Chapter 18
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Legion Commander's Debut
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[A Peridot Worker Bee (★★) has been added to the Peridot Queen Bee's (★★★+) swarm.]
[The Peridot Bee Larva Pupa (★★-) has completed its eclosion process.]
[A Peridot Worker Bee (★★) has been added to the Peridot Queen Bee's (★★★+) swarm.]
[The Peridot Bee Larva Pupa (★★-) has completed its eclosion process.]
[A Peridot Indigo Poison Acidic Fluid Bee (★★+) has been added to the Peridot Queen Bee's (★★★+) swarm.]
…
As time passed, the Peridot bee swarm began to grow, one by one.
Even though the Peridot Queen Bee's egg-laying speed was significantly slower than the Ruby Gem Queen Bee's, she was working diligently to produce offspring.
As a result, Seong-hyeok's farm was now filled with a multitude of red and green fluffy behinds.
*Bzzzzzzzz- Bzzzzzzzz-*
In nature, bees serving different queens would be enemies, not allies.
Normally, they would attack each other on sight, ready to kill, but thanks to Seong-hyeok, the Honeybee Guardian, being their master, the Ruby Gem and Peridot bees were different.
The two bee factions were not fighting; instead, they were flying between flowers together, focusing on gathering nectar.
No, to say there was no conflict would be an understatement; it was more like a cooperative relationship.
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★+) is attempting to scout.]
[A cluster of flowers has been discovered!]
*Bzzzz- Bzzzzzz-!*
The scout bees, with their small, dainty bodies, were currently the fastest fliers on Seong-hyeok's farm.
True to their name, they would scout ahead, and upon finding a patch of flowers, it wasn't just the Ruby Gem bees that went there.
*Buzzzzzzz- Buzzzzzzz-*
The Peridot bees joined in the gathering process without any discrimination.
Moreover, Seong-hyeok's farm had grown unbelievably large compared to its early days.
The bee population was increasing by tens of thousands each day.
Naturally, the amount of nectar that could be collected from nearby flowers was limited, so Seong-hyeok chose to expand his territory.
And in this chaotic world, expanding one's territory didn't just bring more flowers.
[A monster has been discovered!]
[A monster has been discovered!]
[A monster has been discovered!]
…
As the territory expanded, monsters began to appear one by one.
For the bees, gathering nectar while under the watchful eyes of these creatures was a tall order.
Even if they were dealt with, they would respawn, but there was an order to everything.
Wouldn't it be more reassuring to clear out the monsters first before starting their work?
However, Seong-hyeok couldn't just drop his beekeeping duties and run off to some distant location every time a monster was spotted.
As a human, Seong-hyeok was far from an altruist, and lacking the bees' ability to fly, navigating the forest would present significant hurdles.
Thus, Seong-hyeok decided not to worry too much and to focus more on managing the farm.
Weren't his bees risking their lives? Was he being too carefree?
"Dad has faith in you."
Well, it might seem that way, but rather than being carefree, Seong-hyeok simply trusted his bees.
It was the way of nature.
Especially for social insects like honeybees, each individual was bound to have a role suited to them.
The reason Seong-hyeok was less worried was, of course, because an individual capable of executing combat more perfectly than himself had been born.
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[Peridot Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee (★★★)] - Elite Bee
* Skills: Gathering (Lv.7), Poison Sting (Lv.10), Flight (Lv.8), Celestial Indigo Poison Ignition (Lv.5), Celestial Indigo Poison Acidic Fluid Sac (Lv.5), Celestial Indigo Poison Venom Shot (Lv.3), Legion Commander's Command (Lv.3)
* Honey Storage: 0 / 700
* Vitality: 1,050 (+250) Mana: 1,200 (+300)
* Attack Power: 88 (+15) Defense Power: 50 (+10) Magic Resistance: 35 (+7)
* Description: A ★★★-grade Peridot Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee that inhabits the dimension 'Poison Zone Graham'. It boasts a much larger size than other bees and is extremely intelligent. It can command a swarm of bees under its control and can secrete and launch the venom from its stinger due to its abundant Celestial Indigo Poison sac.
