Chapter 156
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: The Spoils of Victory
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“You know, if I play my cards right, I might be able to equip every slot with a Treasure.”
He would be able to possess multiple Treasure-grade items, something others were desperate to have even one of.
Besides, for Seong-hyeok, a Treasure item’s value wasn’t just in its effects.
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[Treasure Hunter]
* Effect: You become a target for all players and monsters seeking Treasures.
* Effect - Treasure Guardian (Passive): All stats +10% for each Treasure you possess.
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Treasure Hunter was one of the Hidden Pieces Seong-hyeok had acquired.
With every Treasure he obtained, his stats would soar, like a tiger sprouting wings.
Of course, having too many Treasures wasn’t purely beneficial.
The World Tree and the Wild Beehives already came with an option that attracted stronger monsters.
Things were challenging enough as it was; if that effect intensified, Disaster-class monsters could start respawning in the future.
“Well, that might actually be a good thing.”
High risk, high return.
It was only natural that hunting powerful monsters would yield a greater number of spoils.
Besides, hadn’t not only Seong-hyeok but also the farm's residents grown considerably stronger through the monster gate?
The bees ruling the skies and the residents on the ground had already achieved perfect synergy.
Moreover, something else had further boosted the beekeeping farm’s security.
“I never thought I’d get a skill like this…”
It was, without a doubt, the skill he acquired upon reaching level 65.
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[Guardian's Bee Teleport (Lv.1)]
* Type: Skill
* Mana Cost: 100 ~ 1,500 (Cost increases with distance.)
* Designated Bees: 0 / 3
* Effect (Active): Instantly teleport to the location of a designated bee. The cooldown for this effect applies individually to each designated bee. (Cooldown: 24 hours)
* Description: Your desire to protect your bees has reached its peak, allowing you to find them wherever they may be. As the level increases, you can designate more bees, and the cooldown will decrease.
※ Caution! Removing a designated bee will trigger the cooldown.
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Depending on the situation, it wasn’t just for transportation.
Surprise attacks, rescues…
The possibilities for Bee Teleport were diverse.
The fact that removing a designation also triggered the cooldown was a drawback, but being able to designate three bees was still an incredible benefit.
“This will make leaving and returning much easier.”
Being able to protect the bees was great, but what was even better was that it solved the biggest drawback of leaving the farm.
After all, Seong-hyeok’s profession was beekeeping.
Thanks to the bees’ overflowing diligence, the hives would be full in a day.
No, in just half a day.
If he had the temporal freedom and autonomy to return whenever he needed, Seong-hyeok could act more swiftly without being tied to the farm.
He had secured a means of rapid movement.
With that, only one thing remained for Seong-hyeok.
“My dear queens. You’ve all worked so hard.”
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzzzzzz~*
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[Ruby Gem Queen Bee (★★★★+)]
* Growth Rate: 100%
[Imperial Topaz Queen Bee (★★★★+)]
* Growth Rate: 100%
[Poison Amethyst Queen Bee (★★★★+)]
* Growth Rate: 100%
…….
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It had taken a great deal of time, of course.
The growth rates of the queen bees, boosted through the monster gate.
He also had a large stockpile of evolution materials from the auction house and from hunting Disaster-class boss monsters.
“Shall we collect the best spoils of all?”
*Bzzzz~*
The evolution of the queen bees, who could be called the greatest power on the beekeeping farm.
The winds of change this would bring to the farm would be a storm more valuable than any other spoils.
* * * * *
“This is the first time I’m evolving so many at once.”
Was it thanks to their stubbornly slow growth rates?
Excluding the most recently evolved Star Sapphire, Diamond Geumgang, and Golden Rock queens, five of them were now ready for evolution at the same time.
But before he began the preparations, Seong-hyeok summoned Greendale.
“My companion. Why is this?”
“These are the materials and luck-related items I’ll be using for the evolution. And since this is for your queen, please share the evolution list with me.”
Among the eight queens, the Poison Amethyst Queen Bee was the only one who was Greendale’s subordinate, not Seong-hyeok’s.
As they say, the one who’s tasted the meat knows it best.
Seong-hyeok had been through numerous evolutions.
He had even used 5-star+ grade evolution materials, so he was well-prepared with luck items and evolution materials.
On top of that, he had already learned about potential penalties through his information trades with Riggle.
He had solutions for anything that could become a problem.
“Compared to what the Amethyst Queen does for us, this is a small thing, so don’t feel burdened.”
“If you put it that way, I will not refuse. I thank you for your grace.”
The rest was obvious.
One by one, the queens’ evolution lists appeared, followed by the agonizing process of finding the maximum advantage within them.
A single evolution was enough to make him tear his hair out; dealing with five at once was even more maddening.
But thankfully, he now had five queens working together.
*Buzzzzzzz~*
*Bzzz~ Bzzzzz!*
The queens moved frantically, their body language like a heated debate.
Too many cooks could spoil the broth, but the wise queens’ physical language always pointed toward the right path.
“Listen to the bees, and good things will happen.”
When had listening to the queens ever led to a loss?
Since this was the important matter of evolving their own bodies, their choices were perfectly suited for the occasion.
[You have selected an evolution path. -> Arch Lich Shumer's Dark Essence Evolution]
[Ruby Gem Queen Bee (★★★★+) evolves into Ruby Gem Queen Bee (★★★★★).]
