Post-apocalyptic world with Bees

Chapter 57

The recovery phase of Sung-hyuk’s apiary has been quite rapid since then.

The residents, including Sung-hyuk, are now much more organized and accustomed to their daily routine.

[Imperial Topaz Princess Bee (★★★★-) has settled into her new home].

[Laying activity has commenced!]

In addition, the princess bee, which was born as a result of the resonance effect with the queen bee, will also begin laying as she enters the new hive completed by Sung-hyuk, so now the number of bees pouring out from the 3-queen, 2-princess system is absolutely amazing!

Is that all there is?!!

[You have satisfied certain Awakening conditions -> Pure Strength stat of 100 or higher, not including item effects]

[You’ve achieved the requirements for Awakening -> 100+ pure Control stat, not counting item effects].

The biggest thing that came out of those hunts for him as a player was, without a doubt, the explosive leveling.

This comes as a natural byproduct of monopolizing the dungeon’s experience points by himself, as well as the sacrifice of the bees.

Sung-hyuk allocated the stat points to Strength and Control, which hadn’t yet unlocked the Bee Guardian’s benefits, and the results are starting to emerge.

[The power of the Bee Guardian becomes stronger, increasing the damage of all bees in the swarm].

[The effect of this power will increase as the Strength stat grows].

This is kind of obvious, since Strength is strongly correlated with Attack.

Of course, compared to the various unique attributes, only one attack power would increase, but Sung-hyuk thought differently.

‘Even if the attack power only increases by 1 unit, if there are 100, it will increase by 100, and if there are 1,000, it will increase by 1,000.’

A simple, but perhaps the most devastating effect of all.

And when he considers that he can instantly increase his Strength stat to 1,000, as he did during his doping incident, the power of this power is not something to be ignored.

Moreover, there’s still one last thing on his mind.

The manifesting power of the Bee Guardian is still left,

[The power of the Bee Guardian is strengthened. Some of the unique bees in the swarm will manifest additional skills or have their traits enhanced].

[The effect of this power increases as the Control stat increases, increasing the rate of manifestation of additional skills].

[Rubigem Dark Releaser Corps Commander Bee (★★★★)’s skill, Releaser Pheromone – Attack, is added with her Foraging & Defense].

[Peridot Galehound Corps Commander Bee (★★★★) has increased in size, and correspondingly increased the total amount of bee venom it holds in its venom sacs].

[Peridot Hyphomycete Corps Commander Bee (★★★★) gains the skill, Mushroom Powder Spray (Lv.1)].

[Imperial Topaz Architect Corps Commander Bee (★★★★) gains the skill, Wax Turret Construction (Lv.1)].

This is the Bee Guardian’s power, which corresponds to the Control stat.

“…..?”

Sung-hyuk blinked at the resulting effects.

For the first time, the Bee Guardian’s power didn’t apply to ‘all bees’.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s terrible, as the enhancements and additions to the skills of the elite bees who wield a strong influence in the bee colony is a major boost.

______________________________

[Releaser Pheromone – Foraging & Defense & Attack (Lv.5)]

* Category: Skill

* Mana Consumption: 450

* Effect – Attack (Active): Once used, it lasts indefinitely and increases Attack of all friendly bees in a 5KM radius by 5. (Cooldown 120 min.)

※ The effects of the Releaser Pheromone are stackable (up to 10 stacks).

[Mushroom Powder Spray (Lv.1)]

* Category: Skill

* Mana Cost: 600

* Effect (Active): Spreads mushroom powder for 2 minutes (cooldown 60 minutes).

* Effect – Nutrient Supply (Passive): If there is natural vegetation of a mushroom type growing in the area where Mushroom Powder is sprayed, it greatly accelerates the growth rate of mushrooms.

* Effect – Spreading Toxic Powder (Passive): When exposed to Mushroom Powder, poisoned targets have their health reduced by 3 per second for 10 minutes. This effect is contagious (stacks up to 2).

* Description: Scatter nutrient-laced poisonous mushroom powder in all directions. The effect spreads from one poisoned target to another.

[Wax Turret Construction (Lv.1)]

* Category: Skill

* Mana Consumption: 400

* Required Materials: Beeswax

* Number of bees : 0 / 4,000 (Only the Imperial Topaz Bee species can be used, and the rate of construction speed increases depending on the number of bees placed.)

* Effect (Active): Uses beeswax to build a wax turret that contains a special effect. However, while this skill is in effect, bees deployed with Imperial Topaz Architect Corps Commander Bee cannot perform any other actions or commands.

