Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: A Prolific Evolution
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“Ugh. This is driving me crazy.”
It's one thing to have a single option from the start, but having two just gave me a headache for no reason.
Honestly, based on rank alone, the Wild Gemstone Honeycomb Fragment was two whole ranks higher, but a higher item rank didn't automatically mean it was the better choice.
After all, the Peridot Queen Bee specialized in ‘poison,’ having evolved its stinger and poison sac.
It was obvious just from the item descriptions that Stinger's Slime Mold Spores had a closer affinity with poison.
And as if to support Seong-hyeok's line of thinking...
[The Transcendent Being, Insect Queen Nainkito, advises that Stinger's Slime Mold Spores would be more effective for this choice.]
[The Transcendent Being, Insect King Phrainkito, concurs with his wife.]
Even the two insect monarchs, who had been watching silently, offered their advice.
There probably wasn't a single correct answer, but coming from Transcendent Beings, their words held some credibility.
“What do you think, little queen?”
But Seong-hyeok had no intention of forcing his own opinion on the matter.
The Queen Bees' evolution wasn't something he achieved alone; it was a collaborative effort with the bees.
Letting the Peridot Queen Bee choose what it wanted was an important part of the process.
[The Transcendent Being, Insect Queen Nainkito, finds your actions commendable.]
Seong-hyeok was simply respecting the Queen Bee's right to choose, just as he had with the Ruby Gem Queen Bee.
But it seemed his actions had, knowingly or not, greatly pleased Nainkito, the queen of insects.
Even if it was by chance, scoring points with Transcendent Beings who could become future patrons wasn't a bad thing.
Bzz— Bzzzzzz—
Just then.
The Peridot Queen Bee, understanding Seong-hyeok's words, landed in front of the evolution material it desired.
“You really like that one more, Your Majesty?”
Bzz— Bzzzzzz!
When he asked again just in case, the Peridot Queen Bee rubbed its body against Stinger's Slime Mold Spores as if to say there was no need to ask, confirming its choice.
Though its rank was lower, it was a choice born from the instinct that this was a better fit for its body.
At that, Seong-hyeok didn't ask again and selected YES.
[Using Stinger's Slime Mold Spores (★★★-) as an additional evolution material.]
[The content of the available options will be partially modified.]
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[Notification]
※ The Peridot Queen Bee (★★★+), having met the conditions, has opened a path to evolve into a Peridot Queen Bee (★★★★+). As its master, please choose a path. Time remaining: 23 minutes 27 seconds
※ Warning! If an evolution path is not selected within the time limit, one will be chosen at random.
※ Stinger's Slime Mold Spores (★★★-) has been used as an additional material. -> All stats for the Peridot Queen Bee and the bees in its swarm will slightly increase. The Peridot Queen Bee and any high-grade or elite bees born from it will be able to handle spore poison.
[Evolution List]
* Spore Attack-type Venom Enhancement Evolution: The poison-related attack power of the Peridot Queen Bee and the bees in its swarm will greatly increase. / There is a low chance of a Peridot Spore Kamikaze Bee (★★★-) being born and an extremely low chance of an elite Peridot Purgatory Slime Mold Kamikaze Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) being born.
* Spore Support-type Venom Enhancement Evolution: The total amount of poison and mana possessed by the Peridot Queen Bee and the bees in its swarm will increase. / There is a low chance of a Peridot Spore Shooter Bee (★★★-) being born and an extremely low chance of an elite Peridot Spore Sac Storage-type Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) being born.
* Spore Production-type Venom Enhancement Evolution: The Peridot Queen Bee and the bees in its swarm will be able to harbor special mushroom mycelium, causing mushrooms of various ranks to grow in the surrounding natural vegetation. Occasionally, special Spore Honey can be obtained. / There is a low chance of a Peridot Spore Mycelium Bee (★★★-) being born and an extremely low chance of an elite Peridot Cordyceps Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) being born.
…….
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“Hmm, so from the third evolution onward, do they not need to evolve based on specific organs anymore?”