[You have selected an evolution path. -> Medusa's Poison Fang Evolution]
[Peridot Queen Bee (★★★★+) evolves into Peridot Queen Bee (★★★★★).]
[You have selected an evolution path. -> Elder Centaur's Sinew Evolution]
[Imperial Topaz Queen Bee (★★★★★) evolves into Imperial Topaz Queen Bee (★★★★★+).]
…….
“Alright!”
“A success, my companion!”
All things considered, the outcome was a very happy ending.
* * * * *
The monster gate had provided a leveling spree that could only be described as explosive.
Finishing it smoothly without a single casualty through thorough preparation was a joyous occasion, but the aftermath still lingered.
“I swear, collecting and organizing the loot is harder than the actual hunting.”
“Hahaha! You rascal. If you have time to make such prosperous complaints, move this over there.”
“Hey, you should be glad you’re on the collection team. Do you have any idea how much the blacksmiths are suffering right now?”
“Ah, that’s true.”
The sheer volume of loot dropped by the endless stream of elite and field boss-grade monsters was staggering enough to make one gasp.
Of course, the residents weren’t the only ones involved in collecting the items.
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzzzzzz-!!!*
A swarm of heroic bees appeared wherever help was needed.
All the spoils were much larger than the bees, but that was by no means an obstacle.
*Buzzz-*
*Buzzzzzzz-!!!*
If one couldn’t do it, two would.
If two couldn’t, then three, or even dozens, would cling to it.
The power that came from a group, not an individual, was beyond imagination.
“Ha, hahat. Really, what would we have done without our savior bees?”
“We might have actually died.”
“Hahaha. They’re amazing friends in so many ways.”
With the earnest participation of the admirable bees, the work accelerated.
And what about the pleasure of watching their wiggling butts?
“If the little ones are working this hard, I can’t just slack off!”
“Heave-ho! Mealtime isn’t far off anyway. Let’s go for it!”
A parade of bottoms so captivating that once you started watching, you couldn’t look away.
As the saying goes, a genius can’t beat a hard worker, and a hard worker can’t beat someone who enjoys it.
Now that the collection work was no longer ‘labor’ but a fun activity with the bees, the impact on their work speed was significant.
“Phew, it’s all done.”
“Great work, bee friends.”
*Bzzzz~*
The massive pile of work had vanished in an instant.
Bees and residents alike.
For a moment, they all let out cheers of joy, exchanging high-fives with the bees’ rears.
But soon, a scent stimulated the noses of those who had worked up a sweat from battle and labor.
“You scoundrels! The gukbap’s ready! Hurry up and come eat!”
“Everyone, come quickly! The food’s getting cold!”
“Ooooh!”
The residents stared, mesmerized by the sight of a lavish spread of various foods.
The beekeeping farm, also known as the land of labor.
Here, those who worked hard earned the right to eat until their bellies burst.
And the residents were given more than just food.
“Everyone, you’ve worked hard.”
Seong-hyeok ascended a platform, befitting his status as the master of this land.
To be a respected leader, one must distribute rewards commensurate with a memorable victory.
And while Seong-hyeok didn’t know what each resident liked individually, he certainly knew what they all liked in common.
“As a reward for your efforts, I give you my permission. You may take as much honey wine and drinks from the warehouse as you wish.”
“Woooooah-!!!”
In this topsy-turvy world where their lives were threatened, a bit of luxury and pleasure was necessary to relieve the tension.
And above all…
“Additionally, please take one set each of the royal jelly pills and propolis cosmetics you desire. The bees over there will handle the distribution…”
“Woooooaaaaaaaaah-!!!!!”
The premium products that had made Honeybee the ruler of the exchange.
It was a simple truth, but no one in this world could refuse stamina and skin care.
* * * * *
A person’s patience is not infinite.
No matter how important growth is, if you only crack the whip, you’ll eventually burn out.
There was a reason they said rest was a part of work.
It was essential for life.
And in that regard, the beekeeping farm had an advantage that other shelters couldn't easily replicate.
“Aww, this tipsy feeling is nice.”
“Let’s drink till we drop!”
Sweet honey wine and honey tea, perfect for getting pleasantly drunk, along with a variety of other drinks and delicious food.
Was that all?
“They’re so pretty, no matter how many times I see them.”
“They really look like fairies at times like this.”
“Kyah! The atmosphere is killer.”
A swarm of bees began to adorn the sky like stars.
Was it to console the weary hearts of the people?
The bees danced their own unique dances, wiggling their plump bottoms.
It brought joy to all who watched, regardless of age or gender.
“My dear lady. Why are you so beautiful today?”
“Ahem. Was there a charm stat or something? You seem to be getting prettier and prettier.”
“Hey, wanna go out?”
Was it thanks to the dreamlike atmosphere created by the honey-stars and the sweet buzz of the honey wine?
Or perhaps the trinity of stamina and beauty products that Seong-hyeok had distributed in celebration of their victory?
“Tsk, tsk. You’re drunk, completely drunk. If you have time to spout nonsense, pour me some more of that wine.”
“If you have time to act like a fool, why don’t you go out and hunt?”
Normally, their advances would have been met with a snort.
But this moment was different.
“Fine, do as you please.”
The birth of victors who had seized the perfect timing.
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzzzzzz~*
In a post-apocalyptic world where much of humanity had perished, the propagation of the species was more important than ever.
And in the midst of it all, the lovely bees were now becoming cupids of love.