Then another uma musume burst out from the pack, her movement explosive as she saw the situation changing in real-time. If she waited until the downhill section to make her move, it would already be too late, the race would be decided without her.
Belgian Gregory, the fifth favorite, began her breakout with a surge that caught Hayato's attention. Was she really launching her sprint right now, this early?
After increasing her speed, Belgian Gregory engaged in fierce competition with Biwa Heidi, their bodies nearly colliding as they fought for position. No matter what happened, Heidi wasn't giving up third place without a fight, her face set with determination.
As they prepared to enter the final corner, the uma musume had readied themselves to launch their sprints, legs pumping and hearts racing.
"Who would break through the pack in the turn, and who would emerge as the final winner?!"
Suzuka was the first to pass through the corner, her form still clean and efficient. As she rounded it, she glanced back over her shoulder, and her stomach clenched. Air Groove's speed made her deeply uneasy, that relentless pursuit showing no signs of stopping.
Her target today was only Silence Suzuka, and everyone knew it.
When Suzuka recalled Hayato's words from before the race, she felt somewhat reassured despite the pressure. As long as she was still in front before the downhill section, she could win this.
And right now, she'd already accomplished that part of the plan.
"Entering the final straight! The uma musume are launching their fierce charge! Belgian Gregory is breaking through the pack!"
"So fast! Too fast! The distance between Air Groove and Silence Suzuka is constantly shrinking! Five lengths, three lengths... entering the final home stretch right now!"
Changing Gear activated, the notification blazing in Hayato's vision.
With her golden hair flowing behind her like a mane, brave as a lion charging into battle, Belgian Gregory's entire body shimmered with golden light. The moment her speed increased, she shot past Biwa Heidi like she'd been standing still.
Changing Gear (Legendary/Gold-bordered) - In the final straight, if positioned second or further back and within 4 lengths of the leading uma musume, speed massively increases.
Seeing Belgian Gregory activate a gold skill made Hayato's breath catch. A legendary-tier skill that even Air Groove didn't have had just appeared on this relatively unknown uma musume, turning the entire race on its head.
Without stamina reserves, Suzuka couldn't launch a traditional sprint the way the others could. However, she had something better than raw stamina.
Just as Air Groove and the others were about to catch her, just as the gap was about to close completely—
"I won't give up this leading view...!"
The activation of her ultimate skill boosted Suzuka's speed once more, the surge of power flooding through her legs. Her acceleration on the downhill was even faster than before, immediately opening up distance from those behind her again as they struggled to match her pace.
Suzuka's speed was still increasing somehow, defying all logic and stamina limitations. She had absolutely no intention of giving up her leading position, not now, not ever.
In the final two hundred meters of the race, a steep slope awaited, 180 meters long with a brutal two-meter elevation gain. After the smooth, flat stretch followed by that pleasant uphill, this sudden steep slope would definitely cause many uma musume to lose speed here, their momentum dying as gravity fought against them.
The solution Hayato had drilled into Suzuka was simple: Accelerate before the uphill, use that momentum to reduce resistance. The faster you hit it, the more you can minimize the danger of losing speed.
Combined with uphill skills, this was absolutely a trump card for this specific race. Suzuka, already in the lead with perfect positioning, had close to a 100% chance of winning if she executed properly.
That's exactly what Suzuka did, raising her speed to maximum before the slope hit, her legs driving so hard the turf tore beneath her hooves.
Using momentum like this, the other uma musume weren't unaware of the tactic. It's just that when it came to pure speed right now, in this exact moment, Suzuka was faster than all of them.
Air Groove was still chasing from behind with everything she had, but the outcome was already decided.
"The final two hundred meters! Entering the uphill section!"
Highlander activated in a flash of light.
Suzuka took the lead up the slope, her speed not decreasing even after hitting the incline. If anything, she seemed to get faster, her form adapted perfectly to this terrain.
Air Groove put everything into her final kick, stomping the ground so hard it left deep impressions, still chasing at a speed that would have crushed most of the field.
This was the decisive point where races were won or lost. Many uma musume here had no choice but to start crying out in distress as their bodies failed them, legs burning and lungs screaming.
Only four Uma Musume could sprint normally through this hell.
"Still in the lead was Silence Suzuka! With Air Groove close behind her like a shadow! Biwa Heidi and Belgian Gregory had also caught up, refusing to give in despite their exhaustion!!"
