Post-apocalyptic world with Bees

Chapter 38

As indicated before, the beginning of this chapter update marks the end of the tutorial, so the impact on the player doesn’t end with just one or two things.

[The transcendent being, Archangel Seriel, is pleased with your good deed. Seriel sponsors you with 5,000 coins].

[The transcendent being, Demon Lord Derosh, laughs in amusement at your relentless slaughter. Derosh sponsors you with ★★+ item ticket].

[The transcendent being, the Nine-headed Ukachakorki, shakes his head at your actions. Ukachakorki assigns you the Trials of Killing your Fellow Companion].

…..

First and foremost, it allows for the aforementioned intervention of transcendents.

Similarly, just as people have different personalities and values, so too do transcendents.

Some may enjoy the righteousness of a player, while others may enjoy the degeneracy of a player.

Along the way, Transcendents can sponsor players with coins, items. Quests, etc. in order to reward players or penalize them.

However, since commercialization has only progressed to the #2 mark, there are some limitations on the extent of sponsorship and penalties, but the difference between being able to receive them and not being able to receive them is a world of difference.

“I don’t know who you are, but thank you for supporting me for doing this.”

“Kyahahaha, thank you for changing the world like this, it makes my day! I’ll continue to kill, maim, and steal with abandon, Hahaha!”

“What? You want to use me as an Incarnation? I’m all for it, Transcendent, whatever you want me to do.”

There’s no need for a tough field boss monster or dungeon to be cleared, just a few words of flattery and the immense rewards of becoming an Incarnation.

Needless to say, some players didn’t hesitate to cater to the whims of the Transcendents.

Who wouldn’t want a shortcut to get ahead of everyone else?

But there are different people in the world, with different values.

Not all players took kindly to their approach.

“Who are you? Get lost! You think I’m going to bow down to the people who made this world like this?”

“Crazy bastards. Why don’t you just come out and say you want to use me as a toy, you bastards? I’m confident enough to grow up without your help!”

“Well, thank you for your support, but I’m sorry about the contract part about Incarnation. I’d like to observe things for a while longer.”

The world created by the system which came into existence.

It gave birth to countless superhumans, but at the same time, many people’s lives were treated like flies and disappeared.

Some players have lost family members or loved ones, while others simply don’t like the idea of having their lives treated like mere insects.

As such, it’s understandable that these players would be uncomfortable with the approach of transcendents who could be responsible for this.

Of course, the transcendents who have taken an interest in the reactions of such players are unlikely to remain silent.

[The Transcendent Being, Demon Lord Belzerut, is enraged by the words of a lesser creature. He has placed a debilitating curse for 5 hours on you. For the duration of this time, some random stat is reduced].

[The Transcendent Being, Rao the Reveler, bursts into laughter at your words. You are marked with a bounty for 3 days. Nearby Evil People in your area are out for your head].

[The Transcendent Being, The Lord of Lust, Lilith, is aroused by your profanity. You are branded with the Mark of Lilith’s Kiss (Remaining Count – 4). Every night when you fall asleep, Lilith’s alter ego visits you in your dreams. Lilith supports you with the special delicacy, the Century-Old Marinated Eel (★★★).]

…..

From debuffs that temporarily reduce a person’s stats, to markings that leave them vulnerable to being tracked, to incomprehensible kiss marks.

The Transcendents’ reactions are varied, ranging from anger to laughter to seemingly eccentric behavior.

It remains to be seen whether their interest will be a boon or a bane to humanity on Earth.

* * *

[Progression requirements for the Chapter Update #2 have been met -> 34 days have passed].

A notification sounded when he finished crafting the Rubidot Dark Galehound Venom Honey Tea, a 4-star-grade item.

At that, Sung-hyuk narrowed his eyes and cleared his throat.

“I knew it would happen someday.”

When Chapter #1 came into effect.

The moment he saw the number ‘1’, he realized it.

He knew right off the bat that this wasn’t the end of this world’s ordeal.

But I’m not too worried about it.

*BuZzZz!!* *Weing~~* *Buzz!!*

“Yes, little bees, what can I worry about when I have you guys?”

Even if something huge comes along, he just needs to lay the foundation to overcome it.

Sung-hyuk has bees around him, like his personal bodyguards, who are always diligently working and protecting him at all times.

[This is your first ingestion experience. Permanently increases your Control and Spirit by 3. 1/1]

[This is your first consumption experience. All stats are permanently increased by 1. 1 / 1]

[Guardian’s Rubidot Dark Galehound Venom Honey Tea’s Immunity is applied].

[You are granted the use of the one-time skill ‘Black Magic – Undead’].

…..

“Ahhhh, the sweet and tangy flavor is amazing.”

He’s made some of these products with a mixture of bee venom that TunTun and Lily squeezed out with all their might.

[Bee Guardian’s class specialization, Bee Processed Product Lover is triggered].

[Guardian’s Rubidot Dark Galehound Bee Venom Honey Tea (★★★★-) is freed from the restrictions imposed by permanent stat increases. 0 / 1 Cooldown Time: 6 hours remaining]

[Guardian’s Rubidot Dark Galehound Propolis Cosmetics (★★★★-) is freed from the restrictions imposed by permanent stat increases. 0 / 1 Cooldown Time: 6 hours remaining]

The ultimate crowning glory, the effects of the Bee Guardian’s class specialization, Bee Processed Products Lover.

The benefits of this steady increase in stats every six hours don’t just extend to Sung-hyuk’s own physical strength.

