Digital Hackers' Memories

Things are a little more complicated than I thought.

Although Gankomon dislikes getting involved in the factional struggles within the Royal Knights, its concern for the Digital Crisis is no less than that of any of the Royal Knights.

Eight years ago, when those five children first stepped into the Digital World, Gankomon sensed the danger approaching.

As expected, what happened next was exactly what it predicted. The invaders, descending from a higher dimension, devoured everything that did not conform to their nature, just like a flood of white blood cells.

In higher dimensions, such white blood cell-like organisms would naturally have corresponding countermeasures.

However, in the lower-dimensional digital world, these white blood cells from a higher dimension had no natural enemies and spread throughout the entire digital world in a very short time.

Worse still, because the five human children first appeared in the Infinite Mountain, the World Tree was the first tree these invaders began to corrupt.

The stubborn beast originally thought that the invaders came from the human world, so it sent its favorite disciples to the human world, hoping to find a way to restrain the invaders.

Later on, Gankomon even went to the human world with his friend BanchoLeomon.

But as it turns out, the appearance of those five human children was just a trigger. The source of the Invaders' birth was not the human world, but a higher dimension that transcends both the digital and human worlds.

Left with no other choice, Gankomon returned to the Digital World, only to receive even worse news from Blue Sistermon in the sky.

In order to save its companions, the white WarGreymon from the human world single-handedly defeated four of the five bosses and learned from them the only path to the Void Arena.

The stubborn beast admired the WarGreymon's courage and boldness in fighting against heaven and earth and breaking through the void arena.

However, under the current circumstances, WarGreymon's behavior will only make things worse, as evidenced by Yggdrasil's complete loss of control.

"Master, what should we do next?"

Blue Sistermon, who had previously met Chen Ze, did not entirely agree with Gankomon's ideas. At the very least, she did not believe that WarGreymon's battles were the reason Yggdrasil went out of control.

Compared to WarGreymon, it is Renamon X, whose performance in all aspects is unexpected, that is most likely the direct cause of Yggdrasil's complete loss of control.

However, Blue Sistermon did not intend to refute Gankomon's statement. Like Gankomon, she now only wanted to find a solution to this crisis as soon as possible.

"Since we can't go directly to the Void Arena, let's do what WarGreymon did and go up from Mount Infinity!"

Chapter 5 The Last Guardian - Skull Beast

Inside the Void Arena, at the final pass leading to the core of the World Tree.

This is a "wellhead" similar to the void, and it is also the most central and crucial place in the entire Void Arena.

In a sense, the entire Void Arena was built around this "well," and it is precisely because of the existence of this "well" that the Digimon in the Digital World regard the Void Arena as the "realm of the gods."

"If we jump from here, will we reach the core of the World Tree?"

Recalling the information he had learned from the four bosses, WarGreymon felt inexplicably that the void in this "well" looked somewhat familiar.

WarGreymon was quite certain that it wasn't his imagination; he had indeed seen a similar void before.

Is this the Muji world?

It didn't take long for WarGreymon to find the source of this familiarity in its own memories.

In the final battle of the original Digital World, WarGreymon traveled to the Endless Network Ocean, beyond the Digital World, in order to completely seal away the concept of non-evolution.

It was a barren land made up of chaotic data, and also a barrier separating the digital world from the real world.

It is precisely because of the buffer provided by that endless sea of ​​the internet that the human world, the digital world, and even the parallel worlds of endless time and space can develop according to their own laws.

In fact, the reason it is called the "Internet Sea" is simply because WarGreymon thought it was convenient to call it that.

That "ocean" devoid of any life is actually a kind of "chaos" existing between data and matter, where no order has yet been formed.

Countless parallel worlds are born from it, and different orders of spacetime exist because of its existence...

Besides the world of matter and data, other worlds with different rules are also being conceived in that chaotic ocean. However, those worlds are completely incomprehensible and unreachable to Chen Ze in his life form.

Now, WarGreymon saw signs of the Chaos Sea from the void of this "well".

