The problem lay with Task Two.
The literal meaning was easy to understand: cross the front lines and reach the main battlefield.
The main battlefield was undoubtedly the plain where the Pig-Head Emperor resided, meaning that reaching the plain would complete the mission and yield rewards.
However, Bai Ye felt it wouldn't be that simple. Based on his past life's experience, the trouble with such missions usually came down to two things:
First, route blockades.
Second, time.
Route blockades were easy to understand. Some routes would surely be occupied by Pig-Heads, heavily guarded by large numbers of them, making passage not easy. This would test one's strength, though those lacking strength could take detours.
But detours led to the second issue – time!
Although the mission did not 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 plain before Rimuru.
Because once Rimuru arrived at the plain, the battle with the Pig-Head Emperor would surely commence. If he wasn't there by then, the mission would naturally be 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, Jiemasi.
Bai Ye shook his head at Jiemasi's invitation, "No need, I can handle it myself."
Jiemasi nodded, "Alright, then I'll head off first."
Bai Ye wasn't surprised by Jiemasi's invitation. Setting aside the possibility of summoned ones fighting each other for Divine Stone Shards, there were no conflicts for this hidden mission. On the contrary, cooperation should make completing it easier.
For instance, with Task Two, one person might have to resort to detouring when facing an overwhelmingly large number of Pig-Heads. Even if time might be insufficient, it was still better than risking one's life. However, with cooperation, they could attempt a direct assault.
But Bai Ye believed he could handle it. So, was there a need for cooperation?
After all, from another perspective, if the mission conflicts weren't considered, the summoned ones were inherently antagonistic towards each other. To obtain more Divine Stone Shards, they had to fight.
Therefore, when there was no necessity, Bai Ye avoided cooperating with anyone.
If you don't trust, you won't be betrayed.
If you don't cooperate, you won't be stabbed in the back.
Jiemasi soon departed, and as they continued to advance, the summoned ones also began to scatter.
On one hand, the Great Jura Forest was vast, with many routes leading to the plain.
On the other hand, those who had reached an agreement to cooperate were set, while those without such intentions naturally kept their distance from others to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
As everyone dispersed, the surroundings quickly quieted down.
About an hour later, Bai Ye arrived in front of a stream, and 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 plunged directly into the group of Pig-Heads.
With the lethal effect activated, Bai Ye charged forward. His shoulder dropped, digging 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, his body spinning rapidly.
The Judgment effect activated!
As Bai Ye spun, his broadsword swept forward, carving out arcs of circular sword slashes, 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, the Pig-Heads were utterly unable to resist.
A giant battle axe descended, only to be sent flying by the broadsword with a clang.
The Pig-Head had no chance to react. The moment the broadsword swept past, its body was cleaved in two.
Some Pig-Heads lunged at Bai Ye, attempting to sacrifice themselves to force Bai Ye to stop. But as they reached him, the arc of the sword swept by, decapitating them, severed from their bodies by Bai Ye's blade.
Invincible!
Unstoppable!
Bai Ye, fierce and ferocious, spun through the Pig-Heads, leaving behind a trail of dismembered bodies.
Soon, Bai Ye stopped, thrusting his broadsword into the ground.
Before him, those dozen or so Pig-Heads didn't even leave complete corpses; their bodies were utterly shattered.
Incredibly fierce…
And then…
"Ugh!"
Bai Ye's chest tightened, and he knelt on the ground, dry heaving.
"Damn it, so that's what the side effect of Judgment means…" Bai Ye wiped his mouth, feeling his vision swim, and said in pain, "So dizzy."
It took him a full ten minutes to recover from the dizziness after slaughtering those Pig-Heads. He then drew his broadsword and continued forward, vowing to himself that he would use this move sparingly, as the side effect was too terrifying, like being hungover for three days and sleeping in a dumpster.
Continuing on, the appearance of Pig-Heads by the stream served as a signal. In the forest ahead, Pig-Heads began to appear sporadically, requiring constant combat to pass, forming an obstacle on the way to the main battlefield.
However, Bai Ye didn't take these scattered Pig-Heads seriously. In fact, relying solely on the physical attribute buffs from Demacia's power, Bai Ye could now crush ordinary Pig-Heads, without even needing to use the power of the poison-poison fruit.
He continued to advance like this. After an unknown amount of time, Bai Ye slowly stopped, looking at the canyon ahead, then at the map in his hand.
"This is the place, no doubt!"
Bai Ye had chosen the shortest route to the plain, which was…
A straight line!
To take this route, crossing the canyon ahead was crucial. Only by passing through the canyon could he continue on a straight path.
However, as Bai Ye had guessed, the necessary routes were heavily guarded by large numbers of Pig-Heads.
At the mouth of the canyon, the Pig-Heads had established a temporary outpost. Wooden barriers blocked 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, the killing of a hundred Pig-Heads, would be close to completion.
"One against a hundred…" Bai Ye grinned, "Challenging!"
As Bai Ye mused, he slung his broadsword over his shoulder, preparing to charge towards the canyon entrance.
But at that moment…
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz…
The sound of propellers turning 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 attention was caught; the Pig-Heads at the canyon entrance were also drawn by the sound, looking up at the sky.
Then…
…