These past few months had been a whirlwind of training: Kiryu Ryu's intense morning sessions, boosted by system potions, followed by the system's own evening regimen.
After all that effort, the current stats panel looked like this:
Name: Shadow Radiance (Not fully awakened)
Speed: E+ 354
Stamina: E+ 251
Power: E+ 292
Guts: E+ 264
Wits: E 241
Aptitude:
Turf: S Dirt: S Short Distance: S Mile: A Medium Distance: A Long Distance: A
Running Style:
Late Surger: S Front-Runner: S End Closer: S Pace Chaser: S
Domain: Yandere's Basement
Core Skill: Playful Waiting
Skills: Pathological Control, Three-Stage Rush – Seal, Max-Level Parkour Techniques
Concept Skill: Yandere Gaze
Passive Skills: Obsession, Horse Mint
Shadow Radiance looked at her stats panel with satisfaction.
"This is a guaranteed win, right? I can't even imagine how I could lose with this."
Finally, the long-awaited day of the Starry Sky Cup arrived—a 1000-meter Short Distance race.
On a wide-open field, Uma Musume (Horse Girl) competitors bustled about in pre-race preparation. Some stretched, some meditated, others exchanged words of encouragement. The atmosphere was electric.
As race time approached, the Uma Musume began entering the starting gates. But not without hiccups—some resisted entry, while others trembled inside, clearly unsettled by the enclosed space.
Shadow Radiance, however, remained calm.
She stood before her gate, glanced at the others behind her, then focused on the flat grass ahead. Unbothered. Unshaken.
"Hmm… most of their ratings are F, a few F+. Still far behind me."
No nerves. No fear.
In her previous life, she'd been a homebody—dark, enclosed spaces were her comfort zone. She even liked them.
Once all the Uma Musume were in place, the crowd's cheers surged. The tension was palpable. The gates creaked.
Then—bang!—they opened.
Shadow Radiance exploded forward like a bolt of lightning.
Her speed was unreal. The others hadn't even reacted before she was already several horse lengths ahead.
The commentator's voice rang out:
"Shadow Radiance's start was flawless! Her explosive power and agility are astonishing!
While others were still hesitating, she shot off like an arrow, taking the lead and accelerating!"
By the time the rest began their chase, Shadow Radiance had already opened a six-length gap.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
"Wow!"
"She's flying!"
"Is this even fair?!"
She was dominating. Effortlessly.
But then, the commentator's tone shifted:
"At this pace, even in a Short Distance race, Shadow Radiance might burn out halfway…"
She heard it—but didn't care.
With E+251 stamina, she wasn't running out anytime soon.
The wind roared past her ears. The scenery blurred. She didn't need to think about technique—she'd already mastered every style. Kiryu Ryu's training had covered it all.
In the final few hundred meters, she surged again. Her speed peaked. The gap widened.
"Sixteen horse lengths! Sixteen! I've never seen such a lead!
If Shadow Radiance keeps this up, she'll shatter the record!
We might be witnessing the birth of a new legend!"
"100 meters… 50… 20… She's crossed the finish line!
Congratulations! Shadow Radiance wins the championship by a massive 16 horse lengths!"