Chapter 98: Born to Be a Mistake
“Stop pretending. I’ve long known you possess self-awareness, Black Tyrannosaurus!”
Zhao Jie ignored the Heavenly Maiden Beast, his eyes fixed on the Black Tyrannosaurus not far away, still ravaging the ground beneath its feet.
A roar burst forth.
Madness and murderous intent blazed fiercely in the Black Tyrannosaurus’s eyes as it charged toward Zhao Jie’s position.
It seemed determined to prove through its actions that it was not the self-aware being Zhao Jie claimed it to be.
“Let it come!”
Seeing the Black Tyrannosaurus running forward, the Heavenly Maiden Beast’s expression shifted subtly. Instinctively, she prepared to strike it down once more.
But Zhao Jie raised his hand, halting her.
Instead of advancing, he took a step back, moving toward the approaching Black Tyrannosaurus.
Another defiant roar echoed.
The creature’s speed increased, its massive eyes brimming with lethal intent. Within mere breaths, it appeared before Zhao Jie.
A shadow loomed over Zhao Jie’s head as the Black Tyrannosaurus’s powerful forelimbs struck downward without hesitation.
“Watch out!”
The Heavenly Maiden Beast’s face paled, but it was too late; rescue was beyond reach.
“Die.”
A manic grin twisted on Zhou Jie’s face as he envisioned Zhao Jie being torn to shreds by the beast, blood splattering the ground like a blooming crimson flower.
Then, in the next instant—
The Heavenly Maiden Beast froze.
Zhou Jie froze.
Because the Black Tyrannosaurus’s strike never touched Zhao Jie. Instead, it slammed into the ground beside him, its mighty arm gouging out a deep crater.
Boom!
The violent impact shook Zhao Jie, knocking him off balance and sending him sprawling to the ground. As he fell, he even caught sight of the beast’s other massive forearm seemingly reaching to grasp him.
But the hand never extended. The creature glared angrily at Zhao Jie, who lay prone before it.
“How is this possible?!”
Zhou Jie clutched his head in agony. Why hadn’t the Black Tyrannosaurus torn that boy to pieces?
At that range, failure was impossible!
There was only one explanation: the Black Tyrannosaurus never intended to kill Zhao Jie.
Zhao Jie sat heavily on the ground, too weary to rise. The fresh blow had reopened old scars, and vivid blood stained his pant leg.
He lifted his head and locked eyes with the Black Tyrannosaurus.
“Hahaha… hahaha…”
“You truly have self-awareness, Black Tyrannosaurus!”
Under Zhao Jie’s gaze, the creature, infused with potent dark power, retreated several steps, almost unwilling to meet his eyes.
It did possess self-awareness, though it couldn’t recall when it first came into being. At first, it had instinctively battled Agumon for control of the body.
After that clash in the mysterious realm, the Revelation Beast’s power—previously unconsciously assimilated by Agumon—had birthed self-awareness.
Originally, their strength was evenly matched; neither could dominate the other.
They had been locked in a constant struggle for control, which was why Agumon lay unconscious.
But after arriving here, with Zhou Jie injecting the Revelation Beast’s dark power—sharing the same origin—into Agumon, the Black Tyrannosaurus gained the upper hand, gradually seizing control.
Its growing power allowed it to effortlessly access Agumon’s memories. Upon seeing Zhao Jie, it immediately knew this young man was Agumon’s original partner—the very person who had suppressed it.
Before Zhao Jie, the Black Tyrannosaurus felt a primal inferiority, perhaps because this body didn’t originally belong to it.
Having read all of Agumon’s memories, it envied Agumon’s life, his companions, and his ability to enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
At first, it was lost, unsure of its purpose. Maybe, as that madman had said, dying amidst destruction was a fitting end—after all, it was born a mistake.
But when it read Zhao Jie fainting before Agumon, something changed.
It was no longer envy.
It became jealousy.
Why?
Why did Agumon deserve all these things it longed for?
Why could it only experience such beauty through Agumon’s memories?
The Black Tyrannosaurus conceived a reckless idea: to replace Agumon.
To become the Agumon it so admired.
Then everything Agumon possessed would be its own; it would feel every joy Agumon did.
But now—
Facing Zhao Jie’s clear, unwavering gaze, it knew all was lost.
It could not bring itself to harm this man. Its memories were flooded with everything this man represented; whenever it saw him, memories of Agumon and their shared happiness surged forth.
“Roar!”
A pained howl escaped its mouth. Lost and confused, under Zhao Jie’s intense stare, the Black Tyrannosaurus kept retreating.
It felt like an utter fool before this man.
Why?
It questioned itself in silence.
“Don’t be nervous, Black Tyrannosaurus. I am not your enemy.”
At that moment, Zhao Jie’s voice rang out again.
Hearing it, the Black Tyrannosaurus instinctively halted. Though it wasn’t its own conscious will, it stopped the instant Zhao Jie spoke.
Having all of Agumon’s memories, it had essentially become another Agumon.
It hung its head low, eyes fixed on the ground, unable to meet Zhao Jie’s gaze.
At that moment, it resembled a child caught in wrongdoing, caught by a parent’s watchful eye.
“I want to ask you something. What happened to Agumon?”
The Black Tyrannosaurus, previously silent, stiffened at Zhao Jie’s words. Suddenly, it lifted its head, fury rekindling in its eyes.
Why?
Why couldn’t Zhao Jie care about it for once?
I am Agumon!
Now, I am Agumon!
Do you understand?
“Roar!”
Its powerful hind limbs advanced relentlessly, pounding the earth with heavy thuds as it drew closer.
Zhao Jie could even hear the beast’s ragged breathing.
Clearly, its emotions were far from calm.
“Don’t be angry. I just want to know how Agumon is now.”
Zhao Jie placed a trembling hand upon the Black Tyrannosaurus’s head, his eyes filled with pleading as he gazed at the creature right before him.
PS: My grades are poor. For those who read pirated versions, I hope you’ll support the official platform. It’s only a dime per chapter. A humble writer like me can’t survive on freebies alone.