The problem lies with Task Two.
The literal meaning is easy to understand: cross the front lines and reach the main battlefield.
The main battlefield is surely the plain where the Pig Head Emperor is located. This means that reaching the plain will complete the mission and yield the reward.
However, Bai Ye felt it wouldn't be that simple. Based on his experience from his previous life, such missions usually involve one of two complications.
First, route blockades.
Second, time.
Route blockades are easy to grasp. Certain paths will undoubtedly be occupied by pig-headed creatures, heavily guarded by large numbers of them. Passing through will not be easy, testing one's strength. Of course, if one's strength is insufficient, they can take a detour.
But detours then lead to the second issue—time!
Although the mission doesn't specify an exact time limit, it doesn't mean there isn't one.
In Bai Ye's opinion, the time constraint is straightforward: he must reach the plain before Rimuru.
Because once Rimuru arrives at the plain, the battle with the Pig Head Emperor will surely commence. If he isn't there by then, the mission will naturally be considered a failure.
"Bai Ye." At this moment, a voice suddenly called out from beside him, "Going together?"
Bai Ye turned his head and saw his old friend, Jiemasi.
Bai Ye shook his head at Jiemasi's invitation, "No need, I can handle it myself."
Jiemasi nodded, "Alright, then I'll be heading off."
Jiemasi extending an invitation didn't surprise Bai Ye. Excluding the possibility of the Chosen Ones fighting each other for Divine Stone Fragments, there was no conflict of interest in this hidden mission. Conversely, cooperation should make completing the mission easier.
For instance, in Task Two, alone, one might have to resort to detouring when facing an overwhelming number of pig-headed creatures. Even if time might not be enough, it's still better than risking one's life. However, with cooperation, they could attempt a frontal assault.
But Bai Ye believed he could handle it himself, so was cooperation even necessary?
After all, from another perspective, without considering conflicting missions, the Chosen Ones are inherently adversarial. To obtain more Divine Stone Fragments, they must fight each other.
Therefore, when there was no necessity, Bai Ye rejected cooperating with anyone.
Distrust leads to no betrayal.
No cooperation leads to no backstabbing.
Jiemasi soon departed. Simultaneously, as they continued to advance, the Chosen Ones also began to scatter.
On one hand, the Great Forest of Jura is vast, offering many routes to the plain.
On the other hand, even if cooperation intentions were established, for those without such intentions, it was natural to stay far from others, guarding against unexpected events.
As everyone dispersed, the surroundings soon grew quiet.
Approximately an hour later, Bai Ye arrived before a stream. Across the stream, he could see a squad of pig-headed creatures.
So…
What's there to hesitate about!
"Charge!"
Bai Ye leaped directly across the stream and plunged into the crowd of pig-headed creatures.
The lethal effect activated. Bai Ye charged forward, his shoulder dropping as he slammed into the chest of a pig-headed creature.
Bang!
A dull impact sound echoed as Bai Ye directly sent the pig-headed creature flying.
The next instant, Bai Ye twisted his ankle and began to spin rapidly.
The judgment effect activated!
As Bai Ye spun, his broadsword continuously swept forward, carving out circular arcs, and then…
Flesh and blood flew!
The broadsword was already a weapon of immense power. Combined with the spin and Bai Ye's enhanced physical attributes, those pig-headed creatures were utterly defenseless.
A massive battle-axe descended, but with a clang, it was sent flying by the broadsword.
The pig-headed creature didn't even have time to react. As the sword arc swept past, its body was cleaved in two.
Some pig-headed creatures lunged at Bai Ye, attempting to sacrifice themselves to force him to stop. However, as soon as they reached him, the sword arc swept out, and the pig-headed creature's head was severed, cut off by Bai Ye's blade.
Invincible!
Unstoppable!
Bai Ye was ferociously active, spinning and slicing through the group of pig-headed creatures. Behind him, they were all shattered bodies.
Soon, Bai Ye stopped, thrusting his broadsword into the ground.
Before Bai Ye, those dozen or so pig-headed creatures didn't even leave complete corpses; their bodies were completely shattered.
Incredibly fierce…
And then…
"Gag!"
Bai Ye's chest tightened, and he knelt on the ground, retching.
"Damn it, so that's what the side effect of judgment means…" Bai Ye wiped his mouth, feeling stars in his eyes, and said painfully, "So dizzy."
It took Bai Ye a full ten minutes to recover from the dizziness after killing those pig-headed creatures. He then drew his broadsword and continued forward, inwardly vowing to use this move sparingly; the side effect was too terrifying, feeling like a three-day hangover after sleeping in a trash can.
Continuing to advance, the appearance of pig-headed creatures by the stream served as a signal. In the forest ahead, they began to appear sporadically, necessitating constant combat to proceed, thus obstructing the path to the main battlefield.
However, Bai Ye didn't take some scattered pig-headed creatures seriously. In fact, relying solely on the physical attribute amplification of Demacia's Power, Bai Ye could now overpower ordinary pig-headed creatures, not even needing to use the power of the poison-poison fruit.
He continued to advance. After an unknown amount of time, Bai Ye slowly stopped, looking at the canyon ahead and then at the map in his hand.
"This is the place, for sure!"
Bai Ye had chosen the shortest route to the plain, which was…
A straight line!
And to take this route, crossing the canyon ahead was the key. Only by passing through the canyon could he continue in a straight line.
However, as Bai Ye had guessed, the necessary paths were guarded by a large number of pig-headed creatures.
At the canyon entrance, the pig-headed creatures had established a temporary outpost. Wooden barricades sealed off the canyon. As for the number of pig-headed creatures guarding it…
Bai Ye felt that if he could eliminate this group, Mission One, killing one hundred pig-headed creatures, would be close to completion.
"One against a hundred…" Bai Ye grinned. "Challenging!"
Bai Ye thought this as he slung his broadsword over his shoulder, preparing to charge towards the canyon entrance.
But at this moment…
Whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr…
The sound of propellers spinning suddenly came from the canyon entrance.
"Hmm?"
Bai Ye followed the sound and saw a black remote-controlled drone slowly approaching the canyon entrance.
Bai Ye wasn't the only one whose attention was captured; the pig-headed creatures at the canyon entrance were also drawn by the sound, looking up at the sky.
Then…
…