"Log-in Jump!"
A burst of light erupted from the Digivice, and Hajime immediately dissolved into a stream of data, diving straight into the server before them. In the past half-month, Rina had done this countless times already.
Due to Rina's repeated interventions, most damage caused by the so-called "mysterious hacker group" was repaired swiftly.
But no matter how fast the repairs came, the fact remained that this group could effortlessly breach even highly secured networks, including government databases. Naturally, their existence drew a lot of attention.
Of course, ordinary people had no idea the so-called hacker group wasn't even human, but rather unknown creatures totally alien to humanity.
As one of the few aware of the truth, Rina sometimes felt like she'd become a kind of Kamen Rider, a tokusatsu hero battling evil secretly in the dark.
As for Hajime, in the past half-month she'd gotten used to fighting within cyberspace.
Rina and the "adults" had been negotiating some sort of collaboration, repeatedly asking for Hajime's opinion, but she couldn't understand these complex matters at all.
…It still boiled down to the same fact: other than basic survival common sense, Hajime's knowledge was at the level of a young child.
She only knew that Zero and Rina had been kind to her, helped her fulfill her wish, and therefore she would repay them, even at the cost of her life.
And the thing she could do—and was best at—was fighting…
Thus, everything proceeded naturally…
The network space was still as barren as ever: a vast void constructed purely of intersecting grid lines, through which countless streams of data flowed endlessly.
With half a month's experience behind her, Hajime quickly located her target.
A group of Candlemon, led by a single Meramon.
"Let's end this quickly!"
Hajime stomped her feet as DigiSoul surged around her. Outside, Rina firmly grasped her Digivice, and Hajime quickly evolved into Garurumon.
Simultaneously, Rina flicked her fingers, swiftly pulling out a card and swiping it across her Digivice.
"[CARD SLASH]!"
An anti-tank grenade launcher, equipped with booster wings, immediately materialized. Hajime surged forward with high-speed aerial maneuvering, unleashing a relentless barrage.
The Candlemon and Meramon—still busy devouring data—couldn't react in time, instantly blasted by the grenades.
Explosions and fragments scattered wildly. Several Candlemon perished instantly, but the Meramon crossed its arms in defense, tanking the attack head-on.
Immediately after, flames surged violently across Meramon's body, digitizing it in a stream of barcode-like data. With a furious roar, its body rapidly transformed.
Its flaming humanoid form reshaped into a muscular giant covered in chains, face concealed by a metallic mask—
MERAMON DIGIVOLVUTION...
—SKULLMERAMON!!!
Just as expected: in the Real World's cyberspace, data was abundant. These Digimon easily acquired massive amounts of data, enabling rapid evolution.
But Hajime was already accustomed to enemies suddenly evolving mid-battle.
Over these past weeks, Zero had fought many battles in the Digital World, breaking through his limits repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Rina and Hajime hadn't been idle in the Real World. Continuous battles had granted them new strength as well.
Rina clenched her fist tightly, DigiSoul swiftly enveloping her entire body…
"Hajime, ready to go~?"
"Yeah, anytime!"
Rina pressed her hand firmly onto her Digivice, shouting clearly:
"[DIGISOUL, FULL CHARGE]!"
An unprecedented surge of DigiSoul poured in, and Hajime roared toward the sky—
GARURUMON... DIGIVOLUTION!
From the swirling DigiSoul, a monstrous shape emerged—exactly as she'd briefly revealed on File Island…
—KIMERAMON!
Though officially Ultimate-level, Kimeramon's combat strength rivaled that of a Mega-level, only downgraded due to certain circumstances.
But clearly, Hajime had now fully absorbed the data acquired from Devimon, stabilizing the evolutionary line she'd opened previously.
At first, she'd lost control each time she evolved, but after repeated attempts, Hajime now managed to control this dangerous power somewhat.
Now that she'd assumed this form, her enemy had no chance left.
SkullMeramon wasn't weak—its chains writhed like serpents cloaked in pale-blue flames, striking forward with tremendous destructive power.
Yet unfortunately, its opponent was simply extraordinary…
…Hajime unleashed all six claws, smashing apart incoming chains with a single Bloody Claw strike, then lunged forward, restraining SkullMeramon with two massive claws.
