Challenge

Gasps filled the arena.

"No. No way!"

"Minjun is… winning?!"

But how?

Then, some began to notice.

"Wait… something's off!"

"Ankhbayar's horse, look at its legs! It's slowing down!"

The Roxurun stallion, once full of strength, now seemed unsteady. Its powerful strides turned clumsy, its speed failing.

Ankhbayar tried desperately to regain control.

But it was too late.

Minjun crossed the finish line first.

Silence.

A stunned, horrified silence.

Even King Ikechukwu, who had seen many unpredictable battles, raised an eyebrow.

The Roxurun king's face was stone cold.

The queen beside him clenched her jaw. This shouldn't have happened.

Prince Ankhbayar sat frozen on his horse, disbelief washing over him.

"I… lost?"

The crowd erupted into chaos.

"HOW DID MINJUN WIN?!"

"What happened to Ankhbayar's horse?!"

"He was leading the entire time! This makes no sense!"