Chapter 193
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: The Corrupted Gate
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An explanation and warning about the monster gate.
When they first heard it, the reactions of the residents who had just moved in were generally like this.
“Do monsters really pour out like crazy?”
“No way, that’s impossible. If that many monsters had poured out, how could no one in Korea have known?”
“That’s because we sealed them off so well. See that castle made of beeswax over there? We trapped all the monsters inside and didn’t let a single one out.”
There were those who couldn’t believe so many monsters had appeared.
However, there was no need for many words to resolve their doubts.
“Folks, with Honeybee around, what could’ve been the problem?”
“R-Right, that makes sense.”
“If it’s Seong-hyeok, he could probably fend off an army of ten million.”
Seong-hyeok’s overwhelming martial prowess was second to none.
And that wasn’t all.
“No matter how many there are, isn’t that a small number compared to the bees?”
“With such strong backup, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Increasing with each passing day.
The incredibly reliable bee legion.
Their exploits were known worldwide, but of course, the real deal had to be this bee farm where the queens resided, right?
Even now, the bees, always showcasing new charms and strengths, stood guard before the residents.
Was that why?
“Kilkikil! Delicious human flesh-ahhhh!”
“Guwooooong!”
As if the sky itself was splitting open.
A massive tide of field bosses and elite-grade monsters surged forward like a wave.
Getting swept up would mean certain death on the spot, but for most of the bee farm’s residents, this wasn’t their first rodeo.
“Everyone, load up—!!!”
*Clack, clack, clack—*
From the veteran personnel who had been through this since the first monster gate, to the bee venom bombs handcrafted by Seong-hyeok himself.
Even a weak child could land a direct hit from any distance using the beeswax turrets built by the Geonchug-i.
Moreover, although the monsters swarmed in indiscriminately, they weren't in a state to use their full strength.
“Kuwooooong!”
“Kieeeek! Kiek!”
The beeswax castle walls, completed by hundreds of thousands of Geonchug-i working with all their might for three days and nights.
The majesty of the sturdy castle, layered within a vast area and intertwined like a maze.
On top of this, the explosive monster respawn rate due to the overload had actually become a detriment to them.
“Kieeeeeeeeeek!”
Far from getting a breath of fresh air, they were either crushed to death by the monsters spawning behind them,
*Shushushushuk—*
*Whoooosh~ Kwang! Kwaaaang!*
or swept away, becoming a handful of loot amidst the barrage of bee venom bombs.
Furthermore, the poison zones created by the bee venom bombs not only served as an attack that devoured the monsters but also created an optimal environment for the bees.
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Ruby Gem Poison Zone. Movement speed increases by 12%.] X 2
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Peridot Poison Zone. Attack power increases by 18%.] X 2
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Dark Chito-Venom Poison Zone…]
On top of an already advantageous environment with things like beeswax candles and the World Tree, there were now the buffs from the poison zones.
*Whiiirrrr!!!*
*Wheeeeeeeng~*
In a situation with numerous advantages, the bees' unique hive mind continued to operate.
With the added command of numerous legion commander bees and the full utilization of their ability to fly, the monsters were no different from toys.
[Swamp Headhunter Lv. 48 (★★★★+)] - You have hunted an elite monster.]
[River Tyrant Lime Lv. 56 (★★★★★-)] - You have hunted a field boss monster.]
…
The notification sounds could only be described as insane, and along with them, the experience bar rose at an unbelievable speed.
If it was like this for the level 72 Seong-hyeok, then for the other players…
…there was no need to even mention the residents.
For the low-level individuals who had just joined yesterday, their levels shot up like crazy with every blink of an eye.
They might lose their minds at their levels rising just by throwing bee venom bombs, but there was no need to worry about that.
“Everyone, keep your wits about you! We haven't even really started yet!”
“Safety first, safety second!”
“Don't get greedy! You'll be able to get everything in due time!”
It was as if this wasn't their first or second time experiencing a monster gate.
The experienced ones led the residents with the practiced ease of veterans.
