Chapter Ten: The Beach (Revised)
Unexpected, yet within reason. Qin Fei thought it over and accepted it as only natural.
When he first designed Digimon, he had included the ability to seize an opponent’s skill or trait and turn it into a card. Now, this ability had manifested in Gugamon.
“Gugamon, Champion stage, Virus type, Card skill: Scissor Claw…” A string of descriptive remarks appeared beneath Gugamon’s image. It seemed that the language on the card was determined by Qin Fei’s native tongue.
He flipped the card over; the design on the back resembled a swirling vortex of data, intricate and beautiful—so exquisite it hardly seemed like a physical object.
Staring at the Gugamon card in his hand, Qin Fei suddenly felt a strange sensation. With a thought, the card vanished mysteriously from his palm. Another slight mental command, and it reappeared.
“So it can do that…” Qin Fei exclaimed in wonder, then considered that perhaps these cards were composed of Gugamon’s data, not physical matter, allowing them to be freely summoned and dismissed in the Digital World.
Of course, this was only his speculation. Still, he thought it fortunate; once he accumulated many cards, he wouldn’t have to worry about carrying them. He was simply unsure what effects the card might possess.
For now, Qin Fei decided not to dwell on it—the card could be tested later. But the issue of Loretta’s loss of control in combat weighed heavily on him, as if some emotion was blocking his chest.
It wasn’t that he minded Loretta defeating Gugamon, nor did he harbor sympathy for Gugamon—he wasn’t so saintly. The Digital World was naturally a place of survival of the fittest; the anime merely romanticized it.
What he truly disliked was the descent into mindless frenzy. Just not long ago, Loretta had entered that state, ignoring his commands and surrendering completely to the thrill of battle.
That was what Qin Fei feared. He worried for Loretta. Her combat instincts were too dangerous; if she ever faced an enemy too overwhelming, he wanted her to retreat, not charge recklessly and lose her life.
In Qin Fei’s heart, no other Digimon could compare to Loretta in importance. He was her creator; her designer; her tamer; he even regarded her as his own child.
No Digimon was as significant as Loretta—even if this feeling was selfish, Qin Fei couldn’t help but believe it.
“Loretta!”
He took a deep breath and walked toward the girl before him, as exquisite as a porcelain doll.
“Master Qin Fei, I feel as though I’ve grown stronger again,” Loretta said with a bright smile, returning to herself after his call, seeking his praise. The crimson, menacing bone-cleaving axe had already vanished.
“…”
“Loretta, do you…like fighting?”
After a moment’s thought, Qin Fei decided to ask her directly.
“…”
Loretta hesitated, sensing the gravity and unease in her tamer’s expression.
“I…do like it…”
But Loretta chose honesty in the end—she didn’t wish to deceive Qin Fei.
Qin Fei felt much lighter inside.
Loretta hadn’t lied or concealed her love of battle. This meant she regarded him as her closest and most trusted partner—making things much easier to handle.
“Then…next time we fight, can you follow my commands?” Qin Fei’s tone softened, his hands gently resting on her shoulders.
“Master…do you dislike my way of fighting?” Loretta’s expression tightened; she asked softly, a trace of sadness appearing on her face. Clearly, she feared being rejected by Qin Fei.
“…”
“No, Loretta! You were absolutely stunning in battle just now! How could I not like it?” Qin Fei caught himself, quickly offering sincere reassurance.
He wasn’t lying—Loretta’s movements had indeed been beautiful, like a dance, pleasing to the eye. But what he couldn’t accept was her loss of reason when she entered combat.
“Really?”
Hearing Qin Fei’s open praise, Loretta’s gloom melted away.
“Really.”
Qin Fei ruffled her silver hair, meeting her gaze without hesitation. Even though her eyes were concealed by black bandages, he could still sense the immense joy shining from within.
“I just hope to fight alongside you—don’t forget, I’m your tamer, after all!”
Qin Fei’s smile was radiant.
“Mm, from now on, I’ll listen to you in battle.”
