"The gap between Sham and Golden Sixty is closing—can she overtake the leader?"
"The field, led by Golden Sixty, is now entering the final turn. We're in the closing stages, and the competition is heating up!"
"About two and a half lengths behind Sham is Agnes Digital, while Leap of Faith continues her charge forward—is she pushing herself too hard?"
"In fifth is Urban Sea, followed by Platinum and Jade Lion. Back in eighth is Ever Flourishing, with five lengths separating her from Fresh Memory, who appears to be struggling. It's unclear whether she can hold on till the finish."
The commentators' voices were little more than a muffled presence on the track, unable to exert the slightest influence over the race unfolding below. And so, Leap of Faith remained unaware of their concern for her.
She gasped for air, wiping her forehead. Sweat-soaked strands of hair clung stubbornly to her vision, and beads of moisture dripped from her bangs and lashes into her eyes, blurring her sight.
Can I still push forward? Just a little more?
Her eyes, perhaps from that frantic rub, were now bloodshot. Slowly, her lips stretched into a strained grin.
I have to. I'm not done yet…
A sharp, thunderous sound exploded in her ears, as if lightning had struck right beside her. Her head spun; it felt like thousands of firecrackers had been stuffed into her eardrums and set off all at once. She staggered, nearly losing her footing.
An illusion… or…?
Leap of Faith clutched her head. That dull, thunderous noise persisted. It wasn't her imagination—but where was it coming from?
Her gaze stretched ahead.
Without realizing it, darkness had begun to encroach on the edges of her vision.
She couldn't quite make out Agnes Digital's expression, though it seemed slightly twisted too—just not as badly as her own. But she could see the fierce battle unfolding between Sham and Golden Sixty. She could see the deep, crater-like hoofprints Sham left in her wake.
Is that… the sound of Sham's horseshoes?
In truth, it was the same trick Platinum had pulled earlier in the race. But Platinum's presence had only felt like a chariot rolling forward, aiming to force an opening and seize her chance.
Sham, however, was on another level entirely. The sound of her hooves wasn't just intimidating—it was something else entirely, a technique honed to an art form.
It was as if she were crushing both air and earth under the drive of her legs. To run with such reckless abandon—no wonder Sham had suffered such severe injuries!
Yet the result was an unmatched, terrifying strength. A skill forged under the pressure of competing against Secretariat, now baring its fangs.
Agnes Digital was holding up relatively well.
Seasoned and experienced, she'd faced rivals of this caliber before and knew how to respond. But Leap of Faith, encountering such a sound for the first time, was utterly rattled by its thunderous roar.
And this was while Sham' focus remained squarely on Golden Sixty! It was hard to imagine the sheer pressure Golden Sixty was enduring.
Even harder to fathom was the sheer height Secretariat must have reached, to have defeated a monster like Sham so effortlessly!
But… but I can still…
Leap of Faith's eyes were now crimson, her breathing ragged. She could barely maintain a straight line.
Lifting her wrist to her mouth, she bit down hard. Instantly, her canine teeth broke through tender skin. She held nothing back.
If that's how it is, I'll use pain to sharpen my senses—
Sadly, it was useless. No stamina meant no stamina. Unable to endure meant unable to endure.
Only then did Leap of Faith realize she'd been on the verge of collapse all along.
No, that can't be right… I must still have something left to give…
She gnawed at her wrist with a frantic, almost savage intensity.
Because I'm Golden Sixty's younger sister! I should be able to do this, right?
I should be able to…
I can…
Her lips trembling, she released her wrist and let out a sob like a weeping child.
"I should be able to do this…"
In the end, it always came down to this. Forget making Golden Sixty see her in a new light—she hadn't even earned the right to enter her sister's sight.
From the very beginning…
No, hadn't she accepted long ago that she was worthless?
Then why did she still step onto this track as if she had hope?
Could it be… that some small, foolish part of her still believed she could surpass Golden Sixty?
…If I'd known, I never would've come.
Agony and overwhelming despair crashed over Leap of Faith all at once. It was an irresistible tide of darkness, ready to swallow her whole.
Like a drowning person, she slowly raised her hand—a futile struggle. Reaching out only sealed her fate.
Unless—someone could take her hand.
Slap!
A light tap met her palm. Brief, almost fleeting, yet it pulled at her like a steel cable, keeping her from being swept away by the dark currents.
Who was it?
A flash of brilliant white flickered in the edge of her vision.
Platinum wasn't looking at her—her gaze remained forward, her right hand extended from that passing high-five. Her white hair danced gracefully in the air, her form as elegant as a statue from ancient Greece. The sweat flying from her glistened like sunlight.
Leap of Faith didn't understand what that light tap meant. Was it encouragement? Consolation? Or a promise to fight in her stead?
Maybe even Platinum didn't know. But sometimes, a thoughtless act needs no reason to carry power.
And Leap of Faith felt that power. It was louder than thunder, brighter than the sun.
Up in the stands, Agnes Tachyon slammed the railing, her earlier composure gone. She was just like every other spectator now—blending right into the crowd.
"Fool—she's making her move too soon! She'll burn out!"
Of course, Platinum couldn't hear her. Her hooves, like Sham's, dug deep into the turf. In that instant, the whole world rushed toward her.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.