Goblin Dependency-Chapter 696 - 349: Anvil Bee (Part 2)

Interestingly, Anvil Honey is one of the Bear’s favorite foods, and their thick multi-layered fur is enough to withstand most bees’ desperate stings.

To gain the friendship and recognition of a Bear, Anvil Honey is an excellent gift.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Xia Nan.

"So... the ’extra meal’ you mentioned earlier refers to this Anvil Honey?"

Xia Nan glanced at the Iron Helmet that the Dwarf had specially put on before setting off, his expression subtle.

"Exactly!"

Without noticing his gaze, Soldin nodded heavily, his eyes fixed firmly on the giant beehive ahead through the gaps in his helmet, subconsciously swallowing.

As a Dwarf from a traditional clan raised in high mountains and mines, Soldin was not unfamiliar with the Anvil Bee species and knew well the taste of its honey.

That denser-than-ordinary honey texture, reminiscent of soft amber, with a sweet flavor and rich, unique mellow aroma...

Since leaving his clan to venture out alone, he hadn’t tasted it for many years.

Anvil Honey is rich in trace elements extracted from plants and minerals, releasing energy persistently and slowly, combined with its delightful taste, making it a coveted supply for adventurers and Dwarf miners, considered a precious food that can strengthen the body.

Its complex flavor and ingredients make it an excellent base for brewing top-tier spirits, created by certain Dwarf brewing masters’ specialties, some even fetching high prices at auctions.

When added in cooking, it grants ingredients unparalleled depth and layers, enough for nobles to specially introduce it at banquets, highly praised.

For Dwarves, this honey can also prevent a disease caused by long-term lack of sunlight and specific mineral radiation, reputed for aiding wound healing, treating indigestion, and boosting Constitution.

In some regions, Dwarves are even willing to trade gold or gemstones for it.

It is truly an expensive ingredient.

Soldin shared a lot with Xia Nan.

But in summary, it boiled down to four words:

"Delicious! Valuable!"

And for Xia Nan, these two points were uniquely appealing.

Originally, his reason for coming here with Soldin might have been just the respect for his fellow adventurer and slight curiosity.

But after being introduced to the top-tier culinary and commercial value of the honey...

The nature of the matter had shifted.

"So, do you have any plans?"

Gazing at the giant beehive atop the oak tree, Xia Nan proactively asked Soldin.

Upon hearing this, the Dwarf patted his chest strongly; the solid palm and metal armor clashed, producing a dull sound.

"Rest assured, I have experience dealing with these little things."

"Follow my lead, first we’ll do this, then..."

...

A team comprised of two Level 4 members and one Level 2 professional whose actual Combat Ability exceeded their level.

Excluding those "Demons," for most ordinary creatures in the natural world, they stood at the top of the food chain.

Even the fiercest wolf pack or any Bear or Tiger with cubs would not dare take a second look.

Their excellent physical prowess combined with Battle Skills and Equipment allowed intelligent beings to almost unleash overwhelming slaughter on beasts.

But concerning this Anvil Beehive, they needed to be extra cautious.

After all, neither Margaret nor Xia Nan himself had sufficient Defense Ability to ignore the stings.

Even Soldin at the front wore his helmet.

Following the quickly formulated plan, Xia Nan held the Fire Starter given by the Dwarf, along with several shrubs and leaves from the surrounding woodland.

He found the upwind spot and carefully ignited.

"Crackle..."

Flickering weak flames illuminated, dark gray, rich smoke under the influence of the forest breeze, quietly floated toward the direction of the beehive.

To be extra safe, Xia Nan secretly used [Gravity Control] to manipulate invisible gravity, making the smoke in the air more solid and stable, resembling a column rising diagonally from the ground, steadily pouring into the beehive.

Buzz——

With a distinctive metallic timbre, the buzzing sound of Anvil Bee wings vibrating suddenly intensified.

One by one, thumb-sized green-black bees crawled out from the beehive, akin to a fortress.

About two-fifths of them were dispersed by the smoke Xia Nan had infused, wobbling away in flight.

The remaining three-fifths robustly withstood the smoke’s wash, hovering around the beehive. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

At this moment, seeing the remaining bees temporarily show no signs of further dispersal.

Soldin, wearing the Iron Helmet, suddenly leaped out from the bushes nearby.

Holding a shield in his left hand, wielding an Edged Hammer in his right.

Facing the dense swirl of Anvil Bees ahead, he shouted and struck the ground fiercely with the hammer.

An invisible ripple instantly enveloped the bees in the air.

Surprisingly, the Dwarf had directly used Taunt Battle Skill on the bees.

Not being intelligent creatures, their actions were essentially driven by instinct.

Soldin’s taunt wasn’t particularly effective on Anvil Bees, but coinciding with the beehive’s smoke shock, even a slight influence was sufficient for the stimulated bee swarm to mistake the Dwarf as the culprit for attacking the hive.

Almost instantly, as the Edged Hammer hit the Round Shield, generating metallic noise, a massive swarm bombarded forward like a black cloud, their combined buzzing echoing, overwhelmingly engulfing him.