Chapter 105: Memories

"So it did evolve..." Looking at Chrysalimon, which had broken through the ceiling to escape onto the rooftop, Qin Fei's expression showed no surprise.

Six sharp tentacles flailed about its menacing, spike-covered, spindle-shaped shell, giving it a terrifying appearance.

But that was all. A Chrysalimon that hadn't reached its final stage wasn't particularly difficult to deal with. In the anime, GeoGreymon and Gaogamon had easily taken this guy down.

"Lolo, get ready!"

Qin Fei took out the grappling hook he had prepared beforehand, hooked it onto the edge of the broken hole, and climbed up to the rooftop. Then, he pulled out his Digivice. "Gatomon... Realize!"

"Qin Fei, this guy is really unpleasant," Gatomon said, knitting her brows. She looked at Chrysalimon with a hint of discomfort, settling into a combat stance.

"Gatomon, support Lolo..."

But Qin Fei's words made both Digimon freeze. They exchanged a rather bizarre look.

"You want me to work with her?!"

Both spoke in unison, their voices filled with utter reluctance, clearly harboring a mutual distaste for each other.

"You two..."

Qin Fei slapped his forehead in exasperation. He had only just remembered that they had never really gotten along. Forcing them to cooperate might lead to a disaster.

"Never mind. Just don't get in each other's way. Don't let that Chrysalimon escape!"

Hearing Qin Fei's instructions, neither Lolo nor Gatomon objected further. They flanked Chrysalimon from both sides.

*So much for not wanting to cooperate, you two are actually in perfect sync,* Qin Fei grumbled inwardly as he watched them move. Then, he drew a card.

Chrysalimon's six sword-like tentacles stabbed down toward Lauretamon and Gatomon. However, both were small and agile; none of the attacks landed. In the blink of an eye, they closed the distance.

"Card Slash! Okuwamon, Scissor Arms Omega!"

"Lightning Paw!"

A silver-gray blade materialized in Lauretamon's hand, instantly severing the tentacles on one side of Chrysalimon. Immediately after, Gatomon's claws struck Chrysalimon, knocking it to the ground.

Realizing it was outmatched, Chrysalimon scrambled to get back on its feet and flee. But before it could regain its balance, Lauretamon descended like a flash from above, driving her silver blade straight through its chest.

The entire combination was fluid and beautiful to watch... finishing off Chrysalimon in the blink of an eye.

Qin Fei: "..."

"And here you said you didn't want to cooperate. How did you end up in such perfect sync during battle?" Qin Fei muttered again.

"Qin Fei!"

Just then, Marcus Damon and Yoshino rushed up to the roof. Seeing the fallen Digimon and Lauretamon standing over it, they immediately looked surprised and suspicious.

"Is this the culprit behind all this?"

"..."

Marcus took out his Digivice, but just as he was about to summon Agumon, he saw Chrysalimon dissolve into a flurry of data and a Digi-Egg.

"Is it... already taken care of?"

Seeing Lauretamon's familiar figure, Marcus's heart stirred as he recalled their encounter in the Digital World. It was that strange, mysterious Digimon. When did she get here?

But remembering her combat prowess, a look of understanding crossed his face. If she was the one who fought, it made sense that the battle ended so quickly.

"How were you so sure the Digimon was in that room?" Yoshino asked, looking at Qin Fei with curiosity. She had spent quite a lot of time undercover in Neon Hanamura's home before getting a lead, and even then, she hadn't had enough evidence to pinpoint the Digimon's exact location.

"Just a guess... I got lucky this time."

"You..."

Yoshino was momentarily speechless with annoyance. But recalling the previous incident with Garurumon, she felt it wasn't a mere coincidence. The boy in front of her seemed to possess some kind of foresight.

However, the thought only lingered for a second before she dismissed it. How could a human have such an ability? But... what if it wasn't him, but an ability possessed by his Digimon?

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, but she didn't know how to bring it up.

If such an ability truly existed, not everyone would be selfless enough to share it for the benefit of others.

Qin Fei was oblivious to the swirling thoughts in Yoshino's mind as she stared at him. Instead, he discreetly slipped his card back into his pocket.

So, this was the second card he had obtained in this world. And before long, there would be another Digimon card—one he had coveted for a long time.

The others were optional, but that particular Digimon's ability was something he absolutely had to acquire...

"..."

"Monitor restored... Digimon signal has disappeared..."

"Roger that."

Hearing the operator's voice through her earpiece, Yoshino finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She walked over, picked up the Digi-Egg from the ground, and said to Qin Fei, "Operation complete..."

However, Yoshino's eyes remained fixed on Qin Fei's face, as if trying to read something from him.

"W-What is it?"

Qin Fei felt a bit flustered under her intense gaze, wondering how he had provoked her this time.

"It's nothing..."

Realizing that staring at him like that was somewhat inappropriate, Yoshino withdrew her gaze, shook her head, and prepared to leave.

"Oh, right!"

As if suddenly remembering something, Yoshino quickly took a few steps to the side and suddenly reached out to drag a man who looked like a reporter holding a camera from his hiding spot behind a door.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Staring into Yoshino's eyes, which glinted with a dangerous light, the man's knees buckled.

He had just witnessed this group controlling monsters to fight another terrifying beast. Wouldn't he be...

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I didn't see anything!"

Looking at the man begging on his knees, Yoshino's expression soured further. Was she really that terrifying? He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

"Don't worry, we won't hurt you. But let us take a look at the photos in your camera..."

Hearing this, the man's face turned pale. He had snapped quite a few "extraordinary" photos earlier. If they found out, he would be done for.

So, gritting his teeth, the man suddenly lunged forward, turning to flee.

But before he could even take a step, a seed-like object struck the back of his knee, causing his leg to buckle as he tumbled to the ground.

"Sigh, why make it difficult? If you just let us delete the photos and erase a bit of your memory, you could have gone home safely."

With that, Yoshino took out her memory eraser, aimed it at his eyes, and continued, "Now, you'll just have to find your own way to the hospital in a daze and pay your own medical bills."

A white flash went off, and the reporter-like man's face instantly went blank...

Right after, a stylish and handsome young man stepped out. Looking at the dazed and confused reporter beside him, he let out a bitter laugh and said to Yoshino, "What about me...? Will my memory be erased just like his?"

Yoshino's expression was conflicted. During her time with the man before her, she had indeed felt a genuine affection from him that didn't seem feigned.

Yet now, she had to sever it.

"It's okay. I'll remember for you..."

Forcing a smile, Yoshino raised the memory eraser toward Neon Hanamura.

"..."

It seemed as though everything froze in front of his eyes.