Anthony, seeing that Vega was somewhat enjoying herself while engaged in conversation, quietly shifted his gaze away from her and turned his attention to the nineteen other individuals he was about to compete with in the upcoming race. Their faces were marked with varying levels of confidence, happiness, and eagerness, each radiating the anticipation of the adrenaline-filled challenge that lay ahead.

After settling the payment for their cars, Anthony, Ernest, Alicia, and Dave were not immediately introduced to the vehicles themselves. Instead, they were informed that the cars would be prepared only after the participants had made a decision on the type of racecourse they wished to engage in. This procedural delay was not entirely unexpected, yet it only heightened Anthony's curiosity.

Anthony, however, knew absolutely nothing about racing. His prior life had never required him to so much as sit behind the wheel of a vehicle, much less participate in a high-stakes competition involving them. Naturally, he left it to Ernest to brief him on the matter.

"There are two different types of racing," Ernest began, his tone carrying the ease of someone who was no stranger to such contests. "The first is the normal race. In this type, the objective is simple, participants drive towards the finish line, competing only against one another and the relentless ticking of time. There are no unexpected variables, no sudden challenges, just speed, skill, and positioning. The second, however, is obstacle course racing." Ernest's lips curved into a faint smile, as though the latter category carried a special thrill he was eager to share.

"Obstacle course?" Anthony asked, raising an eyebrow in mild confusion. He had never heard of such a thing before. In his past life, no record or mention of obstacle-course racing existed. But this was the Blue Planet, an extraordinary fantasy world that was not solely dependent on technology as Earth was.

In fact, while Blue Planet's technological advancement far surpassed Earth's by centuries, its integration of magic and fantastical elements meant that races here were bound to carry unique twists.

"Yes, obstacle course," Ernest confirmed with a small nod. "In this kind of race, we're thrown into multiple racing scenarios and environments. How many scenarios we'll face isn't something anyone can predict, it unfolds spontaneously, moment by moment, and we discover the course in real time. Now, as for why it's called an obstacle course, that's rather self-explanatory. There are indeed obstacles, some of which can be… surprising, to say the least. But I won't spoil the fun by telling you in advance. Expect the unexpected, it's nothing like your typical race."

Ernest spoke with such enthusiasm and confidence that Anthony found himself intrigued despite his inexperience. He was about to overthink, to analyze the potential dangers and complications that lay ahead, but he quickly forced himself to stop.

Over-analysis was unnecessary here. What he wanted was to experience the element of surprise firsthand and to see exactly what Ernest considered thrilling. His rank and strength meant that obstacles designed for the average competitor might prove trivial for him, yet he still wished to witness the spectacle with his own eyes.

"We'll definitely be choosing the obstacle course racing," Alicia interjected with a smile that radiated excitement. "It's the only one that truly makes your heart race, the thrill, the rush, the pounding of adrenaline coursing through your veins."

Noticing Anthony's contemplative silence, Dave chimed in with reassurance. "Don't worry, you'll understand everything the moment we begin. Words won't do it justice."

As if their decision had been preordained, the group unanimously selected the obstacle course race. Their choice seemed to carry an air of inevitability, as though it was the only form of racing they had ever truly considered. The manager overseeing them showed no sign of surprise. His expression suggested that he had expected this outcome all along.

"Let's go," Ernest said calmly, taking the lead. Everyone followed behind him and the manager, their steps heavy with anticipation. Anthony, still new to all of this, simply trailed behind, observing the subtle confidence of the others while keeping his curiosity alive.

He sent a brief telepathic message to Vega, informing her that he was already on his way out with the other racers. Vega, as usual, was composed in her response, telling him not to worry about her and to simply enjoy himself. Her words, short as they were, carried a certain warmth that gave Anthony a faint sense of ease.

Soon, they arrived at a secluded chamber. To Anthony's surprise, at the center of the room stood a portal, its energy swirling and pulsing with faint light. The other nineteen racers hardly reacted, as though this was nothing out of the ordinary. Clearly, they had experienced this before.

Anthony, however, raised his brows slightly. A portal in a racing facility? That was unexpected. But the thought quickly slipped to the back of his mind. After all, portals were anything but rare on Blue Planet. In this world, such marvels were commonplace.

Stepping through the portal, Anthony was greeted by a drastically different environment. Towering skyscrapers loomed over him, stretching endlessly toward the heavens, while smaller stone, concrete, and glass buildings sprawled outward in all directions. The setting bore the eerie silence of a city abandoned after some great calamity, its lifelessness reminiscent of an apocalyptic scene.

His eyes shifted to the side, and there he saw them, twenty sleek racing cars lined up neatly, identical in size and specifications yet each painted in a distinct color. They gleamed under the artificial light, standing as testaments to advanced craftsmanship and power.

"It looks like the first path ahead will be the Civilization Track," a soft yet confident voice remarked. It belonged to another racer, a young woman named Clara.

"Do you know the specs of these cars?" Dave asked eagerly as he ran a hand along the polished frame of one of the vehicles, admiration in his eyes.

Anthony shook his head, admitting his ignorance. Although he could easily employ his Authority of Information to uncover the details, he refrained, allowing Dave to explain instead.

"These beauties can hit a top speed of 1000 kilometers per hour," Dave explained, his voice brimming with pride. "With an energy boost, from a special explosive mana tank, they can surge to 1300 kilometers per hour. They're fitted with all kinds of modifications and advanced AI systems. I won't bore you with too many details; once you step into the driver's seat, the AI will walk you through everything. It even explains the race rules and any new modifications in case the driver isn't up-to-date."

Anthony listened attentively. In his former life, Earth's technology had never produced cars capable of reaching a thousand kilometers per hour. But here, in Blue Planet, such speed was only the beginning.

Their manager stepped forward then, holding a small box in his hands. Inside were numbered slips ranging from one to twenty. Each racer was instructed to pick one slip at random. The number they drew would determine the car assigned to them.

Though all the vehicles shared identical specifications, there was still a subtle difference, their starting positions. The cars were not aligned perfectly side by side; some stood slightly behind others. But no one seemed concerned. After all, in an obstacle course race, starting at the front did not guarantee any advantage. Position mattered little in the face of chaos and unpredictability.

This was not a traditional race. This was an obstacle course. And in such a race, anything could happen.

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