Chapter 37: Becoming a Dark Horse

Although Agumon and Gabumon both possess fire-based abilities, there are notable differences between them. Gabumon’s explosive fireball boasts exceptional penetrative power, while Agumon’s smaller flames cover a wider area of attack.

Yet, on the arena stage, both Gabumon and Agumon unleashed their charged signature moves while in motion, enhancing their potency far beyond their usual attacks.

Bang!

Flames collided with fireball, erupting into a surge of heat between the two creatures—the direct result of their signature moves clashing. Under this heat wave, Gabumon was forced back several steps, and Agumon on the other side retreated two steps as well.

Purely from the strength of their special moves, Agumon’s was slightly superior to Gabumon’s.

“A tie?”

Han Qing watched this scene, his brows furrowing slightly, but he didn’t dwell on it. He was already familiar with Agumon’s power, and this minor setback was well within his expectations.

Whoosh!

After the heat wave faded, Agumon stamped the ground, bursting forth with impressive speed toward Gabumon. Though Agumon initiated the attack, Gabumon was inherently faster; now, Agumon’s advantage merely closed the gap between them.

Bang!

The two Digimon engaged in close combat—punches and claws exchanged in a relentless physical contest.

Thanks to Li Ping’s teaching with his Wildmon before arriving, Agumon was not weak in physical confrontation. In fact, he vaguely gained the upper hand during the fight.

“We can see Gabumon and Agumon battling, both releasing their signature moves at the same time. Will the outcome be decided so quickly?”

“Oh my goodness, the match isn’t over! This Agumon’s mastery of its signature attack is not inferior to Gabumon’s. Ladies and gentlemen, the two Digimon are now locked in physical combat, which is actually good news for Gabumon.”

“That’s because Gabumon has advantages in speed, stamina, and strength. Unless something unexpected happens, Agumon should lose.”

Hearing such biased commentary, many spectators were speechless. The battle had just begun, and already Agumon was declared defeated?

“What kind of lousy commentary is this?”

In the lounge, someone tore off their headset, feeling exasperated. The match was obviously balanced, did the commentator even understand the competition?

“Unbelievable!”

“Haha, did the commentator lose his impartiality? Just because Gabumon is a seeded contestant, does he have to be so flattering?”

“Terrible commentary, not professional at all.”

“Isn’t this a balanced match? And Agumon clearly had the upper hand when they released their signature moves just now.”

Viewers following the match online flooded the chat with jokes and banter. Those who had been drowsy instantly perked up, fingers flying across keyboards as if they’d become digital immortals.

“Ahem, Professor Zhao is right, the match continues—oh! Gabumon suddenly uses an instant explosive fireball! That was fast! Agumon was completely unprepared and took the hit!”

Bang!

Agumon was thrown through the air, landing heavily on the ground. Zhao Jie’s expression remained unchanged, for Agumon quietly extended one finger on its left hand—a sign that it was unharmed.

“Yes, that was fast. This Agumon is impressive, but compared to Gabumon, the gap is significant. We can see Gabumon pressing its advantage after landing its special move, giving Agumon no room to breathe.”

“Professor Zhao is correct, Gabumon is decisive.”

“It’s closing in, closing in—Agumon is still struggling, refusing to give up. Will his Digimon partner still not concede? Agumon has no strength left to continue fighting.”

“Gabumon is alert—it’s not advancing, instead gathering energy for another explosive fireball. It wants to finish this—”

Before the commentator could finish, Professor Zhao’s eyes widened, his mouth trembling, unsure how to continue.

For Agumon launched a counterattack. Its small flame expanded before Gabumon’s eyes, and caught off guard, Gabumon’s explosive fireball was utterly outmatched by this charged small flame.

With a resounding bang, Gabumon was struck, flames engulfing its body as it was hurled back like a broken kite.

After unleashing the charged small flame, Agumon pressed its advantage, no longer appearing exhausted.

Instant small flame!

Thud.

Flames struck Gabumon again, the force driving it more than two meters across the arena as it was about to land.

Just as Gabumon touched down, a shadow appeared before it.

Agumon was already beside him.

“Crash.”

Lifting Gabumon, Agumon tossed him off the stage.

Everything unfolded in mere seconds, leaving the two commentators as uncomfortable as if they had stepped in something foul. The word “match” hung on their lips, but the outcome had already reversed.

“Let’s congratulate Agumon for winning this match and advancing to the round of sixteen!”

The commentator beside Professor Zhao recovered first.

“Yes, this Agumon is exceptionally skilled at seizing opportunities. It capitalized on Gabumon’s moment of carelessness. Congratulations to Agumon and its Digimon Tamer, Zhao Jie from Wuling City, for advancing to the round of sixteen.”

Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?

Han Qing was bewildered—just like that, he had lost. In a flash, his Gabumon was dragged off the stage by Agumon.

Yet Agumon’s mouth hadn’t even emitted any orange flames.

Wait…

Han Qing suddenly realized something and looked straight at Zhao Jie.

“You made Agumon’s mouth flare with fire when casting spells as a diversion, didn’t you? You’ve been using this trick since the Rookie Cup, creating a false impression. I lost fair and square.”

Zhao Jie glanced at Han Qing in surprise—it was true. Agumon’s signature move was usually accompanied by a trace of flame at its mouth, a deliberate misdirection for key moments.

He hadn’t expected Han Qing to figure it out so quickly.

But alas, the match was over. He had defeated a seeded contestant and successfully advanced to the round of sixteen.

“Congratulations.”

Han Qing looked at Zhao Jie with a complex expression, then followed the medic to have Gabumon checked and treated.

The first dark horse to defeat a seeded contestant in this Rookie Cup had emerged, and Han Qing had become the backdrop to its rise.

It was hard not to feel a pang of regret.

PS: Second evolution complete for the beast—please, everyone, vote for recommendations.