Chapter 201
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: The Dimensional Merchant
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Altruism.
Putting others before oneself.
No, to be precise, they were bees that had survived by willingly laying down their lives for the hive and the queen bee.
It was a life completely opposite to that of most living beings, including humans, but that was precisely why the bees had survived to this day.
Bzzzz~
Bzzzzzzz~
From the early days against the Lich Velmorne to the Emperor of China, the North Korean dictator, and countless dragons.
In the midst of numerous battles where death was inevitable, the bees, ironically, grew into a stronger and more solid force.
Not to mention the nine queens and seven princesses, there was the absurd production system of ten queens bound by the Mark of Corruption.
On top of that, the value of honey, enhanced by the abundance of the World Tree through Seong-hyeok's job specialization, was astounding, but that wasn't all there was to the bees' history.
[The queen of a new hive, 'Silnas Queen Bee (★★★★+)', and her Silnas bees appear.]
[The elite bee, 'Silnas Requiem Legion Commander Bee (★★★★-)', appears.]
[A swarm of 'Silnas Worker Bees (★★+)' appears.]
......
Even at this very moment, countless bees were respawning in the 'Territory of 1' declared in Central Africa.
Especially whenever a queen bee, capable of creating a home and raising new bees, appeared, the bees located throughout Africa would boast even greater strength.
Well, as was the case with most species.
It would be normal for territorial disputes to occasionally arise among the colony-dwelling bees, but how could Seong-hyeok not know about that?
“My cute little ones. Isn't it great that you don't fight each other?”
For Seong-hyeok, who had dedicated his entire life to the single path of beekeeping and continued his research, he had long since mastered what the bees liked and disliked.
Of course, this applied to Korea, the starting point of his bee farm.
North Korea, Africa, Russia, and so on.
Seong-hyeok's steady work had been carried out in various countries around the world.
Chiiirrrr---
The most representative of these efforts was using the albino fruit bats to maintain the 'environment,' the most crucial factor for bees' survival, in an optimal state through the effects of the World Tree.
Furthermore, in the case of newly spawned queen bees, to prevent any potential threats, he provided guidance and protection with stationed Ssing-ssing-is and Deundeun-is, and even supported them with extra-large beehives he crafted himself!
“I prepared everything because I wasn't sure what you'd like. I hope you like your new love house.”
World Tree plywood, dragon scales, and various other high-grade materials, along with copious amounts of beeswax and propolis melted into the construction.
What bee could possibly dislike a beehive specialized in being eco-friendly, exuding various floral scents on its own?
Bzzzz- Bzzzzzooom-!!!
Just like the Ruby Gem Queen Bee, who had immediately recognized the acorn beehive as her home and settled in, the new queens began their egg-laying activities, showing off even faster wing beats and buzzing.
Just watching them was enough to bring a fatherly smile to his face!
Just as they say a parent's love knows no bounds.
Naturally, Seong-hyeok's affection for his bees didn't end there.
“Sorry to ask, but I'm counting on you again today, guys.”
Bzz~
Bzzzzzz!
The Geonchug-is began to be dispatched across the world the moment their numbers grew large enough to construct extra-large wild hives.
As expected of the "Bee-chelangelos" whose skills were beyond doubt, their accomplishments were nothing short of amazing.
“Even if the Guardian's Aura keeps them from tiring easily, bees still run on food.”
They filled their bellies with hearty pollen cakes and safely expanded their territory against monsters with beeswax walls, totems, and turrets.
Moreover, the growth of the Bee-chelangelos' structures and the bees' safe development didn't just benefit the bees alone.
【North Korea/Back In Ma Day: The bees are even firing missiles. What an amazin' world.】
【USA/ChupaChups: Watching them gather to eat pollen cakes is so cute lol】
【UK/Toros: I used to hate swarming insects so much it gave me fits, but somehow, no matter how much I look at these bees, they feel more familiar than disgusting.】
Even though they were classified as monsters to human players, with their overwhelming numbers and pollination activities, the bees were fairies of nature that didn't fall short compared to any other living creature.
