Chapter 175
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: An Offer They Can't Refuse
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Episode 175
The effect of Territory Declaration, contained within the Power of 1.
This ability to acquire territory was fundamentally different from the existing ‘Shelters’.
It was akin to adding another server, like Korea, China, or the United States.
And was that all?
* Effect - Monster Mark (Active): Suppresses the monster respawn rate within a 10km radius of the mark or increases it by up to 10 times. This effect can only be applied within the territory and can be designated in up to 30 locations.
* Effect - Honeybee Guardian's Karma (Passive): Based on the owner's karma, honeybees will respawn within the territory. Unless attacked first, these respawned honeybees will not attack any target the owner of the power considers an ally.
These were additional effects that could be bestowed upon the territory.
The former, Monster Mark, could be utilized as a method for explosive experience gain, like opening a monster gate as a hunting ground. Conversely, by completely suppressing monster respawns, it could create the safest haven imaginable.
It would naturally become a place where many with non-combat professions, who were generally far removed from hunting, would settle.
A space where those weary of battle could rest without needing to stand guard.
For others, this might have been considered the ultimate effect!
But for Seong-hyeok, that was not the case.
‘The real prize is something else.’
The option of the ‘Power of 1’ whose effect varied depending on karma.
The 5-star unique class, Honeybee Guardian.
The effect of this golden-goose class, which had not only guaranteed Seong-hyeok’s survival in this topsy-turvy world but also arranged his encounters with various honeybees, was beyond imagination.
‘I couldn’t believe it, but to think honeybees would actually respawn…’
The honeybees, now set on a path of infinite propagation like respawning monsters.
What did this symbolize?
‘It means the honeybees won't be wiped out unless my own head rolls.’
The fate of the honeybees, now completely freed from the possibility of extinction.
Well, this might diminish the value of the Queen Bees, but they were both still ‘honeybees’.
The power one could obtain from them was worlds apart.
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzzzzzzz~*
“That’s right, that’s right. You all are always the best to me.”
He had generously used luck-enhancing items every time he welcomed a new queen.
As a result, each of his Queen Bees now possessed high ranks, reaching 5-star and 5-star+.
The high-tier and elite bees they birthed were on a completely different level compared to the respawned ones, and even the most numerous worker bees were at a base 3-star rank.
“It’s a difference in quantity and quality.”
Of course, that saying about quantity and quality might not even apply to his current queens.
Though it varied by individual traits, in the case of the Imperial Topaz and Rose Quartz, who had evolved to specialize in egg-laying, the total number of bees born each day, including the princess bees, easily surpassed 300,000.
His other Queen Bees were also laying 30,000 to 50,000 each, so it was safe to say he had both quantity and quality well in hand.
“Truly, my queens. The more I look at them, the more amazing they are.”
*Bzzzz~*
*Buzz buzz~*
The more he saw them, the more the astounding nature of his Queen Bees stood out.
From a small beginning of just one, the brilliant history they had forged, now numbering in the tens of millions, was nothing short of a miracle of the bees.
“Is that why I’m so excited?”
Unlike monsters such as goblins or orcs, honeybees inherently brought a plethora of beneficial effects to Earth's environment and humanity.
Therefore, the respawning of honeybees could not be ignored.
Since he hadn't used the effect yet, he didn't know if elite or field boss-level bees could be spawned, but the possibility wasn't zero.
In any case, all of this required using the Power of 1 he had obtained, so Seong-hyeok organized his thoughts.
“First, for efficiency’s sake, there’s no need to establish the territory in Korea.”
Korea was already home to his bee farm and the World Tree.
With the current overwhelming rate of bee production leading him to even run a rental business, adding respawning bees would likely be more of a hindrance than a help.
“No, not just Korea—all of Asia is out of the question.”
Even now, the bees’ astonishing reproductive power was swallowing Korea in flowers at an unimaginable speed.
Considering this insane pace, the future addition of more Queen Bees, and their various evolutions, it was a given that they could cover all of Asia with bees and flowers in just five years.
The answer, then, was simple.
“I should aim for Africa.”
It was not only a considerable distance from Asia.
Boasting a vast landmass, it was a suitable space for the bees to thrive.
The 1,000km range might seem small, but he had no need to worry about that.
“Doing what you want to do is what’s best for me and for everyone, isn’t it?”
“Just tell us where to place it, and we’ll use it right away.”
“Then I’ll make good use of it without hesitation.”
Just like Seong-hyeok, who had obtained the Power of 1, Yeon Su-hee and Go Dal-su had acquired the Power of 3 and the Power of 7, respectively.
A situation where there were three representatives, when there would normally be one at most.
* Effect - Originator of Abundance's Karma (Passive): Based on the owner's karma, numerous and diverse crops, flowers, and vegetation will respawn within the territory, and their growth rate will be greatly increased.
* Effect - Judge of the People's Karma (Passive): Based on the owner's karma, massive penalties are inflicted upon evil individuals within the territory. Increases all stats of those the power's owner considers allies by 1.
Furthermore, as holders of 4-star unique classes, the benefits they gained were immense.
In particular, the effect from the Originator of Abundance's Karma had such great synergy with the bees that it could be called a mini World Tree.
“Alright, Yeon-ah. Hye-rin. Please contact me as soon as the dimensional tunnel to Africa is set up.”
