"Damn it!"
Just like the other hackers, Kei—who held dual identities as a "Digimon Hunter" and "black market dealer"—immediately intended to retreat.
Because Kei had personally experienced a similar incident not long ago, he knew firsthand the horror of these unknown creatures called Eaters.
According to Kei's post-event investigation, every hacker struck by an Eater in that incident, without exception, had contracted "EDEN Syndrome" in the real world. Hence, he understood better than anyone how terrifying these creatures were.
"Wait..."
But just as Kei instinctively prepared to flee, he suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly shot his gaze toward the young hacker and Chen Ze.
"It's targeting you guys, isn't it?"
In theory, although Eaters appeared randomly within EDEN's open areas, the black-and-white tentacles clearly weren't "random" this time.
This creature was consciously attacking the firewall of the Digimon black market, trying to infiltrate the place—its determined effort to widen the "cracks" and force itself inside made that painfully clear.
Compared to its kin, which acted purely on instinct, the Eater currently assaulting the firewall was distinctly more advanced, seemingly possessing a kind of "spiritual awareness" akin to that of a Digimon.
This "awareness" might not yet equal true life, but it was enough to blur the boundary between data and living beings.
Much like the first cell born on Earth, this represented an essential leap, a transformation in form—the first step toward the Eater becoming a true living entity.
"Not me. It's them."
Having also realized this, the young hacker first glanced briefly at Kei, then turned his eyes toward the anxiously alert Chen Ze and Renamon, before speaking softly.
"This incident has nothing to do with me. I don't owe you anything anymore."
The young hacker referred to the previous event, where Chen Ze had used Little Piccolo to save his life. Had that not occurred, he wouldn't have bothered hiding Chen Ze and Renamon in the Digimon black market at all.
But now, since even the black market firewall couldn't block the Eater, the young hacker no longer intended to get further involved. He simply turned away, intending to leave with Kei.
Boom—Crack!
Unfortunately, the Eater outside seemed to have noticed the young hacker's intention to leave. Without hesitation, another tentacle abruptly appeared.
But this time, instead of appearing above the trading area, it manifested precisely at the young hacker's position.
Whoosh!
In a flash, roaring flames erupted from the young hacker's body. Instantly reverting to his true form as Piddomon, he decisively beat his wings and swiftly escaped the Eater's attack range.
Crack…crack…
But even Piddomon didn't expect what happened next. After he evaded the attack, the writhing tentacle swiftly switched its target, viciously smashing toward Kei, who stood frozen nearby.
"Watch out!"
Chen Ze, nearest to Kei and already extremely tense, yelled out instantly, revealing his ice-blue Agumon form.
Bang!
Accompanied by the audible cracking sound, the ground beneath Agumon shattered as he dashed forward like a gust of wind, straight toward the encroaching tentacle.
"Too late!"
Seeing this, Renamon, who had been closely following Chen Ze, furrowed her brow and let out a helpless sigh.
It wasn't that Renamon didn't wish to help; rather, just as Chen Ze lunged toward Kei, yet another tentacle emerged from the void, this time directly aiming at her.
"It even learned how to hold grudges?"
Swiftly pivoting her graceful and agile body, Renamon didn't choose to retreat. Instead, she swung her claws, slashing directly at the overextended tentacle.
—Palm Strike!
...
"Data Barrier activated!"
"Personal Firewall activated!"
"Account Security Mode activated!"
Seeing the massive tentacle about to smash into his face, the previously polite and refined Kei finally revealed his sharp instincts as a "Digimon Hunter."
Bang!
In less than a second, several defensive barriers materialized in front of Kei, one even forming a tangible "wall" blocking his path.
These were security programs that Kei had pre-installed on his digital avatar, proof of his skill as a top-level hacker.
Like a firewall or antivirus program guarding a computer, these security measures repelled any attempt by "viruses" to attack his digital form, safeguarding his personal data.
Crack…
Yet, to Kei's astonishment, those defensive programs—which could withstand attacks from Champion-level Digimon—collapsed instantaneously upon contact with the tentacle.
This utterly unforeseen outcome left Kei with no chance to execute his backup plan. He was forced to face the deadly tentacle directly.
In that life-or-death moment, Kei felt his mind go utterly blank, completely overwhelmed by the fear of impending death.
Clang!
At this critical juncture, a sharp, resonant sound of steel escaping its sheath echoed loudly.
—Chou Kousoku Ichimonji-giri!
Instantly, lightning-fast blade light broke through the cage's restraint, confronting the Eater's attack in Kei's stead.
Shhkkk!
Unlike any collision before, violent sparks erupted where the tentacle met the katana, the piercing metallic shriek echoing through the entire space.
Immediately afterward, a not-so-tall figure appeared in front of Kei, slowly returning its katana back into the sheath at its waist.
"I have now repaid the debt of sparing my life. Henceforth, you and I have nothing to do with each other!"
Standing before Kei in this dire moment was none other than BushiAgumon, who had been imprisoned in the cage all along.
"From now on, it's merely a warrior's pursuit of martial perfection."
His proud voice was loud, resonant, and carried an unruly, domineering spirit.
BushiAgumon slowly lowered his center of gravity, his eyes gleaming with eagerness and pride as he stared directly at the Eater's tentacle.
"You…you broke out of the cage?"
Kei stared incredulously at BushiAgumon, standing protectively in front of him. He knew precisely how sturdy his Digimon cages were.
They were "confinement programs" meticulously coded with Chrome Digizoid.
Even if not quite on par with the legendary "Chrome Digizoid," it was absolutely unbreakable by an ordinary Champion-level Digimon.
Not to mention that, no matter how talented BushiAgumon was, he was only at Rookie-level—a Rookie who couldn't even defeat Kei's partner.
---
bonus chaps
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200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
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