[ZONE].
A simple enough word.
But Symboli Rudolf could explain it clearly—after all, she herself was an Umamusume who had stepped into the [ZONE]. Many people misunderstood this state, thinking of it as some kind of magical, near-invincible technique. Activate [ZONE], and suddenly you're teleported straight into shonen territory, utterly unstoppable.
Yet, that's not really it.
The best way to describe it was as a state.
A state... of flow.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the renowned psychologist, had coined the term.
It referred to a psychological state of profound immersion. People experiencing flow would resist interruption, their minds hyper-focused and alert, completely absorbed by the task at hand—and in that state, their efficiency soared.
For Umamusume, entering this state was like shattering limits. Their focus sharpened dramatically, their physical capabilities surged, and their very presence radiated a daunting aura. It was an overwhelmingly powerful condition.
Very few could access it.
How few? You could count them off easily. Starting with Maruzensky, followed by Mr. C.B., Symboli Rudolf, Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap, and most recently... Rice Shower. Every single name belonged to an extraordinary Umamusume—one who defined an era. Only those who ran faster than anyone else could ever break through and reach the [ZONE].
And now...
A new name might soon join their ranks: T.M. Opera O.
This young Umamusume had reached this level while running only the Classic Triple Crown races.
Now, the only thing left was time. Only time would tell.
"...She's unbelievable." Even Symboli Rudolf was stunned.
The most astonishing Umamusume of this race had turned out to be T.M. Opera O. Rudolf sifted through her memories about this young competitor. True, Garden Gale had performed admirably, but Rudolf no longer believed she could secure victory. Watching Opera O, she softly sighed.
Who could've guessed this would happen?
It wasn't anyone's fault—her opponent was simply too strong.
She had abandoned all hope because only those who stepped into the [ZONE] could challenge it.
Mr. C.B. noticed the familiar sensation immediately, turning her attention toward Opera O, eyes wide with shock. "She actually activated the [ZONE] directly??? It's just the initial phase, but still—that's incredible!"
"Yes," Symboli Rudolf replied, her expression complicated.
Half of it was regret. Garden Gale's luck really couldn't get worse.
...
Meanwhile, on the track.
…How should one describe this feeling?
The sensation was like having an evil spirit clutching your ankles, desperately dragging your steps, pulling you toward a nightmarish fate like Rashomon. The cold was already severe enough, rain drenching clothes, stealing warmth, yet an even deeper chill penetrated with wrathful malice—like the grotesque rage of a dying ghost, like a horrifying demon that froze the soul.
It engulfed every runner on the field.
My body… so heavy.
My legs… won't move.
…What's happening?
Garden Gale felt it too. She snapped her gaze ahead, spotting Narita Top Road and Admire Vega—both experiencing the same torment. Admire Vega, already unsteady, abruptly dropped back, losing pace entirely.
It was like shackles weighing a hundred pounds.
Every stride burned, as though it consumed her life. Even breathing, once effortless, turned ragged.
Can't breathe…
Hypoxia sapped strength from her already failing body.
Her vision blurred into darkness. Now, it was sheer defiance alone that kept her running.
Garden Gale had no strength left to prepare her [Sky-High Teio Step]. Just maintaining full speed was heroic, battling directly against primal instinct.
T.M. Opera O glided past smoothly, effortlessly surpassing her once again.
She swept away every obstacle before her!
Both Garden Gale and Narita Top Road felt their souls quake at Opera O's demonic final spurt!
STAND PROUD!
For you have the privilege of falling before me, and becoming the first chapter in my tale of supremacy!
...
"ADMIRE VEGA HAS COMPLETELY LOST PACE AND FALLEN BEHIND! NARITA TOP ROAD IS CURRENTLY FIRST, BUT—HERE COMES OPERA O! IT'S OPERA O! T.M. OPERA O SURGES FORWARD ON THE OUTSIDE!"
"THIS UMAMUSUME HASN'T LOST HER DRIVE! SHE'S STILL CHASING VICTORY!"
"NARITA TOP ROAD IS STILL FIGHTING HARD! BUT SHE'S ABOUT TO BE OVERTAKEN! AND GARDEN GALE—HER FINAL SPURT IS BLINDINGLY FAST! SHE'S LEAVING FLASHES OF AFTERIMAGES! YOU CAN ONLY SEE A FLASH!"
The situation had turned critical.
Just 200 meters left…
Garden Gale still couldn't activate her [Sky-High Teio Step]—she had no way to build momentum.
Narita Top Road fought valiantly, but no matter her determination, she couldn't face Opera O head-on.
Just as Rudolf had said—Only the [ZONE] could defeat the [ZONE].
What now?
After all her effort, was she going to hand victory to someone else again?
No—!
Even if overtaken again this time, Garden Gale wouldn't retreat an inch.
She couldn't retreat; retreat meant losing. And Garden Gale hated losing—she refused to endure bitterness and regret again. She wanted victory, absolute victory. She wanted...to create a miracle she'd remember forever.
Then create a miracle you'll never forget.
Do you remember...?
Garden Gale was an Umamusume who easily entered a state of intense focus.
Whether it was self-training or helping Fine Motion film a video, as long as it was challenging yet manageable, she'd immerse herself. And beyond immersion was flow—the [ZONE].
And then there was her unique skill, [Chameleon], endlessly changing like the creature it was named after, capable of mimicking virtually anything.
If you have no weapon... steal someone else's!
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Garden Gale deliberately forgot everything, forcing herself into pure focus.
Forget the discomfort dragging her down, forget the illusion of inevitable defeat. Forget… everything. Consciously, all that remained was imitation. She vividly recalled how Opera O had felt just moments ago—so earnest, so dazzling, like a fleeting firework lighting up the night sky, as brilliant and vast as a coastal festival bursting into bloom.
What [Chameleon] could mimic wasn't just running styles.
There as no path forward? Then make one, and let courage guide your steps.
Fight as if cornered; tomorrow always comes.
When tomorrow arrived, the sun would rise as usual.
And so... imitating T.M. Opera O, Garden Gale effortlessly stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the state called—
[ZONE].
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T/N: hehehe sorrgeee well not really but i actually forgot about webnovel LMAOOOO anyway heres ur 4 chapssss
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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