Umamusume's days are numbered

But... running, running. Two legs constantly crossing over, just limbs that evolved for survival.

Why... why do I feel such a flutter in my heart?

What was I thinking as I raced along the Arc de Triomphe track?

Ah, that's... love.

Do you understand? The first thing you need to learn is love!

Hai Dudu's pace quickened, quickened, and quickened again! She was like a fighter jet about to take off, even the sound of the wind was left behind.

“————!”

For a fleeting moment, her heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed by the bittersweet memories of her youth. She watched incredulously as Hai Du's figure receded further and further into the distance.

I need to catch up with her... I need to catch up with her right now...

Although such a thought came to mind, my body seemed to have no will of its own and I was unable to muster any speed.

The competition has only just begun... and I was so confident before it started...

Was I... too arrogant?

With tears in her eyes, her steps gradually slowed down.

"No, no, I can't..."

Sobbing, the youthful memories could no longer keep up with the pace of the city, retreating back into the new generation of racehorse girls.

This is not the end of it. Haidu City continues its rapid pace, surpassing the fraudsters and Aili Digital in succession, and even showing signs of catching up with Golden Gun Sixty.

Unlike their earlier panic, the con artists and Aili Digital didn't panic. They calmly stepped aside, watching Hai Du City run forward, each maintaining their own pace.

Because everyone realized that Haidu City's acceleration could not be sustained for long.

At this speed, Hai Dushi simply wouldn't have enough stamina to run a great final leg in the last three waves.

Moreover, if the running style of sacrificing the last foot is to be used, then one should run far ahead at the very beginning of the race, even ahead of Golden Sixty, instead of suddenly accelerating at the beginning of the race as is done now.

Haidu City, what do you want to do? This question arose in everyone's mind.

"Haidu City, choose this moment to accelerate!"

"Now Golden Gun Sixty has exited the bend, followed by Haidu City, and ranked third is the Scammer, with Aili Digital relentlessly pursuing."

"About four horse lengths away from Alice Digital is Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, next to Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate is Platinum, Jade Lion Shining Night is ranked seventh, Youthful Memories has reached eighth place, and at the very back is River Sunrise. River Sunrise doesn't seem to be in very good form. Can she adjust herself and catch up with the contestants ahead of her?"

Platinum glanced to his right, and there was the carp leaping over the dragon gate right beside him.

Just now, the innocent recollection of youthful days suddenly retreated back into the team, startling Platinum. Although it's a bit impolite to think that way... Platinum's first thought was, "Why is someone running backwards?"

Discourteous. Discourteous.

This demonstrates just how dangerous the situation ahead is. Rushing in now would undoubtedly be like stepping into a minefield.

Looking at the carp leaping over the dragon gate to the side, and then at the figure of Aili Digital in front, Bai Jin became hesitant again.

The gap between me and the teams ahead is widening... If this continues, is it really possible to catch up?

Platinum recalled Alice's instructions to him.

"You can't get too close to the Pioneer Group. The competition between those racehorses is too fierce for you to handle. If you rush in recklessly, you won't have any chance."

"But you can't stray too far from them. You need to realistically estimate your remaining stamina, decide the distance between yourself and the Pioneer Group, and narrow the gap between yourself and them to a point where you can catch up at any time."

Alice raised her arm and extended all her fingers in front of Platinum.

"I'll give you a reference standard. Five horse lengths. Under normal circumstances, you shouldn't fall more than five horse lengths behind the leading group."

You didn't tell me that Haidu City would be making an early push!

Now how to do?

Episode 108 The Flying Arrow Remains Unmoved

In this situation, how should I handle it?

You can't just jump out and say you're not playing by the rules and tell them to run back, can you?

Platinum muttered to herself. And she needed to make a decision quickly.

Currently, Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate and Platinum are in the lead of the chasing group, about four horse lengths behind Alice Digital, which is in the back of the leading group.

Four horse lengths is already a distance that makes people hesitate. Even a monster like Platinum doubts whether he can close the gap of four horse lengths in the final acceleration, not to mention the new generation behind him.

Moreover, as the race progresses along the curves, the gap between the leading group and the trailing group is gradually widening. If this continues, the trailing group will be left only in the back, with no one left to chase!

The sudden surge in Haidu City completely disrupted everyone's pace. The pace of the swindlers and Alice Digital also increased slightly, while the young racehorse girls behind them became even more anxious and began to consider speeding up.

"Sister Yu, is it really possible for you to catch up at this distance?" Several female horse racers from out of town, huddled together, looked worriedly at the Jade Lion on the track.

"The competition isn't even halfway through yet..."

Alice's ears are very sensitive. These little girls were quite loud, so Alice naturally heard them all.

"I can't catch up..." Alice thought to herself.

Now, only calm and experienced racehorse girls can handle this situation. Accelerating rashly will only excessively deplete their stamina; not accelerating will leave them far behind the rest of the pack.

Maintaining a good balance requires even considering whether the players in the same group are mentally stable and can control their temper.

Otherwise, if even one racehorse starts to accelerate, it will be like a car that has pulled the brakes and is stopped uphill, plunging headlong downhill. At that point, the entire pack will be caught in a sudden surge.

Hai Dudu clearly didn't want to win the championship; she was sacrificing her own ranking to speed up the entire competition.

The Jade Lion was also grinding its teeth in distress.

Speed ​​up? Or not speed up?

What should we do in this situation?

Of course, she knew she should keep a steady pace at this point. But seeing everyone around her eager to try, and the Pioneer Group drifting further and further away from her, rationality was being constantly eroded like a reef on the shore.

