Chapter 58
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Declaration of War
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Afterward, Seong-hyeok's apiary began to recover at a remarkably fast pace.
Seong-hyeok and the residents, now thoroughly accustomed to their tasks, worked with a clear system.
[Imperial Topaz Princess Bee (★★★★-) has secured a nest.]
[Spawning will now begin!]
Moreover, the princess bee born from the resonance with the queen bee also entered a hive Seong-hyeok had completed and began to lay eggs. Now, with a system of three queens and two princesses, the number of bees pouring out was simply staggering!
And that wasn't all.
[You have met a specific awakening condition. -> Pure Strength stat of 100 or higher, excluding item effects.]
[You have met a specific awakening condition. -> Pure Control stat of 100 or higher, excluding item effects.]
Among the gains from this hunt, the greatest one for him as a player was, without a doubt, the explosive level-up.
It was a natural outcome, considering the sacrifice of his bees and the fact that he had monopolized the dungeon's experience.
Seong-hyeok distributed the stat points he had gained into Strength and Control, where the Honeybee Guardian's authority had not yet manifested, and soon, the effects began to appear.
[The authority of the Honeybee Guardian grows stronger. The attack power of all bees belonging to the swarm increases.]
[The effect of this authority increases attack power further as the Strength stat rises.]
Since Strength was closely related to 'Attack Power,' this was something he had somewhat expected.
Of course, compared to the other unique abilities, a simple increase in attack power alone might seem lackluster, but Seong-hyeok thought differently.
'Even if the attack power increases by just 1, for 100 bees, it's an increase of 100, and for 1,000 bees, it's 1,000.'
It was an incredibly simple yet, in a way, the most overwhelming effect.
Furthermore, considering he could momentarily boost his Strength stat to 1,000, just as he did with the recent doping, the power of this authority was not to be underestimated.
Besides, Seong-hyeok still had one more.
There was another Honeybee Guardian's authority left to manifest.
[The authority of the Honeybee Guardian grows stronger. Some of the unique individuals in the swarm will manifest additional skills or have their existing traits enhanced.]
[The effect of this authority increases the manifestation rate of additional skills as the Control stat rises.]
[The skill of the Ruby Gem Dark Lilyzer Legion Commander Bee (★★★★), Lilyzer Pheromone - Collection & Defense, now includes Attack.]
[The Peridot Cheonramdok Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) grows larger, and the total amount of bee venom in its poison sac increases accordingly.]
[The Peridot Hachodongchung Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) learns the skill, Mushroom Spore Scatter (Lv.1).]
[The Imperial Topaz Architect Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) learns the skill, Wax Turret Construction (Lv.1).]
It was the authority of the Honeybee Guardian corresponding to the Control stat.
“...?”
Seong-hyeok blinked at the results of this effect.
For the first time, an authority of the Honeybee Guardian didn't apply to 'all bees'.
However, it couldn't be called a bad thing. After all, enhancing or adding skills to the elite bees, which held powerful influence over the swarm, was an immense boon when you thought about it.
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[Lilyzer Pheromone - Collection & Defense & Attack (Lv.5)]
* Type: Skill
* Mana Cost: 450
* Effect - Attack (Active): Once activated, it is maintained indefinitely. Increases the attack power of allied bees within a 5km radius by 5. (Cooldown: 120 minutes)
※ The effects of Lilyzer Pheromone can be stacked. (Max 10 stacks)
[Mushroom Spore Scatter (Lv.1)]
* Type: Skill
* Mana Cost: 600
* Effect (Active): Scatters mushroom spores for 2 minutes. (Cooldown: 60 minutes)
* Effect - Nutrient Supply (Passive): If natural mushroom vegetation is growing in the area where the spores are scattered, their growth rate is greatly accelerated.
* Effect - Spreading Poison Spores (Passive): Targets exposed to the spores are poisoned for 10 minutes, losing 3 health per second. This effect is contagious. (Max 2 stacks)
* Description: Scatters poisonous mushroom spores containing nutrients in all directions. The poison begins to spread from the initial infected target.
[Wax Turret Construction (Lv.1)]
* Type: Skill
* Mana Cost: 400
* Required Materials: Beeswax
* Deployable Bees: 0 / 4,000 (Only Imperial Topaz bee species can be deployed. The construction speed increases with the number of bees deployed.)
* Effect (Active): Constructs a wax turret with special effects using beeswax. However, while this skill is active, the Imperial Topaz Architect Legion Commander Bee and the deployed bees cannot perform any other actions or follow other commands.
* Description: Constructs a wax turret with special powers using beeswax and other bee byproducts. As the skill level increases, more bees can be deployed, and a more powerful wax turret can be constructed.
