NOVEL NEXT Ch 39
Chapter 39
Transcendents.
Honestly, Sung-hyuk doesn’t have a great impression of them, as they were the ones who brought down an apocalyptic fate on people who were living a good life.
In fact, it was an undeniable fact that there were countless lives lost due to their actions, including the “Soldiers vs. Civilians” event quest.
However, Sung-hyuk doesn’t particularly blame the Transcendents.
The reason?
Because he’s been an accidental orphan since his childhood.
What’s more, he’s been a bee enthusiast ever since he fell in love with their ecology.
Needless to say, he doesn’t have the family worries that normal people have.
If there is an exception, it’s the director who grew up with him in the orphanage and took care of him, and he wishes she was still alive.
In the end, Sung-hyuk only wishes for one thing.
‘As long as the bees don’t go extinct.’
They are the epitome of altruism, from their fluffy cuteness to their willingness to lay down their lives for the good of the collective.
In fact, Sung-hyuk is grateful to the Transcendents for instilling in him the karma of being a “Bee Guardian” and bringing him into contact with Rubigem and Peridot bees, creatures from another dimension.
But despite his gratitude and positive outlook, Sung-hyuk doesn’t believe in the Transcendents.
No, throughout his life, he’s never been one to believe in beings other than bees.
Because most living things are selfish.
‘…. But there’s no reason to miss out on what’s there.’
Vigilance against Transcendents is a must, but the three entities that have approached Sung-hyuk so far have not expressed any hostility toward him.
Aside from Zion and Bo’s Gaze, who are just there to watch Sung-hyuk do his thing, the Transcendent called Ninekito is actually showing that she has a heart for the bees Sung-hyuk is taking care of, and that she holds a 3-star+ Evolutionary Material.
‘If one considers it, bees are still bugs.’
Indeed, Her Majesty.
A Transcendent who can be summed up as the Queen of Bugs.
Did it sound wrong to say that crayfish are on the side of crabs?
The bees who always display their cuteness seemed to have caught the Queen of Bugs’ eye.
‘I don’t know if it’s cute or not, but….’
It’s a job that must be done.
Sung-hyuk called both Queen Rubigem and Queen Peridot through the bee link.
*Weing~~* *Buzz!!*
*BuZzZz!!* *WeEeIiInNngG~~*
Two queens who were unexpectedly summoned in the middle of their spawning activity.
An order to charm someone that was new to them.
In case they didn’t understand, he tried to make an example of a charming expression.
[Rubigem Queen Bee (★★★+) uses the skill, Queen’s Pheromone (Lv.6)].
[Peridot Queen Bee(★★★+)] uses the skill, Queen’s Pheromone (Lv.7)].
….
As if recognizing Sung-hyuk’s expression, the two queens unleash their pheromones to attract nearby bees.
Then, as if to complement the two queens, Tuntun and Lily appear from the left and right at a faster pace than anyone else, showing off their valor and elegance.
But that is only the beginning.
*Buzz!* *WeEeIiNnG~* *BuzZz!*
*Weing~* *BuZzzZz!* *Weing~*
Bees are social insects.
The most noble of them all is the Queen, but the most important pillar is the Worker Bees.
They are the embodiment of sacrifice, working nonstop since birth and willing to lay down their lives for the good of the colony.
The worker bees, who make up 80% of the colony (excluding the parent species), perform acrobatic flights in unison, fluttering their wings like a musical number and swaying their distinctive Red Rubigem and Green Peridot bodies in a synchronized dance.
The spectacle.
The sight, which could be called breathtakingly beautiful, was far beyond the scope of “charming”
Instead, it’s an amazing work of art in which many living organisms move in harmony and coordination!
“Huff, what in the world…..”
“Bi… Big Brother Sung-hyuk, is everything all right?”
This happened while everyone’s minds were occupied with the Chapter #2 Update.
After running over to see if something had happened, Seokchul and Cheonsu gaped at the sight of the bees,
“Wow, they’re beautiful.”
“Oh, these little guys are really amazing at all kinds of things.”
Likewise, Soo-hee and Yeon-ah, who had also come running, were mesmerized by the bees’ display.
And apparently, so are the Transcendents.
[Transcendent Being, Zion the Forbearer praises your minions for their fine performance. He sponsors you the Necklace of Zion (★★★)]
[Transcendent Being, Seeker of Madness Bo’s attention is drawn to your fine display. He sponsors you with Bo’s Elixir of Madness, Bloodstream Brew (★★★-)].
[The Transcendent Being, Queen Ninekito, praises the performance, saying it wasn’t particularly charming, but it wasn’t that bad. You’ve been sponsored a piece of the Wild Gem Beehive (★★★+)]
With a series of chimes, the Transcendents begin to sponsor various items as if they were throwing in money for the performance.
*Weing~~* *BuZzZz!!*
“You little bundles of….”
The extraordinary talent of the bees, who do everything he ask them to do and beyond.
No wonder Sung-hyuk can’t help but fall in love with the little bees.
* * *
*WeIiNnGg~* *Buzzz!*
The bees’ efforts to gain the patronage of the Three Transcendents come to an end, and they once again return to their daily routine and begin their work.
