Before Xiu Xingmeng even had time to fully process her shock, that cold mechanical voice sounded in her ear once more.
"The initial mission worldline has been constructed. Current failure count: one."
"Worldline? Initial mission? What exactly is—"
The question slipped out instinctively, and as if the mechanical voice had heard her, a translucent blue panel unfolded before her eyes.
[Initial Mission: Debut Race]
I. Main Objective
Claim victory in the debut race with an overwhelming advantage
Reward: 3000 SP + 1 Stage Ticket
II. Stage Objectives
Finish in the top three
Reward: 500 SP + 1 Potential Stimulant (E → D Rank)
Surpass Tokai Teio
Reward: 1000 SP + 2 Potential Stimulants (E → D Rank) + 1 Medical Repair Kit
Note: This mission is an initial mission. Until it is completed, the debut race will repeat infinitely. Current failure count: one.
Note: If completion proves impossible, you may also choose to withdraw from the mission. Repetition will end automatically, and the system will shut down as well.
Staring at the blue panel that had suddenly appeared in her field of vision, Xiu Xingmeng frowned and muttered to herself,
"A system? When did this show up? No, this isn't the time to think about that. I should test its functions first."
"Template? Character sheet? Status pane—oh!"
She tried several terms in succession, and when she said "status pane," another blue panel appeared before her eyes.
[Umamusume Training System — Status]
Character: Xiu Xingmeng (Celestial Weave)
Speed: E+ [Debut Level]
Stamina: E+ [Debut Level]
Power: E [Enrollment Level]
Guts: D [Rookie Star Level]
Wisdom: E [Enrollment Level]
Surface Aptitude: Turf A, Dirt C
Domain: None
Skill: Concentration (Blue)
[Effect: A skill born from the mental strength accumulated across two lifetimes and tempered under pressure. It allows the user to focus more easily on the race and occasionally sense subtle changes on the track.]
Looking at her own status panel, Xiu Xingmeng's brows knitted in confusion.
Why did it feel like the number of unfamiliar terms was only increasing?
She tried tapping different parts of the panel and found that each entry would bring up a specific explanation. Her ears twitched lightly. After confirming that the commentator had not yet called Tokai Teio's name, she began reading carefully.
"Most popular pick! Number 12! Tokai Teio!"
Soon enough, when that familiar voice reached her ears again, Xiu Xingmeng let out a long breath.
"I see… so it quantifies an Umamusume's abilities. D-rank means a rookie with the ability to place in the top five of OP races, C-rank corresponds to G3 races, B-rank corresponds to G2 races, and if you reach A-rank, you have a chance to place in a G1."
"And this Potential Stimulant that only upgrades E-rank to D-rank… is that a special reward for the initial mission? Or are there even higher-grade versions later?"
"As for SP, it's probably some sort of point currency. I should be able to exchange it for items in a shop or something—"
The moment she said "shop," yet another blue screen spread open in her vision.
"So it really appears the instant I say it."
"But…"
Xiu Xingmeng glanced over the shop list and noticed that the blue screen seemed wrapped in chains, as if much of it were still locked. Before she could inspect it further, the commentator called out her name.
After tying the red ribbon around her hand once more, Xiu Xingmeng stepped out of the entrance tunnel again.
"For now, let's just try it."
Walking into the rain, she patted her cheeks and muttered to herself, treating it as a way to steel her nerves.
But she couldn't just run the exact same race again.
If she did that, how would it be any different from last time?
There was still some time before the race officially began. This time, instead of being distracted by Tokai Teio's overwhelming presence, Xiu Xingmeng focused on planning her strategy.
First of all, her speed and stamina were decent.
The key was her Guts. Though she couldn't judge it precisely herself, based on the system's evaluation, it was probably among the best in this race.
In that case… maybe she could try running as a closer.
As she thought, she pressed her lips together unconsciously.
Last time I ran as a stalker, but I got trapped in the middle of the pack and could only watch Tokai Teio break away and claim first place. If I switch to a deep-closing strategy, at least I won't get jammed in the middle again.
But a closer's style was risky by nature. Betting everything on the final stretch was, without question, a gamble. One misstep and forget first place—she might even finish worse than before.
Instead of ending up mid-pack again, she could very well fall straight to the bottom.
But—
Did she really need to fear that kind of risk?
For an Umamusume who only had one chance, the risk would be enormous.
But for her, someone who effectively had infinite chances in this debut race, all that remained seemed to be the enormous potential reward.
If one try failed, then she'd do it again.
If two failed, then she'd do it ten more times.
Xiu Xingmeng had another hypothesis as well: with each repeated race, her familiarity with both the track and her opponents would improve. Under those conditions, a late-charge strategy might produce unexpectedly good results.
"All runners, take your positions!"
The instant she settled on using a closer's strategy, the commentator's voice reached her ears.
So it was time already?
Good.
Then let this be her first true attempt.
Or rather… her second?
As she walked toward her assigned spot, Xiu Xingmeng instinctively looked for Nice Nature, the Umamusume who had shown her kindness before. But she saw that the reddish-brown-haired girl had already entered her gate ahead of her.
She didn't come greet me this time…
Was it because I wasn't staring at Tokai Teio this time?
Or because she didn't want to interrupt my thoughts?
Xiu Xingmeng shook her head, scattering those stray thoughts and forcing her focus back onto the race.
Once again, she stood before the gate. Once again, she faced the track through the bars.
But this time, her heartbeat was strangely calm.
The cheers of the audience, the commentator's excitement—none of it could shake her now.
Exhale.
Inhale.
In her mind, scenes from the previous race replayed at high speed. In her eyes, the empty racetrack seemed already filled with noise and motion.
The positions of the other Umamusume that she had observed in the previous race seemed nailed in place, one by one.
"Number One's movement path should be like this…"
"At that moment, Number Nine cuts in from the middle… which means Number Five and Number Six must have let their guard down for an instant."
"Number Seven seemed to have trouble accelerating on the bend… was that patch of ground too waterlogged?"
As all the information converged in her mind, the light in Xiu Xingmeng's eyes only grew brighter.
Now, all she needed—
was the explosive sound of the starting gate bursting open.
Bang!
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 150)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 110)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter69)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter100)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 60
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 40
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 60
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 50
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 50
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 50
The Way the Umamusume Look at 31
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 26
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