Prologue – Digimon Daydream:
One day, artificial intelligence viruses began to spread among the world's computers. These viruses changed shape, grew, evolved, and created a world of their own within computer networks.
This new world, teeming with life, is Evelia. Its inhabitants are classified as Digital Monsters—Digimon for short.
But now, this world is facing a great crisis.
By an ancient prophecy, you—a chosen Tamer—are summoned to Evelia.
Connect with the resident Digimon, forge bonds with your partner, and save the world of Digimon from complete destruction.
That was more or less the main story of Digimon Daydream.
"So all of it was actually true?"
Sitting in the sleek, futuristic cafeteria of Abadin Games, I glance at Blanc. She nibbles on a large Digi-candy, her cheeks puffed like a small animal's. Neon lights glimmer against her silver hair, making it shine like gemstones.
"Only partially," Leon replies, sipping his coffee. "The storyline was written by our scenario writers. We just made some suggestions."
"So it's like a top-secret cover story?" Ina asks, scrolling through the holographic menu on the table.
It's been five minutes since she started browsing. Can't she pick something already?
"But if that's the case, why did you open it to the public as a VRMMORPG?" I ask Leon, unable to mask my curiosity.
"Well..." Leon sets his cup down with a deliberate clink, his gaze meeting mine. "It's for funds."
"Ah."
That explains it. High-quality equipment needs constant maintenance.
I remember one of the companies I worked for—our computers constantly malfunctioned, but management ignored the complaints. Eventually, multiple systems broke down, causing massive data losses and delaying the entire project.
A system running an entire world? I can't even imagine the cost.
"The idea came from Professor Ryusenji," Leon adds, leaning forward.
"He's one of AE Corp's founders, right?"
I looked him up during the train trip. He's a renowned researcher.
"That guy is probably up to no good," Pulsemon mutters, reaching for another french fry.
"Honestly, I can never understand the Professor's true intentions," Leon sighs, exchanging a glance with the yellow Digimon.
"Um, what are you talking about?" I ask, feeling a little lost.
"Oh, don't worry about it. The Professor just gets a bit too obsessed with his research."
"I see..."
Geniuses are always hard to understand, I suppose. You can never predict what's going on in their heads.
"You humans are always like that," Labramon growls, noodles dangling from his jaws. "Always using us for your own selfish interests."
Right—he's still holding onto that grudge.
Mask's words flash through my mind.
There are Code-Crackers who see Digimon as mere tools.
I glance at Blanc, chewing her candy with innocent glee.
Yeah, unlike them, we're a family. I'll make sure of it.
"I wouldn't say that," Leon replies calmly. "Evelia was created as a new home for Digimon lost in the Networks. Refugees from the Wall Slum."
"Wall Slum?" I ask, puzzled.
Mask had mentioned that name too.
"A slum that sits atop the Security Wall," Leon explains. "A haven for Digimon banned from the Digital World."
"Banned? By whom?"
"By the System of the Digital World—our God," Labramon barks, glaring at Leon. "All because we came into contact with your human-made data."
"Due to us?" I whisper.
Labramon... For all his anger, there's pain behind those words. And you're telling me we're to blame? They're outcasts just for interacting with us?
"Big Sis isn't at fault. If it stops us from returning home for such a reason, it shouldn't be called a God."
Blanc's bold words hang in the air. She's standing up for me—even against something she might have once revered.
Why does that make my chest feel lighter?
Labramon pauses, his sharp gaze softening for just a moment.
"Heh, I like that way of thinking, kid." The puppy's jaw curls into a grin. "Someone should really teach it a lesson."
"Mhm, Big Bro always said the strong should protect the weak—not trouble them," Blanc nods in approval.
"Leon also says that," Pulsemon adds, flashing a grin. "Seems I underestimated you guys."
Wow, are they actually agreeing on something for once?
"So this is the legendary power of friendship that'll topple gods, huh?" Ina tilts her imaginary detective hat.
I don't think we're fighting gods here.
As I watch the three Digimon, hurried footsteps echo from outside.
"Leon Alexander. There you are."
