Chapter 146: Hackmon the Savior

The fireball attack from SaviorHackmon struck Qilinmon directly, yet it did not result in the expected injury. After all, SaviorHackmon was not arrogant enough to think a single fireball could finish off Qilinmon.

However, beyond all expectation, the moment the fireball hit Qilinmon, it eradicated him completely.

[Oh no, something is wrong.] Seeing this, SaviorHackmon realized instantly that he had fallen into Qilinmon's trap.

If forced to choose between believing that his fireball possessed overwhelming power and obliterated Qilinmon in one hit, or believing that the so-called Qilinmon possessed weak defense—or perhaps zero defense at all—and was merely an afterimage or a clone, SaviorHackmon would definitely choose to believe the latter.

That is to say, SaviorHackmon believed that Qilinmon was merely an afterimage or a clone. Given how agile the creature was, SaviorHackmon leaned heavily toward the latter explanation.

[Gale Soaring Sword!] Just as SaviorHackmon realized he had been tricked, Qilinmon dove straight down from the high sky, charging directly at SaviorHackmon with his horn.

"No..." SaviorHackmon managed only a gasp of astonishment as he watched the scene unfold. The next moment, SaviorHackmon's body was pierced right through by Qilinmon. Afterward, Qilinmon landed not far away, looked at SaviorHackmon, and smiled calmly: "You have lost."

"No, I haven't yet." Gazing at the large hole in his chest—at the edges where the digital data was slowly dissolving—SaviorHackmon's expression actually grew calm.

SaviorHackmon gave a cold, mocking laugh: "That was your one and only chance to kill me, but instead of finishing me off instantly, you left me with time to live. That is the single most foolish decision you could have made."

Before, SaviorHackmon had been afraid primarily of being instantly killed by Qilinmon. But upon realizing that although he had suffered an irreversible and severe injury, he did not die immediately, he knew Qilinmon had lost.

Others might not have known, but how could SaviorHackmon himself not know? He possessed the ability to access the Burst Mode. Had he been killed instantly, his Tamer certainly would not have had enough time to trigger his Burst Mode. But now, there was definitely enough time. Moreover, his Tamer would undoubtedly activate his Burst Mode, because only the power of evolution could repair this kind of irreversible, catastrophic injury.

Just as SaviorHackmon's voice trailed off, a flash of evolutionary light suddenly burst from his body, and an evolution matrix materialized beneath his feet. Seeing this, how could Qilinmon not realize that SaviorHackmon was attempting to evolve?

Although he did not know whether SaviorHackmon would evolve into an Ultimate-level Digimon—especially since evolution was supposed to be impossible in this location—what if SaviorHackmon actually managed to reach the Ultimate level? What should he do then?

Regardless of what kind of Ultimate-level Digimon he might evolve into, his combat power would undoubtedly surpass that of the vast majority of Digimon present on the battlefield.

Furthermore, even if SaviorHackmon failed to reach the Ultimate level, the power of evolution could not be faked. Since evolution had occurred, it meant SaviorHackmon would unquestionably become stronger than before.

[Gale Soaring Sword!] The moment Qilinmon realized this critical issue, a look of resolute determination flashed in his eyes. Without hesitation, he charged directly toward SaviorHackmon.

Given Qilinmon's character, it was normally impossible for him to launch a sneak attack while an opponent was in the middle of evolution. But right now, he could no longer afford such principles. Qilinmon knew he could not afford to lose; behind him stood the other Digimon, and he had to win. For their sake, Qilinmon cast aside his own bottom line.

However, although Qilinmon's speed was extremely fast, SaviorHackmon's evolution speed was not slow either. Just as Qilinmon's attack reached SaviorHackmon, a sword thrust out from within the evolutionary light, directly parrying Qilinmon's horn.

Following that, SaviorHackmon's figure emerged from the light of evolution. Compared to his previous form, SaviorHackmon now bore a much closer resemblance to Jesmon.

A great sword engraved with Digimoji script was attached to his tail, and a faint, shimmering aura drifted around his entire body, resembling radiating digital energy.

His presence suddenly surged, becoming vastly more powerful. While there were no numerical combat ratings to check, any Digimon could sense that SaviorHackmon had now reached the tier of the weakest Royal Knight Digimon.

In other words, even if he were to fight the weakest of the Royal Knight Digimon, he would still hold a certain chance of victory. Against Ultimate-level Digimon that were not Royal Knights, his win rate would be even higher. Naturally, dealing with a mere Perfect-level Qilinmon was now completely effortless.

SaviorHackmon looked coldly at Qilinmon and said: "You should be able to feel the immense gap between what I am now and what I was before. Considering that you are fighting for justice, I can spare your life, but you must surrender."

Qilinmon gazed back coldly at SaviorHackmon and replied: "Surrender is impossible. I will fight to the bitter end."

SaviorHackmon continued: "You must know that unless you possess a Burst Evolution matching mine, you can never defeat me."

"I know," Qilinmon said calmly, "but until the very last moment, I will never give up."

"So be it. I respect your resolve." SaviorHackmon said no more. The great sword on his back swept toward Qilinmon, cleaving him directly into two halves.

Thus fell Qilinmon!

Having disposed of Qilinmon, SaviorHackmon deactivated his Burst Mode and headed back toward Elena's side.

As this battle concluded, both sides maintained a silent expression, yet no one uttered a word. Meanwhile, over on Astaramon's side, the next participating Digimon had already arrived on the battlefield.