ALL NOVEL Ch 23
Chapter 23
Luck.
Everyone is bound to experience it at least once in their life.
Some people are born with it, while others win the lotto, pass a civil service exam, or get hired by a big company.
Luck is an inseparable part of life.
And for Sung-hyuk, who had been raised in an orphanage since his childhood after losing his parents in an accident and no longer remembering their faces, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he was unlucky.
Perhaps this is the reason.
Sung-hyuk was drawn to the bees because they were diligently doing their job, not just leaving it to luck and chance.
“Ha, haha….”
But as the world turned upside down, leading up to the current situation, Sung-hyuk couldn’t help but laugh.
In fact, the current situation is no ordinary coincidence.
The field boss, Lich Belmorn, had tried to destroy Sung-hyuk’s apiculture farm.
If it weren’t for Sung-hyuk’s class specialty, “Beloved of the Bees,” Sung-hyuk would have been killed by the bees, who turned into zombies on the spot.
But there was a class called Bee Guardian, and it had specialized abilities, so Sung-hyuk took a gamble with his life.
And this is the result.
Belmorn and the hordes of monsters he brought with him.
In addition to the explosive leveling up that came from gaining all of the experience points from the bee zombies he spawned, the Dark Essence he gained from the creature could be used as an additional ingredient for evolution.
However, Sung-hyuk didn’t think this was purely a case of “luck” on his part.
*Buzzz!* *Weingg~~* *Buzz!*
“Yes, of course, this is all thanks to you. Our Queen.”
The Rubigem queen bee perched on the back of Sung-hyuk’s raised hand.
If it wasn’t for the queen, who had brought about the glorious bee era of Sung Hyuk’s beekeeping farm in the first place, he wouldn’t even have the troops to fight Belmorn.
“Then let’s go, shall we, Queen?”
*Weing~~*
The condition for the Rubigem Queen Bee to undergo a secondary evolution was now satisfied.
Although there was a possibility that there might be a certain penalty, it was still a whopping 3-star-grade item.
There’s no reason to sell it on the exchange, as he has plenty of coins on hand anyway, and there’s no other possible way to use it as a crafting material besides the hive.
Unable to give up on something like this hidden opportunity that happened to be a result of a fluke, Sung-hyuk selected YES after a bit of hesitation.
[Using Lich Belmorn’s Dark Essence (★★★-) as an additional material for evolution].
[The contents of the choices available for selection will be partially modified].
With a resounding alert, the Dark Essence of Lich Belmorn in Sung-hyuk’s hand floated up and immediately seeped into the Rubigem Queen Bee’s body like a sponge soaking up water.
At the same time, a partially modified evolutionary path appears in front of Sung-hyuk’s eyes.
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[Notification]
※ The Rubigem Queen Bee (★★) has met the necessary conditions and is now ready to evolve into the Rubigem Queen Bee (★★★). Please choose your path as the owner. Time remaining: 27 minutes and 41 seconds.
※ If you do not choose an evolutionary path within the time limit, it will be randomly selected.
※ The Dark Essence of Lich Belmorn (★★★-) has been used as an additional ingredient. -> All stats of the Rubigem Queen and all bees in her colony are slightly increased, the Rubigem Queen and the elite bees she spawns will be able to use dark magic, and the Rubigem Queen’s rank is increased by one level (+).
[Evolution List]
* Specialized Evolution of the Antennae Organ: Greatly increases the sensing and pheromone abilities of the Rubigem Queen Bee and the bees in her swarm / There is an extremely low chance that an elite bee, the Rubigem Dark Release Corps Commander Bee (★★★), will be born.
* Specialized Evolution of the pollen reservoir organ: Greatly increases the amount of honey collected by the Rubigem Queen and her brood. / Extremely low chance to birth a Rubigem Dark Big Honeycomb Corps Commander Bee (★★★), an elite bee.
* Specialized Evolution of wing organs: Greatly increases the flight ability of the Rubigem Queen Bee and other bees in her swarm. / Extremely low chance to spawn a Rubigem Dark Speed Star Corps Commander Bee (★★★), an elite bee.
※ Be careful about choosing a path based on the evolutionary tree…..
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The contents of the evolutionary system, which was reduced to 3 for the second evolution, as compared to 4 for the first evolution, as it was previously explained that the scope of evolution can be broadened or reduced depending on the choice of the first organ.
“Haaa….”
However, despite having one less option, Sung-hyuk feels like it only makes choosing even more difficult.
Starting with the antennae, then the pollen reservoir and the wings.
All three were so tempting that he could have picked them all at once if he had his way.
Intensive evolution of the antennal organs would allow for more fluid use of pheromones, the language of bees, while the pollen reservoirs would allow for greater quantities of nectar, and the wings would enhance the effectiveness of scouting, not to mention speed, both of which are still very effective.
“And that’s not the only thing that really matters.”
Sung-hyuk was aware of this through the Peridot Queen Bee.
The tremendous influence of the Peridot Galehound Corps Commander Bee on the battlefield.
Of course, these elite bees, selected by focused body mutations, are likely to be individuals with distinct personalities.
Furthermore, the fact that they are capable of wielding black magic due to Lich Belmorn’s Dark Essence makes them even more valuable.
“Wow. This is crazy.”
Chaos as if he didn’t know what to choose between jajangmyeon and jjambbong.¹
Sung-hyuk is not a very indecisive person, but in a world where one’s life depends on it, it’s hard to make a hasty decision.
But Sung-hyuk’s agonizing thoughts didn’t last long.
“What does our little queen think?”
After all, this wasn’t an accomplishment, and decisions can’t be made unilaterally.
That’s why Sung-hyuk used his best cheat key.
He decided to use the queen’s chance.
