She hadn't noticed at all.
Somehow, Green Grass had already moved behind her.
The assassin's palm, carrying a cold, murderous intent, drew near in silence.
Though it was meant to experience Green Grass's skills, once the race began, the girl hadn't gone all out from the start.
Even so, there was no way she should have failed to detect the other's approach so completely.
That dusky figure seemed to slip through the edges of her vision, moving in ways the eye couldn't quite catch.
Lurking in the shadows, the green assassin of the racecourse reached out with her dagger.
A surprise assault!
It was like a torch had been lit in her mind, fierce flames roaring to life.
No one had ever made her feel like this before.
This was a struggle between life and death.
So, training with the seniors really was the right call!
Staying behind her, sticking close to her body.
Those sky-blue eyes were fixed intently on her.
All traces of timidity and hesitation were gone; Green Grass's sharp gaze was filled with a relentless desire for victory.
She was no longer the caring senior who looked out for her juniors off the track.
Now, she was an assassin stalking the racecourse, one who wouldn't hesitate to sink her dagger into a rival for the sake of victory!
A palpable chill crept over her neck.
The dusky figure pressed close against her, impossible to shake off.
Trapped like prey, the girl found herself held fast in the other's embrace, unable to move.
The pressure…
It felt like a massive boulder was crushing her chest, her whole body growing heavy, dense as concrete.
The sound of breathing from behind drew closer and closer.
Her arms, her legs, her ankles—every part of her felt shackled by unyielding chains.
A fear named 'Domination' spread throughout her entire being.
She was caught!
Every part of her, every limb, was held firmly in the other's grasp.
She struggled, and the chains rattled with a clear, 'clink-clink-clink' sound.
That dusky figure, holding the dagger, advanced toward her without hurry.
So this is it…
Is this how Manhattan Cafe felt back then?
The despair of being powerless to resist, the helplessness of being turned into a corpse.
Chilly air flooded her lungs, steadily sapping the girl's body heat; she could feel her very blood slowly draining away with each movement of the dagger.
Green Grass's unique technique created an almost tangible aura that steadily wore down the stamina of the prey in her grasp.
How… thrilling!
A sensation utterly different from an ordinary race!
To be seen as an enemy that must be eliminated!
Stalk, kill—all for the sake of vanquishing this one powerful rival, an ultimate technique born for that sole purpose.
Her eyes flew wide, golden pupils blazing with a starlight brilliance.
The chains restraining her creaked and groaned, as if battered by a sudden, violent storm.
Even Green Grass, behind her, was forced back a step by the force of that tempest.
Then, a sharp 'crack!' echoed.
The sturdy chains were shattered by that black-clad body.
Thud!
Dust kicked up from the ground.
The prey that had been firmly in the assassin's grasp had broken free through sheer, overwhelming power.
The chains were destroyed.
The gap between the two widened once more.
What is this!?
Green Grass's heart jolted in shock.
She watched, stunned, as that ineffable black shadow standing before her used her monstrous claws to swat the dagger aside.
An attack that seemed certain to land had found only empty air!
After a brief moment of surprise, Green Grass adjusted her breathing, recalibrating her stance.
Different…
This is completely different!
This earth-shaking change in Manhattan Cafe.
Those streamlined legs stretched with an astonishing range of motion.
She vaulted over the traps the assassin had laid, crushing everything in her path beneath her feet.
Each step made Green Grass's chest tremble!
'Bring the strength you use in official races, hold nothing back—'
Those words had been a challenge thrown down to her.
This was the racecourse, but it was also a battlefield.
Two killers stood upon it; one of them would inevitably fall by the blade.
Eyes narrowing, Green Grass lowered her stance, planted her feet firmly, and began to accelerate.
I will never let my prey escape so easily.
I swear it on my name as an assassin!
The sharp blade closed in again, its edge pricking her skin.
The sound of ragged breaths hung in the air.
Her golden pupils contracted smaller and smaller.
Her enemy was behind her.
In that shadowy blind spot, the place no one could perceive.
Listen… that's her blood, that's her heart!
Sensing others isn't just about sight!
Hearing, touch, smell—countless senses worked frantically as she ran.
That invisible figure grew clearer and clearer in the black-haired girl's mind.
Clearer still!
Gradually, she could see that imperceptible form slowly reaching out with its dagger toward her.
Green Grass-senpai.
The girl thought.
I understand it now...
An 'assassin' is one who focuses their entire attention completely on their opponent.
Leaving no opening!
Clink—!
The dagger let out a clear, sharp sound as it was knocked from Green Grass's hand.
The girl wore a stunned expression.
The unarmed prey was now holding a gleaming, sharp blade, having parried the attack.
Those golden eyes flicked toward her.
Thump!
Her heart clenched tight.
A sharp, piercing sensation stung Green Grass's face.
The exact same feeling she gave others!
An Assassin!
She knew all too well—her opponent had now focused her entire attention completely on her.
Every breath, every heartbeat, all of it was laid bare.
Clatter—
Somehow, chains had already tightly bound her limbs.
How is this possible! To be so completely targeted—!
She's right in front of me! How did she manage to focus her attention behind her!?
This was the first time Green Grass had felt what it was like to have a blade slowly, steadily turned against her.
I believe… this is how you do it…
The golden eyes watched her without any emotion.
Under that indifferent gaze, the girl swung her arm.
A sharp blade sliced across Green Grass's throat.
Blood sprayed.
Her stamina drained away rapidly with her blood.
Slowly, Green Grass could no longer keep up with that black figure ahead.
She gradually slowed, kneeling on the ground, gasping for air.
It's over…
Her stamina was completely gone; she had no strength left for another burst.
This race… she had lost.
Could it be that she can learn my technique just by sensing it?
Can an Uma Musume like that really exist?
Green Grass could hardly believe it.
In just two races, she had reached such a level.
What a terrifying talent.
After putting distance between herself and Green Grass, the black-haired girl stopped under a streetlamp.
Only then did she snap back to reality, looking toward the training ground.
"Green Grass-senpai, are you okay?" the black-haired girl called out urgently.
Rubbing her neck, Green Grass sighed and stood up again.
"I'm fine," she replied. "Just now… I was just a little tired…"
Walking over to the girl, she asked, "So, was I able to help you?"
"Yes." The black-haired girl clenched her fist. "Just now, I finally took a step forward to the next level."
She had briefly entered a state of extreme focus.
That feeling was truly… beyond words.
It was as if the whole world had shrunk to just her and Green Grass.
"Thank you, Green Grass-senpai."
The black-haired girl bowed her head. "It's thanks to your help that I was able to improve."
After receiving her junior's gratitude, Green Grass sniffled twice, then burst into tears.
"Waaah! I'm so glad I could help you! I've finally become a senior who can be thanked by her juniors! Seeing you grow makes me so happy! Congratulations—!"
Watching Green Grass pull out a handkerchief and continuously wipe her tears.
Manhattan Cafe really does have a hard time getting along with her, huh.
--+--
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.