Senbonzakura's Zone violently expanded: [Duelist Soul LV5].
The majestic pressure crashed down like a physical weight, slamming onto Myriad Dreams' shoulders.
She couldn't help but cry out internally.
'This intensity... this isn't a Zone that a normal Uma Musume should possess!'
The phantoms of Slifer, Obelisk, and Senbonzakura seemed to manifest simultaneously, their multiple auras weaving together into a mental cage that locked her firmly in place.
Myriad Dreams found it difficult to breathe, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.
In this moment, she was no longer facing just a Racing Uma Musume, but a true "Overlord" who looked down upon the world with absolute supremacy.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
Fear —genuine, raw fear— soaked through her like ice water.
'How is this "just a bit stronger than Rudolf"? In front of Senbonzakura, even an existence like Symboli Rudolf would likely pale in comparison.'
The flight of stairs clearly had only about twenty steps, but in Myriad Dreams' eyes, they seemed as unreachable as a ladder to the heavens.
She found it incredibly difficult even to lift her foot, let alone climb.
"Not starting yet?"
Senbonzakura's voice drifted down from above, carrying a hint of impatience.
She had no intention of entrusting her factors to a coward who lacked the courage to even take a first step.
Myriad Dreams thought of Yaeno Muteki.
'If I lost the race, wouldn't Yaeno-san be even more heartbroken?'
Myriad Dreams clenched her fists and forced her leg upward, crawling onto the first step.
However, at that exact moment, Senbonzakura, sitting at the very top, waved her hand, and the two Egyptian Gods began to charge their power.
Sitting on her high throne, Senbonzakura said coldly, "I told you, my factors won't be inherited so easily."
[Lightning Blast!]
[Fist of Fate!]
The two gods unleashed their charged attacks, striking Myriad Dreams directly.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!!"
Myriad Dreams was sent flying a great distance, her body covered in scorch marks from the lightning.
Myriad Dreams:
Speed: 310 → 0
Stamina: 430 → 0
Power: 400 → 0
If any single attribute hit zero after an attack from the Egyptian Gods, one's will would collapse, leaving them with zero combat effectiveness.
Myriad Dreams had all three attributes reduced to zero.
She lay on the ground with vacant eyes, motionless, seemingly having lost all will to move forward.
"Boring."
Seeing Myriad Dreams in this state, Senbonzakura turned to leave.
Myriad Dreams heard the sound of her turning away.
'Is it really over? If I can't get stronger, I'll suffer a crushing defeat at the Winter Cup, and then Yaeno-san…'
Unwilling to accept this, Myriad Dreams grabbed a handful of grass from the turf and slowly stood up, gritting her teeth.
"Wait... I haven't given up yet!!!"
Hearing the voice, Senbonzakura turned back, feeling a surge of interest in this Uma Musume who hungered for strength.
Battered and limping, Myriad Dreams slowly moved toward the stairs.
Finally, she laboriously lifted her foot and stepped onto the first stair.
This time, Senbonzakura did not order the Gods to attack. She simply watched the girl ascend.
Myriad Dreams exhaled a breath of turbid air and took another step.
Her mind was empty of everything else, her only thought was to reach the top.
She wanted to reach the summit, become stronger, and defeat Oguri Cap.
Myriad Dreams opened her eyes, looking wearily at Senbonzakura at the peak.
Finally, she grit her teeth and took one more step forward.