* Description: Uses bees’ byproducts, including beeswax, to build wax turrets with special effects. As the skill level increases, you can add more bees to the construction and build more powerful Wax Turrets.

______________________________

“Hmm?”

From what he can tell right at the moment, they’re quite useful.

New pheromone effects that can be used to induce increased attack, along with a new size and increased amount of bee venom.

A mushroom powder spray that can be utilized both for production and for combat.

And lastly, the ability to construct defensive structures, such as the Wax Turret, which even at a glance appears capable of offense.

Currently, the one building currently in existence is in a wild beehive – Seokcheong, so the exact effects are hard to gauge, but it isn’t a piece to be taken lightly.

‘I should add Architect as a future resonance to use.’

The buildings, such as greenhouses, warehouses, and barns, are made of stone iron.

Although it’s hard to tell if it’s an effect that will bring any benefit to the farm, Sung-hyuk briefly wonders about the impact of the ‘Wax Turret’ and considers utilizing the resonance.

After finishing up the remaining tasks, he turns his head to look back at the farm.

“…..After all, it’s better in groups than alone.”

In some ways, the four residents could be called ‘just a few’.

But thanks to them, Sung-hyuk’s bee farm has grown far beyond what it was when he was alone.

“Kkuwoong-kuwoeaung-!”

“Guuuuuu!”

In addition, the newest members of the farm family are two giant crescent bears.

These guys are quite intelligent for their lackluster appearance, and helped out a lot with various farm tasks.

In addition to their speed, the bears can also be used as mounts to travel long distances, and as Field Boss monsters, they’re highly capable in combat.

“Big Brother Sung-hyuk. Can you tell me the names of these two?”

“Huh? I haven’t named them yet.”

“Eeh! That’s awful! But you still have to name them!”

“……I’m not good at that, so you’ll have to figure it out.”

“Huh? Really? Don’t say anything afterwards!”

In addition to that, they also serve as a mood booster to energize the residents who were saddened by the death of the bees.

“Oh, and while you’re at it, think of a name for the baby bear.”

“What? A baby bear all of a sudden?”

“Because the mom bear is pregnant with her cub.”

“Aaaahhh! Really?”

Furthermore, it must not be forgotten.

There’s not just two giant half-moon bears here.

It’s almost as if they’ve been carefully paired up together, a male and a female, and the female is already pregnant.

If the birth went off without a problem, there would be three, and perhaps more to come.

‘It would be nice if things could stay this way.’

A succession of events that can be described as uphill.

Sung-hyuk wished that this kind of situation would continue, but the world wasn’t so kind.

As they say, not everything works out the way you want it to.

And as always, it’s ‘people’ who are more dangerous than monsters.

Especially, as in the case of the previous event quest, Soldiers vs Civilians, the Pets managing the server could not stand by and watch people do nothing……

[Conditions for obtaining the quest have been met -> Riggle’s response to the Declaration of War]

[All players on the Korean server will be assigned with the event quest, War Breaks Out].

______________________________

[Announcement]

* Attention, players of our proud Korean server! The Chinese server has declared war against us! We look forward to your response!

[Event Quest: War Breaks Out]

* The loot you get when hunting Chinese server players will be increased by 1.5x, and you will receive a certain amount of points depending on their level.

* Incarnation Hunt – Obtain a large amount of points when hunting a target with an Incarnation Contract.

* Land Grab – For capturing a certain designated area, you will receive a…..

______________________________

“……”

The new chaotic world would not allow things to remain peaceful.

* * *

The news of a war with the Korean servers due to the Chinese server’s declaration of war.

This of course triggered the Korean players to go into a state of turmoil.

【South Korea/Crazy No.17 : War? What kind of bullshit is this?】

【South Korea/Black Sword : Neatfreak, come on. Please tell us why this happened!】

【Korea/Bellbottom : No, how the fuck are we supposed to block China’s invasion force?】

China.

Even before the advent of the world, most Koreans knew the power of China, even if it is not verbalized.

A huge population and enormous financial power that is often called ‘continental’.

The only country in the world that can truly compete with China is the United States, also known as the “Fatherland”.

And yet, to go to war with the Chinese server?

Moreover, in the current world, the difference in power based on the number of people is clearly obvious!

【Pakistan/Guarossa: War is bad; I hope things work out well.】

【Mongolia/Bireim: What is this, what’s going on? Can I have popcorn?】

【India/Curry is delicious : I don’t know.】

【Japan/King Knife : But isn’t this dangerous for us too?】

【Uzbekistan/ShushuPop: Since there are no sparks, let’s just watch.】

In contrast to the mood of the Koreans, those involved in another Asian server, sharing the same community board, are indifferent to the situation on the Korean server.

