Xiao Xingyue’s Ghost Card Game

Although Xingyue is now a harmless and delicate loli.

Xingyue: ‘But my soul has always been that of a noble evil villain!’ (◦`~´◦)
Xingyue: ‘Hmph, how could I rely on such a low-level method to regain my original power? That’s just lame.’
The little white-haired loli waved her hand dismissively, as if to say it was nothing.
Then she chose B, continuing to keep Xisitina’s secret.
‘It’s not because I have feelings for Xisitina, definitely not…’
Xingyue: ‘But I am a little curious… maybe I should just pick it and see, I can always reload if it goes wrong…’
Slap!
Xingyue slapped herself across the face.
“Mrow?!” Nami, beside her, had her fur stand on end.
Xingyue: ‘Stop, stop, stop! Mustn’t overthink this!’
Xingyue had a premonition that if she, with her ability to control time, always thought about using this power to satisfy her curiosity…
That curiosity could very well push her into the abyss. (つд⊂)
“Xingyue… why did you hit yourself?” Nami asked, a little bewildered.
“N-nothing, haha, I was just a little sleepy, I’m much better now… Let’s go buy clothes first!”
Xingyue hurriedly linked arms with Nami, leading her towards a clothing store while making excuses.

****

Soon, Xingyue arrived at the Dungeon.
But to call it a dungeon… it was actually an abandoned old subway station in this part of the city.
Xingyue: “Nami-chan… do you think there’s a mother dragon king and her super huge little brother down there? (￣▽￣)”
“Hm? What are you talking about?” Nami asked.
“It’s nothing, let’s go in!”
Entering the subway station, the two of them waited for a while.
A swirling purple vortex portal appeared.
The two of them walked in…
…
“Eh, where is this? (°ー°〃)”
After coming out of the portal.
The two arrived at the first floor of the Dungeon.
But…
Xingyue: ‘This isn’t what I imagined.’ (“▔□▔)
What greeted their eyes was a dimly lit small tavern, filled with the scent of old liquor, dust dancing in the dim yellow light of the single pendant lamp.
And the guardian of the level…
“Haaah…”
A mature-looking beauty, dressed in a bartender’s uniform, was currently leaning lazily against the bar, yawning. Her hair was as black as the night, and a purple magic tattoo at the corner of her eye flickered gently with her breathing.
“Oh? More guests… Welcome to the first floor of the Dungeon… sit wherever you want, I don’t have the energy to serve you… ugh, so sleepy ==”
The beauty yawned again, her eyelids drooping.
“This person is the guardian?” Xingyue blinked, finding it hard to believe.
‘Why does the Dungeon guardian have no presence at all…’
“She might be pretending. Don’t let your guard down.”
Nami vigilantly gripped the flaming short blade at her waist, her cat ears perked up, her red eyes full of caution.
“Looks like I’ve been misunderstood again… Sigh, it’s a hassle, but I’ll introduce myself. My name is Witch【L】.”
Witch【L】rubbed her temples, her voice incredibly casual.
“A Witch? One of the twenty-six Witches who founded the Dungeon Labyrinth? (*ﾟﾛﾟ)!!”
Xingyue was a little surprised. For such a big shot to be guarding the first floor, wasn’t that a bit of an overkill?
“…I don’t care who you are, just hurry up and tell us the rules of this level.”
Nami impatiently stepped forward and slammed her short blade on the bar.
She looked ready for a fight at any moment.
“It’s not good for a girl to be so fond of fighting… This level isn’t for you to use force.”
Witch L extended a slender finger and, with a touch of magic, gently picked up three playing cards, waving them in the air.
Xingyue tilted her head slightly, looking at the three cards, a trace of curiosity welling up in her heart:
“Are you playing Fried Golden Flower?”¹
“Fried Golden Flower? What’s that?” Witch【L】frowned.
“Er… pretend I didn’t ask. (´-﹏-`；)” Xingyue scratched her head awkwardly, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Alright, let’s get to the rules, even though it’s a hassle.” Witch【L】casually placed the three cards on the bar.
“This level is called 【The Cards that Decide Fate】. As the name suggests, it’s a deck that decides your fate.”
“Among the three cards on the table, there is one letter card, one number card, and one joker. If you draw the number card, you pass.”
“If you draw the letter card, you lose, and you have to give me something to continue.”
“But if you draw the joker… hehe, then you fail the level directly and have to sign a redemption contract with me. You can only proceed after fulfilling the contract’s terms.”
Xingyue: ‘Ah…?’
Xingyue’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Nami; the cat girl’s tail was flicking gently, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
“If you want to give up, you can go back now. The exit is over there… Haaah, I really want to get off work ==”
Witch【L】propped up her chin, looking like she was about to fall asleep again.
“Mmm…”
Xingyue bit her lower lip, her gaze shifting between the three cards.
Xingyue: ‘I didn’t expect this place to have a level that’s purely based on luck…’
‘That’s a bit tricky… a two-thirds chance of getting screwed.’
‘The letter card is manageable, at most I’ll lose some personal belongings.’
‘But if I pick the joker, I’ll become the witch’s s*ave. (つ﹏⊂)’
“Um, may I ask a question?” Xingyue asked weakly.
“Go ahead,” the witch said listlessly.
“If I choose a card… and lose my turn, will there be two cards left on the table for my companion to choose from?”
“No.” The witch’s denial was curt.
“Why not… we’re a team!”
“It has nothing to do with being a team. Because this is your card of fate. Once you choose it, it’s yours. How can it be used in someone else’s level and affect their fate?”
Witch L explained.
“Whichever one I point to, that one becomes mine?” Xingyue asked again.
“That’s right.”
“Gulp…” Xingyue swallowed hard.
Nami, beside her, was also hesitating.
Xingyue: ‘It’s pure luck… In that case, do I have to gamble…?’
‘Should I point to the left, the right, or the middle? 🤔’
Just as Xingyue was thinking…
[Time for a Choice!]
[Choose one thing to make your own.]
[A. Point to the left card]
[B. Point to the middle card]
[C. Point to the right card]
[D. Point to Nami]
[E. Point to the Witch]
Xingyue: ‘…?’
‘What’s up with options D and E? ∑(°口°๑)’