Chapter 48: That Guy... He's Just Bored
The crystalline fragments rained from the sky, shattering against the earth and dissolving into nothingness like a fragile dream. The gentle evening breeze swept across the scarred battlefield, carrying away the last flickering embers of firelight.
Their mission was complete. Everything had ended with an almost jarring simplicity.
There were no deafening cheers of victory, no agonizing wails of defeat, no lingering aura of bitter unwillingness. Only the cool night wind blowing gently through the silence, carrying a single, beautiful wisp of golden light.
Having successfully crossed the brutal trial of fate alongside Mizuki, BeelStarmon had fully expected a world-shaking climax. She had wanted to unleash a devastating display of power, a perfect proof of the absolute bond they shared. Yet, the terrifying entity that had previously overwhelmed her with a mere glance had just been obliterated in a single, effortless strike.
The sheer whiplash of this reality left BeelStarmon standing in a daze.
"Mizu, did we... actually win?" she murmured, blinking at the empty air.
"What is it? Did you think you couldn't win, Xiao Bei?"
Mizuki looked up at his partner. She possessed the striking, heroic presence of a mature warrior, yet right now, her wide-eyed, innocent expression mirrored a confused child. A warm, teasing smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You looked incredibly cool just now, you know."
A flush of color rushed to her cheeks. "Eh!? I—I didn't mean it like that!"
She looked down at the young man resting comfortably in her arms. His teasing grin made her momentarily flustered. "Of course I have the absolute confidence to defeat GranDracmon! What I meant is... the contrast between how strong he was before and how easily he fell just now is a bit too extreme..."
Mizuki let out a soft chuckle. He reached up, gently stroking BeelStarmon's head. The mischievous glint in his eyes melted away, replaced by his usual, grounding gentleness.
"I understand exactly how you are feeling right now, Xiao Bei. After all, your current strength has skyrocketed to a completely unimaginable level. However, your assessment of the situation is only partly correct."
She tilted her head, a silent question in her eyes.
Meeting her curious gaze, Mizuki slowly explained. "We did indeed deal with GranDracmon just now. But that massive eye was nothing more than a temporary vessel. A fragile construct he created just to project a fraction of his consciousness into this world. His true body remains seated in his castle, hidden deep within the Dark Area."
Realization dawned on BeelStarmon's face. "So that is how it is..."
It made perfect sense. An entity capable of casually reviving the deceased Devimon, forcibly granting him the power to evolve into a Demon Lord, and possessing that absurd, glitch-like immortality could not possibly be eradicated in a single instant.
Yet, this knowledge did not diminish BeelStarmon's confidence in the slightest.
'Because this power, born from the absolute bond between Mizu and me, is the strongest!' she thought, her eyes shining with unshakeable conviction.
[Belfast Beast: Final End Mode]
[Stage: Mega Level -> Super Ultimate Level]
[Type: Demon Man Type -> Unknown]
[Attribute: Virus Type -> Unknown]
'Even if we are destined for a future of absolute destruction, I will face it by your side.'
Understanding Mizuki's deepest feelings, BeelStarmon had thrown herself forward like a moth drawn to a brilliant flame. By embracing this fervent emotion, she had successfully crossed the finish line of fate. This was a miracle born entirely from the bond between BeelStarmon and Mizuki, a power utterly unique to them!
[Moves: Infinite]
[Description: No fixed moves. Originating from Mizuki's guidance regarding the fundamental understanding of '0 and 1'. For the current BeelStarmon in this form, the very moment she observes any enemy's attack or even their underlying authority, she can completely analyze, deconstruct, and master it. It is a genuine endpoint—a final end that transcends the power of all Digimon!]
Far away, within a towering castle submerged in the abyssal depths of the Dark Area, GranDracmon's true body sat in the shadows. His perception easily transcended the heavy barriers of time and space. As his gaze locked onto BeelStarmon and Mizuki in that distant world, a low chuckle escaped his lips, quickly escalating into full-blown laughter.
