Chapter 98
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Three Guardians
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“Yes, good job, Geonchug-i.”
Bzzzz!
Countless items and structures were born from a creative urge that inspired both humans and honeybees alike.
The effect of any single one might be minor, but once dozens, even hundreds of different kinds were assembled, the end result would be truly magnificent.
“This must be the joy of beekeeping.”
The sweet scent of honey and the bees wiggling their behinds as they clung to his body.
For Seong-hyeok, who was completely immersed in the world of bees, could there be a more rewarding life?
“I have to get stronger, if only to protect you all.”
But even as he reveled in the healing atmosphere, Seong-hyeok never forgot the reality of his situation.
In the current world, a monster could pop out at any time, from anywhere, and threaten his life.
Besides, only Chapter #3 was underway. There was no telling how many more chapters awaited him.
“Sigh… Can’t we all just help each other out, or at least leave each other alone?”
Ironically, the biggest problem wasn't the monsters, but other people.
They say there’s a fine line between a hero and a homicidal maniac.
The Emperor of China, the dictator of North Korea, and others.
Beyond Asia, he expected to eventually connect with Europe and the Americas.
There was no guarantee whether they would be friendly or hostile during the integration process.
Steeling his resolve, Seong-hyeok habitually reached into his pocket.
Gulp—
[The Honeybee Guardian's class specialization, 'Bee Product Aficionado,' is activated.]
[You are freed from the limit on permanent stat increases from the Guardian's Diamond Geumgang Royal Jelly Pill (★★★). 0 / 1. Time remaining: 6 hours.]
[You are freed from the limit on permanent stat increases from the Guardian's Five-Colored Kiiroth Stone Venom Honey Tea (★★★★-). 0 / 1. Time remaining: 6 hours.]
[You are freed from the limit on permanent stat increases from the Guardian's World Tree Wild Ginseng Three-Color Honey Wine (★★★★+). 0 / 1. Time remaining: 6 hours.]
…
These were bee-made health supplements that others would have to spend tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of coins to obtain just one of.
But for Seong-hyeok, who could ‘produce’ them as byproducts, they were practically free.
His consistent consumption of these items since he first started beekeeping was the secret to how Seong-hyeok, a mere beekeeper, had obtained such formidable stats.
______________________________
[Yu Seong-hyeok]
* Level: 44
* Strength: 1,602(+1,272) Agility: 1,316(+620) Endurance: 1,723(+705) Control: 1,470(+740) Mentality: 1,211(+650)
______________________________
“…These stats are getting ridiculous.”
There was no need to compare them to others; his stats were insane.
As the number of health supplements increased, Seong-hyeok’s stats exploded every six hours.
Of course, various weapons and treasure items like the Rings of Greed and Lust, which he had acquired through the auction house, also contributed, but he could confidently say that the biggest source of his power was the processed goods from his bees!
Bzzz—
Bzzzzzz~
“That’s right. I’m counting on you all.”
Whatever the process, the result was what mattered most.
Shaking off his worries, Seong-hyeok resumed the work he had paused.
As always.
For Seong-hyeok the beekeeper, time was on his side.
\* \* \* \* \*
(The safest place in the world right now is Honeybee’s farm.)
…That was the common perception of Seong-hyeok’s bee farm.
And for good reason. Thanks to the bees, honey was always overflowing, and the majestic sight of the bee army that had appeared when they annihilated the Chinese forces had become a beacon of hope for the players.
However, that perception was only half right.
“Guwoooong!”
[The field boss monster 'Jere of the Flaming Steel Tusks (★★★★)' and its young have appeared.]
[Jere of the Flaming Steel Tusks Lv. 43 (★★★★)] - Field Boss Monster
[Steel-Tusk Boar Lv. 36 (★★★+)] - Elite Monster
[Steel-Tusk Boar Lv. 36 (★★★+)] - Elite Monster
…
The World Tree, the wild beehive, the gold mine, and two treasure items.
Perhaps due to the options that attracted powerful monsters, a field boss monster appeared, boasting a level incomparable to those outside.
The ferocious charge of the giant boars, baring their burning tusks as they appeared, was enough to make any onlooker’s legs tremble.
But…
“Stay sharp!”
“I’m here too, hyung-nim!”
To the residents of the bee farm, such powerful foes were a common occurrence.
Leading them were the combat division leaders, Go Dal-su and Park Jong-su.
Wielding the club and axe they had received from the coin-rich Seong-hyeok as an investment, they led the people forward.
Bzzzz—!
Bzzzzzz—!!!
From above, elite bees of the legion commander class, alerted by the scout bees, flew in to provide support.
Woooong—!
Tzzt-tzzt-tzzt—
Deundeun-i, the main tank, enlarged its body before the battle began.
“Kuik! Ku-iiik!”
A meat shield.
No, a bee shield. As it drew aggro from the front, the boar family, which had been scattering in all directions, turned their tusks toward Deundeun-i.
But that was a poor decision on their part.
Bzzzzzz—!!
Jiiik!
Kwa-dududuk!
[You have hunted the Steel-Tusk Boar Lv. 36 (★★★+) - Elite Monster. You have obtained EXP and 81,535 Coins. Steel-Tusk Boar's Tusk (★★★+) and Steel-Tusk Boar's Meat (★★★+) have been dropped.]
[You have hunted the Steel-Tusk Boar Lv. 36 (★★★+) - Elite Monster. You have obtained EXP and 72,315 Coins. Steel-Tusk Boar's Tusk (★★★+) and Steel-Tusk Boar's Meat (★★★+) have been dropped.]
