Chapter 173
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Landmark of the Bees
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The value of Honeybee, now etched into the minds of players worldwide.
It wasn't just his military prowess, like that displayed during the dragon raid that nearly threatened humanity. But people, by nature, tend not to pay much attention to things that don't directly affect them.
In that respect, what truly made Honeybee famous were his honey products.
There might be people who’ve never tried them, but none who’ve only had them once.
From the more affordable honey tea and beeswax candles to royal jelly and propolis.
And even the expensive wild honey, prized for its outstanding effects on stamina and skin beauty.
These various consumables became extra lives for everyone, young and old, weak and strong, and had genuinely served as a lifeline in moments of mortal danger.
That alone was more than enough to solidify Honeybee’s reputation.
It went beyond mere praise for the bees; a new religion was slowly beginning to spread.
But an event occurred that fanned the flames even higher.
[Korea/TrueAce: I kept hearing buzzing lately, and what do you know? There are bees everywhere!]
[Korea/TungTung-i: Some of them were as big as my head, but strangely, they weren't scary. They were actually kinda cute lol]
[Korea/Samdeongketi: fr, their wiggling butts are pretty cute.]
For some reason, the bees began to move freely, breaking through what seemed to be their designated territories.
There was some fear that the bees might attack, seeing it as a territorial invasion, but as long as one didn't strike first, the bees were perfectly safe creatures.
Moreover, they were so intelligent that they didn't even interfere with players' hunts.
*Bzzzz~*
*Bzzz~*
Wiggling their cute behinds, the bees were lost in a honey-holic frenzy among the flowers planted everywhere.
Of course, that wasn't to say the bees were completely unresponsive.
[Korea/ManlyBoy: The bees saved my life and even gave me honey!]
[Korea/Prism: I thought today was my last day, but I'm alive thanks to them. Thank you, bees!]
Not in a hunt.
But when they found those on the verge of a one-sided death at the hands of monsters or villains, the bees would step in as if it were their own business.
Those whose lives were saved might think it was because the bees were kind, but that was a clear misunderstanding.
The 'altruism' inherent in bees only manifested when protecting their own colony and queen.
The logic behind why the group-oriented bees helped the weak was simple.
"It's proceeding well."
A man smiled, working diligently at the bee farm.
Through his scout bees and the community forums, Seong-hyeok confirmed that his strategy was working.
"At this rate, the image will be solidified."
Image marketing, something that has been crucial in every era.
No matter how much the world had become a place of survival of the fittest, the core of society was still composed of humans, not beasts.
Jeongrichung's existence allowed him to sway public opinion to some extent, but it was always better to be certain.
And wasn't the effect already palpable just by looking at the community forums?
The signals from the players, showing a much higher level of favor towards Honeybee and his bees than before.
This would surely serve as a significant advantage in Seong-hyeok's future actions.
Furthermore, this wasn't the only gain from the bees' rescue efforts.
"It's better to save the lives that can be saved."
Like the dragon, there was the existence of ???-grade monsters that would appear in the future.
To face those who could become a common enemy of humanity, the more people, the better.
Besides, who knew?
You can never tell with people.
They might be weak now, but they could possess great potential.
"They won't repay kindness with malice."
As time went on, Seong-hyeok's plan and the virtuous cycle of the bees matured through migratory beekeeping.
[Japan/Yogeom Deliun: Oh my god! The traveling hives and bees have come to us too!]
It was now spreading beyond Korea.
Becoming the other half of a two-pronged approach alongside the rental business, it was further utilized to spread the benefits of bees and improve Seong-hyeok's image.
* * * * *
Bee rentals and migratory beekeeping.
Among the gains from these two ventures, while money was one, the most significant contribution came from pollination.
*Bzzzz~*
*Bzzzzzz~*
Diligently covered in pollen, the bees searched every nook and cranny.
[A flower has been discovered!]
[A flower has been discovered!]
[A flower has been discovered!]
······.
Moving without rest, once they found their target, the bees' full-scale pollination activities would begin.
*Bumble-bumble-bumble-!*
*Wiggle- wiggle-*
With a buzz of joyful wingbeats, a bee would bury its head in a flower, sucking up the nectar.
The flower reproduces, and the bee fills its stomach and gathers honey—a symbiotic relationship beneficial to both.
And was that all?
[A cluster of flowers has been discovered!]
And so, large clusters of flowers began to bloom.
Naturally, the bees wouldn't leave them alone, and this time they began pollinating with an even greater amount of pollen.
"…Was this place always this vibrant?"
"Wow, look at all the flowers. So pretty."
"I never thought I'd find something so healing in this world."
"It's all thanks to these little guys, isn't it?"
They revived the withered flowers across the globe, and went even further, creating tourist attractions that drew people in.
Shelters were built nearby, along with their communities.
Even those who wouldn't allow strangers or monsters to approach made an exception for the bees.
