Chapter 20
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Army's Predicament
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“Seriously, where the hell is the army in an emergency like this?”
“All they know is how to suck up our taxes. Why are they never around when we need them!”
“This is exactly why people call them grunts.”
“I’m sure they have their reasons. If you have time to grumble, old man, come over here and help with the work.”
“What? Grumble? You wet-behind-the-ears little punk…”
“Hah, you really want to pull rank with age in a situation like this?”
It was a lawless scene governed by the principle of survival of the fittest.
Naturally, in such a situation, the first force people looked for was the military.
The scale of the crisis had already shaken the nation to its core, far beyond what the police or prosecutors could handle.
Moreover, the Republic of Korea's defense capabilities were nothing to scoff at.
Although the Korean peninsula was small, its state of armistice with the enemy nation of North Korea, combined with its modern weaponry and the presence of US forces, meant its military power was formidable.
However, there was a reason why this powerful military couldn't exert its strength outside its bases.
[A Transcendent Being recognizes this dimension.]
[A system modification update is in progress for the dimension. 1, 2, 3%...]
This was the update that occurred in the early days when the world turned into a chaotic spectacle.
For the soldiers on guard duty, performing their daily tasks, or taking an afternoon nap, the notification that appeared was on a completely different level from that of other players.
[...100%, modification update complete. We wish you survival in the new world.]
[You belong to a special organization. The Transcendent Being acknowledges the organization's unique nature, and the subject's karma and the 'Military' special condition are applied.]
[Please select a class. Time remaining: 1 hour]
※ Warning! Failure to select a class will result in a fatal penalty.
It was a special recognition, directly certified by a Transcendent Being.
As a result, the list of classes available to the soldiers became incredibly simple.
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[Notification]
※ The list of available classes is influenced by the karma from the life you have lived thus far. (Karma is forcibly adjusted due to the special condition.)
[Class List]
* Infantry (★)
* Guard (★)
* PX Clerk (★)
* Combat Engineer (★)
* Non-Commissioned Officer (★★)
* Officer (★★★)
….
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“...The hell is this?”
“Why is there only one class available? No, before that, why the fuck is it *this* class?”
Their classes were automatically determined simply because they were in the military.
It was truly unfair for the soldiers, but it was too late to vent their anger at the Transcendent Being who had transformed the world into a ‘game.’
Besides, what came after the simple ‘class’ selection was more than enough to cause further shock.
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[Military]
* Classification: Special Condition
* Attack power against superiors is reduced by 99%. A special quest is issued every morning at 06:30.
* Description: Survive by strictly adhering to the chain of command. Additionally, the military, now in possession of numerous powerful weapons, is restricted from leaving the base with modern weapons until a designated period has passed. However, in exchange for being placed under this special condition, you will receive quests with special rewards that grant a certain amount of EXP and Coins daily, depending on your position and rank. (Time remaining until restriction is lifted: 30 days)
※ Disobeying orders, engaging in insubordination, or receiving warnings from a certain number of superiors will result in immense, non-lethal pain.
※ Warning! Leaving a designated area without a superior's permission is treated as desertion, and you will not be able to carry weapons.
※ Warning! While in a state of desertion, you will become the primary target for monsters.
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The application of the ‘Military’ special condition.
It might have been somewhat acceptable for the officers, but for the conscripted soldiers, it was nothing short of hell.
An absolute chain of command became the rule, coupled with severe penalties for desertion.
In the end, whether they liked it or not, the soldiers had to adapt to the current situation to survive.
“...Hah? This is seriously pissing me off.”
“Fuck. With only 37 days left until my discharge, what is this bullshit!”
“Hahaha. An M60 gunner as my game class. Hahaha. To think I have to use this damn heavy chunk of metal as my lifelong weapon. Hahahah!”
Naturally, the soldiers didn't just passively accept the situation from the start.
After all, ninety-nine out of a hundred soldiers in the Republic of Korea were forcibly conscripted, spending the prime of their youth in the military.
Some soldiers, out of sheer defiance, rebelled against their officers.
“I wonder if my parents are okay…”
“I’m worried sick about my girlfriend.”
“Hey, since it’s come to this, let’s just leave. We can go as long as we don’t have weapons, right?”
And a few others, despite knowing the penalty for desertion, attempted to leave, worried about their families and loved ones outside.
But their fates were not pleasant.
※ Engaging in insubordination or receiving warnings from a certain number of superiors will result in immense, non-lethal pain.
※ Warning! While in a state of desertion, you will become the primary target for monsters.
The debuff for insubordination and the primary target status for desertion.
Because of this, the soldiers who defied their superiors writhed in agony from the overwhelming pain, and all contact was lost with those who attempted to desert.
Given that they became the ‘primary target’ in a world teeming with monsters, all without weapons, it was easy enough to guess their grim end.
“Try not to feel too wronged. Like you, I also have parents out there. So let’s endure this together. Isn't it better than forcibly leaving and dying a dog's death?”
“We will also do our best to respect your opinions. So please, follow your superiors' decisions.”
