Chapter 49
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Land of Milk and Honey
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Mantium's sword was less like a bee sting and more like a knife stab.
But after obtaining the Insect King Prankito's Bee Sting, Seong-hyeok began to use the long-neglected bee sting therapy on himself and the residents.
Of course, their reactions were all wildly different.
“You, you liar… You said it wouldn’t hurt! It hurts!”
“Hyung-nim. I’m not a fan of needles… Aaaargh!”
Yeon-ah and Cheon-su, who were on the younger side.
Being repeatedly poked by the sharp, syringe-like stinger played on their fears, causing the two to scream endlessly and scratch at their bodies as if they were itchy.
But as mentioned before, everyone reacted differently.
Seok-cheol and Su-hee, for instance, had the complete opposite reaction.
“Ooh! That’s so refreshing! Thanks, Seong-hyeok, my boy!”
“Thank you, Seong-hyeok. My joints were aching, but now I feel so much better.”
Was it that you couldn't ignore the wisdom of age?
Or perhaps the more you experience, the more tolerant you become as you get older?
Ultimately, both were likely true. Seok-cheol and Su-hee sought out Seong-hyeok's bee sting therapy whenever they had a chance, while Yeon-ah and Cheon-su were desperate to avoid it.
Needless to say, Seong-hyeok wasn't about to let them be.
‘Experiments are always better with more subjects.’
As for the bee sting therapy,
perhaps due to its level limitation, it could only apply two buffs at a time.
Because of this, Seong-hyeok needed data on which pressure points would yield the most effective results, so he dangled a carrot to entice the two.
“You’re not toddlers, what’s so scary about a bee sting? You probably don’t know this, but getting bee sting therapy improves blood circulation, which is good for your skin and can even help with hair loss.”
“…Good for your skin, you say?”
“H-Hair loss? Is that true, Hyung-nim?”
Not a bad reaction from the fleeing test subjects.
With the temptation successfully planted, Seong-hyeok added the final bait.
“And if you keep this up, you can forget about getting any of the new royal jelly pills, propolis cosmetics, or honeybee butts from now on.”
“…”
For those who had already experienced the potent effects of the two items on their skin and vitality, this ban was like a bolt from the blue.
“Ehei, Hyung-nim. When did I ever say I was backing out?”
“Oppa, really. Hmph! Well, if you say it’s good for my skin, I’ll try to bear it.”
“Should’ve just said so from the start.”
No matter what anyone said, Seong-hyeok, who held the rights to the honey products and the delectable honeybee butts, was the ultimate victor.
* * * * *
After the auction,
Seong-hyeok's beekeeping farm had some new additions.
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[Macherti's Golden Goblin Mine Summon Ticket - 10-Day Pass (★★★+)]
※ This item contains a fragment of a Transcendent Being's divinity. (Boasts effects far superior to ordinary items.)
※ Time Remaining: 9 days, 15 hours, 38 minutes (Deactivates upon expiration.)
* Classification: Summoned Structure
* Current Cleared Floor: 1F - 2.6%
* Golden Goblins at Work: 5 / 5 (All are happy. Vigor is at maximum.)
* Health: 100,000
※ Hire Golden Goblin: Hires a Golden Goblin. However, hired Golden Goblins require maintenance costs, and their vigor increases significantly when they receive gifts. (Maintenance Cost per Goblin: 300 Coins per hour)
※ Extend Duration: Adds time to maintain the Golden Goblin Mine. (Cost: 8,000 Coins per day)
* Durability: 1,500 / 1,500
* Description: A ★★★+ grade mine summon ticket imbued with the authority of the transcendent being, the great Golden Goblin Macherti. A minuscule fragment of divinity has granted it superior power. Within the endless Golden Goblin mine, various types of natural vegetation and minerals can be found. Explore the mine deeply! / P.S. If you covet wealth, you'd best be prepared for the consequences, kehehehe!
※ Warning! This mine stimulates the greed of monsters. It increases the respawn rate of nearby monsters and attracts them.
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On Seong-hyeok's beekeeping farm,
in a spot he had intentionally cleared of weeds and trees,
Clang— Clang— Clang—!
five stocky, child-sized, yellow-skinned Golden Goblins were hard at work inside the summoned golden mine.
“Diligence is the best, after all.”
