Chapter 158
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: New Breeds, New Weapons
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"Do they know instinctively?"
Even though they were Seong-hyeok's familiars and of the same species, strictly speaking, the bees were half-sisters.
Because of this, there was an unwritten rule against interfering with each other's hives.
That's what made this so strange.
For bees, entrusting their larvae—which needed to be protected above all else, second only to the queen, for the crucial purpose of replenishing their workforce—to a different bee species was unheard of.
But the bees, united by their hive mind, had instinctively realized it.
That entrusting their young to the Nurse Bees was safer and more efficient.
"Right. It's more like bees to cooperate and move forward instead of fighting."
At this rate, with the World Tree and the Ruler of Flowers, there was no chance the bees would ever run short of honey, their primary food source.
Therefore, the continuous birth of more bees was a blessing for both Seong-hyeok and humanity.
"The more forest fairies, the better. Especially when they give such sweet fruits."
Byproducts like honey and royal jelly were the very reason for the bees' existence.
Furthermore, the byproducts produced by the bees of this bizarre world weren't limited to just those.
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[Poison Amethyst Crystal (Lv.1)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 0
* Effect (Passive): Expels 1 crystal every 3 hours.
* Description: An ability acquired by absorbing the poison claws of a Gringham Poison Centipede. It expels a poison-laced crystal at regular intervals. As the level increases, it can expel a larger quantity of crystals, and the probability of a higher grade increases.
[Small Honey Grape Vine (Lv.1)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 0
* Status of Grown Small Honey Grape Vines: 1 / 1
…….
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The Crystal Bees and Honey Grape Bees were newly added through this evolution.
While the previous Lychee Bees and Nurse Bees specialized in combat and larval care respectively, these two new types focused on production.
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[Bee Crystal (★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Effect - Crystal Coating: When applied to a bladed weapon, it temporarily grants additional poison damage.
[Small Honey Grape (★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, it satisfies hunger and thirst, restores 330(+80) Health and Mana, and increases Agility and Control by 1 for 60 minutes. (No cooldown / Max 2 stacks)
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Depending on how they were used, the crystal was easier to process than bee venom, and the Small Honey Grape could be seen as a simple-to-consume potion.
The addition of these two types was bound to have a significant impact on the bee farm.
"This is more than useful enough."
The crystals, depending on the processing method, could be used as poison potions or venom bullets.
They could even be applied directly to a weapon to increase its damage.
And was that all?
"It's sweet. Perfect for a new dessert."
As the item name 'Small Honey Grape' suggested, the grapes were small but boasted impressively plump berries.
Well, in terms of taste and effect, it couldn't compare to the aged Honey Strawberry, but the Small Honey Grape had the advantage of being obtainable from a 'superior species' of bee.
In other words, compared to the elite Garnet Gem Honeybush Legion Commander Bee, they could produce an overwhelming quantity.
And when combined with Seong-hyeok, the master of labor, the result was nothing short of perfection.
[Honey Brewing production great success! The Honeybee Guardian's blessing is engraved upon the Honey Grape Wine.]
[Honey Brewing production great success! The Honeybee Guardian's blessing is engraved upon the Honey Grape Wine.]
[Honey Brewing production great success! The Honeybee Guardian's blessing is engraved upon the Honey Grape Wine.]
…….
When one thought of grapes, the first thing that came to mind was aged wine.
A liquor born from the meeting of honey, second to none in sweetness, and the Honey Grape.
It was only natural that this would later be greatly loved by the residents and the world's alcohol connoisseurs,
"Now that there's a standard-issue fruit wine, the value of the premium version will go up even more, won't it?"
When a clear point of comparison appears, the value of the luxury item naturally rises.
Once they had a taste of fruit wine, wouldn't there be more than just a few connoisseurs eager to try the aged strawberry wine he would later list on the auction house?
Boosting the residents' stats was a given.
The two types of products also brought significant financial gain.
Bzzzz—
Bzzzzzz—
"Of course. You're all the best."
As if they knew they were being praised.
The superior bees approached Seong-hyeok, wiggling their characteristically plump rears in a little dance.
Their cute appearance was so charming it made you want to reach out and pet them!
But while the previous four types of superior bees competed with quantity, this tiny one was different.
[Peridot Twin Venomfang Legion Commander Bee (★★★★★)] - Elite Bee
Just from its name, it was clear this was an elite bee specialized in combat, like Teunteun-i and Ssing-ssing-i.
And fittingly, its appearance was just as deadly.
Bees were usually armed with a chubby or fluffy cuteness.
But the Twin Venomfang Legion Commander Bee, much like the Venomblast Suicide Bee, was far from it.
Bzzzzzz---
Where its mouthparts should have been, two sharp fangs protruded.
The concentration of the venom seeping from them was anything but ordinary.
"...This reminds me of the first time I collected venom from Teunteun-i."
How should I put it?
Its name was 'bee,' but looking at it felt like seeing a different creature entirely.
But no matter what, a bee was still a bee.
Bzzzz~
As if worried it might prick Seong-hyeok with its fangs, the bee tucked them inward as it approached, then pressed itself against his body and began to rub against him affectionately.
"Right. You must have gained these traits for the sake of all bees."
What did it matter if its appearance was menacing?
To Seong-hyeok, with his fatherly heart, even the sharp fangs looked cute.
