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HC: Handyman | Ch. 76 - Velvety Broth
🕑 Added 2024-08-09 15:58:03 +0000 UTC“Is this your hive?” the NPC from the entomology asked, raising his eyebrow.
Jack looked over his shoulder at the massive lidded pot. “Yes. Anything the matter with it?”
“No. Not at all. It’s just that… Well… I have never seen one like it before.”
Jack shrugged. Walking around dressed like a bush already drew too much attention. Now that he had a giant green pot strapped to his back, few were the people who didn’t stop to stare at him. Bashful him would have to learn how to grow a thick skin. “I like to keep the bees close to me.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“So, where is the queen I brought you?”
“Right, right. Please follow me.”
The NPC took Jack toward the bee habitat, and Jack spotted three players staring at the glass as if they were mindless zombies. Jack waved at them as he passed, and one of them looked away from the habitat to wave back. As soon as he did, he murmured bitterly. Because of Jack’s catchy appearance, he had taken his eyes off the ball and now had to reset the clock to trigger the quest to become a beekeeper.
The NPC led him through a small corridor into a small room. In it, there was a small box from which he could hear the faint buzz of bees. “I got your queen settled in with some workers. They’ve accepted her as the queen, and she has started laying eggs. Can you open your…” the NPC trailed off, trying to think of what to call Jack’s pot.
“Pot hive,” Jack prompted.
“Yes. Of course. Your pot hive.”
Jack sat down, carefully making the pot land softly on the ground. He removed the shoulder straps, stood up, and lifted the lid.
The NPC looked in, curious. “It’s more spacious than I imagined. There are plenty of entry points and ventilation, and I can see you’ve set some structural support. Well done.”
“Thanks!”
The NPC turned to the box where the queen and the rest of the bees were. The buzz grew louder as he lifted the box lid, and a sweet scent flooded the room. It smelled of candles and sugar. “Here you go. Careful. Easy. Yes, little ones, yes. Let’s get you settled into your new home.”
There was a soft crack, and the NPC removed a golden chunk of wax filled with hexagons and bees from the pot. He walked steadily toward the pot hive and wedged it between one of the sticks and the pot's wall. “I think I’ve wedged it pretty well. It should hold even if you move around.”
The NPC returned to the bee box and grunted as he pulled something else out. It was a glass container with little metal hooks attached. The hooks were rusted, and the glass itself was filled with bubbles and imperfections. It looked fragile. The NPC walked over to the pot hive and gently put the container hooks on the pot's rim before closing the lid.
“What’s that?” Jack asked curiously.
“A feeder. You can keep this one. Consider it a gift. I’ve filled it with sugary water, but you must monitor it. If there is no pollen to collect nearby, the bees will need the feeder to survive. You can close it now.”
Jack obeyed.
The NPC left some parting words of wisdom. “Here you go. You have your first colony. In the beginning, you just have to make sure that they have access to food and water, and they will do the rest of the work for you. Don’t forget to check the feeder if you’re away from flowers for too long.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Congratulations! You’ve got your first colony started.
Jerry, the Entomologist, has settled your queen in with a group of workers.
+500 beekeeper XP.
Jerry, the Entomologist, has helped you set up your colony in a hive.
+1000 beekeeper XP.
You’ve reached beekeeper level, 2.
You’ve learned a new skill: Nectar Harvesting, lvl. 1.
Bard lvl. 5, synergizes with Nectar Harvesting, lvl. 1.
You’ve learned a new song: [A Morning of Spring].
Nectar Harvesting, lvl. 1
Description: Your bees have a place to call home and a hungry queen to feed. They venture outside to collect nectar.
Effects: Passive. Your bees will collect nectar from the surrounding flora. The more flowers there are nearby, the quicker they will collect it.
Jack had mixed feelings about this new beekeeping skill. Beekeeping had been the slowest minor so far. On level one, he only got [Hive Ownership] and [Friendly Scent], two passive skills that allowed him to own a hive and that made bees less aggressive. That hardly did anything for him.
