Chapter 79
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The World Tree's Bounty
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Branches and leaves of the World Tree.
These byproducts of the World Tree had already demonstrated their wide range of uses.
But the World Tree offered more than just that.
Where flowers bloomed, fruit could also ripen.
And sure enough?
A colossal tree, unbelievable for its first stage of growth.
All over its branches, luscious, ripe fruits tempted Seong-hyeok’s eyes.
“Here are the effects.”
Quick on the uptake as always.
Yeon Su-hee, having perceptively harvested some of the World Tree’s fruit in advance, shared its details.
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[Prepyon's World Tree Fruit (★★★+)]
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, it satisfies hunger and thirst, restoring 700 Health and Mana. The energy contained within Prepyon's fruit will imbue your body.
※ Aura of the World Tree Fruit: For 60 minutes, maximum Health and Mana are increased by 300.
* Description: A ★★★+ grade World Tree Fruit obtained from Prepyon's World Tree. Thanks to the continuous natural pollination by honeybees, it is filled to the brim with juice.
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“…”
Health and Mana restoration.
Not only was it well-balanced in both regards, but the boost to Health and Mana from the ‘Aura of the World Tree Fruit’ effect made it unequivocally a top-tier item.
“What do you think? If we combine this with honey or royal jelly, we could make some pretty decent processed goods, don't you think?”
“I'm sure we could.”
Besides, Seong-hyeok and Yeon Su-hee.
Both belonged to production classes, so when it came to things like fruits or honey...
...simply consuming them was out of the question.
Especially with honeybees and the World Tree.
Faced with a feast of byproducts from these two reliable sources, Seong-hyeok couldn't be happier.
Jams, juices, or medicinal ingredients.
The possibilities for processing them were endless!
“So, about that, Seong-hyeok. Would it be all right if I took a good amount of honey this time? I'll pay for it, of course.”
“Of course. Take as much as you need. And you don't have to worry about paying for it.”
“Hmm? Even so, I feel bad taking it for free.”
“No, it's fine. I'm getting things too, like the World Tree's fruits and leaves. Besides, as the owner of this shelter, I'll be providing meals for the 500 residents free of charge for the time being.”
With the addition of 500 people, the shelter's situation was completely different from when it had operated with around 20 residents.
For now, Seong-hyeok had no intention of charging every single person coins for three meals a day.
He wasn't desperate for coins, and it wasn't as if he was short on self-sufficient ingredients, was he?
Of course, he had no intention of providing support for free indefinitely.
Abundant food and the buffs they contained.
Add to that the support from the honeybees, and the shelter's residents would experience skyrocketing growth.
*‘Growth is the priority for now.’*
When the time came, Seong-hyeok planned to start collecting coins from them.
As the saying goes, there may be people who have never tasted honey, but no one tastes it just once.
When that day arrived, they would willingly open their wallets and pay him.
“…Hmm. If that's what you think, then I understand.”
“Then I'll be in your care.”
As if she had seen through his intentions without needing a long conversation, Yeon Su-hee gave a crisp nod this time.
As she headed toward the kitchen to prepare for the upcoming meal, Seong-hyeok watched her go, then turned to the World Tree with a smile.
*‘The World Tree Fruit is nice, but the real prize is something else.’*
He admitted that every single byproduct of the World Tree was useful.
But as someone who lived and died by his honeybees...
...having dedicated himself to this one path, Seong-hyeok knew instinctively.
No matter how outstanding the World Tree's byproducts were, they couldn't compare to 'this'—the masterpiece of his bees.
*'I'm sorry, but this is something I can't share just yet.'*
He was more than willing to provide things he could steadily acquire in decent quantities, like honey or royal jelly.
But unlike sharing a single bean, a treasure like wild ginseng was best enjoyed alone.
He felt a little bad for Yeon Su-hee, but there were some things Seong-hyeok simply wouldn't give up.
[Imperial Topaz Worker Bee (★★+) has collected honey. Current Honey Status: 98.8922%]
[Imperial Topaz Worker Bee (★★+) has collected honey. Current Honey Status: 99.0010%]
[Imperial Topaz Architect Legion Commander Honeybee (★★★★) has collected honey. Current Honey Status: 99.2030%]
…
That was the World Tree.
No, to be precise, it was above and below the World Tree.
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[Wild Beehive - Tree Honey (★★★+)]
※ As a one-time special collectible, the wild beehive will be destroyed upon harvesting.
※ Crafted for a specific purpose, it possesses extremely weak defensive capabilities and durability.
* Classification: Other
* Current Working Honeybees: 12,001 (1 Imperial Architect Honeybee / 20,000 Imperial Topaz Worker Bees)
* Current Honey Status: 99.8244%
* Health: 350
* Defense: 8 Magic Resistance: 2
* Durability: 30 / 30
* Description: A ★★★+ grade wild beehive crafted using a special method. When the honey status is completely filled, you can obtain precious, high-grade Tree Honey. If destroyed, you will acquire low-quality Tree Honey.
※ Warning! The wild beehive's uniquely sweet scent stimulates the appetite of nearby monsters. It increases the monster respawn rate in the vicinity and attracts monsters. (This effect grows stronger as the hive fills with honey.)
[Wild Beehive - Earth Honey (★★★+)]
…
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The wild beehives, Tree Honey (Mokcheong) and Earth Honey (Tocheong), completed in two separate locations.
Wild honey—the Bentley of the honey world.
And it wasn't just any wild honey; the hives had been built in prime locations to absorb the maximum amount of energy from the World Tree's essence and the soil.
*Bzzz— Bzzzzzzz—*
*Buzzzzzzz—!*
In the two wild beehives that had been established, Imperial Topaz Honeybees were visible, busily wiggling their golden abdomens as they worked.
