Michael didn't give them a single second to recover.
The UAZ swerved hard, attempting a sharp U-turn to circle back toward him—but he was already moving. His P92 rose smoothly, no hesitation, no wasted motion.
The shot cracked through the air—
not loud, not dramatic… just precise.
For a split second, the driver didn't react.
Then his vision went dark.
The UAZ jerked violently off course, slamming into a nearby rock as the remaining squad members shouted in confusion and panic.
"The driver's down! He's down! What the hell was that?!"
Doors flew open. Boots hit the ground. Weapons were raised—but too late.
Michael was already gone.
A moment ago, he had been standing in the open, moving with that slow, mechanical "bot walk." Predictable. Harmless.
Now—
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No movement.
No sound.
From behind a tree, he watched them.
Not reacting—
predicting.
One of them tried to take cover behind the car door.
Michael exhaled once… and fired.
The second player dropped instantly.
[Michael (BOT_ID_001) knocked out Player_02 with P92]
The system message flashed across their screens.
"A bot?! That's a bot?! No way!"
Panic spread.
One of them started firing wildly into the trees, bullets tearing through leaves and bark with no target. The other moved carefully, trying to flank the position.
Michael didn't move.
He waited.
Counted.
Timed it.
Then—
He stepped out.
The third player saw him for less than a second.
A jump—clean, controlled.
Two shots missed by inches.
A third hit.
Then the rest followed.
The player collapsed.
Silence fell again.
Only one remained.
The last player stood frozen, his weapon trembling in his hands. His eyes were locked on the figure slowly approaching him.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The same slow, rhythmic movement.
The same "bot" pattern.
But now… it felt wrong.
There was something behind it.
Something watching.
Something calculating.
Michael ejected the empty magazine.
Click.
A fresh one slid into place.
Calm. Precise. Unhurried.
The last player's breath quickened.
"This… this isn't a bot…"
Michael raised the pistol.
And aimed directly at his face.