Only One Year Left—I'll Become a Legendary Uma Musume!

This is awful…

Could she avoid consecutive battles like this in the future? No—why was she even thinking about the future? Right now, the most important thing was breaking free from this pack of Uma Musume and quickly finding her own rhythm.

Twilight Song looked up from her trailing position, surveying her opponents on the battlefield. For the first time since her debut race, a new challenger had appeared within her vision.

And for the first time, she seriously observed the golden-haired giantess leading at the front.

Festival Glory wasn't charging ahead recklessly in Twilight Song's usual style. Clearly, her endurance and speed wouldn't allow it. She was merely an ordinary front-runner.

Yet, even that posed a serious problem—Twilight Song had explosive power, but her small frame meant she was easily boxed in.

Of course, she could wait until the pack around her inevitably broke into a final sprint during the homestretch and use that chance to break through...

But by then, how far ahead would Festival Glory be?

Did that Uma Musume from before face all these thoughts when chasing after my reckless escapes? She must have had it rough...

But unfortunately, Twilight Song had reasons she absolutely couldn't lose.

What did Uma Musume run for? Glory, applause, joy, and recognition.

But Twilight Song ran for something different.

She ran to be "reborn." Who could weigh anything more heavily than a life burning brightly at both ends?

---

"Still no turning point! Could Caesar's first defeat truly be here, on Churchill Downs? It's enough to make you break into a cold sweat! Approaching the first corner, Festival Glory passes smoothly! With the straightaway ahead, will she maintain this pace, or will she—"

"Oh?! Festival Glory already feels confident enough to accelerate?! She's speeding up right after the first corner—no hesitation!"

"Festival Glory has started her full escape—using the strategy that originally belonged to someone else! Here, at Churchill Downs, the front-runner's charge has begun! Can she hold it? Can she maintain the lead? Can she win? Will we witness a triumphant revenge?"

"Festival Glory—will you destroy Twilight Song's future right here and now?"

Destroy the future? Snatch victory away? Shatter the path of a legend? Such villainous words from this damned announcer—completely merciless!

Why phrase it as a question? Didn't he already know?

This was revenge—her revenge against Twilight Song!

"Yes, exactly! This is my revenge! I'll declare with this victory that even Caesar must bow beneath the brilliance of my era!"

Festival Glory wore a fierce, ruthless smile. Her normally charming face now twisted into something demonic—as if she'd made a deal with the devil itself. If victory required it, Festival Glory would slam her soul onto the table without hesitation.

Take it all, as long as I win!

Shame? Compassion? This was a fair and square competition. Festival Glory issued her challenge without tricks or deceit.

In the end… Uma Musume were born into this world as creatures who staked their very lives for victory and honor.

And Festival Glory held within herself a glory unmatched by anyone else.

Second corner—good pace, great condition. Just keep this rhythm through the turn, then maintain the lead down to the final corner…

Surely, even that terrifying monster wouldn't catch up?

Thinking this, Festival Glory eased her speed slightly, hugged the inner track, and prepared herself to face the next long straightaway into the latter half of the race.

How is the pack behind me doing…? Let's check their positions.

Festival Glory glanced back—and felt a sudden chill.

...

Indeed, Twilight Song appeared utterly miserable. She was still behind even the second-to-last Uma Musume. But as the race progressed, her condition was visibly improving.

Her forcibly awakened mind blazed with intense clarity. Her heart raced violently as if about to explode, fueled by adrenaline born from desperation.

The negative effects of her fatigue were forcibly pushed aside, even as her brain continuously sounded alarms—

If you don't stop now, you might drop dead any second!

But Twilight Song no longer cared about that. She couldn't afford to.

At this turn—possibly the only chance she'd ever get in her entire life—the previously impenetrable blockade of Uma Musume finally cracked open slightly. Festival Glory's lead and Twilight Song's lagging position had unintentionally created a tiny opening.

Should I go for it now?

If I don't break through right here…

There won't be another chance!

Gritting her teeth, Twilight Song accelerated sharply. Igniting like an engine at full throttle mid-race, white trails of light burst forth around her legs as if breaking through a shattered mirror.

Festival Glory's revenge? I'll tear your arrogance apart!

With a fierce gust of wind, Twilight Song astonished everyone by overtaking one rival after another, continuously speeding up, faster and faster…

An utterly reckless, life-defying sprint!

She soared across the track, unmatched by any competitor.

"She's charging forward?! Twilight Song—previously last on this dirt track—launches an unbelievable mid-race sprint! Is this… could this even be called a comeback? She's still speeding up! Fifteenth place, fourteenth, thirteenth, twelfth…"

The turn ended, competitors left behind one by one. With a pinpoint turn and explosive acceleration, a long straightaway opened up before her.

Ahead lay the unbroken dirt track. The only obstacle left, a faint glimmer of hope for resistance, was the golden-haired Uma Musume far ahead.

Festival Glory stared back in shock, frantically pushing herself even faster. The twenty-length lead she'd built felt utterly meaningless now, offering not even a hint of security.

Just before Festival Glory turned away, her eyes briefly locked onto Twilight Song's face.

Beyond the chilling intensity and seriousness, she saw something mocking. In that instant, meeting those silent golden eyes, Festival Glory felt the [Skill] she'd almost awakened shatter completely.

A chill colder than ice coursed through her veins.

Running ahead toward the finish line right in front of me?

Festival Glory clenched her teeth. She ran desperately, sprinting toward the finish line with everything she had. She couldn't dare stop—stopping would mean getting torn apart right here…

By that monstrous presence behind her!

The sound in her ears grew louder, stronger…

It was a proclamation. A judgment. The tolling bell of twilight.

Festival Glory heard Twilight Song's voice clearly.

"Fine—I accept your challenge. Come, then. A battle where only one can survive."

"Let's welcome The Reaper's gaze and judgment… together."