If not for her response to earlier competitors and the blatant contrast a bright hide presented to the surrounding rock, a mildly addle-brained Richter might've mistaken Tectus' bulk blocking the cave entrance ahead for a dead end. The booming laughter that met ears rocked him back on his heels upon approaching, and witnessing such a blatant issue to overcome directed claw tips to drum against the smooth stone hugging his neck. With an easy attitude, he searched the area for someplace a Gembound of his size might squeeze through. Part of a whole crowd vying for safe passage and already far behind the most impressive runners, there wasn't any point in rushing when he could ensure a decent finishing place. Those more eager to make an attempt might expose weak spots in her defense that he could learn from.

Despite her best efforts, the Overseer was not an unmovable wall. As a living creature, she shifted about, and each time opened windows of opportunity for someone of his comparatively small stature to slip by. Underneath her was risky since any who dared venture there would likely find themselves crushed by either paw or belly. Above, though providing less often of a chance, seemed the better direction to take if one possessed the agility necessary to soar through a narrow space once it appeared.

Richter waited, nervously drumming his claws against his gemstone, and offered the gargantuan guard a tremulous smile should her eyes catch notice of him amongst the many other participants. Then, spotting a good moment to test his idea, he leaped for the wall just before the cave entrance. Powerful legs slammed against the hard surface and rebounded him toward a gap emerging above an armored shoulder.