And the creature's true power was only just beginning to show.
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[Peridot Twin Venomfang Legion Commander Bee (★★★★)] - Elite Bee
* Skills: Collect (Lv.3), Poison Sting (Lv.20), Flight (Lv.15), Commander's Command (Lv.1), Medusa's Twin Fangs (Lv.7), Contagious Venom (Lv.5)
* Honey Storage: 0 / 225(+65)
* Health: 750(+350) Mana: 3,880(+1,930)
* Attack: 1,320(+660) Defense: 30(+10) Magic Resist: 30(+10)
[Medusa's Twin Fangs (Lv.7)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 2,600
* Effect (Active): Increases Attack by 1,000% for 7 seconds. (Cooldown: 30 minutes)
* Effect - Medusa's Venom (Passive): Enemies exposed to the Twin Fangs take damage equal to 21% of current Attack per second for 7 seconds and have their Movement Speed reduced by 99%.
* Description: Inflicts a critical wound and suppresses the target with Medusa's potent venom. As the level increases, the duration and damage increase.
[Contagious Venom (Lv.5)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 0
* Effect (Passive): When a target poisoned by the Twin Fangs dies, Medusa's Twin Fangs spreads to enemies within a 300m radius.
* Effect - Friend or Foe Identification (Passive): This poison does not spread to targets recognized as allies.
…….
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"In-Insane."
Is this what a purely offensive build looks like, with no regard for defense?
True to the high-risk, high-return nature of this bizarre world, the Twin Venomfang's stats boasted absurd attack power in exchange for sacrificing its defensive capabilities.
But the truly terrifying part was how this was maximized when combined with Seong-hyeok, the Honeybee Guardian.
[Guardian's Focused Assault (Lv.1)]
* Effect - Bee Rampage: The Attack of all bees within a 10km radius increases tenfold.
The power of Focused Assault, which Seong-hyeok had acquired upon reaching level 60.
Just imagine.
What if that effect was applied to the Twin Venomfang, a bee that had evolved solely for offense?
Furthermore, what if there weren't just one, but ten, or a hundred of them?
"...Gulp."
It would create a truly mind-boggling carpet bombing.
Honestly, even after defeating nine Disaster-class boss monsters through the monster gate, he had always felt a lingering anxiety about a potential raid by multiple '???' grade monsters.
But now, he wasn't afraid at all.
"I'll be counting on you, Twinfang."
Bzzzz~
The best defense is a good offense.
Because he had just obtained a very sharply honed blade.
* * * * *
When one thinks of bees, the first byproducts that come to mind are honey and royal jelly.
However, another byproduct of great value that could be obtained from bees, humanity's longtime companions, was bee venom.
Just as the saying 'fight poison with poison' exists.
Poison, depending on how it was used, could be a medicine or an even deadlier toxin.
Therefore, after obtaining various types of bee venom, Seong-hyeok immersed himself in his personal laboratory.
Drip, drop.
Dribble—
Was this Medusa's venom, which boasted such high attack power?
The venom, with its sticky viscosity, gave off a sinister aura.
But contrary to its appearance, Seong-hyeok, who was handling it, was completely unaffected.
[The Honeybee Guardian's class specialization, Honey-Poison Immunity, is activated.]
[100% immunity to the harmful poison effects of bees.]
Honey-Poison Immunity, a class specialization that was helpful in many ways.
Thanks to it, he could handle the venom as if it were plain water.
He boldly reached out and mixed it with various other poisons.
[Poison Processing production great success! The Honeybee Guardian's blessing is engraved upon the bee venom.]
[Guardian's Dark Cheonramcho Venomfang Mucus (★★★★★) has been crafted.]
[Guardian's Kiiro Stone Venomfang Bullet (★★★★★) has been crafted.]
[Guardian's Dark Kiicho Venomfang Gas Bomb (★★★★★) has been crafted.]
…….
As expected, perhaps?
Five-star items were born from processing the venom of various elite bees, which already boasted proven offensive capabilities.
And most importantly, the Twin Venomfang's poison came with a trait that was incomparable to any before it.
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[Guardian's Dark Cheonramcho Venomfang Bomb (★★★★★)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* When held and the 'Use' keyword is entered, it explodes after 10 seconds, creating a 'Dark Cheonramcho Venomfang Zone' in the surrounding area.
※ Dark Cheonramcho Venomfang Zone: For 10 minutes, targets within the poison zone lose 180(+70) Health per second. However, bees gain a 34(+11)% Attack and 50(+15)% Movement Speed increase. (Max 3 stacks)
※ Dark Undead: 13% of all creatures that die within this zone will rise as undead and follow the user's commands for 30 minutes. However, bees that die have a 100% chance of rising as undead.
※ Slime Mold Spore: There is a low chance that a random type of mushroom will grow from a deceased entity.
※ Friend or Foe Venomfang: Does not deal damage to targets recognized as the user's allies.
…….
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As expected of a five-star grade, it possessed absurd attack power and various unique options.
But the most important thing, though it was one of the simplest effects when you thought about it...
"Wow."
The trait that allowed it to distinguish friend from foe, despite being a mindless venom.
One might think it wasn't a big deal, but for Seong-hyeok...
No, to be precise, for the residents, this trait was the best news they could have hoped for.