Chapter 130: The Golden Sword-Lion Beast

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Just as everything was about to settle, a ground-shaking sound of footsteps slowly approached.

"Merukimon, to think you would still trust humans... This doesn't sound like the words of the one who once managed the Forest of Trees in the Digital World..."

Following these mocking words, a massive Digimon descended into Merukimon's palace. Its fur, golden with orange patterns like flames, combined with two gray, sword-like fangs, made it appear like a terrifying giant lion from the ancient past.

Everyone’s eyes trembled; they knew this was another powerful Mega-level Digimon.

"You are... SaberLeomon!"

Merukimon looked at it, unsure of its intentions.

"Long time no see, my friend..."

SaberLeomon glanced at the humans nearby, who looked like mere ants, and sneered as if looking at a pile of corpses.

"What is the purpose of your visit?"

Observing SaberLeomon's malicious demeanor, Merukimon frowned, clearly displeased by the intrusion.

"You should know full well, my friend... I have come to help you eliminate these despicable humans."

SaberLeomon turned its head, glaring at Qin Fei and the others with bloodthirsty eyes, as if it couldn't wait to tear them to pieces.

"What did you say!? This is my affair; I will not allow you to interfere."

Merukimon’s expression darkened further. It was evident that it did not want this fellow to ruin the agreement it had just reached with the humans.

"The Digital World is currently facing its greatest crisis in history. If you continue to let the humans do as they please, you will live to regret it sooner or later."

SaberLeomon crushed the solid ground beneath its feet, confronting the Merukimon that dared to consider cooperating with humans once more.

"I will take responsibility for my actions... Just keep to your own territory."

Merukimon’s tone was cold, showing little desire to engage further with SaberLeomon.

"How foolish! To be deceived once and still be willing to trust them a second time!"

SaberLeomon roared, then turned toward the humans, clearly eager to devour them alive.

"Merukimon, there are many Digimon who share my convictions. As long as we attack the human world together, we can purge them. Don't worry about the pathetic voices of these bugs."

"..."

"That would require too great a sacrifice. If we go to full-scale war with the human world, both realms will be plunged into a quagmire of conflict, from which neither will easily escape!"

Merukimon stood up, staring down the warmongering SaberLeomon without flinching.

"Are you saying you refuse to join forces with me?"

SaberLeomon growled, looking unpleasantly at Merukimon and preparing for battle.

"Do you have a problem with my methods?"

Merukimon unleashed its full aura, completely suppressing SaberLeomon’s presence.

"Weak-willed fool!"

SaberLeomon roared in frustration. Knowing it was no match for Merukimon, it turned its killing intent toward the humans nearby. "I will slaughter these humans just to show you the reality of the situation... RAAARGH!!!"

Hearing SaberLeomon's threat, Marcus and the others tensed, staring motionlessly at the terrifying, ancient beast.

However, Merukimon caught sight of Qin Fei, who remained calm amidst the group, and his partner, Lalamon. It recalled the battle that had taken place in the human world.

Sighing, it gave SaberLeomon a meaningful look and said, "Be my guest, if you are able."

"ROAR!!!"

Seeming to sense the pity in Merukimon's eyes, SaberLeomon roared and lunged toward the humans. It was determined to show Merukimon exactly how it would tear these despicable humans apart.

"Digisoul... Full Charge."

Sunflowmon, GeoGreymon, and Gaogamon appeared before SaberLeomon, instantly moving to intercept it.

As Marcus and the others brought out their Digivices to evolve, Qin Fei gripped his own Digivice, which belonged to Lolo. He knew the meaning behind Merukimon's earlier glance: it would not interfere in the battle between SaberLeomon and himself.

Closing his eyes, Qin Fei unleashed the hidden emotions within his heart. A dense, gray Digisoul surged wildly into his Digivice.

"Lalamon, evolve... Tickovimon."

A statuesque beauty with a single, ink-black jade horn on her forehead appeared before Qin Fei. Her crimson eyes reflected the form of SaberLeomon, burning with a hint of madness.

"Boom!"

"Weak... too weak!"

After repelling the three Digimon in a single exchange, SaberLeomon turned its gaze toward the figure that made it feel most uneasy. It was a bizarre Digimon it had never seen before. The oppressive force she exerted, rivaling that of Merukimon, made SaberLeomon’s entire body tense involuntarily.

"What kind of Digimon are you?!"

SaberLeomon sternly questioned the nearly four-meter-tall, graceful figure.

But the only answer it received was a crimson halberd.

With a kick of her feet, the sheer power of Tickovimon shattered the smooth ground, and she closed the distance to SaberLeomon in the blink of an eye, forcing the terrified beast to scramble in defense.

"Clang!"

The halberd collided with the beast's claws, producing a deafening metallic screech.

Immediately after, SaberLeomon’s expression shifted again. An irresistible, immense force surged from the halberd, sending its massive body flying. Tickovimon gave SaberLeomon no chance to catch its breath; before it could even land, she was upon it again. She brought the halberd down with a heavy strike... and one of the beast's sharp fangs was instantly shattered into pieces.

"..."

"Truly a terrifying creature. Among the Olympus Twelve, perhaps only *that* one could deal with her."

Merukimon watched the battle, its eyes flashing with gravity. If they hadn't come to cooperate, even if they had insisted on leaving, it would have been unable to stop them.

"Merukimon, aren't you going to help? Do you want to watch humans run wild in the Digital World?!"

Seeing itself being gradually suppressed by the "woman" before it, SaberLeomon desperately begged Merukimon, who remained seated on its Throne of Ice, for assistance.

"This is a battle between the two of you."

With just that single sentence, Merukimon blocked any further pleas from SaberLeomon.

"Damn it!"

After desperately pushing Tickovimon back a single step, SaberLeomon scrambled to escape to the side, realizing it had no chance of victory.

"Card Slash: MetalPhantomon!"

As Qin Fei’s voice rang out, the halberd in Tickovimon’s hand transformed into a massive scythe. The handle of the scythe, resembling an iron chain and a slithering snake, shot out and instantly coiled around SaberLeomon’s throat.

"ROAR!!!"

With its final, mournful cry, it dissolved into a Digi-egg and fell to the ground.

"Well then, the obstacle to our cooperation is gone."

Qin Fei tucked away the SaberLeomon card and began to smile at Merukimon.