Just as Trêve was waiting for her chance, Demon King Ship in front of her seemed to sense something. A golden aura suddenly exploded from her body. A fierce gust of wind blew past, and Demon King Ship sprinted forward with astonishing speed. Trêve gritted her teeth. She couldn't understand what this monster was thinking, but she had no time to dwell on it. She immediately accelerated, following closely behind Demon King Ship.
"The runners are halfway through the course! It seems their conditions haven't recovered yet. The pace of the race is a bit stagnant—Gold Ship! Venus Park! These two runners are suddenly charging up from the back! Is it happening? Although it's a bit too early for a burst, it looks like the race has entered its final, fierce battle!" The commentator, who had previously found the race a bit dull, suddenly became excited watching the change.
In the stands, Symboli Rudolf stared intently at [Mejiro McQueen]'s figure. That familiar, yet slightly different feeling... Has that one arrived? But it didn't seem quite like her. However, she could be certain that Demon King Ship's sudden burst was related to the change in [McQueen].
As Demon King Ship charged to the front, the effect of her "gating" skill vanished, no longer influencing the runners behind. Gradually, the runners at the back recovered. They looked at the backs of the leaders with frustration. Although their stamina was severely depleted, they hadn't given up. Gritting their teeth, they persevered, wanting to catch up.
Demon King Ship quickly rushed to second place, arriving behind [Mejiro McQueen]. Watching [McQueen]'s aura constantly shifting, the corners of her mouth curled up. She was already thinking about how to greet her. Behind her, Trêve, who had struggled to keep up, looked at the leading figure with some surprise, unable to believe the gap was so small.
But at this moment, [Mejiro McQueen] didn't perceive the two behind her at all. Or rather, her mind was now completely immersed in her "other self." In a vision no one else could see, right in front of her on the track, that flashing figure was running. [Mejiro McQueen]'s mind was drawn to it, and her steps subconsciously followed, wanting to catch up to that figure who had always been at the very front.
Demon King Ship, seeing the pale purple aura drifting from [Mejiro McQueen] and the blue light breaking through her own skill, revealed deep delight in her red eyes. Yes! That's the ability! That one is definitely descending upon this body!
'You're finally here! You really made this great one wait! Now, I'm going to use my full power. Let this great one show you what "true strongest" means! I am different from you!'
A seven-colored flash sparked on her horseshoes. A golden aura shattered the crimson field. That was Demon King Ship's true face. In an instant, terrifying explosive power erupted on the turf like a detonation. Demon King Ship's figure instantly crossed the distance between them, appearing at [Mejiro McQueen]'s side, her face wearing a crazed battle lust and a wild grin.
'This is my victory!'
Having successfully overtaken [Mejiro McQueen] to take first place, Demon King Ship thought with supreme confidence. Although Mejiro McQueen could display her full strength even when not in first place, Demon King Ship knew her other self's mindset very well. That girl absolutely could not tolerate having first place stolen from her. If first place was taken, her performance would be affected to some degree. Even if she could burst again, there was a huge gap between that burst and the absolute dominance of holding first place!
Therefore, once Mejiro McQueen had first place stolen from her...
Demon King Ship's victory was a certain fact!
Behind them, Trêve's eyes went wide at this scene.
Mejiro McQueen... was overtaken?
For her, a fan, this was a huge blow.
However, [Mejiro McQueen]'s expression didn't change. Or rather, the track she was running on was different from everyone else's. In her eyes, there was no Demon King Ship. The figure in front of her had always been only that person.
The person she had never truly met, but who had truly existed.
'One day... someday, I will catch up. With my own strength, I will once again see the scenery you showed me!'
The pale purple aura fully erupted. In the process of chasing that figure, [Mejiro McQueen] stepped into that brand-new realm. Although she could only follow the path opened by that back for now, she firmly believed that one day, she could see the same scenery as that person.
A similar yet different aura exploded from [Mejiro McQueen]. The smile on Demon King Ship's face suddenly turned to disbelief and anger. She couldn't help but slow down to look back at [Mejiro McQueen]. Seeing that determined expression, she nearly bit her gums until they bled. Because this girl... wasn't that person at all!
