Chapter Eight: The Evolution of the Blackfang Beast

“Damn it, why is Kuwagamon here?” Without a second thought, Qin Fei scooped up the still snarling Blacktoothmon from the riverbank and dashed into the dense forest on either side.

Given their current strength, neither he nor Blacktoothmon stood any chance against that Kuwagamon.

“Didn’t it fall into the river with Tai and the others?” As he ran, Qin Fei kept a wary eye on the enormous shadow looming ever closer in the sky above, his mind racing for any possibility of escape.

The familiar whirring of wings grew louder; clearly, Kuwagamon had already spotted both him and Blacktoothmon. Old grudges mixed with fresh rage, making Kuwagamon even more ferocious than when it had faced the Chosen Children earlier.

“Qin Fei, let me down. I can fight!” To his surprise, Blacktoothmon regained its composure quickly this time. Its clear eyes still sparkled with fighting spirit, but no longer were they clouded by uncontrollable bloodlust, deaf to Qin Fei’s words.

“No, it’s too dangerous. Even seven Rookie Digimon together couldn’t beat it before. What do you think you can do as an In-Training?” Gritting his teeth, Qin Fei crushed the tempting thought and refused Blacktoothmon’s plea.

He wanted Blacktoothmon to evolve through battle, but feared even more that it would suffer irreparable harm in the attempt.

He didn’t want it ending up like Leonmon, cut down before its time.

Besides, Kuwagamon was two whole levels above Blacktoothmon, a Champion against an In-Training—a win was unthinkable.

“But—”

“No buts.” Qin Fei knew exactly what Blacktoothmon wanted to say. Unless he had no other choice, he would never send Blacktoothmon against Kuwagamon. The memory of its battered body was still fresh in his mind.

The Kuwagamon finally drew close to the treetops. This time, it seemed to have learned its lesson; instead of recklessly plunging into the forest where its flight and vision would be hindered, it circled above, keeping a relentless watch on their fleeing figures, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

The moment Qin Fei dared to pause, it would swoop down with deadly force.

...

“Damn it, why won’t this thing leave me alone?” Panting heavily, Qin Fei didn’t dare stop for even a moment. Last time he’d only caught his breath beneath the shade for a few seconds before coming under a wild assault.

If not for the tall trees buying him precious moments, he’d have been torn apart by those pincer claws already.

Kuwagamon, soaring above, had every advantage. It was waiting—for the child below to wear himself out, and then it would shred both him and the unfamiliar Digimon beside him.

The spot where Blacktoothmon had struck still throbbed with pain, and Kuwagamon’s fury was only growing.

...

Qin Fei didn’t know how long he’d been running. His lungs felt as though they were being roasted over open flames, each breath scraping his throat like rough sand, agony with every inhale.

The ache in his legs had given way to numbness, but he couldn’t afford to stop. Only one thought remained: run, and get Blacktoothmon as far away as possible.

“Ah—!” At last, exhaustion won out; a twisted root caught his foot and he went sprawling. The pain in his muscles left him unable to stand up quickly.

Spotting the boy finally fallen, Kuwagamon screeched with excitement, its monstrous jaws opening wide as it dove, ready to snap him in two.

“Black Flash!”

Crack!

In the nick of time, Blacktoothmon tore itself from Qin Fei’s grasp, leaping into the air to spit a stream of black energy, catching the unsuspecting Kuwagamon yet again.

CRASH!

A swath of trees splintered as Kuwagamon’s massive body crashed down, felled by Blacktoothmon for a second time.

“Qin Fei, run! I’ll hold it off!” Blacktoothmon crouched low, growling a warning at the recovering Kuwagamon.

Kuwagamon’s fury ignited, and it lashed out with both pairs of vicious limbs, spiked jaws clicking menacingly as it struck at Blacktoothmon.

To draw Kuwagamon away from Qin Fei, Blacktoothmon dodged purposefully in the opposite direction, successfully luring the beast aside thanks to its small, agile frame.

But the respite was brief. Like an armored juggernaut, Kuwagamon abandoned all defense, launching relentless attacks.

“Qin Fei, run!” Blacktoothmon’s youthful strength was no match for Kuwagamon’s mature might. Overwhelmed, it could only urge Qin Fei to flee.

Thud! Blacktoothmon was struck, sent crashing into the dirt. Even then, its voice was weak but insistent:

“Qin Fei, hurry… run…”

…

Crack! A hard stone struck Kuwagamon’s shell, interrupting its next attack.

“Stay away from my Blacktoothmon! Your opponent is me!” Qin Fei, staggering but resolute, hurled another stone with all his strength.

“Qin Fei… Why won’t you run?” Blacktoothmon lay weakly on the ground, gazing at the boy distracting Kuwagamon, unable to conceal its reluctance.

“We’re partners, aren’t we? A Tamer never abandons his Digimon!” Qin Fei’s eyes blazed as he faced the turning Kuwagamon, fearless.

“I finally understand, Blacktoothmon.” He lowered his gaze to the small, black form lying helpless at his feet, his eyes gentle.

“We should fight together. Tamers and Digimon should never part—they must face their battles as one!”

“Qin… Fei…” Hearing his call, Blacktoothmon felt a surge of boundless strength well up from within. Its dulled eyes rekindled with fighting spirit.

“I’ll run no longer, nor will I use reason or foreknowledge as an excuse to hide.” Feeling the warmth of the Digivice in his pocket, Qin Fei drew it out and raised it high.

“So what if I’m a transmigrator? So what if I know the plot? Tamers and Digimon are meant to face their enemies together!”

As if echoing his inner cry, the Digivice burst into radiant white light, dazzling as the sun itself.

“EVOLUTION.”

A solemn electronic voice issued from the device in Qin Fei’s hand.

“Blacktoothmon… Digivolve!”

The sky seemed to darken. From all directions, streams of digital data surged toward Blacktoothmon—even Kuwagamon’s orange body was forcibly stripped of data.

Bathed in light, Blacktoothmon’s body stretched and grew, standing tall, radiating an unfamiliar, razor-sharp aura.

“Lolitamon!”

Where Blacktoothmon had been now stood a pair of delicate leather shoes, a black-and-white lace dress, oversized twin tails adorned with ribbons—a doll-like vision straight from a fairy tale.

Her pale face was wrapped in black bandages over the eyes; even unseen, one could feel her gaze upon them.

But now, an icy chill like the depths of the underworld radiated from her, aimed squarely at Kuwagamon.

“Anyone who harms my young master—Lolitamon will never forgive!”

The over-the-top line made Qin Fei shudder involuntarily from head to toe.

Joy mingled with embarrassment. “Damn, what was I thinking when I had her call me ‘young master’? Turns out, anime titles sound so… bizarre in real life.”