Loretta nodded earnestly.
“You don’t have to. I’m not as skilled as you in fighting, so stick to your habits… Just remember, when you’re fighting, I’m always behind you, supporting you.”
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Qin Fei noticed a shy blush on Loretta’s face as he touched her hair.
He didn’t dwell on her embarrassment. Hearing her answer, he felt a weight lift from his heart.
He knew it might not be easy—changing a Digimon’s innate combat tendencies wasn’t something accomplished in a day. But at least he could take it step by step; someday, Loretta—or her future evolved forms—would be able to fight without losing themselves to madness, avoiding danger.
“If only I’d designed her as a Vaccine or Data type instead of Virus—maybe things would be easier.”
Seeing Loretta restored to her spirited self, Qin Fei could only mock himself inwardly.
“Master Qin Fei, where are we going next?”
Loretta bounced back, asking as she caught his gentle gaze.
“I told you, didn’t I? We’re going to the beach to see the sea. Oh, and you can just call me Qin Fei—‘Master’ is awkward and embarrassing.”
“Is it awkward?”
Loretta paused, then broke into a mischievous grin, darting ahead and calling back loudly:
“Master Qin Fei! Master! Master! My Master Qin Fei! Hahaha!”
“Wow! Don’t let Tai and the others hear you—stop! I said stop!”
“Hahaha~”
Qin Fei’s face burned with embarrassment, bitterly regretting his earlier decision: “Why did I ever design that title?”
…
The sun slanted low, the river shimmering with a hazy light, and the forest grew ever more deep and shadowed.
“At last, we’re almost there.”
Watching the landscape open up before him, Qin Fei finally let out a long breath.
Being chased by Gugamon had actually shortened the path to the beach with the phone booth, though dusk was falling now, and Qin Fei couldn’t be sure whether Tai and the others were still waiting for him.
He hurried along the riverbank, and before long, glimpses of the vast, blue Digital Ocean appeared—wide and sparkling.
“I wonder if Tai and the others have encountered Shellmon yet. I hope Agumon, just like in the original story, manages to evolve into Greymon thanks to that guy.”
Qin Fei sighed, then shook his head, feeling a bit off—he was the most vulnerable, traveling alone, even with Loretta who rivaled a Champion Digimon.
He had no time to worry about anyone else. The chosen children, sticking together, were much safer than he was.
“Qin Fei…Ma~~ster!”
Ever since Qin Fei had mentioned his dislike of being called “Master,” Loretta had only gotten bolder. This time, the call was drawn out and even vibrated at the end.
“…“
Qin Fei could only quicken his pace, pretending not to hear Loretta’s teasing cries behind him.
“…“
“Alright, what do you want? As long as you don’t call me that in front of Tai and the others.”
He hadn’t gone far when Qin Fei stopped, facing Loretta with resignation—he wasn’t ready for social death in front of everyone.
“Anything?”
“As long as it’s within my power… Anything impossible doesn’t count.”
“Can I collect on it later?”
“You can…”
“Qin Fei?”
“Mm, thank you for sparing me socially!”
Loretta: “???”
Like a secret pact, Qin Fei and Loretta finally reached an agreement.
…
“Did a tsunami just hit here?”
“Or did the waves carry them away?”
Loretta looked around the messy beach, feigning curiosity.
Qin Fei ignored her dry humor, stroking his bare chin and muttering, “Looks like Shellmon had a run-in with them.”
“Shellmon? Another Digimon? Did they defeat it?”
Qin Fei didn’t answer Loretta’s questions, but stared out at the endless sea, as if hesitating about something.
“Qin Fei Ma…Qin Fei.”
Loretta, catching his threatening glance, swallowed the habitual “Master” with a grin.
“I sense an angry big guy coming this way—is that the one you mentioned?”
Qin Fei froze, instantly on alert, nodding to Loretta. “If I’m not mistaken…”
Watching as a sand tornado whipped up nearby, Qin Fei finally saw that familiar figure, distinct from the anime, once again.