*'Even I have to admit, this is the most optimal workflow.'*
The flowers of the World Tree boasted an exceptional concentration and quantity of nectar.
Was it because the bees could now collect nectar on the spot?
Thanks to the highly efficient workflow, the honey status in both wild beehives was filling up at an unbelievable speed compared to the previous 'Rock Honey'.
The result…
[The honey status of Wild Beehive - Tree Honey (★★★+) has reached 100%.]
[The honey status of Wild Beehive - Earth Honey (★★★+) has reached 100%.]
[Honey is now ready for harvest!]
The Tree Honey and Earth Honey, completed in an instant, exuded the deep, rich aroma of wild honey.
It was so alluring that it made even the patient Seong-hyeok's heart pound.
“Wow, this is no joke.”
It had been the same with the Rock Honey, but this time, with the World Tree's sap and the power of its soil...
...the unimaginable sweetness, created by absorbing various nutrients and having two hives completed at once, was overwhelming.
The scent almost made Seong-hyeok's mind go blank, but he quickly shook his head and regained his focus.
“Alright, shall I harvest some?”
Now that the product was complete, all that was left was to collect it.
The location where wild honey develops is always crucial.
Trusting in the formidable power of the World Tree, Seong-hyeok held his breath, his heart trembling with anticipation, and skillfully went to work.
[Harvesting Great Success!]
[The sap of the World Tree influences the aging process.]
[The soil of the World Tree influences the aging process.]
[You have acquired 10 Imperial Topaz World Tree's Tree Honey (★★★★).]
[You have acquired 10 Imperial Topaz World Tree's Earth Honey (★★★★).]
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[Imperial Topaz World Tree's Tree Honey (★★★★)] x10
* Classification: Consumable, Material
* Upon consumption, provides an incredible boost to vitality and satisfies hunger, restoring 1,300 Health and Mana. The consumer is also granted the ‘Deep Aura of the World Tree's Tree Honey,’ permanently increasing all stats by 1, up to 3 times. Current uses: 0 / 3
※ Deep Aura of the World Tree's Tree Honey: For 90 minutes, increases maximum Health and Mana by 1,500 and all stats by 7. (No cooldown)
* Description: Precious Tree Honey obtained from a wild beehive. It has absorbed the sap of the World Tree, giving it an even richer flavor. However, consuming too much at once will result in considerable pain.
※ Warning! Overconsumption may cause stomachaches.
※ Warning! Buffs from the same type of Tree Honey do not stack.
[Imperial Topaz World Tree's Earth Honey (★★★★)] x10
* Description: Influenced by the soil of the World Tree...
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“…Jackpot.”
As expected.
The Tree Honey and Earth Honey, now imbued with even more powerful effects, proved that his choice of location had been correct.
Not only were the effects stronger, but he also received a whopping ten units—three more than the seven he had gotten from the Rock Honey.
Of course, a difference of three might not seem like much, but considering the Honeybee's Grace event he had previously hosted...
...the first-place prize, the Rock Honey Mead, had been crafted using three units of Rock Honey. This was no small amount.
Above all, wasn't this a 4-star material?
“Well, now. With effects like these, I can't resist.”
A permanent stat increase effect, usable three times per player.
Seong-hyeok, who knew the importance of stats thanks to the Authority of the Honeybee Guardian, didn't hesitate. He scooped up a handful of the honey-drenched Tree Honey and Earth Honey and shoved it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing.
*Slurp— Slurp, slurp, slurp—*
Well, to be honest, 90% of his motivation was the desire to savor the taste of the World Tree's wild honey rather than the permanent stat boost, but what could he do?
He was the beekeeper, and he was the master of the bees that made it.
After licking every last drop of honey from his fingers, an immense sense of satisfaction washed over him.
“Ah, truly, all hail the honeybees.”
*Bzzz— Bzzzzzzz—*
As if sensing his mood, Geonchug-i and the other Imperial Topaz Honeybees flew over, as if asking for praise.
Stroking the heads of the bees who had worked so hard on the wild beehives, Seong-hyeok gave a simple order.
“Alright, let's go for another round, shall we?”
An order to construct more wild beehives to produce more of the sweet wild honey.
One might expect them to complain about having to continue working without a proper rest, but...
*Buzzzzz—!*
...as always, the diligent honeybees...
...wiggled their abdomens and got right back to work.
* * * * *
While Seong-hyeok was indulging in the wild honey...
...unexpectedly, two other beings were drawn in by its sweet scent.
“Kkwong, kkwonggg!”
“Kkuing. Kku-iing!”
It was none other than the two giant bears, Yongbi and Danbi, whose sense of smell was second to none.
Perhaps they had been nearby waiting for mealtime, but they came rushing over like arrows, their clear eyes sparkling.
“…This is off-limits.”
Seeing the pitiful expressions on the two innocent-looking bears, so out of place on their massive bodies, might have made anyone want to give them something, even if they had nothing to give. But this was Seong-hyeok.
When it came to wild honey, he was a thorough miser who wouldn't share it with anyone.
After all, being human, Seong-hyeok had his share of selfishness.
But had Yongbi and Danbi anticipated his reaction?
“Kkwoooong...”
“Kkuiiiing...”
Their perked ears drooped, their faces full of sorrow.
And the notification that followed was something even Seong-hyeok hadn't expected.
[Quest issuance conditions have been met. -> Impending Birth, Desperate Craving]
[The scent of the World Tree's Tree Honey and Earth Honey in your possession brings tears to Danbi's eyes.]
[Special Quest, Danbi's Prenatal Nourishment, has been issued.]