Chapter 203
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: The Pinnacle of Bee Sting Acupuncture
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Provoking a honeybee—what Seong-hyeok considered the gravest of sins.
Thanks to the Troll Empress, who became a temporary test subject as a result, Seong-hyeok had made significant progress.
“This will only sting a little.”
The true nature of Bee Sting Acupuncture.
To others, it might seem like a simple attack skill. If used on an enemy, wouldn't you just inflict maximum damage without holding back?
One might ask that, but from the start, poison's effectiveness depends entirely on how it's used.
Depending on its application, poison had the potential to become the ultimate medicine.
The various types of honeybees now filling the apiary farm, combined with Seong-hyeok's dedicated research and crafting.
And the harmony achieved by blending the Red Dragon's flames with the Green Dragon's venom was bound to produce results beyond imagination.
“An effect like this would be useful for farmers and gathering-related classes.”
“With this much damage, I can probably increase the intensity a bit.”
“This is a bit... Everyone! Emergency injection of healing venom!”
Sometimes he discovered unexpected results, and other times, life-threatening situations arose.
The side effects of relentless experimentation.
Damage that would have instantly killed an ordinary player occurred frequently, but who was the Troll Empress?
“Grroooaaannn...”
Even when more than half her body was blown away, her wounds would seethe and heal in an instant, thanks to the Troll race's unique regenerative ability.
And was that all?
Bzzzt!
Buzzzzz~
The honeybee rescue squad was always on standby, anytime, anywhere.
The healing venom bees, using not only their own venom.
But also a relentless supply of various honey products specialized for vitality, ensured the experiments proceeded without a hitch.
Through it all, Seong-hyeok obtained what he had anticipated, but that wasn't all he gained.
[You have met the conditions for a skill awakening. -> Transcendence in Bee Sting Acupuncture Application]
[The skill, Bee Sting Acupuncture, has manifested an additional ability.]
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[Bee Sting Acupuncture (Lv. 35)]
※ Can only be used when equipped with a needle or bladed weapon.
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 0
* Effect (Passive): Allows you to see the vital points of living beings.
* Effect - Pinnacle of Bee Sting Acupuncture (Passive): Maximizes attack power and versatility according to the user's intent.
* Effect - Bee Unity (Active): Allows designated honeybees to use the same venom currently applied to your bee sting needle. (No Cooldown, 50 Mana Cost)
* Description: By identifying a target's vital points, you can inflict fatal damage or grant beneficial effects. Awakening maximizes the potency of your bee sting and enhances the toxicity of your honeybees. As the level increases, you will be able to identify more numerous and deeper vital points and gain various additional effects.
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Was this what people meant by being lucky?
From the very beginning until now.
The awakening of Bee Sting Acupuncture, the alpha and omega of Seong-hyeok's offensive skills.
The resulting effects left Seong-hyeok speechless.
“This is insane.”
The 'Pinnacle of Bee Sting Acupuncture,' which strengthened the skill itself, was impressive, but the real prize was 'Bee Unity.'
The bee venom on his needle boasted immense destructive power.
What would happen if thousands, or even tens of thousands, of honeybees could wield that same damaging venom?
“If I use this right, I can really take advantage of the stacking effects.”
No matter how powerful the enemy, even an Elder Dragon, there's no surviving a swarm attack empowered with this venom.
Well, instead of a cooldown, the downside was the considerable mana cost of 50 per use, but that wasn't a problem for Seong-hyeok.
“I solved my mana problems a long time ago.”
The numerous byproducts available were as diverse as the types of honeybees themselves.
Naturally, among them was a spore honey specialized for mana recovery.
Besides, didn't Seong-hyeok also have an overwhelmingly high 'Spirit' stat to back him up?
“For this, I offer you my sincerest thanks.”
“Kuh. Kuuuhhhh...!”
An unexpected hidden piece discovered during the bee sting experiments.
This was welcome news for the one who could finally escape the infinite Mobius strip of experimentation, but...
“Now then, let's wrap this up.”
“...”
The mad researcher.
Seong-hyeok's thirst for knowledge had only just begun.
* * * * *
“My, my. I am truly ashamed.”
The apology came from Chesseur, who had arrived with Jebo to trade for honey products.
Seong-hyeok didn't know much about dimensions other than Earth, but places where people and monsters lived were all the same.
Although Chesseur was inferior to Jebo in every aspect, from power to level, Seong-hyeok knew the truth.
[You have met the conditions to use the Eye of Truth.]
[Chesseur's statement is false.]
※ Eye of Truth (Permanent): Determines whether a target's words are true or false, and reveals hidden elements in items or special objects.
The Eye of Truth, one of the powers he had received from the Transcendent Beings.
There were likely many complicated reasons why the eye judged Chesseur's apology as 'false,' but when it came down to it, the reason was simple.
“No need for the mask. You expected all of this to happen, didn't you?”
“Ahem, customer. How could I possibly think such a thing?”
“Sorry, but everything you're saying right now is a lie. The deed is already done, so just come clean. If you don't want to, I won't supply you anymore.”
“...”
Since he felt no remorse whatsoever for his apology, it was naturally bound to be a lie.
And above all, wasn't Chesseur's race a goblin?
A race whose cunning was second to none, just like their mischievous expressions.
Moreover, Chesseur was no ordinary goblin.
He was the king of the Golden Goblin Lords and the leader of the great Waning Moon Golden Carriage.
By Earth's standards, he was essentially a highly successful businessman.
