"So," she said. "Protect the village, yes?"
The laughter from Team One finally died, cut clean in the throat.
The bulky Red Team leader's grin thinned into something sharper and far more serious. Han Islat's eyes narrowed as he studied the uncanny monster and the fact of what just happened beyond the portal, every trace of easy confidence gone.
Above them, the bunny announcer smiled sweetly.
"As I said," she chirped. "Lucky… maybe. Since that's not really worse."
Then she raised one finger.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Every eye lifted.
"If the village falls before sunrise…"
Her smile widened.
"You all die there too."
Silence hit harder than shouting ever could.
Then she clapped happily.
"Okay! Team One, have fun!"
A short pause followed.
Then she blinked.
"Wait, sorry." She tilted her head. "I need to assign the other teams first. So… stay there for a bit."
Just like that.
Casual.
Like she hadn't just tied their lives to a village full of unseen nightmares.
