NOVEL NEXT Ch 22
Chapter 22
As mentioned before an increasing number of bees in a swarm means there are more territories in which to explore, which inevitably results in conflicts.
[Rubigem scout bee (★+) conducts a reconnaissance].
[I have discovered a monster!]
[A monster has been encountered!]
[We’ve spotted a bunch of monsters!]
.
.
.
As of now, they’re gradually stepping into areas where monsters are spawning.
Sung-hyuk recalls how he freaked out at the time of Lich Belmorn, but a person eventually adjusts over time.
Now, he just focuses on his beekeeping business as if nothing is wrong.
Why?
[Successfully killed a Spotted Mushroom Elk Level 14 (★★)]. Obtained experience, 45 coins and a Spotted Mushroom (★★)].
[Killed a Foothill Orc Warrior Level 12 (★★)]. Obtained 31 experience points, 31 coins and a Foothill Orc’s Hide (★★)].
[Killed a Foothill Orc Archer Level 12 (★★)]. Awarded 31 experience points, 31 coins and a Foothills Orc’s Hide (★★)].
[Successfully killed a Hog Wolf Level 10 (★★-)]. Awarded experience, 23 coins and a Hog Wolf’s Fang (★★-)].
….
Ah yes, the announcement of a monster hunt by a bunch of bees.
Of course, some sacrifices are made by the bees, but it’s a fraction compared to what it was before.
“I feel very secure knowing that they’re strong.”
As the bee population grew and time passed, Sung-hyuk added another new elite bee to his arsenal: the Peridot Galehound Corps Commander Bee.
This second one, which he unified under the name Tuntun, brings efficiency and safety to the hunt.
He now has two of the best at his side.
In addition, having another elite bee doesn’t just benefit hunting.
Their honey reserves are beyond comparison to other bees.
Is that all?
Aside from this, the most important aspect of the Peridot Galehound Corps Commander Bees is that they can produce “Peridot Galehound Venom,” the main ingredient in Peridot Galehound Bee Venom Honey Tea, which contributes significantly to permanent stat increases.
Thanks to its doubled output, Sung-hyuk was able to consume permanent stat-boosting processed goods throughout the entire four days without missing a single day of the six-hour cooldown.
Aside from the skin beautifying and stamina-boosting effects, the results are nothing short of amazing.
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[Yoo Sung Hyuk].
* Level: 23
* Health: 1,830 Mana : 830(+300)
* Attack: 126(+55) Defense : 159(+5) Resistance : 113(+15)
* Strength: 33 Agility: 96(+25) Endurance: 143 Control: 32(+10) Spirit: 83
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An unbelievable stat sheet for someone who is just a level 23.
Well, one might argue, what good does it do to have high stats when he’s a beekeeper in his day-to-day life?
But one must not forget.
Sung-hyuk’s class is not a lifestyle class like the average beekeeper.
Bee Guardian (★★★★★) – Unique
The Bee Guardian is a unique job rated at a staggering five stars.
True to its name, Sung-hyuk’s attributes affect the bees as well.
※ Depending on the level of the owner, the stats will be partially adjusted.
Additional labels on the bees, starting with the queen bee and continuing on to the worker bees, higher species, and elite bees.
According to the description, it should have simply influenced only Sung-hyuk’s ‘level’.
However, he realized this wasn’t the case when one of his stats, Endurance, exceeded 100.
[You have met certain awakening conditions -> Pure Endurance excluding item effects is over 100].
[The power of the Bee Guardian increases. All bees in your swarm have additional defense and honey storage, and when they use their stinger, they have a chance to avoid instant death].
[The effects of this power increase as your Endurance stat increases, granting more Defense, more Honey Storage, and a higher chance to avoid instant death].
A hidden element in the system.
Just like Sung-hyuk’s ability to generate skills when certain conditions are met, or the limit on the number of queen bees he can have.
Stats are also now quite important to the bees as conditions are met.
“The increase in health and defense is great, but the added bonus of honey storage and being able to avoid instant death is huge.”
This was a honeyed effect for Sung-hyuk, who had always felt sad to see bees die using their stinger, their only means of attack.
What’s more, Sung-hyuk didn’t think that this particular awakening condition was only for Endurance.
“It’s important to get the rest of my stats over 100 first.”
Aside from Endurance, there are four other stats: Strength, Agility, Control, and Spirit.
Presumably, these were the same ‘abilities’, so there was a good chance that breaking through 100 would unlock a special hidden piece.
“I’m glad I’ve finally proven my worth as a true bee guardian.”
Regardless, even if Sung-hyuk is just beekeeping on the farm, the increase in his stats means that he’ll be able to exert an influence on the bees that will be impossible to ignore.
“Crisis is opportunity. If I think about it, I should be grateful to Belmorn.”
The first enemy and Field Boss of Sung-hyuk, Lich Belmorn, caused a lot of damage to the bees.