The distance shrank rapidly. Hajime's jaws opened wide, red light swiftly gathering in her mouth.
"!"
SkullMeramon struggled desperately, chains rattling furiously as they repeatedly lashed at Hajime, hoping to break free.
But Hajime remained utterly unshaken, the enemy's fierce attacks seemingly mere scratches to her. With a deafening roar, the crimson light erupted directly into SkullMeramon's face.
Such an overwhelming assault gave no room for evasion or resistance. SkullMeramon could do nothing but scream as half its body vanished instantly in the blazing blast.
It wasn't an undead Digimon, capable of self-regeneration even when torn apart. Struck by such an overwhelming attack, its DigiCore immediately shattered into pieces.
Its body dissolved, data scattering outward, restoring the streams previously damaged.
"Looks like it's finally—wait, seriously?!"
Just as Rina started to relax, several bursts of light flashed simultaneously—the remaining Candlemon, who'd also devoured data, all rapidly evolved into SkullMeramon as well.
"…"
Rina was stunned. Kimeramon was powerful, but its duration was short. Hajime couldn't maintain this form for very long yet.
"No choice—let's charge right through them!"
Rina gripped her Digivice tightly, preparing to command Hajime—when suddenly, a shining arrow shot across the field, instantly piercing through one of the freshly evolved SkullMeramon.
From the arrow's direction, a graceful figure swiftly appeared…
These forcibly evolved SkullMeramon were weaker than an Angewomon fully empowered by a Crest—and taken by surprise, the attack easily landed.
"Who—?"
Rina blinked. This Digimon who'd suddenly interrupted the battlefield seemed to be an ally. Was it another friend?
Hajime was similarly stunned. But what shocked them even more—was that right behind Angewomon, a small human figure appeared, waving cheerfully.
"Angewomon, you can do it!"
A human?!
Undoubtedly a human girl. How could there be other humans here?
In Hikari's hand, the Crest of Light shone brilliantly, powering Angewomon, who smiled confidently.
"Mm, be careful too, Hikari~"
No longer the confused, lost soul she once was, Angewomon now had precious friends to protect, a grand goal to achieve redemption. She had no confusion left in her heart—every path and step was clear.
This profound clarity had greatly enhanced her power, solidifying her Ultimate-level form.
Moreover, at her side stood trustworthy comrades whose strength was unquestionable.
"Zero, the rest is yours!"
Angewomon spoke together with another human figure beside Hikari, who grasped a Digivice and Crest of Courage shining brightly on his chest.
Just hearing that familiar name stunned both Rina and Hajime. And what followed was a voice, incredibly familiar, full of vigor:
"Oh… I'll finish this quickly! Here I come!"
With a powerful shout, Zero swiftly evolved into MetalGreymon, wielding his Trident Arm, immediately smashing through the enemy's formation. Descending like a divine hero from above, he effortlessly scattered their ranks.
Only after pushing back the enemy, did Zero, feigning calm, address the stunned Hajime:
"You okay, Hajime? And… I'm back—did you miss me~?"
Nearby, Rina tightly held her Digivice, trying to speak but finding herself momentarily unable. While she struggled internally, Taichi firmly grasped his Crest of Courage.
"There's still plenty of enemies. Zero… let's finish it quickly."
"Got it—here we go!"
Rina stared blankly at this exchange.
Wait, hold on… wasn't something weird here?
Under the shining light of the Crest of Courage, Zero rapidly shattered the limits, emerging as the Mega-level WarGreymon. Now, victory was assured.
These forcibly evolved SkullMeramon were no match for Zero, fully powered by Taichi's Crest. But seeing Zero partner so naturally with this stranger, evolving into an unfamiliar yet clearly powerful form, Rina's confusion only grew.
Wait, wait, wait—who is that guy?! What's going on?! Why is Zero coordinating so smoothly with someone else?!
Amid Rina's mounting confusion, Zero clasped his arms together, spinning rapidly—for the final blow...
Great Tornado!
Flames surged within a raging cyclone, instantly sweeping the field clean of enemies.
"OK, all done~"
---
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