Post-apocalyptic world with Bees

Chapter 28

*Weing~~* *BuUuZzzZz!!*

A swarm of bees surrounds them as if they’re being escorted.

The first time they encountered the Stinger, they thought they were going to die on the spot, but now they see it differently.

“The first time I saw it, I was so scared I was shaking…..”

“I couldn’t stop looking at it, it’s so cute.”

The fluffy bees look beautiful together with their red and green colors.

Along the way, some of the bees seemed to be collecting nectar by sticking their heads into the flowers, but the way they wiggled around makes one smile as you watch them.

Even Kang Yeon-ah and Yeon Soo-hee, who have always disliked bugs, could accept them without much resistance!

Moreover, the bees were not only cute in appearance, but also in what they were engaged in….

*Weing~~* *Buzz!!*

“Thanks, Bee.”

“Thank you, honeybee.”

Whenever Seokchul’s health was about to drop due to the spore poison, they would steadily come down and supply him with honey tea.

This is all thanks to the influence of ‘Honeybee’, a known server player on the Korean server who must be coordinating the bees.

Of course, in the Apocalyptic world, there is no such thing as goodwill for no reason.

As they followed the bee to Honeybee’s territory, they had a certain amount of resolve.

“….. I will never forget this favor for the rest of my life in return for saving my husband’s life.”

If it weren’t for the bees, they’d be a source of human fodder for the Stinger.

Having spent their lives actively fighting monsters in the mountains, they certainly have certain values.

At least they have enough sense to hand over a reward to the man who rescued them from certain death.

But at the same time, they were also tempted by greed.

“Do you think Honeybee made a shelter too?”

“It would be amazing to be able to do battle with those bees…….”

In the midst of all the life-and-death, the group was able to get a clear view of the situation.

A battle between the Stinger and the Bee Legion.

Or rather, the intelligent play of the bees, which was more like a warfare.

They used various items, used necromancy, etc.

Their unorthodox approach to combat was so impressive that it was almost as if each bee was a player.

From the beginning, they too sought to grow through aggressive battles and methods rather than playing it safe.

However, when they witnessed the Honeybee’s way of doing things, which was much more than that, the desire to join them was overwhelming.

“Whoa!”

“Wow…..”

And it was even more maximized when they reached the center of Sung-hyuk’s apiary farm.

Dozens of beehives in a neatly organized area with all different shapes and colors.

From the various shapes and unusual features to the hives that emit luminescent light.

It was dazzling enough, but the sight of so many bees coming and going from the hives was even more spectacular.

But their reverie didn’t last long.

“Look, I know this is all very impressive, but let’s take care of the sick person first.”

In the midst of all the bees, a man was walking around in casual clothes.

He looked fairly normal, but if there was a player here, only a fool would fail to guess who it was.

“Ah, Sir Honeybee. First of all, thank you for saving us. But is it possible for you to treat conditions like this?”

“Honestly, I’m not 100% sure. But don’t you think it’s better to at least try than to do nothing? It’s up to you to decide.”

“I’d be very grateful if you could help us with this….”

“Then let’s get started immediately.”

It’s already been a while since he’s fallen victim to the stinger’s poison.

Without changing places or bothering with anything else, Sung-hyuk went straight to the treatment.

*Swish!*

Manthium’s sword was strapped to his waist.

Peridot honey soap and bee venom on the tip of it.

“W-What are you going to do with……”

A sword, not a healing tool, is drawn out of nowhere.

One of the members of the group jerked away in protest, but it didn’t last long.

“Yeon-ah, can you stay still?”

“I’m sure Honeybee has an idea, so let’s just trust him and wait.”

If Sung-hyuk had been in a bad mood, their lives were over from the moment they encountered the Field Boss and the bees.

They could only watch as Sung Hyuk treated the 3-star-grade poison dispersed by the field boss monster,

“Huuu…….”

As they watched, Sung-hyuk concentrated all his nerves on the hand holding the sword and on his vision.

‘This might be possible.’

The patient’s acupuncture points, detailed by the passive effects of [Bee Acupuncture].

It’s currently difficult to read the entirety of the internal area due to its low level, but the dotted lines all over the body and the fact that the areas affected by the poison are turning red are enough to provide sufficient information.

*Prick!* *Stab!* *Prick!*

Sung-hyuk’s hands move at a swift pace, as if he had an agility stat that doesn’t belong to his profession.

What he lacks in control stats, he compensates for with his ability to see the blood points and his high Spirit stat.

Extreme concentration is required to keep his eyes on the mark, as a misplaced stab can result in an ‘attack’ instead of a ‘treatment’.

However, with the help of a massive 173 Endurance stat, Sung-hyuk was able to pull it through without a falter.

[Bee Acupuncture Success! Bee Guardian’s Protection is temporarily inscribed on the designated player].

[The ★★★-ranked ‘Stinger’s Spore Poison’ that he had been poisoned with has been completely detoxified].

[Successfully applied Bee Acupuncture’s Vigorous Blood Circulation].

※ Active Blood Circulation: Increases Health recovery rate by 500% for 120 minutes, and increases Strength and Endurance by 20.

[The level of Bee Acupuncture is upgraded: Lv.1 -> Lv.2].

Successful performance of his first unlicensed bee acupuncture procedure.

Well, actually, in a world where you never know when you’ll be crossing the Jordan River at the hands of a monster, getting a license is kind of ridiculous, but it’s still a pretty good ending.

‘Did I get a bonus for deciphering a high-grade poison?’

He only performed it once, but was it because it was a 3-star ranked detox with a bonus effect?

Feeling satisfied with the results of his skill prowess, the bee acupuncture level quickly rises to 2.

