Endless stretches of green and blue. The sea of grass stretched out before me, and the sky was clear as glass—not a cloud in sight, as if the overcast skies of just moments ago had been a lie.

　A gentle breeze, like a caress on the skin, drifts away. It feels good.

　This is Cross Connectia...

　A digital land different from the setting of Digimon Liberator. Here, we embarked on a great adventure as the world faced collapse.

　Once again, Yuuki stood at the place where that adventure began.

　...I like the wind in Lacuna, but I like the wind here, too.

　Enjoying the sensation of Cross Connectia's wind, I suddenly looked up at the sky. Then, for a moment, I was seized by a hollow illusion, as if I had become the center of the world.

　...I'm not alone...am I?

　Gazing at my waist-high companion, Impmon, standing beside me, I suddenly felt a sense of relief.

　I am no longer the person I was back then, gazing at the night sky, lost in solitude.

　I have a friend at my side now. The most understanding friend I have ever fought with.

　The thought made me so incredibly happy that I couldn't help but smile.

"...The heck? It's not like I'm going anywhere."

　Noticing the change in my expression, Impmon responded with a soft voice, despite its puzzled look. With those awkward words, my partner conveyed how natural it felt being at my side.

"Nooo, I know. It's just that so much has happened."

"Too much, if you ask me. Just when I thought we'd wrapped up the Lacuna issue, we're now debugging Cross Connectia's problems... I'd kill for a bit of rest."

　We're so similar that I know you don't mean that. I was going to say, "You're terrible at taking it easy," but stopped myself to avoid another pointless argument.

"Being kept busy is the best part of being a debugger, isn't it? Besides, if this world didn't exist, I'd be lonely, right?"

　At times like this, I simply speak my mind. Because we're so alike, the most effective way to get my point across is to express my feelings directly.

"Lacuna is closed off right now, isn't it?"

　After the huge showdown with Unchained, Digimon Liberator was forced into a prolonged service suspension. Even if only for a brief period, a large-scale incident occurred where all players were unable to log out. It goes without saying that an investigation by the appropriate authorities would follow.

　Then, suddenly, Impmon snapped its fingers and turned to me.

"Come to think of it, has so much time passed since our journey began? I don't have a very good sense of time."

"Eight months."

"Huh... What the hell?! So what, you're saying you missed out on getting those things called 'crejits' or whatever?!"

"Don't be stupid! Of course I got all my credits!"

　When I winked and made a peace sign, Impmon looked utterly incredulous and began gesturing irately.

"But you've been here this whole time!"

"I've been studying hard between adventures, you see. I'm a way better student than I look."

"..."

　My partner shrugged its shoulders and tilted its head as if unconvinced. I felt that Impmon came across as kind of rude but held my ground all the same. This isn't so bad.

"Well, it's true that so much has happened. Especially since we landed in Cross Connectia."

　It wasn't just us. All of our friends have experienced a lot.

　When I first set foot in this land, I was on my own. The Digimon worshipping Dalphomon attacked Winr's group, scattering the debugging team.

　Winr and FunBeemon repelled the runaway NPCs alongside Floramon and the others in the jungle area.

　Ryutaro and Tyrannomon were attacked by Dinohyumon's group in the valley area, and ended up trading punches before reconciling.

　Suzune and Frigimon encountered Panjyamon, whose group was suffering under heavy taxes in the snowfield area, and drove away Hyogamon.

　As for Altea and Espimon, they were abducted and taken straight to the Guardians' fortress... Afterwards, they engaged in a card battle with Mistymon, an old acquaintance of Jesmon.

　Meanwhile, oblivious to all of that, Impmon and I met Mirai Kinosaki and Hanimon, who gave us a map of the world. Then, we had a blast at a local Digimon rock festival, which also allowed us to reunite with everyone.

"And? What kind of adventures have you two been on since then?"

　Another Digimon interrupted the conversation between Yuuki and Impmon.

　Having just witnessed their determination, it felt compelled to lend its strength—and become a new friend to Yuuki.

"Well, it's been wild! As soon as things settled down in Lacuna, we've had all kinds of stuff to do in Cross Connectia."

　Yuuki spoke of the events that have led to this point.

