Chapter 24: The Crimson Game

“Now, one of the cards is your hidden card, which I cannot see. Correspondingly, I also have a hidden card that you cannot see.”

“Then, every turn you draw one card.”

“Whoever gets closer to 21 wins! Of course, exceeding 21 means an automatic loss! So remember—never let the number go over 21!”

“The loser must accept the punishment.”

Gelra casually tore a piece of her black tentacle. Then, like performing a magic trick, she twisted it into a revolver. It seemed she deliberately wanted Xinghui to see it clearly, and loaded it with three genuine nano-grade magical bullets.

“Roulette? You’re seriously trying to get me killed!”

“Don’t be so dramatic. Like I said, if I really wanted you dead, you’d already be lying here.”

Gelra placed the revolver right in the center of the table. Seemingly worried that Xinghui wouldn’t be able to reach it, she pushed it a couple of times toward her.

“Damn it… This Sword Immortal is the Queen of Luck. Don’t think such cheap tricks can scare me! I formally accept your challenge! Since I can’t beat you in martial combat, I’ll beat you soundly in your own game until you admit defeat!”

With great spirit, she declared those words. Instantly, Xinghui felt like she had returned to that fateful moment of confrontation with the witch. Only this time, there were no lightning-fast sword clashes, but a “real weapon” contest instead.

“Fine then. Are you ready, Sword Immortal? It’s time to let the show begin.”

Gelra covered her lips with a slight smile. An inexplicable spotlight shone upon Xinghui.

“Since this game was designed by me, I’ll let you—the Sword Immortal—go first in the first round. Draw a card, or choose to wager your precious life~”

“Damn it, my turn. Draw a card!”

Her hidden card was 【2】. She decisively drew a card from the deck, slamming it onto the table. The revealed card was 【10】, depicting the Kuha Universe’s 10th Moon Star Lord, the famous diva, Lunaticus.

That totaled 【12】. Right now, the number wasn’t too dangerous for this Sword Immortal. It all depended on how the opponent would play next.

They shared a deck of 【1】 to 【11】, which meant her opponent’s hidden card couldn’t be 【2】 or 【10】.

Xinghui’s expression was adorably stupid, which made Gelra chuckle. A reincarnated Sword Immortal—truly a dumb little loli.

Now it was her turn.

Ah, my hidden card is 【9】, depicting the 9th Ice Star Lord Gadis Lendingnie—the White Crystal Princess. The drawn card was 【7】, adding up to 【16】.

The situation looked very favorable to this witch. There was no need for more cards.

Even if I lose the first round, being hit by a magical bullet through the brain would be nothing more than a splinter in the finger for the Scarlet Witch. A trivial injury easily healed by any magic.

But Xinghui… Hehehe, that depended entirely on her luck.

“Hehehe, this time you’re going to be unlucky. My drawn card is 【8】! Wind God bless me!”

With great flair, she threw down the card showing the Wind Star Lord Kazama Akiko. If not for the distance, Xinghui would have loved to slam it in Gelra’s face, so that Gelra would be utterly ashamed of such a pathetic loss.

“Such confidence. Then let’s reveal our hands~”

【20/16】

Oh my, the Sword Immortal wins. Luck was clearly on her side this time.

“A bet is a bet! Witch, don’t think of cheating tricks. I’m watching you!”

“A 1/2 chance. My brain will either explode or… not.”

Without any hesitation, Gelra grabbed the revolver, pointed it at her temple, and pulled the trigger.

Click.

There was no bullet.

Due to the external cognitive disruption, Wilf and Lingling Lan only saw Gelra draw a turtle on her own forehead with a pen. No one could have guessed this was a life-or-death devil’s game.

“Well then, let us continue.”

“This round I lost, so I’ll go first.”

Gelra’s hidden card was 【1】, depicting the Water Star Lord Naia Des.

Very good, a solid start. Since I have 【1】 in hand, even a huge card drawn next wouldn’t surpass 【21】.

The next card was 【3】, depicting the Wood Star Lord Sukelus, goddess of the forest star Frost.

Ohoho, the game was starting to get interesting.

“Let my winning streak begin! Draw another card!”

Xinghui, almost without hesitation, took another card.

It was 【6】, featuring the Thunder Star Lord Barley Hadat, the grand lord of the floating city.

Seeing the victory scale tip a bit more in her favor, her expression grew more urgent.

“Hoohoo, Impulsive, reckless… Lingling Lan’s appraisal of you is spot on. T5 among the T5s. Meaning you’re as dumb and useless as she is~ Give me another card.”

【8】.

Very good, let’s stop drawing here.

“Who do you think you are, stopping already? I’m going to keep drawing cards! My turn!”

【10】.

Xinghui’s face changed instantly from radiant to deathly pale. Her trembling hand dropped the card onto the table. Fear caused her pupils to contract. She couldn’t even focus on the mocking smile of the girl opposite her…

“Don’t be nervous. It’s time to reveal the cards.”

【25/12】

“How unfortunate, Sword Immortal, you lost. Now, the loser pays the bet~”

Watching Xinghui’s near-shocked expression, Gelra licked her lips as though savoring the taste of blood. It was obvious she enjoyed Xinghui’s despair immensely.

Ha… A mere 1/2 chance of dying… This Sword Immortal isn’t afraid… Even if her brain got pierced, death wouldn’t be painful, right…

Come on… 1, 2, 3… 4…

Eeeeaaaah!!!

Click.

No bullets.

Phew… Fooled Death again…

Heart racing, an inexplicable thrill bubbled up… The sensation of nearly dying and being pulled back from hell by a stun device… Far more exhilarating than simply dying.

Almost… made me wet… Could it be I awakened some strange XP… Wait, that can’t count as XP, right!?

Xinghui slumped deeply into the chair, her chest rising and falling violently, her tightly clenched clothes twisted and deformed.

“Hehe, Sister Xinghui even drew a turtle on her face, so funny!” Wilf, still unaware, cheerfully took out tissues to wipe the cold sweat off Xinghui’s forehead.

Lingling Lan, hypnotized, was tossed around like a pet hamster by Gelra at will.

“I’m starting to wonder if I didn’t load enough bullets~ It’s so boring that no blood has flowed yet.”

What a miscalculation.

Such an entertaining game, and not a single drop of blood spilled.

Even the hovering sword above them swayed gently in the breeze, showing no signs of activation.

Could it really be that this idiot was blessed by some Goddess protection?

Well, it’s about time to end it.

“So, final round, Sword Immortal… Are you ready?”