“You are free to post on the community forums. However, be warned that any mention of internal military affairs or the lifting of the restriction period will result in immediate punishment!”
“For now, let’s begin our daily routine according to the quests!”
As the saying goes, all stick and no carrot accomplishes nothing.
The officers offered timely advice and fostered a sense of camaraderie with the soldiers, who, in turn, came to a reluctant understanding and focused on completing their quests.
Those who received the Guard class stood watch, Combat Engineers built fortifications and laid mines, and PX and munitions clerks managed supplies.
[Quest ‘Stand Guard’ has been cleared. You have acquired the designated reward.]
[Quest ‘Daily Work’ has been cleared. You have acquired the designated reward.]
Unseen by the outside world, the military of the Republic of Korea was steadily growing stronger within its confines during the 30-day restriction period.
* * * * *
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[Peridot Honey (★★)] x 47
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, restores 180 Health and Mana, along with a sense of fullness.
* Description: ★★-grade Peridot Honey. The unique toxicity of the Peridot honeybees has been neutralized, resulting in a tangy and exquisite flavor. Consumption provides a significant feeling of satiety.
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“Is it because it was aged by bees from another dimension? The color itself looks special.”
When one thought of ‘honey,’ the colors that usually came to mind were clear, transparent, or yellow.
Some varieties, like buckwheat or chestnut honey, could be dark or earthy brown, but the honey collected through his divine beekeeping—first from the Ruby Gems and now the Peridots—had colors that were far too distinctive.
The Ruby Gem honey had a sweet fragrance and a reddish hue reminiscent of strawberries.
In contrast, the Peridot honey boasted a vibrant green color, just like the bees that produced it.
“...Hmm. This one has a rather unique smell.”
Moreover, the Peridot Queen Bee was a special species that had undergone two evolutions from birth, through its poison stinger and poison sac organs.
From the worker bees to the higher-ranking bees, they all possessed a toxicity incomparable to the Ruby Gems, and as the nectar aged, the Peridot bees’ venom was neutralized within it.
Perhaps as a result of that…
As the description said, the honey held the unique character of the Peridot bees.
Drawn by a curiosity sparked by the tart and bitter scent alone, Seong-hyeok couldn't resist. He dipped a finger deep into the honey and licked it clean.
“Ooooh! It’s delicious!”
A tangy sensation burst in his mouth as the sweetness of the Peridot honey melted on his tongue.
The Ruby Gem honey was quite tasty, but perhaps the difference in star rating truly mattered.
As befitting a higher-quality product that was more difficult to harvest, if asked to choose which was more delicious, Seong-hyeok would pick the Peridot honey without a second thought.
*Bzzzz— Bzzzz—*
The Honeybee Link activated naturally.
Was it because they sensed Seong-hyeok’s feelings?
As if delighted to have been chosen, the Peridot honeybees gathered around him, dancing in excitement.
On the other hand, the Ruby Gem honeybees seemed displeased, their abdomens drooping sulkily as their wings fluttered listlessly.
Their jealousy was so cute he wanted to keep watching, but Seong-hyeok didn't want to see his bee-children feeling down.
“No, no, my little Ruby Gem cuties. Yours is delicious too! Look at this!”
*Plop— Lick!*
“Mmm~ Sweet!”
*Bzzz? Bzzzzzz~♩*
As Seong-hyeok put on an exaggerated display, dipping his finger into the Ruby Gem honey and sucking on it, the Ruby Gem honeybees shook off their gloom and began to wiggle their abdomens and dance, just like the Peridot bees.
“...This is so healing.”
*Ahh, yes.*
This is why I became a Honeybee Guardian, isn't it?
The harmony of plump, fuzzy red and green abdomens.
Watching the bees’ adorable dance, which could be called their language, felt almost like being hypnotized.
“Whoops, I almost got completely lost in it.”
Seong-hyeok's class specialization was ‘Loved by Bees.’
Living among the bees like this was truly a blessed life, but sometimes, it could be a little scary.
The dance of the bees, each one exuding a unique charm.
Its addictiveness was so potent that even a peculiar person like Seong-hyeok could get lost in its captivating allure.
“Alright, guys. I know you’re excited, but Daddy has to work now. Keep up the good work. Teunteun-i, you’re in charge of them, make sure you protect them well, okay?”
*Bzzzz— Bzzzz—*
*BZZZZZZZ—!!!*
At Seong-hyeok’s words, the bees stopped dancing and prepared to head out to work, while Teunteun-i confidently shook its large abdomen as if to say, ‘You can count on me!’
Watching the dependable bees fly off, Seong-hyeok also rolled up his sleeves.
“Alright, shall we get started for real now?”
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[Peridot Beeswax (★★)] x 7
* Classification: Material
* Description: ★★-grade Peridot Beeswax. Can be processed in various ways.
[Peridot Royal Jelly (★★★-)] x 5
[Peridot Propolis (★★★)] x 2
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The Peridot honey was just the beginning.
Looking at the most crucial foundations—the beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis—Seong-hyeok’s mind raced with happy possibilities, imagining what processed goods could be created from them.