The issue lay with Task Two.
The literal meaning was straightforward: cross the front lines and reach the main battlefield.
The main battlefield was undoubtedly the plains where the Pig Head Emperor resided, meaning reaching the plains would complete the task and yield rewards.
However, Bai Ye felt it wasn't that simple. Based on his experience from his previous life, tasks like this typically presented two main challenges.
First, route blockades.
Second, time.
Route blockades were easy to understand; certain routes would surely be occupied by Pig Heads, heavily guarded, making passage not easy. This tested one's strength, though weaker individuals could choose to detour.
But detouring brought up the second problem – time!
While the task didn't specify an exact time limit, it didn't mean there wasn't one.
In Bai Ye's view, the time constraint was simple: he had to reach the plains before Rimuru.
Because once Rimuru arrived at the plains, the battle with the Pig Head Emperor would surely commence. If he wasn't there by then, the task would naturally be considered failed.
"Bai Ye," a voice suddenly called out beside him. "Together?"
Bai Ye turned his head and saw his old friend, Jemmas.
Bai Ye shook his head at Jemmas's invitation. "No need, I can handle it myself."
Jemmas nodded. "Alright, then I'll be going ahead."
Bai Ye wasn't surprised by Jemmas's invitation. Aside from the Chosen Ones fighting each other for a chance to obtain Divine Stone Fragments, there was no conflict between them regarding this hidden task. On the contrary, cooperating should make completing the task easier.
For example, with Task Two, one person facing an overwhelmingly large number of Pig Heads might have no choice but to detour, even if time was running short. It was still better than risking their life. However, if they cooperated, they could attempt to force their way through.
But Bai Ye felt he could handle it, so was cooperation necessary?
After all, from another perspective, setting aside task conflicts, the Chosen Ones were inherently antagonistic. To obtain more Divine Stone Fragments, they had to kill each other.
Therefore, when it wasn't necessary, Bai Ye refused to cooperate with anyone.
Mistrust no one, betray no one.
Cooperate with no one, be stabbed in the back by no one.
Jemmas soon departed, and as they pressed onward, the Chosen Ones began to scatter.
On one hand, the Great Jura Forest was vast, offering many routes to the plains.
On the other hand, those who had agreed to cooperate had done so, while those without such intentions naturally kept their distance from others to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
As they dispersed, the surroundings soon became quiet.
About an hour later, Bai Ye arrived before a stream. Across the stream, he could see a squad of Pig Heads.
So…
What was there to hesitate about!
"Charge!"
Bai Ye leaped across the stream and directly plunged into the midst of the Pig Heads.
With the lethal effect activated, Bai Ye charged forward, his shoulder sinking as he pressed into a Pig Head's chest.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed as Bai Ye sent the Pig Head flying with a single blow.
The next instant, Bai Ye twisted his ankle and spun rapidly.
With the Judgment effect activated!
As Bai Ye spun, his broadsword swept forward, carving out circular arcs, and then…
Flesh and blood flew!
The broadsword was already a weapon of immense power, and combined with his spin and Bai Ye's enhanced physical attributes, the Pig Heads were no match.
A massive war axe swung down, and with a clang, it was sent flying by the broadsword.
The Pig Head had no chance to react. As the sword arc swept past, its body was cut in two.
Some Pig Heads lunged at Bai Ye, attempting to sacrifice themselves to force him to stop, but as soon as they reached him, a sweep of the sword arc decapitated them.
Unmatched!
Unstoppable!
The current Bai Ye was ferociously powerful. He spun through the squad of Pig Heads, and behind him, they were all left with their bodies shattered.
Soon, Bai Ye stopped, plunging his broadsword into the ground.
Before Bai Ye, the dozen or so Pig Heads didn't even leave complete corpses; their bodies were completely mangled.
Incredibly fierce…
And then…
"Ugh!"
Bai Ye felt a tightness in his chest and knelt on the ground, gagging.
"Damn it, so this is what they meant by the side effect of Judgment…" Bai Ye wiped his mouth, feeling his vision swim, and said painfully, "So dizzy."
It took him ten full minutes to shake off the dizziness after killing those Pig Heads. He then drew his broadsword and continued forward, inwardly vowing that he had to use this move sparingly; the side effects were too terrifying, feeling like he'd been drunk for three days and slept in a dumpster.
Continuing onward, the appearance of Pig Heads by the stream served as a signal. Pig Heads began to appear sporadically in the forest ahead, requiring constant combat to pass, thus becoming obstacles on the way to the main battlefield.
However, Bai Ye didn't take some scattered Pig Heads seriously. In fact, relying purely on the physical attribute buffs from Demacia's power, Bai Ye could now crush ordinary Pig Heads, not even needing to use the Doku Doku no Mi's abilities.
He continued to advance like this, and 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 it!"
Bai Ye had chosen the shortest route to the plains, which was…
A straight line!
And to take this route, crossing the canyon ahead was key; only by passing through the canyon could he continue in a straight line.
However, just as Bai Ye had guessed, some essential routes were heavily guarded by Pig Heads.
At the mouth of the canyon, the Pig Heads had established a temporary outpost, with wooden barricades sealing off the canyon. As for the number of Pig Heads guarding it…
Bai Ye felt that if he could defeat this group of Pig Heads, Task One, killing a hundred Pig Heads, would be nearly complete.
"One against a hundred…" Bai Ye grinned. "Challenging!"
As he thought this, Bai Ye slung his broadsword over his shoulder, preparing to charge towards the canyon entrance.
But at that moment…
Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum…
The sound of rotating propellers suddenly came from the canyon entrance.
"Huh?"
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 gaze was drawn; the Pig Heads at the canyon entrance were also attracted by the sound and looked up at the sky.
And then…
…