Umamusume's days are numbered

Should I rush to the left or the right? Is there enough space for me to get through?

Platinum was completely at a loss. Lacking relevant experience, she was now completely clueless and couldn't make up her mind even when given the chance to break through the blockade.

This blockade wasn't just targeting Platinum, but all the racehorse girls within the group. They were all bound together, watching each other with troubled expressions.

However, this had the biggest impact on Platinum, to the point that she became hesitant and unsure how to continue running.

Platinum...Rudolph symbolizes sitting in front of the television, silently reciting in his heart.

This is exactly what you should learn. In a match, it's not just about your skill level. How to adapt to changing circumstances and seize opportunities are essential qualities.

Of course, what you also need to learn is... how to face your failures.

Damn it, damn it—get out of the way! Platinum was almost going crazy; she wanted to grab her scalp and jump around.

But it was no use. No matter how much Platinum glared ahead, no one else was swayed in the slightest by her gaze.

Because they all have reasons why they can't back down—that is, to win!

Whew... Calm down, calm down. Platinum gritted her teeth. This is only the first difficulty she's facing, and she's already acting so pathetic?

Are we going to come in last place and slink back to Treson College in disgrace?

It's even more painful than killing Platinum.

Alice watched Platinum race on the track, her fingers gripping the pull tab of a soda can.

Please, Platinum... Don't hesitate any longer, it's now. Do you remember what I said?

"Suko, what should I do if I fall behind in the team and want to break out?" On the night before the competition, Shirogane sat cross-legged on Suko's bed, looking like she was cramming for the last minute.

"There's no other way, just wait to die." Alice pouted.

"How could this be!" Platinum complained. "Is there really no way at all?"

"Then what other methods do you want?" Alice looked at Platinum helplessly, sizing him up several times, her eyes suddenly locking onto those legs that looked thin but contained explosive power.

"...If it were you, you could probably come up with something different."

"What's the matter?"

"If you really encounter that situation, then scare them."

A scare?

How to scare them?

Before her, like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, lay youthful memories; beyond that, the figures of Hai Du City and her friends. And shifting her gaze further outward, she saw Jin Qiang Liushi running far ahead.

The carp leaps over the dragon gate for the first time, so close to the sixty-year mark of the Golden Spear.

But she had no time to think about that now; the rapid, dense sound of hooves behind her was like a shadow following her closely. She could only desperately urge her legs on for strength.

Where is Platinum? Where is Platinum now?

Suddenly, the thought of a carp leaping over the dragon gate came to mind.

If it's not in front of me, then it must be behind me?

Where is Platinum in line? Among the footsteps behind her, is she among them?

The carp leaping over the dragon gate listened intently once more. But this time, she heard a different sound.

Beyond the series of footsteps, Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate heard the sound of drums. One after another, they beat continuously, like a chariot rolling towards them.

Unrivaled, unstoppable.

Episode 106 War Drums

"Led by Golden Sixty, the drivers gradually began to enter the corners."

"Closely following Golden Gun Sixty is Alice Digital, followed by Hai Du City and the Scammer. A horse's length behind the Scammer is Youthful Memories."

"Two horse lengths away from the youthful memories is the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, ranking seventh is the Jade Lion Shining at Night, almost parallel to the Jade Lion Shining at Night is the River Rising Daily, and Platinum is running at the back, waiting for its chance to strike."

The commentator's voice came over the loudspeaker, but the female racehorses on the track could only catch a vague outline. They didn't have the energy to listen to the actual proceedings at that moment.

In particular, Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, Jade Lion Shining at Night, and River Rising Daily became restless and anxious.

What on earth is that sound...? The Jade Lion wished she could cover her ears with her hands; the drum-like sound was driving her crazy.

Not only the carp leaping over the dragon gate, but also three other people, including the Jade Lion, heard this strange sound!

The Jade Lion couldn't help but recall the time it participated in the Mongolian Derby. The early stages of the competition were fine, but as the competition progressed, it happened to run into a sandstorm one day.

It wasn't sand that pattered up and fell like rain; it was a moving sea of ​​sand, flowing in like a swarm of flying locusts, making a crackling sound, and once you were submerged, you could no longer discern the direction.

Although the sounds were different, the Jade Lion connected them. It meant danger, and that it should begin its desperate sprint.

Involuntarily, the Jade Lion glanced behind her. This was a dangerous maneuver during a race, especially when preparing to turn, but she did it almost without thinking.

She wanted to know what that sound was.

Almost simultaneously, Jiang He Risheng also glanced back as they rounded the bend.

The two women's long-cherished wish was fulfilled. They immediately understood the source of the voice that had been haunting them. But then, they were plunged into a reality they were even less willing to accept.

Are you kidding me...?

That was actually the sound of the racehorse girl's footsteps behind us?

Platinum's foot sank into the grass, leaving a distinct mark with a thud.

She did it on purpose.

Before I learned how to run properly, I used this kind of haphazard, forceful running style.

Actually, everyone would probably run like that, but it would cause some damage to the knees and ligaments. Most racehorses are as fragile as glass. But Platinum doesn't have to worry about that; she feels she's quite resilient.

This running style certainly won't improve speed in the slightest—but that's exactly what Platinum wants: the constant sound of hooves.

She wanted to tell all her opponents ahead of her: I'm about to charge!

Either get out of my way, or I'll smash you to pieces.

It was like being transported back to ancient times, to the sound of drums beaten by soldiers on a huge chariot tethered to horses. This was a horn, a proclamation of the start of a rampage that would crush everything in its path!

Platinum gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at the racehorse girls blocking her way, her expression as menacing as if she hadn't eaten for days.

