DIGIMON SEEKERS Chapter 2 Hacker Leon: WWW Airlines flight 626
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Photos: Official Digimon Seekers website
Chapter 2-1
In this chapter of the novel, the story introduces a plane crash that occurred, known as WWW Airlines Flight 626. The crash happened mysteriously, with the plane deviating from its flight path and disappearing. The authorities confirmed that the plane crashed into the ocean, but no bodies or flight recorder were ever found. The cause of the crash remains unknown, but one person knows the truth: a code cracker who used an AI known as a Digimon to intentionally crash the plane.
Leon Alexander and his partner Pulsemon
The focus then shifts to Leon Alexander, who wakes up from a nightmare about the plane crash. He is comforted by his Digimon partner, Pulsemon, who emits a soft light. Leon mentions that he has an early class and decides to get up despite the bad dream. He looks out of his apartment window and sees the pre-dawn view of Denrin District.
Pulsemon supporting Leon at midnight
The scene transitions to the Digital World, where Loogamon and Eiji discuss Loogamon's lost memories. Loogamon reveals that Ninth Avenue is where he grew up and claimed as his territory. Eiji expresses his hope that Loogamon will remember more of his past, but Loogamon seems indifferent. They are interrupted by the sound of an alarm, signaling turbulence in the Digital World. They witness a massive whirlpool-like vortex forming in the Net Ocean, causing panic among the Digimon. Loogamon tells Eiji to gather his Tyrannomon and return to him. Loogamon explains that it is a turbulence caused by gaps in the Digital World's security wall. Wall Slum accumulates junk data that spills out from the Last Coast. The area with the turbulence is a hotspot for vortex activity. The turbulence can threaten Wall Slum and destroy entire districts. Eiji asks if the turbulence could lead to the "deep Digital World," but Loogamon dismisses the possibility, stating that the Digital World's system administrator would never allow an intruder from the real world. They observe the vortex causing damage to Wall Slum but eventually subsiding.
Loogarmon Digimon Reference Book profile art. Source: Official Digimon web twitter
After returning to the real world, Eiji and Loogamon meet with Professor Ryusenji at Abadin Electronics. They receive praise for their successful Mindlink and discuss Eiji's experience of feeling woozy after returning from the Mindlink. The professor assures him that it is normal and compares it to an astronaut readjusting to Earth's gravity. Eiji also asks about Digimon's ability to communicate in the real world, to which the professor explains that once Mindlinked, humans can communicate with Digimon even after severing the Mindlink.
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Professor Ryusenji. Source: Digimon Seekers Chapter 1 trailer
Eiji shares that he has passed the entrance test for SoC and received a message of acceptance. Eiji asks Professor Ryusenji if he was aware of Loogamon's past, to which Ryusenji reveals that their organization, DDL, had recovered and protected Loogamon in Wall Slum. Loogamon has memory errors, similar to amnesia in humans. Ryusenji advises Eiji to be there for Loogamon in case it causes difficulties or struggles. They discuss the incentive payment for Loogamon evolving to its Champion form, which gives Eiji a sense of financial security. Eiji mentions that he has received contact from Marvin, a notable cracker associated with the development of GRiMM, a highly secure social media and financial tool. They discuss the trustworthiness and widespread use of GRiMM, as well as the possibility of finding Cracker Tartaros near Marvin.
Ryusenji reminds Eiji of his role as a spy within SoC, emphasizing the importance of maintaining his cover and protecting his life. Finally, Ryusenji opens a file titled "Classified D4 ML Experiment" that holds crucial information concerning Eiji's life.
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Pulsemon from Digimon Seekers Chapter 1 trailer promo video
Chapter 2-2: "Channel SoC" on GriMM served as the headquarters for a group called the Sons of Chaos (SoC), known for their hostile code cracking activities. GriMM allowed users to create channels for various purposes, and the SoC established their own safe haven within the network. Their main page featured a propaganda video showcasing their code cracking team, while the subchannels offered a range of content related to the Digital World, including Digimon trading tools, information, chat rooms, and more. They even created a virtual reality lounge for members to interact with each other using avatars, although its graphics were not as impressive as other online games.
Eiji, a rookie code cracker, gained popularity within the SoC after defeating the Digi-Police in Wall Slum. News of his achievement spread rapidly among the SoC members. Eiji, actually a spy recruited by Professor Ryusenji, intentionally promoted himself as a renowned code cracker to draw the attention of Tartarus, the leader of the SoC. Although he accidentally used his real name instead of a pseudonym, he brushed it off as a common name.