A young woman, barely out of her twenties, strides into the doorway. She's clad in a somber police uniform. Short hair frames her sharp features, and a small blemish under her eye gives her a striking presence.
Leon turns to her, smiling faintly.
"I thought Satsuki would come. I didn't think it'd be you."
"I was already on my way here," the woman replies, her gaze sweeping the room with laser-like precision. It lingers just long enough to make me fidget. "Besides, the Deputy Chief is very busy."
"That makes sense." Leon stands, Pulsemon following after him.
Is she a police officer? Why's she here?
Noticing my curious gaze, Leon flashes a smile.
"Let me introduce—"
"Mira Hayashi, Metropolitan Police Department, Community Safety Bureau, Cyber Crime Division, Investigation Unit 11," she says curtly, cutting him off.
"Oh, nice to meet you," I stammer, standing and clasping my hands together.
Mira? That's the name WezenGammamon mentioned...
No, it must be a coincidence.
"But I did see Satsuki posting slug videos on her social media," Leon remarks, casting a sly glance at Mira.
"She's really busy," Mira replies with an exhausted sigh. "That one snuck out again yesterday, and several of our units were damaged."
"That one?" Leon asks, his tone sharp. "Do you have it now?"
"Yeah, give me a moment."
Mira pulls out a black smartphone with "DDL" stamped on the back and swipes through the display.
Wait—that gesture...
[Starting ReArise...]
The air thickens as a dazzling light bursts from Mira's phone. A holographic image flickers before a green-plated triceratops materializes, its horn cannons gleaming with a dangerous glint.
"YOU?!"
Blanc and I shout almost simultaneously.
"Ooh~ it's the kaboom rabbit!" the green Digimon says cheerfully.
"Who're you calling kaboom rabbit?" I protest, dumbfounded.
Yes, it's WezenGammamon—standing right in front of us, wagging its tail nonchalantly as if it didn't almost kill us last night.
"Do you know them?" Mira asks, her gaze curious.
"Yep," WezenGammamon answers enthusiastically. "We fought in the Deep Web yesterday. This pink one was pretty strong."
"Yesterday?" Mira freezes, muttering under her breath. "So it was you..."
"Huh?" I stiffen as her sharp gaze locks onto me.
"You're the one responsible for damaging our units." She marches toward me, pulling out her ID. "You're under arrest! Innocent or not, you're coming to the station!"
"HUHHHH?!"
I exclaim, stumbling back in shock.
We came here for answers—so why am I suddenly a criminal?
"Wait! Despite looking a little suspicious, Miss Lily is a good person. She can't do any crime!" Ina testifies, raising her hand.
What do you mean by a little suspicious?
"Can't you let it slide?" Leon turns to Mira, his tone as calm as ever. "It was AE Corp's fault too."
Mira sighs before replying, "That won't do. Mechanorimon were badly damaged, Commandramon were injured, and it's further increased my workload."
But they're the ones who attacked us first!
Mira's sharp eyes shift to Blanc and Labramon. "And those two are also coming with me."
Labramon growls, baring his fangs. "So, you really think you can catch us, human?"
"Blanc won't let you take Big Sis!" Blanc grips her Cross Barbée tightly, her silver eyes unwavering.
Mira clenches her fists, a dangerous grin curling her lips. "Oh, so you've chosen to resist?" She points at us. "WezenGammamon! Capture them!"
I gasp.
WezenGammamon was terrifyingly strong last time. Even with the Digivice X, I can't see a way to win.
But despite Mira's order, the green Digimon remains still, refusing to move.
"What happened?" Mira snaps. "I said capture them!"
WezenGammamon looks away, pouting. "You banned my champions this week. I'm too demotivated to move."
"You damn troublemaker..." Mira groans, pinching her temple. "Fine! Catch them, and I'll buy you five boxes of chocolates!"
WezenGammamon's tail shoots up, and its yellow eyes sparkle. "You promise? Five boxes of champions?"
"Yes, as long as you follow the order."
"Deal!"
Hey, is it okay for an officer to openly bribe her Digimon partner?
"Now, I must catch you at any cost!" WezenGammamon declares.
I clutch the Digivice X tightly, my breath catching as WezenGammamon's cannons lock onto us.
