"Bot 067, that was one of the best matches I've ever played," Past Reever said through his mic. His voice carried pure joy, the kind that came only from meeting someone who could actually push him. You could almost hear the challenge he wanted to issue next.
"It was fun. I rarely meet worthy opponents, but you gave me a memory worth keeping," Reever said.
"Hey A, quit all the flattering and ask for another rematch. I am in your head and I can feel the level of excitement you had while competing with your past self. I can not believe that you tied with him, yet you have skills from the future and having played this game for a long time. Seriously you are a disappointment to the Reever's name. You are supposed to be the best player, and best does not have ties with others lest it loses its best complexity." B mocked inside Reever's head, trying to taunt him and ignite his fighting spirit and fight his young self.
Reever inwardly rolled his eyes, while suppressing the fighting intent he had hidden deep in his heart."The system said I had a match with my old teammates. One match, not two. I'm sure it's waiting for me to finish my last bit of business before sending me back to my timeline, where I'll be a lonely bot again."
"Sure thing. No need to give out lame excuses and blaming the system. But you are right. I hope that the past you would not ask us for a rematch or tell us to join his team." B said, before going silent.
"I hope so too you jinx" Reever inwardly muttered.
"Bot 067, I love your skills. And I am not sure if you have a team or you are a rogue player. Is it possible for you to join us. I am sure that you want to have another rematch with me and get to know who is the best." past Reever said through his mic.
"I wish I could join you, but I prefer to play the game solo. Then I am also planning on quitting this game and live a life I never got to cherish." Reever said, his voice tinged with sorrow as he thought of the countless days he spend behind the screens doing nothing but playing this accursed game.
It was even the main reason as to why he died, with him being 90 years old, and wanted to test a new development of the game. His addiction cost him almost everything. What were the titles and huge checks worth if no one was there to celebrate with him?
He clenched his fist so hard he was grateful for the armor; without it, he might've torn his own skin. But even so, with a bot kind of durability, blood and injuries were foreign. His memories drifted off to the time when he stood at the cemetery, burying his wife. How before her death, she encouraged him to get outside to the real world and leave the world of guns and camos. But who was he?
As a way to manage his stress, gaming became his professional and drug. A heaven and hell if one looked at the case seriously. A heaven as he became the best in the world with no one to hold a candle against him. This was also due to the early pro players dying due to old age so it was not something to be proud of.
A hell because his heart gave in to the pleasures of a virtual world and skipped a beat one day. And due to this heart attack, he had to keep his emotions in check.
Yes he knew that the system had its reasons for giving him a new life but who was he to judge. Being reborn as a bot in a game he lost everything was the best hell he could be given. At lease it ensured that he never had nightmares or heart attacks. With this new life given to him by the system, as long as he became a master, he would ensure to live a fulfilling life.
"No problem. I hope to see you next time in a game, and as opponents too so as to know who's better than the other." Past Reever said, before he left the game room.
"Bot 067, thank you for your time. If possible, I want to extend a hand of friendship and hope that we will play together." Tash said as she left the game room too.
"Not to worry. We might meet. Take care of Reever for me." Reever silently said as then a message from the system about him preparing himself for a trip back home.
"Come on A, at least you could have shouted more and let her know your feelings. I was expecting some cliché romance but you know how to spoil someone's fun." B mentally complained.
"You expected too much. I am over a hundred years now and I have a bot body. How could I form ties with normal humans. It's impossible for me to love or to be loved. I do not think that I have enough energy to satisfy the ladies. " Reever mockingly said.
"Ok. Ok. Now everyone has left the room. We can now go back to our current timeline as I am getting sick and tired of your petty shenanigans." B said.
"Ok. I guess that it's time to go back home. I hope that nothing changed while I was away," Reever exhaled.
"How does it even concern you. You have no friends or anyone. So please let's leave." B begged.
"Stop complaining. Get ready." he said, as he selected the yes button, and soon afterwards, the space swallowed him.