Post-apocalyptic world with Bees

Chapter 44

[The Transcendent Being, Queen Ninekito, is recommending a list of auction houses she has registered with].

[Transcendent, Madness Seeker Bo offers you a list of auction houses he is registered with].

[Transcendent…….

The Transcendents’ notification beeps ten minutes before the auction begins.

They seem to have dumped quite a few items into various auction houses, and Sung-hyuk feels a little disappointed in that regard.

“Can’t you sponsor me?”

After all, Sung-hyuk is only human.

He may have the highest integrity, but he’s also a sucker for anything he can get for free, so he tries to force the cash cows to sponsor him one more time.

[The Transcendent Being, King Frainkito, says that there are restrictions on sending messages, let alone providing support, unless an incarnation contract has been made].

It’s not that it’s literally a waste to give, but that the intervention of the transcendents according to the #Chapter has its own reasons.

Actually, it’s a simple thing when one considers it.

Though the number of transcendent beings who intervene in the world is unknown, their ultimate purpose is to have ‘fun’.

If there weren’t a limit to the amount of sponsorships that could be given, a few Transcendents could easily disrupt the entire entertainment.

“I suppose there’s not much of a penalty for items placed on the auction house?”

[The transcendent being, King Princeto, nods that this is partially true].

But as they say, there are loopholes everywhere.

Such is the case with the Auction House Entry feature, which was introduced with the update in Chapter #2.

Well, in order to properly utilize this trick, one would have to possess a large amount of coins, but who is Sung-hyuk?

The South Korean server’s Honeybee.

Isn’t he the ultimate honey sucker who cleverly conducted lucrative business through the exclusive processed products of the honeybees?

Coins held: 682,216

Persistence always wins, as they say.

He’s been steadily and diligently selling processed goods since the exchange opened, and the day has finally come when he’ll be able to properly blow off the 680,000 coins he’s been saving up.

[The First Asian Server Auction is now in progress, would you like to participate in the event? YES / NO]

※ If you agree, you will be able to participate in the auction by creating a virtual avatar with your unique nickname, and no combat or skill will be allowed inside the auction house.

※To participate in the auction house event, an entry fee of 300 coins must be paid.

“Ehhhh, those jerks. YES.”

Another ingenious coin collection scheme that forces players to pay coins just to enter.

But the only one who was upset was Sung-hyuk.

Sung-hyuk clicked his tongue and chose YES.

But could it be because he owns a large amount of coins?

[You’ve entered the auction house on the Asian server, where your virtual avatar is shaped by your life’s karma and occupation].

[You will be treated according to the total amount of coins you have. Currently, your status is VVVIP. Your virtual avatar is transported to Room – 1 (8/10) with a rating of ★★★★★+].

A capitalist place, indeed.

For those who have the money, they get the status accordingly.

Sung-hyuk is promoted to a pretentious 5-star+ grade channel with VVVIP treatment.

For the first time, he experiences a virtual avatar.

There’s a sense of strangeness associated with it.

He became aware of the gazes he was receiving.

【China/Emperor: Hao, quite a sight to behold from such a small country. I didn’t think there would be two Koreans in a place like this.】

【China/Emperor’s Right Hand: Yuck. An avatar that bears the appearance of a bug. What a disgusting kind of scum they are.】

【China/Emperor’s Left Leg: No matter how many coins you have, if you value your life, don’t you dare touch the Emperor’s things?】

Several Chinese avatars chuckled as they looked at him.

Then, one of them, the one with the floating head, approaches Sung-hyuk.

【China/Emperor’s Head: Honeybee. I don’t care how much you buy at the auction. However, do not touch the items from the Transcendents. Unless you want to risk your life.】

A blatant threat to avoid purchasing items submitted by Transcendents.

The situation renders him speechless for a minute.

Just as Sung-hyuk was about to respond in kind.

