"Watch out!"
From the darkness, a pitch-black claw shot forward, stabbing straight toward Rina's back.
At that critical instant, Monzaemon—who had just had its Black Gear removed, thus standing closest to her—stepped forward, planting itself firmly in front of Rina.
Since Zero's party had just freed it from the Black Gear's control, Monzaemon naturally sought to repay their kindness.
However, the incoming attack was far more terrifying than anyone had expected. In that split-second exchange—
With a sickening tear, bright yellow fabric scattered everywhere, as Monzaemon's flank and belly were brutally ripped open, pristine white cotton spilling out in a messy heap.
"!"
While this scene wasn't especially graphic at first glance, considering the situation realistically—if this were flesh and blood, it would've been like having your stomach torn open and your guts spilling out onto the ground.
Only because Monzaemon was a toy-type Digimon did the image remain somewhat mild; but if you paused to think about the details, it was enough to send chills down your spine.
After taking such devastating damage, Monzaemon didn't immediately die and get forcibly respawned at the Village of Beginnings, but its fighting strength was entirely extinguished.
…One strike!
With just a single blow, an Ultimate-level Monzaemon had been crippled into complete helplessness. Granted, it was a sneak attack—but even so, to achieve such a result was utterly terrifying.
A shadow condensed swiftly, forming a blurred humanoid figure…
…Crimson eyes, a slender, pitch-black form, wicked claws, and two long horns protruding from the forehead—truly the textbook image of a classical demon.
There was no need to explain who this Digimon was any further. He was the horrific calamity currently plaguing File Island.
"…Devimon of File Island…so, you finally came."
Zero knew that if he wanted to thrive on File Island, Devimon was a hurdle he inevitably had to cross. He'd prepared himself mentally, knowing they would fight eventually.
But this sudden battle had come too abruptly—catching him slightly unprepared.
Yet when he thought carefully, Zero and Hajime had already spent over a month rampaging across File Island, freeing at least a dozen Champion-level Digimon, and countless Rookies besides.
If at the start Zero and Hajime were merely minor, unforeseen variables, by now Devimon clearly understood: these two weren't just sabotaging his plans—they were openly trying to slap him in the face.
Tripping him up behind his back was already annoying enough, but trying to smack him head-on? That was utterly intolerable! Did they think he was already dead?!
Thus, Devimon had spent days tracking them down, finally pinpointing their location—and now, he'd successfully cornered them.
Staring directly at that demon, Hajime felt blood boiling up to her head.
"It's him…that demon…the one who murdered my friend!"
Her voice shook with barely-contained rage—but within that rage, Zero also heard…fear?
Is she afraid? Afraid of the nightmare-like demon who had so effortlessly taken her friend's life.
Without hesitation, Zero stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Hajime. He gently bumped her tail with his own…
…It's okay. I'm here this time.
Truthfully, this sort of reassurance could only provide minor psychological comfort. After all, the huge disparity in power couldn't be bridged by mere words.
But encouragement from a comrade standing beside her in battle at least gave Hajime some small measure of calmness.
As for Devimon, he almost couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud:
"How touching, how touching! This sort of sentimental drama truly makes me nauseous. Sadly, this childish friendship game…ends right here!"
Without warning, his wings snapped open and he launched forward—so quickly it almost seemed like teleportation. Even focusing all their senses, Zero and Hajime could only barely perceive a dark shadow flickering towards them.
…Tch, he's fast!
Zero didn't dodge. Escaping wouldn't solve anything here. Although facing Devimon directly was still reckless at this point, fortune or misfortune…there was nowhere to run.
This fight had to happen sooner or later anyway.
Immediately, Zero spat two bursts of Mega Shot alongside Hajime's Howling Blaster, attempting to block Devimon's path. The two Digimon flanked from both sides simultaneously. Flames surging in his jaws, Zero lunged forward, biting directly toward Devimon.
Without hesitation, Devimon stretched out his hands—those slender arms easily slicing through the flames Zero had set as a barrier. Zero executed a drifting tail-slide to evade the claws and bit down viciously onto Devimon's arm.
Flames exploded fiercely from his mouth—but Devimon didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow. On the other side, Hajime charged forward, bright blue flames building up in her mouth.
"You took my friend's life…give it back!!"
In response to Hajime's roar, Devimon merely curled his lips in disdain.
"Your friend? My deepest apologies—I don't have even the faintest memory of that. But no worries; I'll happily send you off to reunite with it…"
Even as he spoke, the arm Zero was biting down on suddenly swung violently, ripping Zero off his feet and sending him airborne—exactly like swinging a flail—hurling him directly at Hajime.
"!"
Hajime had no chance to dodge. Zero collided directly into her, and the two tumbled together in a tangled heap.
"So, this is all you amounted to?"
Watching Zero and Hajime struggle to separate themselves, Devimon's voice now held no interest whatsoever.
"To think I personally came all this way. How disappointing. Ah well…I'll leave the rest to you two."
Devimon casually gestured. Instantly, two figures emerged once more from the darkness.
"…"
Zero and Hajime saw clearly: one was a Digimon with the build of a muscular man and the head of a lion. His sinewy arms, scarred from countless battles, carried a heavy blade strapped to his back. He looked every bit the wandering samurai warrior.
The other had green skin, long horns, tusks jutting from its jaws, and wielded a thick bone club. Its appearance closely matched the "oni" from Japanese legend, mingled perhaps with a bit of ogre imagery.
Of course, these two unlucky rivals had once again ended up precisely following the canon's original path—both had fallen into Devimon's hands.
These two were naturally Leomon—whom they'd heard mentioned repeatedly—and his old rival, Ogremon.
With these two present, the scene immediately devolved into a three-versus-two. Devimon alone was already overwhelmingly dangerous; adding these two was basically declaring outright that they intended to trap Zero and Hajime here permanently.
"Rina…let's use those now."
Under these circumstances, there was no time left to hold back any trump cards. Hearing this, Rina swiftly pulled out two thin cards…
"…Yeah, got it!"
---
T/N: big beefy hot leomon