Digital Hackers' Memories

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Scythe of Deletion

boom!

Seeing that Arkadimon was completely engulfed by the beam cannon, the Phantommon, whose hair stood on end, finally breathed a sigh of relief and then turned its gaze to Ryuji Mishima not far away.

However, Ryuji Mishima, who came into view, did not show any fear or worry. Instead, he looked at the beam of light shooting into the sky with an eerie calm.

【Varied……】

Instinctively realizing something was wrong, the Armored Dragonmon was about to retreat away from this dangerous place when it saw that the Arkadimon, which had been engulfed by the beam cannon, actually cleaved the cannon in two and pounced on it like a hunting mantis.

During this process, the beam cannon that shot into the sky seemed to have a real physical form, and was directly cleaved into countless data fragments by Arkadimon.

This ability to ignore external appearances and directly attack the essence of data is precisely what Arkady calls the most terrifying aspect.

Arkadimon, a cursed Digimon created by humans based on the data of various Digimon, possesses the unique ability to grow by absorbing the data of its opponents.

Its most unique feature is its ability to directly attack and touch the essence of data, decomposing and deleting all data it can access.

Obviously, no matter how powerful the Phantommon's beam cannon is, it is just data in this pure EDEN network world, and as long as it is data, it can be touched and destroyed by Arkadimon.

Worse still, after slicing through the light cannon, the cold and mechanical Arkadimon appeared in front of Armored Dragonmon, its scythe-like arms slashing towards its opponent.

tear...

Caught off guard, the mecha dragon only had time to turn around and dodge, taking the slash with minimal cost to its shoulder.

—The Scythe of Deletion!

Under Arkadimon's blade, Pyramidmon's body manifested in its most essential data form, and the wound revealed countless pixelated patterns.

This is not normal, because unless they suffer a life-threatening injury, Digimon rarely have real wounds in the data world.

After all, Digimon are just components of data in the data world, unlike in the real world where they have a materialized structure like "pseudo-proteins".

In other words, even though it only took the blow to its shoulder, the Mechdramon was still critically injured and on the verge of death.

This is what makes Arkadimon so terrifying: every attack it makes directly targets the essence of data. "Touching it will injure you, touching it will kill you" is not even an adjective for it.

"Is this Arkadimon's ability?"

After retreating several steps until it was out of danger, the Mech Dragon Beast stared in disbelief at the wound on its shoulder that was slow to heal.

When it comes to simply healing itself from injuries, the MechDragon is undoubtedly an expert in this area.

Back when he evolved from EarthGreymon into MetalGreymon, his body was already shattered from a battle with Mugendramon.

In a recent battle against SwordGreymon, MetalGreymon severely injured its opponent at the cost of having one of its arms severed.

Having survived two serious injuries, MetalGreymon understands the nature of Digimon's self-healing better than other Digimon, and possesses a stronger self-healing ability than ordinary Digimon.

However, now, the Armored Dragonmon discovers that even if it uses extreme methods such as "resetting data" and "backup restoration" to repair the wound, the wound that was severely injured by Arkadimon still exists.

This feeling is as if Arkadimon's attack directly erased the concept of "Machinedramon's shoulder".

This means that no matter how the mecha dragon beast restores or resets its wounds, it is impossible to repair something that "did not exist in the first place".

......................................................................................................

"..."

Even more surprised than the Armored Dragon Beast, although his mind had been corrupted by Arkadimon, Ryuji Mishima's wisdom and judgment were not affected in the slightest.

In Ryuji Mishima's memory, this was the first time a Digimon had directly withstood Arkadimon's attack without being turned into data fragments and absorbed by it.

"Does this Digimon know hacking techniques?"

With his eyes slightly closed, Ryuji scanned the wounds of the mecha dragon beast and quickly came to his conclusion.

For most Digimon, Arkadimon's ability to directly attack the essence of data is indeed difficult to resist.

However, in the eyes of a Digimon with hacking skills, resisting program-level "deletion" is troublesome, but not impossible.

In a sense, which of the apps that can continue to exist online today doesn't have the ability to evade the deletion and shredding functions of antivirus software?

As a form of artificial intelligence that goes beyond ordinary programs, it's quite common for Digimon to develop similar abilities once they've been exposed to hacking techniques.

