Zongman, Rebirth of the Heaven-Defying Kirito

Tilberu's expression instantly turned serious: "So you mean this cockroach can follow players to different levels?"

It's important to know that the monsters in SAO all have their own behavioral logic.

For example, some monsters will only patrol along certain routes or wander randomly within a certain area.

Based on past experience, even the BOSS should abide by such rules.

But now you're telling me there's a monster that can ignore the rules and even follow players between different levels?

His words were like a bomb, instantly causing an uproar in the square.

"What?! You brought cockroaches back?"

"Does that mean we'll also have a cockroach infestation on the 23rd floor?"

"Oh no, oh no! If there are cockroaches in the 'Platinum City', I'll never dare to stay here again!"

Looking at the panicked members in front of him, Tilberu shouted, "Calm down! This is just speculation, and things are far from that point."

This is a brand new town he just bought, and it's already been hit by disaster in such a short time!

He then took a deep breath, raised his voice again, and added the order: "There are two more things to note! First, from now on, everyone must carefully inspect their armor and weapons. If you see even a single cockroach, eliminate it immediately!"

"Secondly, any food taken out of your backpack must be eaten immediately. Never leave it outside, as no one knows if it will become a breeding ground for cockroaches!"

These two clear and unambiguous instructions acted like a shot in the arm for the panicked team members.

The team members, who had initially been somewhat fearful, gradually hardened their gazes: "Yes! President!"

Although there was still a slight tremor in her voice, her actions were no longer hesitant.

Seeing the scene gradually returning to order, Tilberu breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the anxiety in his heart did not dissipate.

He turned to his attendant beside him and said in a serious tone, "Immediately conduct a screening throughout the entire legion, selecting members who are not afraid of cockroaches and have high agility, and form them into reconnaissance squads."

The attendant asked in confusion, "What do we need them to do?"

Tilberu thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Have them go back to the twenty-fifth floor. This time, we don't want to exterminate the insects, but only to find out the details about the cockroaches... the more detailed the better!"

"Understood!" The attendant acknowledged the order, quickly turned and left, afraid of wasting even a moment.

Tiberlu watched his attendant's retreating figure and reached out to touch the cold city wall model on the desk.

This newly acquired Platinum City is the pride of the entire legion, so he will never allow any cockroach to easily lay a finger on it.

Soon, news of the recruitment of reconnaissance squad members spread throughout the legion.

Surprisingly, most members instinctively stepped back.

Even the bravest warriors would shudder at the thought of the cockroach horde on the 25th floor.

After all, the survivors' accounts of "cockroaches attacking your face," "crawling into your throat," and "drowning half your body"...

Just imagining it sends chills down your spine; even without experiencing it firsthand, the fear is already etched into your heart.

Even though most people were afraid, the Legion was, after all, the number one guild, and there were quite a few courageous ones.

Soon, dozens of members stepped forward without hesitation.

Among them were experienced veterans and fearless newcomers, but all of them had the same determination in their eyes.

After another round of selection, only the twenty with the highest agility values ​​remained, and they were divided into four teams of five.

Tilberu personally saw them off: "Even if you only bring back a little useful information, it will be a great achievement for you!"

Finally, carrying the hopes of the entire legion, they were teleported one after another to the twenty-fifth floor.

Over the next two days, the members of Platinum City intensified their defenses while anxiously waiting.

They didn't know if the reconnaissance team would return safely, nor did they know how badly the situation on the 25th floor had deteriorated.

......

Two days later, in the early morning, Tilberu was in his office dealing with the city's defense deployment.

Suddenly, a close attendant came to report: "Master! The reconnaissance team has important news! They should be returning to the training ground to report soon!"

Tiberlu suddenly stood up and strode towards the training field.

Upon hearing the news, the members along the way also rushed over, eager to know the situation on the twenty-fifth floor as soon as possible.

As soon as they reached the edge of the training field, Tilberu asked, "Have they returned yet?"

The attendant shook his head: "Not yet, but based on the teleportation time, they should arrive soon..."

As soon as he finished speaking, several white lights flashed in the center of the training field.

The white light quickly converged, gradually forming five humanoid silhouettes—the first reconnaissance team to return!

Upon seeing the squad members, neither Tilberu nor the surrounding legion members stepped forward, but instead stared intently at them with grave expressions.

As soon as the five team members appeared, they immediately began to frantically pat their bodies.

Black cockroaches kept crawling out from the gaps in their armor, collars, and trouser legs, and had already covered half of their bodies.

If the teleportation had been two or three seconds slower, they would probably have been completely enveloped by cockroaches.

The thrilling scene caused the members at the edge of the training field to gasp in shock, but Tilberu only frowned slightly and did not show much surprise.

For the past two days, the members of the investigation team who returned from the 25th floor from time to time have been in almost the same state.

Therefore, he had already ordered the entire training ground to be cleared out, specifically for them to 'cleanse themselves'.

If a few cockroaches try to crawl out of the training area, the members waiting nearby will immediately step on them and kill them.

It was thanks to these strict isolation measures that Platinum City was not overrun by cockroaches.

At this moment, the members of the first reconnaissance team lay directly on the ground and rolled around quickly, a method that could efficiently crush the cockroaches on their bodies.

After rolling around a few times, they quickly got up and cleaned up the remaining cockroaches one by one.

Only after confirming that there were no live insects on his body did he walk towards Tilberu.

"You've worked hard." Tilberu greeted them.

His words were full of sincerity, and they also drew respectful glances from the members around him.

To delve into the cockroach-infested 25th floor to gather intelligence—this courage and perseverance are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Hearing the guild leader's personal words of comfort, the five members of the reconnaissance squad had tears welling up in their eyes, and the resentment of the past two days vanished: "Serving the legion is our duty!"

Tilberu nodded.

Then the squad leader stepped forward, his expression serious, and began to report: "Guild Master, after our four squads' separate reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, the twenty-fifth floor has basically fallen..."