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Digimon Seekers - Chapter 1-1

Disclaimer: This is an edited version of the english machine translation. While it might not be accurate to the original japanese text, it is meant to be easier to read and make the material more accessible to non-diehard fans. All changes are made according to my personal taste.

Eiji: Wolf of the Ninth Avenue (Part 1)

Through a dimly lit tunnel runs the vague polygonal frame of a T-Rex.

A “Tyrannosaurus Rex”, that is. A carnivorous reptile that reigned over the land during the Cretaceous Period, about 67 million years ago. The largest known specimen was 13 meters long and weighed 9 tons.

It's a dinosaur.

But this one is different from the fossils reconstructed by scientists.

For one, it’s much smaller than a real T-Rex.

But its legs are remarkably developed, and the three claws on its hands are sharp enough to effortlessly tear apart its prey.

Tyrannomon | Level: Adult | Type: Dinosaur Digimon | Attribute: Data

The empty grid of this dinosaur’s body is coated in patterns and structures resembling real skin - a process called “Texture Mapping”. The application of 2D textures to a 3D-Wireframe to create a realistic appearance.

A group of three red-skinned “T-Rex” monsters makes its way forward. One to chase the prey, one to lure it, and the last one lying in wait to strike... A coordinated group hunt based on advanced artificial intelligence.

Their target is fully trapped, as they drive it deeper and deeper into the tunnel. And when the leading Tyrannomon’s claws reach out to catch its prey-

POW!

With an ear-splitting roar, a huge rectangular object passes by at breakneck speed - barely missing Tyrannomon.

A subway train. Or rather, the 3D-Wireframe of one.

Bright red light marks its direction on the trail, blinding Tyrannomon’s eyes.

The train’s destination display shows a string of characters that look familiar, but the creatures can’t seem to understand what they say.

They are no longer in their ancient jungle, but instead some kind of concrete underground cave, constructed from grids and lines.

The three Tyrannomon resume the chase after their target, taking a turn through the tunnel and making their way deeper underground.

SPLASH!

The sound of something stepping into water. As they reach the end of the subway tunnel, they enter a vast sewer system.

Surrounded by complete darkness, the Tyrannomon can’t even see the tips of their outstretched claws in front of them.

But the hunters remain aware of their environment. The stagnant wind blows a rotten smell into their noses, and their target’s footsteps echo across the walls as it escapes through the canal... The very air around them provides all the information they need, including-

“GROAARRR!”

A sudden scream from the Tyrannomon lying in wait.

A small tornado forms out of nowhere - the resulting whirlpool of water columns sends the poor creature flying backwards into the waterway, landing clumsily on its back.

FUSHAAA!

A follow-up shockwave from close range delivers a powerful finishing blow. Caught completely off-guard, the Tyrannomon lies there in silence. Where it was hit - a gash of digital noise now cuts through red skin, spreading across its entire body.

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A large pop-up billboard lights up the walls of a building.

And onto the road runs what seems to be the store mascot - their face painted in Kabuki makeup - advertising a Burger with four times as much meat as any other.

On the second floor of this fast food restaurant, Eiji Nagasumi is taking a seat.

"I wonder if there’s any good part-time jobs up right now…"

He thinks to himself, barely touching the drink he got with a coupon.

His smartphone in hand, he skims through the topics on GriMM.

GriMM is a pan-global communication tool - a Social Media Site. It has all your basic instant messaging, voice chat, video, and live-streaming functions, as well as various communities organized in group channels. And probably the highest number of users among all social networking sites.

It’s most distinctive feature, however, is that it also serves as a financial tool. Using the cryptocurrency “Digicoin” - or “DC” for short - it forms a completely independent economic zone. But that also makes it … half-illegal.

“...These tools are ridiculously expensive. I can’t rely on outsourcing… I’ll have to learn the programs myself… Wait, What? The chip prices went up again? This industry really is swimming deep in the Red Ocean…”

Eiji mutters to himself.

GriMM is a must-have for freelancers like Eiji who are looking to make money. It’s the place to go for information gathering, private sales, and crowdsourcing. Essentially, it is an internet republic based on a new set of values.

...Or so you could say. GriMM’s digital economy has grown to a point where it threatens the real world's major powers.

"Breeding... that’s a huge amount of effort. I guess selling to collectors really is the quickest way to make money. But if I want to be a full-time hunter, I need to open a sales channel and get customers... “

“Huh…A black Agumon? One-hundred million DC?!" Eiji eyes a particularly interesting job listing.

“Agumon” is a type of digital resource traded by Crackers like Eiji who frequent this network of undocumented workers.

　-- "Agumon (Black)" - "Must be an intact organism." –

The job details are accompanied by a short description and a picture showing a dinosaur-like silhouette.

“One-hundred million DC is more than one-hundred million yen, right...?”　

That's more money than Eiji can imagine, probably enough for him to live for 10 years without working.

But one glance at the replies to his comment crushes his hopes immediately. They’re nothing but trolls and people begging for money. GriMM is a lawless place. It's the internet equivalent of a dumpster fire.

"Maybe it’s just some kind of urban legend. One-hundred million isn't realistic, and if it were black, it wouldn't be an Agumon anymore... Shit! My Tyrannomon #3!"

He unintentionally raises his voice. A group of high school students on the same floor glare at him. Up until last year, Eiji would have been wearing his highschool uniform, just like them.

The students quickly go back to chatting amongst themselves, enjoying their days with no goals, no worries about the future, and no real sense of purpose.

Eiji directs his attention away from his phone, reaching towards another gadget on the table with his free hand. It is palm-sized, with a monochrome LCD screen and some control buttons. At first glance, it looks like an electronic toy.

The screen shows an 8-bit sprite of a dinosaur-like creature.

“Tyrannomon” is written beneath it. It’s got X’s for eyes, indicating that it died.

"I got so lost looking for a part-time job, I blew all my money on it!”

Eiji hits his own head in frustration.

“I’m such an idiot!"

From the black-and-white screen of his device, the other Tyrannomon, #1 and #2, look at him. One after another, they take turns squeezing themselves into the tiny display. They seem troubled, as if waiting for instructions.

"Come on, please! I can't afford to lose any more money!"

With a few clicks, Eiji replaces the downed Tyrannomon with another one.

"If you can't capture the target this time, no food for you! Or rather… no food for me for a month!"

The high school students raise their eyebrows and shift in their seats. What kind of weirdo would get that worked up over a game?

But this isn't a game. This isn’t for fun.

Eiji is a Cracker - that is, a special sort of Hacker. Now, a ‘Hacker’ is a person who possesses outstanding computer-related skills. And a ‘Cracker’ is a Hacker who’s willing to engage in "illegal" and "gray-area" activities.

"Tool settings... Capture… Reassigning target to… Modoki Betamon. You'll pay for underestimating Eiji Nagasumi, the Cracker known as Fang!”

CLICK

As soon as he presses the “Execute” button on his device, the Tyrannomon on the screen disappear somewhere. They've got a job to do. Their AI will capture the target just as specified.

Eiji downs the remainder of his drink from the now soggy paper cup, and goes back to scrolling through GriMM.

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Official Version Next Chapter (Coming soon)>

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Character design/illustration illustrator: malo

#digimon #digimon seekers #digimonseekers #chapter 1 #translation edit

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