Knightmon

The Twin Towers.

Mo Yan encountered no obstacles on his way there, nor any Digimon foolish enough to bother him.

The surveillance equipment invented by this world's humans failed to capture his figure, either.

After all, in a sense, these devices still operated using the power of data.

As a Digimon, Mo Yan had more than enough ability to keep these devices from recording him.

Standing on the building's rooftop, Mo Yan looked down.

Through magic, he saw the various devices in the rooms below.

The large machines running nonstop contained power similar to that of Digimon.

"Yamaki does have a few ideas.

Still, he underestimated the wonders of the Digital World, as well as the power of Digimon."

Mo Yan used magic to connect to the data in the equipment below and read through it, discovering many interesting things.

Yamaki had obtained some of the material left behind by researchers who had once studied the Digital World and helped create Digimon, then modified it for his own use.

But Yamaki had forgotten that data could evolve, too.

His so-called "extermination plan" would only damage the barrier between the real world and the Digital World even further.

It would only bring more and more Digimon of ever-increasing strength into the real world.

More terrifying still, his actions would further stimulate the revival of DigiDeath.

However, the revival of DigiDeath represented both a crisis and an opportunity for the Digital World.

After destruction came rebirth.

And Yamaki's yet-to-be-launched "extermination plan" was also an opportunity Mo Yan could exploit.

Mo Yan withdrew his probing gaze, looked around, and calculated the position.

A short while later.

Mo Yan first appeared at a spot high in the sky, directly above the "extermination plan's" generation pool.

Then he used dimensional space magic to conceal the Crystal Ball within that space.

Afterward, Mo Yan changed into Knightmon form and placed Wizardmon's DigiCore inside the Crystal Ball.

[Knightmon, Champion, Vaccine, warrior-type Digimon.

A warrior-type Digimon created by an otherworldly soul through modifying Strikedramon's data.

Clad in light knight armor, this Digimon aspired to become the strongest knight-type Digimon and trained constantly toward that goal. Possessed pride and justice of his own, along with immense strength.

His signature move was Coordinated Attack, which summoned a beast companion to attack alongside him.

His special move was Gale Dance, a flurry of slashes delivered with the greatsword in his hand.]

After placing the DigiCore and the Crystal Ball, Mo Yan inscribed a series of supporting magic circles around them.

All that remained was to wait for Yamaki to launch the extermination plan.

Mo Yan intended to use the vast power of data spanning both worlds to forge an unparalleled blade that would let him break through the barrier to Ultimate.

With everything ready, Mo Yan leaped off the rooftop and dropped toward the ground.

"Wooo~"

An ancient horn sounded, and an enormous wolf appeared out of thin air. The falling warrior landed neatly on its back.

Seated on a comfortable saddle cushion, the warrior pointed in a direction, and the giant wolf set off.

As he approached the park, Mo Yan sent the giant wolf back and continued toward his lodgings on foot.

Accompanied by the faint morning light, the fresh scent of plants, and the calls of birds and insects, Mo Yan reached the clearing near the little hut.

"You're back?

Did everything go smoothly?"

Sensing Mo Yan's approach, the angelic phantom appeared first and asked whether things had gone smoothly.

"Yes. Once Yamaki launches his plan, I'll be able to accomplish my goal."

Mo Yan nodded, indicating that all he needed to do now was sit back and wait for Yamaki to court disaster.

"Takato Matsuki's coming. I'll leave, too."

The power of a D-Ark was approaching, and the angelic phantom turned back into a DigiCore and returned to Mo Yan's body.

"Huh? How come you've changed your appearance yet again?!"

Takato Matsuki had come to see Guilmon as usual, only to discover that Mo Yan had changed his appearance again.

Had no Digital Field formed and Mo Yan not refrained from attacking, Takato Matsuki might have mistaken him for an unfamiliar Digimon again.

"I told you, I have twelve Digicores. Naturally, I have twelve forms."

As though he had truly become a warrior, even Mo Yan's manner of speaking had changed slightly.

"Knightmon, Champion, Vaccine, warrior-type Digimon. His special move is Gale Dance."

Takato Matsuki read Knightmon's basic information from the D-Ark's glowing screen.

"Knightmon, you keep changing back and forth. What am I supposed to call you?"

Takato Matsuki scratched his head and gave a goofy smile.

Folding his arms across his chest, Mo Yan told Takato Matsuki, "Call me Mo Yan."

"Huh? You've already given yourself a human name, Knightmon?"

Hearing Mo Yan's words, Takato Matsuki looked terribly disappointed.

The expression on Takato Matsuki's face inexplicably irritated Mo Yan.

So Mo Yan picked up a pebble from the ground and imbued it with force.

Then he flicked it with a finger.

Smack!

"!?"

Guilmon rushed out of the hut with a ferocious expression, intent on seeing who had attacked him.

"Takato, you're here!"

The instant he saw Takato Matsuki, Guilmon's fierce expression turned adorably vacant, the delight in his voice unmistakable.

"Guilmon."

Seeing Guilmon emerge, Takato Matsuki forgot all about Mo Yan's actions and hugged Guilmon with equal delight.

Faced with the affection between this human and Digimon, Mo Yan turned and entered the hut.

"Hey, I only just fell asleep! Could you show a little consideration?"

Dangling in midair as Mo Yan held him by the ear, Impmon grumbled and cursed in irritation.

"It's already this late. Have you gone for your morning run?

Have you finished your assigned training?"

Ignoring Impmon's complaints, Mo Yan spoke in a dangerously menacing tone.

"I... I...

It's all because your Angel Form kept me talking for half the night! Otherwise, I'd have finished ages ago."

Faced with the dangerous aura spilling from Mo Yan, Impmon promptly backed down. Yet he did not surrender completely, blaming Mo Yan's Angel Form instead.

"Then what are you waiting for?

Come run with me."

Mo Yan released Impmon's ear, then kicked him onto the park's running path before he could even touch the ground.

"Would you two like to join us?"

Mo Yan turned toward Takato Matsuki and Guilmon, extending a hand in invitation.

"I... I'll pass. I still have to go to class."

With a polite smile, Takato Matsuki glanced at his watch and hurriedly declined, saying that he still had class to attend.

"Takato, can Guilmon join in?"

Scratching his clever big head, Guilmon turned to ask Takato Matsuki.

"Guilmon, go ahead if you want to.

Sorry for the trouble, but please look after Guilmon."

Takato Matsuki did not stop Guilmon from running with Mo Yan and the others, and asked Mo Yan to look after him.

Then Takato Matsuki hurriedly set down the food he had prepared for Guilmon, Mo Yan, and Impmon, and said goodbye to them.

Afterward, Takato Matsuki quickly left without looking back.

If he did not leave now, he might end up being late yet again.

"Takato runs so fast."

Watching Takato Matsuki leave with an adorably vacant expression, Guilmon marveled at how fast he ran. No wonder he did not want to run with them.