Chapter 94
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Welcome
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[You have met the conditions for the reward acquisition phase of the permanent quest, 'Restoration of a Broken Nature'.]
[You have acquired 100 points as a reward.]
[A special bonus is granted for the purification of the Japanese server. You have acquired an additional 25 points.]
[The special bonus benefit from the Japanese server will no longer be provided.]
…….
Following North Korea, a forest was now being cultivated in Japan.
Was it true that plants like trees and flowers were the best at absorbing negative energy?
[The damage from the Ruler's Nucleus radiation is slightly reduced through the purification process.]
[The damage from the Ruler's Nucleus radiation is slightly reduced through the purification process.]
[The Akir Honey Apple Tree, contaminated by radiation, withers.]
…….
The revival of the Japanese server, where it had seemed impossible for any life to survive until the radiation dissipated.
Honeybee's bold investment.
Combined with the efforts of his bees, this action was bound to create waves across the Asian server.
【Pakistan/Gwarousa: But aren't South Korea, North Korea, and Japan on bad terms?】
【Korea/FastFeet: Yeah. North Korea is technically an enemy nation, and Japan was like our sworn rival.】
【Korea/Pragmatist: Seriously, if it were me, I'd never help. I'm busy just trying to survive. To be this generous to others, especially an enemy nation... honestly, isn't that going beyond magnanimity and just being a pushover?】
【Korea/AttentionSeeker NO.1: For real, look at Honeybee's humble way of doing things. As a fellow Korean, my heart swells with pride.】
In this current world, where the game system had completely changed the old ways.
But people hadn't changed, and because of their individual values and political ideologies, conflicts between nations inevitably still existed.
In such a situation, the sight of the Korean server's richest honey mogul taking the initiative and setting an example was bound to be an inspiration to others.
【Korea/DoYouKnowKimchi: Phew, it's not much, but from now on, I'll try to help those in need. If you need help—except for the wicked—come find me at the shelter in Cheongju!】
【Vietnam/PhoTtukbaegi: I'll help too. If you need assistance, come find me in Qui Nhon!】
Players all across the Asian server began offering their help.
The strong, who had once monopolized everything, now extended a hand to the weak, and as a result, the rate at which people died from monsters and other threats decreased noticeably.
And at the same time, the weak began to grow stronger.
They didn't know it, but for Honeybee, it was simply an action taken for a purpose.
Like a butterfly effect, it created a virtuous cycle across the Asian server, uniting everyone except the wicked.
【China/ChinaIsTheBest: But didn't Honeybee attack China indiscriminately?】
【China/EmperorsHairFollicle: Why didn't you lend us a helping hand? This is discrimination!】
【China/EmperorCleanupSite: The one who attacked the great nation of China! Honeybee is a heinous murderer!】
Of course, even in the midst of such a positive cycle, there were always those who tried to stir up trouble.
Even with the Emperor dead, the Chinese players, with their large numbers, still tried to manipulate public opinion to slander Honeybee, but it was a pointless endeavor.
【Korea/Jeongrichung: I've compiled a list of all the atrocities the Chinese server has committed until now!】
Jeongrichung, who had now established a business relationship with Honeybee.
Since a blow to his client's honor was a blow to himself, Jeongrichung responded to the smear campaign by releasing a compilation, complete with video evidence, of the Chinese players' past actions.
【Comment Section (999+...)】
- China/EmperorCleanupSite: Th-this is fabricated information. There's no proof they're part of the Chinese faction!
- Korea/Green Bean: Yeah, no. I'm in that video. I'm the proof, you bastard.
- Korea/AttentionSeeker NO.2: LOL, if you throw the first punch, you can't complain when you get hit back. Go crawl back into your hole!
- India/ChiliCurry: Seriously, shameless.
The public opinion quickly subsided as they were dogpiled by players from various Asian servers.
As long as Jeongrichung stood guard, the days of slanderous posts about Honeybee appearing on the Asian server were effectively over.
* * * * *
Seong-hyeok's power now extended beyond himself, influencing the entire Asian server.
However, Seong-hyeok was currently preparing for something far more important.
[The location of the Disaster-class dungeon, 'Village of the Poison Elves (★★★★★+)', is revealed only to you.]
The information trade—the biggest reason Seong-hyeok had helped the strangers in North Korea and Japan.
Having fulfilled the conditions, all that remained was to reap the ripe fruit.
Since only a general location was marked, finding the exact spot would be quite difficult, but who was Seong-hyeok?
“I'm counting on you, guys.”
Buzzzzzzzzz~
Buzzzzz-!!!
The Honeybee Guardian, commander of millions of bees.
Just as the saying goes, there's no overcoming sheer numbers.
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★★★-) attempts to scout.]
[Ruby Gem Speedkito Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) attempts to scout.]
…….
The scout bees and Ssing-ssing-i boasted swift movements as they tirelessly scouted Japan.
And sure enough?
[Disaster-class dungeon, 'Village of the Poison Elves (★★★★★+)', has been discovered!]
A 5-star+ grade dungeon, found after the tireless efforts of the scouting bees.
“To think it was hidden in a place like this. If it weren't for the bees, finding it would've been really tough.”
A dungeon presumed to have been added with the #3 Chapter update.