Of course, it’s not like he had any good feelings for the guy who killed all those cute bees then and now, but he was able to single-handedly monopolize all the experience points and quickly hit level 20.
Along the way, he gained the skills to process Propolis and Poison.
Thanks to this, Sung-hyuk was able to create and consume not only royal jelly pills but also propolis film and bee venom honey tea, which were valuable items that provided additional permanent stat increases.
“I like these items as well.”
Plus, it wasn’t just experience that he gained from Lich Belmorn.
The earrings Sung-hyuk is wearing and the sword sheathed hanging from his right waistband.
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[Sword of Manthium (★★★-)]
* Classification: Weapon
* Attack Power: 55
* Penetration: 100
* Agility +25, Control +10
* Durability: 350/350
* Description: A ★★★-ranked sword obtained from somewhere by a dimension-traveling merchant. It contains the power of the fierce beast Manthium, granting the user increased speed and control, and possesses overwhelming penetration.
[Eldin’s Springwater Earrings (★★-)]
* Category: Accessory
* Armor +5, Resistance +15
* Mana +300
* Durability: 80 / 80
* Description: These ★★- ranked earrings were obtained from somewhere by a dimension-traveling merchant. These earrings are imbued with the waters of the Eldin springs, which are filled with the vitality of a clear mind and will greatly increase the user’s mana reserves.
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They were obtained by redeeming the Item Vouchers earned by hunting Lich Belmorn and Flesh Golems, respectively.
At the time of acquisition, he had forgotten to use them while he was preoccupied with rebuilding his bee farm and the landscape after the massive sacrifice of his bees.
But now that he’s acquired them, they’re still pretty good.
The increased mana capacity will make processing items less laborious, and the sword gives him a boost to his Agility and Control stats, both of which are invaluable for beekeeping, apart from just the damage.
But there was still one more element that would be crucial to Sung-hyuk’s bee farm, even more so than the others,
*Buzz!* *Weing!!*
A single bee flies in as if telling him it’s time.
This individual, sporting a luscious reddish hue and a luxurious rear end, is no ‘ordinary’ Rubigem honey bee.
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[Rubigem Queen Bee (★★)]
※ Wings and pollinator organs have undergone the first round of evolution.
* A nest is currently in existence.
* Brood: 530,278 ( Eggs 12,320 / Larvae 4,278 / Pupae 6,320 / Worker bees 453,931 / Scout bees 25,775 / Honeycomb bees 27,654 )
* Growth rate: 99.99%
* Advanced species evolution : Rubigem scout bee(★+) -> 4.3%(+0.8), Rubigem honeycomb bee(★+) -> 4.3%(+0.8)
* Spawning speed: 8 eggs per minute
* Hatching speed: 8 hours
* Allegory process: 18 hours
* Skills : Spawning(Lv.7), Queen’s Pheromone(Lv.5), Stinger(Lv.3), Flight(Lv.4)
* Health : 580(+380) Mana : 260(+120)
* Attack: 29(+12) Defense: 21(+10) Resistance: 16(+8)
….
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Sung Hyuk’s beekeeping farm.
The great Rubigem Queen Bee, the progenitor of a staggering 530,000 bees.
Sung-hyuk’s 143 Endurance stat, which gives her much higher defensive capabilities than she had before, there was another stat that caught his eye first.
* Growth Rate: 99.99
On the fateful day, which seemed long and short at the same time, exactly 27 days ago, during that period, the Ruby Gem Queen Bee gradually accumulated its growth rate.
“Yes, my queen. I take it, you’re almost ready?”
*Weeeeeeiiiiiinnnnggggg~~~*
The queen cheerfully shook her fluffy body as if to say yes.
At the same time, a notification chime rings in Sung-hyuk’s ears.
[You have met the conditions for evolving the Rubigem Queen Bee (★★): -> 100% growth rate, 500,000+ bees in your colony]
[As the owner of the Rubigem Queen Bee (★★), please choose the evolutionary path. You have 30 minutes left].
※If you do not choose an evolutionary path within the remaining time frame, it will be randomly selected.
Nothing much different from the first time.
Sung-hyuk took a moment to check the notification.
Before the option to evolve is displayed, one more notification pierces Sung Hyuk’s ears.
[You have a special ingredient in your possession that is suitable for evolution. Do you want to use this item as an additional material for evolution? YES / NO -> Lich Belmorn’s Dark Essence (★★★-)]
“… what?”
A completely unexpected hidden piece of equipment in this world that he could not possibly have seen coming.
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[Lich Belmorn’s Dark Essence (★★★-)]
* Category: Consumable, Material
* When consumed ???
* Description: A ★★★- ranked Dark Essence left behind by Lich Belmorn after his death. It contains the power of dark magic, and there is no telling what will happen when consumed. It seems to be possible to use it as an ingredient for weapons and armor if you possess proficient crafting skills.
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It seems that it was unexpectedly available for evolution as well.