Chapter 31: I'll Give You Something Delicious

"The first match in Group B: Player Number One, Hu Lin, versus Player Number Two, Chang Qing. Both Digimon, please take your places in the arena."
The referee’s voice echoed through the loudspeaker, spreading in all directions. Quickly, the remaining six members of Group B stepped down from the stage, leaving only Hu Lin and his opponent, Chang Qing, standing in the arena.

"Please take care of me," Chang Qing said, his face tinged with bitterness. It had taken considerable effort to reach the main competition, yet he had the misfortune of facing a seeded player in the very first round. Aside from feeling unlucky, he could hardly find words.

"Impmon, go," Hu Lin glanced at his opponent, then signaled his Impmon to enter the arena. He had no intention of engaging in conversation with Chang Qing.

"Squirrelmon, it’s up to you now," Chang Qing took a deep breath, turning his gaze to his Digimon, the Squirrelmon in its growth stage.

"Begin!"
At the referee’s command, Impmon transformed into a sharp blade, rushing toward Squirrelmon at astonishing speed.

"Squirrelmon, repay the kindness!"
Chang Qing’s expression turned anxious as he realized Impmon was even faster than he had anticipated.

A hum resonated as Squirrelmon’s body emitted a radiant glow, forming a pale white shield around itself.

Bang!
Purple gas swirled around Impmon’s hands, and under the enveloping flow, Squirrelmon’s shield was broken in an instant. Squirrelmon was sent flying out of the arena by Impmon.

"Player Number One in Group B, Hu Lin, wins."

"The next match, Group B’s Number Three versus Number Four. Please prepare."

The battle ended even faster than expected. Impmon dispatched its opponent neatly and efficiently, leaving the spectators—including Zhao Jie—a little disappointed.

"Spellcasting in motion,"
Zhao Jie’s heart tightened. Impmon had definitely used spellcasting while moving. Normally, Digimon would pause when unleashing their special moves, but only those who mastered spellcasting on the move could release their abilities smoothly.

This Impmon had already reached the level where no one could tell when it was casting its special moves. It was clearly beyond just basic spellcasting in motion.

The matches proceeded rapidly. In less than an hour, all four matches in Group B were completed.

Next, the seeded player in Group D took the stage—a wild Boar Digimon. This Digimon possessed powerful physique and strength. Although it hadn’t mastered spellcasting while moving, it had compressed the release time of its special moves to just one second, making it a formidable opponent.

After Group D’s matches concluded, it was finally time for Group E. Zhao Jie was curious about the Digimon belonging to their group’s seeded player.

"Players Number One and Two in Group F, please take the stage."
The chubby boy, now far from Zhao Jie, helplessly led his Ore Digimon onto the arena. Ore Digimon’s opponent was a Gabumon.

"Begin!"
Very quickly, Zhao Jie understood why Gabumon had become the seeded player of Group F. It too had mastered spellcasting while moving, unleashing its special move as it darted across the arena.

The Explosive Flame Bomb, trailing a pale blue tail, struck Ore Digimon. Despite Ore Digimon’s physical resilience, it could only withstand a few Explosive Flame Bombs before succumbing.

Its speed was simply too slow. Among growth-stage Digimon, falling behind in speed meant being placed in a disadvantageous position.

Ultimately, it lost the match regretfully.

After this match, Yang Dong continued to wait. In the second match, an outstanding Kadumon secured victory by paralyzing its opponent with toxic gas, leaving the opposing Digimon unable to act.

The third match was won by a Snow Fox Digimon. Soon, it was Zhao Jie and Agumon's turn.

Their opponent was an Armadillomon, with defensive abilities even stronger than the defeated Ore Digimon.

Agumon and Armadillomon entered the arena, while Zhao Jie and Armadillomon’s partner stood at the command position.

"Digimon, take your places. The match begins!"

At the referee’s command, the match started. Without Zhao Jie’s prompting, Agumon lunged forward, orange-red flames gathering in its mouth.

"Another spellcasting in motion?!"
Some Digimon Tamers who hadn’t left were drowsy, but their eyes lit up at Agumon’s actions.

Within a year, it’s no easy feat to teach a Digimon spellcasting while moving. But once mastered, their combat prowess within their rank increases by leaps and bounds.

"Damn, I ate too much at lunch and didn’t go to the bathroom,"
Zhao Jie’s face changed slightly. His stomach was churning, making him extremely uncomfortable.

"Agumon, finish it quickly!"
Clutching his stomach, Zhao Jie called out to Agumon in the arena.

"Such arrogance,"
Hearing Zhao Jie’s words, Armadillomon’s partner’s face darkened. Did he really think being a seeded player meant he could easily defeat Armadillomon?

"Armadillomon, Rolling Attack!"

The spellcasting took only a second—too short for Agumon to interrupt the skill. Armadillomon curled its body into a ball, charging at Agumon.

Swish, swish!
Armadillomon’s speed was impressive. For a defensive-oriented growth Digimon, its burst speed surpassed many agile Digimon.

The orange-red flame in Agumon’s mouth burned hotter, ready for a head-on clash—fearless.

One second, two seconds passed. The charged-up Mini Flame reached its peak power.

"Mini Flame!"
Armadillomon, now a rolling sphere, appeared before Agumon, only to face Agumon’s first charged Mini Flame in this rookie cup competition.

Bang!
The fireball, originally the size of a basketball, had grown to the size of a washbasin after charging, trailing a tail of fire as it struck Armadillomon.

Boom!
A gust forced Agumon to step back, while Armadillomon, hit by the flames, felt the intense heat and could no longer maintain its rolling state. With a scream, it was blasted backward, finally landing with a slap on the edge of the arena.

"Ouch, it hurts so bad! I quit, I surrender!"
Armadillomon rolled on the ground.

"We surrender,"
Seeing Armadillomon still able to speak, its partner clearly sighed in relief. The power of that fire left him shaken.

"Player Seven surrenders. Player Eight is victorious."

Phew...

"Agumon, quick, come with me—I’ve got something tasty for you!"
He couldn’t hold it in any longer.

When the referee finished speaking, Zhao Jie beckoned Agumon over and hurriedly ran off.