[You have hunted the Steel-Tusk Boar Lv. 36 (★★★+) - Elite Monster. You have obtained EXP and 80,005 Coins. Steel-Tusk Boar's Hide (★★★+) has been dropped.]
…
Teunteun-i and Ssing-ssing-i, top-class fighters on the farm.
Following Deundeun-i, they stood at the vanguard, their potent venom and eight-bladed wings dealing massive damage to the clustered boars. The boars were snapped back to their senses, but it was too late.
“Attack!”
“Hyaaaah!”
The combatants charged in, as if not to be outdone by the bees.
Their spirited assault was a death sentence for the boars, whose formation had already crumbled.
“Who do you think you are, coming in here!”
“Whoa, looks like it’s a boar festival today, huh?”
As the situation was quickly brought under control, the combatants relaxed, sensing victory.
But in this chaotic world of monsters, one should never let their guard down against a field boss or anything stronger.
“Snap out of it!”
Go Dal-su, realizing the gravity of the situation a moment too late, yelled, but it was already over.
“Kuweeeeeek!”
[Skill activation conditions have been met. -> Annihilation of its young]
[The field boss monster, Jere, activates 'Blazing Body'.]
[Upon a successful hunt with the conditions met, you will obtain higher quality loot.]
Sometimes, beings of field boss monster class and above existed.
Individuals that grew incomparably stronger when special conditions were met.
They commonly had the advantage of yielding better rewards when hunted, but with every advantage comes a disadvantage.
[All stats are increased by 500%. Self-destructs in 10 minutes.]
※ Warning! Upon self-destruction, it will inflict damage equal to the sum of its stats to the surrounding area, and some loot will be lost. It is recommended to defeat it within the time limit.
“Dammit! Stop it!”
A stat boost was bad enough, but self-destruction?
Faced with a keyword he’d never seen before, he tried to suppress it as if his feet were on fire, but a field boss monster with a 500% stat boost was not so easily stopped.
“Kuweeeaaak!”
“Ugh! It’s… too hot!”
“I-I can’t hold on!”
“Get back!”
Its strength and flesh-searing heat overwhelmed even Go Dal-su, who was known for his high strength.
Just as he was about to be crushed by its massive body, Lucina, the Poison Elf who had been observing the situation, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him out of the way.
“Th-thanks, you saved me.”
“It’s coming again. Focus.”
“Y-Yes!”
Lucina, who pursued an efficient combat style with only the necessary words.
“…This is not good.”
But the field boss monster, with its trigger condition activated, was even more powerful than her, a disaster-class being.
The bee legion commanders might be able to stop it, but that would surely result in sacrifices among the elite bees.
“Glory to Greendale.”
In the end, after much deliberation, Lucina steeled her resolve.
Just as she was about to charge forward, ready to lay down her life like the bees, a reliable support force arrived at the perfect moment.
“Kiiii!”
“Kuing! Kuing!”
It was the three bear cub brothers.
The sight of a baby bear, carrying two furballs on a specially made saddle and charging at high speed, seemed out of place in the urgent situation, but they were not to be underestimated.
※ Blessing of the Runner: Movement speed increased by 50%. (Permanent)
※ Blessing of the Protector: Maximum health increased by 10%. (Permanent)
※ Blessing of the Discoverer: Slightly increases the chance of finding natural flora that can only be found through special means. (Permanent)
The baby bears were born with the blessing of sweet wild honey.
Furthermore, that wasn’t all these furballs had.
[The three guardians have gathered. 'Guardian of the World Tree' is applied.]
[While within the World Tree's domain, all stats are increased by 250%. When an enemy of the World Tree is recognized, it will draw powerful aggro.]
When within the World Tree’s domain.
And when they were together, they could exert even greater power as guardians.
“Kiiii!”
“Kuweeeeng!”
“Kiuuuu!”
And so, the three furballs displayed a strength that could not be ignored as they recognized the enemy threatening the farm.
“Kweeeaaak!”
At the same time, drawn by the powerful aggro, Jere abruptly changed its charge and rushed toward the baby bears.
But that decision was its worst possible move.
“Kiuuuuuu!”
With a roar that was surprisingly harmonious, the baby bears took Jere’s charge head-on.
Not only did they easily absorb the force that even Go Dal-su couldn't withstand, but the furballs also used their three bodies to their advantage, pinning Jere down.
“Now’s our chance!”
“Don’t miss this opportunity!”
The tables had turned dramatically.
With Jere’s most troublesome aspect, its charge, neutralized, attacking it was not difficult.
Realizing its disadvantage, Jere struggled to break free, but escape was impossible while bound by the baby bears.
Bzzz—
Bzzzzzz!
“Ku, kuweeeek…”
Under the barrage of concentrated attacks, Jere’s massive body finally collapsed, unable to endure.
Even in death, its corpse remained ablaze, due to the 'Blazing Body' skill.
“I-It’s finally over.”
“Phew. I really thought I was going to die…”
“Of all the monsters we’ve faced so far, that one was the toughest.”
“But it looks like our hard work will pay off.”
It went without saying, but in this world, a tough hunt was always followed by one thing.
[You have hunted the field boss monster, Jere of the Flaming Steel Tusks, Lv. 43 (★★★★). You have obtained EXP, 820,000 Coins, a ★★★★ Special Draw Ticket, Hide Infused with Hellfire (★★★★+), and Flaming Jere's Meat (★★★★+).]
An incredibly bountiful reward.
“Looks like we’ll be having meat parties for a while.”
This was the sweet reward after a hard-fought battle.