With this in mind, Ryuji quickly opened a virtual screen interface in front of him and began to hack into the digital core of the Jaegermon using hacking techniques.

"madman!"

Upon realizing this intrusion, the mecha dragon beast muttered a curse under its breath.

Infiltrating a Digimon as a human tests not only the intruder's skills, but also their courage and audacity.

After all, as the carrier of mental data, Ryuji was essentially opening up his own avatar to Phantommon when he invaded the Digimon.

Given the examples of Yu Nogi and Ryuji Mishima, if the MetalGreymon wanted to, it could also parasitize any human avatar in its Digimon form.

In other words, Ryuji Mishima's current behavior is less about creating an opportunity for Arkadimon and more about actively courting death.

Is he... courting death?

Upon realizing this, the mecha dragon beast felt a tremor in its heart, as if it understood the significance of Long Si's actions.

Arkadimon did indeed evoke Ryuji's negative emotions and use them to manipulate him, but the real Ryuji was not unaware of this.

Perhaps it was to realize the strangeness of Arkadimon, or perhaps it was to prevent being influenced by the dark side and doing something that would lead to lifelong regret...

When faced with the unusual Digimon Armordramon, Ryuji Mishima instinctively resorted to the most drastic and dangerous method: self-destruction.

At that time, regardless of whether Arkadimon or Pyramidmon wins, they will inevitably use Ryuji Mishima's body as the new battlefield, where they will check and balance each other.

Of course, it would be even better if both could perish together.

In short, Ryuji Mishima's move to open up his avatar is extremely attractive to any Digimon with hacking skills and an understanding of the human world.

The only thing Ryuji Mishima didn't consider was that Phantommon wasn't a real Digimon, but a human disguised as a Digimon.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Arkadimon - Champion Stage

boom!

Just as Arkadimon and Armored Dragonmon were facing off, a sudden loud noise came from the jump point.

Immediately afterwards, the zombie Satan Beast, which had also traversed the data torrent to reach the Broken Copper and Scrap Iron Park, appeared and immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

"what?"

The zombie Satan Beast clearly sensed the eerie atmosphere at the scene, and then it noticed the Arkadi Beast, which was eerily quiet.

As a fully evolved form bred by humans, ZombieSatanmon may not know what Arkadimon is, but it instinctively sensed the dangerous aura emanating from the other.

Especially when it saw the severely injured shoulder of the Mech Dragon Beast and its ever-vigilant gaze, the Zombie Satan Beast immediately turned around and prepared to leave this dangerous place.

As for the task assigned by Keisuke's avatar?

According to the prediction of the zombie Satanmon, Nogi Yu should have already noticed that her terminal has been hacked and has most likely logged into the EDEN network.

In this situation, even if that unknown person wanted to continue influencing Nogi Yu's judgment, they would have to get Nogi Yu's consent first.

On this point, the zombie Satan Beast was convinced that even if his partner's dark side was brought out, he would never harm him.

The tacit understanding between Digimon and their partners has long since evolved into a relationship akin to that of family through their daily interactions.

Unfortunately, while the zombie Satanmon's idea was good, the Arkadimon, which had already noticed it, wouldn't let it go so easily.

Ryuji Mishima wants to take revenge on everything that drove him to despair, while Arkadimon needs to absorb enough data to further transform and grow...

This is the key reason why Arkadimon targeted, or rather, why Ryuji Mishima was targeted by Arkadimon.

In fact, as early as when the JUDE organization first attacked the Valhalla server, Arkadimon had already noticed the attack team, which was composed entirely of humans.

Even though the opponent ultimately failed to penetrate the core area of ​​the Valhalla server due to the protection of Knightmon, they were ultimately defeated.

However, the outstanding qualities displayed by these human hackers gave Arkadimon, who was still in the Digi-Egg stage, hope, so it placed its "hope of escape" on them.

Especially the leaders, Sanada Shin, Mishima Ryuji, and Imai Chitose, if I were to use them as hosts, I would definitely transform and grow at an astonishing speed.

With this in mind, Arkadimon waited patiently for the right moment, for a chance to escape.

Years later, while Ryuji Mishima was grappling with self-doubt due to Chitose's death, Arkadimon finally managed to persuade him to release himself and, with the help of Cyberdramon's data, evolved into the Rookie stage.

