Will She Win?
After a moment of stunned silence, Platinum couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.
She had played Arknights before transmigrating, sure—but she was just a casual player, far from being some hardcore lore expert.
When it came to detailed power levels or backstories? She barely knew anything, just skimming through whatever popped up.
All she knew was that she'd transformed into a Kuranta girl from Arknights' world—a race known for their speed. Originally an idol knight, she'd somehow "chose the wrong major" and ended up as [Platinum], an assassin from the Armorless Union.
Oh, and she was also the poor, pitiful little pegasus who delivered that infamous line—"Go ahead, laugh if you want."
No doubt about it, compared to being some overworked corporate drone or a deadly assassin, life as a horse girl was way more fun and carefree.
The problem? Her current form looked anything but a battle-hardened warrior. With a bow in hand as a ranged assassin, she might as well be some fragile ADC in a MOBA game!
And now, this poor, weak, helpless ADC—who'd never trained in running—was about to go up against Daiwa Scarlet, a heavyweight contender strong enough to join an anime protagonist's team!
Her body might not be that of a seasoned warrior, but Kurantas were supposed to be naturally gifted runners, just like horse girls. So even at her worst, she shouldn't lose too badly… right?
Platinum mulled it over, mentally adjusting her chances of winning from zero to… a big fat question mark?
'Maybe… just maybe… I've got a shot?'
But exactly how much of a shot? No clue.
Before she could dwell on it any longer, the countdown began—the race was about to start.
[3!]
All the horse girls in the starting gates fixed their gazes forward, waiting for the moment the gates would fly open.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Platinum—positioned in the outer lane of Gate 8—forced herself to focus.
'Looks like it's time to lock in…'
'Better win this quick, grab the prize money, and clock out.'
For some reason, Miss Platinum had this weird obsession with "work"—always wanting to finish tasks early and get off shift ASAP.
Money was important, sure, but not having to work was just as important!
So…
Better make this quick. Win fast, go home faster!
[2!]
[1!]
[Race Start!]
With a loud clang, all the gates flung open at once.
Almost every horse girl burst forward in perfect sync—
Except for one.
In the outermost lane, Gate 8, a delicate white-haired girl—lovely as a porcelain doll—lagged behind by a full beat. Was she unprepared? Distracted? Or just… inexperienced?
Daiwa Scarlet, the favorite to win, noticed the late start but didn't pay Platinum much mind. Just another rookie choking under pressure, nothing unusual.
A fierce grin spread across Scarlet's refined face as she accelerated smoothly, her powerful strides carrying her straight to the front.
"Yes! No surprises here!"
The voluptuous redhead surged ahead, heart pounding with excitement as she took in the open track before her.
Scarlet wasn't one for complicated strategies. Her specialty? Seizing the lead early and holding it all the way to the finish line!
Real strength didn't need tactics—just pure, overwhelming speed from start to end!
In her mind, the only way she could lose this debut race was if she got boxed in early, unable to unleash her full potential.
But now? That chance was gone. With a clean break and a solid lead, victory was as good as hers!
"Both Tokai Teio and Vodka are watching! Just qualifying isn't enough—I've gotta win decisively!"
"I have to make this a show!"
Fueled by adrenaline, Scarlet held her position in the top three effortlessly, her momentum unbroken.
Behind her, most of the competitors had already locked onto her as the biggest threat in the race.
Meanwhile, in an unnoticed corner of the track, a certain white-haired girl—completely inexperienced in racing, let alone gate starts—had barely even reacted in time.
By the time Platinum finally kicked off, she was already a full stride behind, visibly trailing the entire pack.
"And they're off! The horse girls burst from the gates in a flash!"
"Number 4, Daiwa Scarlet—the favorite to win—lives up to her reputation as the elite, already securing second place!"
The commentator's voice rang out, tinged with surprise.
"But in the rear, Number 8—Platinum—seems completely unprepared for the start! A clear delay puts her Dead Last right out of the gate!"
"Between the outer lane and the slow start, things aren't looking good for her."
This was a debut race—only the winner would earn the right to become an official horse girl. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Even for a first-time race, a delay this bad was rare. To the professionals, this "Platinum" girl might as well have been some amateur who'd stumbled onto the track by accident.
And when even the commentator—who was supposed to stay neutral—openly said things "weren't looking good," the situation was dire.
Yet, on Platinum's delicate face, there was no panic—only icy calm as she maintained a steady pace behind the middle pack.
'A slow start… huh?'
'I think in the anime, even the great Tokai Teio had a bad start once.'
Her gaze locked onto the figures ahead, especially the red-haired elite currently leading the pack into the first turn.
She'd messed up the start. She was up against a prodigy.
Did she really stand a chance?
Strangely, instead of doubt, Platinum felt an eerie sense of focus. Her legs felt lighter than she'd ever imagined.
Maybe racing was just "work" to her—but compared to her old job back in Terra, this was way easier.
So… she might as well take it seriously. At least try to see what she could do.
And hey, winning meant big money. Even if just for the cash, she couldn't slack off too much.
The Kuranta girl's lips curled slightly as she felt her pulse quicken, a flicker of fighting spirit igniting within her.
"Alright then—"
"Get ready, Ms. Elite. I'm… picking up the pace!"
Just as Daiwa Scarlet—still holding first place—was about to enter the second turn, signaling the halfway point of the race…
The atmosphere ignited.
And then—BAM!
The white-haired girl who'd started dead last suddenly exploded with unbelievable speed!
The middle-pack racers ahead of her whipped their heads back in shock as Platinum's figure rapidly closed in from behind.
The gap was vanishing before their eyes!
"Tch… A come-from-behind runner, and she starts this fast?!"
"Is she insane?! With a monster like Scarlet in the race, she's burning energy now?!"
"She's gonna burn out before the final stretch! Don't let her mess up your rhythm!"
"Did her trainer not teach her anything about starts and pacing?!"
Their expressions twisted in disbelief—none of them had ever seen a horse girl race like this.
Because… that was a come-from-behind running style!
And she was accelerating way too early!