[The Transcendent, Queen Ninekito, cheers you on in your journey ahead. She imparts you with a Parasite – a Heart Enhancement Worm (one-time use). She says it will help you in a moment of crisis].
[Transcendent, Zion the Forbearer tells you that he will watch over you].
[Transcendent…….
This is followed by positive messages from the three Transcendents, but nothing else appears to arrive after that.
He doesn’t know if it’s a paid system or if there’s some sort of penalty for sending messages, but it doesn’t really matter to Sung-hyuk.
Regardless of whether there are Transcendents or not, Sung-hyuk is just living life as he always has.
Just like the bees, who always dutifully do their assigned work.
“……Thanks, guys, I never thought I’d get something like this.”
In addition to the donated items, Ninekito sent him a Parasite – a heart-enhancing worm.
It’s got a cringe-worthy name – ‘Parasite’ – and an alien twitching sensation in the center of his chest.
However, the effect was actually quite good enough to overcome all of that.
* Parasite – Heart Enhancement Worm: Detonate the parasite embedded in your heart, temporarily boosting your body. For 10 minutes, all stats are doubled, and your maximum health and maximum mana are increased by 2,500. However, all stats are reduced by 100 for 1 hour after the duration ends. (One-Time Transcendent – Power of Ninekito)
A fraudulent boost that doubles all of his stats and provides a whopping 2,500 Health and Mana.
However, as powerful as the effect is, the penalty is quite severe.
All stats are reduced by 100.
That’s a penalty that would leave most players at a point where their stats are almost at negative, making them essentially crippled.
For Sung-hyuk, however, it wasn’t so catastrophic.
“It’s always good to take care of oneself.”
The effects of various permanent stat boosting items and the class specialization, Bee Processed Goods Lover, which removes their restrictions.
As a result, Sung-hyuk’s stats are now all over 100 except for Strength and Control, and even those two can be broken through with further leveling and item crafting.
On top of that, Sung-hyuk has gained quite a bit from this opportunity.
______________________________
[Zion’s Necklace (★★★)]
* This item is infused with a fragment of a Transcendent Deity (It has a more powerful effect than typical items).
* Category: Accessory
* Defense +30, Magic Resistance +55
* Health +500, Endurance +30
* Durability: 250/250
* Description : This ★★★-ranked necklace was once worn as a decoration by the Transcendent being, Zion the Forbearer. Thanks to a trace amount of divine shards, it has come to harbor the power of a superior grade. p.s., ……
[Bo’s Elixir Bloodstream Brew of Madness (★★★-)]
※ This item is infused with a fragment of a Transcendent Lord (It boasts effects superior to ordinary items.)
* Category: Consumable
* Permanently increases your Strength by 5 once per ingestion. Ingested to date 0 / 1
* Description : This is a ★★★-ranked elixir of madness, created by the Transcendent being, Seeker of Madness Bo, and refined for the benefit of players in lower chapters. Trace amounts of divine shards have caused it to harbor the power of a superior grade. Due to the consideration of the Transcendent, its side effects are non-existent. / P.S. This is a small reward for those eye candy. I look forward to your future endeavors.
[Wild Gem Honeycomb Fragment (★★★+)]
※ This item is infused with a fragment of the Transcendent God (it has a more powerful effect than normal).
* Category: Consumable, Material (Evolution)
* Associated with Wild Nectar
* Description : A ★★★+-ranked wild gemstone honeycomb fragment that the Transcendent being, Queen Ninekito, improved from an ordinary honeycomb. A trace amount of divine shards caused it to harbor the power of a superior grade. Detailed effects are displayed. / P.S., use it to evolve bees that will gather great resources. All bugs are my children. I’ll trust that the heart you harbor will carry you to the end.
______________________________
Transcendents who weren’t too hostile to Sung-hyuk anyway.
That’s not to say that all three of them can be trusted 100%, but the three items they sent are all valuable to Sung-hyuk.
An outstanding piece of gear, a permanent stat-boosting elixir that increases his Strength by 5, and last but not least, a supplemental ingredient that will definitely help the Queen Bee evolve.
One of the descriptions on the Wild Gem Honeycomb fragments even mentions a connection to “wild honey”.
“Wild Honey, this is definitely prismatic.”
It’s not like he asked for a life outside of bees.
There’s no way Sung-hyuk doesn’t know what wild honey is, right?
“It’s something I’ve always thought about getting anyway.”
If honey were like a coffee, Seokcheong, Mokcheong, and Tocheong, which can be called wild honey, are high-quality honey considered to be the best.
Of course, if he can utilize byproducts such as royal jelly and propolis from these honeys, he’ll have the potential to create even more permanent stat-boosting processed goods.
“This is something to look forward to.”
He visualizes a future that’s not all bad in the apocalyptic world.
______________________________
[Rubigem Queen Bee(★★★+)]
* Growth Rate : 18.66%
[Peridot Queen Bee(★★★+)]
* Growth Rate : 92.64%
______________________________
Sung-hyuk wished the two queens would quickly reach 100% growth rate.