Chapter 145: The Qilin Beast

Kirinmon is a Holy Beast-type Vaccine species, a Perfect-level Digimon whose signature move is the [Swift Gale Heavenly Soaring Sword]. Reputed to be an ancient Digimon born at the dawn of the Digital World's creation, it possesses power that rivals Ultimate-level Digimon, making it a legendary sacred beast-type Digimon. According to legend, while this Digimon possesses immense power, it utterly detests conflict and refuses to ever commit acts of slaughter.

Saviackmon is a Dragon Man-type Data species, a Perfect-level Digimon whose signature move is the [Trident Saber]. It is the form that Blade Kuwagamon evolved into after embarking on a long journey, repeatedly experiencing encounters and farewells with other Digimon, and traversing numerous fierce battlefields. Although its feet are blade-shaped, it is capable of bipedal walking. With crimson blades growing from both of its hands and its tail, it has transformed into an offensive combat style where its entire body is equipped with blades.

After evolution, these two Digimon can evolve into Sleipmon and Jesmon respectively, both of whom are members of the Royal Knights. Furthermore, both possess combat capabilities on par with Ultimate-level Digimon. It can be said that they themselves are top-tier entities among Perfect-level Digimon.

Since four other Perfect-level Digimon have already been introduced previously, there is no need to go into excessive detail here.

Although a small number of Perfect-level Digimon can attain top-tier Perfect combat capabilities the moment they successfully evolve, this requires an exceptionally profound foundation prior to evolution. Without a sufficient foundation, such evolution cannot be achieved.

The evolution of any Digimon follows a discernible path. Whether evolving directly in a single step from the Adult stage to a top-tier Perfect-level Digimon, or first evolving into a lower-tier Perfect-level Digimon and gradually progressing to the top-tier Perfect level, a solid foundation, energy, and various other prerequisites are indispensable.

Returning to the main subject, let us shift our focus back to the battlefield where Kirinmon and Saviackmon are currently engaged.

Kirinmon gazed calmly at Saviackmon and said, "Saviackmon, I can tell that you are not an evil Digimon. Surrender; I have no desire to take your life."

Saviackmon looked coldly at Kirinmon and replied, "Kirinmon, I can see that you stand on the side of justice. However, you have your justice, and I have mine. You cannot abandon your justice, nor can I abandon mine. Therefore, in this battle, we can only fight for our respective convictions."

"In that case, let us fight." The moment Kirinmon finished speaking, its figure flashed and instantly vanished from Saviackmon's sight. The next instant, it reappeared right in front of Saviackmon, lowering its head to ram directly into its opponent with the horn upon its brow.

[Resisting Raid] Saviackmon leaped straight into the air, using the blades on its feet to strike at Kirinmon's head. Saviackmon's foot blades collided head-on with the horn on Kirinmon's head. However, in the very next instant, Saviackmon was sent hurtling backward, knocked away directly by the force of Kirinmon's charge.

Perhaps their overall combat strengths were roughly matched, but Saviackmon's momentum and impact force fell short of Kirinmon's, which was why Saviackmon immediately found itself at a disadvantage during their initial exchange.

[Trident Saber] Seizing the moment, Saviackmon unleashed the blades on both of its arms and its tail, launching a ferocious counterattack against Kirinmon.

Knowing that the rest of Kirinmon's body possessed no exceptional defensive cover, and facing an attack capable of cleaving even Chrome Digizoid, Kirinmon chose not to take the blow head-on. Instead, it shifted sideways and deftly evaded Saviackmon's strike.

[Meteor Flame] Simultaneously as Kirinmon dodged, Saviackmon gathered a barrage of fiery projectiles within its maw and hurled them directly at Kirinmon.

For a fleeting second, Saviackmon believed its assault had successfully connected with Kirinmon. Yet the very next moment, the fiery projectiles cleanly pierced right through Kirinmon's form.

This was nothing more than an afterimage.

Instantly, Saviackmon swept its gaze across the surroundings, finally locking onto Kirinmon's actual figure not far away. Never had it expected Kirinmon to flee. Without a moment's hesitation, Saviackmon gave chase, continuously unleashing attacks upon Kirinmon throughout the pursuit.

Yet, for reasons unknown, although this Kirinmon's evasive maneuvers were remarkably agile—successfully dodging every single fiery projectile thrown by Saviackmon—it stubbornly refused to turn its body around and launch a counter-offensive against Saviackmon.

One must bear in mind that Kirinmon's strength was by no means insignificant. If it were some other lesser Digimon—those far inferior to Saviackmon—such frantic and continuous evasion might be understandable.

However, given Kirinmon's formidable power, there was simply no logical reason for it to maintain a purely defensive evasion strategy for so long. Initially, dodging could be justified as a means to avoid damage, but prolonging such maneuvers for too long would inevitably create fatal openings.

Once those openings were seized by an opponent, even a majestic beast like Kirinmon could potentially be obliterated in a single strike. After all, the entity pursuing Kirinmon was no weakling, but Saviackmon itself.

Witnessing this scene unfold on the field, a trace of delight surfaced at the corners of Elena's mouth. "Ichimon, what do you think? Should this round be considered our victory?"

Ichimon deliberated for a moment and responded, "Judging by appearances, yes, the probability of our victory is indeed very high. However, if I were in your position, I would strongly advise activating the Burst Mode. Presumably, only by utilizing Saviackmon: Burst Mode could we secure a ninety percent win rate—and that is under the prerequisite that Kirinmon does not also transform into Kirinmon: Burst Mode."

Elena looked utterly astonished and asked, "You surely don't still believe that Kirinmon has a chance to turn the tables, do you?"

Ichimon maintained a serene expression and replied, "Do not forget, this is Kirinmon we are talking about, not some ordinary Digimon. Furthermore, remember that this is the real Digital World. Unlike a video game world where you remain alive as long as your HP bar has not hit zero even if you take a hit to a vital spot, here in reality, taking a hit to a critical weak point means death. In other words, this world provides Kirinmon with the potential for a one-hit kill."

Elena spoke instinctively, "Are you implying that we cannot afford to let down our guard?"

Ichimon stated flatly, "Precisely. To look no further than the recent past—those very battles we witnessed earlier—did we not see instances where combatants held a massive advantage, only to be counter-killed in the end? Surely your memory is not so poor that you have already forgotten what happened just moments ago."

"Understood." Hearing this, Elena nodded and immediately prepared to command Saviackmon to enter Burst Mode. Yet, right at that very instant, a sudden anomaly occurred.