The Challenger's Badge, a crucial item that had once played a key role in Dream Weaver's duel against Orfevre, now activated once again.
Its effect was to boost certain attributes when facing an overwhelming opponent—overwhelming being defined as having at least two stats surpassing Dream Weaver by a full tier.
If measured by universal standards, this item should have triggered during the Satsuki Shō and the Japanese Derby.
After all, the only stats Dream Weaver had broken through were Guts and Speed; her other attributes remained at B Rank, while her opponents generally possessed stats beyond that level.
Yet, the Challenger Badge hadn't activated in those races.
When reviewing the matches later, Dream Weaver couldn't help but fix her gaze on the one possible exception—
Stamina.
Unlike her other stats, her Stamina existed in a peculiar state. Superficially, it was only B Rank, but that merely reflected what she could currently utilize.
After enduring ten trial missions and choosing to inherit the Stamina attribute, Dream Weaver already possessed Stamina at an S+ rank—she just couldn't fully wield it yet.
This explained why the Challenger's Badge hadn't triggered during the Satsuki Shō and the Japanese Derby.
Because in the badge's judgment, her Stamina was evaluated as S+ rank.
In the badge's simulated assessment, how could it trigger for a Dream Weaver whose Stamina was already classified as S+?
None of those Triple Crown Uma Musume had three stats at SS+ rank.
But now, this powerful item, which only activated against truly insurmountable foes, had been triggered once more.
That meant in this Kikuka Shō, there was an Uma Musume with an attribute at SS+ rank.
That person, naturally, was Shinzan.
However, even as the activation of the Challenger's Badge confirmed the presence of an unstoppable force before her, Dream Weaver's expression remained utterly calm.
Shinzan was the Uma Musume who had conquered all of Europe, single-handedly elevating the European training system to legendary status.
Facing such an opponent, Dream Weaver had long prepared thoroughly for victory.
The triggering of the Challenger Badge was well within her expectations.
In the most optimistic scenario, Shinzan would trigger the badge through her Power and Wit stats, combined with her SS+ rank Stamina.
But Dream Weaver never hesitated to imagine her opponent at their absolute strongest.
Even if, aside from her SS+ Stamina, Shinzan's Speed and Guts had reached an unprecedented SS rank.
With such staggering attribute levels, Shinzan truly lived up to her reputation as the world's strongest Uma Musume.
Moreover, unlike Dream Weaver—whose stats had gaps she had to patch up with item effects—Shinzan's five-dimensional profile left no opening to exploit.
'So this is what an absolute powerhouse with no weaknesses looks like...'
Dream Weaver narrowed her eyes, gazing intently at the source of that terrifying aura.
From within the dark entrance tunnel, a hymn-like chant, resonant as divine praise, pressed toward her with overwhelming force.
The immense power seemed to materialize, affecting reality itself. The moment the chanting began, a fierce gale swept across the racetrack.
As if the world itself groaned under the strain, the wind whipped Dream Weaver's hair into disarray, and the crimson cloak on her shoulders flapped and snapped violently.
Yet her eyes, her stance, did not yield an inch.
Confronted by a power so great the world could barely contain it, Dream Weaver stood firm on the track like a battle standard—unshakable, no matter how the storm raged.
Along with that imposing presence came the track announcer's sharp, resonant introduction.
"She has witnessed countless geniuses rise and countless champions fall—"
"But one thing is certain: she will always stand atop the world!"
"The talents of Europe were never her match; even the world's top Uma Musume must bow before her shadow. She is the one for whom even the gods lower their proud heads and sing praises!"
"Now, she has even conquered time. After a year away from the track, she returns with peerless grace to reclaim her throne. She is the ultimate destination of every Uma Musume's path, the unparalleled—"
"Shin! Zan!"
As the announcer's words faded, the entire stadium seemed wrapped in an intangible, solemn atmosphere.
Everyone instinctively held their breath, their eyes fixed on the dark entrance tunnel.
No cheers were needed, no doubts remained—there was no one in this world who did not know Shinzan.
Her story, her legend, had echoed across the globe for years. Even after leaving the track, people had never forgotten her formidable reputation.
And now, this Uma Musume of story, epic, and myth had once again returned to her loyal arena.
Like holy light descending upon the mortal world, a figure in white slowly emerged from the dark tunnel.
Bearing the name of a god, Shinzan—she for whom even deities sang hymns—had arrived on the track.
She wore a white racing uniform resembling a trench coat, its lapels and cuffs adorned with amber-gold crack-like patterns.
Beneath it was a dark, nearly black, deep brown shirt, with cross-shaped buttons fastened meticulously up to the collar.
The entire outfit had no jeweled embellishments, no crown to enhance it, yet on Shinzan, it radiated an aura of serene authority.
Shinzan, wearing white gloves embroidered with golden crosses, turned briefly toward the stands, offered a single-handed salute, and then walked straight toward Dream Weaver.
The hem of her coat, shimmering with deep red patterns like flowing blood, swayed with each step.
With every pace forward, Dream Weaver felt the terrifying pressure bearing down on her.
"It's been a while. Our last meeting was a few months ago, wasn't it?"
Shinzan stopped before Dream Weaver, her tone still gentle, as amiable as it had been during their first encounter.
But Dream Weaver thought she heard a faint echo of wailing in Shinzan's voice.
Her eyes drifted unconsciously to the hem of Shinzan's coat, where the deep red patterns on the inner lining looked like the blood of those who had fallen before her.
Noticing Dream Weaver's gaze, Shinzan also glanced down at her own coat, then smiled as if recalling something.
"You really do love the color red, don't you?"
Her tone was light, carrying the ease unique to those who are truly powerful.
The ease of one who holds all the cards, who has everything firmly under control.
"Are you so certain you'll win?"
Dream Weaver asked quietly.
"If the future belongs to you—"
"Then prove it to me."
Shinzan fixed her amber eyes on Dream Weaver.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.