※ This bee belongs to a swarm under a queen with a master. Its stats are partially boosted according to the master's level.
[Celestial Indigo Poison Venom Shot (Lv.3)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 1 ~ All, depending on venom usage
* Effect (Active): Enables ranged attacks using the abundant venom from its poison sac. (No Cooldown)
* Description: Launches powerful venom from its abundant Celestial Indigo Poison sac. As the level increases, the amount of venom in the sac grows, and attack power increases.
[Legion Commander's Command (Lv.3)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 0
* Effect (Passive): Issues real-time commands to allied bees.
* Description: Can issue appropriate commands to bees at the right time and place through an innate command ability. As the level increases, it can issue a greater variety and number of commands.
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The Peridot Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee.
An elite bee of a staggering three-star grade, born from an abysmal probability of just 0.055%. As expected, the power of this superior species was incomparable to other elite bees.
Its skills and stats aside, one could tell just by its appearance.
Most bees were tiny, measuring about 15mm at most.
But the Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee was already far from 'ordinary' in size alone.
An intimidating body length of 8cm, large enough to easily dwarf even giant hornets.
Naturally, the sense of pressure it exuded was no joke.
How scary could a slightly bigger bee be?
Well, that might be true if you were looking at an 'individual'.
But one must never forget that bees are social insects, one of the prime examples of creatures that live in 'groups'.
*Buzzzzzzzzzz-!!!*
*Whoooooosh—*
The menacing sound of the Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee's wings echoed.
Through Legion Commander's Command, it issued orders to the surrounding bees in perfect sync, and the bees created an atmosphere of fear with the sound of their wingbeats.
It is a basic instinct of life to feel fear even when facing the hostility of just one or two individuals.
But what if that hostility came from tens of thousands of them?
Furthermore, the Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee, boasting a massive size and command abilities, didn't just resort to simple frontal assaults.
Clinging to the legs of the Legion Commander Bee itself, as well as being carried by numerous Honeypot Bees, were certain items.
They were none other than the Bee Venom Bombs Seong-hyeok had crafted by collecting the bees' venom, and beeswax candles made from their wax.
[The 'Guardian's Ruby Gem Beeswax Candle's Blessing' is applied to 1,982 allied units within a 6m radius.]
[The 'Guardian's Ruby Gem Beeswax Candle's Blessing' is applied to 1,933 allied units within a 6m radius.]
[The 'Guardian's Ruby Gem Beeswax Candle's Blessing' is applied to 1,952 allied units within a 6m radius.]
…
Applying buffs from supply items before a battle was a fundamental tactic.
*Buzzzzzzzzzz-!!!*
An order to drop the Bee Venom Bombs was issued through 'Legion Commander's Command'.
As a result, the monsters on the ground, who had been staring blankly, were suddenly hit with a baptism of poison zones.
Red and green poison zones bloomed simultaneously.
"Gack- Gaaack!"
"Oink! Oiiiiink!"
The monsters exposed to it writhed in agony, letting out pained cries.
But contrary to their suffering, the bees within the poison zones were completely fine.
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Ruby Gem Poison Zone. Movement speed increases by 6%.] X 2
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Peridot Poison Zone. Attack power increases by 12%.] X 2
No, they were actually receiving additional buffs, like fish in water.
To minimize casualties in this situation, the first to lead the charge and signal the start of the fight were, of course, the tragically fated Indigo Poison Suicide Bees.
[Peridot Indigo Poison Suicide Bee (★★+) uses the skill, Indigo Poison Ignition (Lv.3).]
…
[120 Mana is consumed.]
[The Indigo Poison in the poison pouch begins to heat up.]
*Wooooooooong-!!!*
With the use of Indigo Poison Ignition, the already large ovipositor section of their abdomens began to swell to a grotesque size.
