[Ding~ The system's non-stop update is complete.]
[Update Details: The powerful talents possessed by Uma Musume, passed down through countless generations—whether techniques or instincts—are all manifestations of skills.]
[System Unlocked Function: Eye of Insight.]
[Eye of Insight: Only those who possess a Zone, or have the potential to open one, can see a Zone. But with the [Eye of Insight] equipped, so can you.]
[[Eye of Insight] has been equipped.]
--+--
The system's voice rang beside Barbatos's ear.
Under the immense pressure bearing down from behind, Barbatos had no time to spare a single thought for the system's notifications.
If the system hadn't chimed in just then, she probably would've completely forgotten it was even updating. At this critical moment, there was no room to focus on such things.
'Just hold on a little longer, until the final stretch!'
She glanced sideways, trying to gauge Tamamo Cross's position behind her. But her vision was flooded with white lightning—she could see arcs of white electricity coiling around Tamamo Cross's body.
It looked like special effects straight out of an anime.
Yet it felt utterly real.
The combined pressure and visual impact was like a mortal facing a thunder god, like Zoro and Sanji up against Enel.
At that moment, Barbatos understood.
Because she'd been a last-minute replacement for the third leg, she never really knew what kind of Uma Musume Tamamo Cross was.
But seeing this now, she knew—Tamamo Cross was the "White Lightning."
The "White Lightning" she'd seen trending online, the former number one in Japan, who'd once outpaced even Oguri Cap in her prime!
Even if the memories were hazy, those few words alone painted a picture of just how formidable Tamamo Cross had been at her peak.
The oppressive aura and that tangible, crackling lightning shook her to the core, nearly shattering her resolve and stealing her courage to go all out.
The system's update almost threw off her race rhythm.
But how could she afford to lose?
El Condor Pasa's efforts, Seiun Sky's sweat—this wasn't just her race alone. How could she fall here, when her goal was to challenge a legendary Uma Musume?
Her stiffening stride grew resolute again. Her heavy footsteps lightened, turning quicker. Just 500 meters left now!
Tamamo Cross was only three lengths behind!
450 meters!
420 meters!
"Around the bend! Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master have caught up to Barbatos!"
"The final stretch—400 meters! Can Barbatos reclaim her lead, or will Tamamo Cross seize this race?!"
The White Lightning appeared right beside Barbatos.
An overwhelming presence seemed to steal the very strength from her sprint, slowing her steps.
'Is this it?'
Tamamo Cross glanced over at Barbatos, whose pace seemed to falter all at once.
She prepared to surge past her, charging for the finish line.
Why hadn't Barbatos shown that explosive speed yet? That wasn't worth thinking about now. The only thing that mattered was victory!
Thump—
A heavy thud echoed. Both Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master turned in surprise.
What was that sound?
It was like the clang of a horseshoe striking hard ground—but this wasn't some dirt road outside the academy. This was a turf track.
"What…?!"
In their sight, a crimson, blood-like energy erupted around Barbatos. In that moment, she seemed like a brute warrior charging recklessly forward.
Every step she took left a deep imprint on the track.
"A Zone! That's a Zone!"
"How is that possible?"
Air Groove and Narita Brian stared at the big screen, stunned, unable to believe their eyes.
Even the usually unshakable Symboli Rudolf felt a shock run through her.
Even she, the "Emperor," hadn't unlocked her Zone until the Japan Derby, surrounded and pressed by countless rivals. Whether Tamamo Cross or Oguri Cap, they too had only manifested their Zones after countless races and grueling refinement.
But… Barbatos?
A prodigy of this generation?
Maruzensky, Fuji Kiseki, Hishi Amazon, T.M. Opera O, Oguri Cap—one legendary Uma Musume after another watching the race wore nearly identical expressions of disbelief.
But the race wasn't over yet.
In front of the central screen, Sakura Bakushin O commentated on the live action, "Barbatos is accelerating in the final stretch! She deliberately waited until Tamamo Cross drew even to kick into gear—did she plan from the start to face off against Tamamo Cross and the others here?!"
"This sprint seems even more powerful than her past bursts of speed—is this the preparation she made for the relay?!"
As the commentator, Sakura Bakushin O, like all the other spectators, couldn't see the lightning around Tamamo Cross or the bloody aura enveloping Barbatos.
All they could see was their speed suddenly skyrocketing.
[Unstoppable Onslaught] activated!
This was the ultimate ability of "The Undead Juggernaut—Sion," which Barbatos had prepared and purchased before the race. Her steps shifted from slow to powerful, heavy with immense force.
Tamamo Cross, cloaked in white lightning, began to pull ahead.
But this wasn't a skill that reached top speed instantly. [Unstoppable Onslaught] gradually built up the user's movement velocity.
So, [Highlander], [Ghost], [Devastating Charge], [Move Quick]—activate!
Heavy footfalls left one imprint after another on the track. With the stacking of active and passive skills, her speed climbed another notch!
She caught up to Tamamo Cross, who had just passed her!
"Not bad! Then let's see what you've got!"
Tamamo Cross's fighting spirit flared even hotter. Despite the exhaustion from maintaining her Zone over a long distance, she pushed her pace again with astonishing grit.
"I'm not losing here!"
Barbatos's speed also climbed, faster and faster!
"Tamamo Cross and Barbatos are neck and neck! Only 50 meters left! Who will win this race?!"
Spectators, Uma Musume, trainers, and legends alike fixed their eyes on the screen, on the finish line, waiting for the victor to arrive.
Barbatos saw the finish line so close, still with time to spare on her skills.
But this still wasn't enough!
If she couldn't do more than this, how could she ever hope to outrun a legendary Uma Musume?
'I can run even faster!'
Her legs, already accelerating, already heavy as lead, churned forward even quicker.
"Barbatos breaks the line!"
"She finishes, leaving Tamamo Cross two lengths behind!"
--+--
T/N: ABSOLUTE CINEMA
--+--
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.