Chapter 16: We All Lost to Little Fu

The moment the explosion went off, Lingling Lan really did panic for a second.
She hadn’t expected the Sword Immortal’s holy blade to have a hidden skill. Even though Lingling Lan could practically recite the game’s wiki backwards, this setting was something she didn’t know.

A flicker of fear passed through her—what if the game glitched out? Right now, all she could see was pure white, her ears filled with a ringing buzz, and her whole body tingled, soft and weightless.

Almost like she’d died and gone to heaven.

Good thing she had set the pain sensitivity down to 5%. If it had been at full, the “realism” would’ve been unbearable. Honestly, who actually cranked pain up to maximum just to “immerse” themselves in battle? That would be some kind of ultimate masochist.

“Phew. Well, looks like I’m done for. But hey, I took the Witch down with me. The world is safe once more!”

Xinghui pulled off her helmet and collapsed onto the couch, exhausted. “Didn’t expect this game to be so tiring… guess I can count it as training for when I face the Freak Association later.”

“Xinghui-senpai, the match isn’t over yet…”

Wilfu’s voice dragged Xinghui back from her triumphant fantasy.

The white light cleared, revealing Lingling Lan’s avatar—Gela—standing perfectly fine in the snow. The sword wounds from earlier were gone without a trace, as though nothing had happened.

“Huh? No way!”

Game over, Miss Sword Immortal.
Time to cough up some gold.

“That support card I used? Its effect is Life Reversal. It swaps my HP bar with the card’s at the last second. Basically, I revived on a sliver of health. But since you’re already out, I win!”

Lingling Lan hopped around like an overjoyed child, laughing and cheering.

“You cheated! Revival shouldn’t even be allowed! Totally unfair!” Xinghui grumbled, refusing to admit defeat.

“Still within the rules. A win is a win.”

Damn it… I completely underestimated that support card. Shouldn’t have dismissed it as worthless. Even a butterfly’s wingbeat can cause a storm—let alone a mysterious card I didn’t understand.

So humiliating… me, the great Sword Immortal, losing so spectacularly to the Witch…
Guess I really do lack experience. No wonder in my past life, when I’d just ascended to Sword Immortal, the Scarlet Witch had crushed me flat.

I’ll have to learn humility. No more arrogance.

“Here—your maid outfit. Put it on tonight and show me!”

Lingling Lan tossed over a frilly maid costume. Xinghui fumbled to catch it, her face screaming the very picture of despair.

“Hmph. A Sword Immortal… keeps her word. I’ll accept my loss! Little Fu, it’s your turn. Avenge me!”

Wilfu had been fiddling with a figurine, but at that, she froze and stood bolt upright. “X-Xinghui-senpai… if even you couldn’t beat Sister Ling, what chance do I have?”

…Fair point.

“Little Fu, you’re from the Ranger Association too. You’ve got to show some guts at least!”

“Do you… think I can win?”

“You can! I believe in you!”

Hearing those words, Lingling Lan’s lips curled into a smug smile she quickly tried to hide. She covered her mouth, stifling her glee.

“Alright, Little Fu. I’ll go easy on you. If you can last three turns, I’ll surrender.”

Damn you, Lingling Lan—that was way too cocky. Acting all big-sisterly while flaunting her strength at the same time. That arrogance was unbearable!

“Little Fu, if you don’t want to play, forget it. I won’t stoop to her level.”

“Xinghui-senpai… I… I want to try.”

Mustered courage made Wilfu feel oddly heroic. If her senpai believed in her, she had to do her best.

The scene shifted, transporting them into a ruined town.

“Ready, Little Fu? Don’t worry, I’ll hold back. After all, even Irina barely lasted two turns against Gela.”

Lingling Lan still didn’t know what character Wilfu had drawn, but with Gela’s raw strength and speed, even the legendary gold card—Sapphire Witch Saphira—wouldn’t easily overpower her.

In short, there was no way she could lose.

Truth be told, Lingling Lan hadn’t wanted to fight Wilfu at all. The girl seemed fragile, easy to break. If she stomped her too hard, it might leave scars that no amount of coaxing could fix.

So, Lingling Lan deliberately discarded her scythe and switched to her weaker second blade.

“Sister Ling, do you want to go first, or…?”

“You can. I won’t counterattack—for now.”

“Eh? Really?”

In-game, Gela nodded. She even held her sword behind her, exposing her entire front as an open target.

And then, a powerful BGM suddenly kicked in.

Storm clouds gathered over the town. Black thunderheads swirled, laced with lightning and pounding rain. Within moments, Lingling Lan’s avatar was drenched in the downpour, but across from her stood a middle-aged man, utterly untouched. The storm broke against the aura surrounding him, leaving him motionless and imposing.

“W-Wait—that’s… the Sword Saint Virgil?!”

Lingling Lan snapped alert, instinctively snatching her scythe back up to guard herself.

[The Undying First Sword Saint, Virgil]

One of the game’s top three gold cards. A true T0 ceiling-breaker. Extremely difficult to master—most players needed half a month just to learn the basics—but in the right hands, his combos dealt absurd damage, with flashy cutscenes rivalling the Sapphire Witch herself.

“Little Fu, that’s insane luck. But… do you even know how to play him?”

Xinghui’s eyes sparkled like stars. (✧∇✧)

“Me? I… only know a little, senpai.”

A little was already incredible! Go, Little Fu! Defeat that wicked Scarlet Witch!

“Ugh… Little Fu, I’ll have to take this seriously. I need to get the first hit in!”

Facing an opponent like this, Lingling Lan felt the pressure. Promises forgotten, she transformed into a swarm of bats and lunged, scythe swinging down at Virgil.

Parry!

The Scarlet Witch’s crimson eyes rippled. In a flash, a surge of power erupted.

Upward slash! Air combo—two hits, pause, Phantom Cut on landing!
Instant dive! Void Blade Realm! Shadow clone cancel—Rapid Cut follow-up!
Rising Dragon Strike! Teleport! Immediate Crescent Kick! Twelve-hit juggle midair!
Press Q—Sword Energy Release!
Dash forward! Taunt cancel into spin! Time Stop—target locked!

“I AM The Storm That Is Approooooooooaching!!!!”

The screen exploded in a dazzling cutscene. Virgil’s Dimensional Rift Slash tore reality apart like shattering glass. With a thunderous crash, Gela’s body was ripped into dust and scattered to nothingness.

Lingling Lan froze.

One seamless, merciless combo. Her endurance bar shredded to zero. She had no chance to retaliate. She’d been annihilated in a perfect, stylish one-turn execution.

“S-S-Subject One… I lost…”

Her head spun, her mind went blank. The sheer impact of that combo was almost enlightening.

“Sister Lingling Lan, I’m sorry—I might’ve gotten a little carried away…” Wilfu murmured with an apologetic smile.

“Here! I’ve got another maid outfit. You can wear it!”

Xinghui grinned, pulling a brand-new maid costume out of her bag and holding it out to the dazed, defeated Lingling Lan.

Heh. Lingling Lan, I want to see you in a maid dress too.