Chapter 187
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: An Open Invitation
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The community boards were usually filled with useless information, but once in a while, they’d yield a major scoop.
Among them, the Asian servers.
And on the Korean server in particular, a massive commotion was brewing.
【Korea/Honeybee: I am announcing that from this moment on, Russia will be part of my Territory of 1.】
- Many players are likely aware that I have been working to claim the ruined land of Russia. I'm sure some of you feel this is unjust, as it was, in a way, taken by force.
But regardless of the process, my actions have put an end to the great war in Europe over the control of Russia.
And I declare that there will be no restrictions whatsoever on this land.
Anyone is welcome to come, build a shelter, and hunt without any interference. I will not charge any entrance or usage fees. Furthermore, my honeybees will be active here at all times, working to bring this dead land back to life.
Moreover, the bees will save those in danger and help new vegetation sprout in an environment where abundance is being restored.
They will be guides and guardians of nature for countless people.
Of course, on the other hand, merciless retribution awaits anyone who dares to attack the bees.
Honeybee's conquest of Russia.
Most players had considered this outcome inevitable, given his military might—enough to slay a dragon—and his vast financial resources. The real question was what came next.
The whole world.
Russia, the country boasting the largest landmass on Earth.
Everyone had wondered what Honeybee would do after claiming it, and now, they had their answer.
【Canada/Nicky: In-insane. Is this for real?】
【Germany/Vivace: I knew it would be like this. I believed he was a leader on a completely different level from those consumed by greed!】
【UK/NiroWild: I can't wait to see what changes the honeybees will bring to the ash-covered lands of Russia.】
【Korea/Attention Seeker NO.5: That’s our K-Honeybee. My heart is swelling with national pride.】
He had fought against the many great powers of Europe to acquire Russia.
Contrary to everyone's expectation that he would monopolize the vast territory or impose taxes, Honeybee proved to be in a league of his own.
Completely free.
Honeybee’s generosity was on full display, offering the land without any conditions or costs, whether for building shelters or hunting respawning monsters.
And was that all?
People were already well aware of the impact honeybees were having on the world through the bee rental service, and the number of bees deployed to Russia would be incomparable to that.
Enough to cover the entirety of Russia's massive territory.
Hundreds, thousands.
No, in the future, it would be a deployment of various honeybees, including legion commanders numbering in the hundreds of millions.
The presence of such bees would not only bring natural abundance but also assist weaker players who were unskilled in combat!
This alone showed just how much help Honeybee was providing, but his generosity with the bees didn't stop there.
【Korea/Honeybee: Lastly, in addition to the matter of the Russian territory, I would like to share information regarding an alliance.】
- I hereby announce that my Territory of 1 and France's Territory of 9, the Will of White, have entered into an alliance. Accordingly, members who join either Territory 1 or 9 will have access to tunnels allowing free travel between Korea, France, Russia, and Central Africa, along with additional benefits, which are detailed below.
The benefits for those who become residents of my territory are as follows:
.
.
.
【Comments (999+)】
- Congo/Spear Thrust: Come to Africa! You are welcome!
- Korea/Useless Soldier: Damn, if only I could desert, I'd join in a heartbeat! This damn army is useless!
- Pakistan/DangDangMoo: I just registered as a resident of the territory, and those benefits are REAL!
- Vietnam/Gguobaorouung: Isn't this bee just unbelievably amazing?
This wasn't just an alliance in name only.
It was a system linked to the wondrous new world.
The benefits, which included bonus experience and an alliance-exclusive exchange, would only grow as more people joined.
People were left utterly speechless.
【Korea/ToughGal: The bee is always right. Especially its butt, that's the best part!】
【Korea/Ttukbaegi Collector: At this rate, a real religion for the honeybee is going to pop up.】
They sang praises to the bee that would bring them prosperity.
* * * * *
The alliance forged with Grusche of the Will of White.
Among the changes it brought, the greatest was the meeting of countless people from all over the world.
Kang Yeon-ah, the incarnation of Blanqui, the Traveler of Dimensions.
Perhaps thanks to the considerable growth she had achieved as one of the beekeeping farm's earliest members?
She was now able to install a dozen large-scale dimensional tunnel exits, meaning there was never a shortage of people to form parties with.
“The low commission fees definitely make it worth using.”
“Is it because there are so many people? The amount of goods isn't lacking compared to the existing exchange, is it?”
“Maybe because it’s an exclusive exchange that includes Honeybee? There’s an abundance of honey products, too!”
With so many people gathered, the inventory of the exclusive exchange was more than sufficient.
Furthermore, Seong-hyeok was the leader of the Territory of 1.
It went without saying that the stock of honey products was plentiful.
The prices were even cheaper compared to the original exchange, the reason being the lack of a commission fee.
“I was on the fence about whether it would apply or not. I guess a winner is gonna win.”
* Majesty of a Big Spender: Exchange commission is reduced by 10%, and the registration fee for auction house listings is waived.
The title ‘Majesty of a Big Spender’ had granted Seong-hyeok significant commission benefits since the very first auction.
If the 10% commission reduction applied to the exclusive exchange, it was effectively zero commission.
As if to prove it, the results of the zero commission were appearing right before his eyes.
[The 'Guardian's Nine-Colored Honey Tea (★★★+)' you listed on the exchange has been sold.]