　Due to the extraordinary Eschaton used by ExMaquinamon, Lacuna and Cross Connectia had been on the verge of colliding and merging, bringing all Digimon's lives to the brink of being reset.

　Mistymon's group decided to abandon their collapsing world and emigrate to Lacuna. In the end, thanks to their help, the unprecedented world fusion crisis was averted.

　Mistymon and the others, with their minds made up, were making preparations to move to Lacuna when they received an unexpected proposal.

　...Come on! Let's go back! To Cross Connectia!

　Of course, it was none other than Yuuki who blurted out the idea of restoring Cross Connectia to the Digimon deprived of their home.

"—I suppose that must have confused the Digimon over there, too."

"True. Everyone gave up on this world. I'm sure you came to Lacuna with no intention of returning home."

"An unwavering resolve, you might say."

"Still... If someone told me I was going to lose my home, I don't think I could bear that. Nor could I bear my friends having to face that kind of trauma, either."

　Yuuki couldn't help but speak out. And the Digimon, who had forged bonds with her through their adventure, couldn't help but be moved by her words.

Then, as if inciting the raucous group into action, a new piece of information came in.

　Cross Connectia's observational data has confirmed the existence of a giant Digimon.

　During the fusion process, spatial data became distorted, causing a Digimon slumbering deep within the earth to awaken. And it was precisely that Digimon that was causing the flow of time within Cross Connectia to accelerate rapidly, leading it toward collapse.

　Its name was Quartzmon.

　It possesses the power to distort the flow of time just by existing there.

"Well, well. So an extraordinary Digimon was under the surface the whole time."

"...Well, yeah. Extraordinary is one way of putting it."

　They realized defeating Quartzmon might stop the world from collapsing. To seize upon the sudden glimmer of hope that had appeared, Cool Boy formed a special unit, gathering together debuggers and Digimon who had ventured into Cross Connectia.

　After much deliberation, they went ahead and ventured into Cross Connectia.

"And as soon as we arrived, it was pretty impossible to miss Quartzmon looming over everything."

　Like Lacuna's E.G.G., Quartzmon was so enormous it could be seen from anywhere in the world.

　However, multiple layers of dome-shaped security surrounded Quartzmon, making it difficult to eliminate it in one fell swoop.

　They needed to find a way to somehow disarm the security.

　Fortunately, after the appearance of Quartzmon, the world's collapse slowed down significantly, and the flow of time had reverted to a normal pace, about the same as the real world and Lacuna.

　However, the world was still going to collapse if nothing was done.

　They made full use of the time allotted to them, traveling throughout Cross Connectia—taking a staggering eight months—to advance their investigation.

"And so, we finally reached Quartzmon."

"And then there was more trouble."

　Impmon's mouth twists into a grimace. Naturally.

　After so much time, the path to Quartzmon had finally opened up. Just as the debuggers began moving to formally organize an expeditionary force, none other than Yuuki raised her hand and spoke out.

　...I want you to let me and Impmon go alone!

　What a ridiculous idea... Everyone around them was of course vehemently opposed.

　Right as they were about to face the colossal world-ending final boss, she insisted on confronting it alone, leaving her well-equipped party behind. If this were a normal RPG, a solo mission like that would be a tall order even for an elite player.

　But she remained undeterred.

　...I mean, Quartzmon should understand if I just explain!

　...If we can come to an understanding, we can be friends!

　...Our adventure doesn't have to come to an end with a battle. We've worked hard to understand Quartzmon, and so we can join hands with it...can't we?!

　When asked, Yuuki always says her goal is to become friends with all Digimon. But that aside, it is an undeniable fact that the flow of time and the collapse of the world have slowed down since Quartzmon appeared.

　...Quartzmon wouldn't want its world to be destroyed, either, would it?

　She chose dialogue.

　Just as she did with the Digimon once called the world's "god." She passionately argued that they should listen to Quartzmon's side of the story.

"Seriously, you're insane. It's almost like talking you out of this would be the real final boss fight."

"But you helped convince everyone back then too, didn't you? You agreed that it's best to talk things out."

"Well, uh...I suppose."

　And so she pulled it off.

