"So this is the so-called Gate Technique?"
With two sharp clangs, the chain links shattered. It was far too naive to think such a rudimentary Gate Technique could restrain Amel. Unlike Jade, she possessed more than enough Power to break free from any bonds.
"Show me what you've really got!"
Her feet flew, her sprint across the grass as swift as a celestial steed. Breaking free from the mire's grasp, the Primordial surged forward. The sound of her footsteps grew closer, each thud a hammer blow against every nerve.
She charged with overwhelming force, the Flame Wheel blazing high above. Helios scorched the earth, reveling in a maddening rampage, utterly squandering all reason.
Two streaks of light shot across the horizon, hurtling into an unknown Domain, repeatedly clashing and entangling.
Amel's assault was ferocious. Her transcendent footwork and the Lion's Fangs could tear through any obstacle.
"How annoying! Kousei!"
But the Lion's Fangs cannot shred the Mist!
Exquisite and ever-changing, the mysteries unfold freely—
A Red Mist swirled around Kousei, so dense that even the Lion's eyes couldn't penetrate it. Yet Amel's face showed no trace of alarm; instead, it twisted into a cruel smile.
If my eyes can't be trusted, then I'll rely on my wild instincts!
Without a moment's hesitation, she lunged forward like a blur!
"Found you!"
Her killing bite closed in—only to shatter a phantom.
"What?"
Amel instinctively whipped her head around, just in time to see a massive, blood-red maw erupt from the Mist, lunging straight for her head.
BOOM!
Amel's face twisted into a savage snarl, her blood-red eyes locked onto Kousei. The giant serpent coiled around her, pinning her tightly into a corner.
"She actually gave up the Inner Lane!"
The assault was completely unexpected; the predator had become the prey. Both the timing and positioning were perfect. Amel, despite her immense brute force, had no room to unleash it. Her safe space had dwindled to almost nothing.
"Amazing! Kousei!"
Cheers erupted from the stands as the crowd caught a glimpse of victory's dawn.
"Just like that! Once she enters the Grappling Domain, Kousei is invincible!"
With Kousei having closed the distance and secured such an advantageous position, escaping her grasp in a one-on-one duel—without other Umamusume to interfere or obstruct—would be no easy feat.
"Heh heh~" Amel's smile grew even more ferocious. "A snake trying to swallow an elephant. Truly overestimating yourself."
Amidst her wild laughter, the apex predator finally shed its disguise.
"Get off!"
Kousei was thrown back by an immense external force. Her defense shattered in an instant. With a single strike, the Golden Lion tore the Red Serpent to shreds.
"She was holding back! That bastard!"
Kousei tried to summon the Mist again, but Amel wouldn't allow it. She launched a sudden attack, her instantaneous acceleration like a lion's pounce.
"Tch!"
Unable to surrender the lead, Kousei abandoned the idea and focused all her attention on accelerating.
"So fast!"
Pure power and speed. The two were practically neck and neck, with Kousei holding a mere half-length lead that was rapidly shrinking.
Eyes brimming with avarice, they had completely lost their reason. All that remained was a primal hunger for their prey.
"Satisfy me, Kousei!"
The same hunger, the same power. The Umamusume renowned as Monsters were the true predators on this turf!
In a daze, Kousei saw Narita Brian's figure chasing her from behind—the Narita Brian who was still a "Monster."
"Tch! Seeing illusions again!"
Kousei knew full well that ever since her eye injury at the Tenno Sho, she had been avoiding using her Gate Technique. The illusion appearing now was surely a dangerous warning. After all, her Flame Wheel had been burning for some time. But if she relinquished its restraint, Amel would undoubtedly leave her in the dust.
Suddenly, she was trapped between a rock and a hard place.
"The flame is about to die out."
Amel didn't understand what the Gate Technique was, but she could feel Kousei's temperature, sense the scent emanating from her—everything told her:
This rain is about to extinguish the burning will once more.
"Don't you dare look down on me!"
"!!!"
Full power, overdrive!
The Flame Wheel blazed anew, its inferno reaching the heavens. The Monster bathed in fire.
Untouchable flames. The entire racetrack transformed into a furnace, suffocating all with its searing passion.
"Breathing... is difficult?"
Amel didn't know if it was the Gate Technique or something else, but her heart was pounding uncontrollably!
"Fine! Bring it on!"
In response, the lion roared and plunged into the Red Lotus Purgatory!
On the dizzying downhill slope, neither Umamusume showed any sign of slowing down, charging straight into it.
Kousei shifted her posture, leaping down. Amid gasps from the crowd, she landed steadily and then, as if gliding, rapidly pulled away.
The Northern Lands Technique: Ski Speed Descent.
With breathtakingly brilliant footwork, a treasure trove of skills, she declared her evolution through countless techniques.
In contrast, Amel looked somewhat clumsy. She nearly stumbled onto all fours several times. At such high speed on a downhill slope, a fall would have been catastrophic.
Luck undoubtedly played a part, but for the strong, luck is an element of strength. It was this very luck that prevented her from losing ground to Kousei's descent, and her face showed not a trace of fear.
Like Narita Brian, the Monster within had completely devoured her.
A long straightaway followed—a tug-of-war of speed and stamina. Kousei used the momentum from her dive to push her speed to another level. Amel didn't rush to close the gap; in her eyes, Kousei was merely prey struggling desperately.
Maintain distance, wait for her to tire, then deliver the killing blow.
Suddenly, a sense of crisis washed over her, like a guillotine hanging over her neck. Acting on pure instinct, Amel surged forward in pursuit.
"What's happening? This isn't the best time to attack. It's a long straightaway with elevation changes. The slopes and muddy ground will drain her burst power; Kousei can't keep accelerating forever. Wouldn't it be better to maintain pace and attack when Kousei tires in the final stretch?" Genbao was bewildered.
Genbao's confusion was shared by most onlookers. Amel was a top-tier Umamusume—how could she make such a judgment call?
Rohan sensed something amiss. Both Kousei and Amel were making decisions that defied comprehension.
He turned and gave a few quiet instructions. A moment later, a staff member entered with a report. As Rohan read it, a cold sweat broke out on his brow.
"What is it?" Genbao and Yurei noticed Rohan's alarm.
"I see! This explains everything!" Rohan showed them the report. "Because it's a one-on-one duel, no one noticed. Look closely at this pace! Kousei is undoubtedly executing a Front-runner strategy!"
Back on the racetrack.
"You truly are full of surprises, Kousei!"
2000m passed. Amel realized belatedly that the pace on the track was absolutely abnormal—it was far too fast. A lightning-fast escape had seized complete control of the race's rhythm. To choose a Front-runner strategy in an environment so utterly disadvantageous—Domain, muddy ground, long distance—that person had to be insane!
"Come on! Come on! COME ON!"
Amel's eyes blazed with fury. A Front-runner dragged the race into the purest form of duel, one no one could evade.
What should I do? It's impossible to maintain this pace for 3400m! I should avoid her peak, then in the final stretch...
Avoid her peak?
Another voice intruded into Amel's mind: You've grown soft, Amel.
"Shut up!"
Chase her down! We are the Lion King! We do not run!
"SHUT UP!"
Amel's mental state seemed unstable. After a brief struggle, a ferocious glint appeared in her eyes.
"Fine! I'll play your game to the very end!"