NOVEL NEXT Ch 2
Chapter 2
The reason why bees have been classified as a major beneficial insect for humans is not purely because of the honey they produce, which is classified as a health food.
Pollination.
More than any other insect, the bee is responsible for the reproduction of plants, one of nature’s most necessary elements.
It doesn’t suck up all of the flower’s resources and cause it to wither away, but rather helps pollinate it, making it more abundant and encouraging more flowers to grow around it.
Is that it?
It can even produce honey from the pollen obtained from the flowers, so it is truly an insect that picks out pretty things without leaving anything out, both from the perspective of humanity and nature.
[Rubigem worker bee (★-) has collected honey, current honey status 0.067%]
With bee populations still so low, the rate at which honey’s status is rising is akin to that of a slug.
But in that regard, Sung-hyuk didn’t rush things.
There is no need too…
[The pupa of the Rubigem bee larva (★-) has completed the eclosion process].
[Rubigem worker bees (★-) are added to the brood of Rubigem Queen Bee (★)].
[Rubigem worker bees (★-) are added to the brood of Rubigem Queen Bee (★)].
…….
Regardless of the lack of swarm activity, the queen bee was still laying eggs and it was only a matter of time before the swarm grew.
And there’s no need to speculate on what more bees will lead to.
[Rubigem worker bee (★-) has collected honey. Current honey status 1.323%]
[Rubigem worker bee (★-) has collected honey, current honey status 2.099%]
…….
As time passes, the speed of work increases to a speed that cannot be compared to before, as if a motor were attached to the feet.
This is a natural reaction to having a bunch of hard-working little guys.
“I wonder if I’m giving them too much trouble at birth.”
The bees are out on an expedition, going in and out of the hive, collecting honey without taking a break.
The bees don’t even get tired of beating their wings, even though it’s usually a lot of hard work, not for a few minutes, but for hours on end, wriggling their fat abdomen.
This is partly due to the fact that bees are such selfless and conscientious creatures that they are willing to sacrifice their own lives for the good of the group, but there’s more to it than that.
He knows his bee guardian traits are playing a role.
[Bee Guardian class specialization triggers Guardian’s Spirit].
[Rubigem worker bees (★-) do not tire easily in their work behavior].
Just by being there, it’s an added bonus that keeps the bees from getting tired.
Thanks to this, the rate at which honey is collected begins to rise like a rising stock, with no signs of slowing down.
This resulted in…….
[The honey status of the Guardian’s oversized acorn hive (★+) has reached 80%].
[Honey harvesting is possible!]
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[Divine Beekeeping (Lv.1)]
* Category:Skills
* Mana cost: 0
* Effect (passive): You will be beekeeping with a nimble hand.
* Description: Collect honey and other loot from hives or hives filled with honey. As you level up, you will be able to obtain higher grades of honey and large amounts of other loot.
※ There is a chance to receive Royal Jelly¹, Beeswax², and Propolis³ as other loot besides honey.
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The alpha and omega of beekeeping.
“At last, honey!”
Sung-hyuk welcomed the news of the honey harvest with open arms.
* * * * *
There’s a simple reason why so many people love honey, but don’t take the plunge into beekeeping.
Bees fighting back to defend their home.
Normally, it’s the cowardly bee that runs away in fear, rather than attacking humans, but when it comes to defending its home, it’s a different story.
Regardless of whether that person is the owner or the person who feeds them, they consider them the enemy and attack them with a stinger.
So, even in the middle of summer, when the bees are anesthetized with smoke and sweating profusely, Sung-hyuk has to be fully dressed in an insect-proof hat and safety suit to collect them, but he doesn’t have to worry about that.
[Triggers Bee Guardian’s Class Specialization, Beloved of the Bees].
[The Rubigem worker bees (★-) send you their undying favors].
*wiiiing- wiiiing-*
Instead of attacking him when he approaches the hive with his bare body, the bees hover around him like puppies, wiggling their fat bodies.
The urge to touch it was overwhelmingly strong, but Sung-hyuk resisted.
“Sorry, kids, I’m going to go collect honey first.”
*Bzzz* *Bzzz*
As if they understood Sung-hyuk’s words, the bees once again set out on their expedition to collect honey.
Not to be outdone, Sung-hyuk carefully scraped the honey from the hive for his own work.
However, is this due to the fact that he has ‘Divine Beekeeping’ as a passive skill?
Sung-hyuk is obviously careful, but the speed of his moving hands is literally divine as he collects the honey at a rapid pace.
“I don’t know if I can collect it like this.”
A situation that may seem radical in some ways.
[Gathering success!]
[Obtained 31 Rubigem Honey (★)].
[Obtained 4 Rubigem Beeswax (★)].
