Chapter 183
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Temporary Transcendent
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[You are not a complete Transcendent Being.]
One of the many messages that appeared before my eyes.
Literally, a temporary Transcendent, not one on a destined path.
But even if temporary, was the weight carried by the name 'Transcendent' anything but light?
As it was my own body, I knew my physical stats all too well.
The power surging like an erupting volcano was beyond the level of 'temporary'.
_____________________________
[Yu Seong-hyeok]
* Level: ???
* Strength: ??? Agility: ??? Durability: ??? Control: ??? Psyche: ???
_____________________________
My power had multiplied to the point where all my stats, including my level, were displayed as '???'.
I couldn't see the specific details, but I, Seong-hyeok, could guarantee at least one thing.
'...With this much power, a dragon would be no match for me.'
Not just for humanity.
The dragons had inflicted the most damage on the honeybees.
But with this power, they were simply laughable.
A power that could toy with them like playthings if I so wished.
'Should I just eliminate the future threat now?'
It was only an hour, but for a Transcendent, things were different.
Seong-hyeok considered using this temporary position to wipe out the dragons in one fell swoop, but unfortunately, such a trick wasn't possible.
Zzzzzzzzt-!!!
[The 'World' is watching you intently.]
Was this the price of power gained for free?
Following the first shackle, a second, even stronger one, came down.
However, I didn't have any major complaints about it.
'Is this how I've survived until now?'
Even the temporary power of a Transcendent was this immense.
What if I were a complete Transcendent?
Without such restrictions, I could have turned the Earth upside down at will.
'Fine, I'll play along.'
Just like the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
The Transcendent Beings must have their own set of rules.
But that didn't mean I intended to do nothing at all.
'Riggle. Is everything I asked for taken care of?'
- Of course, Transcendent... sir.
Formal speech from the one who was always so prickly.
The intoxication of the title 'Transcendent' was brief.
Seong-hyeok offered a smile to the beings who had appeared before him.
“I never imagined I'd be able to meet you face-to-face in such a short time.”
“A pleasure. The cute Honeybee Guardian?”
“Do you have time? If you're free, I'd like to have a little exploratory chat.”
“...”
A massive, straightforwardly powerful insect and an exquisitely beautiful one.
And a colossal giant standing silently with a grotesque face.
It was obvious who these beings, who inspired awe just by looking at them, were.
[The Patient, Zion (Transcendent Being)]
[Insect Queen Nainkito (Transcendent Being)]
[Gaze of the Mad Inquirer, Bo (Transcendent Being)]
...
The Transcendent Beings with whom Seong-hyeok could now stand shoulder to shoulder, albeit temporarily.
Though their dimensions and species were different, their way of life was bound to be the same.
“I don't have much time, so I'll be counting on you.”
“Huhu, you can always count on us, my bee friend.”
Throughout all of history, connections were the most powerful weapon.
* * * * *
The one-hour limit to temporarily maintain the status of a Transcendent.
It was by no means a long time, but Seong-hyeok knew the wisest way to use it.
“This is a special heart-strengthening parasite I raised myself. Normally, it would eat away at your life the moment it's implanted, but in your current state, you should be able to dominate it.”
“No point in saving it if it can't be used anyway. I was originally going to give it to Thomas, but he can't handle it, so you, who might be able to, should use it. I look forward to a different kind of amusement than mere slaughter in the future.”
“I originally wanted to give this to you when you became an avatar. Still, I suppose it's a relief I can pass it on like this. It's a method for a growth accelerant that will help your bees. I expect you'll be able to create something unique in your own way.”
Normally, these were recipes containing the power and secret methods of Transcendent Beings, difficult to convey to anyone but an avatar.
For those who already possessed the status of a Transcendent, they were honestly of little use, but for Seong-hyeok, it was a different story.
[Your status as a Transcendent Being is beginning to waver.]
Seong-hyeok's current status was, after all, only temporary.
In other words, once the duration ended, he would lose the power of a Transcendent.
For those who were Transcendent Beings from the start, this would be devastating news, like losing everything in a flash, but not for Seong-hyeok.
It was an ephemeral power, granted for a short period of less than a day.
Due to the World's surveillance, it was essentially useless surplus power, but didn't they say it's all in how you use it?
[The Transcendent Being, Insect King Phrainkito, wishes to implant Parasite - Insect King's Heartworm (Permanent) in you. Do you accept? YES / NO]
[You have received the Source of Madness from the Transcendent Being, Gaze of the Mad Inquirer, Bo.]
[The Transcendent Being, Insect Queen Nainkito...
※ Parasite - Insect King's Heartworm (Permanent): An undying parasite engraved in the heart enters a comatose state, temporarily stimulating the body greatly. All stats increase by 3 times for 30 minutes. However, immediately after the duration ends, all stats decrease by 30% for 6 hours. (Cooldown: 3 days)
※ Warning! Having been born and raised in the Insect King's body, it will not parasitize a host it does not acknowledge. Forcible injection cannot guarantee survival.
______________________________
[Source of Madness (???)]
※ This item is composed of a fragment of a Transcendent God. (Ungraded Item)
※ If a non-Transcendent being uses this, their body and mind will be unable to withstand the madness, resulting in insanity or death.
* Classification: Consumable
* Upon consumption, all stats permanently increase by 100 (one time only), and you acquire the Authority Specialization 'Inquiry of Madness'. Current consumption: 0 / 1
※ Inquiry of Madness (Permanent): The effects of all crafted items are slightly increased, and concentration during crafting is significantly enhanced. There is a certain chance for the power of madness to be imbued in the finished product.
