Chapter 135: Soaring Dragon Beast

Correction: Readers, please disregard the latter half of the previous sentence regarding the "situation" and replace it with "tilted decisively in favor of Wingdramon."

Yes, the situation had shifted completely in favor of Wingdramon. The previously dominant Sonicdramon had lost half of its tail, causing it to lose its balance; amidst its high-speed rotation, a fatal opening emerged.

Wingdramon realized that if it failed to seize this opening, it would lose. And to lose meant to die. Instantly, Wingdramon exploited the gap and finished off Sonicdramon right there. Although it emerged victorious, Wingdramon had sustained significant injuries.

After Wingdramon finished off Sonicdramon, a portion of Sonicdramon's data was immediately absorbed by Wingdramon.

"Damn it." The joy on Astamon's face lasted only a fleeting moment before it froze, replaced by a dark, gloomy expression.

"Absorption..." On the other side, Ichi watched this scene, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Ichi had seen Digimon kill others to plunder their data and enhance themselves before, but he had not expected this particular Digital World to function in such a way. For him, this was a double-edged sword.

The benefit was that by devouring vast amounts of Digimon data, he could accelerate his own growth. Perhaps he could even accumulate enough digital energy to break through to the level of a high-tier Ultimate Digimon.

The downside, however, was that the Digimon in this world were likely not very benevolent. After all, if one could grow by devouring others, it meant that everyone existed in a predator-prey relationship. If one’s strength was insufficient and one wandered about, a powerful Digimon might appear at any moment, looking to kill them as prey.

Despite his dark expression, Astamon did not lash out. He turned to the side and said, "Airdramon, you're up."

"Understood." Airdramon nodded and immediately took to the battlefield.

Airdramon is a Sky Dragon-type Vaccine species, an Ultimate Digimon, whose signature move is Wing Cutter. It is a Sky Dragon-type Digimon with highly developed wings, capable of flying freely through the sky. The scales on its wings can negate gravity, allowing it to fly even without flapping them.

"Another flying Digimon? Then, let Garudamon handle this." Ichi dispatched Garudamon. As the command was given, Garudamon soared into the air.

As Garudamon entered the fray, Wingdramon, still wounded, slowly descended to Ichi's side of the battlefield and was recalled by its master.

Garudamon is a Bird Man-type Vaccine species, an Ultimate Digimon, whose signature move is Wing Blade. It is a Bird Man-type Digimon possessing wings that allow it to dance through the sky and giant, hooked claws. Garudamon values justice and order; it is the guardian deity of the earth and wind, deeply in love with nature. Among bird-type Digimon, it possesses high intellect and combat prowess, and it is said that only chosen Digimon can evolve into it, which is why it is revered.

It is generally believed that whenever the order of the Digital World descends into chaos, it appears from nowhere to rectify the source of the disorder and restore stability. Furthermore, it is a close friend of the like-minded hero, Leomon.

Once again, both combatants were flying Digimon. Although one was a Sky Dragon-type and the other a Bird Man-type, it was impossible to tell who held the advantage.

This time, much like Wingdramon and Sonicdramon before them, they stood silently, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Just then, inside the massive city behind Ichi, a person was preparing to eat a steamed bun. After peeling the thin film from the bottom of the bun, they tossed it away. At that exact moment, a strong gust of wind caught the film, sending it soaring thousands of miles into the air, straight out of the city.

The film drifted until it arrived between Garudamon and Airdramon. Just as the film drifted into the line of sight of Airdramon, momentarily blinding it, Garudamon suddenly made its move.

Garudamon flapped its wings violently and lunged toward Airdramon. In a flash, Garudamon appeared before its opponent, its talons wreathed in layers of flame as it struck at Airdramon.

However, the moment Garudamon acted, Airdramon reacted. Although it could fly without flapping its wings, this time it beat them, dodging Garudamon's attack and leaping high into the sky.

"Don't think you can escape." Garudamon flapped its wings again, charging after Airdramon.

Yet, just as Garudamon pursued, Airdramon turned around and dove back toward Garudamon.

"Oh no..." A flash of shock crossed Garudamon's eyes. It immediately shifted its wings to the side, narrowly avoiding Airdramon's Spin Needle.

However, Airdramon naturally emitted a high-pressure air current while flying at such high speeds. Though Garudamon dodged the physical attack, it was still struck by the shockwave.

A deep gash appeared instantly, running from Garudamon's left chest to its right abdomen. It looked as if the attack had intended to tear Garudamon in two.

Upon being struck, Garudamon did not retreat. Instead, it unleashed a Vacuum Blade, firing it toward Airdramon. The attack was so fast that the human eye could barely perceive it, seeing only a black blur.

Perhaps because Airdramon had just landed a hit on Garudamon, its momentum was slightly offset by the impact, causing its speed to drop just a fraction. Though it remained fast, it was an opening in the eyes of a speed-type like Garudamon. Instantly, Garudamon's Wing Blade struck Airdramon square in the back.