So fast!
So strong!
Zhuofu's breath, held, released; surprise flitted across her face as she watched the back ahead.
At that moment, Stardust Illusion—just within reach—used that giant vortex to open the gap again.
(Yes… this is how it should be!)
Those long, powerful legs exploded with impossible force, flashing before her eyes.
That proud back in the lead, the explosive sensation she gave in that instant—
Even when Zhuofu had just pressed to her back, Stardust Illusion hadn't hesitated.
A runner who treats the lead as life itself—she would not permit any challenge to her domain. She flashed forward and dropped Zhuofu again.
That incomprehensible blast—this was what Zhuofu craved—Stardust Illusion's run!
Perhaps sensing Zhuofu's gaze, Stardust Illusion slowly looked back.
Their eyes met—and Zhuofu felt a crushing pressure.
From those eyes, so dense they were almost material, from that savage wildness—came this speechless message:
If you want to challenge me, then come.
(She—she's watching me!)
Zhuofu's heart hammered under that gaze.
A radiant smile bloomed on her face.
(She—she's inviting me!)
Zhuofu drew a deep breath—panting.
She crushed down the itch in her heart and tuned her state.
Since her foe had invited her—what more needed saying?
"I'm coming."
No shout. No scream.
Just a declaration.
Something invisible seemed to cloak her. Her expression shifted for the first time.
A curious look—like Stardust Illusion's—tinged with wildness.
For a split second, to the runners behind them, a crystal-colored mirage flickered.
—Let it all out.
Chase that person!
Zhuofu held her breath again and drowned her whole self in the run.
Everything around her fell away.
In Zhuofu's eyes, only a road of pure light remained.
It ran from beneath her feet to Stardust Illusion's side.
And all she had to do—was—
Pad.
A feather-light step rang.
Time seemed to freeze.
The next moment—she ripped it all.
Zhuofu set foot on that road of pure light and burst forward.
One step—two—three!
Wind and rain stung her face.
But that sensation didn't slow her—it hurled her back onto all those street-runs she'd done.
Her pale-pink hair tips danced.
Beneath them, her sea-blue eyes locked on the ever-closer back—and charged straight on!
————————————————
"Stardust Illusion! Stardust Illusion senses the pursuer!"
"She accelerates at once—Stardust Illusion changes her form and lifts the speed—Zhuofu, who had just caught up, is dropped again!"
"—Wait! Zhuofu lifts again!!! Are these two really going to duel at this level on the second backstretch?!"
"Back and forth—neither will yield—but which is faster? Which—Zhuofu! Zhuofu is a touch faster! She's reeling the gap!"
"So fast—too fast!! Zhuofu's about to catch Stardust Illusion!!!"
"…"
Stardust Illusion had scrubbed her thoughts clean.
She looked back and watched Zhuofu close again.
(As expected—her top speed holds longer than mine…)
Then let's decide it!
A boiling hunger burned everything in her chest to ash.
The runner who'd inherited the name "monster" bared her fangs.
There was no room for "skills" or "forms." She handed her body over to instinct with a single aim—
At her maximum speed—blow Zhuofu to pieces!
The falling rain seemed still in her eyes, frozen in midair as she smashed through.
The ground seemed ready to crack with her pounding.
Each step landed like a boot on the heart.
She had blown everything.
To be the winner!
In her mind, scene after scene of her victories flashed by.
Every win etched obsession—monomania—and, above all, selflessness.
The feeling of every eye on her—pure joy.
And today she'd use that to turn herself stronger than ever.
So that—in her most familiar stride—she could run Zhuofu down!
"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!"
Her roar detonated on the track—riven through with her iron will!
Her full commitment had driven her to the edge of speed.
It wasn't beyond what she'd done before—but it could rival the ultimate burst that beat Taiki Shuttle.
And now—how would Zhuofu answer?
(I will become the strongest professional runner…)
Zhuofu's motion was light, joyous.
She knew Stardust Illusion was throwing everything into answering her.
But she couldn't lose either!
In her eyes, Zhuofu's obsession was no less than Stardust Illusion's.
She even held her breath.
And in this moment, Zhuofu brought her strongest state to bear against Stardust Illusion's tyrant's will!
The long-awaited duel was joined.
Weightless footwork versus explosive power!
After the first second…
Zhuofu, charging in the outside lane, chased Stardust Illusion—the gap less than a quarter length—they were almost neck and neck.
After the second second…
Zhuofu's form vanished from Stardust Illusion's vision.
After the third second…
[Skill "Phantom Footwork"—activated.]
Stardust Illusion snapped a straight-step, her cadence going irregular in an instant.
Each step cast a phantasm; the Zhuofu who could hide in visual edges was forced into view.
After the fourth second…
They returned to the original duel—neck and neck—back and forth—both pouring forward—
After the fifth second…
(…)
After the sixth second…
Zhuofu passed Stardust Illusion.
She didn't try any tricks.
Even so—on speed alone—
Step by step by step—
Step by step by step by step—she went by!
(Her speed is higher than mine?!)
18.23 m/s—that was Stardust Illusion's current top.
And Zhuofu's?
18.35 m/s!
Converted for three furlongs: 600 m in 32.7 seconds!
Pale-pink tips, crystal phantoms—
The petite runner pulled away before Stardust Illusion's eyes.
Can't catch…
Can't catch up—?
Impossible…
Every muscle screamed as Stardust Illusion squeezed every last drop toward the back ahead.
But she couldn't catch up!
The distance wouldn't shrink!
I… lost?
Like a hand choking her throat, suffocation drowned the runner named Stardust Illusion.
In her ears, a verdict seemed to fall from the ninth heaven:
"You lost."
At that moment, Stardust Illusion's great escape failed completely.
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