If you asked the audience to recall the most unforgettable moments on the racetrack, the first that would come to mind is undoubtedly the birth of the first Triple Crown winner, St. Lite.
That legendary Uma Musume, after sweeping the classic Triple Crown, departed with grace.
Many spectators remember this vividly.
They could never forget the sight of the entire world erupting in cheers as she crossed the finish line of the [Kikuka-shō].
Many were even moved to tears.
In truth, it wasn't just St. Lite.
Shinzan, Mr. C.B., Symboli Rudolf—these Uma Musume who dominated the track with their own feet—each left a profound impression on the audience.
They were not only milestones in racing history but also symbols of their era.
However, whether it was Symboli Rudolf with her Undefeated Triple Crown, or Mr. C.B., hailed as the second Pegasus, what they brought the audience was merely awe.
Why say that?
Since the establishment of the [Twinkle Series], no Uma Musume had ever made them feel quite like this.
Perfection.
A flawless, almost divine perfection.
It made you want to clasp your hands together in reverence.
That figure racing across the track was like a work of art crafted by the gods themselves. The moment she moved, the entire world seemed to hold its breath for her.
The Zone…
Up in the observation deck, Symboli Rudolf's eyes widened.
Her astonishment was beyond words.
The flow of time, warped by collective consciousness, slowed to a crawl.
She recognized this state well.
It was the Zone.
She had entered the Zone.
And it wasn't just her.
Rudolf's gaze passed through the raindrops hanging lazily in the air, settling on the faces of the motionless spectators.
Every single person present had, without exception, entered the Zone.
Uma Musume and spectators alike.
In fact, the Zone wasn't an ability unique to Uma Musume. Elite human athletes, top professionals in every field, also possessed this potential.
It wasn't a rare ability; rather, it lay dormant within everyone.
The essence of the Zone was the ultimate focus, concentration honed to its peak.
Even an ordinary person with no special talents might accidentally slip into this state at some point.
And now, everyone's Zone had been simultaneously triggered.
The hands of time crept forward, sounds stretched into infinite echoes.
The reason for this phenomenon was obvious.
The attention of over eighty thousand spectators was completely focused on that one girl.
A black figure, splashing through the rain.
Her perfect running form, as if enchanted, locked onto everyone's gaze, stripping away all stray thoughts.
Don't think, don't ponder.
They forgot the race, forgot the venue, forgot their purpose.
Their spirits were wholly immersed in the rhythm of those beautiful, powerful hooves.
She dominated the track.
Click—
Who knew how long had passed? The clock on the wall ticked forward one notch.
At the same moment, in this world where only the black-clad girl moved, another figure broke free from the pack of statuesque Uma Musume.
BOOM—!
Like a bomb detonating in the frozen world, a beast's roar deafened the air. The ground trembled beneath people's feet, a weightless sensation as if the entire track had sunk under the pressure.
In an instant, the rain resumed its fall, cold droplets splashing against the earth, seeping into the mud.
The audience snapped out of their trance.
Time flowed once more.
They saw who it was.
Narita Brian!
She had burst forth from the still world!
A few seconds? Minutes? Hours?
How long had it been?
No one knew, no one was sure, no one cared.
Because they knew the race was only just beginning.
"I can't describe what I'm feeling… I don't know if you share this sensation, but I can say with absolute certainty that we are witnessing a race unlike any before, one that may never be seen again…"
The commentator forced his tight throat open, his voice raspy.
"So, everyone, please fix your eyes on the track. I stake my career on this—I will call this race."
Even without his words, everyone was holding their breath, eyes glued to the action.
"And they're off! The unknown Number Sixteen has taken an extraordinary lead, pulling away with unconventional speed! It's a Great Escape! This contender has chosen a Great Escape—!!"
Thud!
Another heavy hoofbeat.
Narita Brian couldn't lower her posture as close to the ground as usual, yet her hooves still thundered.
The rain-soaked, softened turf was compacted under her stomp, then torn apart by her iron shoes.
Her furious, flame-like legs drove her body forward, closing the gap relentlessly.
"Following the unknown runner, Narita Brian gives immediate chase! Incredible speed! The race has just begun, yet Narita Brian is unleashing a final-straight sprint—!"
Front-runner, stalker, closer?
No, none of those.
This was a form that utterly discarded tactics and running styles, letting pure instinct take the reins.
"A Great Escape—!!"the commentator shouted.
"Narita Brian is employing a Great Escape we have never seen before, never from her! Following the unknown contender, we have a second Great Escapee in this race—Narita Brian!!"
Amid the commentator's voice and the unfolding drama on the track, the audience's rationality gradually returned, their minds clearing.
Seeing the two already more than five lengths ahead of the pack, they finally grasped what was happening.
A Great Escape…
Narita Brian was using a Great Escape!
A bolt from the blue struck the crowd.
Those who had watched the [Satsuki-shō] and the [Japanese Derby] knew Narita Brian's running style well. Since her debut, she had never adopted such a posture.
This race had shattered all expectations.
After the initial shock came an intense, brain-searing passion.
From the crowd rose a roar that threatened to blow the roof off.
"WOOOOOOH—!!!"
They watched the track with exhilaration.
No one cared about anything outside the race now.
Identity, records, qualifications—who gave a damn!
People just wanted to witness this race to its end.
Faster! Even faster!
This was what racing was meant to be!
Yet not everyone felt that way.
In the stands, Toujou Hana's temple throbbed violently.
A Great Escape!
She actually chose a Great Escape!
Since becoming Narita Brian's trainer, Toujou Hana had never seen her adopt this strategy.
Moreover, Brian's temperament was completely unsuited to such a running style.
And yet, here, in the final leg of the Triple Crown, on the hallowed ground symbolizing endless glory, Narita Brian had tossed her trainer's instructions aside and resolutely charged down the path of a Great Escapee.
Narita Brian! Have you lost your mind?
Toujou Hana cried out emotionally, but her voice was quickly swallowed by the crowd.
The reason was simple.
The moment those fierce hooves touched the turf…
That figure transformed into a ravenous wolf.
And then, everyone heard it.
A primal, blood-pumping howl, straight from the ancient hunting grounds.
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T/N: Aura so fire im tearing up
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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.