"[DIAMOND STORM]!"
Realizing close combat gave no advantage, Renamon swiftly shifted her strategy.
In an instant, countless razor-sharp leaves materialized out of thin air, slicing through space with terrifying speed, aimed straight at the unprepared Angemon.
This was Renamon's unique fox magic, whose accuracy and destructive power exceeded even the special moves of ordinary Champion-level Digimon.
Using this exclusive technique, Renamon had slain countless stronger Digimon in cross-level battles, steadily rising to her current strength.
Unfortunately, Angemon was no ordinary Champion. As the divine messenger who embodied hope, his strength was far beyond typical Champion-level limits.
"[HOLY BARRIER]!"
Without a moment's hesitation, radiant golden light surged from Angemon's body, forming a brilliant barrier that effortlessly blocked the speeding leaves.
Swish!
The very next instant, Angemon—who had remained defensive until now—launched his first counterattack, appearing before Renamon with lightning speed.
"The gap between us is wider than you imagined."
Without resorting to his ultimate "Hand of Fate," Angemon simply reached out with one hand, seizing Renamon's head, then slammed her violently into the ground.
BOOM!
The stone-paved road instantly exploded under the impact, sending Renamon tumbling several meters away before she finally slid to a stop, utterly battered.
For Digimon, gender distinctions didn't matter—only the distinction of strength.
Forcing Angemon to reveal his true strength already demonstrated Renamon's power. For most Champion-level Digimon, even reaching this point was an honor.
"Gap? Save those words for after you've actually defeated me!"
Just when Angemon thought the fight was over, Renamon's voice echoed from behind him.
"What?!"
Angemon's pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively flared his wings, trying to pull away, but it was already too late.
The Renamon he had slammed mercilessly into the ground suddenly gave a faint smile—and then vanished like an illusion.
—Kohenkyo!
Taking advantage of Angemon's brief confusion, Renamon, who now stood directly behind him, gathered all her spiritual energy into her fist and struck with unstoppable force.
BOOM!
This time, it was Angemon's turn to smash straight into the ground, enveloped by flying debris and dust.
"Haa…"
Only now did Renamon—who had appeared dominant until this point—finally exhale softly, gently floating back down from midair.
"Did we win?"
Chen Ze's voice, quiet and uncertain, emerged beside her without warning. Somehow, he felt as if he'd triggered a dangerous flag by asking.
"I'm not sure. Probably…?"
Renamon's eyes narrowed instinctively, her caution suddenly befitting her fox-like nature.
Though the confrontation had been brief, both Digimon had pushed their power and intellect to their absolute limits.
Leaving aside Angemon's condition, Renamon had truly exhausted all her strength. Continuing the battle would jeopardize her remaining energy reserves.
"No… it's not over yet."
Chen Ze's eyes narrowed as well. Even more clearly than the fatigued Renamon, he sensed a shift amid the dust and debris.
"Indeed, it isn't over yet—because I'm the victor."
Along with Angemon's icy voice, his figure rose once more from the ground.
Though his current state was hardly better than Renamon's, he still retained some combat ability.
More crucially, Angemon was not merely a warrior or mage—he was also a priest who served a divine power, granting him far greater regenerative capabilities than ordinary Digimon.
The sacred light still lingering around Angemon proved as much, actively healing his wounds and replenishing the power consumed during battle.
"Victory? Don't flatter yourself!"
Before Angemon could fully recover, Chen Ze, who had anticipated this development, rushed forward without hesitation.
"There are two of us, remember?!"
He didn't need to defeat Angemon directly—only delay him enough so Renamon could prepare another decisive strike.
BOOM!
His blood boiling fiercely, Chen Ze's burst of enthusiasm seemed to awaken the remnant data instincts of Agumon within him, instinctively shifting into a proper combat stance.
Bang!
The asphalt beneath Chen Ze's feet cracked under the force. His overwhelming physical strength, combined with Agumon's primal instincts, left clear footprints in the stone street.
Crack!
Angemon decisively stabbed his holy staff into the ground. Despite facing a reckless, brute-force charge from this small "Agumon," he showed no contempt.
Always give your all against any opponent—this principle was precisely how Angemon had risen from Fresh level all the way to Champion, and why he'd been chosen by "God" for this mission.
"Use 'Sharp Claws'!"
Seeing this, Renamon ignored her own exhaustion, immediately sprinting after Agumon. Even as she ran, she urgently called out to Chen Ze, reminding him which skill he should use.
"Easier said than done! I'd love to, but I don't know how!"
Chen Ze muttered incoherently. Yet at the same moment, he felt something blazing within his chest, and his claws suddenly flashed with a sharp, deadly gleam.
Was Renamon strong?
Absolutely—and undeniably so.
Any Rookie Digimon capable of challenging Angemon, a Champion, already had plenty to boast about.
Was Agumon strong?
This, too, was certain—after all, Agumon had been strong enough to be hunted by Renamon, who kept its residual data as her "trophy."
Chen Ze himself, having inherited part of Agumon's data, possessed physical abilities far beyond the norm.
"[SHARP CLAWS]!"
Thus, having unintentionally activated Agumon's Digital Core, Chen Ze naturally inherited some of its battle skills—including those honed, razor-sharp claws.
Slash!
Agumon's claws were far sharper than Chen Ze had imagined. Angemon, distracted for only a fraction of a second, suffered a sudden slash to his wings as Chen Ze dashed past.
But it wasn't over yet—right behind Agumon, Renamon's predator instincts fully awakened.
"[SUPER CHOP]!"
Graceful as a fox spirit, Renamon appeared instantly before Angemon, executing a perfect forward flip. With her own sharpened claws, she tore viciously across Angemon's chest, landing the decisive blow.