Although the ‘war’ is scary, they naturally have an optimistic attitude since it’s not directed at them.

But those who declare war once are not above declaring it again.

Several neighboring countries to China are worried that they might be next, and there are quite a few people on this thread who are worried that they might be next.

But was this situation of chaos engineered?

Amidst the turmoil, posts from China, which had been calmly observing the situation, began to pour out like crazy.

【China/Emperor’s Head: Pay the price for cheating the Emperor, South Korea.】

【China/Emperor’s Hair: You have offended someone who should not be offended.】

【China/Emperor’s Right Hand: For offending the Great Nation, pay with death.】

And as if it was pre-planned, each of the Emperor’s parts garnered a lot of recommendations and quickly became the BEST post.

Following this, as if to explain what sparked the whole thing, the emperor’s clearing house, a typical Chinese spokeperson, appeared.

【China/Emperor’s Clearing House: Why the continent is angry.】. – 99,200 views…….

– The Korean server ignored our warnings. Evidently, they were told in the auction house not to mess with the Emperor’s bids. The Korean server ended up stealing all of the best things that the Emperor bid on, as if to mock him. Remember, players on the Korean server. There’s only one reason you’re going to die. Honeybee. The disgusting insect and his stupid money.

And for those players in neighboring countries, don’t worry. We have no intention of going to war, even if war is announced, as long as you don’t offend us. Of course, if the opposite were to happen, there would be no need to say anything.

[Comment status (999…….)]

– Japan/M-Shape Balding: What? So this is all because of Honeybee?

– Korea/Liberal Studies Yashio : What the fuck are we guilty of? Isn’t Honeybee the only one who needs to be punished?

– Korea/Octopus Lady: But they’re from the auction house, so how can you steal them?

– Korea/Roadroller : Who cares. The important thing right now is that we might die!

……

The cause of this war is Honeybee.

A short, but bold declaration.

The ensuing community message boards were no laughing matter.

【Korea/As long as it’s not me: Take responsibility for causing the war, Honeybee! I don’t want to die!】

【Korea/Prime: I think Honeybee is to blame for this. I think they should apologize publicly first.】

【Korea/Black Sodo: No, why do I have to die because of Honeybee? Why can’t Honeybee instead just apologize with their life?】

From those pushing for an official apology from Honeybee, who was the direct cause of the whole thing, to those saying they’d use their own life to apologize.

Until a couple of days ago, Korean players held very different views towards Honeybee.

But not everyone was criticizing Honeybee.

【Korea/Yeonbun Soup : Jeez, you guys lost all of your minds. How can this be Honeybee’s fault? Why blame someone for ransacking the auction house with the money they made from selling goods?】

【Korea/Crazy No.1: Hmph. As Leader of the group, I would like to say that I don’t think this is what we should be doing. Let’s calm down, shall we?】

【Korea/Green Bean : Let’s all think rationally, this is just a cheap ploy. Regardless of the issue of sweeping the auction house, China would have attacked us at any time with the same pretext. Everyone should know that this situation has already happened. In times like this, we need to be more united, as opposed to tearing ourselves apart. So why don’t we forget about the soldier vs. civilian thing and work together for once?】

A counter-argument to China’s bullshit claims.

There is nothing inherently inaccurate about the argument.

If something like that were to be labeled as a justification, it would certainly happen at some point for some insignificant reason.

Moreover, the more difficult the situation, the more patriotic the people of a country becomes.

【South Korea/Chief of Army Staff General Jang Pil-jung: I’m Jang Pil-jung, who is in charge of the army’s general management. Effective immediately, our army will strengthen its efforts against China. We will not allow Korea’s land to be taken from us by the Chinese.】

【South Korean/Naval Chief of Staff Park Su-wook : The same goes for our naval forces. We pledge to stand ready to serve our country at any time.】

【Korea/Commander Robert Harden: I’m Robert Harden from the U.S. military base in Korea. At the moment, we’re just hunting monsters, but we have become part of the Korean server nonetheless. Since China is attacking, we will join you in this defense.】

【Korea/Neatfreak: First of all, there are certain areas subject to the Land Grab rule. And I’m gathering information on the Incarnations. Please contact me at any time. I guarantee to protect your identity with my name on the line. Also, releasing the information may cause it to be compromised, so please post it on the community board exclusively for the Korean server.】

….

In the situation where soldiers who have been almost regarded as adversaries have decided to join forces and various information is shared in secrecy.

Many began preparing to respond to the declaration of war.