Chapter 151: LadyDevimon: Why Do I Always Get the Short End of the Stick?
Witnessing Grapleomon scatter her special move, LadyDevimon couldn't help but clench her fists. Her sharp, dark claws dug into her palms. Although she hadn't intended to kill with her previous attack, she hadn't exactly held back much, either. The dark energy should have been more than enough.
After the previous exchange, LadyDevimon had basically confirmed one thing. Leomon didn't seem very proficient with his Ultimate Level form. Simply put, he was a half-baked amateur. Dealing with such a novice, according to her expectations, her strike, while not lethal, should have left him battered and kneeling in the dirt.
But what were the facts? Grapleomon had actually shattered her attack!
Didn't this mean that she, an Ultimate Level powerhouse who could skillfully manipulate her dark power and perform Digivolution and regression at will, wasn't even as good as a stumbling amateur?
LadyDevimon became increasingly depressed the more she chewed on the thought. Her crimson eyes narrowed in sheer frustration.
However, what she didn't know was that Leomon's situation couldn't be judged by common sense. Perhaps he was indeed a novice in that form right now, but he had once received the sacred light of a Digivice back on File Island. In other words, his data had been hacked and artificially boosted. Plus, LadyDevimon herself hadn't truly wanted to go all out and risk destroying the area.
With the addition of all these hidden variables, the previous baffling scene had played out.
Yet LadyDevimon, entirely unaware of these technicalities, couldn't help but spiral into self-reflection.
'Could it be... that I am actually not some terrifyingly powerful Ultimate Level Digimon?'She shook her head, her blonde hair whipping around her shoulders.'Damn it... This must not be my problem! It is just that those guys are too abnormal! Yes! That is right! It must be like that!'She crossed her arms, her dark lips curling into a haughty smirk.'Besides, being an Ultimate Level doesn't prove anything. Once I reach the Mega Level, that will truly prove my absolute superiority! Incidentally, I also possess the high-level intelligence that those muscle-brained fools lack. Mmh! That is right.'Her smile widened, a blush of pride warming her pale cheeks.'More, I am a being favored by His Excellency Mizuki! Looking at it this way, I have still won!'
Thinking of this, LadyDevimon's previous gloom vanished entirely, replaced by sheer, unadulterated joy. One could only say that when it came to avoiding internal emotional friction, she was a master of mental gymnastics.
On the other side of the clearing, the heavy dust began to settle. Having exhausted the last dregs of his surging power to scatter LadyDevimon's attack, Grapleomon's massive form glowed with a fading light, reverting back to his Champion Level Leomon form. He dropped to one knee, panting heavily, his muscular chest heaving with every breath.
Watching Gatomon walk over, flanked by a nervous-looking Gekomon and a trailing group of Otamamon, Leomon blinked, slightly stunned. He pushed himself up, his deep voice rough from exertion.
"Gatomon, what is this..."
"Leomon, you big oaf, you are still way too impulsive."
Looking at the bewildered beast warrior, Gatomon stopped in her tracks. She helplessly covered her face with a white paw and let out a long, exhausted sigh. Dropping her paw, she fixed him with a stern glare and began to explain.
"I just went and asked Gekomon and the Otamamon. LadyDevimon wasn't trying to harm them like your heroic imagination led you to believe."
Gatomon crossed her arms, her tail swishing in annoyance. "In fact, the only reason they are still perfectly fine right now is entirely thanks to the protection of LadyDevimon and BlackGatomon."
"That is right, ribbit!"
Just as Gatomon finished speaking, a Gekomon that had been shifting impatiently on its webbed feet hopped forward, its large eyes blinking earnestly.
"Although I am very grateful for your burning desire to help us, you have indeed misunderstood the situation, ribbit!"
Subsequently, under the frantic but detailed explanation of the Gekomon, Leomon gradually understood the true sequence of events. The dark Digimon hadn't been attacking the helpless villagers; they had been shielding them from the crossfire.
This realization hit Leomon like a physical blow. His proud posture stiffened, and his gaze shifted toward LadyDevimon, who was hovering not too far away, looking utterly unbothered. A heavy, suffocating wave of guilt washed over his eyes.
"Hahaha! Leomon, you idiot! You still have the nerve to say I don't use my brain every day!"
Ogremon's grating, boisterous laughter shattered the tense silence. The green-skinned Digimon slapped his knee, pointing his bone club at his eternal rival in sheer mockery. "Now it seems you are exactly the same! Jumping into a fight blind!"
However, Leomon completely ignored the taunts. Not to mention that having spent so long traveling and clashing with him, Leomon had long since grown immune to the goblin's abrasive personality.
Right now, Leomon had far more important things to do. He adjusted his grip on his waist, his expression hardening with resolve, and took heavy, deliberate steps toward the fallen angel.
"...What?"
Seeing the imposing Leomon march right up to her, LadyDevimon raised a slender eyebrow. She looked down her nose at him, her tone dripping with a slightly defensive edge.
Looking at the dark Digimon in front of him, who looked deeply displeased, or so Leomon's literal mind interpreted, a flash of deep guilt crossed his clear eyes. Without a moment of hesitation, the proud beast warrior bowed, lowering his majestic head toward her in a gesture of absolute submission.