“Leave it to us!”
Three territories to build another base, and the effects of their karma.
The preparations for establishing a second bee farm, one incomparable to the rental business, had long been more than ready.
***
The ability to obtain one's own territory, which offered various benefits.
The changes it brought began to occur all over the world.
【USA/Lucky Robert: I’m not interested in the weak who want complete safety from monsters. Anyone who wants to grow strong amidst a nine-fold increase in monster respawns is always welcome. Come to my territory.】
【France/White Will: Those with unique classes, especially in production, will be treated accordingly. A safe home is also guaranteed, so come find me.】
As they began to gather players within their territories, each expressing their own intentions.
However, despite their will and power, most of them also became public enemies the moment they established their territories.
【USA/Freyan: Robert, you son of a bitch! Why would you set up your territory there! Our shelter got swallowed up along with it!】
【Germany/Moskito: Ahem! So you’ve decided to go in that direction, have you? Tsk! With that attitude, you’ll end up like Russia.】
【France/Mulgaster: That was my private property!】
To turn hundreds of kilometers around a designated point into one's own territory.
It was inevitable that someone's shelter or home would be caught in the middle.
Through community forums and direct visits to the territories.
A flood of protests erupted, and the solutions varied.
“I apologize for causing you to lose your shelter. If you have sufficient proof, I will grant you priority admission into our territory.”
“Now you’re talking some sense!”
While some sought to resolve conflicts without friction,
*Crack— Shhhhaaa!*
*CRUUUNCH—!!!*
“Gah-heok!”
“Any of you bastards with a complaint, don’t just whine on the forums. Come and say it to my face. I’ll make sure you meet the same fate as these guys—death or slavery!”
Others, in a world governed by the law of the jungle, used force to suppress dissent.
A variety of cases emerged, depending on the personality of the representative who had gained the power.
And amidst all this, the world's attention focused on one person: Honeybee.
Power, wealth, and even environmental creation.
He was the greatest hope in this apocalyptic world, a man who possessed all three.
【UK/Bellona: By the way, where do you think Honeybee will declare his territory?】
【Korea/Electric Orc: Probably Korea, right? He already has a shelter there, and it would be a pain to build a new one.】
【Pakistan/Gwaro-usa: Nah, I think differently. Considering the number of bees, he’ll probably declare his territory as far from Korea as possible.】
Numerous theories from many people were heating up the community forums.
“Go ahead and start laying the groundwork.”
“I’ll get started then.”
The information team wasn't about to let an opportunity to rake in this many views slip by.
【Korea/Swiftfoot: Hot off the press. The territory for Honeybee’s Power of 1 has been designated as Africa. / This information was received directly from Honeybee.】
【Korea/Jeongrichung: I’ve compiled a brief summary of the news regarding Honeybee’s move to Africa!】
Swiftfoot's news bulletin and Jeongrichung's summary.
The news spread like wildfire, and the public's interest instantly shifted to Honeybee.
【Niger/Aji: My goodness. Why is Honeybee coming to us?】
【Morocco/Kojima: Just saying ‘Africa’ doesn’t help. You have to tell us where he’s coming!】
【Somalia/LookinMightyTasty: lol can i steal his bees? they’re plump and the honey is sweet.】
【Pakistan/PowerHidingCarrot: You’d be crushed before you could. You saw Honeybee’s power when he took down that dragon.】
【Somalia/Luffy: Ah, I don’t care about that. Don’t even dream of declaring a territory on our land. This is our home!】
With the arrival of a global celebrity who also intended to claim territory, the various nations of Africa were thrown into chaos.
Most of them voiced strong opposition, just as in the previous cases, but Seong-hyeok had a plan.
He hadn't come without anticipating this kind of backlash.
【Korea/Honeybee: I may not be able to promise much, but I can promise this one thing.】
- In my territory, honeybees will respawn that do not show aggression unless they are attacked first. Those of you in Africa who have experienced my rental service will already know.
You know the immense positive impact that even a small number of honeybees can have on the surrounding environment and humanity.
But what if there were not just a few, but tens, hundreds of millions of such honeybees?
I won’t say much more.
In my declared territory, anyone who does not attack the bees is welcome, and as a condition for receiving processed honey products at a price cheaper than the exchange.
I will grant all these benefits to the first nation that agrees to the territory.
Processed honey products, personally harvested and crafted by a beekeeper whose very profession is the Honeybee Guardian.
When he possessed a premium quality and vision that others could never imitate, why would he need to bow his head and ask for permission?
【Comment Section (999+….)】
- Congo/Tuerpa: This is Tuerpa, Congo's rank 1. All our players have agreed. Come this way!
- Somalia/ThisIsMineThatIsMine: I’ve taken care of all the troublemakers. Please, come here!
- Zambia/Prong: Please. Save our land first, Honeybee!
- Japan/NinNin: Wow, other places are telling people to get lost, but it’s the complete opposite here.
- Korea/No1AttentionSeeker: Honeybee always has a plan, doesn’t he?
Far from facing backlash over his territory, Honeybee was being welcomed with open arms.
“My cute little bees are invincible.”
*Buzzzzzing~*
*Buzzzzzzzzz~*
As always.
The adorable honeybees did not evoke rejection from humanity.
They were like nature's fairies, reviving the environment and providing honey.