Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 609 already told you.
"The pinnacle of starlight itself isn't the problem!" The response wasn't from Yamato Akaki, but from Vodka, who was intently watching the track. She analyzed rapidly:
"The Arima Memorial is a full 2500 meters long, and there are six curves throughout the course, including two uphill sections before the finish line."

"Starlight Peak is accelerating so desperately to gain position right after the first bend. Their stamina is being depleted too quickly. They might lose speed just as they enter the final bend... no, they might even lose speed before entering the final straight."

"The problem is that Xiao Bei is currently in a very good position, which is the rhythm-initiating position that she is best at. If she gives it up easily, the rhythm of the game that she has worked so hard to gain will be lost!"

"But if she were to engage in a high-intensity battle for position with Starlight Peak right now, her stamina... would be severely depleted!"

This insightful analysis instantly turned Xingmu and Chunqiufen's faces pale.

Before they could panic, Zhou and Silent Suzuka, in perfect unison, gently patted their heads with slightly nervous but reassuring smiles on their faces.

"Alright, Yamato, and Vodka, don't make it sound so serious. Look how scared you've made those two little guys."

Zhou quickly said something to her two friends with a hint of reproach, then turned to Xingmu and Chunqiu in her characteristically honest yet reassuring tone:

"Don't worry, what happened just now was just what would happen under normal circumstances, but your senior, Kobei... she's not just any ordinary racehorse girl!"

“Hmm, what Xiao Bei said…” Before Xingmu and Chunqiufen could fully process these words, Silent Suzuka, who was standing to the side, looked at the track, and the tension on her face gradually faded, turning into a calm trust.

She rubbed Chunqiufen's head, chuckled, and pointed ahead:

"She won't be affected by this little problem. You see, she's already made her choice."

Almond and Spring and Autumn were taken aback, and subconsciously followed the slender finger of Silent Suzuka to look at the arena.

The horse race girls spoke very quickly, but the race itself progressed even faster.

In the short span of analysis and comfort, the fierce race of female racehorses, like a surging tide of color, roared through the first bend, the second bend, and was now rushing towards the straightaway facing the stands.

The situation on the field has changed.

At the very front, two figures were almost side by side.

On the outer side is the Peak of Starlight. Her movements are extremely large, and her steps are full of aggression. Every time she pushes off the ground, it seems that she is using all her strength, trying to overwhelm her opponent with her momentum.

The large screen inside the stadium was pointed directly at her, clearly showing her face, which looked somewhat ferocious from exerting extreme force, her eyes fixed on the inner track.

And on her inner side was the Northern Black Steed.

In stark contrast to his initial ferocity and the aggressive madness of the Star Peak, the Northern Black Steed was unusually composed at this moment.

Her arm swings were precise and efficient, and her steps were full of powerful elasticity and resilience, as if she possessed inexhaustible energy.

Her expression was calm, her eyes sharply fixed on the track ahead, completely unaffected by the frantic pressing from her opponents.

Instead of engaging in a pointless and exhausting speed contest with the Starlight Peak, she skillfully controlled her rhythm and speed.

Like an experienced captain, I steadily steer the course, remaining steadfast despite the raging waves around me.

Just as the team was about to burst out of that straight section and head towards the famous uphill section before the finish line...

The posture of the Northern Black Steed underwent extremely subtle and precise changes.

Her center of gravity was lowered, and her body leaned forward, almost presenting a streamlined state as if she were sprinting close to the ground.

This transition was not sudden, but rather slow, steady, and incredibly determined.

Like the precise meshing of a machine, irresistibly, at the very beginning of this uphill stretch, the initially minuscule gap between her and the star-studded peak beside her, which was exerting its utmost effort, began to slowly, yet undeniably, widen...

It's been pulled open.

One horse's body... one and a half... two horse's bodies.

There was no fierce confrontation, no dramatic comeback, only a gap that naturally arose from overwhelming strength, ultimate control, and calm judgment!
"Whoa whoa whoa—! Northern Black Steed! Northern Black Steed!" The stands erupted in deafening cheers once again.

Meanwhile, the northern black steed had already taken the lead, like a black meteor, and rushed to the top of the hill first!
Her feet landed firmly on the top of the slope, her powerful core strength allowing her to maintain almost no speed during the ascent. Taking advantage of the momentary height, her peripheral vision, like the most sophisticated radar, rapidly scanned the area behind her.

The situation came into clear focus:
At the summit of starlight, they were still desperately trying to catch up, but a gap of more than a horse's length had already been created, and even their breathing seemed to be heavy with anxiety.

Two more horse-shaped figures followed, the Golden Actress with a cold expression, while the Heavenly Emperor Song was quietly approaching from the outside, almost level with her.

The Mountain Warriors are the strongest, while the Musketeers hold their ground, seemingly determined not to engage in the war of attrition ahead and to preserve their strength.

Further back in the main force, old rivals such as Katsunoshi, Satomi Noble, Takasho Junichi, and Meteorite were all in familiar positions, maintaining a steady pace, clearly intending to save the real showdown for the later stages.

Satomi Hikari... Just as most pre-match predictions had suggested, that familiar light green figure adopted an early strategy, lying in wait in the middle of the team, waiting for her moment to unleash her power.

So, the key right now... is it really still this Star Peak that refuses to give up and clings to it so tightly?
Sensing the still fervent and relentless pursuit behind him, the Northern Black Steed instantly weighed the pros and cons.

At this moment, if we ignore the pursuit from the Starlight Peak, she is actually already four horse lengths ahead of the main force behind her.

This is a delicate dividing line.

If the gap widens further, the nature of the game will change completely:

She transitioned from her most proficient and controllable slow escape to a more physically demanding and unpredictable long escape.

This choice existed in her mind for only a moment.

Immediately, her body's feedback gave her the most resolute answer.

The rhythm of the steps... was exceptionally comfortable.

Each breath was deep and powerful.

A surge of power flowed smoothly through my limbs and bones without the slightest stagnation.

Her condition was better than ever before, so good that she herself felt a sense of surprise and excitement.

That being the case...

Northern Black Horse's lips began to twitch uncontrollably to both sides, and a smile that was a mixture of extreme confidence and madness slowly emerged.

She didn't unleash the same explosive power she had at the start of the game, the kind that shattered the grass.

Instead, just like when going uphill before, it began a new, slow and steady acceleration.

Her movements still carried the efficiency and precision of the lead-and-release running style, but the range of each step seemed to increase slightly, and the frequency quietly increased without making a sound.

This acceleration carries a cold, unquestionable meaning, like a gradually tightening noose, slowly but firmly applying pressure.

"Escape...then let's escape."

She whispered to herself, her twisted smile almost overflowing, her crimson eyes burning with an almost insane fighting spirit.

"Because I already told you..."

Her inner monologue carried a cathartic, resolute determination:

"In this battle, no matter who it is, I will face it head-on, without reservation..."

"...I'll crush you!"

An invisible pressure began to spread towards every opponent behind her as she steadily increased her speed.

She is no longer just a frontrunner, but has transformed into a black chariot running at full speed, determined to crush all obstacles, and charging headlong into the long race!

(End of this chapter)