On the main platform, Valerius watched Gepard still blowing kisses toward the Belobog side and covered his face. This guy still hasn't realized what he's done.
Turning to Bronya, he asked, "So… who's your team sending for the women's match?"
"Uh… Seele!"
"Pfft—go let her have a good meal first. She might not get another chance later."
"That's not that exaggerated."
Bronya shot him an annoyed glance. What did he mean, "last meal"? Like Seele was about to die or something. But then again… thinking about how Seele might actually get targeted, she felt both worried and strangely… expectant.
"What… what am I even thinking?!"
She hurriedly shook her head, forcing that dangerous thought out of her mind. Lately, something felt off. Whenever she saw someone suffer, she wanted to laugh—and the more familiar they were, the worse it got.
Did Valerius rub off on her?!
"I'll go start the next round. You sit here."
"Okay."
With the men's event over, it was time for the women's race. Valerius was actually looking forward to it—who knew what kind of chaos this group would create.
He raised the starting pistol again and looked toward the starting line.
Mondstadt: Amber.
Liyue: Yelan.
Inazuma: Kirara.
Sumeru–Fontaine: Clorinde.
Xianzhou Alliance: Yukong.
Penacony Coalition: Rappa.
Belobog Alliance: Seele.
New Eridu: Nekomata.
"Impressive lineup."
Valerius chuckled. Either agility types… or long legs.
At the starting line, Amber was trembling, muttering to herself nonstop, "Stay at the back… stay at the back… stay at the back…"
She kept reminding herself—do NOT stand out. She had seen exactly what happened to those who did. This time, her goal was simple: don't get beaten up. Winning could come later.
"Hmph, just watch me."
Seele was full of confidence. Gepard had already won—there was no way she'd lose. Sure, everyone had weird abilities, but as long as she stayed careful, she'd be fine.
"Heh."
A few chuckles came from beside her.
Want to win?
Let's see you try.
"Bang!"
The gun fired.
Seele exploded forward, pushing off the ground and dashing ahead.
"Hah, so slow. You think you can compete with me?"
Seeing everyone else react so slowly, she grinned. As long as she reached the obstacle first and grabbed a weapon, she'd take them all down.
"Smack!"
A hand suddenly grabbed her.
"What are you doing?!"
Seele frowned. They didn't even have weapons yet—starting a fight already?
She turned—
And saw a group of people standing behind her.
Not running.
At all.
"…What are you guys doing?"
A bad feeling crept into her heart.
Why did it feel like… they were all targeting her?
"Heh. You seemed pretty happy getting that gold medal earlier."
"And you wiped out all our teammates."
"Ever thought about what your ending would be?"
Surrounded, Seele's heart started pounding.
She suddenly felt like… she was about to get eliminated.
"Y-you… what do you mean?! You lost fair and square and now you want revenge?!"
"Heh. Winning is one thing. Eliminating everyone else? What was that about?"
"Yeah, not even leaving us silver or bronze?"
That was the real issue.
No one cared that Gepard got first.
They cared that he left them with nothing.
"Uh… then go find Gepard! What does this have to do with me?!"
Now she was genuinely scared.
These girls… did not look friendly.
"You're his teammate. That's enough."
"If you're not satisfied, go find him later."
"Stop talking. Eliminate her."
Seeing sleeves being rolled up, Seele panicked.
"Valerius! This is against the rules! Are you going to do something?!"
She looked toward the platform.
Valerius was sitting there comfortably, eyes practically shining with excitement.
Bronya, meanwhile, covered her face… like she couldn't bear to watch.
Though her fingers were spread wide open.
That "covering" was completely useless.
"Here, use this. Saves effort."
Clorinde handed out wooden planks to everyone.
"W-where did you get those?!"
"Oh, I went ahead and dismantled the obstacles."
Everyone glanced ahead—
Sure enough, the barriers were gone.
"You didn't even run?!"
"Heh. Let's eliminate her first, then compete fairly. No cheating."
Everyone looked at Clorinde.
What a good person!
"…Screw you all!"
Realizing she couldn't talk her way out, Seele tried to fight back.
But one person versus a group—
She barely resisted before being knocked to the ground.
The girls didn't hold back.
They swarmed her.
And started beating her down.
"…That's terrifying."
"…Why are they like this?!"
"My god… that's brutal."
The male spectators collectively shuddered.
A single thought formed in their minds:
Never provoke women.
Ever.
[Player Seele has been eliminated.]
The announcement rang out.
Only then did the girls stop, calmly returning to the starting line and taking their positions again.
"Mr. Valerius, could you please restart the race?"
"O-oh… okay."
Valerius shot up instantly.
Forget the others—even he was scared now.
This was way too brutal.
Pfft!
Seeing even Valerius shaken, Bronya couldn't hold it in anymore.
Maybe… she should act a bit tougher at home too?
Valerius raised the pistol again and fired.
"Bang!"
This time, no tricks.
The women all dashed forward together.
Kirara took the lead, followed by Nekomata and Rappa.
Behind them came Yelan, Clorinde, and Yukong—long-legged and steady.
Amber?
Still firmly at the back.
Survival first.
"Not speeding up? If you fall too far behind, it'll be hard to catch up."
Clorinde glanced at Yelan and Yukong beside her, offering a friendly reminder.
"Heh."
Yelan rolled her eyes.
"No need. This is fine."
Yukong nodded calmly.
"Let them run ahead."
"Aren't you worried about losing rewards?"
"Heh. We're more worried about something else."
Clorinde felt a chill.
"…What?"
"Landmines."
Hearing that, she sighed faintly.
So she hadn't fooled them.
"Then you'd better watch your step."
"No. You planted them on the obstacles."
Clorinde almost choked.
Why were these two so sharp?!
"Alright, tell us. Which obstacle?"
"Why should I?"
"Because we can eliminate you right now."
They gestured behind her.
If she didn't talk, they'd call Amber over—
Three against one.
"…Fine. The first obstacle."