Chapter 199
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: Retribution
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Designated by the 'World'.
A dimension that had completed the process of commercialization for the amusement of the Transcendent Beings.
The #Chapter updates, which occurred whenever specific conditions were met, added various special benefits and systems. But the most dangerous among them was that invasions from other dimensions became progressively easier.
[An entity that ignores movement restrictions is being summoned.]
[An entity that ignores movement restrictions is being summoned.]
“Huh?”
“Movement restrictions? What does that mean?”
Thus, the players questioned the first notification that appeared before their eyes, but their confusion didn't last long.
*Crunch! Squelch!*
*Shunk!*
“...Uh, uhh?”
“My, my body… G-gack!”
A handsome man and a beautiful woman with red and green hair appeared out of nowhere.
With expressions of contempt, they easily slaughtered the humans before them.
“Foolish creatures. To think they were bested by a mere trifle. A disgrace to our kind.”
“Tell me about it. They acted all high and mighty, pretending to be so clever, only to be killed by pathetic humans like these.”
With the #5 Chapter update, they had succeeded in crossing over with even fewer penalties.
Levels 84 and 85, respectively.
To the dragons, who had crossed over while preserving their overwhelming power in the current state of Earth, human strength and numbers were useless.
“W-who are you!”
“What do you want?!”
“How filthy, these lowly things.”
*Sizzzle—!*
A group of humans melted away cleanly, without a trace, in the poison zone created by the green dragon.
As if wiping away a stain.
The dragons, having easily annihilated the humans in the area, grumbled only for a moment.
[The Transcendent Being, Dragon Lord Kalash, watches you, stating he will trust in you.]
“Ah, great Lord.”
“We shall accomplish it as the great one desires.”
Kalash, the greatest Transcendent Being among the dragons.
But having approached the dragons so openly, Kalash wasn't just going to offer advice and leave it at that.
[The Transcendent Being, Dragon Lord Kalash, looks back, promising to remember this favor.]
[The Transcendent Being, Demon King Glock, smiles, stating the price is the end of the honeybees.]
[The Transcendent Being, Vile Gourmet A'al, licks his lips in anticipation of what's to come.]
...
Although the relationships between the Transcendent Beings weren't exactly amicable, was it not said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend?
A grand union of Transcendent Beings who harbored discontent over losing their kin, their avatars, and their delightful amusement to Seong-hyeok.
[The Transcendent Being, Dragon Lord Kalash, uses the power of ■■■ to create a dimensional rift. The conditions for movement restrictions are temporarily eased.]
[The Transcendent Being, Vile Gourmet A'al, has...]
The power they held as Transcendent Beings created a massive rift in Earth's dimension, and the result was anything but trivial.
[Green Elder Dragon Vellerin Lv. 90 (★★★★★+)] - ???+
Among the countless races, dragons hold a considerably high class.
And among them, this was a being who had lived a long life and earned the rank of Elder.
Vellerin, whose appearance caused the nearby mana to boil, turned his gaze to the two dragons, his green eyes gleaming.
“You already know this, but failure is not an option this time.”
“We are well aware, even without you saying it.”
“As the Lord himself has chosen us, we will carry out our duty to the best of our ability.”
For the dragons, this was the ultimate opportunity created by their idol, the Lord.
How could they possibly waste it?
“Then let us begin.”
Having to stake everything on eliminating Seong-hyeok, who had slain their kin, the dragons' course of action was obvious.
“Exterminate these worthless trifles.”
Not just Seong-hyeok, but also the many rankers from various countries who had joined in the hunt for Porleirein.
Their own method of settling scores, a testament to the strong bonds of favor and grudge characteristic of a race with few numbers.
Humans and monsters in sight.
A continuous act of greedily devouring every living creature that could grant experience, leaving none behind.
The three dragons, having recovered some of their strength, now committed their massacre with even greater audacity.
[Rose Quartz Worker Bee (★★★+) has died.]
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★★★★) has died.]
[Peridot Ramdok Self-Destruct Bee (★★★★) has died.]
[Star Sapphire Worker Bee (★★★+) has died.]
...
And in the process, the deaths of the honeybees.
“These honeybees are nothing special!”
“Kekeke! Is it because they're insects? So tenacious.”
*Wriggle, wriggle!*
*Crunch! Squash!*
As if they were in their own element.
Crushing the honeybees, catching them alive and slowly melting their bodies away.
The dragons inflicted agonizing deaths upon the honeybees.
However, their actions could not last long.
“This one I've caught, I'll start by chewing off its tail…”
“No, you're the one who's dying this time.”
“You disgusting lizard.”
*Shunk— Shhhlick!*
He boosted his stats with a self-enhancement Authority similar to the Insect King's Heart Insect, and granted Cha Hye-rin immense stats through the Archangel's Blessing.
As a result, through a joint effort with Cha Hye-rin, they took down one green dragon with considerable ease.
The remaining dragon's affection for its kin was so profound that its rage momentarily focused on Seong-hyeok, but it didn't matter at all.
“You baaastard!”
“Grudges. I can assure you, I hold them far more deeply than you do.”
The eccentric of this era, who lived solely for his honeybees.
Seong-hyeok's fury over the deaths of his honeybees was in no way inferior to the dragons' love for their own kind.
