A shoreline of endless white sands stretched before them, the waves rising and falling rhythmically...
Suddenly, the water split dramatically, surging apart as a massive figure emerged from beneath the sea.
Its giant mouth opened wide, releasing a streak of white light. Mid-air, the light swiftly transformed into a three-story-tall GeoGreymon, landing steadily on the sand with two smaller figures—one tall, one short—on his back…
Thanks to Whamon's assistance, the three safely escaped the underwater cavern and made landfall. Now beneath their feet was the land they sought—
"…Finally, we've arrived—Server Continent!"
Zero gently placed Taichi and Hikari down, reverting from GeoGreymon back into Agumon. Even he felt his heart surge at this moment.
He'd experienced plenty since leaving File Island…but Zero knew clearly everything before now was just an appetizer.
Server Continent ahead was the true main course. Powerful players from all sides would soon step onto the stage, and a sweeping crisis would gradually unfold across the Digital World.
"Thank you, Whamon...!"
Taichi and Hikari, still blissfully unaware of the impending dangers, had grown quite friendly with Zero and Whamon during their journey. They enthusiastically waved farewell in gratitude.
"Friends ought to help each other," Whamon rumbled kindly, "Besides, Zero-sama previously aided me. I'm simply repaying the favor."
Zero nodded calmly, straightforwardly replying, "If there's ever anything else you need, feel free to come find me. Thanks again for everything~"
Now that they'd successfully reached Server Continent, the next steps were already planned.
First, find the Crests matching their Tags. Then, gather raw Digi-alloy ores. Finally, conquer Myotismon's castle.
Each task escalated in difficulty. Given the earlier changes to the plot in the underwater cavern, the hiding locations for the Crests might differ from the original storyline.
Still, having both Tags and their rightful bearers would make the search easier. The Crests would naturally draw their chosen holders near, resonating uniquely with them.
After all, these were custom-designed cheats made specifically for the Chosen Children—ensuring that even if something went awry, they'd ultimately find their way safely into the children's hands.
As for locating the raw Digi-alloy veins, they'd need to consult local natives. The same went for pinpointing Myotismon's castle.
Zero wasn't alone either. Right now, he was in cooperation with Gennai, who naturally would provide appropriate support.
"Gennai-sama said…" Whamon's voice echoed deeply again, "After reaching Server Continent, you should head to the desert in the south. There resides a certain 'Sage'—he's an ally who'll offer guidance and assistance."
"A Sage in the southern desert?"
Zero murmured thoughtfully, vaguely sensing who this Sage might be…
"I see, I'll remember that~"
With this, Whamon's escort mission was complete. Having delivered his information, Whamon flicked his tail and gracefully submerged, vanishing beneath the waves.
Even if it's just to repay our friends for their kindness, Zero thought silently, we must defeat the Dark Legion and liberate the Digital World.
Turning around, he addressed Taichi and Hikari, who were still waving reluctantly after Whamon.
"Alright, Whamon's given us clear directions. Our first goal is the southern desert to find that Sage. As for what you're most concerned about, Taichi…"
The thing Taichi obviously cared about most was bringing Hikari safely back to the Real World. Having skipped the adventure on File Island, he hadn't yet developed deep attachments to the Digital World, let alone a clear sense of mission to save it.
He was just an elementary schooler, after all—suddenly being thrust into the role of world savior wasn't something easily accepted. Such things couldn't be forced, anyway.
No one had the right to compel others to become heroes. Only he himself could make that choice.
Still, Zero wasn't worried. Because this was Yagami Taichi—unless he somehow spent his entire life untouched by the Digital World, sooner or later he'd willingly bear that responsibility.
"To get you two back to the Real World, we first need to find the 'gate' home. Right now, that gate is controlled by a very powerful demon lord. In other words, we have to defeat him before you can return. Makes sense?"
There was certainly nothing complicated about it—a classic RPG plotline. Considering RPGs practically counted as national entertainment in Japan, Taichi accepted the explanation readily.
"…Defeat the demon lord and clear the game, huh? Ugh, it sounds pretty dangerous."
Taichi couldn't help a bitter smile, but Zero replied calmly.
