After stabilizing her form at the back of the pack, the pressure on Myriad Dreams decreased sharply.
She immediately began the breathing technique taught by the system, adjusting her rhythm and barely managing to stay within reach of the forward group.
"This is bad, Dreams-chan has fallen to the very back!" On the stands, Special Week gripped the railing anxiously.
From an opening Escape to a sudden drop to the rear— this shift in the tide made the hearts of her supporters tighten with worry.
"Myriad-san..." In the audience, Yaeno Muteki unconsciously clenched her skirt, her knuckles turning white from the force.
The race entered the final 1,500 meters, the remaining distance was dwindling.
It was then that Symboli Rudolf finally displayed her majesty as the "Emperor."
"Witness the divine power of the Emperor!"
A powerful Zone expanded instantly, briefly suppressing even the domains of Narita Brian and Maruzensky.
Seeing this, Oguri Cap responded immediately, deploying her own Zone to accelerate.
She had been locked onto Rudolf, the most troublesome opponent on the field, since the very beginning.
Under the shocked gaze of the crowd, Rudolf and Oguri Cap simultaneously overtook the long-time leaders Narita Brian and Maruzensky, launching a sprint toward the finish line at staggering speeds.
Still struggling at the back, Myriad Dreams felt herself fall into a trance.
The simultaneous expansion of multiple legendary Zones created a heavy mental suppression that made every step a struggle.
'Am I going to lose? I can't accept this!'
'I refuse to just give up, especially not by losing this pathetically!'
'And...'
When she caught a glimpse of Yaeno Muteki's worried gaze in the stands, she grit her teeth instantly.
A spark of inspiration flashed through her mind.
'Senior Senbonzakura, I think I understand now.'
'I'm not just running for everyone else, I have to respond to everyone's expectations— I want to stand at the top of Japan, no... at the top of the world!'
At that moment, Myriad Dreams resolutely abandoned the route planned by the system and darted toward the outside track.
"What!?" Hishi Amazon, situated at the rear, widened her eyes in shock.
Myriad Dreams didn't say a word, only screaming in her heart:
'Senior Senbonzakura, please lend me your strength!'
[Power Conversion!]
Senbonzakura's signature move reappeared, instantly converting half of her Power attribute into sprinting force!
Speed: 510 → 810
[Turbo Acceleration]
An ultimate technique once used by Senbonzakura when cornered by Eclipse, in the final stage, the sprinting attribute surges by 500 points!
Speed: 810 → 1310!
In the final few hundred meters, Myriad Dreams became a bolt of lightning, overtaking opponent after opponent.
Even with the combined pressure of multiple Zones weighing on her, nothing could stop this irresistible sprint!
Narita Brian sensed the approaching presence behind her.
The moment she glanced back, Myriad Dreams had already swept past her like a gale.
'So fast! Has she awakened a Zone?'
But Brian was immediately shocked to find that there were no Zone fluctuations coming from her opponent at all.
'Exploding with such speed without a Zone... what kind of monster is she?!'
Myriad Dreams had no time for her opponent's shock. Her eyes were locked forward.
She had already left Maruzensky behind. Now, only Rudolf and Oguri Cap remained, two lengths away.
In the final 200 meters, the distance between the three would not shrink no matter what.
Though for a newcomer like Myriad Dreams, such a result was already excellent, she wasn't satisfied. She wanted to be stronger.
She wanted the championship!
"I've fought this hard, how could I lose to you now!"
"I am! MYRIAD DREAMS!!!!"
At that moment, something in the depths of her soul seemed to tear open and then flourish! A faint purple light radiated from her body.
Finally, her Zone awakened!
[A Dream of a Thousand Layers!]
With her Zone awakened, Myriad Dreams' mind and body were completely immersed in the race, and she drew closer and closer to Rudolf.
But even at the 100-meter mark, she had only narrowed the gap by one length.
The three of them sprinted toward the finish.
All of them grit their teeth until, finally, Myriad Dreams closed the gap to just half a length.
Then, Rudolf crossed the finish line...
"I won!"
Just as Rudolf and Oguri Cap slowed down the moment they crossed the "finish", a slight smile appeared on Myriad Dreams' lips.
"A massive turn of events!!! Symboli Rudolf and Oguri Cap have slowed down simultaneously!"
When the two heard the announcer's voice, they were instantly stunned.
They stared ahead blankly as the scene before them shattered like glass.
The "finish line" was fake, they were still 50 meters away!
"Drown in the dream I have woven!!"
This was precisely the power of Myriad Dreams' Zone: By inducing illusions or creating hallucinations, she could cause others to make a momentary mistake!
Though it was only for a split second, it was enough. Myriad Dreams had already surged past them.
Rudolf and the others tried to accelerate, but it was futile!
Despite their desperate chase, Myriad Dreams was the first to cross the line.
"She's crossed the line! Unbelievable— the biggest dark horse of this year's Winter Cup is the newcomer, Myriad Dreams!!!"
The announcer's voice rang out, signaling that the Winter Cup had finally come to a close.