Chapter 12: Clearing the Level

The earring on the left ear of Pipe Fox Beast S suddenly burst forth with a dazzling light. Under its radiant haze, Agumon’s vision blurred for a moment, his aim faltering just enough to miss Guilmon.

Guilmon, a Reptile-type Virus Digimon, is in its Rookie stage. Its special attack is Fireball. It appears as a juvenile, dinosaur-like creature. Though still immature, Guilmon inherently possesses the high potential of a Combat-type Digimon, with a latent carnivorous ferocity.

According to the third series, Guilmon was created as a Digimon derived from Agumon, but at every stage, its strength slightly surpasses that of Agumon. In its Rookie stage, Guilmon is only marginally weaker than the Champion-level Greymon. At Champion, Growlmon is just a step below the Ultimate-level MetalGreymon. Once at Ultimate, WarGrowlmon boasts first-tier Mega-level combat power—a true upper-echelon Ultimate Digimon.

This is precisely why a Rookie Guilmon can withstand the onslaught of Agumon, whose overall combat power reaches 150, for such an extended time. No doubt, this particular Guilmon’s combat power has already broken the hundred mark.

But soon enough, Agumon regained his composure. Though his surroundings were still obscured, he slashed toward Guilmon’s last known direction, relying on his sense of orientation.

Yet he did not strike Guilmon; another Digimon’s form intervened, appearing before Guilmon and blocking the blow with a gleaming sword.

Meanwhile, Guilmon, safely tucked behind the other Digimon, poked his head out from over the guardian’s shoulder and launched a blazing fireball straight at Agumon.

It’s worth noting that the power of Fireball rivals even Greymon’s Mega Flame.

With a thunderous explosion, Agumon’s life force plummeted. In mere moments, his health, which had been at half, drained to zero. With one last anguished wail, Agumon dissolved into pure data.

The scattered data shot upwards, bursting in midair before cascading to the ground like rain. Some of the data directly touched and was absorbed by the four Digimon—Guilmon’s team—while the rest fell to the earth, transforming into various items.

There were ten crystals and a single chest; nothing more. It seemed a bit meager at first glance, but after all, this was only a beginner’s dungeon—one couldn’t expect too many powerful rewards.

At the same moment, Omegamon did not rush forward. Instead, a panel appeared before his eyes, and he began to operate it. Glancing over, the protagonist noticed that Omegamon was entering their team’s name. After a brief moment, the registration was complete.

[Server-wide Announcement: Congratulations to the Royal Knights team members—Omegamon, Alphamon, Jesmon, Dukemon, Sleipmon, Lilymon, Goldramon, UlforceVeedramon, Rosemon, and Craniamon—for being the first to clear the Agumon’s Wrath dungeon in 10 minutes and 10.09 seconds!]

The announcement echoed directly in the protagonist’s mind.

“All right, time to divide the spoils,” Omegamon said with a satisfied smile, walking toward the ten crystals and the chest.

After inspecting the crystals, Omegamon turned to the protagonist with a gentle laugh. “These are attribute crystals. Each one increases a Digimon’s stats by ten points. There are ten here, so let’s each take one. Since the nine of us are already acquainted, we’ll claim nine. Come, Alphamon, pick one for yourself.”

The protagonist was surprised. He hadn’t expected Omegamon and the others to offer him a crystal. Having just cleared the dungeon, the experience points had already bumped him up two levels—he was now level eight.

His Digimon’s agility had just reached one hundred after absorbing some of the data, and his stamina had risen from forty to sixty. His overall combat power was now ninety.

He thought this was all he would gain today, but to his surprise, there was still more. And, naturally, he did not refuse. Casually, he chose one of the crystals and took it in hand.

“Well, if you’d like, you could sell that crystal to us. It only boosts a Digimon’s stats by ten points, nothing more. Since there’s nothing comparable in the shop, I’ll offer thirty thousand credits to buy it from you—what do you say?” Omegamon’s voice sounded again just as the protagonist took the crystal.

The protagonist glanced silently at Omegamon but stepped back, holding the crystal firmly. His intent was clear.

“All right, if you won’t sell, then never mind…” No sooner had Omegamon finished speaking than Guilmon’s eyes flashed, and he swiped his claws toward the protagonist.

But the protagonist acted as if Guilmon wasn’t there at all. Just as the attack was about to land, he turned and fixed Guilmon with a piercing gaze, radiating an intimidating aura—one only Digimon could sense.

Under this pressure, Guilmon’s claws froze, halting mere millimeters from their target. In the next instant, Alphamon’s sword pierced straight through Guilmon from behind.

“If you want to kill, I will oblige!” As the words fell, Alphamon’s silhouette flickered, swiftly dispatching Pipe Fox Beast S, who had been paralyzed by his aura. But he spared Sistermon: Blanc.

Afterward, Alphamon turned his sword on the remaining players—Omegamon and the others—who had no offensive power left, eliminating them as well. Finally, his gaze fell upon Lilymon, but he stayed his hand.

“Please,” he said, gesturing toward the corridor behind.

“If I say I knew nothing, would you believe me?” Lilymon’s face was conflicted as she looked at him. Still, he held his gesture of invitation, saying nothing more. In the end, Lilymon, her expression tangled, led Sistermon: Blanc away.