This new skill just ensured that bees had food and would allow his colony to begin growing. He was just a little disappointed that after making the hive, he had nothing to do but wait for the bees to work. Couldn’t he help them somehow? Sighing, he opened up the new song he had obtained.
A Morning of Spring (Level 1 Melody)
Description: This melody allows you to become one with nature and to elicit a happy, peaceful mood in your listeners. Bees become more productive as you play this tune.
Melody Type: Happy
Jack studied the last notification with a wide smile! He took all his previous words back. Beekeeping was proving to be an excellent choice! This early on, it was already synergizing with the bard profession. Moreover, the melody was incredible! Not only would it synergize with his yellow ocarinas, but it would also allow him to help his colony grow faster. He could finally do something more than just wait.
Jack put his backpack back on, now more mindful of the precious cargo within. He smiled at the faint buzz that would accompany him from now on. The bees were starting to explore the pot hive, and one worker hovered around him, inspecting him curiously, before retreating into the pot.
Jack passed the three beekeepers staring at the habitat on his way out. Even though he didn’t wave this time, all three looked with their jaws dropped as they spotted bees hovering around Jack, entering and leaving the pot. Jack rushed out as he heard them all expressing frustration about their timers' resetting. The last thing he needed was to be beaten up by these aspiring beekeepers if they blamed him for wasting hours of their time.
*
Now outside of the zoo, Jack considered his next moves. Jack had his minors sorted out for him up to level 20. There was only one thing left to do before he focused on grinding his new professions while trying to find a way to make money to pay his dad's rent. He had to see just where the bushcraft XP store was. He opened the browser and looked up its location.
The result was a little different from what he’d been expecting.
Bushcraft XP Store
What’s up, fellow bushcrafters? I’ve just hit level 10 in the profession. (Humble bow). I haven’t seen any bushcraft association or anything of the sort. Where can I purchase more recipes and stuff?
AdrianHill: First of all, congrats! Bushcraft XP stores are special. You must find hermits living around town from whom to buy the recipes. There’s usually a lake, a river, or something close to every gate town, and you can always find a bushcrafter NPC living in a shack or a cabin on its shores.
KleinNur: I made a post some time ago listing all the coordinates for these NPCs. Just click this link.
JimmyJones: Thanks, guys! I appreciate it.
“It’s outside town,” Jack exclaimed. He looked in the direction of the tall white walls. Before, the thought of going out on his own would have terrified him. However, after finding his way alone to the swamps and hunting with Amari’s gang, he felt much more confident about adventuring solo.
He clicked the link in the post and found a list of coordinates for XP stores. The one closest to Embersgate was on the shores of the Red Lake, about two clicks north from the city’s gate. It didn’t sound so bad. Shrugging, Jack headed toward the museum. He would get himself buffed up, grab a bite, and head out.
*
This time, any onlooker in the museum would think that Jack knew what he was doing. He marched decisively around the Taxidermy section of the museum and read through different animal descriptions, looking for the buff that best suited him. After walking around for a few minutes, he finally found something that would work well with his current setup.
Species: Shadowfoot Velociraptor
Diet: Carnivore
Level: 20
Wild: A small, agile predator known for its unparalleled speed and stealth in the dense forests of the Cretaceous period. The Shadowfoot Velociraptor primarily hunts small mammals and birds, relying on its acute senses and swift, silent movements to ambush prey. It is nocturnal, using the cover of darkness to remain undetected by prey and larger predators. The velociraptor's dark coloration allows it to blend seamlessly into the forest underbrush, making it nearly invisible to the untrained eye.
The Shadowfoot Velociraptor’s hunting technique involves a combination of rapid, silent strides and sudden, deadly pounces. Observers have noted that it can move so quietly that even the rustle of leaves underfoot is barely perceptible. It has been reported that those who spend too much time studying the Shadowfoot Velociraptor in the wild often grow paranoid, convinced unseen eyes are watching them.