"Belfast Beast: Final End Mode?" His voice echoed through the empty halls, dripping with dark amusement. "Across so many parallel Digimon worlds, only the legendary Zeromaru and his human partner Taichi have ever achieved this step!"
He leaned back in his throne. "But that Taichi and his Zeromaru were never particularly interested in me. A true shame, leaving me quite helpless and bored. But it does not matter anymore. Now, I have you two."
A predatory, excited grin stretched across his face. "I am truly looking forward to this. What kind of magnificent storm will you bring to the myriad of parallel worlds?"
Just as those words left his mouth, GranDracmon's scrying vision cracked. With a sharp, crystalline sound, the image shattered into countless pieces like a broken mirror.
Back on File Island, BeelStarmon's posture stiffened. "Mizu, did you feel that?"
"Yes. It is GranDracmon." Mizuki nodded, confirming her sharp instincts. He noted her immediate shift into a defensive stance. "That guy was peeping at us again. He really has a twisted sense of humor." He waved a hand dismissively. "But it does not matter. I have already severed his line of sight."
A deep scowl formed on BeelStarmon's face, her eyes flashing with open disdain. "He acts so nonchalant, but in reality, he is just a sore loser plotting his revenge against us. Just you wait, GranDracmon. I will hunt you down one day!"
Mizuki cleared his throat, a dry smile touching his lips. "Actually, regarding his motivations, I have a slightly different theory."
BeelStarmon blinked, her murderous aura halting instantly. "Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Think about it. GranDracmon is widely considered the uncrowned king of the Dark Area. Yet, unlike the Seven Great Demon Lords who are constantly plotting and causing chaos, he rarely stirs up trouble. He prefers to stay completely cooped up inside his castle." Mizuki spoke with a slow, deliberate cadence, a complex light shifting in his bright eyes. "There are always grand theories that he is brewing some apocalyptic conspiracy. But in my opinion? Over his impossibly long lifespan, GranDracmon has simply seen through the mundane essence of the world."
He paused, letting the evening breeze rustle his hair. "Concepts like ruling the universe, or proving himself as the absolute strongest... in his eyes, those ambitions are probably entirely meaningless. He possesses a glitch-like immortality. He is fundamentally destined to stand at the absolute pinnacle of all Digimon existence. So, for him, acquiring more power or authority is nowhere near as fulfilling as finding something genuinely interesting to watch—even if it seems completely insignificant to anyone else."
Mizuki looked up at the darkening sky. "In other words, GranDracmon... he is just incredibly, hopelessly bored with everything in this world."
Ironically, at the exact moment Mizuki spoke those words, GranDracmon, sitting across the vast expanse of time and space, was expressing the exact same sentiment.
He watched the Seven Great Demon Lords causing their daily, predictable chaos and sighed. What was the point of all that exhausting effort? It was far better to just set up a small table, brew some tea, and sit down for a nice, relaxing game of mahjong.
But what was a host to do when he lacked playing partners?
GranDracmon's solution was simple: Why not just go abduct a few Holy-species Digimon, drag them down into the abyss, and force them to play mahjong with him?
"Is... that really it?"
Blissfully unaware of the bizarre suffering about to befall certain angelic beings, BeelStarmon stood on File Island with a thoroughly stunned expression. "Mizu, hearing you describe him like that... why do I feel like you are not talking about a terrifying Demon Lord, but rather a lonely old man guarding an empty retirement home?"
Mizuki's mouth twitched. He tried to suppress a laugh, realizing she had hit the nail perfectly on the head. "Uh... that is actually a terrifyingly accurate way to put it."
Think about it: guarding a massive, empty mansion, having zero actual friends, and spending all day flipping through television channels alone just to find a good program to watch. Was that not the exact definition of a lonely old man? Viewed through that lens, his bizarre, theatrical actions made complete sense.