***
A golden opportunity created by the sacrifice of the honeybees.
Having succeeded in assassinating one dragon through it, Seong-hyeok's eyes glinted.
“As long as I'm here, not a single honeybee will die.”
[The effect of Guardian's Resolve is active.]
[You will take a portion of the damage received by the honeybees.]
With no need to hide his presence any longer, Guardian's Resolve was activated with confidence.
The honeybees now boasted even sturdier defenses, but Seong-hyeok's skills didn't end there.
[The effect of Guardian's Focused Assault is active.]
[The honeybees have entered a berserk state, greatly increasing their attack power.]
*BZZZZZ—!!!*
Just as the saying goes, "the best defense is a good offense," the honeybees' aggression skyrocketed.
The ferocious roar of their wings was incredibly menacing, but was it merely amusing to the dragons?
“Let the worthless bugs run wild! It doesn't matter!”
“I will avenge Kraim!”
Without batting an eye, the dragons rushed their attacks.
But it was impossible that Seong-hyeok, who had gone so far as to prepare an assassination, had only prepared this much.
*Clatter—*
*Whoooooosh~~~*
Like a celebratory cannonade.
The harsh sound of bombardment echoed from all directions.
And with it, tearing through the wind, appeared hundreds, no, thousands of Bee Venom Shells.
*KABOOOOM!!!*
A mix of various bee venoms, these shells could instantly kill most monsters. But if dragons could be dealt with so easily, there would have been no need for an assassination in the first place.
“A rather potent poison, but compared to ours, it's laughably weak!”
As expected, the damage was almost nonexistent.
However, what was important to Seong-hyeok wasn't the damage from the Bee Venom Shells.
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Nine-Colored Poison Zone. All stats increase by 5%.] X 2
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Pericrystal Poison Zone. Attack power increases by 25%.] X 2
[You have been exposed to the Guardian's Mad Cheonramto Poison Zone. Attack and defense capabilities increase by 20%.] X 2
...
*Bzzzzzz~*
*BZZZZZ!!!*
*Fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip!*
From the very beginning, Seong-hyeok's aim was to use the effects of the various poison zones generated by the numerous Bee Venom Shells to push the honeybees' stats to their absolute limit.
The power of the honeybees, enhanced through various skills and items, reached a point where each one could surpass an average player!
“Y-you filthy creatures!”
“Kraaaaaah!”
And so, while the honeybees and Seong-hyeok captured their attention, Cha Hye-rin, boasting immense attack power through her Authority, continued her ambushes from the shadows.
The all-out offensive soon seized an opportunity.
[You have hunted Red Dragon Strachiv Lv. 85 (★★★★★+)] - ???.]
The successful hunt of the second dragon amidst the battle.
But having faced two dragons, one of them an Elder Dragon of ???+ grade, Seong-hyeok's side was not without its own damage.
[Current health is below 5%.]
[Guardian's Resolve is deactivated.]
No matter how high Seong-hyeok's endurance stat or how excellent his defense from various armaments, there was always a limit.
After all, wasn't he also taking the damage meant for the honeybees?
“…Damn, that hurts.”
“To make me witness the blood of my kin with my own eyes. I will not grant you a gentle death.”
“That's rich, coming from you. Enough with the double standards, you lizard!”
Even the greatest defenses will crumble under constant assault.
But perhaps even in crisis, opportunity arises?
[You have leveled up. You have gained 5 stat points.]
[You have leveled up. You have gained 5 stat points.]
[You have leveled up. You have gained 5 stat points.]
Just like with the previous green dragon, the reward for hunting a level 85, ???-grade monster was immense.
Not only did he fully recover through the level-ups, but most importantly, Seong-hyeok's level had reached 77.
And it was obvious what this meant.
[You have met the conditions for skill acquisition. -> Level 75]
[You have learned the skill, Guardian's Vow.]
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[Guardian's Vow (Lv.1)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: All
* Effect (Active): Consumes all mana to inflict damage on a designated target proportional to all stats. (Cooldown: 12 hours)
* Effect - Honeybee Spirit Bomb: Damage increases by 0.001% for each honeybee located within a 5km radius.
* Description: A powerful strike that focuses all of one's attacks into a single point with the vow to protect the honeybees. It consumes all mana, and its damage is further amplified according to the number of nearby honeybees. As the level increases, you can draw power from honeybees over a wider range.
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The Honeybee Guardian's level 75 skill, acquired at the perfect moment for his current predicament.
“The tables have completely turned.”
※ Fruit of Patience (Permanent): Accumulates damage when attacked. Returns the accumulated damage in a subsequent attack. This effect is maximized the higher the endurance stat is.
Normally, Seong-hyeok would have made his final gamble with Fruit of Patience.
But now that he had an even more outstanding and powerful skill.
Seong-hyeok used Guardian's Vow and Fruit of Patience together.
“Y-you mere trifle!”
“I told you. When it comes to grudges, mine are more certain.”
[You have hunted Green Elder Dragon Vellerin Lv. 90 (★★★★★+)] - ???+.]
The three dragons, who could literally be called a disaster without exaggeration.
Seong-hyeok had dealt with them all.
【Jeongrichung: Sob! You really. You really went through a lot!】
Along with a large amount of loot, he had also successfully secured a satisfying video that would further elevate his worth throughout the world.