In the increasingly tense and volatile atmosphere, reason and calmness could no longer dominate everything!

Qingse Huiyi's face was ashen; her stamina had been depleted without her realizing it. If she sped up again, she would be eliminated. Jianghe Risheng was uneasy, his eyes darting between Baijin and Zhaoye Yushizi. Zhaoye Yushizi had repeatedly lowered his body and charged forward, but hesitated and stopped at the last moment. Baijin couldn't see what was behind him, so he could only listen for footsteps approaching.

It's decided. If someone speeds up, then I'll speed up too!

Platinum was thinking about giving up.

Everyone was on edge. So close, so very close…

The sound of rushing air came from beside Platinum. Platinum brushed a strand of hair that had been blown by the gale, and watching the figure speed away, she couldn't help but cry out in shock.

"Carp leaping over the Dragon Gate—"

Surprisingly, it was the seemingly most composed carp leaping over the dragon gate that was the first to rush out!

The carp leaping over the dragon gate didn't look back or make any other move, as if it wanted to forget everyone behind it. Its eyes were fixed on the front, passing by Ali Digital, the swindler, and Haidu City, heading straight for Golden Gun Sixty.

Her legs kept crossing, the black skirt fluttering gracefully beside the thigh-high boots of the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate. Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate was entirely black, practically a black shadow.

I am just a shadow. I've always had this feeling about leaping over the dragon gate; I'm like the tail of Golden Spear Sixty, like a part of her.

I've said similar discouraging things far too many times. But only today... now that I've already embarked on this path...

Just like Haidu City, let yourself burn brightly!

She's never felt this way before, like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. Her best technique is actually leading the pack, but today she subconsciously chose to chase from behind.

My lungs felt like they were shrunken and had holes, but it didn't matter.

Even my toes are hurting, but it doesn't matter.

Can you catch up? Give it a try.

"All along, I've been chasing after the shadow of Golden Gun Sixty."

"Today, can we let Golden Spear Sixty... chase after his own shadow just this once?"

The carp leaping over the dragon gate felt better than ever before. She could see herself catching up with the competitors ahead of her.

She can do it... she might really be able to do it!

Something's wrong with Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate! Platinum frowned behind her. Even someone as oblivious as her could tell that Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate seemed to be possessed.

and···

"Ahhhhh, whatever, let's just run! We've already run the Mongolian Derby, what's one more?" The Jade Lion shook its head, lowered its body, and followed the carp leaping over the dragon gate.

"Hey? At this time?" Jiang He Risheng looked at the people in front of him in horror, but he didn't hesitate on his feet and showed no sign of falling behind.

"...Sigh." A youthful sigh escaped her lips, and she gradually distanced herself from the others. She no longer had the wealth to accelerate her growth.

"Everyone's coming?" Platinum was startled, gritted her teeth, and followed.

On stage, Alice glanced at the race schedule, then quickly knelt down next to Uncle He, looking at the stopwatch in his hand.

Uncle He glanced at the nervously trembling Alice, but didn't say anything more. Right now, everyone felt the same way.

Platinum's time for the first half of the 1000 meters was 0:59.70, which is still a bit too fast...

But thankfully, it's still within an acceptable range.

Alice prayed silently in her heart, unaware that she was even more excited than when she was competing.

Please, please don't act impulsively! The competition between Aili Digital and their partners hasn't reached its fiercest point yet...

You must remember what I told you!

—It's time to end this. The conman thought.

The competition is already halfway through. The most intense battle is about to begin.

The con artist glanced ahead. Hai Du was sprinting about a neck's length in front of her, and even the con artist could see large beads of sweat rolling down her face. Clearly, Hai Du was nearing her limit.

Further ahead, Jin Qiang Liu Shi was leading the charge. Her long robe billowed, making it appear as if clouds were swirling around her.

Episode 109 Thunderclap

"Eclipse First, the Rest Nowhere"—scammers understand this saying best. It's an unspoken tragedy.

No, it's not sad. Con artists never consider themselves sad.

Even if it means grinding your teeth to pieces, breaking your bones, or being shattered to pieces—the conman never avoids battle, never retreats, and never admits defeat.

Again and again, again and again, again and again—

If your teeth break, replace them with sharper ones; if your leg is broken, nail it in with steel pins; if you're shattered to pieces, rise from the ashes.

Unfortunately, ever since meeting the Secretariat, the con artist's life hasn't been easy. As a top-tier racehorse girl, she hasn't achieved anything commensurate with her abilities, which is truly regrettable.

But the scammers themselves don't think so.

Ah, it's so wonderful to be born in the same era as the Secretariat.

It's wonderful to have the opportunity to challenge the pinnacle of Uma Musume Evolution.

It would be wonderful to witness the glory of ascending to the top of heaven.

So, after witnessing that light—

How can I stand being behind everyone else?

The con artist did indeed feel that time was slowing down. She knew it was an illusion created by her own brain, but she liked this false illusion; at that moment, she felt as if she could truly touch the gates of heaven.

She could see that the whole world seemed to have darkened. In contrast, she herself was shining. At that moment, the con artist seemed to be at the center of the world, with all the spotlights shining on her.

There's no need to wonder what the Secretariat would do in a situation like this. The con artists are way past that stage.

Now, if it's a scammer, there's no need to even think about it—

Her horseshoes clattered on the grass like clouds scraping together.

Whether it was a misperception or not, the people running alongside the swindler seemed to smell the fresh air after a heavy rain for a moment.

The smell of rain, the smell of ozone from lightning, and the smell of soil.

"The con artist is speeding up! She's going fast! She's over Haidu City and heading straight for the leading Golden Gun Sixty!"