Chapter 150: Chapter 150 – Start Anytime
Ranked match was different from a normal one. Not only did it directly affect the matchmaking rate at a greater percentage, but the map and the player were different.
First of all, the map was larger than a normal one, around 50%. The number of NPCs walking around the map also increased, making the police have a more difficult time finding the thieves among them.
Then, there were the players themselves. Unlike 4 vs 4, like in a normal match, there were 5 players on each side to match the size of the map.
Appearing outside a large museum with four other people, surrounded by a semi-invisible barrier, Max looked around curiously. It was daytime, and the sun was blaring on top. He used his hand to cover his eyes to look at the grand museum with three floors in front of him.
'I heard about it, but the map is really bigger than the normal match. Though… Those windowsills seem to be perfect for climbing.'
Then, he looked at his teammates. Their costumes and appearance were… already changed. Three of them opted to use a clown mask, something often used for its ability to make a clone similar to one's teammates that could run around automatically.
The last one was a bit surprising. He wore a stocking mask. Its ability was simple, and that was creating a grappling hook made from a stretching stocking. They all had the same shoes, though. Blue sneakers with black strips could allow them to glide and run on the wall for 7 seconds.
Only Max wore the default costume, a white mask and white sneakers, which made him stand out and become the center of attention.
"Default? Really?" The one with a stocking mask, a player named ThhicSuprem, spoke with disdain. "Are you trolling, dude?"
The other three clown-masked guys looked at him.
Explaining why he wore default costumes while waiting for the game to start would be helpful, but then… He didn't think they would believe him. So, he would compromise.
"Please, don't worry. I am not trolling; I am actually streaming right now. The default gear fits me best for a 5-second speed boost and the big leap. Assign me to whatever spot, and I will do my best to be helpful."
At his word, one of the clown masks that wore a red suit suddenly asked.
"Wait, are you the real Breeze? The one who does that insane movement video and wall run?"
Max looked at the guy who asked him and nodded, noticing the name Mommo61 above his head. This guy seemed to recognize him.
"That's right."
"I knew it!" Mommo61 exclaimed excitedly as he suddenly grabbed Max's hand and shook it, "Dude, I am really helped with that movement video! What is it… parkour? Yeah, my movement improved once I learned how you move in that video!"
The energetic clown then released his hand and turned to others.
"Guys, I can assure you this guy is no troll. He's the most insane person I have ever seen. I think we should make him the one responsible for escaping. Trust me! He's insane!"
"I don't mind." The second clown who was in a yellow hoodie, Namahade, said. "I will distract the police if you don't mind. To be honest, I am not that good at running, but I am confident in my NPC act."
"Then I will secure the West exit." The third clown-masked guy with a simple black shirt, Clowwwned, chirped in.
Seeing that the other guy didn't really mind, ThhicSuprem sighed. "I will secure the target with Breeze and Mommo61. My grappling hook will help a lot with escaping."
— Oh? They are pretty understanding
— Another person helped by Breeze's parkour video
— Damn, to think there isn't a problem in his first matchmaking is surprising
— He was about to be called a troll lol. You should say thank you to that Mommo guy, Breeze!
— What are you, his mother?
The chat was right. He was pretty grateful that the others didn't really doubt him.
After a few seconds of strategizing, the semi-invisible barrier disappeared, and the team moved.
Max followed Mommo61 to secure the escape route toward the West hovercar after they secured the target, while ThhicSuprem went straight toward the target through the back.
He disguised himself as a guest in an orange shirt and black pants, while Mommo61 disguised himself as a lady in a red dress.
"I will go to the second floor. I hope you luck on the first floor with Thhic, Breeze! Let's escape together."
"Yeah, good luck to you too."
With that, he moved alone and pretended to be an NPC with a programmed movement. Entering the museum, he looked around to see how the NPC moved. He had 20 seconds before the police spawned in a random place.
On the first floor, paintings adorned the walls. Various jewelry encased in glass. Red ribbons circled around each article to keep the visitor's hand from reaching over them.
Their target, the King's Crown, was located deep inside the center. That was where Max planned to go, but he would do that slowly so he would reach his destination once ThhicSuprem managed to get the target.
While doing so, he would report the police movement.
(The police will appear any second now. Everyone ready?) Mommo61's voice could be heard through the small communication device hidden in his ear.
(Thhic here. I am blending with the NPC and will get the target once the police leave the room in the center. I am counting on you to make a distraction, Namahade.)
(Leave it to me. I am on the third floor and will take a fake target when the people on the first floor have no police in sight. We will get a 100 Dinar penalty, and the alarm will ring immediately. So you need to take the target and run as soon as possible. Is that fine?)
100 Dinar penalty… Max usually wasn't fine with a penalty. He wanted to get as much as possible, even if it was in-game money.
But his goal right now was to ascend to Tier 2 as fast as possible and not accumulate money.
"I am fine by it."
(As long as we win.)
(That would make stealing the target easier.)
(Ah, then I will also use my mask ability on the second floor to assist Namahade. Breeze and Thhic… We leave escaping to you guys.)
The other also had the same train of thought. In a ranked match, as long as they won, then that was all that mattered.
And just right after reaching the agreement, Max could see a police spawn near him. The blue light that appeared a few meters away turned into a man in a blue uniform and black cap.
He immediately walked away from that place and entered the center room. He saw a guest walking around the King's Crown encased in thick glass security in the middle and immediately knew that it was his teammate, ThiccSuprem.
(I have no police near me.) Thicc reported. (I can take the real target anytime.)
"I am also in location. We can start anytime."
(Alright.) Namahade spoke through the intercom.
Then, a second later, the alarm blared loudly from the third floor.
Beep beep beep beep!
[Intruder Detected!]