Through the digital overlay of his HUD, Michael scanned the horizon. His vision, enhanced by the Level 3 helmet, was sharper than any human eye. That's when he saw him—a player pinned down behind a jagged rock, desperately returning fire against a full squad.
Michael froze. He didn't need to get closer to know who that was. The player was wearing a rare "Warrior Spirit" skin—the exact one John always bragged about. But it wasn't just the skin. It was the way he peaked from the left, the specific rhythm of his suppressive fire, and the way he always repositioned after exactly three shots.
"John..." Michael's mind raced.
He squinted, and the system finally rendered the distant nametag: [Legend_John].
It was him. His duo partner. His best friend. Seeing that name felt like a jolt of electricity through Michael's distorted consciousness. John was alive, but he was in a death trap. The squad closing in on him was organized, moving in a pincer formation.
Michael didn't hesitate. He discarded the slow "bot walk" entirely. His digital muscles surged with a speed that defied the game's physics. He wasn't just a bot anymore; he was a guardian.
He flanked the attacking squad from the high ground. As he looked down his 4x scope, he saw John throw his last smoke grenade, a desperate move for a final stand.
"Not on my watch, John," Michael thought, his finger tightening on the trigger of his M416.
He let out a precise, controlled spray. Three headshots in three seconds. Two enemies went down instantly. The third panicked, turning around to find a "bot" standing on the ridge, silhouetted against the sun like a digital reaper.
Michael didn't stop until the threat was gone. He then slowly walked down the hill toward the stunned John. He stood a few feet away, his M416 lowered. John stared at him, his gun trembling, looking at the default-skin bot that had just performed a professional miracle.
Michael began to 'Jiggle'—the rapid, rhythmic dance they used to do after every chicken dinner. It was the only way he could say: "It's me, brother. I'm back."