Chapter 80: An Invitation Once More

"Digimon Angewomon?!"
"How is this possible?!"
Qin Fei retrieved the Holy Digivice from the hands of what had already evolved from Salamon to Angewomon, his expression odd as he examined it carefully from top to bottom.
There was no mistake—it was BlackDorumon's Holy Digivice. But why had it allowed Salamon before him to evolve successfully?
"Qin Fei, is this Holy Digivice mine?"
BlackDorumon came over as well, snatching it back with a look of confusion and displeasure, clearly unhappy at the thought of another Digimon using his exclusive Holy Digivice to evolve.
"Salamon… No, I should call you Angewomon now. Why were you able to evolve after coming into contact with this device?"
Qin Fei interrupted, watching the joyful expression on Angewomon's face.
"I don't quite understand either," Angewomon finally returned to her senses and, resting her chin on her paw, pondered the question.
"I could sense from the device you called the Holy Digivice a light that made me feel extremely comfortable… like a great power of light."
She glanced at BlackDorumon, who clutched the Holy Digivice protectively, a hint of regret flashing across her features before she quickly concealed it.
She truly liked the aura of light within the Holy Digivice.
Just now, it seemed that aura of light had guided the inner brightness within Salamon, helping her break through the barrier and evolve into Angewomon.
"I should say, it's not that the Holy Digivice made me evolve, but the light it contained fostered my evolution."
Listening to Angewomon's explanation, Qin Fei and the others were still confused, but decided not to press further.
What concerned Qin Fei most now was where to go next, and how to find a way back to their original Digital World.
"...Forget it, let's not overthink. Angewomon's successful evolution is a great thing—we ought to celebrate."
Qin Fei smiled at Angewomon, his pleasure for her obvious.
Seeing the genuine look in Qin Fei's eyes, Angewomon blushed, and it seemed she was developing a fondness for this handsome young human.
"Come on, Qin Fei, didn't you say you wanted to go outside? Let me help you!"
"Ah! Ow, ow, Lolo, slow down—my foot hasn't healed yet, don't push so fast..."
Noticing the subtle glances between Qin Fei and Angewomon, Loretamon puffed out her cheeks in annoyance and pushed Qin Fei toward the cave entrance, as if trying to put more distance between him and Angewomon.
Qin Fei could only grit his teeth and limp along, bearing the pain in his ankle with a bitter face.
"They really get along well,"
Angewomon murmured, not quite sure herself why she sighed at the sight of their intimacy.
Once outside the cave, everyone gazed curiously and with wonder at the landscape, which, although reminiscent of their original Digital World, was still different in many ways.
The sky in their previous world was no different from the human world, whether a clear blue or blazing with the sun.
But here, the Digital World boasted more fantastical sights:
Giant boulders or small islands floating in midair, a sky faintly patterned with circuit designs, and buildings that bore marks of artificial construction…
It was a world with a flavor utterly unlike the continent of Shaba.
"I feel like the Digimon here are even bigger than those in Taiichi's Digital World!"
Watching a Mushroomon pass by, nearly as tall as himself, Qin Fei couldn't help but exclaim, momentarily forgetting the pain in his foot.
"That Digital World? What are you talking about?"
Angewomon behind Qin Fei paused, picking up on the implication that he might not belong to this world at all.
"If I told you we accidentally traveled here from another Digital World, would you believe me?"
Qin Fei answered with a playful smile, seeing the skepticism in Angewomon's eyes.
"No matter where you come from, Digimon in this world don't welcome humans."
"That's a shame, really. I know some human children are very fond of Digimon—if they heard you say that, they’d be heartbroken."
Angewomon was silent.
"By the way, I haven't properly introduced myself—my name is Qin Fei."
"I know. I heard your name from the two Digimon beside you."
"Ah… that's good, then."
Qin Fei scratched his head awkwardly—his hair was getting oily; once his leg healed, he’d have to find a place to clean up.
"Don't go too far," Angewomon called after him as he looked like he wanted to roam farther, her voice no longer as cold as before, tinged now with genuine concern.
"Alright, let's stop here. My foot isn't feeling great anyway."
Nodding, Qin Fei glanced at the distant mountains, then, leaning on Loretamon, hobbled back.
The other Digimon followed close behind.
Yet, hidden in a corner none of them noticed, a jellyfish-like Digimon with a single large eye emerged from its hiding place, staring unblinkingly at Qin Fei’s injured leg.
...

"Are you leaving tomorrow?"
Watching Qin Fei as he leaned quietly against the entrance, basking in the sunset outside, Angewomon found her feelings in turmoil.
A fateful encounter? Mere coincidence? Kindred spirits?
She didn't know if she liked or disliked this human child with whom she had spent less than four days.
She had always disliked humans—ever since she was born, the stories passed down from her elders spoke only of how humans slaughtered Digimon.
She had saved Qin Fei only because she was drawn to the aura of light from his Holy Digivice, along with a trace of compassion.
But ever since Qin Fei had invited her to leave with him, Angewomon realized… she was truly looking forward to it, just a little.
From this child, she saw a side of humanity completely different from what her elders described.
"Yes, I tried walking earlier—the injury should be mostly healed by tomorrow."
Qin Fei nodded, even giving his ankle a gentle rub.
Observing Angewomon's hesitant expression, Qin Fei seemed to understand.
"I was abrupt yesterday, but even so, I want to invite you again."
He extended his hand, looking at Angewomon with genuine sincerity: "Would you like to leave with me, to see more of the world together?"
Loretamon frowned, then pursed her lips and held her tongue.
"I..."
"Just as I thought—there is a human scent in this cave."
"I heard there's an injured human, too..."
...
Just as Angewomon’s eyes flickered and she was about to speak, a malicious voice sounded outside the cave.
At the sound, the delicate atmosphere vanished instantly. Loretamon and the others tensed, on high alert—whoever had found them now was surely an enemy.
"Damn, we've been discovered after all,"
Angewomon said, her expression tightening as she looked anxiously toward the cave entrance.
"It's alright," Qin Fei replied calmly.
Unless it was Mercurymon or Gold SwordLeomon themselves, Loretamon could handle anything that came their way.