On the track, everything looked strangely harmonious. Everyone moved forward in an orderly fashion, and not a single person showed any intention of overtaking the others.
Kirara was leading the pack. Soon, the first obstacle came into view.
"Perfect. Once I get a weapon, victory is mine."
She was brimming with excitement. Her ability was Flame Shield—anyone who attacked her at close range would be automatically countered. As long as she defended against ranged attacks, there was no way she could lose.
"Good. Inazuma will definitely take first place."
Up in the stands, Raiden Ei sat with her arms crossed, fully satisfied with Kirara's performance. First it was Arataki Itto leading, and now Kirara. What did that mean?
It meant Inazuma was strong.
She even began considering rewarding Kirara later to boost morale.
While she was pleased, someone else was anything but.
Though eliminated, Seele had only been kicked out of the match. The moment she regained her senses, she stormed toward the platform, fuming. She had to argue this out with Valerius—how could they go that far?!
Reaching the platform, she was just about to speak when she noticed a light screen in front of Bronya. Bronya was tapping on it repeatedly.
Seele leaned closer—
And exploded with anger.
"Bronya! You're recording this?!"
She was furious. That was footage of her getting beaten up earlier! What was Bronya trying to do? Enjoy watching her get bullied and even record it?
Startled by the shout, Bronya flinched and quickly closed the video.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm recording evidence to argue with Valerius later."
"Heh… you think I'd believe that?"
Seele rolled her eyes. Was she trying to fool a child? Valerius was literally sitting right next to her—why would she need evidence?
First the missile last time, now this video…
Their friendship was really falling apart!
"Uh… sit… you can sit."
Bronya awkwardly gestured, clearly embarrassed at being caught. But she couldn't help it—lately she really enjoyed watching people make fools of themselves. And when that person was Seele… it was even harder to resist.
"Whatever."
Seele ignored her and sat elsewhere, then pointed straight at Valerius.
"Doesn't that count as breaking the rules?! They beat me up! Seven against one!"
"Do you think this game even has rules?"
One sentence left her speechless.
…Right.
There weren't really any rules.
"Then… I just got beaten up for nothing?!"
"You can blame Gepard."
Valerius had seen it clearly. If Gepard hadn't wiped everyone out earlier, they probably wouldn't have targeted Seele at all. She had taken the fall for him.
"…You're right. It's all Gepard's fault."
Seele turned toward the stands.
Gepard was sitting between Serval and Lynx, covering his face like he was deeply reflecting on his mistakes.
"…Sigh… I…"
BOOM!
A massive explosion suddenly shook the arena. Smoke billowed across the track.
[Player Kirara has been eliminated.]
[Player Rappa has been eliminated.]
[Player Nekomata has been eliminated.]
"Huh?!"
Everyone was stunned.
The race was going fine—where did that explosion come from?!
"Clorinde! It's Clorinde!"
Luocha was the first to react. He had played with Clorinde before and knew exactly what she was capable of. Only she could've caused something like this.
"You Fontaine people—how can you do this?! Planting bombs?!"
Raiden Ei was furious. She had just been pleased seeing Kirara in the lead, and now this?
"Uh… hehe…"
"…Yeah…"
The Fontaine players collectively went silent.
This… might provoke everyone again.
"Hmph. If you're stupid, who can you blame? This is a competition. Only you are allowed to win?"
Furina shot back immediately, unafraid.
Raiden Ei's eyes darkened.
"Heh. You'd better hope you don't end up in the same match as me."
A competition?
Think we're stupid?
Just wait—if I catch you, I'll show you what cruelty is.
"…Hmph! Like I'm scared."
Furina stiffened her neck and replied, but immediately turned to Neuvillette.
"You have to protect me later."
"Lady Furina… this event separates men and women. I cannot protect you."
"…."
She was doomed.
Was it too late to apologize?
Back on the track, the remaining racers had all stopped. The smoke ahead made it impossible to see clearly, so they could only wait.
"Waaah… I shouldn't have joined…"
Amber trembled. These people were ruthless—her small frame couldn't take this.
"Come here. Run on my side."
Yukong pulled Clorinde over, swapping lanes with her. Even though Clorinde said the mine was on the first obstacle, who knew if that was true?
"You come closer too. Let's run together."
She even called out to Yelan. The track was wide enough—they could run side by side.
"Works for me."
Yelan agreed. She didn't trust her own lane either.
As the smoke cleared, the scene ahead became visible.
Three lanes were completely charred, the obstacles blown to pieces. The remaining lanes were untouched.
"Let's go."
Yukong narrowed her eyes and took the lead.
The other two exchanged glances and followed.
Amber, meanwhile, was practically paralyzed with fear. Every inch of the track looked like it might hide a landmine.
At the first obstacle, Yukong examined it carefully.
No mine.
But in the adjacent lanes, a faint red dot blinked ominously.
She dismantled the obstacle, carrying part of it as a weapon, and moved forward alongside Yelan.
Just as they were about to pass the mined area—
Something changed.
Both of them suddenly rammed toward each other.
They had already seen through it.
Clorinde had used her ability—she was no longer a threat.
So the real danger…
Was each other.
Their shoulders collided.
Yelan instantly felt an overwhelming force.
Her expression changed.
"How is she this strong?!"
She had charged too, but it did nothing to Yukong. Meanwhile, Yukong's impact completely threw her off balance, sending her stumbling sideways.
At the last moment, Yelan twisted her body and barely avoided stepping on the mine.
"Heh. Goodbye."
Before she could recover, Yukong's voice rang out coldly.
She hurled the wooden plank onto the obstacle—
Reactivating the mine.
BOOM!
[Player Yelan has been eliminated.]
The entire audience fell silent.
They all came to the same conclusion—
These women…
Were absolutely not good people.
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