Chapter 185
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: The Scramble for Russia
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The Red Dragon, Porleireun.
The appearance of the most powerful monster to have ever emerged on Earth, though thwarted by Honeybee, had an impact on the world that was anything but small.
The fall of Russia, one of Europe's most powerful nations.
Russia, which had boasted the largest landmass in the world.
It went without saying, but now, it was ownerless land.
And with the emergence of what was essentially a new hunting ground where only monsters respawned, it was the other nations of Europe that became busy.
[Germany/Moskito: Well, well? Look at these guys. Know your place. You lot, not even level 60, you really want to die? Just stay on your knees!]
[Sweden/Flying: Ha, how ridiculous. So what if your level is high? You're nothing compared to Honeybee! And what right do you have when you didn't even participate in the dragon raid?]
[Norway/NoruyaCareYo: I agree. If you're so strong and want to make a claim on Russia, you should've been the one to step up and kill the dragon, not Honeybee. Yup.]
A crack in the once-impenetrable European Union.
If they could secure the vast hunting grounds and shelters, they could significantly increase their nation's power. Who would be willing to yield?
Of course, not everyone thought the same way.
Not everyone showed such an aggressive intent to seize the land.
[France/Will of Pure White: This is not the time for us to be fighting like this, you fools! The land is vast enough, why don't we just divide it equally?]
The statement came from Will of Pure White, who boasted a higher level than Germany's Moskito.
It was a remarkably rational method of distribution where no one would lose out, and it had garnered support from many in Europe, but that was all in the past now.
[Germany/Moskito: I just don't get it, no matter how much I think about it. Why should we have to share the same amount of land with those weaker nations?]
The law of the jungle, a principle that had only been amplified with the dawn of this chaotic new world.
Some had become strong through higher-grade or unique classes based on their past deeds, but they were a tiny minority.
For most players, the divide between the strong and the weak was formed by the very land they lived on.
The resources and various natural flora that came from the land.
Exceptional hunting grounds were a factor, but the biggest reason was the caliber of the server manager overseeing that nation.
A 4-star pet and a 1-star pet.
Both were pets, but the difference in the scope of their abilities—such as respawning powerful monsters or hosting events—was by no means small.
[Germany/Best Technology: In a world of survival of the fittest, isn't it right for the strong to take everything?]
[UK/Nerowing: Hearing it like that, he does have a point. Why should we divide it equally?]
[Germany/Rocky: From now on, this area is our land. We'll give you some time, so get out. Don't blame us if you die needlessly.]
As time passed, the stronger nations began to harbor discontent over the perceived unfairness.
[France/Will of Pure White: We should be joining forces to become stronger, what is all this nonsense!]
Will of Pure White, the de facto leader of the European Union, tried to mediate with a roar, but unlike before, public opinion was not on his side.
[Germany/Moskito: You all seem to think Will of Pure White is on your side, so I'm here to expose that disgusting hypocrite.]
- I've heard enough of this crap, so I'm posting.
You guys think Will of Pure White is just some kind, amazing person, don't you?
But did you know this?
Originally, everything you could have had, he took it all for himself.
How do you think that bastard reached 9th in the world rankings and obtained the 9th Authority? He got that big by taking little bits from all of you, you stupid fools.
Look at him now, kicking away the ladder after he's eaten all the sweet fruit. Can't you see it's a ploy to stop anyone else from climbing up?
The exposé came from Moskito, one of the executives of the European Union.
Combined with the fact that he possessed his own territory through the 9th Authority, Europe was plunged into a vortex of chaos.
“These bastards, we warned them, and they’re still holding out?”
“You greedy fools, why should we follow your orders!”
The human desire to obtain land.
Wars to seize better hunting grounds and environments erupted everywhere, and with each fierce battle, players died in droves.
“...You foolish imbeciles!”
Grush, the Will of Pure White, trembled with rage at the collapse of the union and the loss of valuable talent.
Having fought alongside Honeybee against Porleireun, he had realized it instinctively.
He saw how futile the end of Vladimir, the ranker from Russia—a nation that once stood shoulder to shoulder with France as a great power—had been. And he understood that the monsters, which posed a greater threat each day, were no longer mere experience fodder, but abominations capable of pushing humanity itself into the abyss of extinction.
That was why he had to preserve humanity's numbers to face future threats.
Yet the current situation was heading in the complete opposite direction of what he had hoped for.
“Haaah, I don't know anymore.”
Humanity was busy tearing itself apart instead of preparing for the future.
Grush, having all but given up on the European Union, let out a sigh.
The winds of war had come to Europe, and now, it seemed no one could extinguish the flames.
But as with all things in life, there are always exceptions.
Bzzzz~
Buzzzzzzz~
Chirrrrrr~
“What the. What’s with this place?”
“Jjirururu!”
It was Honeybee, who had come seeking a new multi for his bees.
Though unintentional, the appearance of Seong-hyeok and his bees was more than enough to extinguish the raging flames of war.
* * * * *
For the most part, people don't pay much attention to situations that don't directly involve them.
As long as they weren't affected, what did it matter if a country on the other side of the world fell into ruin or poverty?
Players were focused on their own livelihoods and leveling up.
But Seong-hyeok was not one of the majority.
Having been a Transcendent Being, even for a short while, he was in a position where he had to consider the survival of humanity itself, if only to increase the survival rate of his bees in the future.
