Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

Chapter 85: Contribution Shop

The concept of factions was something players had never anticipated. What was even more unexpected to them was that players had already joined the Yellow Giant Bee faction.

It was highly likely that it was because someone else had been the first to join the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Hence, only now could they join this faction as well.

This explained why the giant bees that had been attacking them just moments ago had all retreated to the central area.

This was extremely positive news for everyone present. However, despite the giant bees having retreated to the central area, none of the players had any desire to hide back there again. They stayed where they were, concealing themselves and healing their wounds, yet none of them wished to leave.

Although they were pursued by the bees, the damage inflicted upon this group was minimal, with the death toll not even exceeding a handful.

Those who dared to come here were all somewhat skilled.

When the system prompt sounded, many people didn't hesitate; they chose to join the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Of course, some hesitated, but after considering it, they agreed and joined the Yellow Giant Bee faction.

For now, it seemed their only option for joining was the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Once they joined, the Yellow Giant Bee faction would be friendly towards them, ensuring they wouldn't be attacked.

Currently, the only available faction to join was indeed the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Without joining, players would have to face all monsters, but by joining, they would ally with the Yellow Bees against other monsters.

Most importantly, if they refused, they didn't know if those bees would attack them again.

Within this empty hive, Athena pondered what the Hive Queen had just said about recruiting players. For a moment, she didn't know how to approach it. Should she speak directly in the regional chat channel?

How could she ensure the basic trust between the Yellow Giant Bee tribe and the players? How could she make other players believe what she said was true?

She tried to draft an announcement to test the waters in the regional chat channel, but before she could send it, the system prompted her.

"Yes"

At the same time they received the system prompt, Athena's system prompt also updated, albeit with slight differences from theirs.

The items in the contribution shop are scarce. Currently, only Giant Bee Honey and Stingers can be viewed, both considered decent but ultimately ordinary items. Instead of quietly waiting here, she decided to take advantage of the safe and comfortable environment to practice her archery. Though she couldn't bring the book from Uncle Gowther, its contents were firmly etched in her mind.

Following the instructions from the book, Athena began practicing. The atmosphere within the hive seemed to have a calming effect, and she suddenly grasped a point she hadn't understood before.

The Yellow Giant Bee tribe, which had lived in this Black Forest for who knows how long and through countless generations, dominated the area. They were familiar with the terrain and possessed a massive population.

Athena hadn't been practicing for long when Agasi returned with a group of worker bees, carrying various materials that Athena had asked them to find.

With just a quick glance, Athena confirmed they had found the right materials. It seemed the efficiency of these giant bees in handling tasks was quite commendable, considering they were under a Hive Queen.

However, Athena was somewhat disappointed that the precious materials she sought weren't among them. Those materials must be even more valuable than she had imagined.

"Check again. There are two types missing."

"Yeah, you're right. Please try to find the other two. Their absence might affect the effectiveness, but I can work with what we have."

The bees organized the materials together neatly underground as Athena instructed. Despite the amount, the table provided by the Hive Queen couldn't accommodate all of them.

Counting the inventory, she spoke to Agasi, "We're almost there in terms of what we need, but the quantities are lacking. The failure rate of Fireburst Balls is extremely high. I'll need more materials."

Agasi understood well; after all, the more powerful the item, the greater the cost of production. At this moment, it displayed an unusual calmness.

"Understood." Turning away, it flew out with the worker bees to continue searching for the materials Athena required.

Once she had the materials, Athena began the process of crafting. The method for creating Fireburst Balls was rudimentary and straightforward, requiring no elaborate containers or tools, but basic precautions were essential.

Fortunately, the Hive Queen had considered everything thoroughly. Athena marveled at the assortment of odd and curious tools available.

Before Agasi arrived, another bee queen dispatched by the Hive Queen had delivered a series of crafting tools and a workbench, complete with chairs—everything she needed.

Though it still wasn't as comprehensive as what she had seen at Uncle Gowther's, it was enough to manufacture Fireburst Balls.

Sitting down at the workbench, Athena couldn't help but reminisce. It felt somewhat similar to when Uncle Gowther guided her through the creation of Fireburst Balls, except her mindset now was entirely different.

Sorting through the materials brought by the giant bees, she set them aside for use. Following the mental images stored in her memory, she slowly began replicating the process.