"Does this well lead to 'the world beyond'?"

Despite being somewhat surprised by his own speculation, WarGreymon became certain of his idea when he looked at the seemingly endless abyss.

Prior to this, the Royal Knights, led by the Fragrant Beast, planned to bring the World Tree to the real world in order to escape the crisis brought by the Invaders.

Judging from the current situation, the Fragrant Beasts' plan has indeed worked.

However, before the World Tree finally descended into the real world, it was stuck on the "dimensional wall" between the human world and the digital world because it lacked "coordinates".

"Is the fox beast inside right now?"

Muttering something under his breath, WarGreymon, who had already prepared himself mentally, did not hesitate at all and leaped into the endless abyss.

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

At the heart of the World Tree, on the canopy of a colossal tree that stands like a towering pagoda.

"..."

As if sensing the impending arrival of the intruders, the last barrier guarding the World Tree, and also the last royal knight yet to appear—the Skull Beast—suddenly opened its eyes.

As a Royal Knight who embodies the spirit of chivalry to the extreme, Skullmon can be said to be the only member of the Royal Knights who will not betray the World Tree.

Even if the World Tree makes decisions that contradict the beliefs of the Skull Beast, or even plans to wipe out the entire world, it will ignore its inner pain and struggle and resolutely carry out the World Tree's orders.

Absolutely loyal and a staunch supporter of the World Tree, this is the most loyal royal knight—Skullmon.

Just like this time, as an absolutely rational Ultimate-level being, Skullmon actually didn't think highly of the actions of Aromon and the others.

However, because Yggdrasil planned to carry out the plan of Aromon and the others, Skullmon stood on Aromon's side without hesitation, even at the cost of turning against his best friend Gallantmon.

After being defeated by Takumi and his group in the real world, the Skull Beast, realizing that the situation was hopeless, immediately retreated to the core of the World Tree, becoming the last line of defense for the World Tree.

Reasonable, loyal, brave, decisive...

Every word that can be used to describe a "perfect knight" can be applied to the Skull Beast, because that was the very reason it was born.

"Has it really come to this?"

Since retreating to this location, the Skull Beast knew that things were progressing in a bad direction.

The appearance of the "intruder" merely confirmed the skull beast's suspicions, but it itself did not show any signs of wavering.

To be loyal to one's sovereign, to be righteous to one's comrades, and only lastly to fight for one's own beliefs...

The Skull Beast was simply adhering to its own principles, even at the cost of opposing all the Royal Knights.

"It's WarGreymon."

However, just as the skull beast slowly raised its head, preparing to fight, an indifferent voice suddenly came from behind it.

"..."

Silently turning its head, the creature standing before Skullmon was none other than Jade Rabbitmon, who had previously come to the core of the World Tree with Priestmon X.

"He is Priest Beast X's companion, and also my... friend."

When saying this, Jade Rabbit hesitated for a moment on the word "friend," because even it didn't know what word to use to describe WarGreymon.

Since Chen Ze has never transformed into a Digimon in front of Jade Rabbitmon, it still doesn't know the relationship between WarGreymon, Chen Zhe, and Renamon.

It initially appeared in the form of a Fallen Hell Beast, and even during the time I was temporarily staying at Chen Ze's house, it rarely appeared directly in front of me.

If the other party hadn't deliberately exposed itself for the sake of Priestmon X, Jade Rabbit Beast wouldn't even have known that the other party could transform into WarGreymon.

But regardless of WarGreymon's identity at the time, the only thing Jade Rabbitmon knew was that he was definitely there for Priestmon X.

"Your friend?"

Seemingly somewhat skeptical of the Jade Rabbit's explanation, but seeing its silent expression, the Skull Beast ultimately decided not to press for more information.

"Since he's your friend, then you can handle it!"

Slowly halting its preparations for battle, the skull beast turned its gaze to the World Tree beneath its feet.

“I will not allow any outsiders to approach this place until the ‘reboot’ process is officially successful.”