Even though Heidi and Belgian Gregory were desperately trying to chase, pouring everything they had into closing the gap, they found they not only couldn't catch Air Groove, but the distance between them was actually widening with each stride.
"These two—" Heidi's voice came out strained, her whole body shaking with effort. She felt like she'd already given it everything she had, pushed past every limit she knew, but she simply couldn't catch up to the monsters ahead of her.
Putting All on the Line is activated, the skill flashing into existence.
Putting All on the Line (Normal/Yellow) - Speed slightly increases in the second half of the race, but may consume large amounts of stamina.
This was Biwa Heidi's trump card, her final desperate gamble.
"Putting All on the Line?!"
A skill Hayato had seen before in Uma Musume Japan Server appeared, making his heart leap into his throat as he watched the effect take hold. This skill was definitely a massive gamble, all or nothing. If you bet right, it wouldn't just avoid consuming stamina, it would actually convert guts into stamina, giving you a second wind. If you bet wrong, it would drain massive amounts of stamina and leave you with nothing.
Hayato watched Heidi's entire stamina gauge drain in an instant, sweat pouring from her in streams as her body went all-in on this single moment. But her speed gained an unprecedented boost right then, her legs moving so fast they blurred.
This skill had that same sacrificial flavor as Rice Shower's abilities, that willingness to destroy yourself for victory.
After her speed boost kicked in, Heidi not only passed Belgian Gregory but drew completely level with Air Groove, matching her stride for stride.
Air Groove took one massive stride forward with her final kick, her speed rising even further as she pulled away from Heidi once again, closely pursuing Suzuka with single-minded focus.
"Only the final fifty meters remain! Silence Suzuka is the first up the slope, currently leading by one length, with Air Groove and Biwa Heidi right behind her!"
After reaching the top of the slope, Suzuka activated Front Runner Straight, the skill barely keeping Air Groove from closing the gap too much as exhaustion started to set in.
"Faster, faster, even faster." The words tore from Suzuka's throat. She could already see the finish line ahead, so close she could almost touch it.
Air Groove was still catching up, still fighting, the gap shrinking....
Crossing the line!
"The final victory goes to Silence Suzuka! She showed us an extraordinary running style and leg power! Second place is Air Groove, third place is Biwa Heidi!"
"I won. Thank goodness." Suzuka came to a stop, her legs shaking as a rare smile broke across her face. She'd won by only a one-length, the margin so close it made Hayato's heart pound even now. It was dangerously, impossibly close.
After steadying her breath, Air Groove approached with measured steps. There was no trace of anger on her face, only a calm, composed acceptance.
"Senpai, I—"
"Yeah, that was a wonderful race, Suzuka." Air Groove cut her off, but her voice was warm. "You let me run to my heart's content. Your goal is the Triple Tiara Cup, right? We'll meet again on that stage."
Air Groove calmly accepted her defeat and issued a declaration of war to Suzuka, her eyes already looking forward to their next meeting.
"Yes. N-next time, I'll still be running in front of you, senpai." The words came out before Suzuka could stop them, her competitive spirit showing through. "I won't give up my leading position."
"Is that so? Hehehe, Suzuka, you're quite cocky, aren't you?" Air Groove's laugh was genuine, almost delighted. After hearing Suzuka's bold declaration, she couldn't help but find it endearing.
Suzuka's face went red as she realized what she'd said. She lowered her head quickly, thinking for a moment as she tried to figure out how to backtrack. "Um, that's not what I meant to—"
"Alright, alright." Air Groove waved her hand, cutting off the apology. "I'll also give it my all in the race. If you want the Triple Tiara Cup, then come and take it from me."
"Uh... yes, yes!" Suzuka gave a series of quick nods, embarrassment mixing with determination on her face.
----
At first, I wanted to create a fight against the zone, but after thinking it over, I gave up on that idea. This is still G3, so the fights between zones will start from G2 and G1. It will probably start around chapter 100. Besides, it's impossible that the matches in G2 and G1 weren't made tense enough, right? G2 is an experiment to see if Uma Musume can compete in G1, so it's natural if some participants have a 'zone' once or twice and then get injured, resulting in a poor performance in the next race.
Ahem, let me advertise again. Come on, join as a member~