Chapter 17
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Guardian's Arsenal
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17
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[Peridot Ramdok Kamikaze Bee (★★+)]
* Skills: Collection (Lv.2), Poison Sting (Lv.6), Flight (Lv.4), Ramdok Ignition (Lv.3)
* Honey Storage: 0 / 25
* HP: 333(+38) MP: 120(+10)
* Attack: 31(+6) Defense: 20(+4) Magic Resist: 12(+2)
* Description: A ★★+ grade Peridot Ramdok Kamikaze Bee that inhabits the dimension ‘Poison Zone Graham.’ This kamikaze bee’s abdomen is bizarrely swollen. When an enemy appears, it ignites the venom in its poison sac, attaches itself to the target by any means necessary, and detonates its abdomen in a suicidal attack.
※ This swarm belongs to a queen bee with a master. Its stats are partially boosted according to the master’s level.
[Ramdok Ignition (Lv.3)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: All
* Effect (Active): Heats the Ramdok in the poison sac, then uses its stinger as a trigger to detonate, causing massive damage.
* Description: Heats the venom filling the poison sac, using the insertion of its stinger as a signal to expand and detonate. As the level increases, the lethality of the explosion grows.
※ Use results in a 100% chance of death.
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Just as its name implied, it was a ‘kamikaze’ bee, a truly brutal creature.
Normally, honeybees didn't necessarily die in a mutual-destruction scenario if they struck an exoskeleton without a skin layer, but it was a different story for the kamikaze bee.
It was a heinous skill where the bee would literally approach an enemy, rupture its own abdomen, and spray venom everywhere.
The skill description itself even kindly noted a 100% chance of death, leaving no room for survival.
*Buzzzzzzzzz—*
Unlike the Ruby Gem Honey Pot Bees, which were large all over and boasted a chubby cuteness, the Peridot Ramdok Kamikaze Bee had only its abdomen protruding unnaturally, giving it a somewhat unsettling appearance.
Nevertheless, Seong-hyeok reached out and stroked the approaching creature without discrimination.
“Come here, little friend.”
*Buzzzz—*
Its appearance was simply a result of its organs evolving to protect its home in nature.
Moreover, in a way, it was a creature born with the sad fate of its skill use leading directly to death.
But thinking about it differently, if its destructive power was used well, it could save the lives of hundreds of other bees that might otherwise be sacrificed.
How could he possibly discriminate against such a commendable creature just because its appearance was less comely than the others?
“I’ll be counting on you. Shall we get back to work?”
*Buzzzzzzzzz—! Buzzzz—!*
The addition of two high-tier Peridot bee species served as a reliable new defense for Seong-hyeok's farm.
Now he had some countermeasures in place for future battles.
The new product description had mentioned that the Peridot bees' unique venom, once aged, created a honey with an exquisite, sharp taste.
Eager to obtain this Peridot honey, Seong-hyeok resumed his diligent beekeeping activities with his new little ones.
* * * * *
The newly joined Peridot bee swarm.
While their strength was certainly dependable, minimizing their sacrifices ultimately depended on the role of their master, Seong-hyeok.
“If Dad doesn't work tirelessly, my babies and the queen won't be safe.”
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[Guardian's Poison Processing (Lv.1)]
* Mana Cost: 10
* Required Materials: Bee Venom
* Effect (Active): Crafts poison-related processed goods using bee stingers and venom. (No cooldown)
* Effect (Passive): Enables the collection of venom from bee stingers and ovipositors.
* Description: Crafts poison-related processed goods by consuming the bee's stinger or collected venom and the caster's mana. Also allows for the collection of venom from bee stingers and ovipositors. As the level increases, you can obtain a wider variety of higher-grade finished products.
※ There is a certain chance to obtain a processed item engraved with the 'Guardian's' keyword.
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When one thought of a honeybee's weapon, the first thing that came to mind was its powerful defense mechanism.
Without a doubt, it was the venom in the poison sac, connected to its stinger and ovipositor.
A deadly weapon, commonly known as bee venom.