It wasn't a subterranean dweller's lair, but a small mark deep within the earth, so well-hidden that one would never know unless they approached for a specific reason.
But in truth, the real problem didn't end with just finding it.
“……Can I win?”
It was, at its core, the most fundamental question.
A Disaster-class monster, the likes of which he had never faced before.
If it were only a 3-star grade, he would have charged in without hesitation, but with the star rating jumping two levels at once, he couldn't afford to be careless.
Setting aside his own life, it was a situation where countless bees could die.
But even so, he couldn't just ignore their existence now that he knew about them.
(Predators that receive a Disaster rating grow stronger at an unimaginable rate as time passes.)
The warning about Disaster-class monsters.
Like cancer cells.
A threat that would grow uncontrollably if not dealt with beforehand had to be eliminated in advance.
Buzzz~
Buzzzzz!
As if his resolve had been transmitted through the Bee Link, the bees spread their wings majestically and wiggled their behinds, as if to say not to worry.
“Right, I've made my choice and come this far. I have no intention of backing down.”
The bees, which had once only shown their cute side, were now incredibly dependable.
With these reliable allies backing him up, Seong-hyeok didn't hesitate to begin the dungeon raid, planning to take care of the Poison Elves with his usual full set of buffs.
Buzzzzzzz-!!!
Buzzzzzzzzz!
Countless bees reacted as he opened the dungeon gate and stepped forward.
For a moment, he expected a fierce battle befitting a 5-star+ dungeon.
But as Seong-hyeok advanced, Bee Sting in hand, he couldn't help but be bewildered.
Buzzz?
Buzzz?
[The Honeybee Guardian's class specialization, 'Beloved by Bees', is activated.]
[Poison Amethyst Worker Bee (★★★+) sends you boundless goodwill.]
[Poison Amethyst Worker Bee (★★★+) sends you boundless goodwill.]
…….
“A, a druid?”
“……?”
The Village of the Poison Elves.
The existence of Poison Amethyst Bees within the dungeon, flaunting their luscious purple behinds.
Along with the activation of the Honeybee Guardian's class specialization,
“This is a jackpot.”
Seong-hyeok had a hunch that conquering this dungeon would be much easier than he thought.
* * * * *
* Beloved by Bees: Affinity with all bee species across all dimensions becomes maximized.
Beloved by Bees, one of Seong-hyeok's favorite class specializations.
To some, it might not seem very useful, but that would be a shortsighted view.
To max out affinity with all bee species across all dimensions.
In other words, it could also be used strategically.
Take, for example, one of the first dangers Seong-hyeok had faced: the Lich Velmorn.
He had survived by turning the lich's power to endlessly summon undead against him.
[You express a slight sense of familiarity towards the being that holds goodwill for you.]
[You express a slight sense of familiarity towards the being that holds goodwill for you.]
[You express a slight sense of familiarity towards the being that holds goodwill for you.]
…….
If he could turn the Poison Elves' bees to his side, he could diminish the enemy's strength while simultaneously increasing his own.
However, his plan to use the Poison Elves' bees to strike at the enemy was momentarily halted by the subsequent notifications.
‘They hold goodwill towards me?’
He had received plenty of goodwill while building his apiary and recruiting numerous residents.
But he could say with certainty that this was the first time he'd received goodwill from a monster.
[Poison Elf Lv. 42 (★★★★★)] - Disaster-class Monster
Moreover, the subject wasn't an ordinary entity but a 5-star, Disaster-class being.
Figuring out why a level 42 enemy held goodwill towards him turned out to be surprisingly easy.
“Hoh, a human druid who creates forests.”
The 'Druid of the Forest' title, obtained during the purification of the North Korean server.
The effect attached to it read, 'You will receive the goodwill of forest-related life forms.'
When you thought about it, it was actually quite simple.
The fact that elves as a race have a close relationship with forests is practically common knowledge in fantasy.
“An achievement that Lady Greendale would respect if she saw it. Such beautiful and magnificent bees.”
“……”
Contrary to his expectation of a fierce battle, the elf was complimenting Seong-hyeok's bees.
He could have just ignored the goodwill, joined forces with the Poison Amethyst Bees, and wiped out the elves, but Seong-hyeok had a different idea.
‘There's no such thing as a bad elf who likes bees.’
A value that had blossomed from Seong-hyeok's 24-year-long, bee-devoted life.
The Disaster-class Poison Elves were certainly a potential threat to Seong-hyeok.
But if he thought about it differently and made them his allies, the story would change.
After all, hadn't Yongbi and Danbi at his apiary, who were originally enemies, become allies through mutual understanding?
‘If I can accept the Poison Elves as residents of the farm...’
Even the ordinary(?) soldier-like Poison Elf right in front of him was a Disaster-class monster of level 42.
Unlike the Greedy Basilisk, this was a dungeon, meaning there were likely many more Poison Elves, and the dungeon boss would surely be of an even higher level.
“Lady Greendale will welcome your visit as well. I know you must be confused, but will you come inside with me?”
“I will.”
As they say, you have to enter the tiger's den to catch the tiger.
With his reliable bee army leading the way, Seong-hyeok began to advance toward the Disaster-class dungeon's boss, receiving an express pass under the guise of being a guest.