Eiji, accompanied by his Digimon partner Loogamon, explored GriMM while browsing through the virtual monitor of his Digimon Linker. Suddenly, Loogamon sensed someone monitoring him and identified a large avatar approaching them. It was Marvin, a high-ranking member of the SoC, accompanied by his Digimon Airdramon. Marvin greeted Eiji, acknowledging his reputation as a hotshot code cracker and expressing his pleasure in meeting him. Eiji introduced Loogamon and engaged in a muted conversation with Marvin, while Airdramon communicated with Loogamon through sharp cries.
Marvin (trailer #2)
Marvin, curious about Eiji's background, asked if he had applied to join the SoC under a different name or had previous involvement with other code cracking teams. Eiji denied any other affiliations and claimed to have always worked as a freelancer. Suspicious of Eiji's sudden rise to fame, Marvin expressed his doubts. They proceeded to Marvin's private room on the SoC server, sharing the same cyberpunk aesthetic as the rest of the channel. Marvin clarified that he was one of the core members involved in developing GriMM but modestly denied being its creator. He specialized in creating and evaluating Digimon tools, offering to provide Eiji with the necessary equipment.
Marvin disclosed that the SoC was planning a significant operation but lacked the required number of skilled code crackers capable of Mindlinking at a Class-A or higher level, as classified by the Digi-Police. Recognizing Eiji's abilities, Marvin invited him to join the operation, emphasizing its dangerous nature. Marvin then presented Eiji with an invitation to a private channel where the operation details would be discussed further. This channel was accessible only to a selected group of high-ranking SoC members, ensuring utmost secrecy. As their conversation concluded, Marvin shared the details of the private channel with Eiji, allowing him to access it and participate in the upcoming operation. Eiji thanked Marvin for his trust and assured him that he would contribute his best efforts to the cause of the Sons of Chaos.
Marvin and Airdramon
Marvin surprised Eiji and Loogamon as they were about to leave by asking about the "Black Agumon." Eiji initially claimed to have no knowledge about it but quickly mentioned that there was someone actively searching for it. To Eiji's astonishment, Marvin revealed that the search for the Black Agumon was being conducted by the SoC, and they were the ones offering a reward of 100 million DC for its discovery. Eiji was taken aback by the significant amount, and Marvin explained that it was a trivial sum for Tartarus, the leader of the SoC, who had developed an obsession with finding the Black Agumon.
BlackAgumon (trailer #1)
Chapter 2-3
Operation Infinity is about to begin, and all the members of the Sons of Chaos (SoC) have gathered in Marvin's Channel SoC room. They are a team of code crackers who operate in the Digital World. The operation involves hacking a foreign nation's server, specifically the nation of X, which is known for being a state sponsor of terrorism. The SoC aims to destabilize the X nation's dictator and retrieve their state secret, a powerful Digimon called Machinedramon.
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Machinedramon / Mugendramon (Digimon Seekers chapter 2 trailer)
The SoC members, including the protagonist Eiji, are motivated by their desire for wealth and freedom in the Digital World. They use DigiCoin (DC), a proprietary cryptocurrency of the GriMM Economic Bloc, to challenge the monopoly of traditional currencies held by governments and central banks. The X nation's cyberattacks and Digimon crimes pose a threat to the GriMM Economic Bloc's ideals and its financial stability. Eiji realizes that their own activities as code crackers could be seen as similar to the X nation's actions, but the difference lies in the X nation's disregard for freedom and the abuse of the network for their own interests. The SoC wants to retaliate against the X nation's dictator for making them look bad and blames the X nation for framing them for Digimon crimes. The leader of the SoC, Tartarus, announces the objective of the operation: to render the X nation's server useless and capture Machinedramon. The squad is united in their fight for freedom and the Digital World. Eiji prepares to enter the mindlink with his Digimon partner, Loogamon, as they plan to launch a direct attack on the X nation's server.
