Chapter 17: The Rescue Arrives

"Roar!" "Roar."
Zhao Jie and Agumon hadn’t run far when two furious roars erupted behind them—the wrath of those whose treasured possessions had just been stolen. Two figures, swift as arrows, tore across the grassland in pursuit of the thieves who had pilfered their fruit.

"Damn it, how did they discover us so soon?"
Hearing the commotion behind him, Zhao Jie’s face changed dramatically. They had been sneaking away for barely ten minutes, and already the theft had been uncovered? Just his luck to be so unfortunate.

"Run."
He urged Agumon forward, hoping the two Champion-level Digimon wouldn’t find them. If they did, he’d have no choice but to abandon the three fruits Agumon had managed to secure.

The sound of wind slicing through the air grew closer; it was clear Zhao Jie’s hopes were dashed—Garurumon had already appeared in their field of vision, rapidly closing the gap between them.

Another roar echoed across the plain as the second Champion-level Digimon, Kyubimon, appeared at Garurumon’s flank, its eyes locked upon Zhao Jie.

"This is all just a misunderstanding," Zhao Jie said with a forced smile, pulling the unripe fruit from his pocket. The two Digimon before him had clearly set their sights on him. There was no choice but to hand it over.

Both Garurumon and Kyubimon grew even more violent at the sight of the fruit in Zhao Jie’s hand. Their eyes glinted with menace, as if they might pounce at any moment.

"It's all a misunderstanding, really. Here, take it!"
Zhao Jie kept up his nervous grin, but his hands moved quickly, hurling the unripe fruit away as he turned to flee with Agumon once more.

With a thud, the two Digimon collided, fighting over the fruit Zhao Jie had just thrown.

"Idiots," Zhao Jie thought, not even needing to look back to know the two Digimon were now grappling for the unripe fruit. His curiosity about the fruit deepened—it must be something extraordinary if two Champion-level Digimon would fight over it. It truly fit the description of a rare treasure.

He and Agumon hadn’t gotten far when Kyubimon emerged victorious, while Garurumon grew even more enraged. The fruit had originally been Garurumon’s; now, not only had it been stolen, but a rival had snatched it as well. Blue-white flames began to leak from the corners of Garurumon’s mouth.

A surge of blue-white foxfire erupted from Garurumon’s jaws, streaking straight for Zhao Jie and Agumon as they tried to escape.

In the nick of time, Zhao Jie dove forward, the foxfire exploding where he had just been standing. The blast of heat sent him flying more than two meters before he crashed heavily to the ground.

Fortunately, the thick grass of the plain cushioned his fall. Though his bones felt as if they’d come apart, his internal organs had suffered no serious harm.

"Zhao Jie!"
Agumon looked at him anxiously, a concentrated fireball forming in its mouth as it warily watched Garurumon approach.

The acrid scent of burning fur hung in the air. Zhao Jie pulled another fruit from his pocket, miming as if he would throw it.

A low growl rumbled from Garurumon’s throat, its gaze fixed on the fruit in Zhao Jie’s grasp.

Just what is this thing?
Seeing Garurumon halt, Zhao Jie relaxed slightly, but his curiosity about the fruit only grew.

"Here you go!"
He hurled the fruit with all his might. Garurumon immediately abandoned its pursuit, darting after the fruit like lightning. Kyubimon moved quickly as well, intercepting Garurumon in a sudden burst of speed.

With a heavy crash, Garurumon sent Kyubimon flying, but was knocked backward itself. The two became entangled once again.

"Agumon, let’s go."
Zhao Jie and Agumon took flight once more. Of the three fruits, only one remained. If rescue didn’t arrive soon, they would truly be in danger.

A piercing cry echoed from above, and a massive figure swooped down from the sky. The rush of wind forced Zhao Jie to squint instinctively.

Another Digimon?
His heart sank, but then he saw several human figures riding atop the flying Digimon.

Rescue had arrived at last.

"Over here! Save me!"
Zhao Jie waved his arms desperately, calling to the Airdramon in the sky.

"Zhao Jie?"
Standing on Airdramon’s back, Li Ping looked down in surprise. Why was this boy caught in the Digital Secret Realm?

"You know him?"
Li Mu, in charge of the area, noticed Li Ping’s expression and asked curiously.

"Yes, I do. He’s a student in the Digital Class at Wuling No. 1 High School."
Li Ping nodded, and soon he, Li Mu, and a Digimon Tamer named Chen Tong descended to the ground.

Airdramon hovered above, eyeing the now-separated Garurumon and Kyubimon warily. As the two Digimon drew near, Airdramon let out a warning cry.

"How did you end up here?"
As soon as they landed, Li Ping strode over to Zhao Jie and examined him carefully. Seeing he was unharmed, he finally spoke.

"Mr. Li? Why are you here? My family’s from this area—who knew I’d be so unlucky?"
Zhao Jie looked at Li Ping in surprise and spoke with a hint of frustration. He’d been ready to return home, only to get caught up in this mess.

"Enough talk for now. Since we’ve found him, let’s return first. We can continue exploring later," Li Mu said with relief. Fortunately, no one had been hurt.

"Agreed. Let’s go back," Li Ping concurred. This Secret Realm was much larger than a typical micro-realm—almost up to the small-realm standard. It was best to get this promising student out first.

"Leaving won’t be so easy," Chen Tong, who had been silent, said grimly, watching Garurumon and Kyubimon approach. Both Digimon were gathering their special attacks, making it clear they had no intention of letting the group leave unchallenged.