Just by these bees expanding their influence, humanity was also reaping the benefits.
[Event Quest: Honeybee's Wild Honey Products]
And to top it all off, there was Seong-hyeok's massive quest, the final touch.
Bzzzz~
Bzzzzzzz~
It was truly a life for the bees where the pros overwhelmingly outweighed the cons.
* * * * *
As the bee population grew.
The beekeeper's workload had increased by hundreds, even thousands of times compared to the early days.
But that was only a difficult task for ordinary 'average' players. With a Durability stat easily exceeding 7,000, allowing for 24-hour work, and supplementary Agility and Control stats.
As a result, unless an unavoidable battle like one with a dragon occurred, Seong-hyeok's honey extraction and crafting process left him with more than enough time to spare.
And there was no way Seong-hyeok, born with the karma of a Mad Researcher, would let this time go to waste.
“Maybe I should take this chance to expand the production methods for high-concentration honey?”
The refinement process using the honey essence extractor.
High-purity, highly concentrated honey, made by compressing a large amount of honey to extract only the essence, not only paired well with royal jelly and propolis.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the optimal ingredient, holding the potential for various processed goods that permanently increased stats.
[Using Capacity Charge.]
[The number of honey units required to reach 100% capacity is 10.]
[Time remaining until honey concentration is complete: 12 hours]
Well, due to such characteristics, it boasted an acquisition difficulty comparable to wild honey, but there was no need to worry.
“As long as there's enough honey, I'll never run short on supply.”
Just like the saying, "Though your beginning was small, your latter end would be very great," there were now hundreds of honey essence extractors set up in the experimental area of the bee farm.
Besides, unlike wild hives, they weren't structures that disappeared after harvesting, were they?
[Honey Essence Extractor (★★★★-)'s concentration process is complete.]
[Honey Essence Extractor (★★★★-)'s concentration process is complete.]
[Highly concentrated honey essence is now available for harvest!]
......
Since he had loaded most of the extractors with honey before starting his beekeeping work, numerous notifications announced their completion all at once.
And with that, a smile graced Seong-hyeok's lips.
“This is heaven.”
Is it for nothing that they say premium, high-end is the best?
The already excellent quality honey had been mixed in large quantities, resulting in an even deeper flavor and aroma.
As much as its sticky viscosity stretched on and on, the inside was so sweet you could get lost in it!
“With this, it'd honestly be harder to make a failure.”
The sweetness clung to his tongue.
Just as the urge to craft was about to boil over.
[The Great Waning Moon Golden Carriage visits your farm.]
A visit from Che-ssyure, who could be called Seong-hyeok's biggest customer.
“His timing is impeccable.”
Arriving just in time for the completion of the high-concentration honey.
A golden goblin with incredible luck when it comes to food.
However, Che-ssyure was not the only one who had come.
[A Transcendent Being, the Great Golden Goblin Lord Machelti, uses the power of ■■■ to create a dimensional rift. Movement restriction conditions are temporarily eased.]
[Special Situation, you have met the approach conditions for a Dimensional Merchant. -> ???-grade recognition, introduction from a special being]
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[Dimensional Merchant]
* Classification: Special Situation
* Scope: The one who was introduced
* Effect: Ignores movement restrictions once. However, due to the power gap, some abilities will be downgraded.
* Description: The Dimensional Merchant Jebo, introduced by the Great Waning Moon Golden Carriage, shows interest in your products.
※ Having been introduced by a special being, Jebo is very friendly towards you. However, remember that a merchant never makes a losing deal under any circumstances.
_______________________________
Following Che-ssyure and the dragons, this was the first time he would face another '???'-grade monster.
“Welcome!”
He might not welcome meddlesome dragons, but a big-spending customer reeking of money was always welcome.
* * * * *
High-quality products and exclusive sales.