Digimon Linker (Digimon Seekers Chapter 2 trailer)
Eiji expresses concerns about the risks of mindlinking and wonders what is happening to his physical body while his consciousness is in the Digital World. Loogamon reassures him and teases him about potentially peeing himself during the mindlink. Eiji reflects on Professor Ryusenji's warnings about the dangers of mindlinking and his recommendation to do it in private. In this chapter, the content of the classified experiment that Ryuusenji shows Eiji is revealed, which concluded Chapter 2-1, regarding the life-threatening risks posed by the mindlink. Professor Ryusenji opened a classified file in his DDL office and showed Eiji a video of a mindlink experiment. The video depicted a hacker who had worked for the laboratory, known for their exceptional skills in mindlinking. The hacker was seen undergoing the test, strapped into a special suit with sensors on their head. However, something went wrong during the test, and the hacker began convulsing uncontrollably. Medical staff rushed in, but the hacker eventually became motionless. The professor explained that the mindlink was overloaded, possibly due to trouble with the partner Digimon. He revealed that exceeding the time limit of the mindlink could lead to the fusion of consciousness with the Digital World, resulting in a condition called DMIA (Digitally Missing in Action). The professor mentioned that most code crackers who exceed the time limit are not found in time and die, while those who are found end up in comas. He set a cautionary line, the C Line, which offers the best chance of returning to the real world if the mindlink is severed. The DigiPolice follow this system to ensure safety.
Illustration by malo (Digimon Seekers website chapter 2-3)
Chapter 2-4
In the real world, geopolitical borders play a significant role in determining the accessibility of networks and information. Governments have the authority to deny connections originating from other nations and can also physically restrict access by cutting undersea fiber optic cables or disabling satellite networks. However, the Digital World operates differently, lacking physical borders. This poses a security issue, as malicious actors can exploit this unrestricted access to conduct cyber-attacks without geographical limitations.
The SoC plans to hack into the server of another nation, X, to steal a powerful state secret Mega Digimon. The protagonist, Eiji, who is now part of this group, is equipped with his Digimon partner Loogamon. With the aid of a decoding tool, Loogamon unlocks the door that had kept the secret Digimon hidden. Together with their teammate, Marvin, who has an Airdramon Digimon, they embark on a mission to infiltrate X nation's server and capture the prized Mega Digimon.
During their journey, Eiji and Marvin discuss the enigmatic leader of the SoC, known as Tartarus, who has a deep connection to the organization's history. They speculate on the leader's motivations and whether they seek to reach the true Digital World beyond the security wall, known as the deep Digital Word, or establish a powerful hacking nation.
Airdramon (Digimon TCG)
While Eiji and Marvin are exploring the X nation's server in the Digital World, they come across a spinning vortex on the surface of the Firewall. Loogamon confirms that it is indeed a vortex, but a small one. These vortexes pose a considerable threat, and there is a specific area referred to as the "Dragon's Triangle-type area" where such vortexes are located. The characters discuss these vortexes and how some code crackers may be tempted to explore them out of curiosity and a sense of adventure. However, the consequences of getting sucked into a vortex are dire – code crackers and their Digimon could be lost forever, and there are rumors that attempting to peer into these vortexes could even lead to encountering the mysterious system administrator of the Digital World. They recognize that the Firewall's administrator, if it exists, prevents intrusion from the real world and enforces the separation between the two worlds.
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Yggdrasil, Digital World's administrator/god in the Digimon franchise (Digimon TCG)
Marvin expresses doubts about the existence of the Digital World's system administrator, stating that its form is beyond human comprehension. He also suggests that Professor Ryusenji, a renowned researcher connected to the Digital World, might not know much about it either. Instead, Marvin recalls rumors about an elite code cracker who attempted to dive into one of the vortexes in the Digital World and went DMIA.
As they progress towards their target, they encounter a massive Mega Digimon called Machinedramon. This Digimon is restrained by code-based cuffs. Eiji and Marvin proceed to free Machinedramon from its restraints and engage in a battle to capture it.
Machinedramon. Illustration by malo (Digimon Seekers website chapter 2-4)
During the intense fight, they unexpectedly encounter another powerful Mega Digimon, a Mega Deity Vaccine Digimon. This development surprises and confuses them as they were unprepared to face multiple Mega-level adversaries. The battle becomes even more challenging as sparks and electric discharges fill the hangar where the confrontation takes place.
Amidst the discovery and relentless attack on Mugendramon, an unexpected strike from a Mega-level Digimon leaves Marvin's Megadramon incapacitated. Standing before them were Kazuchimon, another Mega-level Digimon, and Judge, a hacker who acts as a vigilante to protect the peace of the Digital World.
