Chapter 194
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: The Master Key
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- This time, you can trust us. Just sit back and enjoy the show.
- Please, enjoy the downfall of the one who so displeased our Transcendent Beings!
The distinct scent of coin.
The various 3-star and 4-star pets had brilliantly seized the opportunity to raise their status.
They’d even abused their authority to capture the perfect camera angle.
Did their efforts have an effect?
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Corruptor Berem,’ chuckles, saying he’s looking forward to it.]
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Origin of Plagues Twitch,’ snickers.]
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Demon King Glock,’ grins sinisterly.]
Satisfied.
The Transcendent Beings began to watch with smiles on their faces.
- This is gonna be a huge hit.
- Even if we have to split the pie, think how much we’ll profit from this.
Well, everyone had expected that this many Transcendent Beings would show up.
While each Transcendent Being found pleasure in their own way, most of them craved something provocative.
And wasn’t that honeybee the very thing that kept interfering with such amusement?
It wasn’t just limited to the space called Korea.
They were spread across the entire planet, without exception, ruining any chance of a stimulating broadcast.
Of course, the bees had helped overcome the crisis where the entire planet was nearly obliterated by a dragon, but to the pets, that was just another good story ruined.
- That human bastard. He was annoying, but at least he’s letting us cash in big before he goes. Kehehe.
- Let me see Riggle act up one more time. Huh? To a senior, no less. Back in my day, we couldn’t even dream of that!
- Kids these days. Tsk, tsk.
On top of that, there were complaints about the conduct of Riggle, a mere 1-star pet.
Just as various problems were erupting, the Lesser Devil of Corruption appeared like a hero.
The pets and Transcendent Beings, craving a sensational show, had united in their clamor for the deaths of the disgusting bees, but what was this?
Bzzzzzz-!!!
- Wh-what is this?
- Hey, hey. Isn’t that thing supposed to be under the authority of Corruption?
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Corruptor Berem,’ is flustered.]
The current situation was unfolding contrary to their intentions.
For the pets, it was nothing short of a disaster.
They had already made a scene, calling everyone to come watch their broadcast, and now they couldn’t just switch the feed.
Stab!
In the end, the pets broadcasted the exact opposite of what they had hoped for.
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Demon King Glock,’ expresses his displeasure, saying he is disappointed in you.]
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Origin of Darkness Bell,’ clicks their tongue at the absurd situation.]
[The Transcendent Being, ‘Origin of Plagues Twitch,’ shakes his head, saying he knew it.]
…….
All they got in return was a flood of complaints from the Transcendent Beings.
* * * * *
The overload of the Monster Gate, triggered by the manifestation of the Eye of Truth.
Not only were there thirty Disaster-class boss monsters, but also one ‘???’-grade monster on par with a dragon.
Worse, its special power turned players and bees against each other.
A situation where their greatest strength, their numbers, had become a poison. Yet, the outcome wasn’t so bad.
“What the. Why is it so weak?”
Was God fair even to ???-grade monsters?
It had been granted the powerful authority of mass-scale mental derangement, but perhaps as a penalty, its combat abilities were laughably weak compared to the dragons he had faced before.
Of course, Seong-hyeok’s own growth couldn’t be ignored either.
And Seong-hyeok wasn’t the only one who had grown.
“It’s a relief no one died.”
The residents of the apiary had matured greatly, both physically and mentally.
Thanks to this, powerful players like Cha Hye-rin and Go Dal-su, as well as others like Murion, were immune to the Lesser Devil of Corruption’s skill. Dealing with the residents who had fallen for it was simple.
“Ugh! Wh-what is this?”
“Oh, my aching bones. I think I’m dying!”
“Aren’t you glad you’re not dead? Be thankful for that much!”
The subduing process was carried out with overwhelming force.
Many residents suffered minor injuries in the process, but the solution to that was simple.
Wheeeeing~
Whiiir~
The Healing Toxin Bees moved busily, injecting their stingers into the injured.
Besides, where were they?
This was the very place that produced the world-renowned honey products.
Seong-hyeok, who had no shortage of funds, generously distributed honey products through the bees.
“Money is good, but my people come first.”
In the long run, the survival of the residents would have a tremendous impact not only on the future of humanity but also on the survival rate of the bees.
The joy that no lives were lost among the residents was fleeting.
Seong-hyeok soon began to ponder the situation now before him.
“...I should be happy about this, right?”
[You have fulfilled the conditions for the special object, Monster Gate Master Key. -> Overcoming the Rampaging Monster Gate]
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[Monster Gate Master Key]
* Classification: Special Object
* Controlled Monster Gates: 1 / 10
* Effect: You gain control over the Monster Gate. You can destroy the Monster Gate at any time you wish.
* Effect - Infinite Gate (Passive): The time limit of the Monster Gate is removed. However, monsters that emerge from the gate cannot move more than 100km away from it.
* Effect - Gate Overload (Active): For 1 hour, the number of monsters emerging from the Monster Gate increases fivefold, and the appearance rate of high-grade monsters rises. (Cooldown: 7 days)
* Effect - Complete Ally (Active): Designate one monster to become an ally. This effect can only be applied to monsters from the Monster Gate. (Cooldown: 3 days)
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The trolling caused by the Eye of Truth.
It had returned to Seong-hyeok as a jackpot.
* * * * *
A Monster Gate that could be maintained indefinitely.
The benefits this brought to the apiary were numerous.
“Looking for people to party up at the Monster Gate. The bees will come with us, so don’t worry and come on down!”
“Bring your Bee Venom Grenades for emergencies!”