* * * * *
*Weiinnnggg~~* *Weeeiiiiiiinnnnggggg~~~*
As if she liked the results of her secondary evolution.
The Rubigem Queen Bee is now gliding around Sung-hyuk, slightly larger and faster than before.
Sung-hyuk looked at the results of her choice with satisfaction.
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[Rubigem Queen Bee (★★★+)]
※ Evolution of the wing and pollen tube organ² has gone through one primary evolutionary phase.
* Has undergone one phase of intensive evolution of the Antennae Organ (imbued with Lich Belmorn’s Dark Essence).
* A nest is currently in existence.
* Brood: 530,278 ( Eggs 12,320 / Larvae 4,278 / Pupae 6,320 / Worker bees 453,931 / Scout bees 25,775 / Honeycomb bees 27,654)
* Growth rate : 0%
* Possible advanced breeds: Rubigem Scout Bee(★★+) -> 6.6%(+1.2), Rubigem Honeycomb Bee(★★+) -> 6.6%(+1.2), Rubigem Dark Releaser Corps Commander Bee(★★★) – Elite Bee -> 0.082%(+0.022)
* Spawning speed: 9 eggs per minute
* Hatching Speed: 8 hours
* Allegory Process: 18 hours
* Possesses: Spawn (Lv.8), Queen’s Pheromone (Lv.7), Stinger (Lv.4), Flight (Lv.5), Queen’s Pheromone – Enhance Senses (Lv.1), Queen’s Black Magic – Undead (Lv.1)
* Health : 695(+395) Mana : 560(+280)
* Attack Power : 39(+15) Defense : 31(+13) Resistance : 22(+10)
* Description: The power of black magic has awakened under the influence of Lich Belmorn’s dark essence.
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In the end, the queen bee’s ultimate choice is the intensive evolution of her antennal organs.
In fact, it’s one of the most important parts of the bee’s body.
In human terms, it is a sensory organ that combines the functions of hearing and smell.
And for Sung-hyuk, the queen bee’s choice made perfect sense.
Pheromones are also referred to as the language of bees.
But in the crazy world he now lives in, pheromones can be applied in some pretty unusual ways.
For instance, the Peridot Queen Bee’s [Queen’s Pheromone – Enhance Venom Sacs], boosts the venom reserves of nearby allied bees.
With this evolution, the Rubigem Queen Bee now has an additional pheromone skill.
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[Queen’s Pheromones – Enhanced Senses (Lv.1)]
* Classification: Skill
* Mana Cost: 100
* Effect (Active): Increases the detection ability of all bees in the swarm by 20% for 20 minutes (cooldown 20 minutes).
* Description: The queen bee emits a unique pheromone that enhances the detection abilities of bees in the swarm. As the level increases, she will be able to give instructions to a larger radius, and her detection ability will increase.
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Awareness of nearby flowers, monsters, and so forth.
A boost to detection, which is a necessary component of everything.
While it may seem like a small step down from the Scout Bee’s “Reconnaissance” skill, this is hardly something to take lightly.
The concept was that the effect would temporarily turn all Rubigem bees into a downgraded version of the Scout bee, and the effect would be magnified if it were applied to the Scout bee.
“And perhaps the most significant thing is this.”
What’s more, there was actually another highlight of this evolutionary phase,
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[Queen’s Black Magic – Undead (Lv.1)]
* Category: Skill
* Mana Cost: 400
* Currently available minions: Zombies, Skeletons
* Number of units that can be controlled: 0/1,000
* Effect (Active): Raises corpses located within a 500-meter radius as undead (cooldown 60 minutes).
* Description: A black magic acquired by absorbing the dark essence of a Lich. The power is further enhanced by her status as Queen, given her direct consumption. Raises corpses located nearby as undead. As the level increases, the effect can be cast over a wider radius, allowing her to raise larger numbers of undead and those of higher tiers.
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The dark essence of Lich Belmorn.
Absorbing it gave the Rubigem Queen Bee the ability to harness dark magic.
As someone who has dealt with the undead and has a beekeeping farm, it’s a somewhat unnerving effect, but for the sheer value it provides, it isn’t bad at all.
“In any case, the corpses were piling up anyway.”
The sad fate of all bees, no matter how high their health, is that they die when they utilize their stinger.
As a result, every battle with the enemy incurs a casualty for the bees.
But what if these dead bees could be reanimated as the undead?
Perhaps unknowingly, but one thing is for certain.
The amount of bee sacrifices in the ongoing battle against monsters that respawn in their territory would be drastically reduced.
“I will never forget your sacrifice, children.”
Frankly, it’s not a pleasant thought to utilize the remains of bees who have chosen a selfless path of giving up their lives for their home.
But there’s something that mustn’t be forgotten.
The world has always been a place where survival of the fittest, from the very beginning of time.
It may seem a bit cruel, but if it means the utilization of 100 corpses to save a single bee, bees are happy to do it.
Why?
Because bees think differently than humans do.
They prioritize the good of the collective, not their individual feelings, and that’s how they’ve survived through the ages.
“I’m going to make sure that in the future, I’ll be strong enough that there will be no sacrifices for the bees.”
And in the midst of that mass of rational thought, the bees, there was Sung-hyuk, a man capable of individual thought.
Whether it will be a blessing or a detriment remains to be seen.
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Jjamppong is a Chinese-style Korean noodle soup with red, spicy seafood- or pork-based broth flavored with gochugaru.
Jajangmyeon or jjajangmyeon is a Chinese-style Korean noodle dish topped with a thick sauce made of chunjang, diced pork, and vegetables.
Koreans especially love the two noodle dishes, jajangmyeon and jjamppong. Oftentimes, Koreans have a hard time choosing between the two when eating out.
2. Insert Image of Bee part and Bee Pollen Basket