Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Barrier

Because Loretta Beast insisted on keeping watch through the night, Qin Fei finally succumbed to sleep at the edge of the barrier. Yet, as the faintest trace of dawn appeared on the horizon, Loretta Beast gently awakened him, for Candle Beast had at last returned.

“Is it there?”

Guided by Candle Beast, Qin Fei finally glimpsed a well near the Fairy Beast’s barrier, though it was long dry. Qin Fei understood that the crests of Ah He and Photon Boy must be inside.

But the black cables of Monkey Beast were also there, monitoring the surroundings.

“What should we do, Qin Fei?” Loretta Beast asked.

“Let’s wait and observe. Don’t alert them,” Qin Fei cautioned, halting Loretta Beast’s movement.

The black cables of Monkey Beast were temporarily repaired; if they rushed in or destroyed them, Monkey Beast would surely notice.

No sooner had Qin Fei spoken than two familiar figures cautiously emerged from the Fairy Beast’s barrier. He focused his gaze and, as expected, saw Ah He and Photon Boy, clearly drawn here by the crests within the well.

“Should we greet them?” Loretta Beast asked again, for Qin Fei had always shown concern for these chosen children.

“No, let’s keep waiting,” Qin Fei replied, rejecting the suggestion under Loretta Beast’s surprised gaze.

Since Qin Fei insisted on waiting, Loretta Beast and Candle Beast raised no objection, curiosity piqued about what the two boys were secretly up to.

“They’re going down,” Loretta Beast remarked as Ah He and Photon Boy gripped the rope and slowly disappeared into the well.

Qin Fei nodded, saying nothing, eyes fixed on the well’s rim.

Only when a serpent-like creature with a trumpet-shaped head slithered to the well did Qin Fei finally allow a smile to surface.

“Loretta and Black Road Beast, prepare yourselves. We’re about to fight.”

“Yes, Qin Fei!”

This time, they didn’t wait long. A giant dragon beast, draped in numerous black cables, approached slowly, its target clearly the dry well.

Monkey Beast had evidently detected Ah He and Photon Boy’s presence.

“Card swap! Sea Dragon Beast, Sea Dragon Ice Arrow!”

A crimson folding fan appeared in Loretta Beast’s hand as she leaped toward the dragon beast, poised to destroy the well.

“Freeze!”

Loretta Beast’s movements were like a dance as she circled the dragon beast, instantly encasing its lower body in a thick layer of ice, freezing it in place.

“Ah He, Photon Boy! Hurry up!”

In a few strides, Qin Fei reached the well, grabbing Photon Boy just as he poked his head above the rim.

“Qin Fei?! What are you doing here?” Photon Boy exclaimed in disbelief, having thought Qin Fei had left.

“Forget that, help Ah He up!”

Qin Fei offered no explanation, instead pulling the equally surprised Ah He from the well.

“You two should return to the barrier. Leave these beasts to me,” Qin Fei instructed, noting that Gabumon and Tentomon were absent—Ah He and Photon Boy could not aid him.

A thunderous roar broke out as the dragon beast shattered the ice at its feet. Qin Fei was unsurprised; in this sweltering desert, such tactics were less effective.

Still, the dragon beast was not the real threat—it was Monkey Beast behind it.

A huge fireball shot toward Qin Fei, but Loretta Beast scattered it with a swift kick.

Dispersing the lingering heat, Qin Fei drew Loretta Beast’s Digivice and said, “Evolve, Loretta!”

But Loretta Beast shook her head. “No need to evolve. Though these black cables amplify the dragon beast’s power, it’s not worth wasting my energy.”

Qin Fei considered her serious expression and nodded. After absorbing so much Digimon data, Loretta Beast’s strength had grown considerably. Dealing with the dragon beast before them posed little challenge.

“Card swap! Scissor Arm Ω!”

The card of Ancient Garurumon slid through the Digivice, transforming Loretta Beast’s crimson fan into a pair of silvery blades.

“Let’s finish this quickly!”

Loretta nodded and dashed forward. The dragon beast, seeing her small figure approach, roared and unleashed another burst of flame.

Yet Loretta Beast’s nimble form weaved effortlessly around the beast, fearlessly evading its clumsy attacks.

Piece by piece, Qin Fei’s blades severed the black cables, causing the dragon beast’s strength to wane.

Finally, with a flick of her silvery blades, Loretta Beast split the dragon beast open.

Swish!

The dragon beast dissolved into countless streams of data, absorbed entirely by Loretta Beast and Black Road Beast.

“Qin Fei!”

A familiar, confident, and excited voice called from within the barrier. Soon, Tai and Greymon appeared, but had missed the battle against the dragon beast.

“Is the fight over?”

Tai surveyed the devastated ground, a hint of regret in his eyes.

Qin Fei noticed the clear, unclouded gaze—his heroic, passionate protagonist had returned.

“It’s over. But I’m exhausted. Does Fairy Beast’s home have food?”

Seeing the concerned children trailing behind Tai, Qin Fei waved lightly, signaling he was unharmed.

“Qin Fei!”

Mimi looked at the boy who had left a mark on her heart, relieved to see him safe. She was about to speak when another voice interrupted.

“Stop reminiscing outside! Get back inside the barrier!”

Fairy’s petite figure appeared, bristling with anger, waving her tiny spear to repair the barrier.

Though she feared nothing from Monkey Beast, its forces were formidable. If both ultimate forms clashed, the chosen children could be caught in the crossfire—which was far from wise.

...

“Hello, everyone. I’m Candle Beast.”

Candle Beast’s timid voice came from behind Qin Fei, nervous especially at the sight of Fairy Beast.

Qin Fei, Loretta Beast, and Black Road Beast paid her no mind, busy devouring Fairy Beast’s leftover provisions.

“Rest for now. I’ve set the barrier more cleverly. Even if Monkey Beast comes to the site of the battle, he won’t find the entrance,” Fairy Beast said to Qin Fei and Loretta Beast.

Qin Fei thought her gaze toward him was somewhat odd.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

He dismissed the thought, lying down to rest. He and Loretta Beast needed to recover their strength.

After all, the other ultimate form—Molecule Beast—was about to contact Photon Boy.

Qin Fei knew that although Molecule Beast and Monkey Beast were enemies, and had helped the children obtain their crests, Molecule Beast was hardly a benevolent Digimon. It acted solely out of vengeance against Monkey Beast.

In its bid to escape, it had ruthlessly used the chosen children who saved it as shields.

It had nearly cost Sora her life.

Thus, Qin Fei had to maintain enough strength to guard against Molecule Beast’s treachery, all while keeping the story from straying too far.

“Let’s hope everything goes smoothly,” Qin Fei murmured, closing his eyes in silent blessing.