"Is this a progress quest?"
Bai Ye, with a question mark on his face, fell into a state of confusion.
He knew about progress quests.
Some quests within the World Battlefield were calculated by progress, hence they were called progress quests.
For example, if defeating one hundred Pigmen was a progress quest, then defeating a hundred Pigmen would be 100% progress completion, seventy would be 70%, and fifty would be 50%...
However, was this hidden quest a progress quest?
There was no progress standard at all!
As Bai Ye was bewildered, the surroundings erupted in cheers.
The death of the Orc Lord meant the Monster Country had achieved victory!
Under Rimuru's command, his subordinates had already begun to absorb the Orc army, and the chosen ones were starting to disperse.
Since the quest was completed, it was natural to make a quick getaway. Staying any longer might invite trouble from chosen ones coveting the God Stone Shards.
As time passed and they experienced more forbidden zones, people gradually got a handle on this.
Often, forbidden zones were less dangerous immediately after they concluded than during their active period. With experience, everyone learned to be cautious.
Bai Ye was in no hurry. He was unharmed this time. If anyone foolishly targeted him, Bai Ye wouldn't mind having a chat and sorting out who was offering God Stone Shards to whom.
Still, though not in a rush, it was indeed time to leave.
Continuing to stay was pointless, as the quest was over. Furthermore, with Rimuru's strength further enhanced after devouring the Orc Lord, he, as the ruler of the Monster Country and the sole neutral zone of the Jura Tempest Forest, now represented a stronger force. This meant the overall level of the region had been elevated again, making it almost impossible for the current chosen ones to access the Monster Country's forbidden zones or higher-difficulty hidden quests.
While thinking, Bai Ye ambled over to Rimuru to bid farewell.
"Are you leaving, Mr. Bai Ye?" Rimuru asked. "The Monster Country is still under construction and desperately needs all sorts of talent."
Bai Ye smiled and shook his head. "I am merely a traveler."
Rimuru nodded, then called out, "Shion!"
Shion arrived at Rimuru's side, still holding a wrapped brocade box.
Rimuru said, "We are deeply grateful for Mr. Bai Ye's assistance in dealing with the Orc Lord and for resolving the demon Krumit. Therefore, please accept this small token of our appreciation. It is insignificant."
Bai Ye blinked in surprise. Was this the reason for the 35% quest progress?
At the same time, Shion handed the brocade box to Bai Ye. "Take it."
Bai Ye nodded. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Rimuru reverted to his slime form and smiled. "The gates of the Monster Country will always be open to you, Mr. Bai Ye. We welcome your visits at any time."
Bai Ye chuckled, "I believe I will certainly return."
This was not mere politeness. The Jura Tempest Forest was undoubtedly a high-level region, but the chosen ones currently lacked the ability to explore it extensively.
Therefore, how could Bai Ye give up on this area?
Once he became strong enough, Bai Ye would definitely return to the Jura Tempest Forest.
Waving goodbye to Rimuru, Bai Ye left the plain and headed into the depths of the forest.
"Next..." Bai Ye mused, chin in hand, "where should I go?"
His trip to the Jura Tempest Forest had yielded quite a bit.
However, the most valuable item had nothing to do with the quest itself. It was the Venom-Venom Fruit that Shion had helped him draw!
Bai Ye had initially intended to go to the Xianxia or Wuxia regions to enhance his combat methods. But with the Venom-Venom Fruit, he was no longer lacking in combat capabilities.
After all, it was a red-quality ability.
Conversely, after witnessing the strength of Rimuru and the Orc Lord, Bai Ye felt the need to strengthen his physical body.
Take the Orc Lord, for instance. With the Venom-Venom Fruit's capabilities, his offense was sufficient to contend with it. Even the Orc Lord's regenerative ability was precisely countered by the corrosive poison of the Venom-Venom Fruit. Yet, in a real fight, Bai Ye knew he would be no match, as their physical attributes differed too greatly. The Orc Lord could end him with a single punch.
Of course, under normal circumstances, no chosen one currently could fight the Orc Lord. And obtaining something like the Venom-Venom Fruit would be impossible at this stage. Bai Ye's acquisition of the gashapon machine was purely an accident.
But since the accident had occurred, Bai Ye naturally desired more.
"I knew I shouldn't have traded the G-virus to Jin Sha. If I can find an antidote for the G-virus, I can enhance my body through viruses again!" Bai Ye pondered, resting his chin on his hand. "However, I remember Umbrella Corporation produced more than just the T-virus and G-virus; they had several others. Should I go to the apocalyptic region to look for them?"
Strengthening his body...
His first thought was viruses. However, in his previous life, Bai Ye had only obtained the T-virus and G-virus. He hadn't acquired the other viruses, and finding them now wouldn't be easy.
"Forget it, I'll think about it later!" Bai Ye took out the brocade box Rimuru had given him. "Let's see what Rimuru gave me first."
Bai Ye opened the brocade box. Inside was a saber.
Famous Sword Bloodthirsty (Weapon) (Blue): A masterpiece forged by Koro-bei, a master craftsman known as a swordsmith among Rimuru's subordinates. It integrates the blood of various monsters. Effect: Bloodthirsty (During combat, after inflicting damage on a target, it absorbs the target's blood to restore the user's injuries and stamina). Blood Demon Technique (Condenses absorbed blood into blood demon orbs for attack. Depending on the mental power value, it can gain additional magic attack bonus. Current additional magic attack bonus is 5%).
Bai Ye showed a look of realization. So it was a magic weapon!
This was the reward for completing the third stage of the quest for other chosen ones. After defeating the Orc Elite and the Orc General, they would receive a magic weapon and God Stone Shards.
"So..." Bai Ye murmured, "by completing 35% of the progress, my reward was downgraded to an ordinary reward? In that case, I might as well have been given the content of a regular hidden quest; I could have at least gotten more God Stone Shards."
Bai Ye complained with a sense of dejection. Of course, despite his complaints, if given the chance to choose again, Bai Ye would still choose to try and defeat Krumit and prevent the Orc Lord from transforming into the Orc Demon King.
Even though the quest was not easy, but...
The rewards were too generous!
However, it was all in the past, and Bai Ye didn't want to dwell on it. Hanging the Bloodthirsty saber at his waist, Bai Ye intended to proceed further into the forest, but at that moment...
"Help!"
...