'If it's like this, then maybe I can play it too. I can take revenge at them for scaring me in the past.'
Just when he thought of that, he heard Flexy shout energetically from the speaker.
"Fire!"
Energy beams were shot from their guns. They traveled at a fast speed and exploded when touching the ground. Unlike the beam gun in Midnight Heist, this was a real destructive weapon.
The incoming cockroaches were decimated at once. Small craters were formed from the gun's explosion, but those didn't stop the black army from advancing.
Battle ensued. Energy beams kept flying from the three guns. When one stopped to reload their energy gun, the others would cover for him.
The last person who didn't help in defense was getting all ammunition from inside the base, dropping them near the three who focused on annihilating the cockroaches. It was a strategy so they wouldn't need to run around getting extra ammunition when they were depleted.
Before long, the first wave was successfully defended against. And then, a rumble echoed. No one knew where it came from, but Flexy gave out a command.
"It's the cockroach's first boss! Let's find it before the others!"
After those words, the scene changed. It didn't show how they explored or something, but it immediately showed Flexy and one man hiding behind a tree and observing a large, shiny black boulder with what seemed to be fur on its back.
"There it is, the first wave boss."
Upon closer inspection, that wasn't a shiny black boulder at all. It was a large cockroach, the boss of the first wave.
Max didn't recognize it at first because it didn't look similar to a cockroach he was familiar with. It was as if that boss was a monster from Mercenary Quest instead of the black nightmare that haunted most people in the world.
Flexy and his teammate used hand gestures to communicate. The other two were apparently in the base to guard it from an unexpected attack.
With simple coordination and swift attack from two sides, they bombarded the large cockroach with energy beams. The boss, getting hit many times, stood on its four legs and spread its wings. It initiated a fly!
"Aim for the wings first! Don't let it fly!"
"Fire in the hole!"
The teammate threw a sphere filled with blue gas. When it touched the boss cockroach's wings, it exploded with an intense blue flame that spread quickly.
It seemed to contain biochemicals that hurt the boss as it moved frantically. Either because the developer or the game designer didn't know how to make cockroach sounds, or they just thought it was too disgusting, the boss's scream was filled with silence.
At that point, Max had enough watching and closed it. It wasn't because he was scared of the abomination, but it was because he found out that his trauma seemed to be nonexistent and just his imagination.
"They can be killed." He nodded in satisfaction. "And based on what Flexy said in the monthly segment a few days ago, it seems that poison and insect repellent work, unlike the real thing. I can play this game."
A smile adorned his face. A new challenge, on top of an ongoing challenge that could split his head due to frustration. For him, such a challenge was... something that he sought.
'It sounds interesting.'
He might have to alternate between the two games that he currently played to play Roach Planet, but that wouldn't be a problem.
— yes, senior o7
The other police were unknown. They probably were running toward him now after catching the other thieves.
Once again, they weren't important. Because the time limit was nearing an end.
— Only 30 seconds left. It seems he won
— Did we witness his advancement to Tier 2?
— Finally! And it's only 9th May!
— 25 seconds left! No thief or other police in sight!
— Finally, after a few days of grinding! He can compete in Midnight Heist's competition!
"Heh, it's only natural," Max said, playing with his gun.
On the outside, he appeared to be calm and acted as if this was natural. Inside, however, he felt relieved that he could reach his goal faster than it was supposed to be. This way, he could invest his time to help Flexy and settle all his debt from before.
In the end, the last thief hid until the time limit was reached. He was probably afraid that his RP would fall greatly if he got caught. In the case he wasn't caught, he would only lose half of his RP. Max knew this from his past experience with bad teammates.
When the clock reached 0, the notification rang. His body was covered in a bluish light before he was teleported back to the familiar bar he used to wait for matchmaking.
The scenery around him didn't matter. His gaze was focused on the matchmaking screen in front of him, more specifically at number 3 written on top of the matchmaking.
It slowly disintegrated like sands, blowing away by the wind. By the time the number disappeared, number 2 came from the sky with a lightning bolt, crackling harshly with words 'Congratulations' written boldly with lightning.
[SecretlyThief has donated 2,222 diamonds!]
[See you in competition.]
[Bloodsucker has donated 222 diamonds!]
[Nooo! I DON'T WANT MORE WORK!!!]
Many donations poured in, congratulating his achievement. Max chuckled when he saw BloodSucker's name. It seemed like he was still watching.
[mymomismymom has donated 200 diamonds!]
[Congratulations.]
[HandsomePoliceDog has donated 299 diamonds!]
[Heh, I am still more handsome. But do you know that police are actually not doing that to thieves. It's said...]
Sighing in relief, Max let his body relax. It had been a long journey, but he reached his goal now.
"I am done with this game! Only tournament is left, I can do it!"