"Hello, little ones. You came again today?"
"Don't you guys ever get tired? You're really amazing."
*Bzzzzzz~*
The number one contributors to this environment, and the best workers who even provided free maintenance.
Who would refuse their visit?
*Buzz-*
*Buzzzzz~*
Allowing people to fully enjoy the bounty of nature, countless flowers bloomed in every corner of the world.
But could the people of the world, standing watch, have ever imagined it?
The blooming of innumerable flowers across the globe.
And the chain reaction caused by the fact that the bees, the medium for this, belonged to the player Honeybee.
"Huh?"
[Special Condition, Landmark of the Bees, has been met. -> Secured over 10,000 unique territories where flowers have bloomed]
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[Landmark of the Bees]
* Classification: Special Condition
* Area of Effect: 700m radius around each bee.
* Effect: Flowers will contain even fresher nectar.
* Effect - Land of the Bees (Passive): During pollination, the honey produced will be richer, and the floral fragrance will be more than doubled.
* Effect - Power of Flowers (Passive): For each flower within the area of effect, the bees' attack and defense power increase by 1%. (Stacks up to 30%)
* Description: Acquired by establishing countless territories. As long as this special condition exists, the bond between bees and flowers will be a continuous, unbreakable relationship.
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Thus, with the bees' love for flowers, the relationship between bee and flower.
The two inseparable partners were now bound by an even deeper honeyed pact.
* * * * *
Inside and out, the bees' honey pots overflowed tirelessly.
As Seong-hyeok began his day's work, a smile graced his lips.
[Honey is ready for harvest!]
[Honey is ready for harvest!]
[Honey is ready for harvest!]
······.
The harvest notification from the hives signaled the start of the workday.
*Bzzzz~*
*Bzzz~*
The sweet scent of honey mingled with flowers, carried on the bees' affectionate buzzing, was truly an irresistible aroma!
But that scent was not merely a scent.
[Great Success in Gathering!]
[The scent of acacia flowers influences the aging process.]
[You have acquired 103 Ruby Gem Acacia Honey (★★★-).]
[You have acquired 89 Peridot Chestnut Honey (★★★-).]
[You have acquired 64 Star Sapphire Linden Honey (★★★-).]
······.
Since the world turned upside down.
For the first time, the scent of flowers was infused into the itemized honey.
Ruby Gem, Peridot, and so on.
The reason the floral scents, which had been dormant and powerless against each bee's inherent properties, were now seeping into the honey was not complicated.
'…Is it because of the Landmark of the Bees?'
A new Hidden Piece, obtained thanks to the bees spreading across the world.
Well, it could also be the effect of various titles and special conditions like 'Incarnation of Flowers' or 'Bond of Plants,' but that wasn't the important part.
"Hmm. The color is one thing, but the scent is incredible."
The most important thing to note was that an advantage had been added to the basic, fundamental ingredient of all honey products.
And it wasn't just a change in scent and color.
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[Ruby Gem Acacia Honey (★★★-)] X 103
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, restores 380 health and mana along with a feeling of satiety, and leaves a lingering scent of acacia.
※ Scent of Acacia: Increases movement speed by 1% for 3 minutes. (Stacks up to 3 times)
* Description: A ★★★-grade Ruby Gem Acacia Honey. Nutrients from acacia flowers have been naturally infused into this honey, providing an excellent restorative effect. Its pleasant floral scent soothes the body and mind.
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Each type had an increased recovery effect, and though minor, a better-than-nothing additional effect.
Compared to the World Tree Honey, the effects were sorely lacking, but Seong-hyeok knew.
No matter how faint the effect, when combined with his crafting skills, it could be amplified several times over.
"The variety of things I can make is going to increase significantly."
From acacia and chestnut honey, which could be sourced in Korea, to New Zealand's manuka honey.
The potential for honey products had expanded, with various paths to acquisition depending on the processing method.
What did this mean?
"The more variety, the better."
Even if it was the same honey tea, different names meant they didn't share a cooldown, making it possible to stack a large number of buffs.
And if he ever managed to discover an option for a permanent stat increase, it would be possible to further maximize the effect of his class-specific trait, 'Honey Product Aficionado,' which had made him who he was today.
"Alright."
A lower-tier version of the World Tree Honey, but for that reason, acacia and chestnut honey could be secured in large quantities.
These would surely bring a new wind to the marketplace.
His mind raced, his Mad Inquirer's Karma stirring with excitement.
Just as he was about to start crafting dozens of items,
Seong-hyeok couldn't help but tense at the notification that rang in his ears.
[The conditions for the #5 Chapter Update have been met. -> Total population is below 30% (based on the initial count)]
"...Ha, so that was the condition?"
A grim notification, informing him that the remaining population on Earth had dropped below 30%.
It was the first news of an update in a very long time.
Since Chapter #4.