Digital Hackers' Memories

Yes, in the instant they brushed past each other, Dynasmon's body was suppressed and pierced by an ability that naturally countered its own attributes.

It's important to know that for a Digimon of Dynasmon's caliber, there are very few situations where it can be countered.

To date, apart from Alphamon, which is the "Royal Knight Suppression Force" that can suppress all Paladins, the only thing that can suppress Dynasmon is the Dinosaur Killer, which was developed by the Steel Empire specifically for Dragon-type Digimon.

If the "Dragon Power" is not used, it's fine. But once the "Dragon Power" is used, Dynasmon's original power is suppressed and cannot be fully exerted.

This has nothing to do with strength or weakness attributes; it is a natural restraint relationship and the pinnacle achievement of the Steel Empire's research on dragon-type digital beasts.

"I don't know if this is a nemesis of dragons..."

Unlike Dynasmon, whose chest was pierced, the white MetalGreymon spread its wings of light on its back and slowly turned to face its opponent.

"But in terms of results, it is indeed very effective for you."

MetalGreymon had expected the battle to be more difficult than it had anticipated.

However, his own steel claws (claw sheaths) made from the original Agumon data did seem to have inherited the ability that the Steel Empire had specifically developed to deal with Dragonmon.

Moreover, at the moment MetalGreymon pierced through Dynasmon, the "Dragon Power" within Dynasmon's body was completely absorbed by Dragonmon Killer, becoming nourishment for further enhancing itself.

This absorption ability differs from Beelzemon's gluttonous ability; it is an ability that uses the Dragon Beast attribute as a whetstone to hone and forge itself.

This is a true power of a war god, capable of improving oneself in battles against dragon-type Digimon and inflicting terrible damage upon them.

"How could it not work? This is the power that once severely injured the White Emperor!"

A bitter expression gradually appeared on its lips. Having evolved to the Dynasmon stage, it naturally had a thorough understanding of "conceptual powers" specifically designed to target it, such as the Paladin's Suppression Force and the Dragon Beast Killer.

DragonBeast Killer was originally a power belonging to WarGreymon. Although it's unclear why it appeared on MetalGreymon ahead of time, its effects are undeniable.

At this moment, Dynasmon could almost clearly feel the loss of "Dragon Power" within its body.

In contrast, MetalGreymon's claws are increasing in strength and sharpness at an astonishing rate, transforming into some kind of even more terrifying weapon.

As a result, MetalGreymon's own attributes and abilities were greatly enhanced.

The metal cells in his body, like parched deserts receiving rain, rapidly divided, multiplied, died, and regenerated, completing the tedious upgrade process in a very short time.

This unexpected change far exceeded MetalGreymon's expectations. He never imagined that killing a Digimon with the Dragon attribute would bring him such a huge boost.

This improvement is even more exaggerated than the "nuclear energy mode" they developed themselves.

At the very least, MetalGreymon in "Nuclear Mode" couldn't deliver a fatal blow to an Ultimate-level monster, especially a Royal Knight on the same level as SwordGreymon.

In terms of specifically targeting dragon-type digital beasts, DragonBeast Buster far surpasses "Nuclear Mode".

While MetalGreymon was briefly stunned, an even more unexpected change occurred with the weapon called "DragonBeast Buster".

【What is that? 】

In a daze, MetalGreymon seemed to see a pitch-black demon god standing proudly on the battlefield, holding a huge sword in its hand, with hundreds of dragon souls struggling on it.

Without any warning, MetalGreymon instinctively realized that this was one of its future evolutionary paths—Slashmon.

Unlike WarGreymon's evolutionary path, this is an evolutionary route specifically designed to plunder and kill the power of other dragons. At its peak, it can even absorb the power of the dragons it has killed.

Without a doubt, this is a powerful evolutionary path, so powerful that if MetalGreymon hadn't already experienced the power of "Holy Knight WarGreymon," it probably would have evolved into Slashmon immediately.

Unfortunately, I don't want to become that kind of ruthless demon god.

Seemingly in response to MetalGreymon's will, DragonBane and the Digicore within him almost simultaneously rejected this evolutionary path of stopping war with violence and becoming stronger through killing.

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

"You haven't evolved?"

Having also noticed MetalGreymon's rampant and violent evolution data, Dynasmon was clearly surprised that the other hadn't evolved into an Ultimate form.