In addition, they were distributed worldwide and, thanks to their great popularity, were constantly sold out as a matter of course.
From a seller's perspective, could there be any better conditions than these?
In fact, because only small quantities were released on the auction house, rankers from all over the world were getting antsy.
Among them, quite a few rankers had long since seen the potential of the bees and had come to find Seong-hyeok.
'In a fixed trade deal, I'm the one with all the power.'
Unlike coins, which anyone could earn with skill and luck, honey products were different.
Especially those aged by the queens who had undergone multiple evolutions—only Seong-hyeok could make them.
For the world's rankers, for whom securing a reliable supply was paramount, it wasn't uncommon for them to visit the farm in person and buy goods at a premium, and some had even established regular trade agreements.
In that sense, the situation before him now was essentially the same.
The only difference was that this wasn't a player from Earth.
“Oho. To think it boasted such effects as a luxury item, and now its value as a foodstuff is also quite outstanding?”
The being exclaimed in constant admiration while looking at the mead Seong-hyeok had perfected with the high-concentration honey.
Since Seong-hyeok had also succeeded in hunting one in Korea in the past, he didn't need Che-ssyure's explanation to know what species the Dimensional Merchant was.
[Primeval Golden Troll Empress Jebo Lv. 88 (★★★★★+) - ???+]
Trolls, the species with the highest regeneration ability.
She was smaller in stature compared to the Ancient Troll King Kurarara he had faced before, but didn't they say levels don't lie?
As if to say you shouldn't judge everything by its appearance.
A tremendous amount of danger emanated from her small body.
Also, living up to the name 'Dimensional Merchant,' the accessories and gear she wore were, at a glance, estimated to be 5-star+ grade!
She was a huge whale with a lot to gain from, but as they say, not everything in the world goes as you wish.
“For lowly humans, you're quite impressive.”
“Ahem, Lady Jebo. That expression seems a bit excessive.”
He had experienced it with the dragons too, but should he call this a common passive skill for ???-grade beings?
They openly treated him as less than livestock.
An expression tossed out like a habit.
Che-ssyure quickly tried to intervene and mediate, but just as there was a difference between dragons and elder dragons, there were also levels among ???-grade beings. Compared to the level 74 Che-ssyure, Jebo was a much higher level 88.
“This is a deal between me and that human. Your introduction was sufficient. I'll handle it from here, so stay out of it!”
Jebo, having lightly pushed Che-ssyure aside, smiled, her golden accessories glittering all over her body.
“For this quality, I can pay 50 million per piece. What's more, I'll give you a much better price for the tea and alcohol over there than what you sell them for here. So, from now on, hand everything over to me!”
Even with her small frame, was a troll still a troll?
It was incomparable to the prices he got selling on Earth.
A magnanimous merchant offering more than triple the price for everything.
“……Yes, yes. Of course, valued customer.”
What's a little pride?
It didn't feel good, but a large sum of coins would provide the means to dominate the auction house in the future.
And that, in turn, would lead to beneficial results for the bee farm and the bees.
But was it a universal truth across all dimensions that if a favor continues, it's taken for granted as a right?
“Oh, and if you don't mind, roast a few of those bugs for me. Those ones over there look plump enough to eat. What are you waiting for? My mouth is getting bored from all this sweetness. Hurry up and bring them!”
“......”
[A Transcendent Being, Zion the Patient, cannot hold back.]
[A Transcendent Being, Insect Queen Ninetito, fumes, asking how she dares try to eat those cute butts.]
[A Transcendent Being, the Great Golden Goblin Machelti, clutches his forehead, muttering 'Oh, for crying out loud.']
The troll's remark had crossed the line, and then some.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and bring them!”
“Ma'am. Are you looking for a beating?”
As they say, the only cure for a troublemaker is a good beating.
He could tolerate insults to himself, but he would never tolerate anyone messing with his bees. This was Seong-hyeok, the Honeybee Guardian.