* Description: This is the source containing the very power of the Transcendent Being, Gaze of the Mad Inquirer, Bo. As such, only one with the status of a Transcendent can survive its consumption.
[Secret of Growth Acceleration (???)]
※ This item is composed of a fragment of a Transcendent God. (Ungraded Item)
...
______________________________
In exchange for their incredible effects,
the fragments of the Transcendent Beings demanded strict conditions that could cost one's life.
However, the one who met those strict conditions was the current Seong-hyeok.
For just this one day.
For a mere hour, the conditions were met.
Upon hearing that he could return to Earth after the time was up, the Transcendent Beings who held even a little favor for Seong-hyeok began to gather quickly.
[Would you like to be granted the Authority, Archangel's Blessing, from the Transcendent Being, Archangel Seriel? YES / NO]
[Would you like to be granted the Authority, Eye of Truth, from the Transcendent Being, Judge Raul? YES / NO]
※ Warning! If the recipient is not of the same status...
Not only powerful buff effects befitting a Transcendent, but also Authorities with unique capabilities.
It goes without saying, but these powerful gifts weren't given for free just because the conditions were met.
“If my power is used for evil rather than self-defense, it will be immediately revoked.”
“Whatever you do, don't die. I really hate weakness.”
[A restriction is engraved upon the Authority of Archangel Seriel. Violating the restriction will result in the loss of the Authority.]
[A restriction on the Authority of Hell's Overseer, Rikerus...
Restrictions determined by the dispositions of the Transcendent Beings.
They were quite fussy, but there was no need to worry.
After all, the penalty was just taking back what had been given, right?
“I don't know if this is the right answer, but I'll trust your actions so far. Guardian of the Honeybees. Please, put a stop to any more amusement in slaughter.”
“Kekeke. I don't care about anything else, I'm just tired of watching the same old massacre show. Put on something more interesting for me.”
“When are the bees going to do their swarm dance again? Stir up my artistic soul, show it to me every night.”
Some sought to break the monotony of the current amusement that reveled in slaughter.
They all stated various reasons, hoping for a change.
With the constant stream of beings, I wanted to receive all the Authorities and powers from the Transcendent Beings, but perhaps due to the limited time?
[You have lost the status of a Transcendent Being.]
An hour passed, and a fierce shock washed over me along with the notification.
The overflowing power within my body subsided in an instant, and Seong-hyeok's spiritual form was ejected.
A pleasant journey back, embracing a variety of Authorities in one body.
But this chaotic world had no intention of letting Seong-hyeok go so easily.
[The 'World' warns you.]
A warning from the World, which had only been watching until now.
If you were to ask what that warning was, the answer is simple.
[The 'World' has discovered multiple Transcendent Authorities in you that are incompatible with your body.]
[To maintain balance, the 'World' sentences you to death.]
[You have died.]
A short and simple punishment, 'World'-style.
Was it just my luck?
The one-hour-a-day Transcendent status had allowed me to gain so much.
But the result of this fruitful shopping spree was none other than death.
* * * * *
Back at the farm, the first to sense Seong-hyeok's death were none other than the honeybees.
Bzzzz~
Bzzzzzz~
The mournful flapping of wings from the bees, who were always so focused on their work.
From the queens, who rarely left the hive, to the various elite honeybees, they all gathered around Seong-hyeok's body as if on cue.
Bzzz!
Bzzzzzz!
They rubbed their bodies against Seong-hyeok's cold corpse, as if telling him to stop playing and get up.
Of course, there was no way a dead person could rise from such a thing...
“Haaah. Death... not something you want to experience twice.”
A miraculous revival brought about by the bees rubbing their soft fuzz against him!
Anyone who didn't know better would have started a religion, singing praises to the honeybees, but the reason for Seong-hyeok's resurrection wasn't the bees' care.
[The effect of Heart Resuscitation is applied.]
[The effect of the New Heart is applied.]
[You have been resurrected from death.]
[All stats are increased by 200% for 5 minutes.]
The title, Heart Devourer, obtained after consuming the dragon's heart.
A return to the world through Heart Resuscitation, a superior version of a resurrection scroll.
The sensation of death still lingered, but the aftereffects didn't last long.
Bzzzzzz~ Bzzzz~
Buzz buzz buzz!
“Yeah. Daddy's fine. I'm not dead, kids.”
From the queens to the worker bees, they all clung to Seong-hyeok, rubbing against him.
The warmth transmitted through the soft fuzz of the little ones.
“How could I ever leave you all behind?”
Bzzzz~ Bzzzzzz~
His gratitude for the creatures that made him feel so vividly alive was brief.
Soon, rage began to boil up inside Seong-hyeok toward the 'World' that had stood by idly, only to backstab him the moment he lost his Transcendent status.
'How could that thing called the World do that?'
'Heart Resuscitation' was supposed to be saved for a battle against a dragon or an even higher-class monster.
Now, it had been wasted so meaninglessly.
But that wasn't to say it was all bad.
[...The 'World' is watching you.]
'Looks like the death sentence has its own restrictions.'
The World's power had driven Seong-hyeok to his death with nothing more than a 'sentence'.
Yet, now that Seong-hyeok had been resurrected perfectly fine, the fact that it was only watching must mean there was a reason.
Besides, even though I'd been painfully backstabbed, I hadn't come away with nothing.
'Most of the Authorities are still intact.'
It was a shame that a few Authorities with death-related restrictions had vanished, but what remained was far more.
Moreover, what Seong-hyeok had gained wasn't just the Authorities of the Transcendent Beings.
[Title, Temporary Transcendent's awakening conditions have been met. -> Fleeting Moment of Transcendence]