[Race completed. Skill has been automatically disabled.]
[Detected host victory in debut race. System officially bound.]
[Optional quest updated: Winner’s Stage]
[Quest Reward: None]
Twilight Song’s expression darkened imdiately.
What did that an? So, the system only beca official after winning her debut race? If she’d spent her lifespan and still lost, she’d have ended up with no system and just a one-year countdown to death?
And what about this optional quest—[Winner’s Stage]? You couldn’t even toss in a piece of candy?
Even a cheap lollipop would’ve done!
Amid the thunderous cheers shaking the stands, Twilight Song rely lifted her gaze briefly to take in the sight, then turned away without hesitation, heading into the dark tunnel leading off the track.
[Oh? If I gave you a cheap lollipop now, would you climb up and dance on the Winner’s Stage?]
Wouldn’t that obviously make sense?
I wouldn’t do it even if you gave a whole box of Alpenliebe candies.
[Why not? There’s nothing bad about the Winner’s Stage.]
True, there wasn’t anything bad about it. But for her, going up wasn’t necessary—or rather, not stepping onto that stage was very necessary.
Do you think there are any Uma Musu who’d refuse the Winner’s Stage?
[Well, obviously, there aren’t.]
"Exactly. Then wouldn’t a legendary Uma Musu who never stood on that stage seem particularly unforgettable and unique?"
Especially if she died spectacularly on the track at the very mont she reached legend status.
Twilight Song could’ve sworn she heard a sharp intake of breath.
[Huh? So, you’re going to refuse the Winner’s Stage just so people will rember you more distinctly?]
"Isn’t that enough?"
Isn’t that enough? Of course it was. If it ant the na "Twilight Song" would remain etched in Uma Musu history, then so be it.
A year was terribly short, but if her na and story could remain forever recorded...
Then, in the history of Uma Musu, wouldn’t her "life" be incredibly long?
It would at least dispel so of the lingering gloom.
[You really are an irrationally rational lunatic. Fine, fine. By the way, don’t you want to check your remaining ti?]
Without hesitation, Twilight Song obediently opened her status panel—this mysterious voice never spoke without reason, and she knew that well.
[Twilight Song | Remaining Lifespan: 362 days, 15 hours, and exactly 21 seconds.]
What’s going on...?
[Exactly 20 seconds.]
Normally, she should still have 365 days, right? Even if she’d activated her [Skill], it was just double consumption—no matter how she calculated it, that short race shouldn’t have cost her that much ti.
[Exactly 19 seconds.]
An overwhelming wave of exhaustion hit Twilight Song without warning. Her entire body suddenly felt formless, threatening to collapse.
Thankfully, she’d been leaning against the wall, which prevented her from crashing straight onto the floor.
[See, why were you in such a rush back there? You thought having a year ant you’d simply vanish after the last second? That’s not how it works.]
[Exactly 15 seconds.]
[Your one-year countdown ans you only have a year left before your terminal illness claims your life. That’s how it is.]
But... even so, it shouldn’t have drained this much lifespan, right?
Twilight Song lowered her eyes, teeth gritted as she forced herself to tear her gaze away from the panel, which seed almost welded to her vision.
Exactly 12 seconds...
[Seriously, why are you suddenly being so stupid? Okay, let put it more bluntly. You’re basically a terminal patient. You should’ve been resting quietly to preserve your lifespan.]
In other words...
[Exactly. One year was your maximum theoretical lifespan, achievable only by diligently resting and following dical advice.]
Twilight Song closed her eyes in agony. Unable to support herself any longer, she slid awkwardly down the wall and collapsed onto the ground, trembling all over as she leaned forward.
An invisible hand gripped her heart tightly, accompanied by a sickening sweetness rising in her throat.
[See? Racing naturally consus your already limited lifespan. It literally burns your life away, just like your Skill’s na suggests.]
...
[No reply? Then I’ll keep talking. Admit it, you’re actually terrified of dying, right?]
[Even your desperate desire to keep racing is just your way of trying to escape that fear by convincing yourself you’ll live forever through history.]
...?
She should’ve snapped back at this annoyingly provocative voice.
Yet, her body felt impossibly heavy, and words failed her. Rather, it wasn’t just her body refusing to speak—it was her mind that could find no argunt.
Who wouldn’t fear death?
Who wouldn’t fear death?!
[How about quietly enjoying your last monts in this world, like a peaceful plant? Perhaps you can find friendship here—this is the 2D paradise so many people dream of, after all.]
No need.
[Really? It must be hard being alone.]
That still doesn’t matter.
Make friends, get attached, and then suddenly spit blood and die? Such cruelty would be unforgivable.
No. Quietly burning alone, becoming a legend rembered by everyone—wasn’t that enough? After all, it wasn’t as though she had a choice, right?
The cold reality was she’d die in about a year anyway.
Slowly, painfully, Twilight Song rose again, leaning heavily against the wall as she headed toward the exit.
[Are you really okay with this? You’ll have nobody left. Nothing but empty cheers from faceless fans.]
"Don’t I still have you?"
Not that it mattered either way, but at least this voice was qualified as soone to chat with.
[Oh, actually, I’m about to leave. My ti here is up.]
...
...What?
[Hmm—think of as a tutorial guide. You’ll only see once in your entire life.]
"Oh... then leave. You can go now."
Indecision only caused more trouble. If it was just silence, she’d bear it.
[How heartless... I’ll look forward to the day you regret this. Oh well, until next lifeti, then?]
Next lifeti? Would she even have a next lifeti? Hah.
Still, at least say goodbye properly.
"Well then—farewell forever."
Echoing footsteps accompanied her slow movents forward. Twilight Song kept walking until she reached the last turn, standing frozen at the entrance to a dimly lit corridor.
"Still here?"
"You really left, huh..."
No response. It was real, after all. What kind of ga tutorial would lie?
Now she truly had to start learning how to appreciate her brief life alone.
Rember, Twilight Song: For soone about to die, loneliness is the best companion.
Don’t even dare hope for friendship.
Turning down the hallway, stepping onto the stairs, Twilight Song took a deep breath despite the lingering pain in her chest. She forced down the weakness and bitterness caused by her illness, standing tall once again.
Just go. At least return to your place first, then—
Start preparing for the next race.
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