Having plundered its own "Dragon Power," this MetalGreymon, which was already at the critical point of evolution, undoubtedly possesses the potential to directly evolve into an Ultimate form.

If the opponent is even more adaptable to the "power of the dragon," it is not impossible for it to evolve directly into an ultimate form that can rival the Royal Knights.

"So, that's the biggest difference between you and me."

With its head held high, MetalGreymon looked at Dynasmon, whose body was gradually disappearing, and spoke with its usual arrogant attitude.

"My future is in my own hands, and Priest Beast X's future is destined to be different from what you imagine."

After being pierced through the body by the Dragon Beast Killer, Dynasmon, like the "Dragon Power" that was devoured, had long since lost the right to continue existing.

The fact that it has been able to hold out until now is a testament to the immense strength of Dynasmon itself.

"It's a pity, it seems I won't live to see that day come."

With a slight sigh, Dynasmon's disappearance was as sudden as its appearance, quickly vanishing from MetalGreymon's sight.

Chapter Sixty-Six: Puppies and Wolf Cubs

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Just as MetalGreymon defeated Dynasmon, Jade Rabbitmon, along with Priestmon X, ignored the ongoing battle between Aromamon and Shin Sanada below and rushed into the Digital World portal that had already formed behind them.

Throughout the entire process, neither Fragrant Beast, Examon, nor even Shinichi Ichida paid any attention to Jade Rabbit Beast's overstepping of its bounds, as if it didn't exist at all.

This was not the ability of the Jade Rabbit Beast, but the masterpiece of the sorcerer priest beast X.

Therefore, when the two Digimon successfully passed through the Digital Gate and arrived at the other side of the world, what came into their view was a World Tree that looked like an abstract art painting, assimilated and distorted by the Corruptors.

Like the "pillars of heaven and earth" that supported the heavens and earth in the mythical era, the Jade Rabbit Beast and the Priest Beast X could not see the full view of this towering tree.

All they can see are the roots of this thing in the world, and the main trunk that extends upwards from the roots.

As for branches, leaves, and twigs, they were all obscured by the vast expanse of white clouds.

Because of the World Tree's immense size, the height of its roots alone is close to the level of the clouds in the sky; beyond that lies a "forbidden zone" that mortals simply cannot reach.

"Why don't you resist?"

Standing atop the roots of the World Tree, which are as majestic as a mountain range, the Jade Rabbit Beast lowered the Priest Beast X from its palms and asked in a calm yet curious tone.

"Or do you think I won't hurt you?"

Unlike its naivety during its Black-eared Beast stage, after evolving to its Ultimate form, Jade Rabbit Beast possesses a mind and judgment that surpasses that of a normal adult.

Therefore, even Jade Rabbitmon itself was not sure if it would sacrifice Priestmon X, an acquaintance it had only recently met, in order to save the Digital World.

Yes, in the eyes of the mature Jade Rabbit Beast, Priestmon X's status is far inferior to Patamon, who grew up with it.

To save the Digital World, to save their home, and to save their fellow villagers from the Founding Village with whom they grew up...

The Jade Rabbit Beast is willing to transform into a demon, and it is mentally prepared to endure even acts of ingratitude and repaying kindness with enmity.

"hurt me?"

It sounded like a cold laugh, yet also like mockery...

Unlike the fox beast in front of Chen Ze, Priest Beast X stated its attitude very directly and firmly when faced with Jade Rabbit Beast's question.

"It's just being bitten by an ungrateful 'pet,' is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of it?"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Beast fell silent, because the Priest Beast X's current behavior was completely different from its gentle demeanor of the previous few days.

Such a huge difference even made Jade Rabbit Beast doubt whether Priestmon X was really the perfect form evolved from Renamon X.

"Is it because of... Ze-kun?"

After a brief moment of thought, Jade Rabbit Beast brought up the human who seemed capable of evolving into a Digimon.

"In the human world, this behavior of restraining one's claws in front of those one cares about seems to be called 'love'?"

In the eyes of the Jade Rabbit Beast, the Priest Beast X's behavior, which is different from, or even completely opposite to, her personality, is very likely a pretense she is deliberately putting on to please her.

This not only explains the Jade Rabbit Beast's doubts over the past few days, but also indirectly confirms the identity of Priest Beast X.

After all, a Digimon that can evolve into Renamon must have a wild and crazy side, rather than the kind that restrains its claws and teeth and acts like a domesticated creature.

"My relationship with him is deeper than you think, so stop making wild guesses."

