Standing on the stage, Valerius watched the interactions below and almost burst out laughing.
He had been wondering whether Kafka might sabotage the runners at a critical moment—but instead, she got sealed by Shenhe before the race even began.
That aside, it also made him realize—
Shenhe might be terrifyingly strong in this game.
As long as she believed something worked, others would immediately suffer for it.
"Ahem."
He clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, you've heard the rules. Now, we begin the first event—Hot-Blooded Obstacle Race. Please watch the VCR."
With a snap of his fingers, the stadium's giant screen lit up.
Two athletes stood at the starting line, ready.
"Oh, just running? Easy. Leave it to me."
Kaeya grinned. This was his specialty.
"You?"
Diluc glanced sideways at him. "Know your limits." This kind of event should obviously be handled by him.
Cyno: "I can do it."
Arataki Itto: "A trivial game! Leave it to me!"
Stelle: "Hmph, I'll show you real speed."
Xiao: "I'll go."
Arlan: "I'm confident."
Across all factions, those confident in their speed stepped forward eagerly.
Bang!
The starting gun fired.
The two runners shot forward like arrows.
Then—
One suddenly leapt up and delivered a spinning kick, sending the other crashing to the ground before sprinting ahead.
"Wait, what?! That's assault!"
"This is… running?!"
"This doesn't look right at all!"
The one who got kicked slowly got back up, then slammed into an obstacle.
Crash!
The barrier shattered into pieces.
He grabbed the largest chunk, hurled it forward—
Smack!
The leader took a hit to the back of the head and collapsed instantly.
The second runner overtook him with ease.
"What kind of race is this?!"
"They're actually fighting!"
Soon, one of them collapsed from exhaustion.
A whistle blew.
The other was declared the winner.
"…Huh?"
"You don't even need to reach the finish line?!"
Everyone was stunned.
The video ended.
"Alright," Valerius smiled, "you can now select your participants. Remember—one male and one female."
Now they understood.
This wasn't a race.
This was a battlefield.
Mondstadt Camp—
Diluc slapped Kaeya on the shoulder.
"Go on. We trust you to carry out this glorious mission."
"Get lost! Why don't you go?"
This was basically volunteering to get beaten up!
"You signed up earlier."
"Yes, you did."
Albedo chimed in calmly.
"I… damn it…"
Kaeya was speechless.
How was he supposed to know it was this kind of race?!
"Kaeya, we're counting on you."
Jean nodded decisively, then turned to the women.
"Who will go?"
"Nope!"
Everyone shook their heads immediately.
Who would willingly sign up to get kicked across a track?!
"I suggest Amber. She's fast."
At the critical moment, Eula sold Amber out without hesitation.
"…Excuse me?!"
Amber stared in disbelief.
Are we even friends?!
"And don't forget—you have magic now."
"That's right! You can fly!"
"…Still no."
Amber shook her head.
Her magic wasn't stable yet.
What if she got kicked mid-air?!
"Then why not Klee? She has dimensional portals."
A chop landed on Amber's head.
"Are you serious right now?!"
"…Fine."
Defeated, Amber agreed.
Klee absolutely could not go—who knew what those lunatics would do to her.
After a chaotic round of arguing, all factions finally selected their participants.
"Alright, male competitors, head to the starting line."
Valerius waved, then walked forward with the signal gun.
"Go, Itto! Show them the pride of the Oni!"
Ayato patted Itto's back confidently.
"Hahaha! Just watch, my friend!"
If there was one person who wasn't afraid—
It was Arataki Itto.
A fight? Bring it on.
Meanwhile—
Alhaitham leaned toward Cyno.
"Remember—run when you see the smoke, not when you hear the gun."
"I know."
Cyno rolled his eyes.
Did he really look that dumb?
At the starting line—
Participants:
Mondstadt: Kaeya
Liyue: Gaming
Inazuma: Arataki Itto
Sumeru-Fontaine: Cyno
Belobog Alliance: Gepard
Penacony Coalition: Arlan
Zenless Zone Zero: Lycaon
Bang!
The gun fired.
"Attack Speed Boost!"
Cyno instantly surged forward—
But—
"HAHA!"
Itto roared, activating his buff and blasting past him into first place.
"Holy crap, he's fast!"
"Itto, unstoppable!"
"Lycaon, catch up! Hit him!"
"Gaming, don't rush—wait for your moment!"
"Kaeya, trip him! Use your legs!"
The cheering squads erupted—
Though their advice was… questionable.
Running second, Cyno glanced back, then forward at the obstacles.
If he could grab one—
He'd take Itto down immediately.
But Itto was already ahead.
He smashed through a barrier, grabbed a wooden plank—
"I'm sending you flying!"
He jumped, spun—
And hurled it straight at Cyno.
Too fast.
Too sudden.
Cyno barely reacted—
Smack!
The plank hit him square in the face.
"…What?"
He fell backward, stunned.
Everyone else rushed past him.
"Wow! That was amazing, Itto!"
Ayato was impressed.
Who knew Itto would strike first so decisively?
By the time Cyno got back up—
He was dead last.
"Heh… just you wait."
His eyes burned with fury.
You dared to hit me first?
Let's see how long you last.
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