[There is no commission. You have acquired 4,000 Coins.]
[The 'Guardian's Ruby Gem Honey Soap (★★★-)' you listed on the exchange has been sold.]
[There is no commission. You have acquired 5,800 Coins.]
[The 'Guardian's Nine-Colored Beeswax Candle (★★★)' you listed on the exchange has been sold.]
[There is no commission. You have acquired 10,500 Coins.]
…….
Even though he was selling at a lower price than on the main exchange, his profits were actually increasing because of the lack of commission—a miraculous structure!
Looking at it now, even the 10% commission fee he used to pay felt like a waste.
“Should I just move everything over here?”
Seong-hyeok's processed goods were now raking in billions of coins a day just from honey sales.
Ten percent of that meant he could save hundreds of millions.
But it was just a fleeting thought.
Seong-hyeok shook his head.
“That’s something to consider later.”
For now, the alliance-exclusive exchange was just a supplementary marketplace.
The main stage was still the global exchange used by everyone.
However, that didn't mean there was no potential.
Even now, a not-insignificant number of players were registering as residents of his territory to receive the alliance benefits.
Moreover, Seong-hyeok's very existence added a premium.
It wasn't just that he supplied 100% pure honey products, personally harvested and crafted at low prices; what was even more valuable was the existence of the honeybees themselves.
*Bzzzz—*
*Buzzzzzzzzz—*
Seong-hyeok's extra-large beehives were moved and installed all over Russia.
As mentioned before, Russia had become a massive third base alongside Korea and Africa. And in Africa, which was also part of the Territory of 1, an even greater wind of change had arrived.
※ Increases the spawn rate of elite and field boss monsters within the territory. (This function can be toggled on and off and can only be changed with the approval of the highest-ranking territory administrator (Authority of 1).)
A new effect granted through the alliance with Grusche.
At a glance, one might think this was simply for obtaining more valuable loot and experience by hunting powerful monsters, but in Africa, part of the Territory of 1, there was another additional effect.
* Effect - Honeybee Guardian's Karma (Passive): Due to the owner's karma, honeybees will spawn within the territory. The spawned honeybees will not attack targets considered allies by the owner of the Authority unless attacked first.
The Honeybee Guardian's Karma, a unique trait only Seong-hyeok possessed as part of his class.
It not only allowed honeybees to spawn as monsters within the Territory of 1.
The alliance benefits applied here as well.
[A new nest queen, 'Poern Queen Bee (★★★★-),' and her subordinate Poern honeybees have appeared.]
[An elite honeybee, 'Poern Chain Legion Commander Bee (★★★+),' has appeared.]
[A swarm of 'Poern Worker Bees (★★)' has appeared.]
[A new leader for the colony, 'Spinel Queen Bee (★★★★-),' and her subordinate Spinel honeybees have appeared.]
…….
The number of various queen and elite honeybees in Africa had now visibly increased.
Of course, since they weren't his direct subordinates, they hadn't been granted 'Guardian's Sturdiness' like his own queens, so their egg-laying rates would be different, not to mention the vast difference in infrastructure like Bee Armor and experimental equipment.
But there was no need to worry about such issues.
“There must be over 30 queens settled here now.”
Unlike Seong-hyeok's subordinates, which were limited in number, these new queen bees could start a colony as soon as they spawned, with no restrictions.
Furthermore, even if 'Guardian's Sturdiness' didn't apply, Seong-hyeok had class specializations like 'Loved by Bees' that applied to all honeybees.
* Guardian's Vigor: Honeybees do not tire easily while working.
It was a perfect match for the diligent honeybees: the Guardian's Vigor!
He had realized it when he built the second beekeeping farm in Africa, but this class specialization didn't have a defined range of application. He had assumed it only applied to his subordinates, but he was wrong.
[The Honeybee Guardian's class specialization, Guardian's Vigor, is activated.]
[Poern Worker Bees (★★) will not tire easily during their work.]
[Tetrok Worker Bees (★★) will not tire easily during their work.]
[Spinel Worker Bees (★★) will not tire easily during their work.]
…….
All over the world.
To be precise, as long as they existed on Earth, it applied to all honeybees.
The effect of this class specialization was truly befitting the name 'Honeybee Guardian'.
As for concerns about infrastructure like Bee Armor and experimental equipment, Seong-hyeok could simply supply them.
“Uh, so you want us to increase the workload? Seong-hyeok, you know we're already cranking out about 20,000 pieces per person a day. Asking us to more than double that is a bit… difficult.”
“In return, for those who meet the requested quota, I'll provide an unlimited supply of honey wine and a hefty amount of royal jelly pills of every kind.”
“…Just leave it to us! We'll hammer away like madmen until the sound of our work reaches the other side of the planet!”
Royal jelly—the ultimate negotiating tool that no man could refuse.
Especially since the farm's population had recently diversified in age, a natural breeze of love had blown through.
With various couples forming, there was no reason to refuse a condition that promised a boost in virility.
*Buzzzzzzz—*
*Bzzzz—*
“Honeybees really are all-purpose.”
As always.
They were versatile creatures that satisfied every need, be it practical or emotional.
A wide smile spread across Seong-hyeok's face as he watched the wiggling butts of nature's fairies and cupids.