[Obtained 2 Rubigem Royal Jelly (★+)].
[Obtained Rubigem Propolis (★★-)].
[You have leveled up, gaining 5 stat points].
[You have leveled up, gaining 5 stat points].
But as if to laugh off Sung-hyuk’s worrisome thoughts, the contents of the resulting harvest are a resounding “success!”.
Plus, as befits a bee guardian, there’s the added bonus of being able to earn experience through “beekeeping” and leveling up twice!
That wasn’t the only notification that came to mind.
[You have met the requirements for this skill -> Level 3, Beeswax Gathering Experience].
[You have learned the skill, Guardian’s Beeswax Candle].
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[Guardian’s Beeswax Candle (Lv.1)]
* Category:Skills
* Mana cost: 15
* Required ingredients: beeswax
* Effect (active): uses beeswax to craft a beeswax candle (no cooldown)
* Description: Consumes beeswax and caster mana to craft a beeswax candle. As you level up, you will be able to obtain higher-grade finished products.
※ There is a chance to get a beeswax candle with the keyword “Guardian” engraved on it.
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The Bee Guardian’s skill, which is unlocked by fulfilling a hidden condition in-game.
It had the ability to process beeswax in addition to the honey harvested.
“Great. Because the real beauty of bees is the processed products they can create by coexisting with humans.”
Besides, there was something he couldn’t forget.
It’s just that this is a situation where the “game” system is being applied.
“Maybe the finished beeswax candle won’t end up just being lit.”
Any special effects that might be attached.
Sung-hyuk decided to take a chance on the possibility.
“Hmm? “Anyway, there’s a chance this time too.”
Certain probability.
Something that could be considered a god game, or a lottery game, depending on how you look at it.
Honestly, Sung-hyuk has never considered himself “lucky” in his life.
So, is this a concern?
No, it’s not a problem at all.
[The number of beeswaxes needed to make that candle is 4].
[The materials required for crafting have been met, do you want to automatically complete the crafting of the beeswax candle? YES / NO]
“NO.”
When it comes to personal growth, there’s no such thing as “luck,” only hard work and dedication.
If so, he doesn’t rely on automation for the convenience of the world, but instead strives to make it all handmade.
When it comes to bees, Sung-hyuk has dabbled in just about everything.
Having experience building beehives.
And, of course, he had experience making beeswax candles.
As the only candidate for the unique job of Bee Guardian, Sung-hyuk focused all his attention on making beeswax candles.
[Big success in making beeswax candles! The bee guardian’s blessings are engraved on the beeswax candle.]
[Guardian’s Rubigem Beeswax Candle (★+) has been crafted].
This time, it’s the same old story.
A reddish-colored beeswax candle is placed in Sung-hyuk’s hand with the pleasant sound of success.
“They say skills aren’t dead. Doesn’t this seem like a high-quality handmade candle?”
Rubigem beeswax candles are undyed, but the reddish hue gives them an almost antique look.
Also, Rubigem beeswax candles weren’t just a fancy candle.
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[Guardian’s Rubigem Beeswax Candle (★+)]
* Classification: Consumables
* When holding it in your hand and saying the ‘use’ keyword, ‘Guardian’s Rubigem Beeswax Candle’s Blessing’ is applied to all entities recognized as allies within a 6M (+1) radius.
※ Guardian’s Rubigem Beeswax Candle’s Blessing: In addition to warmth for 60 minutes, maximum health increases by 360 (+60) and armor increases by 8 (+2). (Durability decreases by 1, no cooldown)
* Durability: 2/2(+1) – Cannot be repaired.
* Description: A ★+ grade rubigem beeswax candle with the Guardian’s keyword engraved on it. When you use it and expose it to the light, it seems like your body will temporarily become stronger.
※ Caution! However, Beeswax candle buffs of the same series do not overlap.
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Options for Rubigem beeswax candles that are verified.
When Sung-hyuk read it, he was stunned.
“……, I think this is a scam?”
Even Sung-hyuk, who doesn’t know much about the games, can’t help but notice.
If you look at his own status bar, he currently has 250 health and 5 armor.
That’s a whopping 360 Health and an 8 Armor boost.
Does it give him a boost bigger than what he already have?
He doesn’t need to think he needs to say much more about the power of this.
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Royal jelly is a milky secretion made by worker honeybees. It’s rich in carbs, protein, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. This milky substance is fed to all larvae for a short period of time during the honey bee life cycle, and is also fed to the developing queen bee in extra amounts.
2. Beeswax is a product made from the honeycomb of the honeybee and other bees. The mixing of pollen oils into honeycomb wax turns the white wax into a yellow or brown color.
3. Propolis or bee glue is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources.