Chapter 256 Conquer or Fall

Tobirama offered a stern reminder. "No matter what, everyone needs to stay vigilant. After all, our mission essentially pits us against the entire world."

His tone grew heavier as he continued, "Especially when it comes to those known as the protagonists of this world. They carry the luck and destiny of their realms. If we confront them recklessly, it could trigger a backlash from the world's inherent power. Such forces are not to be underestimated. We must proceed with caution."

The weight of Tobirama's words settled over the group. Everyone exchanged solemn glances, their previously light-hearted demeanor replaced by serious resolve.

"Also," Tobirama added, his voice sharpening, "remember that as shinobi, we are sensors. We can sense bloodlust from a distance, and that's not something to take lightly. Sage Mode users among us should also keep an eye out for negative emotions—those lingering feelings of fear, anger, and desperation. These abilities will help us detect the cursed spirits easily."

This mission wasn't a simple jaunt to another world—it was an act of plunder. By definition, they were stepping into the role of villains, antagonists who would undoubtedly clash with heroes and protectors, individuals like Gojo Satoru, or others of his caliber. The thought of those inevitable conflicts was enough to silence any lingering overconfidence.

Sensing the tension, Ryan stepped in to ease their concerns. "Relax. No need to get too caught up in the what-ifs. Just be mentally prepared. Look at how far we've come—every one of us has grown stronger with all the abilities and rewards we've earned. We're not who we used to be."

He gave a reassuring smile. "Do you think we'd fail now? Believe in yourselves."

Ryan's words brought a sense of calm to the group. Slowly, they nodded, the fire of determination reigniting in their eyes. He was right. They'd come a long way, earning countless rewards and strengthening themselves beyond their past limits.

In their home worlds, they were virtually unstoppable. What was there to fear in a new world? Even if they encountered a top-tier master, Ryan was there to handle it. And if even he couldn't win… well, they would deal with that when the time came.

The room quieted as the group shifted focus. The most critical moment was approaching: the missions.

Before every journey to a new world, the chat group would release a set of missions and objectives tailored to the world they were entering. These tasks were their guideposts and, more importantly, their opportunity to earn substantial rewards.

Everyone's attention sharpened, the anticipation palpable. The assignments would determine their strategy, their actions, and their fate in this new realm. It was time to face whatever awaited them.

At that moment, the voice of the chat group echoed in everyone's ears.

Simultaneously, large lines of text appeared on the screen in bold characters:

[Mission Released!]

[Task 1: Defeat all the cursed spirits!]

[Task 2: Defeat all the sorcerers!]

[Task 3: Defeat Gojo Satoru and Yuta Okkotsu!]

As the group read through the missions, a collective understanding settled over them. Their expressions shifted into a mix of resolve and anticipation.

Just as they had suspected, the tasks were as daunting as they had imagined. The missions demanded nothing less than total dominance—defeating cursed spirits, battling sorcerers, and ultimately confronting two of the most formidable figures in that world: Gojo Satoru and Yuta Okkotsu.

The mention of Gojo Satoru alone caused a stir. His strength was the stuff of legends, something Ryan had warned them about earlier. Yuta Okkotsu, on the other hand, was less familiar, but the title special grade cursed human carried its weight.

Ryan broke the silence, his voice calm but firm. "As expected, these missions are no walk in the park," he said. "Gojo Satoru is already someone we're all wary of. His eyes are unparalleled. But don't underestimate Yuta Okkotsu either. He is a powerful jujutsu sorcerer whose strength stems from the tragic curse of his childhood friend, Rika Orimoto, who died and became a vengeful spirit bound to him. Initially struggling to control Rika's immense cursed power, Yuta grew into one of the most formidable sorcerers, trained by Satoru Gojo."

Despite his words of caution, there was a glimmer of excitement in Ryan's eyes. He couldn't help but feel a rush at the challenge ahead. The potential rewards from completing these missions were bound to be immense.

"If we manage to defeat all of them," Ryan added with a slight smirk, "the harvest will be worth it. So prepare yourselves. This is going to be a tough battle, but one we can win together."

The group nodded in unison, the weight of the missions sinking in. They weren't just entering another world; they were stepping into a warzone, one where only the strongest would survive.

Ryan continued his analysis of the current tasks, his voice steady but filled with a sense of urgency.