"So, try to persuade him before he gets too close to you!"

"Otherwise, even if he is a friend of the 'World Tree,' I will not show any mercy."

*****************

P.S.: Looking at the skull beast's two adorable topknots, I suddenly thought of Saber...

For some reason, I feel that the characters' settings are surprisingly compatible.

Chapter Six: Fighting Against Heaven and Earth

"Black-eared beast?"

So, after WarGreymon crossed the vast and terrifying "deep well," the first thing it saw was Jade Rabbitmon placed in front of it.

"Yes, I am Black-eared Beast."

Nodding in affirmation of WarGreymon's statement, Jade Rabbitmon had no intention of concealing its identity, nor was it necessary for it to.

"Don't go any further. The situation has already developed beyond your control."

The Jade Rabbit was telling the truth, because ever since the appearance of the World Tree at its core, even the World Tree itself has been unable to predict further developments.

"So, this is why you betrayed me?"

With a smile that could be interpreted as either anger or disdain, WarGreymon asked in a deep voice.

"Is this how you repay the kindness Renamon showed you in another world by making her a 'patch' for the World Tree's upgrade?"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit was taken aback for a moment, then shook its head indifferently.

It knew that given WarGreymon's attitude, the two could no longer continue peaceful negotiations.

“I don’t want to make excuses for my actions, but stopping you is not only my idea, but also the priest’s idea… no, it’s the fox beast’s idea.”

After a brief pause, the Jade Rabbit Beast bluntly stated what the Priest Beast X had entrusted to it to say.

"She doesn't want you to sacrifice yourself in vain; the horrors of the Invaders far exceed your imagination."

Amused by Jade Rabbit's words, WarGreymon didn't even bother to pay attention to it anymore, and instead turned its attention to Skullmon, which posed the real threat to it.

"Could you please move aside? I'm in a hurry."

Bypassing Jade Rabbit Beast, WarGreymon approached SkullBeast with a calm, even leisurely, demeanor.

It was only at this moment that WarGreymon truly saw the Royal Knight covered in dark blue knight armor.

Just like the Skullmon in WarGreymon's memory, the opponent's tall and burly figure gave people an unprecedented sense of oppression.

It wasn't something like imposing presence or aura, but rather the deep blue knight's armor combined with the muscular skull beast that created the first impression.

Anyone who sees a skull beast for the first time will associate it with words like calm and robust, as if it were a product of those very words.

The only regret is that this composed royal knight has two rather comical ponytails tied behind his head.

This adds a touch of humanity to the skull beast's already composed demeanor.

It possesses both a lofty divinity and a compassionate mortal heart...

The Skullmon, standing proudly like a demon god, did not respond directly to WarGreymon's words, but instead looked at the Jade Rabbitmon behind him.

"Your opponent now is it."

Following Skullmon's gaze, WarGreymon sighed with a sense of helplessness.

"So, after all this time, you're still trying to stop me?"

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

"So, after all this time, you're still trying to stop me?"

Hearing the voice coming from behind him, the Jade Rabbit Beast's memory seemed to return to a few days ago, when Suedang Mingshi appeared in front of the Priest Beast X.

The Jade Rabbit Beast, imprisoned unilaterally by the Priest Beast X, is actually unaware of what is happening outside.

All the Jade Rabbit Beast knew was that when it was released from the barrier, Priest Beast X and Mido Akira had already disappeared before its eyes.

Only the deformed Eroder Mother, like a newborn child, transformed from its original enormous form into a budding flower.

The Jade Rabbit could sense that the invaders, who had been completely assimilated with the World Tree, seemed to have returned to some kind of initial state.

The original "mother body" also seemed to have been invaded, and returned to its original "fragmented" state.

Each invader is an independent node, and any two different invaders can form a network that shares data with each other, becoming more invasive and aggressive.

However, as the price of returning to the initial state, those invaders lost the "sole will" that could unify the whole.

Just like a swarm of bees without its queen, the invaders in their initial state are still terrifying, but they are no longer as unstoppable as before.