As panic surged through her, Kitasan Black couldn't help but glance back again.
At some point, the two seniors, Nakayama Celebration and Toho Lone Wolf, had already been shaken off. Gold Artisan and Deep Impact, on the other hand, were following close behind like shadows.
On the Inner Lane, Gold Artisan's signature golden long hair was no longer light and flowing. It was matted with mud and water, looking far heavier than before.
Yet carrying that weight, the senior's arm swing and strides became even sharper. Every arcing swing cut down the distance between them.
From the Outside Lane came heavier, muffled thuds and waves of mud kicked up in succession. As if coordinating with Gold Artisan, someone there was likewise closing in without pause.
This isn't how it was supposed to go... The thought surfaced in her mind, and Kitasan Black clenched her back teeth hard.
At this point in the race, everything had strayed from the planned "scenario simulation."
She had expected to be locked in a struggle with her pursuers by now, but the pursuit and Pincer Attack from the two top-tier seniors had not only prevented her from entering her ideal situation, but also made it impossible for her to accurately judge when they would catch up.
Worse still, compared to the pre-race projections, her stamina consumption had not changed in the slightest.
The soreness in her muscles was becoming sharper, and the numb ache of Lactic Acid Accumulation had become clearer than ever.
Every push off the ground felt as difficult as turning rusted gears, accompanied by fine, burning stabs of pain.
Yet the moment she noticed all this, she had no time to analyze it. She suddenly realized that the dense pattering her two seniors had been making on the muddy track—just moments ago