As another Dream Weaver stepped out from the swirling glitched code, a cold, mechanical voice rang out in her ear.
[Special Mission triggered.]
A heartbeat later, that familiar translucent blue screen flickered back into existence before her eyes.
--+--
[Hidden Scenario Mission: Song of the Stars]
— Sole Objective:
Defeat the projection of "Dream Weaver" residing within your heart.
Current Progress: (0/1)
Reward: [To be revealed upon mission completion]
--+--
"The Dream Weaver... within my heart?"
She murmured the words to herself, her brow furrowing in confusion at the sudden appearance of this hidden quest and the strange way it addressed the figure emerging from the digital corruption.
"Sugar Lights poured every scrap of data she could find regarding Dream Weaver into this system," the projection said, her voice an eerie mirror of her own.
"Born from that data, perhaps I really am the Dream Weaver that exists in the minds of this world's audience."
The inner projection of Dream Weaver raised her hand, studying her fingertips with a detached, clinical focus.
"Powerful, lightning-fast, an incomparable Great Escaper... a peerless red flash galloping across the turf. That is the image the people of this world have of Dream Weaver—the world-class Uma Musume."
She paused, her lips curling into a thin line.
"And, of course, there is the curse of the Arc de Triomphe."
As the figure spoke, the real Dream Weaver noticed subtle differences.
This version of herself, birthed from public perception, possessed features that were sharper, more angular. Her gaze was piercing—no, it wasn't just sharp, it was...
"Hate me for it," the projection whispered, her fingers brushing the corner of her own eye.
"In the hearts of the people, a Dream Weaver who could never conquer the Arc would naturally harbor a deep-seated resentment toward that place."
"If the light of victory hadn't been so blinding, perhaps I would have been branded with a title like 'The Monster of the Arc'?"
"As for my abilities... I suppose they would include a specialized malice toward Arc winners, while simultaneously increasing the damage I deal to them?"
"Speaking of which, aren't you chasing the Arc as well? It seems I'll have to cut down any Uma Musume who dares pursue that dream."
A chilling, razor-edged aura began to bleed from her. This wasn't something a mere virtual diving device should be able to simulate; it was a genuine, suffocating Presence—a Territory of absolute pressure.
"The Divine Blade..."
Dream Weaver breathed the name. In her vision, a blade of shimmering gold and crimson suddenly manifested in the projection's hand.
"A typical G1 race has about eighteen runners."
The projection gently ran her fingers along the edge of the Divine Blade.
"Guess how many G1s I've won."
"And just how many Uma Musume... have I cut down?"
Sensing that familiar, lethal edge, Dream Weaver silently summoned her own blade.
As two nearly identical gold-and-crimson swords appeared in the void, the high-pitched hum of clashing steel seemed to vibrate through the very fabric of the world.
"The Divine Blade is displeased," the projection noted. "She is proud enough to cleave even the gods in two; she won't tolerate another sword exactly like herself in this world."
"Listen... she's screaming to cut you down."
The projection tilted her head, leveling the tip of the Divine Blade at Dream Weaver.
Clang!
The crisp, resonant ring of steel meeting steel echoed through the space the moment she took aim.
"As for who's cutting down whom... isn't it a bit early to be drawing conclusions?"
Dream Weaver raised her own Divine Blade in response. The two identical edges faced off, the sheer pressure of their confrontation threatening to tear cracks into the surrounding digital space.
"Too early?" the projection murmured. "I don't think so."
She gave the Divine Blade a casual flick, slicing through the empty white world.
The void split open amidst a flurry of glitched data as she spoke softly.
"I am the Dream Weaver born from the hearts of the people, the symbol of power in their minds—the true world-class Uma Musume of this era."
"And you? How much of your strength do you even have left?"
As she spoke, a storm of digital noise swept through the space. Before Dream Weaver could react, the world transformed. The void vanished, replaced instantly by a racecourse.
The all-too-familiar track, the roar of the crowd, and the sensation of something landing in her palm, feeling startlingly real—
Raindrops.
"Tokyo Racecourse in the rain. The place where all dreams began."
The projection gazed out at the grey, oppressive curtain of rain, which felt strangely welcoming despite its gloom.
"Your objective is to defeat me, right?"
"Then why don't you take a guess... do I have a mission of my own?"
"Perhaps if I defeat you, I can take over your body outside this pod. I could use my own will to seek my revenge on the Arc once more."
The projection turned and began walking toward the starting gates. Her voice didn't fade with the distance; instead, it rang clearly in Dream Weaver's ears.
"A vengeful wraith crawling out of hell to settle a score with the Arc... what do you think of that title?"
"Honestly? It sounds cool. But unfortunately, that's a title that will never become reality."
Dream Weaver began to walk. With every step, a crimson light flashed from her body. When the light receded, her Racing Silk had manifested.
It was the same sharp military dress uniform inspired by hussar attire, complete with the gold-and-crimson cape and the ornaments of crowns and stars.
As the two stood side-by-side in their full regalia, the sheer weight of their combined presence was enough to crush the will of any ordinary Uma Musume.
Fortunately, there were no other girls here.
What was about to unfold was the most brutal slaughter the turf had ever seen.
When two blades that had both tasted the blood of gods shared the same track, it was destiny that one of them would be snapped in two.
"I will defeat you, clear this nonsensical hidden mission, and take the reward with me to seize the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
"If you truly have that kind of resolve, then prove it to me."
The projection and the real Dream Weaver shared one final look before stepping into their respective gates.
It had all started without rhyme or reason. Dream Weaver didn't know why she had triggered this hidden quest, nor did she understand what this "Inner Projection" truly was.
But she would not lose. She had already resolved to win the Arc.
So, even if the projection across from her really was another version of herself, Dream Weaver would cut her down without mercy.
There is only room for one Uma Musume to win the Arc.
Only one can stand at the summit.
--+--
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.