Priest Beast X stared directly at Jade Rabbit Beast, who seemed to be thinking about something, and suddenly gave a cold smile.

"The reason I didn't resist was because I also wanted to know what exactly happened to me."

After glancing around, Priest Beast X set his sights on the enormous World Tree in front of him, whose entirety was obscured.

"After all, what that guy said sometimes makes a lot of sense. You can't be a thief for a thousand days without being a thief for a thousand days."

"Instead of letting you keep thinking about it, taking the initiative to resolve the issue is the best option."

After saying this, Priest Beast X turned its gaze back to the Jade Rabbit Beast, which was right in front of it.

"Besides, I trust Chen Ze; he will come to pick me up."

"So I have to deal with my troubles as soon as possible before he gets here."

“I still want to be there for him through high school and college, and I can’t let these messy things interfere with that.”

Despite uttering arrogant and outrageous words, the Jade Rabbit Beast sensed a strong sense of confidence from the Priest Beast X—she genuinely believed it.

"You really trust him that much? Trust a human being?"

The Jade Rabbit Beast narrowed its eyes, puzzled, and asked, its tone seemingly filled with disbelief.

Why don't you believe him?

Looking up at the Jade Rabbit Beast, Priest Beast X suddenly asked a question.

"Although Chen Ze usually appears timid and cowardly, and dislikes trouble, he is a genius who can independently develop artificial digital core technology and decipher the Invader's code!"

"Although he always thought of himself as a docile 'puppy,' in my eyes, that was just his own perception."

At this point, Priest Beast X even chuckled.

"The ferocity and wildness of a wolf cub are his instincts, and also the qualities he can never hide."

I never expected that Priest Beast X would have such a high opinion of a human, and that this opinion wasn't based on the human's power.

"A wolf cub?"

Carefully recalling the moments spent with Chen Ze over the past few days, the Jade Rabbit suddenly realized that it seemed unable to refute the Priest Beast X's words.

On the surface, Chen Ze, who is gentle and often takes care of himself, seems to be a really nice guy.

However, if you delve deeper, you'll find that the reason the other person has a gentle personality is simply because they look down on you and don't care about you.

What truly made Chen Ze's personality more three-dimensional, besides the occasional phone calls from his lovable human parents, was his interactions with the demon fox beast X.

"So it seems that human is indeed very important to you."

Jade Rabbit Beast discovered that it could actually understand Priestmon X's thoughts, because if it were Patamon, it was also convinced that no matter what dangers the other party would take, they would definitely come to find it.

When Jade Rabbit first met Priestmon X, they had a disagreement about this issue.

However, judging from the current situation, the two actually share the same idea to some extent. The difference is that Priestmon X actually trusts the human more than the Digimon.

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Protecting the World Tree

Bang!

With a kick that sent a charging Knightmon flying, BanchoLeomon charged straight into the heart of the battle between the human army and the Knightmon legion—near the Odaiba Building—with a ferocity disproportionate to its size.

This is directly beneath the Digital Gate, the site of the most intense battle between humans and Digimon.

Hundreds and thousands of knight beasts formed a battle formation here, fighting fiercely with the human army engaged in guerrilla warfare, with sand and stones flying everywhere.

At a distance of less than 100 meters, BanchoLeomon heard the sounds of Hyakuki's gunfire and grenades, as if it were a highly intense modern battlefield.

Worse still, the human army's offensive clearly failed to break through the Knight Beast Legion's blockade and reach the heart of the war.

Yes, this is no longer a battle between individuals, but a genuine war between two races.

Humans and Digimon, material life and data individuals, two completely different forms of life, became enemies who regarded each other as sworn enemies because of a crisis and a calamity in two worlds.

"Uncle..."

Patamon, whose mind is still too young, obviously cannot understand such a situation, but it can see the severed limbs of the humans and the data on the armor left behind by Knightmon.

This is a war where there is no survival, no friend and no foe. Near Odaiba, which has been turned into a battlefield, lives are being lost every second.

Even with BanchoLeomon's strength, he was powerless to stop this war that had already begun.

"Little guy, this is real war."

Silently observing the wary human warriors around him, BanchoLeomon's memories seemed to return to the X-Virus era, the atmosphere of struggling for survival in despair, so similar to the opening scene.

To save their world, the Royal Knights resolutely wage war against another world.

Human soldiers, in order to protect their homeland, would also be unable to allow the digital gate to continue expanding.