Can we survive this?
"Petit Impulse!"
A bolt of lightning cuts through the room, halting WezenGammamon's charge.
Startled, the triceratops steps back.
My eyes dart to the source—Pulsemon.
"Don't ruin Leon's office~," it says with a smirk.
"What?!" Mira halts, turning to Leon. "Leon—no, Judge! Are you opposing the Digipolice?"
"I'm not," Leon replies coolly, stepping forward. "But why are you arresting them?"
"I already said—it's because they harmed our units!" Mira snaps.
"But that's not what happened, right?"
"What do you mean?" Mira blinks, her tone shifting to curiosity.
"It's simple." Leon sits back down in his chair, his posture relaxed yet confident. "WezenGammamon snuck out, and Miss Lily here was sent to recover it. But it went out of control, and Digipolice units were caught in the crossfire. AE Corp is willing to cover the repairs."
Is he... trying to help me? But why?
My chest tightens as I turn to Leon.
"But why would Abadin Games recover a Digipolice Digimon?" I ask cautiously.
"Because WezenGammamon isn't part of the Digipolice," Leon clarifies. "It belongs to AE Corp."
"I was raising it at Leon's request since I seem to have a high compatibility with it," Mira explains. She points at me. "But that won't work—she isn't even an AE employee."
"So it'll be fine if she were to be one?" Leon's sharp gaze locks onto me.
"You can't mean—" Mira starts, but Leon cuts her off.
"Miss Lily Lee. 28, lives alone in a Tokyo apartment, currently a product team member at an IT company," Leon states without hesitation, his gaze unwavering. "I can see you have a strong bond with your Digimon. What are your thoughts on Abadin Games?"
His gaze pierces me as if he's already unearthed every piece of information about me in mere moments.
Just how much has this Hacker dug into my life?
I exchange a glance with Blanc, still holding her battle stance.
I don't know Leon's true intentions, but this might be our only way out of this predicament.
The answer he's waiting for is clear.
"Mister Leon."
I stand, gripping the strap of my bag tightly, my gaze steady as it meets his.
I'm not alone here. Blanc my family now. If this is what it takes to protect her, I can't hesitate.
"I'd like to join Abadin Games."
"You've made the correct choice," Leon says, a satisfied smile curling his lips. "Get ready. The interview will be in one hour."
"Yes."
Phew, I got that right.
"Fine. If AE Corp takes full responsibility, I'll let it slide this time," Mira sighs, crossing her arms. "But are you sure? She's a civilian."
"Yes, I'm sure," Leon replies, his tone softening as his gaze flicks to Blanc. "Their bond is genuine. They remind me of a close friend of mine."
"That's all that matters to you, huh?" Mira replies, exchanging a smile with Leon.
Guess they're on better terms than it seemed.
WezenGammamon tilts its head. "What about my champions?"
"You aren't getting any~," Mira replies with a bright smile.
"NOOOO!"
Tears stream down the triceratops' face.
"Um," Ina says, holding out a chocolate donut. "WezenGammamon, you can have one if you'd like."
"Oooooh~!" WezenGammamon turns to her, eyes still teary. "You're so kind! Can you be my partner instead?"
Mira's eyes widen as she shouts. "Don't you dare, you troublemaking monster!"
I lean back against the train seat, exhausted.
"Miss Lily, congratulations on the new job!" Ina says, handing me a can of juice.
"Ah, thanks."
Even as Ina celebrates, I can't shake the feeling there's more to Leon than he's letting on.
He said we reminded him of a friend of his.
What kind of person was that friend?
I glance at Blanc, leaning against my shoulder, clutching the backpack containing Labramon as she sleeps.
After fighting Guilmon and now this... she's worked hard today.
As long as we can stay together like this...
"By the way," Ina says, leaning closer as I gather my thoughts. "What role did they offer you?"
"They called it... a Debugger."
AN:
With Lily's new job, a new chapter of her life is about to begin. In the next chapter, we'll take a full dive into the virtual world.
Speaking of full dives, Digimon Liberator has been pretty enjoyable so far. Shoeshoemon and Chaperomon have to be my favorite Digimon from it.