Blasting past the finish line, Orfevre didn't have a moment to spare for thoughts of victory or defeat. Right now, all she wanted to know was why Dream Weaver had said those words to her in the final stretch of the race.
But just as Orfevre turned to seek out Dream Weaver and demand an explanation, she realized she was nowhere in sight.
At that moment, she noticed the cheers from beyond the racetrack were also beginning to fade.
An intense sense of unease gripped Orfevre's heart. Squinting through the curtain of rain, she strained to catch a glimpse of Dream Weaver—when suddenly, a crimson streak flashed at the corner of her eye.
Instinctively, Orfevre turned her head, only to find Dream Weaver still racing down the track.
As if the race hadn't ended yet.
--+--
Dream Weaver's body continued to run on instinct, but her soul could no longer hear the roaring cheers echoing through the Tokyo Racecourse.
When she no longer felt the tap of raindrops on her shoulders, Dream Weaver opened her eyes.
She had returned to that world of darkness.
Sure enough, the moment that thought formed, the familiar mechanical voice rang in her ears.
[Main Quest Completed. Calculating Rewards.]
As the system's voice spoke, a semi-transparent blue screen unfolded before Dream Weaver's eyes.
--+--
[Scenario Quest: The Tale of the Countryside Uma Musume]
[Quest Completed]
[Quest Evaluation: A+
Description: Like a meteor streaking across the night sky, you've proven the potential of local Uma Musume with your story, showing everyone that the spotlight on this racetrack doesn't belong only to the elite.]
[A+ Evaluation Reward: 7000 SP + Skill Enhancement Coupon]
[Special Item Unlocked]
--+--
Looking over the mission results, Dream Weaver compared it inwardly with her last scenario quest settlement.
Last time, her evaluation was A-grade, netting her 5000 SP. This time, with an A+ evaluation, she gained an extra 2000 SP.
The item, though, was still the same as before.
She couldn't help but wonder how this rating system worked. Last time, she'd only won one G1 race, the Satsuki Sho. This time, she'd seized two crowns of the Triple Crown classics.
Did winning each G1 race improve the evaluation? Or was there some special connection between these two titles?
She couldn't be sure for now, but it didn't really matter. As long as she kept undertaking scenario quests, she'd figure it out eventually.
Setting the question aside, Dream Weaver silently called up the inventory screen, curious about the effects of the two remaining items from this scenario quest.
With a thought, the screen before her switched views. Scanning it, she saw two unfamiliar item icons had indeed appeared in her inventory.
She first focused her gaze on one that looked like a medal.
--+--
[Tidal Roar Badge]
[Description: A powerful Uma Musume can stir anticipation in people's hearts, summoning cheers that surge like tidal waves. This badge is proof of an Uma Musume building immense popularity from nothing, representing a legendary tale.
While possessing this badge, if the Uma Musume's popularity ranks low before a race, her speed will slightly increase—the lower the popularity, the greater the boost.
If her popularity ranks high before a race, her power will slightly increase—the higher the popularity, the greater the effect.]
[Badge-type items do not need to be equipped; effects are active as long as they are in the inventory.]
Note: "Oh righteous Uma Musume, lend me your strength!" —A certain Uma Musume shouted, raising her hands to the sky.]
--+--
Dream Weaver drew a sharp breath after reading the description. As expected of a reward from a main quest. Unlike the Challenger's Badge, which required a powerful opponent, the Tidal Roar Badge's effects could trigger in almost any race.
It was as if the expectations of the crowd had transformed into tangible power.
Remembering that the main quest's requirement was to gain the audience's recognition, Dream Weaver felt a new appreciation for this item.
But she didn't dwell on it for long, soon turning her attention to the other item.
--+--
[Adverse Current Banner]
[Description: Race conditions aren't always smooth sailing. This is a reward for Uma Musume who have overcome harsh weather and track conditions. While possessing this item, endurance will be moderately increased during races held in adverse conditions.]
[Badge-type items do not need to be equipped; effects are active as long as they are in the inventory.]
Note: "The world of the racetrack is so vast, yet so cruel." —A certain blonde Uma Musume mused around a lollipop.]
--+--
Races in poor conditions naturally drained more stamina, so having an item that provided an endurance boost in such circumstances made sense.
Though it couldn't compare to the Tidal Roar Badge, Dream Weaver wasn't disappointed. After all, one was a main quest reward, and the other was a milestone reward—it was only natural they'd differ in strength.
Just as Dream Weaver finished reviewing the items, the cold mechanical voice sounded again.
[Please select the attributes to carry over to the real world.]
The moment the voice faded, the inventory screen before her switched to the status panel.
--+--
[Uma Musume Training System — Scenario Panel]
Character: Dream Weaver
Speed: A [Legendary] [Break Limit]
Stamina: B [Elite] [Locked]
Power: B [Elite] [Locked]
Guts: S [Crown] [Break Limit]
Wit: B [Elite] [Locked]
Affinity: Turf A, Dirt C
Zone: [Cursed Blade/Murasame]
Skills: Intuition (Purple), Phoenix (Blue), Endurance (White)
[Kindling Flame (Purple)]
[Description: Having repeatedly broken through her limits on the boundary between life and death, this Uma Musume has gradually mastered a method to enhance her abilities. By expending vitality, all attributes are greatly enhanced.]
--+--
Looking at this newly appeared skill, Dream Weaver couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. She never expected that would crystallize into a skill—and a purple one at that, just like Tokyo Swift.
After staring at the panel for a long moment, she finally spoke.
"System, if I don't choose to carry over the attributes after breaking limits, will the break limit itself remain?"
[It will remain.]
Hearing that, Dream Weaver breathed a sigh of relief. Her speed was already at B-rank. Rather than pushing it to A, she thought it better to raise her other weaker attributes to B first.
After a moment's thought, she spoke again.
"Carry over my power attribute."
With that, Dream Weaver closed her eyes. Having experienced a scenario settlement once before, she knew what was coming next—and she was eager to see the future of everyone at Kasamatsu Tracen.
[Entering the future of the scenario world.]
As the system's words faded, Dream Weaver once again lost consciousness.
--+--
T/N: Bros like Twilight Song, but lowkey worse cause bro doesn't discriminate to the Mejiro family, its on sight fr
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.