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Kazuchimon, Pulsemon's Mega, unleashing an Electric type attack. (trailer #2)
Chapter 2-5
Eiji and Loogamon find themselves in a dire situation as Marvin's formidable Megadramon, which was previously a powerful force, is now motionless and damaged, spewing smoke. They are puzzled by the cause of the damage, wondering what could have caused such severe wounds. As they search for answers, Eiji's mindlink with his Digimon, Loogamon, is disturbed. They are contacted by other members of the SoC who have made short work of the X nation’s defenses and are surprised to find that Machinedramon has not been captured yet. Eiji updates them on the situation, but they are unable to reach Marvin, making them worried about his well-being. If a Digimon gets damaged or loses consciousness, the person mindlinked to it loses contact with both their Digimon and the outside world.
Kazuchimon (Digimon Seekers ch.2-5 illust)
Suddenly, a mysterious and powerful Mega-level Digimon, Kazuchimon, appears, causing havoc in the hangar. Eiji and Loogamon witness its immense power and fear its lightning-like blades. They learn that this Digimon is controlled by a hacker named Judge, who has a reputation for bringing justice to the digital world, although his methods are not fully understood.
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Kazuchimon (trailer #2)
As the battle ensues, Machinedramon, the Mega-level Digimon previously chained in the hangar, wakes up and begins attacking everything around it. During the battle, Kazuchimon uses a powerful attack called "Shinden Shouraiko," which unleashes a massive amount of energy in the form of Pulse Power, essentially forming the core of a small sun and initiating nuclear fusion. The attack tears through Machinedramon, completely destroying it and leaving only its hollowed-out husk. Machinedramon, knowingly or not, was involved in nefarious activities, and Leon decided to take matters into his own hands to eliminate this threat and stop its malicious actions in the Digital World, hoping that it will have a different, more positive fate in its next form, as Machinedramon is reverted into a digiegg.
Boutmon VS Loogarmon (trailer #2)
Eiji, feeling betrayed by Judge's interference in their operation, decides to prioritize Marvin's safety and escape from the dangerous situation. Despite Loogamon's protests, Eiji is determined to help Marvin, whom he considers a good friend. He coordinates with the other SoC members to draw Judge away, allowing them to retrieve Marvin and escape.
Eiji, Loogamon, Loogarmon - size comparison
Judge, realizing the danger he is in, decides to downgrade his Digimon to the Ultimate-level Boutmon, indicating he may be running out of mindlink time. Eiji had to distract Judge/Leon, who was controlling Boutmon, to prevent him from directly attacking Megadramon and Marvin. When Kazuchimon turned around to face the remaining SoC members, its menacing gaze indicated a possible intention to attack them. Eiji and Loogamon took the initiative and Digivolved into Loogarmon, their most powerful form at that moment, to confront Boutmon and prevent it from getting close to Megadramon and Marvin. Eiji's distraction was crucial to keep Judge's attention on him and prevent him from heading towards Megadramon and Marvin, who were in a vulnerable situation at that time. Judge's primary objective was to take down Machinedramon, but his next goal was to tarnish the reputation of the SoC leader Tartarus for never having experienced any human losses during his missions. He started with Megadramon and Marvin, and likely intended to target the rest of the members as well.
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Leon Alexander / Hacker Judge and his partner Pulsemon (trailer #2)
As the SoC members begin to retreat, Marvin regains consciousness within Megadramon and confronts Judge, revealing that he knows his true identity as Leon Alexander. Judge, in his Pulsemon rookie form, confronts Eiji, and a surprising revelation unfolds. A nostalgic connection between Eiji and Leon is revealed, and Eiji hololizes himself to confirm that the person controlling Pulsemon is indeed Leon. Leo turns out to be Eiji's childhood friend, who has become a hacker. It is revealed that during those times, Judge already had Pulsemon, whom he considered a valuable friend, and he introduced it to an Eiji who, at that time, knew nothing about Digimon. Their reunion is cut short by the arrival of the X nation's defense forces, and a firefight ensues. In the midst of the chaos, Pulsemon quickly flees the scene. As the X nation's reinforcements close in, Eiji and Loogamon must escape, leaving Eiji emotionally torn.
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Eiji calls Leon "Leocchi" (Leo in the English translation). It's a friendly and affectionate way of referring to someone in Japanese, similar to Leo-chan or Leo-kun. The suffix "っち" ("cchi") is a diminutive or endearing form used to show closeness or familiarity.
The chapter highlights the conflicting perspectives and objectives of the two groups: Hackers and Code crackers:
- Hacker: A hacker is described as a private citizen on the internet with a penchant for vigilante justice and self-governance. They fight for their own sense of justice and have various ideas about what justice means. Hackers are not necessarily bound by the law or official rules and may take matters into their own hands to achieve what they believe is right. They may engage in activities that some consider illegal, but they do so with the intention of enforcing their version of justice or exposing wrongdoings. Hackers seemed almost indistinguishable from the police. The sole contrast rested in the fact that the police, armed with the authority to initiate investigations and obtain arrest warrants, were theoretically public servants.
