It was only after forcing [Gold Ship] into a trap that the game finally ended. Demon King Ship walked out of the venue with a look of satisfaction. In truth, this so-called Item Race was quite similar to the live-action CS (Counter-Strike) games in her memories, just with a running theme added. And because horse girls were physically stronger than humans, the props were made to be more realistic. They even included special effects, like electromagnetic mines that could knock a horse girl unconscious for half an hour. If used on a human, that would be a lethal weapon.
"[Gold Ship], you bastard—" Upon waking up, Daiwa Scarlet immediately sought to settle the score with [Gold Ship] offline. Facing the imposing, furious Scarlet, [Gold Ship] decisively chose to flee. One chasing and one fleeing, they rushed out of the club. Hopefully, they wouldn't crash into any innocent passersby outside.
Vodka looked at the number on the receipt and said to Tokai Teio and [Mejiro McQueen], "I think when the Trainer sees this receipt later, he's definitely going to let out a loud squeal like a pig being slaughtered."
"..."
Tokai Teio silently turned her head away.
[Mejiro McQueen] pretended not to understand.
Although this amount of money wasn't expensive for them, considering the Trainer's financial situation, they could all imagine his miserable scream.
This activity was proposed by [Gold Ship]. When they went out, they had indeed seen [Gold Ship] actively ask the Trainer for permission to go to the "amusement park," and after getting permission, she had taken the credit card the Trainer handed over.
This was the Trainer's own fault. Knowing [Gold Ship] was unreliable, he still chose to let her organize the activity.
(It wasn't until later that they learned [Gold Ship] had actually paid for these expenses herself, so they missed the opportunity to hear the Trainer's sorrowful scream.)
"Pack up your things. We're heading back."
The group packed up to return to school. They had to help carry [Gold Ship]'s and Daiwa Scarlet's things back, as those two had long since disappeared.
Seeing them packing, Demon King Ship, feeling relaxed and having nothing to do, went to the lobby. She walked up to the vending machine to ponder what to drink. Black coffee was the first to be rejected; one sip of that was unbearable. The honey drink Teio loved was also rejected; it was too sweet for her. After hesitating for a while, she finally chose the classic Ramune soda.
As expected, this is this great one's favorite!
Carbonated drinks are the best!
With a "pop," she pressed the marble down. Demon King Ship drank the soda heroically.
"Soda really is the best after exercise."
Demon King Ship looked satisfied.
She didn't care about health or whatever. Her favorite food was hamburgers, and her favorite drink was soda. Born the strongest, her body was so robust that it would never be defeated by "junk food."
Demon King Ship planned to wait for Tokai Teio and the others at the entrance.
What she didn't expect was that a figure she had missed for a long time was currently lying in ambush for her there.
When Demon King Ship walked out the door and saw the figure standing under the sunlight, her relaxed expression instantly tightened.
Mejiro McQueen turned around and looked expressionlessly at the Gold Ship before her.
Demon King Ship was first shocked, then overcome with excitement.
"It's you!"
She couldn't control her emotions well at this moment.
The Demon King's aura was leaking out uncontrollably.
Mejiro McQueen looked at the emotional Gold Ship in front of her. She thought for a while before asking, "I have only one question for you right now: Do you still remember who you are?"
Hearing this question, Demon King Ship was stunned for a moment. Then her brain spun quickly, and she soon found the reason why Mejiro McQueen would ask such a question. The corners of her mouth curled up into an evil smile.
"Hmph~ I didn't expect you to ask such a stupid question. This great one is, of course, this great one. Or did you think this great one was merely your clone?"
"Is that so..."
Mejiro McQueen sighed, but at the same time, she felt much more relaxed.
Thank goodness. It seems the brain just broke during reincarnation, but at least she wasn't possessed.
After a whole day of observation—although she had gone back to her own world to rest at night—she had seen enough. Mejiro McQueen could now confirm that this clone, Gold Ship, had indeed turned into something quite troublesome.
It was her, yet not her.
Although it felt a bit incredible, it seemed the brain really was broken.
"Hmph~ Such trivial matters aren't important! Mejiro McQueen, this great one is issuing a challenge to you!" Demon King Ship didn't care about such things. Her IQ was fine, but her thought processes were completely different from Mejiro McQueen's.
"..." Mejiro McQueen shook her head and sighed.
It's over. It looks like this account (character build) is indeed bricked. She actually wants "herself" to race herself.
"What do you mean by shaking your head?!"
"It's meaningless. I won't agree."
Mejiro McQueen answered coldly.
She knew Gold Ship's strength better than anyone. After all, she was the one who trained this character card. Even if Gold Ship had comprehended new skills and a Zone in the story mode, it didn't matter. Having seen the things Gold Ship comprehended on her own, she could only say she had absolutely no interest in racing such a guy.
Because the result was too obvious. She would win. There wasn't even a possibility of losing. And she would win more easily than any race in the past.
This was her evaluation of Gold Ship.
"Damn it! Don't joke around! are you afraid of losing to this great one?!"
Demon King Ship was flustered and exasperated.
"Hmph! This great one knows you're a coward. You never run races you can't win, right?!"
Mejiro McQueen: "..."
She was wondering if Gold Ship was truly stupid or just pretending.
"You should know clearly that you can't beat me."
From the moment Gold Ship chose to become a "Gate Horse" (Debuffer), the possibility of competition between them vanished. Gold Ship, possessing her memories, couldn't possibly be unaware of this.
"I admit you are stronger right now, but the winner of this match will definitely be me!"
Demon King Ship didn't explain, simply stating it with extreme ego.
Mejiro McQueen figured it out. This guy's "sickness" was on the same level as [Gold Ship]'s; only the symptoms were different.
"Fine. Then when can you clear the story mode?"
Mejiro McQueen didn't refuse Demon King Ship's challenge again. She felt this might be exploitable. This character was already ruined; better to clear it quickly so she could start a new character.
"Soon. This great one has found the target. Dominate the Arima Kinen or the Arc de Triomphe—that is this great one's mission objective," Demon King Ship said proudly.
"..."
Mejiro McQueen didn't say much more.
She nodded.
"Then do your best. I'll wait for you."
Hearing Mejiro McQueen's answer, Demon King Ship's eyes lit up immediately.
"Hahaha! As expected! You're looking forward to a powerful challenger just like this great one, right?!"
"Mm-hm..."
Mejiro McQueen nodded perfunctorily.
...
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