Chapter Forty-Nine: The Annihilated Village of the Rolling Beasts

"Qin Fei, has something happened? Why did you call everyone here so urgently?"
Seeing the grave expressions on Qin Fei and Loretta Beast beside him, the other chosen children also felt the atmosphere grow solemn.

"The Monkey Beast is coming!"
Qin Fei spoke succinctly, then glanced at the children, noting their slightly changed expressions.

"How did the Monkey Beast know we're here?"
Koushiro, nervous, also looked puzzled.

"Loretta Beast just went to check the caves where the Gaji Beasts were held and discovered that both the Gaji Beasts and Bakugo Beasts are gone," Qin Fei explained, then added, seeing their hesitation, "If nothing unexpected happened, they probably went to report to the Monkey Beast. So, this place is no longer safe."

"We need to leave quickly!"
Hearing Qin Fei's words, Joe immediately urged everyone in a panic.

"But what about the Rolling Beasts?"
As expected, Tai and the others couldn't bear to abandon the helpless Rolling Beasts.

"Let the Rolling Beasts evacuate, too. The village is definitely not safe anymore."
Qin Fei offered his suggestion, looking at the Rolling Beasts gathering around.

"Do we have to leave here?"
"I heard the Monkey Beast has a fast railcar. What if we're caught?"
"Where is safe?"
"Let's go behind the waterfall. It's said there's an escape tunnel there for emergencies."
"..."

Listening to the chattering of the Rolling Beasts, Qin Fei nodded slightly. Thankfully, none refused to leave.

"Tai, I found something interesting behind the waterfall earlier. You and Agumon should take the Rolling Beasts there. They said there's likely an escape tunnel deep in that cave."
Without delay, everyone mobilized, knowing the Monkey Beast was approaching.
Unlike the situation in the animation, the Rolling Beasts had enough time to pack their belongings and transport everything to the cave behind the waterfall.

"Qin Fei, with so many of us, shouldn't we be able to defeat the Monkey Beast?"
Tai, watching the Rolling Beasts pack, voiced his doubts, even eager for a fight.

As the bearer of the Crest of Courage, Tai was sometimes overly brave—perhaps even reckless. If he didn't experience a few failures, he'd never learn the value of careful planning.

"If I told you the Monkey Beast is a Digimon evolved beyond the Demon Beast, and that unless Agumon and the others evolve again, we wouldn't stand a chance even if we all attacked together?"
Qin Fei warned gravely, his cautious gaze making Tai uneasy.

Tai almost felt the illusion that Qin Fei before him was like an adult with a stronger presence, suffocating him.

"Alright, alright. If only we knew where the crest was that Gennai's messenger mentioned. If Greymon could evolve again, I could surely defeat the Monkey Beast."

Leaving Qin Fei's oppressive aura, Tai grumbled.

"I know where your crest is."
Just as Tai was at a loss, Qin Fei's words exploded in his ears like thunder.

"What? You know?!"
Tai whirled around, grabbing Qin Fei's shoulders in disbelief.

"Where is it? Where?..."
Seeing Tai's overly excited face, Qin Fei pushed him away—the guy had sprayed saliva all over his face.

"Once the Rolling Beasts evacuate behind the waterfall, you'll find out."
Qin Fei reminded him.

Tai's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he wanted to abandon everyone and dash to the waterfall.
Qin Fei had mentioned before that he'd found something interesting behind the waterfall, so it was likely his crest.

"Tai, at such a dangerous moment, aren't you going to help the Rolling Beasts evacuate?"
Qin Fei's solemn voice made Tai pause and realize.

"Everyone, hurry up! Stop dawdling! The Monkey Beast is coming—go behind the waterfall to take shelter!"
Under the curious gazes of the other children, Tai, suddenly energized, glanced at the calm Qin Fei, their faces full of confusion.

"What did you say to Tai, Qin Fei?"
Mimi, helping the Rolling Beasts evacuate, approached Qin Fei.

"Nothing much, just told him a bit about the crest."
Qin Fei answered indifferently.

"Do you know where our crests are?"
Mimi's lovely eyes widened, excitement rising.

"No. I just tricked Tai a little—otherwise, how would he have such spirit?"
"You..."

Seeing Qin Fei's smug expression, Mimi fumed and left, having truly thought he knew where their crests were.

Watching Mimi leave angrily, Qin Fei shook his head helplessly. He decided to stick to the original plot—otherwise, he might create even more trouble, like now, actively provoking the Monkey Beast to correct the storyline.

...

"..."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Loretta Beast?"
Just as the Rolling Beasts had almost finished evacuating, Qin Fei noticed Loretta Beast tremble, staring behind them in alarm.

The Black Dodomon in Qin Fei's arms suddenly bared its teeth at the sky.

"Hey, hey, can anyone hear me?"

An audio broadcast, like microphone tuning, suddenly enveloped the entire Rolling Beast village.

"What is that sound?"
Joe, puzzled, turned around, his face changing dramatically.

The gigantic, semi-transparent projection of the Monkey Beast somehow appeared high in the sky, exuding intense pressure.

Qin Fei's expression soured; he hadn't expected the Monkey Beast to arrive so quickly.

"Can the chosen children hear me?"
The voice was self-satisfied and condescending, truly awe-inspiring.

Qin Fei's eyes flickered, but he relaxed.
The Monkey Beast's ostentatious display actually revealed it didn't know their exact location—apart from exerting mental pressure on Tai and the others, it had little real effect.

Clearly, the Monkey Beast redirected all its anger from its failed ambush onto the chosen children.

So, upon discovering traces of the Holy Plan, it rushed over without pause.

"You dared to disrupt my plan, so I will destroy this village!"
Not getting the answer it wanted nor spotting the children, the Monkey Beast's fury focused on the Rolling Beast village.

"It says it'll destroy the village. Qin Fei was right."
"But there are still some Rolling Beasts outside!"
Koushiro nervously watched the massive projection in the sky.

A few Rolling Beasts, upon seeing the huge Monkey Beast's image above, immediately hid in the roadside bushes, shivering with fear.

"I'll save them!"
Tai gritted his teeth, ready to rush out, but Qin Fei stopped him.

"Dark Death Sphere!"
With the Monkey Beast's roar, pitch-black lightning energy erupted across the village grounds.

Under the web of dark lightning covering the village, countless red energy blasts rained down, obliterating every building in the Rolling Beast village.

"The Monkey Beast is so powerful!"
Watching the destruction unfold in moments, fear rose in every child's heart.

"Everyone, digivolve!"
Clearly, they were all preparing to fight.

"Don't digivolve yet..."
Qin Fei's face changed, suddenly recalling another skill of the Monkey Beast. He tried to warn them—but it was already too late.