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: Bullshit. You’ve got to make that crap sound convincing. Those are some serious delusional crap.】

A cheerful voice bursts out from behind him.

A veiled avatar with an unidentifiable expression sticks its face into the center of Sung-hyuk’s head.

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: Did you put your mark on the Transcendents’ goods? The world is in such a mess, you’re acting like you can control everything. Don’t you know what an auction house is? If you want it, you’ll have to pay for it with coins.】

【China/Emperor’s Head: ……You’ll regret this.】

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: Keep those regrets to yourselves.】

The avatar sneered, as if there was nothing to be afraid of, and brilliantly unfolded the sign for “山” (mountain) with their middle finger.

The Chinese avatars glare at them and withdraw.

The situation is coolly resolved without Sung-hyuk needing to do anything.

Although he was somewhat grateful for having stepped in the middle and taken a bullet, he realized that this being in front of him was also a ‘competitor’ with whom he had to auction, Sung-hyuk bowed his head in acknowledgment, signaling the end of his interest.

[Player Silent Harvester begins to whisper].

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: Hey, Honeybee is that you. I was just wondering if you were familiar with the Sunflower Orphanage and its Director, Kwon Jiyong. Do you remember?】

【South Korea/Honeybee: ……Who are you?】

Another Korean player who made it to VVVIP.

That is, until the Silent Harvester brought out the orphanage and the name of its director, Kwon Jiyong, who was Sung-hyuk’s biggest benefactor.

* * *

The Sunflower Orphanage, where Sung-hyuk spent his childhood as an orphan, and its Director, Kwon Jiyong, who was its pillar.

The myriad of skills in the current state of the world.

What special abilities did they have?

Or was it someone from the orphanage?

In the midst of all the confusion, the masked avatar, whose expression is not visible, bursts into laughter, whether realizing Sung-hyuk’s thoughts or not.

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: I remember you being so obsessed with bees then and now. It’s definitely Sung-hyuk, right? It’s me, Cha Hyerin. Surely you haven’t forgotten?】

【South Korea/Honeybee: ….Cha Hyerin?】

Memories that are blurred by the time it has taken to live the life of a beekeeper.

But when hearing the words ‘orphanage’ and ‘Cha Hyerin’ together, the face of one of the children at the orphanage pops up in his mind.

A little girl who was one of the mood makers who always brought happiness to the orphanage with her smiling face.

It didn’t take him long to figure out who Cha Hyerin was, as she had previously helped him when he had to do household work to obtain a book because he was obsessed with bees.

【South Korea/Honeybee: I never thought we’d meet in this way, but I’m glad you’re alive.】

A meeting that took place after more than a decade.

There was some initial awkwardness, but hearing that someone he had known for some time was alive was not bad at all, especially for Sung-hyuk.

The Silent Harvester.

As a VVVIP, Cha Hye-Rin is a powerhouse with enough coins to reach the 5-Star+ room here.

At the very least, she has a strong chance of surviving Chapter #2 and the subsequent #chapters that would follow.

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: Hehe? You’re still the same, though. Your generated avatar is a giant bee. It’s very much like you, and I’m enjoying drinking your honey tea. It’s sweet and delicious, yum.】

【South Korea/Honeybee: Thank you.】

Was this to make up for the long separation?

He also spends some time having a rather unnecessary conversation with Cha Hyerin.

But their conversation didn’t last long.

[The auction house bidding has begun].

【South Korea/Honeybee: The auction has begun, so I should probably get going.】

【South Korea/Silent Harvester: Sure, let’s meet up sometime.】

The start of full-scale auction bidding.

Even if they were from the same orphanage, the fact that they were competitors as VVVIPs would not change.

* * *

Unique nickname: Silent Harvester.

Cha Hyerin watched Honeybee as he left the 5-star+ room.

The avatar’s actions were very ‘boyish’ as he made his way through the room with a flourish.

Cha Hyerin’s avatar, whose face is covered by a mask, smiled slightly.