Bees to bees, humans to humans.
Trusting their systematic control, Seong-hyeok wasn't just standing around either.
*Stab, stab, stab!*
*Psh, psh, psh, psh, psh!*
The majesty of Seong-hyeok's bee sting, thrusting in all directions amidst the monsters where the firepower was most concentrated.
Well, if someone were to see it, it might look like a rather unimpressive attack.
The world's number one ranker, a title all but proven by the #5 Chapter Update, using a one-trick pony attack at best?
Compared to the attack methods of other rankers, which boasted powerful firepower or affected a wide area, it looked far too weak.
However, no one who could call such a Seong-hyeok 'weak' existed.
[You have hunted the target.]
…
The speed of the notifications was rising to a level where comparing it to the all-out assault of the bee venom bombs and bees was an insult.
The beginning of all this change was a result achieved by Seong-hyeok alone.
Stamina was a given.
Seong-hyeok, who personally harvested and consumed expensive, health-boosting processed honey products, and with his job specialization added on, had a record of not just being the strongest in close combat but even taking down a dragon with a single bee sting.
As if putting into practice the principle that what is simple is often the most terrifying.
Even though Seong-hyeok's bee sting technique was drastically reducing the number of monsters with just one or two strikes, Seong-hyeok knew.
'It hasn't even really started yet.'
※ Eye of Truth (Permanent): Determines whether a target is speaking the truth or a lie, and reveals hidden elements in items or special objects.
The unintended authority of a Transcendent Being.
Unlike things like the Inquisitor of Madness, which he had used diligently until now, this had only been used for accepting residents or for trust tests. But this time was different.
He had identified the hidden elements of the monster gate and even discovered the Hidden Piece called the Master Key.
Because of that, the monsters pouring out at five times the speed were only elites or field bosses, which was why they could block them so easily now. But if it were Disaster-class…
And furthermore, if '???' grade beings like Chesreu or dragons were to respawn alongside them, it would be a different story.
For the 100% survival of the bees and residents, these were targets Seong-hyeok had to shoulder.
'It's almost time.'
A one-sided slaughter by the bee farm, centered on the hunting ground of the giant beeswax maze.
It wasn't like the monster gate was a one or two-day affair.
Now, Seong-hyeok could sense the time had come, as if by instinct.
Did that premonition turn out to be correct?
[Disaster-class Boss Monster 'Plague Crab Liluru (★★★★★+)’ has appeared.]
[Disaster-class Boss Monster 'King Kimdly of the Red Blue Antler Tribe (★★★★★+)’ has appeared.]
[Disaster-class Boss Monster 'Dryad Queen Mel (★★★★★+)’ has appeared.]
…
As if on cue, 30 Disaster-class boss monsters appeared.
It was as if the prayer he had made before using the monster gate had been answered.
Among the monsters that appeared, there were a whopping four individuals who looked to be from the forest tribes, like Serian.
“This is a jackpot.”
Judging by the precedent of Serian, the forest races were more valuable than most treasure items.
But that joy was short-lived.
[Monster 'Lesser Demon of Corruption, Geildra (???)’ has appeared.]
The first time he had encountered black wings in this bizarre world.
No, to be precise, it wasn't the first time he'd seen them outside of 'Earth'.
Back when he had attained the state of transcendence for a short hour.
The archangels and archdemons he had met while being granted authority, including Archangel Seriel.
Of course, the one that appeared now was a 'lesser demon', not on the level of a Transcendent Being, but the crux of the problem was that this was Earth, and Seong-hyeok was no longer a Transcendent.
[Lesser Demon of Corruption, Geildra (???) uses the skill, Corruption (Lv?).]
[The aura of corruption spreads throughout the vicinity.]
[Control is seized over those located nearby.]
“Kill everyone, and then kill yourself! All of it shall be the grace of corruption!”
[Corrupted King Kimdly of the Red Blue Antler Tribe Lv. 62 (★★★★★+)] - Disaster-class Boss Monster
[Corrupted Dryad Queen Mel Lv. 62 (★★★★★+)] - Disaster-class Boss Monster
“…”
Normally, the forest tribes would have been allies from the start, as in Serian's case.