- Code Cracker: On the other hand, code crackers are portrayed as individuals who fight for the freedom of the network.
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Boutmon VS Loogarmon (ch.2 trailer)
In this chapter, there were numerous revelations. Tartarus reveals himself to Marvin after being acquainted for a long time. He turns out to be the interviewer, who was nothing more than a secondary avatar to go undercover, and his partner is Dorumon.
On the other hand, Leon, standing over 180 cm tall with a Greek physique, stands up in the laboratory, and they jest about him breaking a Mindlink record thanks to a diaper. Headlines and news flooded the media with the case of X nation. Leon was the one who avenged America from the criminal Machinedramon, responsible for bringing down the WWW 626 flight and killing over 100 Americans. He did it on his own and for his country. Since his elementary school days, he lived in Japan with his father, an assistant professor who introduced him to Professor Ryusenji and the Abadin Electronics Lab, where he was given a Digimon Dock with a Digi-egg of an AI creature, Pulsemon. He only showed it to his friend Eiji, whom he considered family, as he was introverted and had few friends. Later, due to their middle school exam results, they were assigned to different schools and lost touch. Furthermore, Leon's father moved the family to America abruptly. Leon set his sights on entering the Tokyo University of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where Ryusenji worked. Ryusenji continued to mentor Pulsemon's evolution and provided advice to Leon on modifying the Digimon Dock. Thanks to the equipment provided by his father, Leon learned to do Mindlink from a young age, developing a sense of justice against the illegality of code crackers. He witnessed the incident of flight 626, where he risked his life and that of Pulsemom in an attempt to stop it, but like the American forces, he was unsuccessful. Undeterred, he continued training and preparing, including physical training and martial arts. As a young student with a part-time job as a hacker, he matured and became highly sought after. However, this rise also isolated him in his own world and closed doors to other opportunities. Nonetheless, Leon returned to Japan to study at the aforementioned university, as he had always desired, while working as a hacker in DDL for Professor Ryusenji. During this time, he also took on the role of the hacker "Judge." Later, Ryusenji presented him with the latest model of Digimon Linker, increasing his influence within the organization. Leon began advising military and police on new techniques and even formed connections with heads of state, attending important meetings with Professor Ryusenji.
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The chapter concludes with Leon and Eiji, who have set up a meeting to see each other.
Chapter 2-7
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Leon and Eiji catch up. Both of them, Leon and Eiji, are 19 years old. Originally from America, Leon is a student at the Tokyo University of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He speaks Japanese fluently, which helped in their meeting. Eiji remembered him as the biggest in every aspect of their class in school; it seems he must have hit the gym now. They lost touch when Leon's father had to move to America for work suddenly. As they conversed, their hololized Digimon partners sat together, but not without a noticeable tension in the air. It was Leon who found Eiji's contact information and offered to meet up. Eiji had moved from his old family home, supposedly because it was demolished and replaced by an apartment building. Both of them live alone, though Leon resides in the Denrin district. They agree to meet again when they coincide at DDL, where Leon studies under Professor Ryusenji, a feat not attainable for many, while Eiji proudly states that he works for the same professor at DDL. Leon is also the professor's assistant and explains to Eiji how it all began. Ryusenji handed Leon a Digimon dock to take care of a Digimon. Leon still keeps this keychain, although it doesn't contain any Digimon now. Leon isn't pleased to discover he's not the only one with the latest model of Digimon Linker apart from the DigiPolice. He believes the professor should have assigned that task to him, not a code cracker.
Their Digimon discuss who would have won the previous fight; Pulsemon claims victory, as it can evolve to the Mega level, while Loogamon only to Champion. Eiji had always stood by Leon when he was a weak boy in school. But Digimon seem not to understand these types of human relationships; they only comprehend who's stronger, the power dynamics among themselves. Pulsemon seems to finally grasp what Leon explains: it's not about who's above the other, but about the strong protecting the weak. At that moment, in the DDL cafeteria, Hatsune, the receptionist, and her friend, who’s now a newly recruited, appear. They seem amazed by the hololized Digimon, which is allowed within DDL. The girls approach them to chat, using the excuse of the Digimon. Hatsune's friend, upon finding out Leon is a hacker, young and handsome, can't help but blatantly stare at him. Her reaction to the news on the screen, showing the dictator of nation X vowing revenge against the code crackers who perpetrated the cyberattack, is naturally one of disdain towards crackers. Apart from knowing that Digimon exist and occasionally seeing one, they were no better informed than anyone else on the street, nor did they need to be. Information about Machinedramon or the hacker Judge was undoubtedly D4 classified data, highly confidential.
