A deathly silence had fallen over the racetrack. At this moment, every Uma Musume present realized one thing—
The only ones who could vie for glory on the stage of the Kikuka Sho were Shinzan and Dream Weaver.
Time flowed by in that silence.
As the course announcer outside the track called out their names one by one, each Uma Musume entered the grounds, sensed the overwhelming, oppressive aura radiating from the two powerhouses, and quietly joined the stillness.
In that soundless arena, all the contestants assembled.
The final race that would decide the glory of the Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho, had officially begun.
"All competitors, please take your positions!"
At the booming voice of the race caller, Dream Weaver and Shinzan snapped their eyes open simultaneously.
Two distinct, yet equally terrifying auras erupted from them in that instant, sweeping across the entire course.
It was only at this moment that the other Uma Musume present finally understood—the pressure they had felt earlier wasn't even these two's limit.
If the racetrack were a jungle, these two, as its apex predators, had merely let slip a hint of the blood-soaked ferocity that was second nature to them.
Yet even that instinctual aura had been enough to plunge every Uma Musume present into silence.
Now, as the intensity of the aura emanating from the pair grew even stronger, the final flicker of hope in the hearts of the other competitors was utterly crushed.
Yet, strangely, they felt a sense of relief.
The oppressive weight constantly bearing down on them lightened considerably.
Against opponents like this, there was no possibility of victory.
Having silently accepted defeat in their hearts, the immense pressure that had been building at the prospect of facing these two unexpectedly began to dissipate.
They no longer needed to fight those monstrous beings.
Though they stood on the same track, they were no different from the spectators outside the rails.
The only thing left for them to do was to bear witness.
Shinzan and Dream Weaver paid no mind to the complicated expressions or mental struggles of the other racers.
In their eyes, there was only each other.
After a silent, mutual glance, they moved in unison toward their respective starting gates.
Dream Weaver stepped into her gate and let out a deep exhale.
Compared to Shinzan, her attributes had a flaw.
Putting Intelligence aside for now, the gap between her Power and Shinzan's was as vast as heaven and earth—a difference not even the boost from her 'Challenger's Badge' could bridge.
And Power represented explosive acceleration and the strength to break through the pack.
Every Uma Musume who chose the deep-closing running style had to master her own power; only then could she cut through all the opponents ahead like a blade from behind.
Her previous victories using this tactic had relied on the power of her 'Zone'.
Once her 'Cursed Blade' was drawn, every Uma Musume ahead would instinctively sense the danger at their backs and veer away from her path, giving her the space to charge through.
But such a tactic was useless against Shinzan.
Dream Weaver knew clearly—her opponent would never fear her Cursed Blade.
Just like Narita Brian in the last script world, Shinzan would undoubtedly unleash her own Zone to confront the Blade head-on.
Therefore, with her Blade unable to sever her opponent's stride in one strike, and her Power far inferior, Dream Weaver absolutely could not choose the deep-closing style.
Her highest attributes were Speed and Guts, representing ultimate velocity and extreme endurance.
Even if her Stamina wasn't at its peak, once Dream Weaver triggered her 'Kindling Flames', she would undoubtedly possess staying power no less than Shinzan's.
Thus, her strategy became clear.
She would run just as she had the last time she participated in the Kikuka Sho—
Bang!
The instant the gates flew open, that blazing red streak of light was once again galloping across the turf.
An unparalleled, extreme speed whipped up gales and shockwaves.
The earth trembled, fissures spiderwebbing out from under Dream Weaver's hooves.
Grass and soil that should have rested there were blasted into the air, scattered by that terrifying force.
But no one could see their lament. No one cared for their shattered remains.
At this moment, across the entire Kyoto Racecourse, the entire track, the only thing in anyone's eyes was that red light.
The eyes of every spectator, present at the track or watching on television, were filled with boundless shock.
This was the Kyoto Racecourse. The Kikuka Sho. The distance: three thousand meters.
On this three-thousand-meter course that had devoured countless Uma Musume, a red light was racing.
She had chosen the Great Escape—a breakaway from the front.
A Great Escape no one could match.
"A perfect start! In an instant, she's overtaken every other Uma Musume! Even the legendary Shinzan has been left behind!"
"It's unbelievable! Is this Dream Weaver's true power?! Only a few months since the Japanese Derby, and she's grown this strong?!"
Kimura and the race caller exclaimed in unison, forgetting all about the usual back-and-forth decorum of commentary, oblivious to their partner beside them, simply pouring out the shock in their hearts with their words.
After a moment of stunned silence, the spectators at Kyoto Racecourse erupted into a deafening roar of cheers, transforming the stands into a roaring mountain.
"A Great Escape?! She's never shown any inclination for this before! And judging by her proficiency, this isn't something you can drill in just a few months!"
Anthony's jaw hung open.
Though he could be arrogant as the head of the Japan branch, he had grown up learning the European training system step by step and had a decent understanding of Uma Musume racing.
It was precisely because he understood that he was so shocked by the tactic Dream Weaver was displaying.
Based on his judgment, his common sense, he couldn't comprehend this at all.
"No. If it's her, then it makes perfect sense!"
In contrast to Anthony, Richard adjusted his faded gold-rimmed glasses and spoke with conviction.
He was among the first to witness Dream Weaver's prowess, among the first to grasp how terrifying she was. In his mind, even before her debut, Dream Weaver had possessed that fearsome power.
What was refining a Great Escape in a few months? She was a monster.
"However…"
"This scene before us reminds me of one of Shinzan's past races."
A faint gleam reflected off Richard's glasses as he gazed at the red streak on the track, speaking thoughtfully.
"In that race, facing another Great Escape runner who had opened up a terrifying lead of twenty lengths—"
"Shinzan overtook her in one go and snatched the victory!"
Hearing this, Anthony beside him sucked in a sharp breath, exclaiming exaggeratedly.
"Twenty lengths?! Don't think I don't know racing! Is that a distance any Uma Musume can possibly close?!"
Faced with his astonishment, Richard simply turned his head, pushing his glasses up as he looked at Anthony.
"It's not that you don't know racing. It's that you don't know Shinzan."
With that, he turned his gaze back to the track.
"I expect for this Kikuka Sho, Shinzan will likely hold back her power until the very last moment, just like in that race. I wonder if Dream Weaver can…"
Richard's words hadn't even fully left his mouth when he watched in utter shock as that white streak of light on the track suddenly began to accelerate.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.