　She overcame the opposition of her comrades, persuaded them, and even managed to converse with Quartzmon.

"...And that's how we got to where we are now, isn't it?"

"That's right! It sure was tough."

"It was more amazing than tough. When you started singing karaoke with that huge guy, I was seriously blown away."

"It was nothing, really."

　Hahaha.

　Yuuki's new friend—Quartzmon—couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Even I have come to understand just how remarkable an experience you've carved into the history of this world."

　It also acknowledged how close it had come to obliterating that history...

"I am truly sorry. I think I should express my thanks once more, my friend."

"It wasn't your will, but your natural instincts? Or something like that. That's just the way it goes, right? It's no big deal."

　As Yuuki said, Quartzmon is a Digimon that tends to continually absorb surrounding data simply by existing. While awake, it can control this instinct. However, as it had been in a state of prolonged dormancy, it had continued to absorb excessive amounts of environmental data.

　As a result, the world's time accelerated rapidly, driving it to the brink of collapse.

　And yet, Yuuki dismissed this with a simple "That's just the way it goes." Quite the lofty stance.

"So, are you all right? Your body has gotten way, way smaller."

"HeavyMetaldramon was practically a speck compared to your full size."

　Just as Yuuki and the others said, its body had shrunk to about 1/2000 of its previous size—down to just two meters—because it returned the environmental data it had stored within its own body to the world.

"I have done this as a sign of goodwill. This is my wish—it is atonement. I have merely returned what I borrowed, solving a problem of my own making."

"Don't say that! Thanks to your decision, this world can go on to develop just like Lacuna did!"

　Yuuki thrust out her right palm with a bright expression on her face.

　Quartzmon was confused, not understanding what the gesture meant, so Impmon shrugged its shoulders and explained.

"In times like these, you have to close with a high-five. Like this."

　Saying that, Yuuki and Impmon clapped their palms together, making a loud sound.

　Understanding, Quartzmon nodded.

　It followed suit and clapped its palm together with Yuuki's.

　A silent high-five.

"Let's make that the first of many high-fives, Quartzmon!"

"Thanks. I promise to walk alongside you as a friend from now on."

"...You're really something, Yuuki."

　Two lights gaze down upon that scene from far above.

　At the center of each light, there were small beings with the same silhouette.

　Small limbs extending directly from a soft, nearly spherical form, and large ears hanging down sideways. A faint glow emanates from the cross-shaped marks drawn with five squares on their foreheads.

　The two beings look at each other after watching Yuuki and Quartzmon high-five each other.

　Well, that went well.

"Yeah. Really well. The world we love was saved by their bravery."

　—But are you okay with this?

"What do you mean?"

　—Didn't you want to be there with them?

"Ah... It's fine. Just like Quartzmon, both you and I affect the world simply by existing. We can't help but influence it. So isn't watching over things from afar like this just the right balance?"

　...

"So, I'll offer you these words: I'm sorry—and thank you."

　—?

"Without thinking, without conversing with you, without even considering your desire to protect me—I rejected you purely on instinct. In the end, that was a mistake."

　—It's fine. All that matters is that you're safe.

"You reached out to me along with the Void's child. Although your method was perhaps rather reckless."

　"...Yeah."

"But as a result, the poison vanished from Lacuna, and Cross Connectia was spared collapse. That's why I wanted to thank you."

　—It's I who should be thanking you.

"It's strange, isn't it? I thought I would never be able to freely speak with someone like this again. It feels good."

　—You're happy?

"Yes, very much. I'm sure it's the same for them as well. Laughing together like this. Though we may sometimes hurt each other, we will continue to carve out our histories across two worlds."

　—That was something we couldn't do. How wonderful. Worlds intertwine and continue on.

"Yeah... Worlds intersect. History continues. For now, let's just enjoy the ride. Will you enjoy it with me?"

　—Yes, of course!

　Both humans and Digimon live their lives, holding hands and clashing with one another, all seeking the answer to a question they don't even know they've been asked.

"Everyone..."

　And today, somewhere in the world, someone will shout out that joy.

"I love you all!"

≪DIGIMON LIBERATOR≫

DEBUG COMPLETE.