Chapter 92
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Sowing Hope
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Information trading, arguably the most crucial part of the contract with the Server Manager.
He had long known there was no such thing as a free lunch, but the means to obtain that ‘information’ didn’t require coins.
“So this is how it works.”
A ‘permanent’ quest bestowed by ‘the world’ according to Seong-hyeok’s innate karma.
Unlike a one-off quest that ends after a single completion, this was a permanent one that offered rewards at certain intervals.
The three tasks given were surprisingly simple.
“A prosperous swarm of honeybees shouldn't be a problem.”
To increase the number of honeybees as much as possible.
This was already the direction Seong-hyeok had always prioritized, so he just needed to continue as he was.
All he had to do was capture or evolve Queen Bees.
In that case, the remaining two quests were the important ones.
Restoring the ruined nature and subjugating a Disaster-class enemy.
A Disaster-class monster, presumed to have been killed by the nuclear missile launched by North Korea.
Because of that, it was impossible to know how strong it was, but at least one thing was certain.
“It must be incomparable to the monsters I've faced so far.”
An enemy so powerful it would only die from a direct hit by a nuclear missile—the same kind that had pushed the Japanese server to the brink of annihilation in a single blow.
It went without saying, but its sheer power would far surpass any elite or field boss he had encountered.
Considering the current situation where it could be lurking anywhere and the great sacrifice the honeybees would have to make, it would be safer to tackle this once the honeybee army's strength was more solidified.
“Hoo, I really don't get it, but I do need to revive nature...”
Whether they were giving the disease and then the cure, it was ‘the world’ and the Server Managers who were presumed to have turned the Earth upside down like this.
However, for the honeybees to obtain more and better-quality honey, the restoration of nature was urgent.
“For now, shall we go for a special bonus, everyone?”
*Bzzzz~*
*Bzzzzzzzzzz-*
North Korea and Japan.
To purify the two servers contaminated by radiation, Seong-hyeok called upon the forest's small and cute workers.
He requested the help of his honeybees.
* * * * *
Forests, the great pillars of nature, and the trees and flowers within them.
Nature is easy to destroy but difficult to regrow.
But as they say, in the face of capitalism, is there anything money can't do?
[You have purchased 74,251 ‘Akir Honey Apple Seeds (★+)’.]
[853,000 Coins have been consumed.]
[You have purchased 56,026 ‘Beryl Almond Seeds (★★-)’.]
[935,000 Coins have been consumed.]
[You have purchased 36,331 ‘Demisia Seeds (★★)’.]
[1,010,000 Coins have been consumed.]
…….
*Rumble—*
He bought out all the seeds listed on the exchange.
With that, the purchased items came pouring out before Seong-hyeok's eyes.
“S-Seong-hyeok?”
“What is all this, Oppa?”
An amount of seeds that could never be considered ordinary.
Because of this, even for Seong-hyeok, it was a considerable expense.
However, Seong-hyeok didn't show any regret.
‘Whatever, I'll just think of it as an investment.’
The possibility of obtaining information that could be useful in the future.
If he could make use of it, this level of coin expenditure was well worth it.
Besides, Seong-hyeok wasn't just throwing money at the problem.
“I need you to cover the area around here, everyone.”
*Bzzzzzz~*
The 1.08 million honeybees currently mobilized in the North Korean server.
United by Seong-hyeok's command, they grabbed the seeds scattered on the ground and began to sow them.
The honeybees, capable of flight and diligent by nature, set about forming a forest.
Of course, simply sowing seeds would require a long time for them to grow, but Seong-hyeok was not one to overlook that detail.
“Ms. Su-hee. This might be quite difficult, but I have a favor to ask.”
“Leave it to me.”
Yeon Su-hee, a 4-star unique class, Originator of Abundance, who had formed an Incarnation Contract with Prepion.
As the master of the World Tree, there was likely no one better at handling crops in the entire Korean server.
Befitting her skills, Yeon Su-hee immediately used her power.
[The effect of Hymn of Abundance is applied.]
[All stats of allies within the song's reach increase by 10, and movement speed increases by 150%.]
[The growth rate of crops and livestock within the song's reach increases by 650%.]
Hymn of Abundance, which had now reached skill level 6 through extensive use.
*Bzzzzzz-!*
*Bzz-bzzzzzz-!!!*
As the song spread, the speed of the honeybees carrying seeds increased, of course.
*Rustle—*
*Sprout— Sprout-sprout—*
The seeds, dropped onto the barren land, began to germinate, their growth rate exploding.
The trees began to show off a truly unbelievable growth speed.
Of course, an effect this powerful consumed an unimaginable amount of mana, but Seong-hyeok had already prepared solutions for that problem.
[Using Guardian's Blue Aura-Infused World Tree Spore Soap (★★★).]
[Using Guardian's Blue Aura-Infused World Tree Spore Propolis Cosmetics (★★★+)...
The mana recovery method he had previously created by combining his exploratory instincts and knowledge.
Was that all?
Seong-hyeok had another method besides these processed goods.
[Apitherapy Great Success! The Honeybee Guardian's Blessing is temporarily engraved upon the designated player.]
[Apitherapy's Dark Lilier Bee Venom Mana Recovery Point is applied.] x3
※ Apitherapy's Dark Lilier Bee Venom Mana Recovery Point: Mana recovery speed is greatly increased for 120 minutes.
His innate talent and the experience he had honed in apitherapy, using bee venom as medicine.
When these two powers combined, despite the massive mana consumption, Yeon Su-hee's mana recovery rate actually surpassed the consumption, to the point where her mana was regenerating.