If the first evolution was choosing an organ and the second was a focused evolution of that organ, what should he call the third?
It felt like choosing a preferred style within that specialized area. The evolution paths for the Peridot Queen Bee were neatly divided into three types of 'venom' enhancement: attack, support, and production.
“Honestly, all three options are tempting…”
First, the attack-type evolution. Seong-hyeok knew its effects better than anyone, thanks to the Ramdok Kamikaze Bees.
They were the ultimate assets, always at the forefront, reducing the sacrifices of other bees.
Now, another version, the ‘Spore Kamikaze Bee,’ could be added to the roster, along with an elite bee, a superior version with the menacing name ‘Peridot Purgatory Slime Mold Kamikaze Legion Commander Bee.’
He had personally witnessed how powerful high-grade species were; he couldn't even begin to imagine an elite bee specialized in self-destruction.
Of course, if its poison attack power also increased, his apiary would become that much safer. That went without saying.
“How can every single one be so appealing?”
But that didn't mean the other options lacked merit.
The support-type would increase the amount of venom collected by expanding the poison sacs, and true to the 'shooter' keyword, it would allow him to leverage the advantage of bees that could spray venom from a distance, like Teunteun-i. And the production-type was a no-brainer.
The possibility of obtaining a new byproduct, ‘Spore Honey’—the alpha and omega of beekeeping—and the ability to get mushrooms from the natural vegetation were significant advantages.
If they were edible, he could add more variety to his future meals. If they were poisonous, he could make prominent use of them in conjunction with his Guardian's Poison Processing and Cheon-su's skills as a Trapper.
‘Th-this is too difficult.’
The simplified choices made their effects all the more distinct, plunging him into deep thought.
However, Seong-hyeok’s deliberation didn't last long.
If he was going to have regrets no matter what he chose, shouldn't he just make his 'choice' a worthwhile one?
Bzz— Bzzzzzz—!
As if it had been waiting, the Peridot Queen Bee spread its wings and began to wiggle its green abdomen in the direction Seong-hyeok was looking.
“Alright, if that’s what you think, Your Majesty. I agree!”
Was letting the queen decide a privilege exclusive to the Ruby Gem Queen?
The Peridot Queen was also sending signals through its body language.
Trusting in the foresight and instincts of the queens who had lived in the wild, Seong-hyeok aligned his will with the Peridot Queen’s choice.
[You have selected an evolution path. -> Spore Production-type Venom Enhancement Evolution]
[The Peridot Queen Bee (★★★+) will now evolve into a Peridot Queen Bee (★★★★+).]
[The overall stats of the Peridot Queen Bee (★★★★+) and the bees belonging to its swarm will be upgraded.]
[The rank of all worker bees belonging to the Peridot Queen Bee's (★★★★+) swarm will increase from (★★) to (★★+).]
[The rank of all high-grade species bees belonging to the Peridot Queen Bee's (★★★★+) swarm will increase from (★★+) to (★★★-).]
[The rank of all elite bees belonging to the Peridot Queen Bee's (★★★★+) swarm will increase from (★★★) to (★★★★).]
[The level of the Lay Eggs skill will increase. Lv.6 -> Lv.8]
…….
Just as they say a master and their companion grow to resemble each other over time.
Befitting Seong-hyeok, whose current profession was a beekeeper, the Peridot Queen’s choice was the ‘production-type’ evolution.
* * * * *
In life, everyone has to make a choice at some point.
Some people regret the outcomes of those choices, whether they were forced or semi-forced, but Seong-hyeok was the type to never dwell on the past.
“I must absolutely trust Her Majesty’s foresight!”
He might be indecisive in the moment of choosing, but life wasn't like a clock you could turn back.
Besides, this choice wasn't made by him alone, but together with his trustworthy ‘queen.’
And in fact, the changes this choice brought to his apiary were a rather welcome development for Seong-hyeok.
[Natural Vegetation, a cluster of Sirbong Potatoes (★-), has been discovered!]
[Natural Vegetation, a colony of Peridot Red-Spotted Mushrooms (★★), has been discovered!]