Chapter 2-8
Hatsune and her friend make it clear that crackers are not well regarded, unlike hackers. When the girls leave, Pulsemon and Loogamon amiably comment on which of the two girls they liked more, despite the fact that Digimon have no gender or biological sex. Leon asks Eiji if he considers his Digimon a companion or just a tool, as code crackers do, to which Eiji responds that once he met Professor Ryusenji and Loogamon, his perspective changed, and he now considers him a lifelong friend. At that moment, and probably this was the objective of the meeting from the very beginning, he asks Eiji to quit his job as a code cracker, to wash his hands of belonging to a group that abuses Digimon. Eiji refuses. For Leon, it's easy to say, he's a top-class student at a prestigious university with an influential father and a job at DDL. But for Eiji, it's not so easy to give up the only livelihood he has since his parents died in the tragic accident of WWW Airlines Flight 626. Because of that, he had to give up university, although Leon reminds him that Eiji got as good grades as him, but unlike Leon, Eiji couldn't afford it. At 19, Eiji has expenses to cover and any other job available to him wouldn't be enough to survive. Finally, Eiji opens up and confesses to Leon how he lost his parents in that airplane crash, supposedly as a result of a Digimon-related crime. It was a trip for his parents' silver anniversary. They left their son, Eiji, at home and had everything ready to go to the United States. The heartless Leon asks if there weren't any scholarships that could have helped him, as if Eiji was in the mood to study at that moment. Leon continues with his cold mind, wondering how Eiji could work for the crackers, the same ones who supposedly caused his parents' death. Eiji doesn't kill people, and neither do the Digimon; it's just certain humans who use them for those unwanted purposes. Eiji isn't like them; he just wants to survive. Eiji says goodbye because he has an appointment with Professor Ryusenji. Leon asks him what kind of work he's actually been assigned, but Eiji can't tell him. As he leaves, Pulsemon gives them a set of compressed files as a gift. It seems that Pulsemon and Loogamon have gotten along well, as Leon's Digimon partner asks Loogamon to give him a thorough tour of the Castle of the Nine Wolves on another occasion, being the one who shows more humanity of the two.
Chapter 2-9
During his meeting with Ryusenji, Eiji didn't gain much insight, except for Professor Ryusenji confirming that Leon's opinion wouldn't affect the mission assigned to Eiji. As he left the meeting, Eiji encountered Shuu Yulin, a former student of the professor who now worked for the Metropolitan Police. Despite her Chinese-sounding name, she must be a Japanese citizen to work for the police force. Hatsune, whom Loogamon had asked out to help Eiji, provided him with this information. Hatsune agreed because she had a favor to ask Eiji – to infiltrate her boyfriend's online networks and determine if her suspicions of his infidelity were true. That's why she shared her username on the social network GriMM with him: "HatsuneMocha." She messaged him the next day requesting this favor, and Eiji was disappointed, but Loogamon encouraged him. “If she's asking you for this information, it's because she trusts you, and if it turns out her boyfriend is cheating, they'll break up, and she'll be single,” Loogamon said. Loogamon's keen interest in human relationships surprised Eiji. Eiji also received another message that day. Tartarus, the leader of SoC, acknowledged his outstanding performance in their last mission and requested revenge against the hacker who had thwarted their plans, Judge. Tartarus wanted Eiji to tarnish the hacker's reputation for undermining SoC's own, as they couldn't afford to appear weak if they wanted to continue making money. Eiji had no choice but to accept. To gain Tartarus's trust and fulfill Professor Ryusenji's mission, he had to confront Leon and defeat him. Besides, Eiji valued his freedom above all else and didn't share Leon's twisted sense of justice. They decided not to open the gift Pulsemon had given them in the cafe; coming from a hacker, it could very well be a virus. Without wasting any more time, Eiji began to devise a plan to defeat Leon, and to do that, they first needed to strengthen Loogamon and make it evolve. He was determined.
