35. Evolution of the Joint Exhibition

“What’s happening?” The sudden tremor disrupted Molemon, who was deep in thought, planning.

Beneath the floor lay the black cable that supplied Dark Energy to Gorillamon—a massive, pulsating heart that seemed almost alive.

At this moment, the heart was beating faster than ever before, waves of Dark Energy surging forth like tidal waves, forming a black hole in midair.

“Heh heh heh, so the reinforcements that Holy Angelmon summoned have finally arrived in this world?”

A domineering voice echoed from beyond the black hole.

Had Holy Angelmon (in his priest form) been present, he would have been horrified to recognize the owner of the voice as the ultimate villain of their world: the Ultimate Demon Beast!

Molemon did not know who this figure was, but from the aura emanating from the other side of the black hole alone, it was fifty times stronger than Gorillamon.

At the very least, it was an Ultimate level.

Unbelievably, such a Digimon of this caliber was not even seen on the continent of Shaba.

“Don’t be nervous. I bear you no ill will,” the Ultimate Demon Beast said calmly.

“I have come… to grant you power.”

Two pitch-black Digivices emerged from the other side of the black hole.

The Ultimate Demon Beast then proceeded to explain the usage of the devices to Molemon.

“Beep—.” A series of data flashed through the glass dome on Molemon’s head.

Digivices on their own only provided some auxiliary functions; unlike the Holy Plan, they lacked the ability to trigger partner Digimon’s burst evolution.

However, if two Digivices were gathered, a tamer could unlock a super cool ability:

To perform Jogress Evolution—combining two Digimon of the same level to evolve!

A Rookie stage could evolve into an In-Training, In-Training into Champion, and Champion into Ultimate.

Moreover, if one possessed WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon, with a pair of Digivices, they could be evolved into Omnimon!

The Ultimate Demon Beast had infused his own Dark Energy into the Digivices, allowing Molemon to forcibly control the Ultimate-level Digimon produced through Jogress Evolution.

“Hey, do you believe in gravity?” The Ultimate Demon Beast suddenly asked as Molemon’s processor smoked from the overwhelming power.

Molemon did not understand the purpose of the question but answered according to his understanding: “Gravity’s existence is self-evident. Whether I believe in it or not makes no difference.”

“Self-evident, huh... Heh heh heh, that’s right. Gravity, fate—no matter how many people claim not to believe in destiny, they still unwittingly walk the path laid out for them.”

“Just like apples fall to the ground, just like I met you... no special cause or effect—this is all just natural and inevitable!”

The black hole slowly vanished, and the heartbeat beneath the floor steadied.

The voice and presence of the Ultimate Demon Beast dissipated, as if everything that had just occurred was a mere illusion.

Only the two Digivices in Molemon’s hands confirmed it was no dream.

“Heh heh, heh heh hohohohoho, hahahahahaha!”

With this pair of Digivices, he now possessed the power to create Ultimate-level Digimon. Sudden acquisition of such grand power made even Molemon’s nearly absolute rational mind burst into a near-mad laughter.

However, the Ultimate Demon Beast’s last words seemed not spoken directly to him, but Molemon had no time to ponder such subtle unease.

——————

Moments later, Molemon, who held the highest actual authority over Gorillamon’s network, appeared before the subordinates who were panicked over Gorillamon’s death.

“Enough noise.” Molemon’s voice was flat and machine-like, devoid of emotion.

“Gorillamon is dead. From now on, I will take over his territory.”

Although some present had been defeated by Gorillamon before, they were Champion-level Digimon. The others exchanged glances, thinking that having Molemon in command would not diminish their quality of life.

But for those who had been forcibly conscripted under Gorillamon’s brutal rule, this was the moment to break free and taste precious freedom.

“Don’t joke around!” A Dragomon stood up.

“Gorillamon is dead. No one will enslave us anymore. We Digimon are free!”

Molemon fixed his gaze on Dragomon.

Though his overall combat power and special moves were inferior to WarGreymon, he was still a Champion-type fighter—perfect for testing the Digivices’ function.

“Then leave,” Molemon said, drawing the astonished gazes of all present.

“Anyone else who wants to leave, I’ll give you the chance now. Go if you want.”

Everyone exchanged looks, sensing something was amiss.

——————

In the end, only Dragomon and a straightforward Triceramon stepped forward.

As Dragomon’s figure receded, Molemon suddenly pointed a Digivice at him.

The other Digivice was aimed at Triceramon.

With both devices glowing with dark light, Dragomon and Triceramon’s bodies were forcibly drawn together.

“Jogress.”

Under the shocked eyes of the gathered Digimon, Dragomon and Triceramon merged, evolving into their Ultimate form.

“Metal Dragomon.”

——————

Within the Demon King’s castle, the second-in-command of the Ultimate Demon Beast’s army, a Gorillamon named Key, intended to report the frontline war situation to the Ultimate Demon Beast.

Unlike the Gorillamon of the Adventure World, Key was no villain in this world.

He was simply a Digimon with a childlike heart who admired human children’s creativity and wished to play with them.

More than a villain, Key resembled a teddy bear doll pinned to one’s waist—a playful soul.

He joined the Ultimate Demon Beast’s army because the Beast promised that if Key helped conquer the Digital World, he would be sent to the human world to play with the children there.

But as time passed, Key saw the Ultimate Demon Beast’s true nature.

This was a pure demon lord obsessed with conquest and destruction. Even if he could truly reach the human world, it would be only to wreak havoc.

That was something Key couldn’t accept. Thus, his goal changed from aiding in conquest to finding the right opportunity to betray.

If able, he wished to wield the Divine Killers like Ginkou Ichimaru and strike the Ultimate Demon Beast down.

Yet, just as he approached the throne, the sight before him drenched him in cold sweat, soaking his black jacket instantly.

Before the Ultimate Demon Beast stood a figure.

But that figure was unmistakably the shape of the Ultimate Demon Beast himself.

Yes—in front of Key’s eyes stood not one, but two Ultimate Demon Beasts…