"You... bastard!"
[Mejiro McQueen], having awakened her domain and activated her skill, returned to the race. She saw the furious Demon King Ship, and in her heart, she already had her own answer. She didn't flinch from Demon King Ship's glare. Instead, she further bloomed with her own light.
Although it wasn't as brilliant as that person's, it was a softer, beautiful color. At this moment, [Mejiro McQueen] officially stepped into a new realm, gaining the qualification to contend with Demon King Ship and Trêve.
'Did she "bloom" because of the power left behind by that one? Damn it! Don't screw with me! The one this great one wants to beat isn't someone like you!' Demon King Ship looked disgusted. Although [Mejiro McQueen] had indeed become a "Hero," compared to the anticipation of seeing that one, this level of achievement couldn't satisfy her at all.
'Is the stimulation not enough?'
Demon King Ship thought.
But she couldn't think of any other way. She had used every method available to her, even overtaking to steal first place. If even this level of stimulation couldn't summon that person... could it be that she truly cannot be summoned unless I clear the story mode? If that's the case...
'Then all of you... fall for this great one!'
Demon King Ship's intense aura dominated the race once more. She was in no mood to play with this girl anymore. She wanted to end this race!
An intense flash bloomed from her body. Her figure seemed to leave afterimages for a split second. Demon King Ship's speed increased to a terrifying degree, almost defying common sense. Increased speed is closely related to acceleration power, which is why most runners only burst in the final stages. But for Demon King Ship, who possessed "skills," both speed and acceleration could be boosted instantly. She needed no buffer time.
That terrifying burst was simply too shocking.
[Mejiro McQueen]'s progress seemed negligible once that girl got serious. But this was only natural.
Leaving aside the fact that Mejiro McQueen's progress was merely opening a "Zone" and mastering a Glimmer skill, the gap in their stats alone was incomparable. [Mejiro McQueen]'s highest stat was only A-rank, but Demon King Ship's entire panel was S-rank or above, with some even reaching SS. And in terms of skill quality and quantity, Demon King Ship completely crushed [Mejiro McQueen]. This gap wasn't something that could be closed by a momentary "explosion of potential."
'Am I still... this far behind?' [Mejiro McQueen] hadn't expected that before catching up to that person, she couldn't even outrun the other competitors. Her emotions were tumultuous for a moment, but having just completed her awakening, she quickly calmed down.
She knew she was still in her growth period.
Especially with this new power she had just obtained; she wasn't very familiar with it yet.
While [Mejiro McQueen] was still holding on, Trêve watched her back for a moment, then with a cold expression, charged out of her lane. She passed [Mejiro McQueen] on the other side, her gaze fixed on Demon King Ship. She was now 100% certain this girl was not the person she liked.
If it were that person, she wouldn't have had first place stolen, and she certainly wouldn't have shown such emotions. Even without speaking, Trêve could understand these things through that person's performance while running.
Although she didn't know why this was happening, right now, she had to think about how to deal with that Demon King.
Since she couldn't see that person, there was only one thing left for her to consider in this race: Victory!
'Almost at the final stretch. It's my turn!'
Entering the final corner, Trêve locked onto Demon King Ship.
Demon King Ship, in the middle of her run, suddenly felt her vision blur slightly. She couldn't accurately judge which lane she was in. Recognizing this change, she immediately realized it was a "gating" skill.
'It's "bewitching." As expected, bewitching is the foundation of gating skills. Did that girl save this move specifically for this moment to deal with me?!'
Demon King Ship's smile was incredibly cruel.
'Hmph. While this great one doesn't have the ability to be immune to gating skills like that one, do you really think a gating skill of this level can work on me? What a joke! The strength of a gating skill is determined by nothing other than the strength of one's mental power! You think you can influence this great one with your incomplete gating skill?!'
Just as Trêve saw Demon King Ship's speed drop and thought she had succeeded, a powerful aura suddenly exploded from Demon King Ship. It shattered her bewitching power in an instant, and Demon King Ship pulled away from her with even greater speed.
'How is that possible?!'
Just how strong is this girl's mind? Is she really a horse girl?
...
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