For Seong-hyeok, who had not shied away from the difficult task of even slaying a dragon, how could the current situation in Europe possibly sit well with him?
“So this was one of the reasons the conditions for Chapter #5 were met, huh?”
The update for Chapter #5 had been triggered when the total population fell below 30%.
Of course, he had benefited considerably from that update, gaining the 1st Authority and a talent like Jjiru.
But that didn't mean he could just let the current situation be.
“First, I need to subdue them.”
Too many were already in the heat of battle, far too agitated to be reasoned with.
Given the sheer size of the land, it would be impossible for even Seong-hyeok to stop all the people scattered about, but Seong-hyeok was not alone.
“Dimensional Beehive.”
No matter how numerous the people or how vast the land, he had an overwhelming number of bees that could control the entire space.
As mentioned before.
At this point, over a million bees were born each day.
Ten million in ten days, a hundred million in a hundred days, and 365 million in a year.
Compared to the veritable flood of the bees' reproductive power, humanity was nothing but a mere pup!
“Don't kill them. Just subdue them, please.”
“Jjirururu!”
Buzzzzzzz~
Chirrrrrr~
And while not on the same level as the bees, the bats' reproductive rate was not to be ignored either.
The legions of bees and bats instantly scattered in all directions, launching attacks on people all across Russia.
Caught in the sudden ambush, the people who had been in the middle of fighting were knocked down before they could even react.
“The bees are working, so I can't just stand around and do nothing.”
The official number one ranker in the world, at level 71.
For the people of Europe, Seong-hyeok's entry into the fray was nothing short of a catastrophe.
* * * * *
The unexpected appearance of Honeybee and his swarm.
The great powers like Germany and the UK, who had been profiting greatly from the Russian land grab by securing hunting grounds and raising their levels, were naturally displeased with Honeybee's assault.
[Germany/Moskito: Is this a joke? Who does he think he is, meddling in Europe's affairs?]
[UK/Draytan: Asians should stick to Asia. Is it right for the number one ranker to act like this?!]
Their anger stemmed from the bitter feeling that, if not for Honeybee, they could have claimed most of Russia's territory.
However, they knew their place all too well.
Honeybee's overwhelming might had been instrumental in taking down not only Disaster-class boss monsters but also the dragon.
The method they chose, unable to even face a Disaster-class boss on their own, let alone a dragon, was political maneuvering.
[Germany/Moskito: This is Europe. Leave this place at once, Asian bee.]
[Germany/999Tan: We will not tolerate any more interference in other nations' affairs!]
[UK/Raydon: Withdraw! Withdraw!]
Knowing they couldn't win with force, they tried to win through public opinion.
And in fact, their political games were quite effective.
[India/CurryForLifeCurryForDeath: Hmm... It's definitely not right to tell another country what to do.]
[Canada/Veron Impo: The world may have changed, but it's right to respect the lines between nations.]
[Pakistan/HiddenPowerDangmu: War isn't good, but I'm sure they have their reasons, right?]
Even though the world had changed, the borders between nations, divided by the 'server managers,' still existed.
It was a situation where using force could get tricky, but Seong-hyeok hadn't acted without a plan.
[Jeongrichung: A problem like this isn't very difficult. Just leave it to me, Honeybee-nim.]
Everyone has their own area of expertise depending on their profession.
As they say, an eye for an eye; he would simply counter their political games with his own.
[Korea/Jeongrichung: Yes, yes. I've heard all your opinions loud and clear. Allow me to ask just one question. Does the Russia of today truly belong to 'Europe'?]
[Germany/Moskito: What kind of bullshit is that? If Russia isn't Europe, what is it, Asia?]
[Korea/Jeongrichung: No. Of course it's not Asia. And at the same time, it's not Europe either. I shouldn't even have to say it, but you all know, don't you? That Russia has fallen. I find it quite puzzling since when ownerless land became part of Europe.]
[Pakistan/Gwarousa: Huh? He's right, though?]
It was a simple logic, if one thought about it.
A piece of common sense that had been taken for granted until now.
But Russia, which had been reduced to ashes by the dragon with not a single player left, could no longer be considered part of 'Europe.'
It was prime land, belonging to no one.
Furthermore, that wasn't all Jeongrichung had prepared.
[Korea/Jeongrichung: And if there is anyone who can claim rights to Russia, it is, without a doubt, Honeybee. Who do you think was most responsible for avenging Russia? The European Union? Well, I can't say they were of no help at all, but I don't think it's even worth mentioning who made the biggest contribution, do you?]
[India/CurryForLifeCurryForDeath: I think this game is already over?]
[Japan/NinNin: Honestly, who would've caught the dragon if not for Honeybee?]
The Red Dragon, the very cause of Russia's destruction.
No one could match his contribution in dealing with Porleireun.
“Damn it all!”
Moskito shot up from his seat, spewing curses.
He schemed to take at least a part of Russia, even if he couldn't have it all, but unfortunately for him, that thought didn't last long.
Bzzzzzzzz~
A single bee flew swiftly down from above Moskito.
“You pathetic little bug! Come on. I'll tear you limb from limb!”
Still, a ranker of Germany, after all.
Moskito drew his weapon, a Treasure-grade item.
“Found you, you damn mosquito.”
“...”
The one confronting him was not Ssing-ssing-i.
It was Seong-hyeok, who had arrived via Bee Warp.