So, could such a creature really have failed to predict the rash actions of Jebo, who looked down on humans?
*He couldn't possibly not know.*
The Eye of Truth aside, one could tell just by Jebo's reaction when he saw the spoils from the Elder Dragon.
The miniaturization device, essential for consuming a human-head-sized Dragon Heart whole.
There was no way Chesseur, who sold such devices, wouldn't know about Elder Dragons.
And yet, Jebo had been unaware of such crucial information, which meant the relationship between Chesseur and Jebo was far from a simple vertical hierarchy.
“Hoo, hahaha. As expected of the incarnation supported by Lord Macherti. Yes. That's right. I did anticipate it would all turn out this way.”
In fact, from a merchant's perspective, they were competitors.
It was like removing an obstacle, so it wasn't a losing deal for Chesseur, but there was a reason he had stopped short of letting a life be taken.
“Now that you understand the situation, this conversation should be easier. What I want is simple. I wish to have exclusive purchasing rights for the high-quality cosmetics you sold before, as well as other 5-Star+ grade items. All behind Jebo's back, of course.”
Just like a Golden Goblin, dripping with greed.
An ambition to rule from above, rather than live as the minion of a dimensional magnate.
“Alright. But you won't mind if I raise the price, will you?”
“Of course not.”
For Seong-hyeok, this too became a rather favorable business opportunity.
* * * * *
“You all worked hard today. Let's keep our spirits up after the meal!”
“Wow, sis. Your gukbap broth is getting as rich and fine as your skin is getting clear!”
“Shut your trap and just eat!”
Mealtime, one of the few occasions when the residents of the apiary farm gathered in large numbers.
One of the perks exclusive to residents was the ability to purchase honey products at wholesale prices.
Because of this, they would often use the coins earned from hunting and gathering to accompany their meals with honey tea or honey wine, and sometimes they would save up to aim for permanent stat increases.
Without anyone needing to tell them, the residents took care of themselves, strengthening their own power to protect the farm and the honeybees.
But starting today, something new was added to the routine.
“I apologize for the interruption during your meal, but it's time for Bee Sting Acupuncture treatment.”
“Kh-khaack!”
“Haha, how did you know my back was aching? To think you'd prepare this for us.”
“Seriously, young man Seong-hyeok's skill with the needle is so good, it wouldn't be a crime to charge for it.”
It was time to experience the effects of Bee Sting Acupuncture.
While many reacted with joy, not everyone took it so positively.
“A-a needle? I-it won't hurt, will it?”
“I know Mr. Honeybee will do a great job, but... I have aichmophobia...”
“Haha, hahaha...”
There were residents who had never experienced the treatment before, as well as those who suffered from aichmophobia, an emotional aversion to sharp objects.
A natural human fear of the bee sting needle.
However, Seong-hyeok didn't bother with a long-winded verbal explanation.
Fwoooosh!
Szzzzzzz—
The bee sting needle began to seethe with the draconic flames and venom he had acquired through his half-dragon power.
“Mr. Seok-cheol. Here I come.”
“Bring it on!”
Thwack!
Without hesitation, Seong-hyeok administered the treatment with a force that seemed capable of killing a decent monster in a single blow.
Thwip— Thwip-thwip-thwip—
Based on his overwhelming stats, the bee sting needle pierced vital points all over the body in the blink of an eye.
But the spectacle itself wasn't the most surprising part.
[Bee Sting Acupuncture Great Success! The Honeybee Guardian's Blessing is temporarily bestowed upon the designated player.]
[The Essence of Bee Sting Acupuncture spreads throughout the body.]
※ Essence of Bee Sting Acupuncture: All stats increase by 10% for 24 hours, and all stats permanently increase by 1.
[Highly Concentrated Dark Lilyzer Bee Venom is intensively applied to the skin.]
※ Highly Concentrated Dark Lilyzer Bee Venom: Defense increases by 30% for 24 hours, and skin condition is maintained at its peak.
[Highly Concentrated Rose Quartz Queen Bee Venom is intensively applied to the groin.]
※ Highly Concentrated Rose Quartz Queen Bee Venom: Attack Power and Movement Speed increase by 20% for 24 hours. The condition of the reproductive organs is maintained at its peak.
A feast of notifications appeared one after another.
Im Seok-cheol's astonishment as he witnessed the results of this satisfying clinical trial—which had used the Troll Empress as its subject—was, naturally, far from ordinary.
“M-my word...”
He seemed unable to even form proper words.
Im Seok-cheol could only stand there, mouth agape, reveling in his gradually clearing skin and the power surging from below.
But perhaps his years of experience couldn't be ignored.
[Player Im Seok-cheol (Wood Hunter) has publicly shared his buff effects.]
“Thank you.”
“Hahaha. I'm the one who should be thanking you, young man Seong-hyeok.”
Without Seong-hyeok even having to ask, Seok-cheol took the initiative and did what needed to be done next.
A permanent stat increase, cosmetic skin benefits, and even a boost in vitality.
It was obvious how the residents would react to the essence of Bee Sting Acupuncture, which had achieved an irresistible holy trinity for men, women, and players alike.
“M-Mr. Honeybee! Us too, please!”
“Hey! I thought you had a fear of sharp things!”
“I'm cured!”
“Now, now, there's plenty of time and a proper way to do this, so let's all eat first.”
The Bee Sting Acupuncture treatment had become a higher priority than their meal.
In the face of that irresistible trinity, aichmophobia or any other fear had long been overcome.