In the past, the Wax Castle had been treated as a mere event-based hunting ground.
But now that the Monster Gate was permanent, it had been completely transformed from its role as a seasonal business.
A highly desirable hunting ground, available at any time.
Furthermore, with the bees accompanying them, what was there to worry about?
Overwhelming efficiency through safe hunting.
And that wasn’t the only advantage of this Hidden Piece.
“Once all the injured have recovered, I’ll overload the gate, so everyone think about it and get ready.”
“I will pass on the word, my partner.”
“I don’t mind doing it right now, so let’s go with whatever’s more convenient.”
The ‘Gate Overload’ effect, which applied the same effect to the Monster Gate as before.
However, the cooldown had been more than halved to just seven days.
Wasn’t it obvious what this meant?
Even now, the countless residents were leveling up at a pace that was incomparable to the players outside.
And their growth rate was only going to accelerate.
Well, he could already picture the Geonchug-i having an even harder time because of it, but Seong-hyeok was not one to be ignorant of their hard work.
“It’ll be tough doing repairs from now on, but I’ll make sure you guys get plenty of nutritious food.”
Wheeeeing~
Bzz-bzz-bzz~
Getting snacks along with more work wasn't a bad deal for the Geonchug-i.
It was just like the bees, who would be offended if you called them anything but the most diligent, but there was a reason Seong-hyeok treated the Geonchug-i particularly well.
[The Extra-Large Wild Hive - Mokcheong (★★★★★) has been completed.]
[The Imperial Topaz Architect Legion Commander Bee issues instructions for the next phase.]
[The bees begin to gather honey in the hive!]
News that the wild hive was complete.
However, the hive completed this time had a considerably different appearance and would yield a different result from previous wild hives.
“...As expected of an extra-large one, it’s ridiculously huge.”
Even to the naked eye, the sheer size of the ‘Extra-Large’ Wild Hive was fitting of its name.
It was so enormous that he was worried it might not be able to support its own weight and fall from the World Tree, but who were the Geonchug-i?
As the talents known as the Apiary's Gaudi, these bees were top-class when it came to architecture.
The extra-large wild hive, built with wax and propolis, was far from falling; it boasted perfect stability, not even budging an inch!
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[Extra-Large Wild Hive - Mokcheong (★★★★★)]
※ As this is a one-time special harvest, the Wild Hive will be destroyed upon collection.
※ Due to its specialized construction, it possesses extremely weak defensive capabilities and durability.
* Classification: Other
* Bees Currently Working: 2,000,010 (Imperial Architect Bee: 10 / Imperial Topaz Worker Bee: 2,000,000)
* Current Honey Status: 0.0012%
* Health: 10,000
* Defense: 300 / Magic Resistance: 180
* Durability: 50 / 50
* Description: An extra-large ★★★★★-grade Wild Hive constructed using a special method. When the honey status is full, you can obtain precious, high-grade Mokcheong. Depending on the circumstances, you may also acquire even more special byproducts.
※ Warning! The Extra-Large Wild Hive's immense size and sweet honey scent will stimulate the appetite of nearby monsters. It increases the monster respawn rate in the vicinity and attracts monsters. (This effect grows stronger as the hive fills with honey.)
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Of course, no matter how large it was, a wild hive was still just a hive.
Unlike the sturdy beehives made from the World Tree's lumber and dragon scales, it boasted rather fragile durability. Moreover, since it contained sweet wild honey, the rate at which it attracted monsters would be further amplified, but Seong-hyeok wasn't too concerned about that.
“The residents’ growth rate will get even faster.”
Another element for growth, following the Monster Gate.
The fact that stronger monsters would flock to them had long since become an advantage rather than a drawback.
Therefore, the only thing Seong-hyeok was interested in was the wild honey he would get from this giant hive.
“With Mokcheong of this size... it’ll be fun to put it up for auction.”
Even now, the processed goods from wild honey enjoyed immense popularity whenever the auction house opened.
However, unlike regular honey, which could be obtained anytime as long as there were beehives, wild honey could only be sourced from wild hives, a limited supply. It was at a point where they couldn't sell it fast enough. But now, with the creation of an extra-large wild hive that could supply it in bulk, the story was different.
Depending on the circumstances, he could explosively increase the quantity he could sell to Cheseur.
“My mouth is watering just imagining it.”
It would also go a long way in solving the issue of his own personal consumption!
Wheeeing~
Wheeeeeeeng~
Besides that, there was also the matter of Deombur-i’s giant honey strawberries, which aided in honey processing, but the highlight of this occasion, the main dish, was something else entirely.
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[The Mark of Gaildra's Corruption (★★★★★+)] - Legendary-grade Treasure
※ Becomes bound upon consumption and cannot be unequipped. To obtain ownership, the bound target must be killed.
* Classification: Accessory
* Movement Speed +150%
* Health, Mana +5,000, All Stats +100
※ Harvest of Corruption: Regardless of level, subjugate a defeated target and turn it into a thrall of corruption. (Current: 0 / 10)
※ Chain of Corruption: Select and use one skill from a target turned into a thrall. This effect can only be used once per thrall. If the thrall dies, the skill can no longer be used.
* Durability: ∞ / ∞
* Description: A legendary-grade treasure containing the power of corruption. It holds a power of corruption stronger than any other item and can never be destroyed. Simply possessing it emanates a powerful aura.
※ Warning! Treasure items announce their existence to all players. They also increase the monster respawn rate in the vicinity and attract monsters.
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It was the first 'equipment-type' legendary-grade treasure he had obtained, acquired after hunting the ???-grade Lesser Devil of Corruption.