"What is the World Tree talking about?" Marcus Damon asked curiously.
"I don't know. But the World Tree used the term 'human race,'" Thomas said cautiously.
Zheng Fan never said "humans"; he always called them the "human race." He had reminded Thomas and the others about this, saying their horizons were too narrow. The Digimon, including the World Tree, had always used "humans" before, and Zheng Fan had not minded. But now the World Tree seemed to have gone mad, and somehow it had picked up the term "human race."
"Commencing purge procedure." The World Tree spoke in a purely synthesized mechanical voice, devoid of any emotion.
"You bastard! Our world isn't your testing ground, you damned mass-produced robot!" Marcus Damon roared. But the World Tree gave no response, simply summoning a dense swarm of crystals.
"Boss, stop talking to this guy." Koromon had woken up at some point. Though Koromon had no feet, those bouncing hops still demonstrated the physical prowess of an In-Training Digimon, far beyond that of an ordinary human.
"Koromon, you're right. This isn't the time to reason with this guy anymore. Let's show him what our fists can do."
"That's right, boss! Let's give this guy a good look at the combined power of Digimon and humans!" Koromon shouted excitedly.
Marcus Damon scooped up Agumon with his remaining right hand, lowered his head, and charged toward the World Tree. The World Tree casually lashed a vine at him. Marcus abruptly stopped in the middle of his headlong rush, and the vine plunged into the ground in front of him. Seizing the opportunity, he leaped onto the vine and sprinted along it toward the World Tree.
The World Tree shook the vine wildly, trying to throw Marcus Damon off, but it was utterly ineffective. It brought