"Final 300 meters!"
"Tacit Accord is charging up from the innermost lane, now just five lengths behind third-place Barbatos!"
"Still eight lengths behind the leader, Dramatic Development!"
"What incredible fighting spirit! Who would have thought Tacit Accord could summon such speed and determination when pushed to the brink?"
In the stands, Twin Turbo instinctively shrank back.
Even off the track, she could feel that intimidating pressure. It wasn't as terrifying as when Tamamo Cross went all out during the relay marathon, but it was enough to send chills down your spine.
She wasn't the only one. Spectators seated nearby also pulled their jackets tighter under the overwhelming aura.
"Is Tacit Accord... is she awakening or something?!"
"Machitan, can someone actually power up while having a nosebleed?"
"That probably isn't because of the nosebleed," Matikanetannhauser replied weakly to Twin Turbo's question.
If nosebleeds could make you faster, she'd have no idea how fast she could become—probably Japan's top Uma Musume already.
Ikuno Dictus adjusted her glasses. "This should be what they call the 'Zone.'"
"Like what Inari One, Super Creek, and Tamamo Cross achieved during the relay marathon."
Though she hadn't even run her debut race yet, Ikuno had done her homework on such phenomena.
"Even so, it'll be fine! B-chan even beat Tamamo Cross—there's no way she'd lose to her!" Twin Turbo bared her little fangs, showing no signs of worry for Barbatos.
"Yeah! I feel like B-chan will definitely win this one!" Urara chimed in cheerfully.
On this point, all members of Team Canopus shared the same belief. Still, Nice Nature watched Tacit Accord's figure and couldn't help but murmur, "But to maintain that speed in her condition... she's really impressive."
"True, Tacit Accord is a respectable opponent," Minamizaka agreed, his eyes fixed on the track.
Neither he nor the Canopus Uma Musumes could actually see the Zone, yet they all believed Barbatos wouldn't lose this race.
Even so, the fact that Tacit Accord could break into the Zone and show such speed after a faulty start deserved their admiration.
Nearby, Seiun Sky's ears twitched. "Let's channel our energy to Barbatos!" she suggested.
"Otherwise, if she loses, we can't go to Tokyo Tower, right?"
"..."
Was now really the time to be thinking about Tokyo Tower?
Then he saw the determined looks on his trainees' faces.
Apparently, it was.
Twin Turbo was the first to thrust her hands forward, stubbornly chanting "Tokyo Tower" under her breath, her voice cutting through the surrounding cheers.
Then Seiun Sky, Urara, Ikuno Dictus, and Nice Nature joined in.
It was like gathering energy in Dragon Ball—they were collectively channeling the "Power of Tokyo Tower" toward Barbatos.
'This is way too weird,' Minamizaka sighed inwardly. At this critical, tense moment, why did he suddenly find it hard to feel nervous at all?
Swallowing his embarrassment, Minamizaka raised his hands too, joining his team in sending the "Power of Tokyo Tower" to Barbatos.
--+--
"A Zone sharp as a blade..."
Barbatos sensed Tacit Accord closing in.
The turf beneath her feet cratered deeply, and for an instant, her entire body seemed to freeze.
Then, an ethereal, blood-red aura enveloped her form. A spectral monster sounded the charge!
Unstoppable Onslaught—activated!
If this were one of her earliest races, she might have calculated how long it would take Tacit Accord to catch up, or whether she could overtake Dramatic Development before the finish line.
She might have pondered which skills to use, and how many would be optimal.
She might have wondered why a G2-level Uma Musume like Tacit Accord could access the Zone.
But now, Barbatos discarded such thoughts.
In this moment, all she cared about was victory. All she wanted was to defeat Tacit Accord!
Only by entering the Zone had Tacit Accord earned the right to measure herself against Barbatos!
If others saw her Unstoppable Onslaught as a Zone...
Then she would answer Tacit Accord's Zone with her own—a fair and square battle of Zones! Let her gauge whether Barbatos had what it took to stand among the world's elites!
A charge capable of obliterating everything in its path commenced. Up ahead, Dramatic Development and Girl Smile felt an instinctual, primal terror from behind. Their bodies twitched aside almost involuntarily.
The thunderous sound of pounding hooves passed them by. Barbatos shot past like a true monster.
Clumps of turf and soil flew into the air. Even at their breakneck pace, the deep, clear hoofprints left in the grass were unmistakable.
'Was Barbatos, who had been about to pass us, still holding back this whole time?!'
"Barbatos overtakes both second and first place, taking the lead! Only 150 meters to the finish line!"
For a moment, the chilling sensation on Dramatic Development and Girl Smile's backs intensified. It felt like a blade pressed against their spines, sapping their will to run further.
Cold sweat broke out on their cheeks and backs.
Just as Barbatos's footsteps faded ahead, the sound of Tacit Accord approaching from behind grew loud again—she was about to pass them both.
"!!!"
Dramatic Development gritted her teeth, resisting the heavy pressure as she forced her legs toward the finish.
Girl Smile did the same. Having come this far, how could she possibly give up now?
Tacit Accord's vision had grown blurry.
Most of the feeling in her body was gone, leaving only the searing pain in her feet. Her legs could no longer handle the strain; only her willpower drove them toward the finish line.
Clutching that final shred of resolve, Tacit Accord surged past Dramatic Development and Girl Smile.
The gap between her and Barbatos began closing rapidly!
'Barbatos is slowing down... She's tired... This is my chance!'
That belief sustained her. The desire for victory made her push even harder in these final moments.
"Tacit Accord crosses the finish line!"
"Congratulations to Tacit Accord for securing second place despite her faulty start!!"
"Is Tacit Accord... not stopping?"
"Tacit Accord is charging toward Barbatos!!!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, 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.