The sight of them working hard, drenched in sweat, was a beautiful thing, whether they were human, honeybee, or Golden Goblin.
With a wide smile, Seong-hyeok recalled the first time he had summoned them.
“What is it, human?”
“You think the likes of you can handle us? Kehehe, ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!”
“Your height is unsettling. Bow down, human!”
“Still, you hired us, so we’ll work just enough to justify it.”
Even though Seong-hyeok was the one who hired them, the Golden Goblins were mostly snarky.
But there was one thing that could shut them up.
[The transcendent being, the great Golden Goblin Lord Macherti, scolds them, asking what kind of disgraceful behavior this is toward a guest he has his eye on.]
It was a single remark from Macherti, who could be called the Golden Goblins' ultimate superior.
“A human who has Lord Macherti’s attention. He is worthy of respect!”
“Forgive our ignorance. We will work to the best of our ability!”
As they say, the boss is always the scariest.
The five Golden Goblins promptly took pickaxes from the bundles on their backs and prepared to start mining.
Of course, Seong-hyeok wasn't one to just let them be.
“Before you start working, how about you wet your throats with this?”
“Oh, something to eat? Thanks, human.”
“Giving us food. A good employer.”
“Sweet, so sweet! It’s a delicious, warm honey tea!”
It was Seong-hyeok's special honey product, honey tea, which he gladly offered to his workers.
But there's no such thing as a free lunch.
To get his money's worth, Seong-hyeok pulled the bee stinger from his coat.
“Alright, now, come here one by one.”
“…Huh? Human, we don’t like needles—Ugyagyagyak!”
“Kkieeeeeek!”
Five more victims, following the residents.
No, a smile crept onto Seong-hyeok's lips at the triumph of acquiring more test subjects.
* * * * *
Just as he was spreading the benefits of bee sting therapy throughout the farm,
Seong-hyeok instantly teleported to where the dimensional tunnel was installed.
“You’re here, Seong-hyeok?”
“Seong-hyeok, my boy, perfect timing. This is the new structure we just finished with the lumber you gave us and the minerals the golden gobbos brought. What do you think? Pretty neat, huh?”
The couple greeted him as if they had been waiting for him.
Seok-cheol, in particular, approached Seong-hyeok with a hearty laugh, eager to show off his work.
“Whoa…”
And as he looked at the options of the structure before him, Seong-hyeok understood why Seok-cheol was so proud.
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[Sturdy Peridot Plywood and Beeswax Barn (★★★+)]
* Classification: Structure
* Allied entities and objects within the building gain the ‘Sturdy One's Safe Barn’ effect.
※ Sturdy One's Safe Barn: As a secure structure, it calms the minds and bodies of the livestock housed within. The rate at which livestock mature and their byproduct production cycle are accelerated by 20%.
* As an additional effect from the disappearance of the Guardian keyword, the barn's durability and defense are further increased.
* Housing Capacity: 35 / 405 (+45)
* Health: 28,500 (+10,500)
* Defense: 220 (+70) Magic Resistance: 110 (+35)
* Durability: 1,150 / 1,150 (+250)
* Description: A ★★★+ grade Peridot Plywood and Beeswax Barn inscribed with the Sturdy keyword. A structure built with peridot plywood and other high-quality minerals, its durability has been greatly enhanced with Rubydot beeswax to prevent easy decay. The energy from the harmony between the peridot and minerals soothes the minds of the housed livestock.
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Following the greenhouse and the warehouse, a magnificent new barn had been constructed.
Even with ample materials, completing it in such a short time was a testament to Seok-cheol's exceptional physical prowess and skills.
“This looks amazing.”
“Hehehe! I knew you had a good eye, Seong-hyeok, my boy.”
Seok-cheol puffed out his chest, his smile so wide it seemed to lift his cheekbones to the sky.
It might be rude to say about an elder, but in a way, it was quite an endearing sight.
“Ah, but this is no time to stand around. What’s inside is more important than the outside. Come on and have a look.”
The reason for building this barn,
needless to say, was because they had acquired livestock through the recent auction.
Of course, the livestock hadn't been purchased by Seong-hyeok.
“Constantly buying pork is a big drain on our coins, and since most of my job specializations are good for raising livestock in addition to farming and cooking, I thought I’d try raising them myself.”