"The first task is straightforward: defeat all the cursed spirits." He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "These entities are the embodiment of pure evil. In that world, they're the villains of the highest order. While they may not be human or former humans turned cursed spirits, they possess a primal, savage temperament that makes them incredibly dangerous."

His gaze swept over the group as he continued. "Some of them will undoubtedly be troublesome to handle, so stay vigilant."

The group nodded in agreement. They understood the threat. These cursed spirits weren't just opponents—they were monsters driven by chaos and destruction. Reminders weren't enough; only their strength and teamwork would see them through.

Ryan then shifted his focus to the second task. "The second mission," he began, "is to defeat the sorcerers. These sorcerers represent the righteous faction of this world. However, let me make something very clear."

He straightened, his tone growing more serious. "It's not as simple as just defeating them in battle. If the opponent refuses to surrender, you may need to take more drastic measures. But—" he emphasized the word, "—you don't always have to kill them. If they're willing to yield, that's enough to count as a defeat. Keep that in mind."

His reminder wasn't just a strategy—it was a precaution for the safety of everyone present. Ryan knew that fighting humans was vastly different from fighting cursed spirits.

"Sorcerers rely on cursed energy, a power that stems from negative emotions, fears, and malice. While it's a tool they wield, it's a dangerous double-edged sword. Cursed energy can warp a person's psyche, especially when they are pushed to its limit. In extreme cases, humans who lose themselves to their curses, or who are consumed by overwhelming emotions, can transform into cursed spirits. These beings, once human, retain their malicious energy but lose their original form, becoming mindless and deadly threats."

He paused, letting his words settle in. "Once someone becomes a cursed spirit, they are no longer bound by the limitations of their human form. Their strength, fueled by their hatred, grief, or rage, can rival even the strongest of socerors. It's a terrifying outcome, but it's a possibility we must always keep in mind when dealing with cursed energy."

The group grew quiet, understanding the gravity of Ryan's warning. "We must be careful," he added, "that our actions do not push anyone to the brink where they lose their humanity. If that happens, the threat becomes far worse than any sorcerer we could face."

He took a breath before concluding. "Cursed spirits, on the other hand, are a completely different story. They're not rational. They're pure madness and destruction, and they won't stop until they're eliminated. For them, there's no other option—you must kill them."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words heavy in the air. The group exchanged determined glances, each member steeling themselves for the challenges ahead. They knew the stakes, and they knew what had to be done.

After finishing his explanation, Ryan addressed the group with a steady, confident tone.

"All right," he began, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I've given you a solid understanding of this world and its intricacies. By now, you should have a decent grasp of who will pose a challenge and who can be dealt with more easily."

He paused, allowing his words to settle before continuing. "Compared to the last three worlds we've encountered, the average strength of this one is noticeably weaker. It's not just an assumption—it's a fact based on what we've seen so far."

Ryan's statement wasn't without basis. The first three worlds they had traversed were incredibly demanding.

"Take the Pirate World, for example," he said, his tone sharp and analytical. "That world was filled with fighters who could only be described as monsters. Even the most ordinary civilians there had physical capabilities that surpassed those of other worlds. Humans there could grow to three meters tall as if it were nothing. And that's before you even consider the non-human races, whose physical prowess was outright absurd."

He gestured for emphasis. "Then there was the world of the Shinigami, where our opponents weren't even human. They were souls with supernatural abilities, fighting on a completely different level. And don't get me started on the One Punch Man world," he added with a dry chuckle. "That place was crawling with bizarre creatures and overpowered heroes, all of whom surpassed human limitations by miles when they became obsessed with something."

He shifted his stance, bringing the focus back to the current mission. "Now, as for the world of curses and sorcerers—the one we're about to enter—it's different. On average, their strength doesn't come close to matching the powerhouses of the previous worlds. Some of the weaker sorcerers can be taken out with something as mundane as ordinary bullets."

Ryan's tone turned serious as he delivered his final remarks. "But don't let that fool you into becoming complacent. While the overall power level may seem lower, the strongest among them is nothing to scoff at. They're capable of incredible feats, and underestimating them would be a grave mistake. So, prepare yourselves thoroughly."

His words hung in the air, a reminder of the trials they had faced and the challenges still to come. The group nodded in unison, their determination evident. They knew the risks, but they also knew they were ready to face them head-on.

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