But now, not only was there the troublesome option of having to capture them alive,
[Players turn hostile.]
*Wheeeeeeng~!!!*
*Bzzzzzz!!!*
“Y-You guys, snap out of it!”
“I'll kill you all!”
“They're not listening. Just subdue them!”
The residents who had been fighting well were now pointing their blades at each other.
A literal life-or-death time limit had been added.
* * * * *
The existence of Pets, who had until now commodified countless dimensions and used innumerable beings as consumables for their videos to raise their own value.
What kind of video did such beings prefer the most?
A powerful incarnation successfully completing a raid and obtaining rewards?
Or insignificant lives squabbling amongst themselves and burning out like kindling?
Of course, such things guaranteed a certain level of popularity, but the real deal was this.
The downfall of a successful player.
Especially, there was no content as guaranteed to be popular as the downfall of a player who was hated by many Transcendent Beings.
- Hurry and get ready! This is it! This is the big one!
- I was having a headache because I had no new material, and now this is a godsend!
- I have to clear up all the bad blood with the Transcendent Beings with this opportunity!
- Kkhkhkhk! That Riggle guy. It was funny seeing a mere 1-star Pet acting so cocky, but now he's going to get completely buried.
Almost all the dimension managers were massively abusing their authority to get a video angle on Korea, not wanting to miss this prey.
Normally, Riggle, the server manager for Korea, would have been raising hell regardless of seniority, but he didn't have the luxury now.
- Who would have ever imagined a demon of corruption would appear there?
The demon of corruption.
Among the seven deadly sins, it could be seen as perhaps the most troublesome type.
Its direct martial power might be weak, but it possessed an authority that made beings with weak mental fortitude in the vicinity fight each other.
In the bee farm, where numerous humans and bees were gathered, this was the absolute worst condition.
The reliable bee legion and residents who had been holding strong could now be used for the purpose of bloodshed.
- There are two ways. Either cull the weak ones who fell to corruption, or kill the main body, that lesser demon bastard. But you should know this, that guy's escape ability is no joke. The bees aren't in their right minds either, so you'll have to handle it alone. If it were me, I'd recommend the former.
Therefore, Riggle quickly approached and delivered his advice, but Seong-hyeok's answer was simple.
“What the. I thought it would be a hassle, but it's simple. Good.”
Catch the demon, and everything is solved.
Naturally, Riggle threw a fit at such nonsense, but Seong-hyeok had a way.
- What are you talking about? Didn't you hear me? You can't possibly do it alo—.
“Who says I'm alone?”
[The Honeybee Guardian's job specialization, 'One Who is Loved by Bees,' activates.]
[Ruby Gem Honey Pot Bee (★★★★) sends you endless favor.]
[Rose Quartz Worker Bee (★★★+) sends you endless favor.]
…
The power of the job specialization, which ensured that no matter the situation, as long as they were bees, they would have maximum affinity for Seong-hyeok.
It ignored the authority of the Lesser Demon of Corruption just the same.
*Whiiiirrr~*
*Wheeeeeeeng!!!*
The vast swarm of bees responded to Seong-hyeok with the rough sound of their wingbeats.
No matter how good that demon bastard was at escaping, the saying 'there's no master before sheer numbers' didn't exist for nothing, did it?
*Bzzzzzz-!!!*
The concentrated marking by the bees, whose numbers were growing from tens of millions towards a hundred million.
“Y-You insignificant creatures! Do you wish to die!”
Blocked on all sides, as if it had no other choice, the creature raised its sharp claws, but that was the worst possible decision.
“Gotcha, you little punk.”
*Fwooooosh-!*
The menace of the bee sting technique, heated to the max with a red dragon's flame.
It was obvious where this was headed.
“You. Are sentenced to death.”
The crime of threatening a bee in front of the Honeybee Guardian.
To Seong-hyeok, that was a grave sin deserving of a thousand deaths.