-What’s this? It’s a pretty cute avatar. I guess he’s important to you since he’s here?

‘Hehe. Shut up, Lehurin.’

– Cute guy. I don’t really understand your style, but that’s the charm you possess.

A transcendent being, who happened to have an incarnation contract at that.

At Shadow Empress Lehurin’s question, Cha Hyerin’s expression quickly returned to its natural state, as if it had always been that way.

A maniacal smile beneath the mask.

A crazed individual whose ‘limiter’ has been released, indulging her murderous urges for the sheer pleasure of taking lives.

But in the harsh environment of the world, this kind of mental and emotional steel is actually a strength for Cha Hyerin.

In a world of monsters, normal people become abnormal.

Her adaptability is unmatched by anyone else on the Korean server, and her VVVIP status is a testament to that.

‘…… Let’s catch up sometime. Honeybee.’

Whether he’ll be an ally or an enemy, Sung-hyuk is someone she doesn’t have any idea about but there’s no harm in getting to know.

Cha Hyerin, who had set her eyes on him, expressed her attendance at the auction with a masked and unreadable expression.

* * *

A first auction with the massive integration of the Asian servers.

Starting with the 1-star rooms, which can hold thousands of people at a time, players entered various rooms and had different goals.

【India/Siwwld: Please, let’s get one item, just one item, something that is good.】

【Japan/Kingie’s Power: P-Please!】

A pile of coins that they’ve somehow managed to accumulate.

As the auction bidding began, some of the players were running around, looking for an item they were interested in.

【South Korea/Neatfreak: Yes, this is the A-1 section of the auction house, and the auction is currently underway for the three-star, ranked Martial Tsar’s Gauntlet! Oh my! Can you all see that item over there in the D-2 section? It’s the Guardian’s Royal Jelly Pill, registered by Korea’s proud Honeybee! Oh my! The Galehound Bee Venom Honey Tea and the Releaser Bee Venom Propolis Cosmetics? Are these options actually real?】

【China/Emperor’s Clearing House: This is the Clearing House for the Emperor, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on the bidding for the Transcendentals’ items in this auction house. Servers from other countries. Please do not touch anything that belongs to the continent and the Emperor. Thanks.】

【Japan/Gentle Drinker : LOL Those Chinese are disgusting. Regardless, I’ll be looking into it, and buying regardless.

【Pakistan….

Names from each respective server’s community boards are scrambling to gather as much information as they can about the items being auctioned off.

As if that weren’t enough, those individuals don’t just run around alone, but also mobilize numerous other avatars, gathering and organizing information by means of whisper messages to them.

The current state of the auction house is a chaotic mess.

But for those running, there are others who are flying.

The 5-star+ Room.

Unlike them, Sung-hyuk, who is being treated as a VVVIP, doesn’t have to do anything at all.

[The authority of a VVVIP is manifested].

[You can check the auction bidding status list in real time, and you can also intervene].

[A-1 Auction Status List] -> [Martial Tsar’s Gauntlet(★★★-)]( Submitter – Transcendent Being, Martial Tsar – Current Bid Status 57,000 coins – China/Emperor – 9 minutes 30 seconds left), [Mighty Hobgoblin’s Bone Sword(★★+)]( Submitter – Korea/Fergus – Current Bid Status 3,500 coins – India/Rurik – 9 minutes 45 seconds left), …….

[A-2 Auction Status List] -> …….

Possessing a large amount of coins can be an advantage in a capitalist society, or a society that is more of an elitist environment, so it’s possible to do everything in a room without having to work up a sweat.

It’s truly a VVVIP treat for those in power.

Of course, despite being able to see everything, he was still busy, but Sung Hyuk had something else in mind.

[Retrieves the list of auction houses recommended by the Transcendent Being, Queen Ninekito].

[Recommended by the Transcendent Being, Zion the Forbearer….