piratefiction Chapter 339 - 339: Development level 10 kept you waiting, huh?
Chapter 339 - 339: Development level 10 kept you waiting, huh?
〔Increased Lifespan VI: +2880 days to lifespan.〕
In an instant, youthful vigor filled my body. I jumped to my feet, feeling like a teenager again!
Most of my energy came from pure excitement, but I really was getting middle-aged. It was a great feeling to suddenly lose all the small creaks and aches in my muscles and joints.
It has been too long since this happened the last time! The development points seemingly grew slower and slower the more advanced the Bee Empire became. Now only significant time and expansion could give us anything.
Although the status screen showed I had only 15000 development points until the next development level, I knew it would take several times longer to earn than 10000 points.
And of course, this meant that a grand, empire-wide celebration was in order—after I and the Council decided on the next set of genes.
***
Worriesgone was the first one to clap her hands after I announced to the Empire Council the reason for our unscheduled meeting. However, others swiftly joined her.
"This is faster than I thought it would happen," Undecided said. "Congratulations, Father! You lead us forward faster than the dreams can catch up with…"
"Congratulations, Father! It's been so long since the last Great Ceremony of Picking New Genes—I can't wait to organize another celebration… Perhaps even humans will be able to appreciate it?" Worriesgone asked.
"No, the genes are for the bees. Leave humans out of it," Bloodhero protested.
"They wouldn't even understand what we are talking about. They don't have the rationality to understand—it will be just another legend to them," Re
I shook off the thought for now and returned to the present.
"The Council still must pick the genes I will take," I said. "Let's get back to this. Thanks to the Chaotic Evolution, I saw many interesting genes I want to have in the Empire for everybody, and many of them probably come from the perception stat. Any other suggestions on what to upgrade?"
The Advisers shook their heads.
"Please, begin, Father," Researchina said, raising a coal pencil over a sheet of paper.
I made a brief prayer to the invisible but real spirit of luck and put a point in perception.
〔For improving perception, you have a choice of next genes: 'Magnetic Field Perception I', 'Darkvision', and 'Enhanced Perception V'.〕
〔Magnetic Field Perception I: gives a weak sense of magnetic fields.〕
〔Darkvision: allows seeing clearly (without colors) even at extremely low light.〕
〔Enhanced Perception V: increases base perception to 50.〕
"Oh! This is a good spread, and a no-brainer. The stat boosts are always the best!" I was almost about to pick it on the spot.
"But darkvision is so useful! The 'Enhanced Perception V' will only increase our perception by a little, no?" Bloodimina pointed out.
"According to the notes, bees have a base perception of 44 already. We will gain only 60% of a regular increase this time," Tabletina said. "Of course, Father needs this gene to get the next one…"
"We all lived just fine without darkvision. If it's too dark, we can always use candles or even lanterns!" Things-Things exclaimed. "And we can perceive things just fine. But the magnetic fields! What even *are* those? Aren't you curious, Researchina?"
"I already *know* what these are. Father has explained. Our scouts could use it for navigation, or to look for metals…"
And like that, the Council has descended into a squabble. The simple choice turned hard.
Except, it didn't.
Magnetic fields can be sensed with a compass, and darkness can be lit with lamps.
I chose the 'Enhanced Perception V' gene and grinned. The difference was small, but the world *did* feel a little sharper.
"Calm down, girls. The Emperor has made his choice! Our perception will rise by 6 points."
Everybody went quiet. Bloodhero and Workharder stopped sending each other increasingly loud telepathic messages.
I turned to the side of the room, where the quiet observer watched.
"Oracle Undecided, did you see in the dreams something about the best attribute to increase next?"
She frowned, closed her eyes, then just sat there, thinking. And thinking. And thinking…
A full minute passed in silence, broken only by echoes of telepathic messages my Advisers sent each other in the meantime.
"Yes, Father," Undecided said, opening her eyes to look at me. "I saw it!"