There were two monsters on the track.
One was the legendary filly, aiming for the Triple Crown after two classic victories, hailed as the unbeatable force in the classics—the Shadow Monster, Narita Brian.
The other was the Gray Monster from the countryside, who had clawed her way up step by step through sheer strength, defeating countless powerful rivals—Oguri Cap.
When these two monsters stood side by side, the very air seemed to warp under the pressure.
The urge to fight simmered within, yet had nowhere to go.
A suffocating tension filled their lungs.
It didn't matter who it was—her empty stomach was screaming like mad!
Thump—!
Her heart lurched violently.
A chilling, creeping dread swept across the track in that instant. Oguri Cap's eyes widened as she stared at the stern-faced girl beside her.
Those yellow eyes swept over the field with a savage intensity.
Cold sweat beaded on her cheeks. Under that gaze, the muscles in her limbs tensed instinctively.
An invisible, oppressive shadow seemed to spread from the other girl, bearing down with overwhelming force.
This one…!
Her teeth ground together. Oguri Cap fought to suppress the instinctive rivalry this girl provoked.
No…
Not yet.
There was only one thing she needed to do now—
"Endure."
That's what Musaka Ginjirou had told her during the final pre-race strategy session.
"The two runners you need to watch most in this race—first, Tamamo Cross, who'll be hanging behind, just out of your sight."
And second, Narita Brian, who used the same running style as Oguri Cap and would be positioned mid-pack.
The first would be hard to guard against; the second would affect her more directly.
"I've seen Narita Brian train a few times. Let's just say—you'd do best not to think of her as an Uma Musume."
"Not as an Uma Musume…?"
"A bird of prey, or a wild beast—whatever you call it, she's the kind of presence that stirs primal fear. If I'm right, the Narita Brian you'll face today is stronger than any version you've seen before."
Hearing this, Oguri Cap's expression turned grave.
"So during the race, you might be influenced by her. You could end up going all out at the wrong moment."
It wasn't about conscious choice—it was a pure, instinctive reaction.
When faced with danger, people run. That's natural. And Narita Brian had a way of awakening that survival instinct.
The terrifying aura she radiated, from the inside out, could pull you into her world without you even realizing.
A world shrouded in the smoke of battle.
"Fighting for position is important, but don't get too caught up in what your rivals are doing."
Narita Brian was strong. Tamamo Cross was strong. Maruzensky and the others—all incredibly strong.
Even so, Oguri Cap possessed speed that was second to none. She, too, had a monster's devastating late burst.
"Just remember one thing."
Behind his sunglasses, his hawk-like gaze fixed on her.
"Run your own race."
Only then could she prevail in this battle.
Oguri Cap took Musaka Ginjirou's advice to heart.
If she accelerated now and started dueling with Narita Brian, it would go against her own race sense.
She had to push further ahead, reach that final bend.
So she had to restrain the hunger inside.
Bury it deep.
--+--
"All runners are holding their positions—no one's making a reckless move! Could it be they're saving it all for the final turn?!"
The announcer's voice rang out across the field.
The entire track seemed bound by an invisible force. Every runner was locked in a delicate balance, each restraining the others. Not a single wasted movement.
That subtle equilibrium had held since the start, lasting well into the mid-race.
As the field stretched out, it seemed no one was willing to break the stalemate… or were they?
"Wait!!"the announcer suddenly shouted. "Tamamo Cross! As they hit the first uphill section, Tamamo Cross is starting to move—!!"
The same gray figure seized the moment. As they climbed the slope, the runners on the outside faltered slightly, losing momentum. In the gap that opened, Tamamo Cross slipped through, advancing toward the front of the pack.
Sorry, but I'm not about to let you drag me down!
She had to keep control of the distance to the leader, Maruzensky, to avoid being completely dropped.
But the instant Tamamo Cross made her move, the crowd's attention snapped to the dark figure following close behind.
She's keeping up…
Just like that, she matched Tamamo Cross's sudden acceleration!
Their positions remained exactly the same as before!
That shadow-like movement stunned the runner who'd just been overtaken.
What in the world…
That stumbling dark figure had just unleashed a terrifying burst of speed.
So fast it was just a blur as she surged past.
She tried to pick up the pace, to reclaim her position, but no matter how she pushed, she couldn't close the gap on that seemingly weary, laboring form.
You've got to be kidding me! Why?
Why can't I catch up to someone who looks like she's running through mud?!
What am I missing?!
Restlessness—
Unnoticed, a pair of golden eyes shifted slowly.
If only she would calm down and truly listen to the rhythm of those footsteps…
The slightly slumped posture, the arms swinging as if drained of energy, the heavy-looking footfalls—none of it could hide the truth.
The gentle, feather-light touch of the girl's steps, the musical, rhythmic cadence of her run.
'Heavy landing, light touch'—that was the heart of the disguise.
Up ahead, Tamamo Cross also noticed the dark Uma Musume sticking close behind. A flicker of surprise crossed her mind.
Did she seize the same chance to break free?
No… that's not what matters.
With her ability, whether she followed me or not, getting here wouldn't be hard for her.
But… why? Hadn't she lost her fighting spirit? Why would she worry about getting trapped in the pack?
Narrowing her eyes, Tamamo Cross shifted her focus from the leading group to the dark Uma Musume behind.
She focused intently, sensing that seemingly unthreatening, sluggish presence.
Clack-clack-clack-clack…
With her concentration fully honed, the sound of the dark filly's footsteps reached her ears.
Gradually, Tamamo Cross's expression shifted from suspicion to confusion, then to deep thought.
Each footfall seemed to strike right at her heart. The more she listened, the more terrifying it became. The more she listened, the more unnerved she felt.
In the end, cold sweat formed on Tamamo Cross's forehead. Beads of perspiration rolled down her cheeks and splattered to the ground.
Her face was now a mask of utter shock.
"You… you're quite the actress, aren't you?" she muttered through clenched teeth.
Heh…
A mocking smile curled on the lips hidden beneath dark bangs. The gloom in those golden eyes lifted, replaced by a glint of sharp, derisive light.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.