Chapter 52: We Are the Champions (Third Update, Please Recommend)

What is it like to ride on the back of a Tyrannosaurus over two meters tall? Zhao Jie had imagined it before—he thought it must be incredibly cool, the sort of privilege reserved for protagonists.

Of course, if this question were posted on some famous forum, the answers would probably be even more spectacular. Unfortunately, he no longer had the chance to see them.

But in reality:

Zhao Jie: Greymon, hurry, put me down! I’m afraid of heights—terrified!

Greymon: (*^▽^*)

One couldn’t help but be afraid of heights. While two meters didn’t sound like much, actually sitting atop such a massive creature meant he was nearly three meters off the ground. Most importantly, there were no safety measures at all. He was nowhere near having the composure of Tai, who could ride as if walking on solid ground. In fact, he doubted he’d ever reach that level in his life.

It was fun to look cool, but safety had to come first.

“Referee, please announce the results of the match.”

Dismounting from Greymon, Zhao Jie glanced at the referee, who was clearly flustered and at a loss.

A giant creature like Greymon was truly overwhelming for ordinary people.

“Oh—oh, yes, of course.” The referee snapped out of his daze at Zhao Jie’s words and, after casting an awestruck glance at the imposing Greymon, felt a surge of envy deep in his heart.

Who hadn’t once dreamed of commanding a Digimon like this? Unfortunately, talent was the limit.

“The champion of this year’s Shashi Newcomer Cup has emerged—it’s Zhao Jie from Wuling City and his Digimon partner, Greymon!”

“Let’s give a round of applause to Zhao Jie and Greymon, who fought their way here against all odds! And let’s also applaud Hua Feihua from Shashi and her Elecmon, who showed us a truly spectacular match!”

At the referee’s declaration, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue. As he’d said, it had been a brilliant contest, and both sides deserved every cheer.

Within the applause, the digital energy within Greymon separated, transforming into a rune that shot into the center of Zhao Jie’s forehead. As the digital energy left, Greymon devolved back into Agumon.

Agumon flopped down onto the ground, but his eyes still sparkled with spirit.

“I’m exhausted, seriously.” But Zhao Jie couldn’t hear Agumon’s words. At that moment, his awareness had once again retreated into his mind’s center, where the digital energy that had filled it was now spent, leaving only a single rune quietly suspended there.

“That’s the Crest of Courage, isn’t it?”

The design of the rune lingering in his mind was exactly the same as the Crest of Courage he’d seen in the anime. Recalling the scene he’d witnessed earlier in the Digital Realm—how the Wildmanmon, upon evolving into Ogremon, had a similar rune fly from his brow and merge with his body—Zhao Jie suddenly understood.

This rune was the key to allowing a Digimon to reach the Champion stage.

Staring at the rune before him, Zhao Jie felt this insight settle within him.

Very soon, a wave of fatigue rose from the depths of his spirit. The aftereffects of depleting all the digital energy stored in his brow began to manifest in his body.

“Now, let’s invite the Newcomer King of this year’s Cup to say a few words!”

The host, oblivious to Zhao Jie’s odd state, continued his speech. When he handed the microphone to Zhao Jie, he realized the young man was completely unresponsive.

“It seems our Newcomer King is rather shy—so let’s interview another hero of this year’s competition: Agumon!”

The host withdrew the microphone and coughed lightly. Seeing Zhao Jie still lost in thought, he quickly improvised and turned to Agumon, who sat on the ground.

“Are you interviewing me?” Agumon blinked his large eyes at the host.

“Yes, Agumon! You performed brilliantly in this tournament—how do you feel?”

The host wiped invisible sweat from his forehead, managing a smile.

“How do I feel? Well…I’m really hungry, does that count?”

Host: ????

What kind of answer is that? I asked how you feel about winning, not about your appetite!

Being a host is too much trouble.

Yet, to his surprise, as Agumon’s words echoed through the microphone, the entire venue burst into good-natured laughter.

“Pfft.”

Even Hua Feihua, who had been sulking over her loss, couldn’t help but giggle at that. Remembering the scene she’d just witnessed, a small smile tugged at her lips.

What a little glutton.

Her partner, Elecmon, however, found nothing to laugh about—in fact, it looked like it might cry.

Why do I feel like my position is in jeopardy?

“Hm?”

Hearing the laughter, Zhao Jie finally snapped out of his daze and glanced around, just in time to see the host’s exasperated but amused expression.

What just happened here?

“Well, that concludes our interview with Agumon. I’m sure our bashful Newcomer King is now ready to speak. Let’s hear his thoughts!”

As he spoke, the host handed the microphone back to Zhao Jie.

Wait.

An interview?

With Agumon?

Remembering the recent laughter, Zhao Jie looked blankly at Agumon.

What did you just say?

Agumon blinked innocently, returning Zhao Jie’s gaze.

“First, I want to thank my parents for supporting my journey as a Digimon Tamer. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. Next, I’d like to thank my teacher, Li Ping, who has helped me tremendously.”

“I also want to thank Agumon, for standing by me through this competition, for growing with me, for never giving up and for making it possible for us to reach the very end—together.”

“And now, at last, I can shout it out loud: We are the champions!”

Agumon, still sitting on the ground, lifted his hands and echoed loudly, “We are the champions!”

PS: Second evolution—third update coming soon. Thanks for everyone who voted and tipped! Your support is the sacred plan that powers my updates.