"I am sorry, LadyDevimon."
His deep voice carried no excuses, only raw sincerity. "I completely misunderstood your intentions. I apologize to you for my blind aggression just now."
He paused, his jaw setting firmly. "For this grave insult, I am willing to accept any punishment you deem fit."
Listening to Leomon's heavy words, before LadyDevimon could even process the sheer absurdity of the situation, Ogremon's jaw practically hit the dirt. His laughter died instantly, replaced by an expression of utter shock.
"Leomon actually apologized?!" Ogremon squawked, his grip on his bone club slipping. "That guy is so stubborn and proud; is he possessed by a ghost?!"
"That is not it."
At this moment, Wizardmon, who had been standing silently like a shadow beside Gatomon, finally spoke up. His voice was calm, measured, and entirely devoid of mockery.
"It is precisely because of the immense pride and honor in his heart that Leomon will never turn a blind eye to the mistakes he has made. A true warrior owns his faults."
"Is that so?" Ogremon scratched his horned head, looking completely bewildered by the concept of honor.
Wizardmon remained silent for a moment, observing the simple-minded goblin, and eventually shifted his attention away, a faint sigh escaping his hidden lips. 'To be able to stay with such a simpleton for so long without being assimilated into an idiot himself... Leomon is actually quite impressive in his own way.' Wizardmon mused quietly.
While Wizardmon was silently teasing Ogremon in his heart, LadyDevimon finally snapped out of her momentary astonishment.
Looking down at Leomon, who still had his head bowed before her like a repentant knight, LadyDevimon raised an eyebrow. The corners of her dark lips couldn't help but curl into an intrigued, wicked arc.
"Are you sure?" she purred, leaning in slightly, her tone laced with dark amusement. "You are truly willing to accept any punishment I give you?"
"That is right!" Leomon declared, his voice unwavering.
"Oh? Even if I told you to die right here and hand over all your core data to me, you would be willing?"
The moment the words left LadyDevimon's lips, a sharp, metallic ring echoed through the clearing.
Without a single second of hesitation, Leomon drew the razor-sharp blade from his waist. His muscles bulged as he reversed his grip and aimed the deadly tip directly at his own broad chest, his eyes burning with absolute conviction.
Seeing this horrific scene unfold, the surrounding Digimon completely froze in stunned silence. Gatomon's eyes widened in horror.
LadyDevimon's smug amusement shattered instantly. Panic flared in her crimson eyes, and she lunged forward, her long, chained claw lashing out with desperate speed.
Clang!
She violently swatted the heavy blade away from his chest, sending the weapon spinning into the dirt.
"Are you an absolute idiot?!" LadyDevimon shrieked, her usual elegant composure entirely gone. "Can't you tell I was just joking?! If I had been even a fraction of a second slower just now, would you have actually committed suicide?!"
Leomon looked at his empty hand, then back up at her, his expression entirely serious. "...I must take responsibility for my grave mistakes."
Facing LadyDevimon's furious rebuke, he paused for a moment of contemplation before speaking in a firm, unshakable voice. "Even if it costs me my own life. It is the only fair exchange."
He looked her dead in the eye. "After all, my previous attack did not hold back in the slightest. If it weren't for your powerful strength and quick reflexes, I am afraid that by now you would have..."
"Already been killed by you? Oh, please, do not flatter yourself." LadyDevimon cut him off with a harsh, displeased click of her tongue, crossing her arms to hide the slight tremor in her hands.
She glared at him, but then seemed to remember something, her gaze softening just a fraction. "Compared to this nonsense... it is truly unbelievable how a stupid, literal-minded guy like you has managed to survive in this brutal world until now."
Leomon did not respond to the insult. He merely remained kneeling, gazing up at LadyDevimon with a pair of clear, bright, and uncompromisingly honest eyes. Just as he had said himself, he had to take responsibility for his actions. There was no deceit in his heart.
Looking at Leomon acting like this, so earnest, so painfully honorable, LadyDevimon gradually lost all desire to tease him or watch him squirm for fun. It just wasn't satisfying. In fact, she always had a nagging feeling that in front of stubbornly righteous guys like Leomon, she somehow ended up looking like the bad guy, even when she was the victim!
'Mmh! Decided!'She ground her teeth, her eyes flashing with displaced irritation.'After going back, I am absolutely going to beat up BlackAgumon again to vent this frustration!'
The very moment LadyDevimon cemented this dark thought in her mind, miles away in a completely different location, BlackAgumon suddenly shivered for absolutely no reason.
A violent sneeze escaped his snout, sending a tiny spark of dark flame into the air.
"Did I catch a cold?"
BlackAgumon rubbed his snout and touched his dark, scaly head in sheer confusion. He blinked his large eyes, looking around the empty landscape. After thinking hard for a solid moment, his simple mind couldn't find a single logical clue to explain the sudden, ominous chill that had just swept over him.
In the end, he dropped his claws and shrugged helplessly.
'Well, since things are as they are...'BlackAgumon thought, his stomach letting out a loud, demanding rumble.'Let's just eat first!'
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