The Otherworld Version of the Tortoise and the Hare

Heradi reached out his right hand to support his somewhat dizzy head, then struggled to get up from the ground. At that moment, three questions flashed through his mind.

"Who I am?"

Where am I?

What just happened?

Just as Heradi was filled with doubts about the world, a soldier from the Guard Brigade ran up to Heradi and excitedly said, "Brigade Commander, you're finally awake! If you hadn't woken up, we would have had to carry you on our way!"

"Carry me along? Oh right, we're still competing against other people! Johnson, what place are we in now?"

After being reminded by his subordinates, Heradi's memory, which had been clouded by the smoke, finally returned. He hurriedly asked his men about their unit's current performance. Hearing Heradi's question, Johnson stammered for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence. Finally, unable to withstand Heradi's pressure, he pointed to the Magic Crystal display screen on the side and loudly proclaimed, "Brigade Commander, you should see for yourself!"

Heradi released his subordinates and turned his head to the screen on the side. But upon seeing the content on the screen, poor Heradi instantly turned to stone, and was then blown into dust by the night wind.

"Brigade Commander! Brigade Commander, are you alright?"

"Brigade Commander, wake up!"

Seeing Heradi's reaction, everyone in the Guard Brigade, including Johnson, gathered around. They shouted Heradi's name and shook Heradi body, trying to wake Heradi from his unconsciousness. After much effort, Heradi finally awoke.

"What... what's going on? How did our Guard Brigade end up in last place? And how did the Medical Brigade become number one? Can any of you tell me what happened?"

Heradi, his right hand trembling, pointed at the screen and desperately asked his men for details. But no one could answer him; everyone bowed their heads in silence.

"Brigade Commander, what we should be doing right now is catching up with the troops ahead and reclaiming our first place, instead of sighing and complaining here!"

Heradi stared intently at Johnson, who stood before him, earnestly trying to persuade him. He nodded, agreeing with Johnson's assessment. Having shed his dejection and weakness, Heradi broke free from the crowd's support and stood firm on the ground like a javelin. Then he shouted to all the members of the Guard Brigade, "Everyone, shoulder your loads, line up again, and prepare to march! We're going to reclaim what is rightfully ours for first place!"

"Oh!"

Upon hearing Heradi's words, all the soldiers of the Guard Brigade cheered loudly, then quickly tidied their equipment, lined up in formation, and awaited the order to depart.

"Set off!"

As a loud command echoed through the night sky, a long black dragon surged forward under the cover of darkness.

"Boss, the staff stationed at headquarters just reported that Heradi has woken up and is now leading the Guard Brigade in a fierce pursuit!"

Upon hearing Kurelle's report, Sordil outwardly nodded calmly, but his guilt lessened considerably. After all, if he hadn't released the poison gas and knocked the Guard Brigade unconscious, they wouldn't have lost their chance to compete for first place, and they wouldn't be in last place now.

However, rules are rules, and Sordil will not make an exception for the Guard Brigade because of his own reasons. So now he can only pray that Heradi can turn the tide of the battle on his own.

Thinking of this, Sordil turned around and asked Kurelle, "How are the other teams doing?"

"Currently, the leading teams are the Medical Brigade, the Communications Brigade, the Logistics Brigade, and the Reconnaissance Brigade. Following closely behind are the Third Brigade of the First Division, and the 1st and Second Brigade of the Third Division. The three brigades of the Second Division and the two brigades of the Fourth Division are bringing up the rear."

"Hmm! Judging by the time, they should have already started returning to the main camp by now, right?"

"The general is right! According to the report from the staff, the advance troops have reached the Third Wetland and will return to the main camp soon."

"Then let's go to the east gate of the camp and wait for them!"

"Yes!"

After Sordil and his companion left, two Division Commander with heads covered in takoyaki (octopus Maruko) appeared in front of where Sordil had been standing. The last Division Commander shook his head almost imperceptibly, feeling sorry for his two brothers, but also relieved that he had kept the general's 'secret'.

"Brothers, charge! Let's reclaim our first place!"

"Charge!"

Having been forced to rest for a period of time, the Guard Brigade set off again with everyone giving it their all, their marching speed even faster than when they started in the morning. With their desperate pursuit, they quickly caught up with the main force. Seeing hope of shaking off the last-place team, everyone ran even harder, and after a fierce battle, they successfully overtook them, gloriously becoming second to last.

After avoiding punishment, they did not relax, but continued to overtake others at an extremely fast pace.

"Holy crap! Guys, we're in last place! Hurry up and catch up!"

The commander who had been overtaken could no longer remain calm upon seeing this scene. He immediately ordered the troops behind him to launch a charge, hoping to catch up with the troops in front and shake off the title of last place.

One unit after another was overtaken by the Guard Brigade, causing a major commotion among the rearguard. However, few units could achieve a comeback like the Guard Brigade. As a result, the Guard Brigade's ranking steadily improved, from last place to the rearguard, then to the middle and upper ranks, and finally closing in on the vanguard.

"Brothers, charge! Victory is within our grasp!"

"Roar!"

The Guard Brigade, which had been making a remarkable comeback, began its charge towards the vanguard.

"Brigade Commander, the Guard Brigade is catching up!"

"Haha! Heradi has finally arrived! But it won't be so easy for him to overtake us! Tell all the brothers to change the plan, launch an early attack, and reclaim the first place!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving Elkley's order, the adjutant immediately went to relay it.

"Heradi, I'm sorry! I'll take this first place! You can catch up slowly from here!"

As Heradi and Elkley launched their attack, the other three teams in the lead group dared not hold back any longer and all exerted all their strength to charge toward the finish line together.

The battle quickly intensified, with the five teams neck and neck, none willing to relinquish their positions. Finally, relying on their superior stamina, the Reconnaissance Brigade and the Guard Brigade overtook the Logistics Brigade one after the other. Shortly after, the exhausted Reconnaissance Brigade was overtaken by the Guard Brigade, falling to fourth place.

"Brigade Commander Anna, the Communications Brigade is catching up!"

"You all go first, I'll stay here and stop them!"

"Yes!"

Anna gradually slowed down, inching her way to the back of the line. Once the last member of her group had passed, Anna took a key from her purse.

"Open, Gate of Virgo, Virgo!"

"Miss Anna, are you going to punish me?"

"Yes! Your punishment is to dig up this road!"

Because of the urgency of the situation, Anna ignored Virgo's strange words and actions, and went along with her. Virgo happily accepted Anna's 'punishment,' and the road used for marching collapsed while Virgo was enjoying herself. Faced with this unexpected situation, the Communications Brigade, which was closely following the Medical Brigade, unsurprisingly fell into a ditch. After shaking off this tail, Anna leisurely chased after the main force.