Chapter 143: The Giant Needlefur Beast

The most likely scenario was that Sandmon had died. After all, it had already been gravely wounded by a single strike from Electronic Dragonmon. It was highly probable that Sandmon had overexerted all its remaining strength, sacrificing itself to take down Electronic Dragonmon in a mutually destructive battle.

The question remained whether Sandmon had perished before killing Electronic Dragonmon or only after. Regardless, in the current state, Sandmon was the victor.

At this moment, the match was unfavorable to Ichimon and his team—they were clearly at a disadvantage.

Astaemon glanced at Ichimon’s side, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Gigapineemon, you’re up for this round. We need to secure the sixth win decisively. After that, there will be no need to continue, and no further losses will occur.”

By now, five rounds had been fought. For Astaemon’s side, the tally stood at two losses and three wins. In other words, if they could win the next three rounds, the match would conclude early.

Though Astaemon’s side held the upper hand in this match, the cost had been devastating. Fortunately, Ichimon’s side had also paid a heavy price.

“Don’t worry. Leave it to me,” Gigapineemon said, stepping directly into the arena.

Gigapineemon was a Beastman-type Data species and a Perfect-level Digimon. Its signature move was the “Terabit Crimson Dive.” Only a select few Pineemon could reach this Perfect stage by honing their needle-like fur to the utmost extreme. Its entire body was covered in hair as hard as the Crimson Era Digimetal Alloy, serving both as an impenetrable shield and a lethal spear to strike enemies.

“Gigapineemon, huh? This one’s not easy to beat,” the faces on Ichimon’s side grew solemn.

The question wasn’t so much about its strength, but its defense was formidable. Its fur was equivalent to the defensive properties of the Crimson Era Digimetal Alloy, which was among the strongest types of ordinary Digimetal within the Era.

If focusing purely on offensive power, there were Digimon stronger than Gigapineemon. However, very few could actually pierce through its defense to cause real damage.

To break through the defense of the Crimson Era Digimetal Alloy, one needed either a purely physical attack of extraordinary magnitude or to imbue their digital energy onto the fur, amplifying it enough to shatter the defense. The former was beyond anyone on their side’s capability.

As for the latter, even if possible, it would consume tremendous amounts of digital energy. Unless they could concentrate all their power in a single instant to break through the alloy and finish Gigapineemon in one decisive strike, prolonging the battle would likely mean defeat for their side.

“Then let my Metallus Phantommon take the field,” a voice suddenly sounded.

“If that’s the case, let Metallus Phantommon fight,” after some thought, everyone agreed—no other Digimon seemed more suitable.

Metallus Phantommon was a Modified-type Data species, a Perfect-level Digimon with the signature move “Soul Hunt.” It was a mechanized Phantommon resembling the Grim Reaper. Powered by energy from a dimensional digital realm, it was unclear whether it was a subspecies of Phantommon.

“So you’ve sent him out after all,” Gigapineemon said solemnly, staring at Metallus Phantommon. “Only you might be able to break my defense.”

“Yes, only I can,” Metallus Phantommon replied coldly, “And you are inherently countered by me. You won’t stand a chance. If I were you, I’d give up resisting and surrender now. At least that way, you might save your life.”

Gigapineemon sneered. “You know I’d never surrender. True, you counter me, but that doesn’t guarantee you victory. Among Digimon, the determining factor is still basic combat strength. Otherwise, if it were only about counters, then despite being countered by the Dragon Slayer of WarGreymon, the Royal Knight Dukemon would also be countered. Yet, does WarGreymon defeat Dukemon?”

WarGreymon’s Dragon Slayer was a bane to any dragon-type Digimon—any with the name “Dragon” or dragon genes were vulnerable to it. While it was uncertain whether it could counter ShineGreymon: Satan Mode, considering it could even counter the MechaDevimon, which had a trace of dragon genes, it was highly probable.

Yet despite such counters, in a true fight, WarGreymon was no match for ShineGreymon: Satan Mode or Dukemon. The reason lay in their fundamental combat strength.

Suppose WarGreymon’s base combat power was 10,000, and Dukemon’s was 100,000. Because Dukemon was countered, its power decreased by 10,000, while WarGreymon’s increased by the same amount. On the surface, WarGreymon became stronger and Dukemon weaker, but even with the reduction, Dukemon’s power still far surpassed WarGreymon’s.

Thus, countering notwithstanding, a sufficiently strong basic combat power could still deliver a one-hit knockout.

Metallus Phantommon laughed coldly. “Unfortunately, you’re not Dukemon, and I’m not WarGreymon. The gap between us isn’t as vast as you imagine.”

“Oh? Then fight,” Gigapineemon declared, charging at Metallus Phantommon.

“Never give up until the end. Very well, I’ll show you the Yellow River,” Metallus Phantommon said, drawing its already energized scythe and slashing toward Gigapineemon.

But Gigapineemon seemed unfazed by the attack, meeting it head-on. Yet just as Metallus Phantommon’s strike was about to land, Gigapineemon responded swiftly. Witnessing this, everyone’s pupils involuntarily contracted slightly.