"Don't worry. Like I said…I'll definitely keep you and Hikari safe."
Touched but still curious, Taichi asked, "Why does Zero care so much about me and Hikari? Have we...met before?"
This earned him an irritated kick in the leg from Hikari. Getting this sort of reaction from his normally gentle little sister showed she was genuinely annoyed.
"Big brother, Zero is our friend! Don't doubt his good intentions!"
"…Y-yeah, got it, I'll remember!"
Rubbing his leg, Taichi helplessly agreed. Truthfully, although he'd never actually met Zero before, when he first saw him, Taichi felt an odd sense of familiarity...
...A vague silhouette buried deep in memory, as if seeing through frosted glass—its true form distorted yet faintly recognizable.
Right, a dream!
It felt exactly like something he'd once glimpsed in a dream!
Taichi immediately grew awkward—"I've seen you in my dreams" wasn't exactly something appropriate to say aloud. Even an elementary-schooler understood that phrase was mostly reserved for cheesy romantic lines...
…Though, admittedly, even that line was outdated these days. Whether it worked depended entirely on who said it, not the phrase itself.
"Alright, enough spacing out. Our destination's the southern desert… Let's go~go~go~!"
Zero called out cheerfully, leading the way forward. Taichi and Hikari quickly snapped out of it, following close behind.
Although Taichi hadn't experienced File Island's beginner arc, their life-or-death struggle in the underwater cavern had rapidly adjusted his mindset.
He clearly understood now—this wasn't just a camping trip or field excursion. This was a true, life-risking adventure, where injuries were inevitable, and death a real possibility!
Yet, beyond the initial fear, he felt an eager anticipation rising inside him.
If Hikari weren't by his side—her safety always his top priority—Taichi might've found such thrills genuinely exciting.
Perhaps being chosen by the Crest of Courage truly meant he possessed an adventurer's heart. Right now, that potential was steadily awakening.
The two humans and their partner Digimon had finally stepped onto Server Continent. Meanwhile, none of the continent's powers realized yet what storm this seemingly inconspicuous trio would soon bring…
...
A week had passed since Whamon guided Zero's group to seek the mysterious Sage hidden deep in the southern desert.
With a low roar, MetalGreymon swooped from the sky, landing on the edge of a wide valley carrying the Yagami siblings.
"Alright, once we cross this valley…we'll finally reach the southern desert~"
Having unlocked his Ultimate-level evolution, Zero naturally didn't need to slowly trudge on foot. Server Continent was far larger than File Island—relying on the legs of two elementary schoolers, they'd be lucky to reach their destination within half a year.
MetalGreymon's flight was much faster. After a week's journey, they were nearing their destination.
Along the way, they'd visited several Digimon villages, gathering precise directions to the southern desert. Zero's Ultimate-level strength earned them decent hospitality. Clearly, the civilizations here surpassed those on File Island—every Digimon, even low-level ones, had established communities.
With directions from the locals, Zero had roughly mapped out their route. The valley ahead was the last obstacle, but according to intel, trouble lurked there.
Landing on the valley edge, the trio had already spotted numerous silhouettes wandering around, along with strange, half-finished artificial constructions.
Driven by curiosity, Zero cautiously led Taichi and Hikari closer, carefully hiding as they approached the valley for a better look.
But the sight before them was baffling…
The half-finished structures appeared to form a huge signal tower topped with a wide LCD screen. Though unfinished, speakers on either side of the screen blasted an incessant, noisy voice.
"Well? Has everyone finished their work today? To reward your hard work, let me play a little something to lift your spirits—everyone, let's get hype!"
Hearing that noisy voice, Zero's mouth twitched uncontrollably—Dammit, how could I forget this ridiculous clown?
But in stark contrast to that goofy voice, a disturbing scene unfolded in the valley.
The wandering silhouettes were all Drimogemon—each one wore a metal collar around its neck, forced into heavy labor like digging tunnels and hauling materials. Nearby, several Gazimon supervised harshly.
Observing this, Zero instantly knew…it was time for some relaxing exercise.
"Zero…" Taichi and Hikari's faces darkened significantly. Zero immediately understood their thoughts.
"…I got it. Just wait here—I'll be right back~"