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“Hoh?”
Just what he could confirm right now was quite useful.
The new pheromone effect that could boost aggression, and Teunteun-i, who had grown larger than before and now held more venom.
The Mushroom Spore Scatter, which could be used for both production and offense.
And finally, Geonchug-i, who could now construct a defensive structure called a Wax Turret that was clearly capable of attacking.
His one and only Geonchug-i was currently deployed at the Wild Hive - Rock Honey, so it was difficult to grasp the detailed effects, but a glance was enough to tell it was a power not to be taken lightly.
'I should use the next available resonance to create another Geonchug-i.'
The greenhouse, warehouse, and livestock pens built by Seok-cheol.
Perhaps influenced by the various benefits these structures brought to the farm, Seong-hyeok's curiosity about the 'Wax Turret' led him to decide on the direction of his resonance.
Finishing up his remaining tasks, he turned his head and looked around the farm.
“...It really is better to have others around than to be alone.”
In a way, it was 'only' four residents.
But with their arrival, Seong-hyeok's apiary had grown to a scale incomparable to when he was alone.
“Kkuwong- Kkuwoooong-!”
“Kkuooooo!”
Also, there were the two giant Asiatic black bears, who could be called new residents (?) from the recent incident.
Contrary to their clumsy appearance, they were quite intelligent and provided a great deal of help with various tasks needed on the farm.
Most basically, their speed made them useful as mounts for traveling long distances, and as field boss monsters with fairly high levels, they also proved to be formidable in combat.
“Seong-hyeok oppa. What are these two named?”
“Hm? I haven't named them yet.”
“Eek! That's so mean! You should at least give them names!”
“...I'm not good at that kind of thing, so you can handle it.”
“Oh? Really? Don't you take it back later!”
Beyond that, they also acted as mood-makers, lifting the spirits of the residents who had been saddened by the death of the bees.
“Ah, while you're at it, think of a name for the baby bear too.”
“Huh? Why a baby bear all of a sudden?”
“Because the mother bear is pregnant.”
“Kyaaak! Really?”
Furthermore, one mustn't forget.
The giant Asiatic black bears didn't end with just two.
As if they had been intentionally respawned as a perfect pair, they were male and female, and the female was already pregnant.
If the birth went smoothly, there would be three of them, and further down the line, she could bear more cubs.
'It would be great if things could just stay peaceful like this.'
It was a series of events that could be called joyous.
Seong-hyeok prayed that this atmosphere would continue, but in this world...
Hadn't they always said that not everything goes as you wish?
As always, 'people' were far more frightening than monsters.
Especially since, like with the previous event quest, Soldier VS Civilian, the pets managing the server couldn't stand to see people remaining idle...
[You have met the conditions for quest bestowal. -> Riggle's response to the declaration of war.]
[The event quest, Outbreak of War, is granted to all players on the Korean server.]
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[Notification]
※ To our proud players of the Korean server! The Chinese server has declared war! We look forward to your response in kind!
[Event Quest: Outbreak of War]
* When hunting players from the Chinese server, loot acquisition is increased by 1.5x, and you will earn a certain amount of points based on your level.
* Avatar Hunt - Hunting a target who has formed an Avatar Contract will yield a large number of points.
* Territory Capture - Upon capturing specific designated areas...
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“...”
The topsy-turvy world would never allow for a peaceful existence.
* * * * *
The news of war between the Korean and Chinese servers following China's declaration.
Needless to say, the Korean players who heard this were thrown into utter chaos.
【Korea/Attention Seeker NO.17: War? What kind of bullshit is this?】
【Korea/Black Sword: Jeongrichung-nim. Please summarize why this is happening!】
【Korea/DingDongDitcher: Shit, how the hell are we supposed to stop China's human wave tactics!】
China.
Even before the advent of this topsy-turvy world, most Koreans knew of China's strength without needing an explanation.
An immense population and financial power so great they were called the 'Mainland.'
The only nation in the world that could truly match China was the United States, often called the 'Nation of Trillions.'
And now they were supposed to go to war with such a server?
Above all, wasn't this topsy-turvy world a place where the difference in power based on 'population' was starkly evident?
【Pakistan/DeathFromOverwork: War is a bad thing; I hope things work out for you.】
【Mongolia/NotARaid: What's this, what's going on? Should I get the popcorn?】
【India/CurryIsDelicious: I don't know what's happening.】
【Japan/KingAnimeProfilePic: But if this is how things are, aren't we in danger too?】
【Uzbekistan/ShuShuPop: Well, the fire hasn't spread to us yet, so let's just watch.】
In contrast to the mood among the Koreans, the other Asian server members sharing the community board were watching the fire from across the river.
