22. Zero-Maru’s Outburst: The Power of Overload!

Tai could sense the immense power surging within this blue stream of data.

Perhaps it was because he had spent too much time in the Digital World; through constant battles, nourishment, and training, the volume of data within Tai’s body had long since surpassed that of an average Champion-level Digimon. This had triggered some peculiar changes in his physical form. His ability to exert enough force to pin down an enraged Leomon, or his reflexes capable of reacting to Centarumon’s sonic-speed charge—these were all part of those changes.

Tai had been observing these developments all along, but he had merely dismissed them as the normal symptoms of a growth spurt. Compared to the boy next door, who had suddenly shot up to 1.95 meters tall upon entering high school with shoulders broad enough to race horses on, Tai’s own changes seemed quite standard.

But now, staring at the data stream burning like fire in his hands—a phenomenon that should be absolutely impossible for a normal human—he finally realized the gravity of his transformation.

"Could it be that I’ve turned into a Digimon!?"

Just then, his Digivice emitted an alert. Looking at the screen, Tai remembered that he had been using it to analyze the Bone Claw of the Creepymon. Seeing the progress bar at 100%, he immediately transmitted the extracted vaccine data to Zeromaru. As he stared at the Digivice, a thought made his eyes light up.

Yes! Since the Digivice could scan the Bone Claw, it must also be able to analyze exactly what this energy within him was.

Without hesitation, Tai brought the data stream toward the Digivice. As the device’s antenna made contact, the analysis began anew.

Nearby, the Creepymon groaned as he climbed up from the ground, rubbing his head. He wiped his mouth, staring at the blood on his hand in shock and disbelief. He hadn't been injured in his previous fights against Zeromaru and Leomon, yet this human child had drawn blood with a single, simple punch!

"Impossible! I have evolved into an Ultimate—I am the pinnacle of perfection—yet I’ve been wounded by a human brat!"

Glancing at Tai, who was lost in thought, the Creepymon unleashed his Bone Claw once more. "The holy energy on you is exhausted. Let’s see how you block this!"

As the Creepymon had surmised, the cloak Tai wore had only absorbed a trace of HolyAngemon’s power because it had been stored in the City of HolyAngemon for years. It had been able to block the Creepymon’s attack only because holy power held an overwhelming advantage over dark energy. Had it been Andromon’s Rotary Blade, Tai would likely have been sent to heaven already.

However, that sliver of light, no more significant than a speck of dandruff, was only enough to shield Tai once. In other words, if this next blow landed squarely, Tai would be in dire trouble.

"Don't even think about it, Creepymon!" In that critical moment, Zeromaru stepped forward once again, shielding Tai and using a significantly empowered V-Breath Arrow to neutralize the Bone Claw.

The Creepymon was stunned. "How is this possible! After being hit by my Bone Claw, your DigiCore should have been in total disarray. How could you stand up so quickly?"

"This is Tai’s power!" Zeromaru locked his slitted eyes onto the Creepymon, his gaze intense. "Along with the vaccine, Tai passed his resolve on to me. With this power, I will not lose to you!"

As Zeromaru spoke, an explosive aura erupted from within him. The "Overwrite," a unique ability of the Ancient Species, finally pushed him to a level that made even the Creepymon break out in a cold sweat—though, being a skeleton, the Creepymon lacked the physical capacity to actually sweat.

Zeromaru’s arrogance made the Creepymon laugh in a fit of rage. "How laughable! Do you mean to say you can defy me, now that I possess the power of an Ultimate? You’re nothing but a Champion-level whelp, stop getting ahead of yourself!"

The Creepymon attacked again, but this time, instead of the Bone Claw, he used a skill he had learned from the data he had absorbed: "Fist of the Beast King!"

A black-purple aura surged with terrifying force, tearing up the ground in his path. The sheer intensity of the blow showed that he was using it even better and stronger than Ogremon himself!

"Old ghost!" Zeromaru’s eyes reflected a blood-red battle intent. He spread his arms toward the sky, and a terrifying dragon-like pressure swept across Infinity Mountain. "I choose to be arrogant!"

The Fist of the Beast King struck Zeromaru squarely in the chest, but it melted away instantly like a snowflake landing on the back of a neck in winter—a scene reminiscent of Leomon’s recent defense against the Creepymon.

Zeromaru stood his ground and threw a punch at the Creepymon.

What is this guy doing? The Creepymon was utterly confused. From his observations, Zeromaru had no ability to unleash long-range attacks through his fists. If he thought he could knock him down with mere wind pressure, even in his Overloaded state, it was far too arrogant.

But then, a spectacle beyond the Creepymon’s imagination occurred. Deep crimson flames ignited on Zeromaru’s fists, and as he threw his punch, two fireballs of terrifying heat shot toward the Creepymon at supersonic speeds.

If Meramon had been there, his jaw would have dropped to the ground. Because what Zeromaru was using at that moment was his signature move: "Burning Fist!"

Faced with this illogical attack, the Creepymon’s brain stalled, let alone his ability to dodge.

"BOOM!"

A sound akin to a magnitude-50 earthquake erupted atop Infinity Mountain as two nuclear-like fireballs soared into the sky. Bathed in flames, the Creepymon shrieked from the searing burns. "Ugh—! Impossible! It’s impossible! How can you use Meramon’s finishing move!"

"This is the power of the partners you look down upon!" Tai’s voice came from behind Zeromaru. He was holding his notebook—the one containing all the data on the Digimon he had met during his adventures on File Island.

Right now, the Digivice was scanning the notebook, parsing all the information Tai had recorded. By analyzing Meramon’s data and transmitting it to Zeromaru, he hadn't increased Zeromaru’s raw data volume, but he had enabled him to master Meramon’s combat style. With a body composed entirely of data and Zeromaru’s peerless talent, he had easily mastered the move!

"Every effort we’ve made along this journey has meaning. Kuwaga, Seadramon, Meramon, Andromon, Monzaemon, Leomon, Ogremon, Unimon, Frigimon, Mojyamon, Centarumon—every Digimon that has supported us and believed in us is standing by our side!"

"Our attack isn't over yet. Grit your teeth!"