Two advanced gatling guns swiveled with precision, locking onto River's position. A low mechanical hum followed, their twin barrels spinning faster and faster—like coiled serpents preparing to strike. In the dark forest of dying trees and cracked, ashen soil, even the monsters had momentarily hesitated at the sight.
River slowly raised both hands, palms out. "Hey, relax. I'm just here to help. No need to point your toys at me."
A pause.
Then the leader stepped forward—massive, towering, all muscle and threat. His battlesuit creaked under his shifting bulk, shadows sliding across the matte-black plating. His narrowed eyes scanned River with the precision of a targeting system.
"Just a motherf*cker, apparently?" the man growled.
River offered a faint, almost amused smirk. "You've got great hearing. But no, that's not me. I only heard your conversation."
He motioned casually to the battlecom earpiece visible on the leader's neck as if that somehow proved his innocence.