Shuu Yulin enters as Eiji comes out of the professor's office
Meanwhile, in Leon's apartment, everything was electronically controlled and managed by the AI he trusted the most, his partner Pulsemon, who was far more reliable than any AI assistant. While taking his medication, Leon decided to check the passenger list for flight 626. He believed it was time to confront his past traumas, his younger, weaker, and more immature self. Despite blaming himself for not being able to save Eiji's parents, who had indeed been on that flight, Leon was determined to make Eiji quit code cracking because he believed it wasn't the right path. Even if it meant making Eiji resent him or even hating himself. Even if it meant facing his childhood friend Eiji in battle if he refused to stop being a code cracker. There was no turning back; conflicts between hackers and crackers were resolved in the network.
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Chapter 2-10
In Leon's inbox, an email appears that reveals an intriguing clue: the location of Tartarus, the enigmatic leader of the SoC. Despite being aware that it's a trap, curiosity drives him to move forward, and he makes the crucial decision to follow this lead to an island in Wall Slum plagued by turbulence. It was indeed a scheme carefully crafted by Eiji. When they come face to face, Leon reiterates his request for Eiji to abandon code cracking, offering to help with money if that's the issue. This offer, this rich kid's charity, coming from an elite hacker only infuriate Eiji more. He doesn't need anyone's pity. "It's not about giving up my ideals for money," Eiji responds, "this is how I chose to make a living, and I intend to finish the job Professor Ryusenji assigned to me." "I constantly see people passing through Professor's office, they're just disposable pawns for him. The fact that disposable code crackers take advantage of the professor is despicable and tarnishes his good name. Leave him alone," Leon argues. It's true that this is how people without means try to find their place in the world, those less fortunate who weren't born into wealthy families. Since they couldn't come to an understanding, as Leon was unwilling to apologize to Tartarus or stop meddling in his plans, and Eiji wasn't going to abandon his affiliation with the SoC, the only way to resolve this was through battle. Pulsemon evolved directly to Ultimate level, Boutmon, and Loogamon to its Champion form, Loogarmon.
Eiji had a plan; Loogarmon began by hiding behind a wall of fire to lure Boutmon to the point where his three well-trained Tyranomon were waiting to give him the "warm" welcome he deserved with their flames. The location was strategically chosen because the massive amount of garbage that made up the island disrupted the Digimon's sensors. The trash mountain sank deeper under their feet with every step they took. Tyranomon's assistance relied on filling the area with flames to obstruct Boutmon's vision, giving Loogarmon at least a chance to dodge his powerful attacks. Still, Leon had the advantage, and he knew it. That's why he asked his partner Digimon not only to defeat his opponent but to do it with an overwhelming victory so that Eiji would finally yield to his requests. He only asked not to harm their Digicore, as doing so would leave Eiji in a state of disappearance, known as DMIA. At that moment, Boutmon evolved to its Mega stage, Kazuchimon, causing Eiji's Tyranomon to tremble. He ordered them to retreat immediately. Kazuchimon's attack trapped Eiji and Loogarmon inside their own private link, isolating them from the world with an electric shock. It was an electrified barrier. In one of Kazuchimon's sword strikes, Eiji felt as if he were truly being split in two, and it was just the air blast caused by the slash. "I will free you from the disease that keeps you in the clutches of the degenerates of code crackers, it's the best I can do for you," Leon said through Kazuchimon. But Eiji couldn't lose the only chance he had to be happy, to change his life. Despite Leon, or rather, thanks to him, Eiji was going to become stronger. Just as Kazuchimon was about to use the attack that ended the life of that Machinedramon from the X nation, Eiji yelled at Loogarmon asking him to digivolve.
Chapter 2-11
The digivolution goes wrong, resulting in the creation of a berserk creature known as Helloogarmon. It has a nightmarish appearance, and Eiji has lost control over it. Helloogarmon attacks Kazuchimon who attempts to fight back but is unable to free itself from Helloogarmon's grip. Eiji's attempts to regain control of Helloogarmon are futile. He is locked out of the DigiCore, unable to issue commands or communicate with his partner Digimon.
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Leon, Eiji's friend and opponent, explains the situation. He reveals that Eiji's desire for power and victory influenced the Digimon's transformation, causing it to go berserk. Digimon evolutions are not always smooth, and errors can lead to such berserk states. Eiji learns that Helloogarmon is a virus attribute Digimon with instincts to corrode and destroy.