His unique class rank of 5 stars gives him the ability to increase the stats of a million bees spread across his entire bee farm, thanks to the power of the Bee Guardian.

[……100%, Chapter #2 has been updated, check the notifications now to see what the system additions include!]

“Okay, let’s see what’s been added.”

The dignified status of number one, achieved as an icon of hard work and diligence.

With the situation now settled, Sung-hyuk casually checks the Chapter #2 update in front of him.

______________________________

[Announcement]

* Chapter #2 has been released. Hello, everyone! I’m Riggle, your Korean server manager! It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally done with the tutorials, and we’ve managed to align the Earth’s temporal clocks globally! We’re about to receive a visit from the Transcendents, so please be polite, and I’ll let you know what’s changing with this update.

[Content Update]

* Transcendent beings who can create Dimensions. The Transcendents will begin visiting the server’s channel. Here’s a Tip: Be sure to flatter them or act according to their personality – if you’re lucky, you’ll receive sponsorships and quests in the form of coins or items, or even a contract as an incarnation to act as an agent of the Great Ones and survive until they decide they have enough with you!

* We’ve adapted the system’s time zones and days of the week to suit Earth and your preferences – just make sure to check the status window for the correct time and date!

* We’ll be auctioning off a variety of great items on the exchange. The auction house will be open every Sunday starting at 6pm and running until it closes, and the auctioneer of the contents can be anyone. Whether it be a player, a monster, or even the great and mighty Transcendents themselves, you’ll need to make sure your item is worth its value, as the Auction House will take a fee just for listing it, whether it sells or not!

* Access to exchanges and community boards on neighboring servers (Asian servers) Meet more races and players! We hope you’ll have fun chatting with them! Oh, and whether it’s a fun chat or bloody looting depends on the disposition of the players on the neighboring country servers!

______________________________

“…Ha?”

A completely unexpected message regarding the update.

And the “tutorial” is officially over?

In gaming terms, that’s literally the same as saying things are just starting from this point.

Honestly, Sung-hyuk, who has been sucking honey with the bees in the mountains, shouldn’t feel much of an impact, but it’s hard not to find it a bit ridiculous.

However, the update in Chapter #2 wasn’t too bad for Sung-hyuk.

“So, it’s an event dedicated to the exchange. This should be pretty useful.”

This time, Sung-hyuk had finished crafting a high-ranked Dark Galehound Venom Honey Tea.

He had already tasted the premium quality of Rubigem and Peridot’s permanent stat increases by selling them earlier.

This time around, the Dark Galehound Venom Honey Tea’s 4-star-grade product has the potential to fetch a significant amount of coins if it’s sold on the auction house.

However, there’s more?

“……Transcendent beings, there’s a good chance that what they’re selling is no ordinary item.”

Players aren’t the only ones who can submit items to the auction house.

Starting with monsters, which are considered enemies of the player, and going further, Transcendent Beings, who may be the fundamental cause behind the world’s current state.

Naturally, items from these beings will be far from the usual range of items and will not come cheap.

But when it came to money, Sung-hyuk had nothing to worry about.

Coins: 615,920

Honeybee is the local Korean server’s King.

In terms of individual coin holders, Sung-hyuk is in the top 0.000……1%.

The amount of coins he holds is still growing as he continues to sell honey products.

“Still, it’s rewarding to accumulate coins by steadily selling honey products.”

For Sung-hyuk, being able to spend all those coins on something useful rather than sitting in the inventory is something he’d welcome with open arms.

Like the Sword of Manthium and Eldin’s Springwater Earrings he’s currently wearing.

If he can get his hands on more gear like these, he’ll be able to take full advantage of the Bee Guardian’s potential when it manifests.

Furthermore, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a special item, like Lich Belmorn’s Dark Essence, could be obtained that would grant the Queen Bees additional effects as they evolve.

“I’m keeping one as insurance, but just in case.”

______________________________

[Stinger’s Mycorrhizal Spores (★★★-)]

* Category: Consumable, Material

* When consumed ???

* Description: ★★★- ranked mycorrhizal spores left behind after the death of the Spreading Mycorrhizal Fungus Stinger. Once poisoned, they continue to multiply and spread until detoxified, and there’s no telling what will happen if ingested. It may be possible to use it as an ingredient in weapons and armor or elixirs if you have the crafting skill.

______________________________

An item of Mycorrhizal Spore obtained by luck from the Field Boss Monster Stinger, which was killed after Lich Belmorn.

There is no guarantee that this will be utilized as a secondary evolutionary ingredient.

In the case of the Dark Essence, it was purely a case of the Rubigem Queen Bee being accidentally triggered during her second evolution.

Could they have recognized Sung-hyuk’s feelings?

Or maybe they just naturally knew that Sung-hyuk was the number one ranked player on the Korean server?

[The Transcendent Being, Zion the Forbearer, is interested in your peculiar behavior in the world].

[Transcendent Being, Queen Ninekito is fascinated by your minions’ fluffy, plump bodies, and waves a piece of Wild Gem Honeycomb (★★★+) around as a useful evolutionary ingredient. I might be willing to give it to you if you show me the collective charms of your minions].

[The gaze of Bo, a Transcendent Being, Seeker of Madness, is drawn to your incredible feat].

“W-What’s this?”

The biggest change in the chapter #2 Update.

The full-scale intervention of the Transcendentals has begun for Sung-hyuk in an ongoing fashion.

There are three Transcendents in total, where others are unlikely to encounter even one.