BeelStarmon chewed on her lower lip, a sudden wave of irritation washing over her. Having successfully analyzed and mastered GranDracmon's 'Crystal Revolution' through her Final End Mode, she now fully comprehended just how devastatingly powerful that attack truly was.
Which meant... his previous strikes during their battle had absolutely been held back. He had deliberately pressured them, acting as a catalyst to force her and Mizuki to take that final evolutionary step.
Wait a minute.
Her eyes widened in horror. If GranDracmon had intentionally orchestrated their breakthrough, did that not mean a third party had forcefully inserted himself into the sacred, intimate bond between her and Mizuki?!
He was a homewrecker! An unwanted third wheel crashing their perfect, miraculous moment!
Although the relatively innocent BeelStarmon did not fully grasp the more vulgar internet slang for such an intrusion, the sheer audacity of the concept was enough to reignite her absolute, burning fury. A dark, murderous aura exploded from her form.
'GranDracmon, huh?'she thought, grinding her teeth together so hard they squeaked.'You just wait. I am going to destroy you.'
Meanwhile, deep within the suffocating gloom of the Dark Area.
GranDracmon, currently holding two absolutely furious Holy-species Digimon by the scruffs of their necks, suddenly let out a violent sneeze.
He paused, blinking in genuine confusion. He tilted his head, wondering who in the multiverse could possibly be cursing his name with such intense malice.
His musings were interrupted by the enraged shout of the angelic Digimon dangling from his left hand. "GranDracmon! If you intend to kill us, then strike us down now! But if you think you can corrupt us and make us fall to darkness, you are sorely mistaken!"
"We will never surrender to you!" the second Holy-species Digimon echoed, thrashing defiantly in his right hand.
Looking at these two stubbornly unyielding paragons of justice, GranDracmon sighed. He scratched his head in mild annoyance and gently dropped them onto the stone floor.
"Please, calm down. You really do not need to be so dramatic," he drawled, dusting off his hands. "I merely invited you over to be my mahjong partners."
The two Holy-species Digimon froze. They slowly turned to look at each other, the righteous fury draining from their faces, replaced by utter bewilderment. "Mahjong...?"
"Precisely." A sly, charismatic smile curled at the corners of GranDracmon's mouth. "While I deeply admire your ironclad will to resist the darkness, we both know your combat strength is absolutely no match for mine. So, since violence is off the table, why not approach this from a different perspective?"
He gestured grandly to a beautifully carved square table sitting in the middle of the gothic hall. "Defeating me at the card table... is that not also a valid method of vanquishing the darkness? If you manage to win against me, I give you my word: I will voluntarily seal myself away for a set period of time."
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a provocative challenge. "Or do you, the dignified Holy-species Digimon standing at the very pinnacle of the Angel-type hierarchy, lack even the courage to play a simple game?"
The provocation worked flawlessly. The two angelic beings bristled with renewed outrage. This dark lord could insult their raw strength, but he would never be allowed to insult their indomitable will!
They had absolutely no idea what 'mahjong' was. They were entirely certain this was some convoluted, evil trap designed to break their minds. But as powerful champions of the light, they feared no challenge!
Without a second thought, they puff out their chests and fiercely accepted his terms.
Hook, line, and sinker.
Watching the two self-righteous angels eagerly take the bait, GranDracmon chuckled inwardly. He clapped his hands together, quickly playing the role of a gracious host. "Excellent! But please, do not rush to your seats just yet. A proper mahjong table requires four players, and we are currently missing our final participant."
He tilted his head, offering them a polite, inquisitive look. "Since you two are so close, do you happen to have any good recommendations for a fourth player?"
A heavy silence descended upon the gothic hall.
The two Holy-species Digimon slowly turned to look at each other. A silent, telepathic agreement passed between them in a fraction of a second. Then, puffing out their chests and speaking with the most righteous, impressive tones imaginable, they sold out their comrade in perfect unison.
"Cherubimon!!!"
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