Chapter 59
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Honeybee's Retaliation
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"...”
The part about the Chinese server's declaration of war.
To be honest, this was something Seong-hyeok had anticipated.
Back when the first auction was underway.
Hadn't he been warned several times by 'Emperor,' who seemed to be a powerhouse from China, and his subordinates in the 5-Star+ room he entered after obtaining VVVVIP status?
'They seem quite impatient.'
Declaring war before the second auction house even opened.
Through this rather hasty declaration, Seong-hyeok had a good idea of what the guy was aiming for.
'He probably intends to kill me before I can participate in the auction. And take my items while he's at it.'
A scheme so transparent, it was like trying to kill two birds with one stone.
Even if they couldn't kill him before the second auction house opened, it wouldn't matter to them.
The state of the community forums.
They probably intended to turn me into a public enemy in Korea through a media war, but it was a futile effort from the start.
"There may be people who've never tried honey, but there's no one who's tried it only once."
Seong-hyeok's processed honey products.
They served as substitutes for potions and doping items, and some even offered permanent stat increases, along with the added benefits of skin care and enhanced stamina.
Because of this, most players would have already realized.
Seong-hyeok.
Without Korea's Honeybee, there is no future for their growth.
In short, Seong-hyeok had become an indispensable existence for Korea.
【Korea/Green Bean: Everyone, calm down! This is just China trying to stir things up with a media war. Don't fall for the propaganda!】
【Korea/Ttukbaegi Collector: War has been declared anyway. Whether we sink or swim, we'll need Honeybee's items to face China.】
Was this meant to prove that point?
Several figures who were previously seen on the 'official' Korean rankings spoke up to defend Seong-hyeok, emphasizing that now was the time to unite.
Of course, their support for Seong-hyeok wasn't offered for free.
【Korea/Green Bean: Honeybee-nim, given the circumstances. I know this is rude, but considering the situation, could you possibly restrict the sale of your processed honey products to the Korean server for a certain period? You can keep the prices as they are. It would be a huge blow to us if these valuable resources were to fall into the hands of China or other servers.】
It was a request for Seong-hyeok, the beekeeper who gathered honey and created amazing processed goods, to become a crucial supply source.
In a way, it was a request that could also be perceived as a 'threat.'
Honestly, from a merchant's perspective, it could have been quite offensive, but Seong-hyeok thought of it differently.
"...So they're setting the stage for me?"
A way to completely erase the negative public opinion that still lingered around him.
In a way, it was a simple matter.
A merchant.
One of the ways for those who deal in exclusive items to win favor with the masses, even before this chaotic world, was to give 'special treatment' to their own country.
"We can't beat China in terms of population, so we have to go for quality."
Even a child knows that China boasts a massive population.
If so, the only way to stand against such a large population was to focus on qualitative aspects.
And above all, in this chaotic world, having a large population was not unconditionally an advantage.
For now, there was the existence of the Emperor, but surely there were many in China who did not follow his will.
*Bzzzz— Bzzzzzzz—*
*BZZZZZZZZZ—*
On the other hand, in Seong-hyeok's apiary, a praiseworthy legion of honeybees that always prioritized him was being born at a rate of over 100,000 per day.
In other words, time was on Seong-hyeok's side.
Therefore, Seong-hyeok decided to gladly use the stage set for him by Green Bean, the number one player in the top rankings officially revealed by Korea's Jeongrichung.
【Korea/Honeybee: China's ridiculous claims are truly absurd. I simply bought an item with coins I earned legitimately, and they want to control that? I have not the slightest intention of selling my processed goods to a faction that is hostile to me, so I will ensure they are not available for sale to China on the exchange.】
The weight carried by a merchant's declaration to be selective about his customers.
Naturally, after Seong-hyeok's post, countless Chinese players erupted in fury, vowing to tear him to shreds, while Korean players cheered.
But Seong-hyeok had no intention of using this stage and leaving it at that.
No matter how much 'qualitatively' stronger the Korean players became, realistically, it would be impossible to win if they clashed with China.
In that case, the solution was simple.
"There's no hero when you're being ganged up on."
Not a 1v1 between China and Korea, but forming alliances with multiple servers and receiving their support.
Of course, Seong-hyeok knew that this would be no easy feat in reality.
Who would want to act rashly and become the Chinese server's next target?
However, Seong-hyeok had his own means of enticing them.
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[Guardian's Rock Honey (Seokcheong 石淸) Tricolor Honey Wine (★★★★+)]
※ Remaining fermentation period: 30 days (Upon completion of fermentation, the toxic effects will be neutralized, and the effects will be enhanced.)
* Classification: Consumable
* Upon consumption, provides a surprising boost to stamina and a sense of fullness, instantly restoring 6,000 (+1,000) Health and Mana. Additionally, the 'Aura of the Guardian's Rock Honey Tricolor Honey Wine' is applied to the individual, permanently increasing all stats by 3 one time only. Current consumption: 0 / 1
※ Aura of the Guardian's Rock Honey Tricolor Honey Wine: For 6 hours, increases max Health and max Mana by 3,000 (+500) and all stats by 30 (+5). (Cooldown: 24 hours)
* As an additional effect from the fusion of the Guardian's Keyword, the effects of the Rock Honey Tricolor Honey Wine are further enhanced.
* Description: A ★★★★+ grade Rock Honey Tricolor Honey Wine engraved with the Guardian's Keyword. The harmony of three types of honey and potent rock honey creates a sweet and luxurious taste. However, as its toxicity has not yet been fully neutralized, consumption is likely to cause pain and side effects. Due to the potent energy imbued in the rock honey, consecutive consumption is restricted.