Arkadimon can be described as a Digimon born in response to Ryuji Mishima's wish, and also as an evil god born by devouring data and unifying all things.

Absorb, destroy, and then regenerate...

This is Arkadimon's most primal and original nature.

Therefore, with the battle against Pyramidmon at a stalemate, Arkadimon needs the massive data of Zombiemon to further transform and evolve.

......................................................................................................

tear...

Just like before, a scythe powerful enough to tear through the air appeared in front of the zombie Satan Beast in an instant, like the scythe of death, intending to reap its life.

Arkadimon, devoid of hostility or murderous intent, possesses only a pure, destructive instinct.

It was this sudden attack, devoid of any murderous intent or hostility, that caused the zombie Satan Beast, which always judged its opponents based on their killing intent, to fall into a certain misconception.

Click...

At the critical moment, the zombie Satan beast blocked the fatal blow with its bone claw-like scepter.

However, as a price, the scepter was cut in two, and its attributes and concept as a "scepter" were also deleted and destroyed by Arkadimon.

"Don't think you're the only one who 'deletes' things!"

However, as a special individual capable of challenging opponents of higher levels, the Zombie Satanmon, whose strength rivals that of an Ultimate-level being, is naturally not someone to be trifled with.

Just like Arkadimon, which can delete and destroy data with every attack, ZombieSatanmon's powerful ability to challenge opponents of higher levels is also a finishing move with the attribute of "deletion".

"The difference between the growth stage and the fully grown stage is bigger than you think!"

The zombie Satanmon suppressed its inner rage, threw the broken lower half of the scepter at Arkadimon, and then gripped the remaining upper half of the scepter, unleashing an unprecedented darkness.

—Bone Claw!

A powerful dark force surged forth from the mutated Digicore of the Zombie Satanmon—the Black Core—and, using the dark yellow gem at the tip of its bone claw as a medium, transformed into a massive, overwhelming dark claw that lunged at the nearby Arkadimon.

......................................................................................................

boom!

In an instant, a materialized shockwave swept across the entire scrap metal park.

The well-prepared mecha dragon didn't hesitate for a moment and decisively activated the first URL link at the beginning of its directory page, taking the lead in jumping out of this place of trouble.

Regardless of the outcome of the battle between Arkadimon and ZombieSatanmon, it's good news for MetalGreymon.

Rumble…

At this moment, the biggest difference between the data space and the material world is revealed.

Despite the enormous shockwave, the entire scrap metal park showed no signs of damage, and even the impact of the battle was kept to a minimum.

Only the swirling dust and distorted air could prove that this battle truly took place.

Da da da……

When the dust settled and the humanoid form appeared, the original Arcadimon and Zombie Satanmon had disappeared, replaced by an evil monster with three eyes, resembling an alien.

Long limbs, a beast-like crouching posture, and a huge demonic eye in the center of its forehead...

This Digimon is none other than Arkadimon, a Champion-level Digimon that has absorbed data from ZombieSatanmon and undergone further transformation and evolution.

As the evolutionary stage of Child Arkadimon, the abilities of Adult Arkadimon are naturally further enhanced and upgraded.

First and foremost, the most eye-catching feature is the enormous demon eye in the very center of Arkadimon's forehead.

That enormous eyeball not only endowed it with extraordinary dynamic vision, but also enabled it to peer into the essence of the data world and pinpoint the most vulnerable weaknesses of things.

Secondly, there's Arkadimon's long, slender arms.

On those long, slender arms grew several sharp, tendril-like spikes that could move freely, serving to pierce the enemy's body and absorb their data when necessary.

With the combination of these two abilities, even Digimon that successfully evade Arkadimon's hunt will eventually die due to data corruption.

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Evil God in the Setting

At the school Chen Ze is currently attending in Tokyo, Japan.

After successfully getting rid of Arkadimon and ZombieSatanmon, the first URL link that MetalGreymon instinctively chose was Renamon X's private link.

Therefore, while Youkomon X was still sweating it out in the indoor stadium, a blue figure suddenly emerged from her body.

Then, to the astonishment of the many teachers and students, the blue figure grew larger and more solid, quickly breaking through the ceiling of the indoor stadium.