Post-apocalyptic world with Bees

Chapter 66

A post from a needlessly selfless Neatfreak.

While it is usually better for people around him to be selfless than selfish, for once, the altruistic nature of this man troubles Sung-hyuk.

Why?

Because of….

“I understand your feelings, Sung-hyuk, and I really appreciate them, but I’m sorry. I think this experience kit is too much for me. Didn’t you buy this at the auction house for 330,000 coins?”

Soo-hee’s generosity is apparent in her willingness to look out for the farm’s residents before herself.

It’s more of a roadblock than a help when it comes to giving away important items.

After all, if she’s willing to give away the first milk of the Prefion to Sung-hyuk, why would she accept an item that costs 330,000 coins for no reason?

“If it’s about the Prefion’s First Milk, that’s fine. This golden goose egg you gave me is more than enough to repay me.”

“No, just hear me out for a second.”

But that’s where Sung Hyuk was confident.

To convince an altruist, he just need to convince them of their good cause and how it will benefit everyone around them.

“This experience kit. I’m already level 34, and even if I used it, it would only give me about 20% experience, not enough to level up.”

“….Well, it’s better for the bees and everyone else if you get stronger.”

Of course, he’s lying, drastically lowering the 82% to 20%, but Sung-hyuk doesn’t care.

For Sung-hyuk, simply evoking the bewildered reaction from Yeon Soo-hee, a move made with intention, amounted to the majority of his successful persuasion.

“Please just check once, because you can see how much experience you’ll get before you use it. You need to get to level 30 quickly so you can plant the World Tree.”

“Hmm, then I’ll just check it without using it.”

“Yes, of course!”

Referring to the World Tree Seed, one of the powers of the Incarnation, and giving it a sense of importance and purpose by leveling up quickly.

All that remains now, then, is to push Soo-hee’s heart, which has already gone over the edge, off the cliff.

“So how did it work out for you?”

“It said 268%, but based on the current state of my experience bar, I should be able to level up three levels.”

“Wow, that’s a big difference in effectiveness, do you mind if I ask what your current level is?”

“Uh, I’m level 2… 27.”

The perfect level status to reach level 30.

In fact, it’s not surprising that Soo-hee’s level is quite high for a farmer.

As a four-star unique class that specializes in both foraging and crafting, the Abundance Producer offers a lot of advantages.

She’s in a state where she’s constantly engaging in production activities in a secure environment, and on top of that, she’s the incarnation of Prefion.

“Doesn’t this already solve the problem? Since I’m only going to raise my experience by 20%, shouldn’t you use it to reach level 30 as soon as possible?”

“T-That’s… even if that’s the case, how can I use an item that costs 330,000 coins? I can’t accept it, Sung-hyuk.”

Even after reaching this point, Yeon Soo-hee continues to refuse.

But who is Sung-hyuk?

“Ms. Soo-hee. I apologize in advance, but you’ll have to excuse me.”

“What? What’s that….”

A personality that must pay back what he owes in order to be relieved.

Although he’s grateful for what he’s received, ironically, it reminds him of the damage he suffered.

And what it means is simple.

Just as she did back then, Sung-hyuk plans to force Soo-hee to use the experience kit, even if she resists.

* Turbulent Dark Galehound Arm: Greatly strengthens the arm’s venomous power for 60 minutes, increasing Strength by 40. X 2

Moreover, considering the difference in levels and attributes, along with the full application of the buff from the Bee Acupuncture, there’s no way Soo-hee could beat Sung-hyuk with his boosted strength.

“Think about it, Sung-hyuk. As the owner of this farm, you should be the strongest, so you can help save the lives of the future residents we’ll be taking in.”

“…That’s amazing, you’re still trying to dissuade me.”

As it turns out, altruists shouldn’t be persuaded by words.

As one can see from the bees, who are the ultimate altruists and often by his side, they prioritize the well-being of others and the future over their own safety.

This is why he needs to keep these people around and keep them alive longer than a selfish person.

“I’m sorry, but this is better for you to use than for a young greenhorn like me. You should level up quickly, so you can increase your power as an incarnation and your unique class power, right?”

“It’s good of you to persuade me, but don’t you think the method is wrong?”

“No, I learned everything from Soo-hee.”

“Heh, you’re a real pain at times, Sung-hyuk.”

This is the exact opposite of the situation before, when she forced him to consume the Prefion’s First Milk.

He makes a reasonable point,

“This might hurt a little.”

The experience kit is quickly unwrapped, and every last bit of it is spent on Soo-hee.

Yeon Soo-hee is semi-forced to use an item worth 330,000 coins.

“…..”

She displays a fiery expression, quite unlike her normally gentle demeanor.

The energy she exudes far exceeds that of the Elder Carapace Wasps that Sung-hyuk fought.

But is it because of what he did?

Or is it just the effects of the level-up notifications that have been distracting her?

In the end, Soo-hee can’t help but wonder, and she extends her hand in a daze.

[The Transcendent Being, Goddess of Abundance Prefion, is pleased with the growth of her incarnation].

