Chapter 15: Eldest Sister vs. the Ancestor

When speaking of the most famous tourist attraction on Xifa Star, there was no contest—it had to be the Fantasy Simulation Park based on the interstellar hit game Witch’s Lament V: Online.

Rumor had it that the corporate giant Karna Logistics Company had poured a staggering fortune into building this entertainment server. Designed after the Witch’s Lament universe, it allowed visitors to use officially licensed figurines to engage in simulated free battles—essentially a playground for gamers brought to life.

The developer, Karna Logistics, is not responsible for any form of electronic
communication, interference, or other accidents.

As a die-hard veteran of Witch’s Lament, Lingling Lan had long dreamed of experiencing this kind of “absolute reality” gameplay.

“Hmph. When it comes to gaming, this Sword Immortal knows a thing or two as well.”

Xinghui dropped a coin into the machine, then donned a specialized holographic helmet and gloves.
With these devices, players could directly control their virtual character’s movements and five skill slots.

“Just wait—I’ll have you flat on the ground.”

But when it came to gaming, Lingling Lan was the real deal.
As one of the earliest max-level players, she had more gold-tier cards than purple ones, and her name—The Emerald Witch—was a permanent fixture among the top five on the star system’s battle rankings.

“Eh, no, no! That’s way too unfair. I’m only level 30 and you’re max level. What’s the point of even playing?”
“Then pick whatever rules you like. Either way, I’m not losing to you.”

Lingling Lan stood proudly with hands on her hips.
In her eyes, Xinghui—sixty levels below—didn’t stand a chance.
The real question was just how she wanted to lose.

“Random character, starter gear. That’s the only fair way!”
“Tch.” Lingling Lan chuckled under her breath.

Xinghui immediately hit start.
Still, she couldn’t help the pressure gnawing at her.
If she lost to Lingling Lan, she’d have to be her maid for a whole day…
Just picturing herself in one of those shamefully frilly maid outfits made her shiver. Ugh! This Sword Immortal refuses to wear that!

In the blink of an eye, the scene shifted to a snow-covered mountain peak.
Howling winds clawed at their skin, and the biting cold made every movement heavy.
The atmosphere was tense—like the calm before a great battle.

【Character Selected: Irina, the Celestial Sword Immortal】

“Ha! A Tier-1 gold card Irina!”

Modeled after the real-life Sword Immortal Irina Estrella, the current head of the Ranger Guild, this strength-and-speed dual-A swordswoman was the best possible draw.
Fate was smiling on Xinghui today. Victory was hers for sure.

And the weapon in hand—【Starlight Aetherblade, Phyllaly】—her beloved sword from her past life.
Oh, how she’d missed it!

This was no ordinary blade—it was the divine relic of the first Legendary Sword Saint, Vergil.
After his ascension to godhood, he passed the sword down through generations of Sword Immortals.

As Xinghui’s Irina admired the blade’s gleaming edge, a sudden tear ripped through the air beside her.
She rolled hard—just in time.

A dark bullet screamed past her forehead, slamming into a hill behind and erupting in a violent explosion.

“My, my. Didn’t think you’d dodge that one, Xinghui. Not bad.”
Lingling Lan’s voice rang through the blizzard, teasing.

“If you’re a true swordswoman, face me head-on. Don’t hide behind cheap tricks!”
“I’m not playing a swordswoman. And who said battles had to be fair? A second later and you’d have been blown to bits.”

Through the swirling snow emerged a dark figure.
A girl dressed in a black gothic lolita dress, pale hair and skin blending perfectly with the wintry wasteland of snow and withered trees.

The Scarlet Witch.
Scarlet Lord, Grashia Labos.

Lingling Lan had chosen none other than the game’s virtual avatar of her eldest sister.
Her—of all people.

A chill ran down Xinghui’s spine.
Even her in-game Irina reflexively stepped back.
But she shook it off.
No, this was just a counterfeit.
This time, she would win.

Irina raised the sacred sword, sending wave after wave of radiant sword energy slashing toward “Gra.”
Each strike looked powerful enough to split the stars themselves.

In truth, the game balanced all characters to the same level—so the damage was just for show.
At best, her attacks shattered a small hill.

“Tch! Damn it, you’re dead!”

The sword energy ripped apart several black tendrils behind “Gra,” drawing thick black blood.
Multiple wounds opened across her body.
Snarling, she glared at Irina with crimson eyes.

“You didn’t even dodge. Xingling, are you trying to lose on purpose so you can wear a maid outfit for me?”

Crap—distracted!
Xinghui had been too caught up listening to the vicious cries of Eldest Sister’s avatar.
This virtual world was almost too real.

And strangely, Lingling Lan found herself enjoying it.
Her eldest sister’s furious, pained voice had a certain charm…
If the HP bar weren’t so low, she might’ve pushed for a few more of those harsh, girlish cries.

“Summon Support Card—Huoxiang!”

Gra tossed a card depicting a blonde girl onto the ground.

“You’re using support cards? I’ve never bothered with those. What does it even do?”
“As if I’d tell you! Come forth, my beloved pets—devour the Sword Immortal whole! Summon: Hellbeast Horde!”

The ground split open, spewing forth black, monstrous abominations from the abyss, rushing Irina in a tidal wave of fangs and claws.

“Pathetic. Not enough to bother cutting.”

Though numerous, they were mere fodder.
Before most even touched her, the holy sword’s power of order reduced them to ash.

But Xinghui knew the real threat was Lingling Lan waiting to strike from the shadows.
And sure enough—bloodlight flashed.
A silver scythe materialized from nowhere, thrusting straight for Irina’s heart.

“Phase Shift!”

Good thing she’d saved the cooldown.
In a flash of light, Irina’s body slipped aside, narrowly evading the scythe’s deadly arc.

“Irradiant Star!”

Chanting the fourth-tier Order spell, she unleashed a blazing flare.
The blast incinerated the horde and blew away the storm.
Now, with visibility cleared, Gra stood fully exposed, dozens of meters away.

“You won’t have your way!”
“Scarlet Waltz!”

Gra spun her scythe, channeling chaotic scarlet energy into the blade as she drove it against Irina’s sacred sword.
At the same time, a second weapon appeared in her hand—slammed deep into the ground.

“Bloodsea Abyss! Seal the terrain and movement first—let’s see you slip away now!”
“Then I’ll crush you head-on!”

The clash of powers detonated with an ear-splitting boom.
The explosion shook the entire mountain, triggering a massive avalanche.

When the storm finally cleared, Irina saw the aftermath—her sword driven through Gra’s chest, the red in her eyes fading.

“Ha-ha-ha! Victory is mine! Be my maid, Xingling! I want—urk!”

Impossible.
Irina’s HP bar had vanished.
The hit alert came from behind…

A black tendril had pierced straight through her back, skewering her from head to toe like a kabob.

“The tendrils you cut—they live on their own. That’s the wonder of us Outer Gods.”
Lingling Lan’s cheerful voice echoed in her ear.

No—she couldn’t lose!
If not victory, then at least a draw!

“Farewell, my sacred sword—Supernova Burst!”

The blade blazed with blinding light, forming a massive white energy sphere that engulfed both Gra and Irina.

“What is this move—”

“I’m taking you with me!!”

Linglinglan’s elder sister: The Scarlet Witch Grashia

The current Sword Master of the Ranger Association: Irina