[A Ruby Gem worker bee (★★+) has made contact with the natural flora, Akir Honey Apple Tree Flower (★★). Growth is accelerated, and nutrients are slightly increased.]
[A Peridot worker bee (★★+) has made contact with the natural flora, Akir Honey Apple Tree Flower (★★). Growth is accelerated, and nutrients are slightly increased.]
[A Diamond Geumgang worker bee (★★+) has made contact with the natural flora, Beryl Almond Tree Flower (★★+). Growth is accelerated, and nutrients are slightly increased.]
…….
*Bzzzzzzzzzz-!!!*
The endless Hymn of Abundance, and the honeybees moving even faster, empowered by it.
The scent of nectar from the flowers blooming on the instantly grown trees led to the honeybees' most important role: natural pollination.
A collaboration between the two players, carried out through entomophily.
Watching the scene as a forest was gradually created,
“Woooow...”
“It's hard to put into words.”
“This is no time to stand around. Let's help the honeybees!”
“Let's gooo-!”
As if not to be outdone, Seong-hyeok's residents also pitched in.
They began to plant seeds together.
* * * * *
A world changed by the game system.
Monsters appeared and devoured people, while groups abused their former authority to execute others at will.
As a result, the low-ranking people of North Korea were treated as mere 'expendables' and lived as such.
An outsider would honestly find it hard to understand.
A crisis is an opportunity, after all.
With the game system, couldn't they just start a coup and win?
But that was easier said than done. In a dictatorship, a failed rebellion meant certain death.
Furthermore, most of them had only drawn 1-star classes, bestowed according to the karma of their lives.
Of course, some had attempted to defect, but the majority were unable to leave, like an elephant tied to a stake.
[The dictator player of the North Korean server (Baekdu Bloodline) has died.]
[Due to the death of the player contracted with Server Manager (Peggle), the territory of the North Korean server will be annexed by the Korean server.]
“Huh?”
“The Supreme Leader is dead? W-what does this mean?”
“W-what do we do now?”
The notification rang out while they were just trying to survive.
The news of the dictator's death and the annexation of North Korea's territory into the Korean server threw the North Korean people into immense chaos.
The death of their Supreme Leader, who, for better or worse, had always dictated their direction since birth.
With no successor, what were they supposed to do now?
“H-hungry.”
“Mom, I'm hungry.”
“Ugh, it hurts...”
Most were emaciated and short from constant starvation.
Worse, the people in nearby areas exposed to radiation from frequent nuclear tests were suffering from continuous pain.
If this situation continued, it was only a matter of time before the majority of North Koreans died of starvation or illness before they were killed by monsters.
Just as they were clinging to what little life they had left.
*Bzzzzzz—*
*Bzzzzzzzzzz—!!!*
The sound of insect wings came from somewhere.
Those who turned to witness the source of the sound couldn't help but be terrified.
“H-hiiik!”
“W-what is all that!”
It wasn't just one or two.
An army of honeybees, numbering easily in the tens or even hundreds of thousands.
Moreover, they were clad in magnificent armor, so it was only natural for the weak people to be terrified.
But what happened next made them rub their eyes in astonishment.
*Bzzzzzz!*
*Th-th-thud---*
The honeybees moved as if commanded by someone, placing tiny seeds on the ground.
*Aaaahhh—*
Then, a clear song rang out, and the seeds on the ground reacted, growing and beginning to bear edible fruit.
“Unbelievable...”
From the perspective of the North Korean people, it was as if the honeybees were bestowing upon them their daily bread.
For those on the brink of starvation, it could only be a hope, a miracle.
But even with food appearing before their eyes, they clutched their hungry stomachs, not daring to approach.
“*Gulp.*”
The fear that the honeybees might attack.
But did the bees somehow notice their reaction?
*Bzzzzzzzz!!!*
Honeybees holding the grown produce approached the terrified residents, silently placed the fruit on the ground, and then quickly returned to their work.
“T-thank you!”
“It's a miracle! They're messengers from God!”
“Oh, Honeybee God!”
The honeybees flew off without a backward glance, their abdomens wiggling.
Watching them, the North Korean people shed tears as they finally relieved the hunger that had tormented them for so long.
* * * * *
Countless trees spread thanks to the joint effort of the diligent honeybee workers and Yeon Su-hee, the Originator of Abundance.
The flowers that bloomed there led to pollination by the honeybees, creating a small but humble forest.
And with that came the fruits that grew on the trees.
Compared to Yeon Su-hee's abundance-infused crops, these were of low value for the labor invested, so Seong-hyeok had no reason to harvest them; they were merely a means to complete the quest.
Therefore, Seong-hyeok didn't mind if the players from the North Korean server ate them.
But did this action lead to an unexpected result?
[The Transcendent Beings are reacting to your good deed.]
[The Transcendent Being, Archangel Seriel, is moved by your righteous choice. They have sponsored you with 20,000 Coins.]
[The Transcendent Being, Goddess of Abundance Prepion, strikes a welcoming pose.]
It wasn't intentional, but Seong-hyeok's actions had attracted additional Transcendent Beings.
Transcendent Beings who approached with favorable interest were helpful, whether through sponsorships or other means, so Seong-hyeok had no reason to refuse.
However, for Seong-hyeok, the arrival of new Transcendent Beings wasn't just about gaining more patrons.
This was because Seong-hyeok was currently in an Incarnation Contract with a Server Manager.
Perhaps related to one of the yet-unlocked Authorities, the status window reacted, and a notification welcomed Seong-hyeok.