Now looking utterly menacing, the Indigo Poison Suicide Bees flew straight into the heart of the enemy and plunged their stingers in without hesitation.
*Boom- Boom- Crack- Splat-!*
[A Peridot Indigo Poison Suicide Bee (★★+) has died.]
[A Peridot Indigo Poison Suicide Bee (★★+) has died.]
…
Several Indigo Poison Suicide Bees ended their lives as their swollen abdomens exploded.
But their sacrifice was by no means in vain.
The thick indigo poison, heated and dispersed in all directions upon their explosive deaths.
How could their life-risking attacks not inflict any damage on the monsters?
"Oiiiiiink!"
"Gueeeeeeek!"
[You have hunted a Foothill Orc Warrior Lv. 10 (★★-). You have acquired experience, 25 coins, and a Foothill Orc's Hide (★★-).]
[You have hunted a Foothill Orc Archer Lv. 10 (★★-). You have acquired experience, 25 coins, and a Foothill Orc's Hide (★★-).]
[You have hunted a Hog Wolf Lv. 7 (★+). You have acquired experience, 14 coins, a Hog Wolf's Hide (★+), and a Hog Wolf's Fang (★+).]
…
Combined with the damage over time from the poison zones, the monsters couldn't hold out and died.
*Bzzzzzzzz-! Whoooooosh-!*
A considerable number of monsters survived the initial attack, but most of the bees were still unharmed.
In particular, the Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee had yet to display its true might beyond commanding the swarm.
Watching from above as the Bee Venom Bombs and Indigo Poison Suicide Bees threw the battlefield into chaos, the Legion Commander Bee used a skill.
[Peridot Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee (★★★) uses the skill, Celestial Indigo Poison Venom Shot (Lv.3).]
*Splaaaaaaash-!*
Being able to attack from the air was a huge advantage in this chaotic world.
Befitting its massive 8cm frame, an enormous amount of venom was sprayed down upon the surviving monsters struggling on the ground.
"Gueeeeeeek!"
"Kweeeeeek!"
The monsters watched in horror as their comrades were hit by the venom and melted alive.
They tried to flee in terror, but the bees were not about to let them go.
*Buzzzzzzzzzz-!!!*
An extreme fury was directed at the intruders of their territory.
The battle only ended after they pursued and killed every last monster, no matter the cost.
*Bzzzz- Bzzzzzz-!*
There were some casualties among the bees, including the Indigo Poison Suicide Bees, but thanks to the effect of the items and the addition of a commander, losses were minimized, resulting in a very satisfactory victory.
The Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee, commanding the swarm, felt a brief moment of joy from the victory report of securing the flower patch.
But true to the diligent nature of bees, it immediately began to collect nectar from the flowers, along with the spoils from the hunted monsters.
*Buzzzzzzzzz-!*
The next step was simple.
As bees always do.
They scattered, followed their individual pheromone trails to their designated flowers, sucked up a suitable amount of nectar, filled their pollen baskets to the brim, and then began their orderly return.
Despite the long-distance travel and the fatigue from commanding a battle, the Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee felt a sense of comfort as it saw its home approaching.
*Bzzzz- Bzzzzzz-*
Among all else, the master of the farm came into its compound eyes.
The moment it saw him, shining like the brilliant sunlight, the Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee felt its fatigue melt away like snow, replaced by a feeling beyond mere comfort.
"Good work, everyone. Oh, and Teunteun-i, I made a new house to fit your size. I hope you like it."
He was a master who received the love of bees, a specialized trait of his class, and a being whose very presence was a pleasant, healing sight, thanks to the Guardian's Aura.
*Bzzzzzzzz- Bzzzzzzzz~♪♬*
The Peridot Celestial Indigo Poison Legion Commander Bee.
No, Teunteun-i rubbed its body against Seong-hyeok.
After performing a cute dance, waggling its plump behind, it seemed to recognize its own house and zipped right into the beehive Seong-hyeok had made.