Chapter 140: Grappleomon

Under the endless barrage of attacks from GrappLeomon, whether it was LoaderLeomon adapting to the onslaught or GrappLeomon making a slight slip during the relentless assault, the next instant saw LoaderLeomon make its move.

[Load Morning Star] The iron ball at the end of LoaderLeomon's tail lashed directly toward GrappLeomon. Even before the blow reached him, GrappLeomon could already feel the ferocious and intimidating might radiating from it. Instantly, his expression tightened, and with a fierce stomp of his hands against the ground, his figure flickered away, retreating far from the spot just targeted by LoaderLeomon.

"Boom!" Under the impact of LoaderLeomon's tailed iron ball, a deep crater was blasted into the ground where GrappLeomon had just been standing. One can easily imagine that had that blow landed squarely on GrappLeomon, he likely would have perished on the spot.

However, all of this flashed through the minds of the spectators in mere fractions of a second. In reality, GrappLeomon had not wasted time pondering such thoughts. Almost simultaneously with the landing of LoaderLeomon's attack, GrappLeomon tipped off the ground with his toes and charged straight back at LoaderLeomon.

[Leomon Wave Slash] Following that, GrappLeomon appeared right in front of LoaderLeomon, throwing a ferocious punch that landed solidly on his opponent's body.

The spot struck by this punch was precisely the same location GrappLeomon had targeted earlier. Once again, GrappLeomon hit that exact same mark.

Whether it was because the accumulated impacts of GrappLeomon's strikes produced an armor-piercing effect, or because the sheer power of this particular punch was simply overwhelming, it actually punched right through LoaderLeomon's surface armor, penetrated deep into his body, and knocked him backward.

Witnessing this scene, Elena could not help but exclaim in admiration, "Incredible."

Monitored by the side, Monitamon wore a flash of appreciation on his face as well. "Yes, truly impressive. I never expected him to perform this well."

This dynamic was essentially the same as the relationship between a bullet and bulletproof glass. Can bulletproof glass defend against bullets? Of course it can. But if the exact same spot on the bulletproof glass is struck repeatedly by bullets, can it still hold? Well, that becomes rather uncertain.

The first bullet can certainly be stopped. The second bullet might be stopped. The third bullet has a very slim chance of being stopped. But no matter what, by the fourth bullet, the bulletproof glass will inevitably fail.

Originally, Monitamon had assumed GrappLeomon would be completely helpless against the heavy layer of armor encasing LoaderLeomon. But looking at it now, he had underestimated GrappLeomon. Yet, upon closer reflection, this outcome was entirely natural.

GrappLeomon was a Digimon derived from the fusion of combat data, CAD data, and beast-type Digimon data. Possessing vast combat experience, he naturally knew how to leverage his own strengths to exploit his enemy's weaknesses. When one thought about it carefully, this was only logical.

"You are defeated." Returning to the matter at hand, as GrappLeomon sent LoaderLeomon flying, his feet shifted and he charged forward once again.

[Leomon Wave Slash] Closing the distance instantly, GrappLeomon appeared before LoaderLeomon once more and unleashed a powerful punch.

[Load Morning Star] Although LoaderLeomon had just been severely injured by GrappLeomon's previous blow, it did not mean he was entirely devoid of the strength to counterattack. Almost as GrappLeomon's fist arrived, the iron ball at the end of LoaderLeomon's tail lashed out toward him as well.

"Boom!" Fist and iron ball collided violently, producing a deafening, explosive roar.

Initially, the iron ball held the upper hand. However, an iron ball relies heavily on downward momentum, and after remaining in contact with GrappLeomon's fist for too long, its kinetic force gradually dissipated, leading to a drop in destructive power.

Coupled with the fact that LoaderLeomon had just been gravely wounded by GrappLeomon's earlier punch, his current condition was far from optimal. Consequently, before long, the iron ball was forced onto the defensive.

Even so, though LoaderLeomon had temporarily fallen into a disadvantageous position, they were both Leomon after all—both Digimon burdened by the curse of the Leomon, and both Ultimate-level Digimon. Therefore, even with the upper hand, GrappLeomon was unable to finish off LoaderLeomon in a short span of time.

Time ticked away, second by second. LoaderLeomon's disadvantage grew increasingly severe. At a certain moment, the iron ball was shattered outright by GrappLeomon. The shockwave of the blow passed right through the broken iron ball and surged toward LoaderLeomon.

Yet, being an Ultimate-level Digimon, LoaderLeomon could not possibly be defeated by a mere shockwave that had already been dampened by passing through the iron ball. Instantly, LoaderLeomon threw his body backward, attempting to put some distance between himself and GrappLeomon.

However, while LoaderLeomon desperately wanted to create space, GrappLeomon had no intention of allowing it. Because the vast majority of GrappLeomon's capabilities relied on close-quarters combat, if LoaderLeomon managed to escape and engage in hit-and-run tactics, GrappLeomon ran the risk of being kited to death. Thus, as LoaderLeomon retreated, GrappLeomon pressed the pursuit relentlessly.

[Leomon Wave Slash] Closing in on LoaderLeomon once again, GrappLeomon swung his fist straight at him. Facing this impending blow, LoaderLeomon knew that barring a miracle, he had no way of dodging it. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and instead of evading, he stood rooted to the spot, bracing himself for the end.

Yet at that very moment, just as GrappLeomon's fist was a mere fraction of a distance away from LoaderLeomon, something inexplicable happened. GrappLeomon's face suddenly contorted in a grimace, and his swinging fist froze in mid-air for a split second.

Although LoaderLeomon had no idea why GrappLeomon had suddenly faltered, he instantly recognized this as his sole chance for survival and seized it without hesitation.

[Drill Storm] The next moment, LoaderLeomon unleashed his attack at point-blank range against GrappLeomon. Countless manes detached directly from LoaderLeomon's body, shooting forth as projectiles toward GrappLeomon. Given the infinitesimal distance between them, GrappLeomon was completely unable to evade the onslaught.

So, would another twist of fate unfold this time?