It made sense. While 'war' was frightening, it wasn't directed at them, so it was natural to view it with a degree of detachment.
Of course, it wasn't as if those who declare war once would never do so again.
Several countries bordering China posted worried comments, wondering if they would be next.
But was this chaotic state all part of the design?
Amidst the complicated situation, the Chinese posts, which had been quietly observing, suddenly began to flood the board like a mad torrent.
【China/Emperor's Head: Pay the price for defying the Emperor's words, Korea.】
【China/Emperor's Hair Root: You have touched one who should not have been touched.】
【China/Emperor's Right Arm: The crime of provoking a great nation shall be paid for with death.】
And, as if planned in advance, the posts from the Emperor's various 'parts' received a flood of upvotes, instantly rising to the BEST board.
Following them, as if to explain what had triggered this event, a post appeared from China's representative know-it-all, 'Emperor's Explainer.'
【China/Emperor's Explainer: The reason the Mainland is furious.】 - Views 99,2...
- The Korean server ignored our warning. We repeatedly told you not to touch the items our Emperor bid on in the auction house. Yet, the Korean server, as if to mock the Emperor, stole every single item he had his eye on. Players of the Korean server, remember this. There is only one reason you will die. Honeybee. It's because of that disgusting bee bastard's pathetic spending spree.
And to the players of neighboring countries, you need not worry. As long as you do not provoke us, we have absolutely no intention of participating in a war, even if one is declared. Of course, if the opposite were true, I need not say more.
【Comments (999...)】
- Japan/M-Shaped Hairline: What. So this is all because of Honeybee?
- Korea/ArtsMajorYashio: Fuck! What did we do wrong? Can't we just get rid of that Honeybee bastard?
- Korea/OctopusWoman: But they were items listed on the auction house, so how is that stealing?
- Korea/RoadRoller: Who cares. The important thing right now is that we might die!
...
The one who caused this war is Honeybee.
It was a short and bold declaration.
The resulting shockwave on the community boards was no joke.
【Korea/AsLongAsItsNotMe: Honeybee, you caused this war, so take responsibility! I don't want to die!】
【Korea/Prime: Even I think Honeybee was in the wrong here. I think he needs to make an official apology first.】
【Korea/BlackCalf: Hey, why do I have to die because of some bee? Can't Honeybee just atone with his life or something?】
From those demanding an official apology from Honeybee, the direct cause of this mess, to those casually suggesting he should atone with his life.
Just a few days ago, the Korean players' stance on Honeybee had been completely different.
But not everyone was criticizing Honeybee.
【Korea/Yeonbun Gukbap: What a load of bullshit. How is this Honeybee's fault? Is it a crime to sweep the auction house with money you earned from selling items? Does that make any sense?】
【Korea/Attention Seeker NO.1: Ahem. As the leader of the attention seekers, I'll say one thing. Even to me, this kind of bandwagoning seems wrong. Everyone, just calm down for a bit.】
【Korea/Green Bean: Everyone, let's think rationally. This is just them forcing a justification. Even without the issue of sweeping the auction house, China would have eventually built up its strength and attacked us with some other pathetic excuse. And please recognize that the die has already been cast. In times like these, we must unite, not become divided. Let's forget about the Soldier VS Civilian incident for a moment. How about the military personnel cooperate with us this time?】
Rebuttals against China's ridiculous justification.
There wasn't much wrong with that argument.
If they were willing to use something like that as a pretext, an incident was bound to happen eventually for some trivial reason.
Besides, don't they say that in difficult times, a nation's patriotism unites its people?
【Korea/Army Chief of Staff Jang Pil-jung: This is Jang Pil-jung, in charge of the Army's overall management. As of this moment, our Army will lend its strength to the war against China. We cannot allow the land of Korea to be stolen by those Chinese bastards.】
【Korea/Navy Chief of Staff Park Su-byeok: The same goes for our Navy. We promise to stand together for our country at any time.】
【Korea/Commander Robert Harden: This is Robert from the USFK base. Until now, we have only been hunting monsters, but in any case, we too are part of the Korean server. Since China is attacking, we will join the fight.】
【Korea/Jeongrichung: I am currently gathering data on the specific regions for the Territory Capture rule and on the Avatars. Please send me a message anytime. I swear on my name to protect the confidentiality of my informants. Also, to prevent leaks, I will be posting the information on the Korean server's exclusive community board.】
...
Amidst a situation where the military, who had been treated almost as enemies, declared their intent to join the war, and various pieces of information were being shared in secret.
The preparations of countless people to respond to the declaration of war had begun.