※ Caution! Buffs from the same series of rock honey products do not stack.
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It was, without a doubt, honey—befitting his life dedicated solely to bees.
Hadn't he mentioned it before?
There may be people who've never tried honey, but there's no one who's tried it only once.
The players of the Asia server had already experienced Seong-hyeok's honey through the first auction house and had likely been purchasing and consuming it steadily ever since.
If so, the next step was all but decided.
【Korea/Honeybee: As you can see, I am currently capable of creating 4-Star+ grade processed goods. And I will be putting these, along with various other processed items, up as prizes.】
...!
A 4-Star+ grade consumable, no less.
Seong-hyeok's act of offering an item with such incredible effects as a prize.
In response, the community forums boiled over to the point where calling it overheated would be an understatement.
Some called it a lie, others questioned how a mere player could give away such an item.
And still others argued that the Asia server couldn't afford to lose a player capable of creating such things.
The atmosphere was flowing exactly as Seong-hyeok wanted.
Amidst it all, Seong-hyeok decided to drop one more bombshell that would cause an uproar.
"A fair judgment. May I ask this of you? Oh, Transcendent Beings?"
[The Transcendent Being, Great Golden Goblin Lord Machelti, bares his golden teeth and smiles, saying it looks fun and to leave it to him.]
[The Transcendent Being, Dimensional Traveler Blanky, nods, stating he will watch.]
[The Transcendent Being, The Patient One, Sion, gently opens his slitted eyes.]
...
[You have met the conditions for quest issuance. -> Agreement of 3 or more Transcendent Beings, commission fee of 150,000 Coins.]
[The event quest, Honeybee's Gratitude, is issued to all players on the Asia server (excluding the China server).]
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[Notification]
※ If you accumulate a lot of points, I will provide substantial benefits and will not forget your efforts. And if I die, you will never be able to eat this honey again!
[Event Quest: Honeybee's Gratitude]
※ This quest can be canceled at any time.
* Hunting China server players will award a certain amount of points based on the target's level.
* Penalty - Hunting Korea server players will result in a deduction of points based on the target's level. However, this does not apply if the target is an evildoer.
* Time Limit: Until the war ends
※ Players ranked 1st to 1,000th who have accumulated the most points within the time limit will receive the specified rewards.
* 1st Place: Guardian's Rock Honey (Seokcheong 石淸) Tricolor Honey Wine (★★★★+)
* 2nd ~ 5th Place: Choice of either Guardian's Tricolor Honey Dark Cheonram Bee Venom Honey Tea (★★★★-) or Guardian's Tricolor Honey Dark Cheonram Bee Venom Propolis Cosmetics (★★★★-).
* 6th ~ 100th Place: Guardian's Ruby Gem Royal Jelly Pills (★★)
...
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Event quests were not something only server administrators could issue.
'It seems the Transcendent Beings don't want me to die either.'
He had learned through a tip that even players could do it, as long as they had the agreement of multiple Transcendent Beings and could pay the corresponding commission and rewards.
Through this information, Seong-hyeok realized that personally jumping into the fray and fighting wasn't the only solution.
In this chaotic world where someone could be a 'foe' one day and an 'ally' the next, Seong-hyeok decided to make use of this fact.
【Korea/Honeybee: I look forward to the valiant efforts of the many Asia server players, excluding China.】
Using one enemy to control another.
To control a powerful enemy, use another enemy.
On top of that, it also served as a promotional tasting event for his new Rock Honey and Tricolor Honey products.
"Minimizing sacrifices while maximizing gains is the best way."
What could be more cost-effective and efficient than this?
* * * * *
The small ball Honeybee had set in motion.
When it hit the Asia server's community forums.
Players from every nation on the Asia server were in an uproar.
【Pakistan/ISiricomb: Is this for real? Players can issue quests?】
【Philippines/Raduria: You're just finding that out now? So am I.】
【Japan/Isekai: Whoa, so what happens now?】
The initial reaction was surprise that a player had issued a 'quest' for the first time.
But what followed was an even greater shockwave.
【Mongolia/Running Horse: But China's justification for this... isn't it a bit weird? By that logic, what's to stop them from crushing the Korean server and then coming after someone else?】
【India/CurryDosa: ...True. Once you've started one war, starting a second one would be easy.】
【Japan/Hasegi, Sword of Science: FR, now that you mention it... If Korea falls, we're in danger too, right?】
Until now, it had been possible to ignore it as a matter between Korea and China, something that didn't concern them.
But once you've crossed a line, crossing it a second time is remarkably easy.
Moreover, wasn't the justification for war put forth by the Emperor's faction based on rather pathetic logic?
Of course, in the real world, a war would leave aftereffects, great or small, but this chaotic world was different.
The ability to kill many players.
Here, where a game-like system existed, it meant one thing: power-leveling.
And most importantly...
【Korea/AttentionSeeker NO.2: And don't you all forget, if Honeybee dies, you'll never get to eat his processed honey again. Can you guys live with that?】
【Korea/ToughGal: The honey is great, and the bees' butts are love, everyone!】
【India/LiveByCurryDieByCurry: Ah, now that's unbearable.】
【Pakistan/HiddenPowerDangmu: FR lol】
The processed honey products bearing the Guardian's Keyword, which they would never get to eat again if Honeybee died.
Realizing this fact, the Asia server began to formulate their own responses toward China.