This buff increased stealth and movement speed, the two things he needed the most to make it to the lake safe and sound. The moss suit and cape had held up just fine in his previous expedition, but he had no idea what kind of creatures there could be lurking around the Red Lake. The movement speed would be nice to offset the slow debuff generated by his pot hive.
You’ve learned more about Shadowfoot Velociraptor. You’ve received a buff, [Velociraptor’s Cunning], for 24 hours.
15% increase in stealth, making it harder for enemies to detect you.
10% boost to movement speed.
Reduces the noise made by your footsteps.
[Museum Donor] title effects are applied. [Velociraptor’s Cunning] is empowered.
Even though shadow Velociraptors were quite higher-leveled, it must have been quite common, given how the local taxidermists had donated enough of them to the museum to help reduce the players' level requirement to benefit from their buff.
Happy with the buff, Jack marched as quickly as the heavy pot hive allowed him toward the Sold&Proper restaurant. He had one last meal voucher to spend, and he wasn’t about to let it go to waste. Thanks to the museum buff, he felt like he was moving as fast as if he weren’t carrying anything on his back.
He found Chef Gustav under the black-and-white awning manning the counter. Looking left and right, he failed to see Margaret, the player who had served him last time.
“If it isn’t our potter!” Chef Gustav greeted Jack amicably.
“Hello, chef. Isn’t Margaret here today?”
“Maggie? No, no. She has left the nest, off somewhere to start her business,” the chef said with a hint of pride in his voice. “Anyway, what can I do for you, sir?”
“Can I get the special?” Jack said, offering the voucher.
The chef didn't seem the least bit disappointed about being paid with a voucher instead of cash. With a nod, he accepted the piece of golden paper from Jack's hand and then set to work, his hands moving deftly as he added to a bubbling cauldron chunks of something white, which Jack couldn’t recognize, herbs and vegetables. The aromas wafting from the pot made Jack's mouth water.
“One [Stegodon Bone Broth] for our friend, the potter.”
“Thanks!” Jack said, lifting the bowl. Despite it not being one of the turmeric yellow bowls Jack had crafted, the warmth seeping through it and the enticing aroma overrode any disappointment he felt. Jack brought it close. He could smell wild herbs with a hint of smokiness.
He took a careful sip, feeling the hot liquid slide down his throat, instantly warming him from the inside out. The broth was thick and velvety. The root vegetables, soft from hours of simmering, added a gentle sweetness that rounded out the dish. He wished he could teach Rob’s cooking droid this recipe. It was much better than the last soup it had made for them.
When the bowl was finally empty, Jack set it down with a contented sigh.
You’ve received [Stegodon’s Fortitude].
The strength of the stegodons warms you.
The health bar is increased by 50;
The stamina bar is increased by 75;
5% increased resistance to physical attacks;
5% chance to resist cold damage;
Increases the chance of finding rare materials in forested areas.
Buff Duration: 2.5 hours.
“Wow, chef. This has been the best dish I’ve had here so far.”
“I’m glad you liked it,” the chef said, smiling. He caught the arrival of two new customers off the corner of his eye and dashed toward them, leaving Jack alone. “Hello, gentlemen. What can I get you today?”
Jack started heading toward the gate. He gave Sold&Proper one parting glance. Despite the delicious meals here, he had only kept coming back because he had vouchers. Perhaps next time, he would just search the food market close to the gate. Hopefully, Margaret had learned this recipe from Chef Gustav and served it at her place. He wanted to have it again.
Comments
Coleman
Or little jack has really grown. He’s not just a plucky noob any more. Now that I think about it he reminds me of the ragnorock online super novice. You can learn all of the base classes but can never learn the advanced classes. It was shockingly powerful if cultivated well.
Harley Dalton Jr.
Tyftc
ByLAWphoto
I'm hoping they eventually start communicating like the Leafies!
Julia Pennoyer
Thanks for the chapter. I can't wait for Jack to realize his bees have minds if their own.
David Zimmerle
Embarrassed to say that I actually tried to click the link.