A World Tree Seed, the greatest reward for this rapid leveling.

The 330,000 coins will be well worth it for the transformation that this single tree will bring to the Farm.

* * * ko-fi(dot)com/dusclops * * *

The World Tree, also known as the Tree of Life, is a fantasy tree featured in games and novels.

The first thing to do after obtaining the tiny seed that will become its foundation is to find a suitable planting site.

______________________________

[Prefion’s World Tree Seed (Divine)] – Incarnation Exclusive Item

※ This item is infused with a large amount of fragments of the Transcendent Being ( Extremely superior to standard items).

※ Will be destroyed when the incarnation’s soul is permanently killed.

* Category: Consumable

* Once planted in the ground, it grows into a world tree that produces flowers and fruit over a period of time.(The world tree has no limit and grows indefinitely.)

※ Initial growth period of 15 days (The growth period can be accelerated through additional effects.)

※ Flowering phase takes 2 days after the initial growth period. (The growth period and grade can be accelerated through additional effects.)

* Description: A ?-ranked world tree seed that is heavily imbued with the energy of the Transcendent Being, the Goddess of Abundance, Prefion. Due to the large amount of divine shards, it has been elevated to a Divine Grade item. Only Prefion’s incarnation can use it, and it will grow into a World Tree when its growth period is complete.

* WARNING! The World Tree’s unique abundance aura stimulates the instincts and appetites of nearby monsters. It increases the respawn rate of nearby monsters and attracts them. Occasionally, dungeons can appear due to the influence of the World Tree (This effect becomes stronger as the World Tree grows).

______________________________

‘Add in the World Tree, and we’ve got the holy trinity of attracting monsters.’

It started with the Golden Mine, then came the Wild Beehive, and now the World Tree.

In addition to attracting monsters, it also increases their respawn speed.

And the final cherry to top it off is the World Tree penalty, which leads to the appearance of dungeons.

If it were just an ordinary shelter, it would have been swept away by the relentless waves of monsters without a moment’s rest!

However, Sung-hyuk actually embraced the ‘penalty’ in a good way.

‘There’s no reason to say no to the loot that’s crawling in on its own.’

In fact, in the past, Sung-hyuk wouldn’t have been happy about the idea of more bee deaths.

However, as they say, the perspective of things changes over time.

Thanks to the Resonance and Luck of the Queen Bee, which he used consistently whenever the Cooldown was over, the number of Architects has now increased to six.

With their contribution to the construction of the Wax Turrets, there are now 14 Wax Turrets on Sung-hyuk’s farm.

*Swooosh!*

*Boom!* *BOOOOM!!*

Devastating damage to monsters, accompanied by a loud, explosive sound of artillery shells whenever they appear in groups.

That’s not all.

The Wax Turret is just one part of an array of defenses.

Sung-hyuk doesn’t just possess the Wax Turrets.

*Booom!* *Booom!*

*Swooosh!*

The report from the scouting bees and Lily.

They revealed that the monsters were suffering from exposure to the wax turrets and the traps that Cheonsu had placed throughout the area, and dealing with them in their weakened state is not a difficult task.

And thus……

*BuZzzZzz!!*

“They made such a nice feast for us, if you can’t finish it, you’re not even a person!”

“Let’s go!!

“kkuwo-eoeong-!!!”

Along with the elite bees’ brilliant command of the battle, the bees engage in a nearly damage-free battle, while the armed combatants and the two giant bears deliver the final blow to the wounded monsters.

And with that comes a huge amount of experience and coins for Sung-hyuk.

All of this is the result of having such a well-prepared defense system, but it’s also the benefit of having the monsters’ respawn speed explode.

‘Great, this is good.’

A situation that would be a penalty for others, ironically becomes an added benefit for Sung-hyuk’s beekeeping farm.

As such, Sung-hyuk quickly arrives at the intended planting site for the world tree.

“It seems most appropriate to plant it here.”

The center of the hive, where all the queens and princesses reside.

*BuZzZz!!* *Weing~~*

*WiEnGg~* *Bzzz!!*

There’s no other place on the farm that’s as safe as this, with so many bees fluttering around in a near-military fashion.

“Then let’s get started.”

“Okay.”

There is no way to estimate the size of the world tree, which has the characteristic of growing infinitely, so the seed was planted in the ground with its own space.

Then, Soo-hee poured all of her Goddess Rapid Growth into the World Tree seed planted in the ground.

“Huff, Huu….”

As with other crops, the World Tree is incomparable in its own right.

Yeon Soo-hee, who has never shown any signs of exhaustion when using her skills on other crops, is now sweating profusely and trembling.

“Would you like some honey tea?”

“Thank you, Sung-hyuk.”

After having used all of her abundance energy, Soo-hee drinks the honey tea Sung-hyuk offers and recuperates.

But her hard work wasn’t in vain,

[The World Tree’s vigorous vitality will take effect].

[While inside the area of the World Tree, increase Attack and Movement Speed by 2%].

A notification sounds to show the effects of the World Tree’s birth.

It was a semi-permanent effect that would be applied to all three million bees.