These were the fruits of the labor of Yeon Su-hee, the one in charge of cooking and farming in the shelter.
She had taken the initiative to acquire them herself so she could broaden her culinary repertoire.
Peep— Peep—!
Oink, oink—
Chicks with fledgling yellow feathers darted about, while young pigs sniffed around their surroundings.
Seeing the various livestock growing in separate pens, thoughtfully designed to prevent conflict within the spacious barn, naturally lifted Seong-hyeok’s spirits.
It was no wonder, given that Yeon Su-hee was already a phenomenal cook.
With her having a whole new set of ingredients to work with, he couldn't help but look forward to her future dishes.
But just then,
“Hm? But how is that cow already fully grown?”
Seong-hyeok couldn't shake his confusion as he surveyed the barn.
Moooooo—!
While most of the animals in the barn were still growing, a single, fully-grown dairy cow was munching on its feed.
Sensing something special about it beyond its innocent eyes and adult stature, he asked, and Yeon Su-hee let out her characteristic laugh as if she'd been caught.
“I was going to tell you once we got some milk, but your eye for detail is amazing as always, Seong-hyeok. I already got permission, so I’ll share Woo-ryang’s stats with you.”
The mention of getting permission.
And from the shared information about the cow, Seong-hyeok immediately knew who was involved.
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[Prepyon's Cow (Divine)] - Avatar Exclusive Livestock
※ This item contains a large amount of a Transcendent Being's divine fragments. (Boasts effects vastly superior to ordinary livestock.)
※ Will be destroyed if the Avatar's soul permanently perishes.
* Growth Rate: 0%
* Current Milk Production Status: 2.522%
* Skills: Ruminate (Lv.3), Prepyon's Milk (Lv.2), Fury of Abundance (Lv.1)
* Health: 3,350 (+750) Mana: 2,200 (+300)
* Attack: 130 (+25) Defense: 150 (+30) Magic Resistance: 135 (+25)
* Description: A ?-grade livestock personally raised by the transcendent being, the Goddess of Abundance, Prepyon. It has been elevated to a divine livestock due to a large amount of divine fragments. It obeys only the words of Prepyon's Avatar, produces high-quality Prepyon's Milk, and unleashes the Fury of Abundance upon its enemies.
※ This livestock has an owner. Its stats and products will be upgraded according to the owner's level.
[Prepyon's Milk (Lv.2)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 0
* Effect (Passive): Imbues collected milk with the power of the Goddess of Abundance, Prepyon.
* Description: Allows for the acquisition of high-quality milk. As the level increases, the effect improves and a larger quantity of milk can be obtained.
[Fury of Abundance (Lv.1)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 2,000
* Effect (Active): For 10 minutes, Health, Attack, and other defensive stats are greatly increased. However, due to the effects of expressing intense rage, milk cannot be produced for 6 hours after the duration ends. (Cooldown: 24 hours)
* Description: Expresses rage in the name of the Goddess of Abundance, Prepyon. As the level increases, the effect is strengthened for a longer duration, and the penalty effect is also weakened.
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“…This is incredible.”
This was more than just a dairy cow; comparing its stats alone, this monster of a cow was equivalent to two Teunteun-i, the strongest combat species on Seong-hyeok's farm.
And that was without even mentioning the ‘Fury of Abundance’ skill, which could drastically boost those stats.
“Can you get more than just the cow?”
“She said they exist, but there’s a limit to how much she can help right now. She said she barely managed to squeeze this one in because I’m her Avatar.”
“I see.”
Then again, Seong-hyeok had already deduced to some extent that there were limits to how much a Transcendent Being could interfere in this chaotic world.
From his perspective, he was more than grateful just for receiving a cow like this.
But Seong-hyeok’s surprises weren't over yet.
[Special Situation: You have met the conditions to unlock the Land of Milk and Honey. -> Possess a ★★★+ grade or higher cow and honeybees.]
“Oh my, goodness me!”
“…!”
The discovery of a completely unexpected Hidden Piece.
For a moment, he wondered just how many different kinds of hidden elements were concealed within this chaotic world.
[The transcendent being, the Goddess of Abundance, Prepyon, gives a warm smile.]
As for that secret, Prepyon merely answered with a smile.