Seeing the two behind him suddenly form an alliance, Kaeya quickly turned around.
"Hey, don't get any funny ideas. I still have one magic use left."
The moment those words came out, both Cyno and Itto froze.
…Right.
Kaeya hadn't used his magic yet.
If they rushed him and got hit by it, they'd drop to the back instantly.
This wasn't a single race—there were multiple events.
Even if they couldn't get first, they still needed a medal.
No one wanted to risk everything for nothing.
At the same time—
Cyno and Itto exchanged a glance.
Battle intent ignited.
Simple logic:
Take the other down—secure second place.
"Heh."
Itto struck first, swinging his plank like a greatsword.
"I block!"
Cyno reacted quickly, raising his plank to defend and counterattacking immediately.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The audience was dumbfounded.
Why were these two fighting each other?
What about Kaeya?!
No one understood what was happening anymore.
Sumeru and Fontaine players stood up:
"Mondstadt is shameless! Saving magic until now!"
"Exactly!"
Inazuma chimed in:
"Yeah! That's dirty!"
"Heh. It's called strategy."
"Wasn't Cyno doing the same thing?"
"Don't act righteous."
Mondstadt fired back immediately.
Meanwhile—
Bennett's eyes lit up.
This… was prime gossip material.
He stood up eagerly.
"Hmph! Let me tell you—Kaeya's magic is just Summon Ship! What are you all afraid of?"
"…What?!"
"You just exposed us?!"
Mondstadt players panicked.
Was this guy a spy?!
"Bennett, stop talking!"
Albedo reacted instantly, clamping a hand over Bennett's mouth.
This "Big Mouth" punishment was way too powerful!
But it was too late.
Some players had already heard.
Kaveh cupped his hands and shouted:
"What are you afraid of?! Kaeya's magic is Summon Shi—ship—ship—ship—!"
His voice echoed across the stadium.
"Shut up!!!"
Kaeya's face changed drastically.
Too late.
WHAM! WHAM!
Two planks smashed into him simultaneously.
He dropped instantly.
Then—
Cyno and Itto caught up and started beating him mercilessly.
Mondstadt's faces all turned dark.
"Shut Bennett up!"
Even Jean couldn't take it anymore.
Three points—gone, just like that.
Only Diluc looked satisfied.
Watching Kaeya get beaten up?
That felt great.
Not his fault someone else exposed him.
He even glanced approvingly at Bennett being restrained.
"Bennett gets 20% off drinks from now on."
"…He's not even old enough to drink."
"…Then never mind."
Back on the field—
The formation changed again.
Cyno and Itto took the lead.
A large group followed behind.
Kaeya lay at the very back—dead last.
"Come on! Come on!"
The cheering grew louder.
"Gaming! Final lap!"
"Gepard! Final lap!"
"Lycaon, catch up!"
"Arlan, now's your chance!"
It was the final lap.
The decisive moment.
Whoosh!
Everyone accelerated.
Anything they could grab—
They threw forward immediately.
Itto and Cyno were forced to dodge constantly, slowing down.
Final straightaway—
"Sprint!"
At that moment—
Gaming raised his hand.
"Spirit Shield—Activate!"
A green shield enveloped him.
He charged forward, plank in hand.
Anyone in his way—
SMACK!
Knocked down instantly.
Counterattacks?
Completely blocked.
"Whoa!!!"
Liyue erupted.
Now this was strategy.
Save your ability for the final stretch.
Gaming went on a rampage.
Anyone who blocked him got flattened.
"Stop him! Don't let him reach the finish!"
Now everyone united against him.
"Lycaon, trip him!"
"Use the spinning kick!"
Gaming narrowed his eyes.
His shield still had some time left.
As long as he knocked everyone down before it expired—
Victory was his.
He stopped running and planted his stance.
Ready.
Then—
RUMBLE!
The ground beneath him shook violently.
Without warning—
A massive crack split open.
Gaming—and everyone around him—
Fell straight in.
"…Heh."
Gepard calmly walked forward and looked down into the crack.
"Oh? Still holding on?"
Indeed—
They had grabbed onto the edges.
"You… that's dirty!"
"Wait till I get up there!"
"You won't."
Gepard smiled faintly.
He clasped his hands—
The crack began to close.
"Wait—wait—don't do this!"
"Just run! Don't go that far!"
They panicked.
Before, they had only been fighting.
Their stamina wasn't that low.
But this—
Would eliminate them instantly.
"Leave us a chance!"
Gepard shook his head.
"This is total score ranking. Better if you don't get any points."
The crack fully sealed.
As if it had never existed.
Gepard casually put his hands in his pockets—
And walked across the finish line.
No need to run.
[Gepard wins! Gold Medal obtained!]
[All other players eliminated. No silver or bronze awarded.]
"…That was insane."
Lynx stared in disbelief.
Her brother—who no one expected—
Took first place in the most dominant way possible.
"Nice. Three points."
Stelle grinned.
Belobog was off to a strong start.
Cheers erupted.
But—
Bronya shivered.
A bad feeling crept in.
She turned toward the stands.
Every player—
Was staring at Belobog.
Eyes burning.
"…This is bad."
Her heart sank.
Gepard, what were you thinking?!
Winning was fine—
But eliminating everyone?!
Now the entire lobby was going to target them.
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