Until now, he had put it off because he lacked the proper tools and skills, and his priority was beekeeping. But the warning sign that was Belmourn had forced Seong-hyeok to turn his attention to combat.
“I don’t know how it happened, but getting the poison-specialized Peridot Queen Bee now is truly a godsend.”
Furthermore, as if by some stroke of luck, just as he gained a skill to process poison, he also acquired the Peridot bees, who were 'specialized' in poison due to the evolution of their stinger organs.
It was practically a gift from the heavens, so Seong-hyeok decided to actively process and utilize the venom.
“Hey everyone. Could you inject some venom here for me?”
*Buzzzz— Buzzzz—*
Thanks to the Bee Link, the bees understood Seong-hyeok's words perfectly and eagerly showed their willingness to participate.
*Stab— Stab— Stab—*
*Squeeeze—*
When Seong-hyeok pointed to the glass plate he had prepared, the bees, as if on cue, began to thrust their stingers in rhythmically.
“Whoa there, you guys! I know you’re doing this for Dad, but don’t overdo it. There are plenty of you, so just a little bit from each is fine.”
The process involved extracting a minuscule amount of venom from each individual, ensuring it wouldn't endanger the bees' lives.
Thanks to the diligent bees' participation and altruistic consideration, Seong-hyeok had no trouble gathering enough venom without a single casualty.
“Alright, let’s see what we’ve got.”
Now that the bees had carefully squeezed out the venom from their sacs, all that was left was to wait for it to dry and then scrape the solidified bee venom off the glass plate.
As he collected the powders, not liquids, which glowed with red and green hues respectively, they began to fill up empty vials that appeared thanks to the game's convenient system.
[Collection Great Success!]
[Obtained 17 Ruby Gem Bee Venom (★).]
[Obtained 6 Ruby Gem Bee Venom (★+).]
[Obtained 7 Peridot Bee Venom (★★).]
[Obtained 3 Peridot Bee Venom (★★+).]
Perhaps the existence of a collection skill, in addition to a processing one, was quite important?
Seong-hyeok clicked his tongue in amazement as he watched the bee venom being collected with the activation of 'Guardian's Poison Processing's' passive effect.
“I felt this when I was harvesting honey, but it’s truly fascinating.”
Even if it was for the sake of game convenience, items appearing in empty vials that didn't exist a moment ago was strange.
But Seong-hyeok didn't bother trying to understand it.
After all, if he were to question such things, the undead and the lich he had faced earlier were far more absurd.
To survive, he just had to make the most of what was available to him now.
With that thought, Seong-hyeok checked the venom he had acquired.
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[Ruby Gem Bee Venom (★)] x 17
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon ingestion or exposure to a wound, HP decreases by 30 over 30 seconds. Causes minor pain for 3 minutes.
* Description: ★-grade Ruby Gem Bee Venom collected from Ruby Gem bees inhabiting the dimension 'Deltaria.' Contains a low-potency toxic component and causes a stinging pain upon ingestion.
※ Caution! Damage from the same type of bee venom does not stack.
[Ruby Gem Bee Venom (★+)] x 6
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon ingestion or exposure to a wound, HP decreases by 40 over 30 seconds. For 5 minutes...
[Peridot Bee Venom (★★)] x 7
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon ingestion or exposure to a wound, HP decreases by 80 over 40 seconds. Causes severe pain, high fever, and paralysis for 10 minutes.
...
[Peridot Bee Venom (★★+)] x 3
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon ingestion or exposure to a wound, HP decreases by 100 over 40 seconds. For 15 minutes...
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“Looks like preparing separate glass plates was the right call.”
It went without saying, but even among the same species of bee, the strength and amount of venom would differ depending on the subspecies.
To prevent the venoms from mixing, Seong-hyeok had been careful to keep the Ruby Gem and Peridot bees separate during collection.
“I guess the '+' means it’s from the higher-tier ones?”
The items marked with a '+' were, simply put, superior versions of their unmarked counterparts.
Honestly, just coating a weapon with the powder as it was would be quite effective.
