The problem lies with Task Two.
The literal meaning is easy to understand: break through the front lines and reach the main battlefield.
The main battlefield is undoubtedly the plain where the Pig Head Emperor resides, meaning that reaching the plain completes the mission and earns the reward.
However, Bai Ye felt it wasn't that simple. Based on his experiences in his past life, the trouble with such missions usually boils down to two things.
First, route blockades.
Second, time.
Route blockades are easy to understand. Some routes would inevitably be occupied by the pig-headed people, heavily guarded, making passage difficult. This is where strength comes into play, though one could choose to take a detour if their strength was insufficient.
But detouring brings up 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 reaches the plain, the battle with the Pig Head Emperor will certainly commence. If he isn't there by then, the mission will naturally be considered a failure.
"Bai Ye." At this moment, a voice suddenly came from beside him, "Together?"
Bai Ye turned his head and saw his old friend, Jemas.
Bai Ye shook his head at Jemas's invitation, "No need, I can handle it myself."
Jemas nodded, "Alright, I'll be going ahead then."
Bai Ye wasn't surprised by Jemas's invitation. Setting aside the possibility of chosen ones killing each other for Divine Stone fragments, there was no direct conflict between them for this hidden mission. On the contrary, cooperation should make the mission easier.
For instance, in Task Two, one person facing an overwhelmingly large number of pig-headed people might have no choice but to take a detour, even if they might run out of time, it's better than risking their life. However, with cooperation, they could attempt to force their way through.
But if Bai Ye believed he could handle it, was there a need for cooperation?
After all, from another perspective, without considering mission conflicts, the chosen ones are inherently adversarial. To obtain more Divine Stone fragments, they must kill each other.
Therefore, when it wasn't necessary, Bai Ye rejected cooperation with anyone.
Distrust leads to no betrayal.
No cooperation leads to no backstabbing.
Jemas left quickly, and as they continued to advance, the chosen ones began to scatter.
On one hand, the Jura Great Forest is vast, and there are many routes to the plain.
On the other hand, having reached an agreement for cooperation is one thing, but those without such intentions naturally kept their distance from others to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
As everyone dispersed, the surroundings soon became quiet.
About an hour later, Bai Ye arrived in front of a stream, and across the stream, he could see a squad of pig-headed people.
So...
What's there to hesitate about!
"Charge!"
Bai Ye leaped directly across the stream and plunged into the crowd of pig-headed people.
With the lethal effect activated, Bai Ye charged forward, his shoulder sinking as he slammed into the chest of a pig-headed person.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed as Bai Ye sent the pig-headed person flying with a single blow.
The next moment, Bai Ye twisted his ankle and began to spin rapidly.
The Judgment effect activated!
As Bai Ye spun, his greatsword continuously swept forward, creating circular arcs, and then...
Flesh and blood flew!
The greatsword was already a weapon of immense power, and combined with his spin and Bai Ye's enhanced physical attributes, the pig-headed people were no match for him.
A massive battle axe descended, and with a clang, it was sent flying by the greatsword.
The pig-headed person didn't even have time to react. As the sword arc swept past, their body was cleaved in two.
Some pig-headed people lunged at Bai Ye, attempting to sacrifice themselves to forcibly stop him, but as soon as they reached him, the sword arc swept by, decapitating them.
Invincible!
Unstoppable!
Bai Ye was ferociously cutting through the squad of pig-headed people, spinning as he passed them. Behind him, the ground was littered with the dismembered bodies of the pig-headed men.
Soon, Bai Ye stopped, thrusting his greatsword into the ground.
In front of Bai Ye, those dozen or so pig-headed people didn't even leave complete corpses, their bodies completely shattered.
Utterly ferocious...
And then...
"Ugh!"
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 like stars were still swimming before his eyes, and said painfully, "So dizzy."
It took him a full ten minutes to recover from the dizziness after slaughtering those pig-headed people. He then drew his greatsword and continued forward, vowing inwardly that he had to use this move cautiously. The side effect was too terrifying, feeling like being hungover for three days and sleeping in a garbage can.
Continuing onward, the appearance of pig-headed people by the stream served as a signal. In the forest ahead, pig-headed people began to appear sporadically, and to pass through, constant combat was required, serving as an obstacle to reaching the main battlefield.
However, Bai Ye didn't take some scattered pig-headed people seriously. In fact, relying solely on Demacia's physical attribute enhancement, Bai Ye could now crush ordinary pig-headed people, without even needing to use the poisonous fruit's abilities.
Continuing 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 it!"
Bai Ye chose the shortest route to the plain, which was...
A straight line!
And to take this route, crossing the canyon ahead was crucial. Only by passing through the canyon could he continue in a straight line.
However, as Bai Ye had guessed, the essential paths were heavily guarded by pig-headed people.
At the entrance of the canyon, the pig-headed people had established a temporary outpost, with wooden barricades sealing off the canyon. As for the number of pig-headed people guarding it...
Bai Ye felt that if he could eliminate this group, the first task of killing a hundred pig-headed people would be close to completion.
"One against a hundred..." Bai Ye grinned, "Challenging!"
As Bai Ye thought this, he slung his greatsword over his shoulder, preparing to charge towards the canyon entrance.
But at this moment...
Whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr...
The sound of rotating propellers suddenly came from the canyon entrance.
"Huh?"
Bai Ye looked in the direction of 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 by the sound; the pig-headed people at the canyon entrance were also attracted, looking up at the sky.
Then...