Some might argue it was too high a price for simply lifting a trade restriction, but they shouldn't forget: his opponent was China.
Even before this chaotic world, they were one of the superpowers vying for the top spot globally.
Furthermore, one couldn't ignore the fact that the Chinese server was the first and last to have declared war on South Korea.
“I have to take what I can while I can.”
One wrong move and he'd be raising a tiger cub in his own backyard.
No matter how much they had fallen, as a country boasting a large population, there was a high chance that players of all stripes were lying low, biding their time.
He couldn't dismiss the possibility of being betrayed by them all, but Seong-hyeok had his own confidence in that regard.
Bzzzz~
Buzzzzz~
Seong-hyeok and his honeybees had long since ceased to be an 'individual' and had become a 'collective'.
And then there were the various honey products, the fruits of the bees' diligent labor.
The moment the efficacy of these products spread worldwide, virtually no power, aside from monsters, could touch Seong-hyeok.
Why?
Because targeting Seong-hyeok...
...was essentially the same as...
...making an enemy of the entire world, which was purchasing his various products like honey tea and honey wine.
Perhaps China also knew that the honeybees had long since become deeply integrated into people's lives?
『Huu, very well. Twenty million. We will prepare it for you right away.』
The sales rights for the honey products were settled for twenty million.
For a moment, he felt a small pang of regret, wondering if he should have asked for more.
『However, there is one thing. Would you be willing to hear a request from us in China? It is by no means mandatory, and we are willing to provide compensation and information.』
The subsequent conversation with the Chinese representatives far exceeded Seong-hyeok's expectations.
『First, this is the initial piece of intel I can provide you with.』
It was an intelligence video that China had tossed over as a sample.
[Disaster-class Dungeon, Deep Tomb of the Dead (★★★★★+)]
[Disaster-class Dungeon, Small Gate of Hell (★★★★★+)]
[Fallen Tree Guardian Nirgos Lv. 56 (★★★★★+)] - Disaster-class Boss Monster
...
Contained within were none other than Disaster-class monsters and dungeons.
They were the problem children that had taken root in China's vast territory.
* * * * *
He had already experienced hunting the Red Dragon, a '???' being that ranked above Disaster-class.
So one might think of these as a step down, but Disaster-class monsters were still on a completely different level from ordinary monsters in terms of the quantity and quality of their rewards.
They fundamentally offered millions of coins and 5-star+ grade items.
And above all, the possibility of a Treasure item.
“If you're up for it, want to come with me?”
“Hmm? Wouldn't it be troublesome for you if we kept accompanying you, human?”
Besides, didn't Seong-hyeok have the reliable reinforcements of the Forest Tribes?
If it were the first time, as the Flower High Elf Rayleese said, the appearance of monsters alongside him might have provoked some resistance.
But that was all in the past now.
“It was already broadcast on video, so it's not a problem. In fact, you guys even have fans now.”
The Disaster-class boss monsters from the bee farm had made an appearance during the dragon raid.
He had needed every hand he could get, so he had braved the world's attention and brought them out.
Normally, it would have sparked all sorts of controversies, like accusations of him being in league with monsters.
But now, it had long since turned into a boon.
In reality, the community forums were flooded with praise for the High Elves' beauty and respect for the Blue Antler Tribe's spirit.
All kinds of accolades were pouring in.
Now that public opinion was on his side and an opportunity had arisen, what reason was there not to ride the wave?
“If my companion is fine with it, I will join you anytime.”
“Hahaha! There is no place safer, yet more dangerous, than the path my friend walks.”
Besides, even though the Forest Tribes were classified as monsters, they still leveled up.
In other words, they didn't refuse growth.
Naturally, there was no reason for them to refuse a route that was the safest shortcut, yet paradoxically, also the most dangerous and fastest path to growth.
“I'll be going, then.”
“It won't take long, Seong-hyeok.”
“Alright, I'm counting on you.”
A considerable number of Disaster-class monsters and dungeons.
Conquering all of them would naturally take a lot of time.
Moreover, to prepare for any potential backstabbing in the future...
Seong-hyeok decided to take this opportunity, just as he had with North Korea and Russia, to install a large-scale dimensional tunnel exit in China, led by Cha Hye-rin and Kang Yeon-ah.
* * * * *
Was it 'yesterday's enemy is today's friend'?
Just a few months ago, they had crossed swords, but now he was in a position to help his former enemies.
However, between Honeybee and China...
...the nature of their meeting was clearly very different from before.
“Thank you so much for coming!”
“We have prepared a room for you to rest.”
Unlike Seong-hyeok, who had triumphantly opened a dimensional tunnel on someone else's turf, the Chinese players were flustered by his arrival.
It was a situation where anyone could easily deduce the power dynamic.
But Seong-hyeok's appearance wasn't just a source of fear for the Chinese.
“Finally...”
“Those damn nuisances will finally be taken care of!”
“To think they managed to bring Honeybee here. Mogeun-nim is truly amazing!”
The main reason for Seong-hyeok's visit to China was the Disaster-class dungeons and monsters.
Most countries wouldn't have reached out to another nation for help, wanting to keep the rewards for themselves.
But there are always exceptions to every rule.
China's vast territory and its massive population...
...which should have been its strengths, had instantly turned into weaknesses with the appearance of Disaster-class monsters.
‘From the monsters’ perspective, it must have been like an all-you-can-eat buffet.’
It was an environment perfectly set up for Disaster-class entities to grow.
Filled with things perfect for consumption, the Disaster-class monsters, far from being subjugated, would have grown larger by the day and established their own domains.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, China had surely reached out to other nations before Seong-hyeok, but all their requests had been rejected.
‘They must have been burning with anxiety.’
It made sense. The value of the Disaster-class monsters was outweighed by the headache of potentially facing honey restrictions for helping a nation that had antagonized Honeybee.
Besides, were Disaster-class monsters on the same level as some neighborhood respawning mob?
They were powerful entities that even the world's most renowned rankers had to risk their lives to subjugate.
In the end, seeing that they were on the verge of becoming the second nation to fall after Russia, the Chinese had swallowed their pride and requested Honeybee's help.
‘This is good for me.’
For someone with Seong-hyeok's level of power, Disaster-class monsters were walking piles of loot he'd be willing to pay to hunt.
So what reason did he have to refuse when they were offering to pay him to hunt them?
Even if they were former adversaries, he would step in as long as it benefited him and his bees.
Thanks to his natural biochemical weapons, the wax turrets, the bees had suffered almost no losses in the war with China. And the Emperor, who started it all, had long since become fertilizer for the earth.
Still, despite his lingering feelings, he didn't view China favorably, but he certainly didn't wish for its destruction.
‘Friend or foe, it’s better to have more people around.’
There were still the #Chapters and ???-grade monsters, their numbers unknown.
And the threat of the dragons.
It went without saying that it was advantageous to maintain a large global population to match the rapidly increasing honey production over time.
But as important as this humanitarian concern for the future was, something else was more important.
“Ten million per head.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“I’m being generous and setting the standard price for a Disaster-class boss monster. I know you have plenty of coins, so you’d be wise to drop any thoughts of haggling.”
“...”
It was, in short, price gouging for the sake of his bees and the bee farm.
A preemptive strike is always the best policy.
Mogeun, once the Emperor's subordinate, was left completely dumbfounded by Honeybee's reckless brand of negotiation, all in preparation for the next auction house.