With the bees doing most of the fighting, one might think that this skill wouldn’t be very useful, but seeing it in action proves otherwise.

‘For such a significant buff, I might consider casting it on myself from time to time.’

Apart from the speed of health recovery, there’s also a 20 increase in strength and endurance.

And considering that Sung-hyuk’s main focus during this treatment was on the lower limbs and abdomen, it’s likely that the effectiveness of this buff will also vary depending on where the acupoints are punctured.

‘Still, I’d rather get a bee stinger or needle than a sword for acupuncture.’

Even when adjusted to not go as deep as possible, the Sword of Manthium is a fairly sharp weapon.

Unless he intends to engage an enemy in combat.

Stabbing someone in the head or leg with a sword for a buff is bound to make one squirm.

But this was a desperate situation, and it wasn’t his own body, so he could try it.

“The treatment is over, please continue to feed him this honey tea until the bleeding stops.”

“I.. I really can’t begin to describe how thankful I am!”

“Thank you so much, Honeybee, for saving Seokchul’s life!”

Someone once said that all’s well that ends well, even if the process is a bit radical.

The patient named Seokchul sipping his honey tea with a much more relaxed expression on his face now that the spore poison has been detoxified.

And with that, the good vibes end.

“First of all, I think you know I’m Honeybee without me having to tell you, so I’ll just come right out and say it.”

*Buzz!!* *Bzzz!* *Buzzzz!!!*

The bees, with their intimidating atmosphere, which previously gave off a sense of protection.

However, with Sung-hyuk’s words, the bees turned to face the group with aggressive flapping of their wings, as if they had never shown such an attitude before.

“The cost of treatment and the honey tea. And the lives of my bees. In total, I will require you to work on my farm for the equivalent of 100,000 coins.”

He feels bad for them, but Sung-hyuk is not a philanthropist, nor does he have any compassion for others.

Since he gave so much, it’s only fair that he should get something in return.

Of course, he expected some opposition.

After all, most people are selfish.

But with the current new world.

There are always going to be outliers, right?

“Um, hey, can’t we just live here together for the rest of our lives? You won’t regret it. I’m a four-star Abundance Producer, a unique class, and the guy you saved is a three-star unique class.”

“I’m Kang Cheonsu, a 3-star Trapper. I was very impressed by the battle of the bees earlier, please let us join you!”

“Hey, those bees are so cute, do you mind if I touch one of them?”

“……?”

Sung-hyuk’s offer to work for the price of 100,000 coins was worthless.

The group in front of him hoped to become residents of Sung-hyuk’s apiary farm.

***

In fact, it’s not at all incomprehensible that they would like to stay on Sung-hyuk’s bee farm for the rest of their lives.

To put it bluntly, who is Honeybee?

Not only is it the official name of the exchange on the Korean server, but it’s also a household name on the community boards.

The group had already seen how Sung-hyuk’s bees fought with their own eyes.

It even intelligently disabled and killed a Field Boss Monster that most players wouldn’t dare to take on.

Was that all?

When confronted, Honeybee used a sword, a weapon that harms others, and unexpectedly demonstrated a healing ability to detoxify the poison of a 3-star field boss.

Food, military power, and last but not least, medical care.

Sung-hyuk’s beekeeping farm has everything one could want in a shelter.

At this level, even the highest ranking person entering the shelter after an interview from outside would laugh out loud.

“I understand what you are asking, but I don’t know if it’s worth a lifetime of work.”

Would it be nice if it’s just to work for 100,000 coins and then be sent away?

If they’re going to spend the rest of their lives on the farm, it should be of at least that great of a value.

This is a chaotic world where the law of the fittest is strictly enforced.

Being forced to sacrifice bees for the sake of their own survival is something that should never happen to Sung-hyuk, even if the situation is different.

“I’m confident in my abilities. That beehive that Honey Bee made. Didn’t you use strong Gilite plywood as a material?”

“….. How do you know that?”

“Ha-ha-ha! I can’t help but notice, I made all that plywood. I was wondering what kind of tycoon bought it all up, but I didn’t realize it was you, Honeybee, so I guess it’s a coincidence.”

Lim Seok-chul, a man who, just a few minutes earlier, was suffering from the Stinger’s spore poison.

[Player Lim Seokchul (Tree Slayer – Level 15) reveals his class specialization].

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[Class Specialization – Tree Slayer]

* Eyes that see knots: Limited to specific tree types, they can perceive knots.

* Steadfast Stamina: You do not tire easily in the act of logging.

* Unexpected Miracle: You will be able to obtain higher-quality wood with a certain probability when logging.

* Unexpected Luck: You have a certain chance to increase your gathering amount when logging.

* ???

________________________________

With a roguish laugh, he made no secret of his job specialization, introducing himself as a Tree Slayer, a unique class of 3 stars, with the unique nickname ‘Wood Hunter’, who had been selling the plywoods in the exchange.

“I’d rather show you than tell you, this is something I made myself, would you like to take a look?”

Next, Yeon Soo-hee, who introduced herself as Seok-chul’s wife and the Abundance Producer of the four-star unique occupation, said that seeing is more than hearing a hundred stories.

She pulls out what appears to be food from her belt and hands it to Sung-hyuk.

[You have been handed an item by the player Yeon Soo-hee (Mom’s Homemade Food – Level 15)].

[Obtains Abundant Sirbon Steamed Potatoes (★★)].

A steamed potato that looks very ordinary on the outside.

However, the important thing is that it has a seemingly important keyword, “Abundant,” imprinted on it.

And sure enough?

Sung-hyuk could not believe his eyes when he saw the item’s effects.