As Eiji struggles to restore his connection, Leon analyzes the situation. He mentions that his Digimon's power has crossed the Caution Line. Leon explains his motivation for trying to save Eiji from the code-cracking path. He recalls a tragic incident involving a terrorist attack facilitated by the X nation’s crackers using its secret weapon Digimon, Machinedramon, which resulted in the crash of Flight 626, taking Eiji's parents' lives. Leon expresses regret for not being able to prevent the tragedy. Eiji is puzzled by Leon's apology and questions why he feels responsible for the death of his parents. Leon insists on protecting justice on the network and preventing Eiji from becoming involved in similar tragedies.
As they talk, a deafening roar and vibrations shake the area. A massive vortex, resembling a black hole, emerges nearby. It devours data and seems to be growing in size rapidly. A powerful Digimon, Omegamon, appears from the vortex. It is described as a Holy Knight and guardian deity, one of the 13 Royal Knights of Yggdrasil. The appearance is that of a human-shaped figure, resembling an armed angel, though it has no wings. The "Garuru Cannon" on its right arm is a cannon of absolute zero that can freeze even the stars. The sword "Grey Sword" on its left arm is invincible, and the blade is engraved with code in the digital world's system language. "All Delete".
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Chapter 2-12
Helloogarmon takes a devastating attack from Omegamon and faces certain death as he freezes and becomes immobilized. Eiji and Helloogarmon are on the verge of being defeated, and they are at the mercy of their formidable opponent, Omegamon. The situation appears dire as Eiji's life, the DigiCore, and Helloogarmon's existence hang in the balance. Omegamon, a member of the Royal Knights, raises a Transcendent Sword, engraved with the ominous words "ALL DELETE," ready to strike down Helloogarmon. However, just as all hope seems lost, Kazuchimon charges at Omegamon, latching onto its leg and initiating a daring tackle. Both Digimon, now entwined, tumble into a swirling vortex, disappearing from view. Leon reveals that Omegamon is a formidable guardian of the Firewall, tasked with preventing real-world data from entering the Digital World. In a heart-wrenching moment, Leon's voice fades, and communication with him is severed.
Eiji is left in agonizing silence as he realizes the extent of Leon's sacrifice to protect them. As Kazuchimon and Omegamon continue their descent into the vortex, Eiji witnesses a sudden shift in the situation. The virtual monitor, which was previously riddled with errors, returns to normal, and Eiji regains control of his tools. Helloogarmon, freed from the freezing attack, reverts to Rookie form. Eiji tends to Loogamon's injuries, and there's a sense of relief that the DigiCore remains intact. Eiji desperately calls out to Leon, expressing his willingness to give up code cracking and pleading for Leon to escape. However, Eiji has no way of knowing if his message reaches Leon, who is now trapped within Kazuchimon's DigiCore. Suddenly, alarms sound within Kazuchimon's DigiCore, indicating a critical situation. The mindlink timer reaches zero, and Leon has exceeded the Limit Line. Despite this, Kazuchimon, still holding onto Omegamon, vanishes into the depths of the vortex. The Firewall hole closes without a sound. Eiji is left alone on an island of garbage data, tending to Loogamon's injuries, with a deep sense of uncertainty about Leon's fate.
Intermission (interlude)
Eiji and Loogamon returned without serious injuries, and their DigiCore remained intact. However, Leon wasn't as fortunate; he was found unconscious in his apartment and was transferred to the intensive care unit in a coma, with Professor Ryusenji facilitating the process after being alerted by Eiji.
Eiji feels responsible for what has happened to his friend Leon, who is in a DMIA state precisely because he saved Eiji from the dangerous Royal Knight Omegamon when they ventured into the vortex. Eiji begins to recall the incident mentioned at the beginning of the novel when Leon once again saved him from drowning in a river during a childhood barbecue. Tartarus congratulates Eiji; he has achieved his goal, neutralized the hacker Judge as instructed by the SoC, climbed the organization's ranks, and his infiltration into the SoC, a mission assigned to him by the professor, is proving successful. However, Eiji can't find any reason to celebrate. Instead, he is overwhelmed by nerves and the fear inflicted by the guilt he feels. In that moment at his apartment, Loogamon confesses that he opened the package given to him by Pulsemon; it contained high-quality meat. They had initially decided not to open it, fearing it might contain some kind of virus from the hackers. However, Loogamon considers Pulsemon his friend, and it seems Pulsemon feels the same way. Loogamon believes that the evolution failed because he and Eiji didn't share the same desire; Loogamon yearned to face Pulsemon and prove that he was no lesser, or perhaps simply lose and gain experience from that battle, and then, in the spirit of camaraderie, share a meal together as friends. Ultimately, they decide to go and rescue their friends, no matter the cost.
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