Each hit struck its legs, pushing it off balance.
The beast shrieked again, flailing wildly.
Then, finally, it collapsed, part of its body buried in the sand.
Evelyn didn't lower her bow.
She waited.
Watched.
But the glow on its back was fading.
Its tail twitched once.
Then went still.
Simulation feedback popped on her wristband.
[Beast neutralized.]
[Illusion phase complete.]
[Combat phase: passed.]
She let out a breath.
It was over.
The three girls behind her groaned and slowly sat up.
The tall one blinked at her. "What… happened?"
"You were used as bait," Evelyn said quietly, still watching the dead scorpion. "A beast pulled us into a fake scenario. We never moved from the start."
The short girl frowned. "You broke out?"
"Yeah."
"And then… You fought it alone?"
"Yeah."
The third girl rubbed her forehead. "I feel like I was dreaming."
"You were," Evelyn said. "But not the good kind."
The air was still dry.
Still hot.
But everything felt different now.