[Natural Vegetation, a colony of Peridot Enoki Mushrooms (★★-), has been discovered!]
…….
The scout bees were always discovering natural vegetation during their patrols.
Normally, these finds felt like free, unearned income, but the notifications this time included mushrooms with the familiar name ‘Peridot’ attached to them.
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[Peridot Red-Spotted Mushroom (★★)] X 8
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, Health decreases by 80 over 10 seconds. Causes abdominal pain and a high fever for 10 minutes.
* Description: A ★★-rank Peridot Spotted Mushroom native to the dimension ‘Earth.’ This spotted mushroom has a peculiar mycelium that only grows with the help of a special insect. Due to its moderately toxic components, consumption induces abdominal pain and a high fever.
※ Upon consumption or use, there is a 10% chance to acquire a fully usable Peridot Red-Spotted Mushroom Spore (★★-).
[Peridot Enoki Mushroom (★★-)] X 22
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, restores 95 Health and provides a sense of fullness.
* Description: A ★★--rank Peridot Enoki Mushroom native to the dimension ‘Earth.’ This enoki mushroom has a peculiar mycelium that only grows with the help of a special insect. Consumption provides a moderate sense of fullness. A sour yet sweet aroma fills the mouth with every chew.
※ Upon consumption or use, there is a 13% chance to acquire a fully usable Peridot Enoki Mushroom Spore (★+).
[Peridot Pine Mush…….
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The descriptions mentioned that they had appeared for the first time in the dimension ‘Earth’ and that they only grew with the ‘help of a special insect.’
Naturally, there was a reason why these mushrooms had suddenly appeared in large quantities near Seong-hyeok’s apiary.
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[Peridot Spore Mycelium Bee (★★★-)]
* Skills: Forage (Lv.4), Stinger (Lv.7), Flight (Lv.6), Spore Mycelium Poison Sac (Lv.3)
* Honey Storage: 0 / 108(+18)
* Health: 672(+198) Mana: 350(+110)
* Attack: 34(+7) Defense: 41(+11) Magic Resist: 31(+9)
* Description: A ★★★--rank Peridot Spore Mycelium Bee that inhabits the dimension ‘Poisonous Zone Graham.’ It carries a venom of terrifying destructive power in its poison sac. The power of the spore poison has been altered by Stinger's Slime Mold Spores to fit its evolutionary path.
※ This swarm belongs to a Queen Bee with a master. Its stats are partially boosted according to the master's level.
[Spore Mycelium Poison Sac (Lv.3)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: All
* Effect (Passive): Health decreases by 4 per second for 1 minute. (Stacks up to ∞)
* Effect - Mycelium Scattering (Passive): At random intervals, mycelium attached to its body is scattered onto the ground along its flight path, allowing mushroom-related natural vegetation to grow. Upon death, natural vegetation is guaranteed to grow on its corpse.
* Description: Upon stinging, it injects the entire contents of the spore mycelium venom stored in its poison sac into the target and scatters the spore mycelium growing on its body into the wild. As the level increases, the interval shortens, and the effect increases.
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The ‘Peridot Spore Mycelium Bee’ was a new high-grade species added as a result of the Peridot Queen Bee's evolution.
Beyond simply possessing a potent toxin, they were born with spore mycelium on their bodies, so their mere movements in search of honey created an environment where mushroom-related vegetation could grow.
Moreover, there was something about natural vegetation that couldn't be forgotten.
※ Guardian's Blessing of the Light Spirit: Relieves fatigue and grants 15(+2)% immunity to vision-blocking effects. For natural vegetation objects capable of growth, the growth rate is accelerated by 43(+6)%.
* Fertile Land: Increases the fertility of the land within a 5km radius, boosting crop growth speed.
The Gilite Plywood Beehives, one of the types of hives Seong-hyeok had built, along with the Fertile Land effect from Yeon Su-hee's class specialization.
Though limited in range, the synergy between these two effects caused various kinds of mushrooms to start growing at a rapid pace in Seong-hyeok's vicinity.