But to use it so simply would be a waste of a skill named 'Guardian's Poison Processing,' and for Seong-hyeok, who had dedicated his life to bees, it would be a sin.
“The nature of poison depends entirely on the hands that wield it.”
Thinking that poison is inherently harmful and must be eliminated is a third-rate mindset.
Bee venom, in particular, could be processed into things like bee venom soap, cream, or even cosmetics—products one would hardly associate with the image of 'poison'—depending on how it was used.
“Still, for now, using it as a weapon would be most effective.”
He could already take care of things like soap and cosmetics with honey, royal jelly, and propolis.
Considering the possibility of another attack on the farm by monsters like those of the lich Belmourn, using the venom as a 'weapon' was the best choice.
“I have to avoid close combat as much as possible.”
The Honeybee Guardian was fundamentally a non-combat class.
Sure, he had learned Acupuncture upon reaching level 20, which could be classified as a combat skill, and he had the advantage of permanently and steadily increasing his stats through the class-specific 'Honeybee Product Aficionado.' But due to cooldown limitations, it would still take time for him to become strong.
Besides, Seong-hyeok's life wasn't just his own.
The game system's origin was a complete mystery.
Considering the high probability of a severe penalty being imposed on the queen bee and the countless swarms if he, their master, were to die, it was best to ensure his safety above all else.
“Assuming I avoid close contact, throwable weapons are the way to go.”
Once he found a path forward, the rest was easy.
Seong-hyeok, who had lived a life dedicated to bees, knew every detail about utilizing bee venom. And now, he could even enhance it with the skills of a game system.
For example, he could use mana to materialize empty vials and other secondary items without needing additional materials, as long as he had the required 'bee venom.'
In other words, things that were impossible in reality could now be achieved under the guise of 'game convenience.'
“...I shouldn't be feeling this way, but this is really fun.”
This chaotic world had become a dangerous place where monsters like the lich Belmourn could appear at any moment.
Therefore, he should be taking it seriously.
A life, whether it belonged to a bee or a human, was a precious thing, and you only got one.
But watching the materials come together as he wished, with mana supplementing what was lacking, he couldn't help but find the process of creation immensely enjoyable.
[Poison Processing Great Success! The Honeybee Guardian's blessing is engraved upon the Venom Bomb.]
[Guardian's Ruby Gem Venom Bomb (★+) has been crafted.]
[Guardian's Ruby Gem Venom Bomb (★★-) has been crafted.]
[Guardian's Peridot Venom Bomb (★★★-) has been crafted.]
...
And as if to reward Seong-hyeok's enjoyment, the 'Great Success!' notification chimed repeatedly.
At the same time, the finished products—venom bombs—materialized one by one before him.
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[Guardian's Ruby Gem Venom Bomb (★★-)]
* Classification: Consumable
* When held and the 'Use' keyword is entered, it explodes after 10 seconds, creating a 'Guardian's Ruby Gem Poison Zone' in the surrounding area.
※ Guardian's Ruby Gem Poison Zone: For 3 minutes, targets within the poison zone lose 6(+1) HP per second. However, honeybees gain a 6(+1)% increase in movement speed. (Max 2 stacks)
* Description: A ★★- grade Ruby Gem Venom Bomb engraved with the Guardian's keyword. When used, it creates a crimson Ruby Gem Poison Zone nearby. Due to the Honeybee Guardian's blessing, it does not harm the natural environment.
[Guardian's Peridot Venom Bomb (★★★-)]
* Classification: Consumable
* When held and the 'Use' keyword is entered, it explodes after 10 seconds, creating a 'Guardian's Peridot Poison Zone' in the surrounding area.
※ Guardian's Peridot Poison Zone: For 3 minutes, targets within the poison zone lose 16(+3) HP per second. However, honeybees gain a 12(+2)% increase in attack power. (Max 2 stacks)
...
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The venom bombs, contained in glass vials reminiscent of Molotov cocktails, boasted elegant red and green hues.
“...Phew.”
As expected of 'Guardian's' keyword items from a great success, with rarities of 2-star-minus and 3-star-minus, their performance completely surpassed Seong-hyeok's expectations.