This time, I won't miss the chance to overtake...

Anyone who blocks my way, I'll fight them to the death!

I can't accept being last! I'll be nailed to the pillar of shame!

Although Alice stood calmly on the stands, her left hand, hidden in her sleeve, was already clenched tightly together.

She didn't even glance at the retired racehorses clashing in front of her; her eyes were fixed on Platinum.

Yes, that's it... Well done.

“You want me to scare them…” Platinum scratched his cheek. “How am I supposed to scare them? I feel like a con artist might be more suitable.”

Alice sat in front of the lamp, rolled her eyes upward, and glanced at Platinum: "Horse girls are all very timid. So some horse girls choose to wear earmuffs and face masks to reduce the influence of the surrounding environment on them."

"This phenomenon is even common among the world's top female racehorses."

"Of course, I didn't expect you to scare those old foxes. But your little tricks are more than enough to deal with those kids in your year."

— Remember to act fiercely, don't worry about how they run or if you'll run into them, just charge.

Platinum recalled Alice's words of advice.

"Just charge in? What if you actually crash into it?"

“Think of it like a human driving a car,” Alice shrugged. “If you crash, it’s entirely your fault.”

"But... if you were to put a loudspeaker in your car and keep broadcasting that you're driving under the influence, and then floor the gas pedal, I think anyone with a modicum of mental sane would stay far away from you."

"Anyway, you're already pretty immoral. If you really encounter this situation, you might as well act like a drunk driver on the racetrack."

Platinum didn't know how to make a fierce expression, so all she could do was glare at the person in front of her and bare her teeth.

"...What a joke!" Jiang He Risheng's hair stood on end, and even his tail almost stood upside down.

Isn't running supposed to be a fun and enjoyable process where everyone runs together, then sings and dances?

That look in her eyes, that sound of her footsteps, it's like I've killed her whole family.

This was something the young girl from Ireland had never seen before. It's a pity she just got her driver's license and already encountered a rogue driver going the wrong way on the highway; I wonder if this will leave her with unforgettable psychological trauma.

...This is the moment!

Platinum immediately stopped the threatening footsteps and instead used the light steps she had learned from Nishizaki Ryu to accelerate forward.

With such a large gap, even someone who has only studied the written test could drive through it!

"Woo-hoo!" Jiang He Risheng saw Bai Jin accelerating towards them, and the completely panicked little girl tucked her tail and dodged to the side, wishing she could just crouch down and cover her head. Jiang He Risheng was so flustered that she didn't notice that she was turning to the side when she dodged, and her elbow bumped into Zhao Ye Yu Shi Zi.

"Tsk!" Zhaoye Jade Lion clicked its tongue, closed one eye, and moved closer to the inner passage.

That unlucky kid dragged me along too. With the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate blocking my way, the Jade Lion of the Night took a real elbow strike from Jiang He Ri Sheng.

Just then, Platinum seized the opportunity to surpass River Rising Sun and Jade Lion Shining Night, finally breaking through the blockade and running alongside Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate.

Episode 107 Heart Fluttering

The bittersweet memories make me feel like I'm going to vomit my lungs out.

Shortly after the start of the race, as we entered the first bend, even the young and inexperienced rider was already feeling tired.

I originally thought that based on my usual training, I could not only run the entire race consistently, but also compete for a better ranking...

But once they step onto the competition field, it's completely unrelated to their usual training! It's as if the two are from different dimensions!

Qingnu Huiyi was originally quite confident and determined to stay in Haidu City and seize the opportunity to surpass her.

Hai Du City did indeed win a victory at the Arc de Triomphe, but her record was actually rather unremarkable. In her youthful days, she had initially thought she could easily handle Hai Du City…

But...

It's not what I imagined...

Her heart pounded uncontrollably with the memory of her youthful days, an urge she couldn't suppress. She herself didn't know what was wrong with her.

As they entered the bend, taking advantage of the slight curve, Hai Dushi's gaze swept over Qingnu Huiyi in a fleeting, almost imperceptible way before quickly withdrawing.

Haha, they're really energetic, the new generation these days.

Although it's still a long way off, it's like the rising sun, radiating a vibrant and energetic spirit, and the road ahead is bright.

Of course, it's still not as good as my dearest Sea City Star.

Hai Dudu pondered. Why did she participate in this competition?

Of course, that's one reason, since it was an invitation from Golden Gun Sixty. But I'm actually quite aware of the gap between this racehorse girl from Haidu City and other top racehorse girls.

Not to mention the existence of monsters like the conman; winning the championship is impossible. Moreover, Hai Du City has even more to consider. If he really did win, where would the host country's reputation as the Golden Spear Sixty stand?

According to Hai Dushi, even Jin Qiang Liushi himself probably couldn't explain the significance of holding this special competition.

Let's find a meaning for it ourselves.

Let's treat this as a demonstration race. Let's show these future stars who will shine on the track—

This is how you run a race!

Hai Dushi stepped onto the grass with his right foot, and with a slight twist, instantly moved to the outer path. While Aili Digital and the swindlers were locked in a tense standoff, the outer path remained wide open.

The youthful memories saw the actions of Hai Du City in front of them, while the swindler and Aili Digital also heard the change in the footsteps behind them.

What does she want to do?

Haidu City then recalled his entire competitive career.

She is a racehorse girl with considerable skill, and can be considered a mainstay of the horse racing world.

However, the reason why there is still a stream in front of the main pillar is because there are still people standing on the main pillar.

In terms of life, Haidu City has already achieved great success. He has a good bounty, no major health problems after retiring, and is still able to find his life goals in the profession of trainer.