Chapter 83: The Soul of Digital

“Qin Fei, this ‘Digisoul’ you mentioned… what exactly is it?” Loretta Beast asked curiously, watching Yuren and the Night Hawk Beast gradually disappear into the distance.

“It’s a very special kind of energy. Who knows, it might even allow humans to use their own bodies to rival powerful Digimon,” Qin Fei explained.

A flicker of astonishment flashed in Loretta Beast’s eyes as she listened. Humans, fighting Digimon with nothing but their flesh and blood? It sounded like an impossible fantasy, yet seeing the earnest expression on Qin Fei’s face, she didn’t think he was joking.

“Is there really something that powerful?” Loretta Beast blurted out again, half-suspecting she’d misheard.

“There is. It exists in this world. That boy, Yuren, had that energy within him—and not just him…” As Qin Fei spoke, he pondered the true nature of Digisoul. He had never experienced it firsthand, so he couldn’t arrive at a definite answer.

In the fifth Digimon series, the protagonist’s father, Masaru Daimon, could fight the Mega-level Mercurymon on equal footing thanks to Digisoul. With its power, he could match the Mega-level BanchoLeomon, and even rescue the Mega-level Gold Village Beast… That Yuren just now, too—his agile movements, the strength to leap several meters up to a branch from flat ground, the ability to dart swiftly between distant trees—would be hard even for professional adult athletes, let alone a boy just past ten years old.

Then there was the protagonist, Marcus Daimon—defeating a dozen delinquents at fourteen, brawling with Digimon, even exchanging blows with the Royal Knights. The female lead, Yoshino Fujieda, could shatter a strength-testing machine with Digisoul, despite being a woman.

If not for the amplification of Digisoul, Qin Fei couldn’t imagine any other explanation for how ferocious they were.

“I think I’ve heard of Digisoul too…” While Qin Fei was deep in thought, Gatomon suddenly spoke up.

Qin Fei’s eyes brightened, just about to ask more, when Gatomon shook her head. “Don’t ask me. I’ve only ever heard of it—I can’t help you use Digisoul.”

“…”

“Well… in that case, let’s talk about Digisoul another time. For now, we should rest and then look for another safe place to stay,” Qin Fei said. After the recent battle, night was drawing close to midnight.

Even though no enemies lingered nearby, and even the Digimon that had lived in the area had all fled, Qin Fei and his companions dared not relax. There was no telling if the Ore Beasts that had escaped might return.

Qin Fei noticed the pain in his ankle had mostly subsided. He wondered if they should take advantage of the night to leave. After all, once the Ore Beasts reported back, Mercurymon—who was guarding the Digital Gate—might soon learn of their presence. As a Mega-level Digimon, Qin Fei didn’t have the confidence to defeat him—or even to be sure of escaping.

Moreover, though they had let Yuren go, the look on his face before leaving suggested he wouldn’t back down so easily. There was every chance he’d return for a sneak attack. For safety’s sake, it was best to move on quickly.

“I know of a safe place—it’s where I used to live,” Puppy Beast suggested, as if slowly coming to trust Qin Fei and his group.

“There’s no need. I’ll protect Qin Fei,” Loretta Beast interjected, feeling a surge of annoyance at the thought of someone else taking Qin Fei away, especially after how intently he’d gazed at Gatomon earlier.

“I’ll count on you, then…” But Qin Fei stopped Loretta Beast from refusing, smiling warmly at Gatomon.

“Qin Fei, you… fine, do as you like!” Loretta Beast’s heart softened at Qin Fei’s pleading look, and though she agreed, she did so with a huff.

So, after a quick discussion, they decided to head to the place where Gatomon—that was, Puppy Beast—had once hidden herself. Gathering their things, they set out with Gatomon leading the way under cover of darkness.

“Qin Fei, you place your trust in others too easily,” Loretta Beast complained as they walked.

For some reason, Loretta Beast, who had once accepted Black Gatomon so readily, now harbored strong hostility toward Gatomon.

“Gatomon is a good soul. She saved us once—I owe her my life. If we can’t even offer trust, how could we ever become true companions?” Qin Fei replied, hinting at something deeper.

“So you do have your eye on her,” Loretta Beast retorted, glaring as if accusing him of smooth words. In truth, she knew Gatomon was a kind Digimon. Over the past days, she’d seen how devotedly Gatomon had cared for Qin Fei—and even made sure the other Digimon had food. Loretta Beast had already formed a good impression of Puppy Beast.

But ever since Qin Fei had invited Puppy Beast to join their group, Loretta Beast felt uneasy. She’d thought Black Gatomon’s arrival was more than enough—yet now Qin Fei wanted Gatomon as well, stirring up her possessive heart even further.

“Lolo, I’m sorry. This is something I’ve thought through very carefully,” Qin Fei said, seeing the obvious unhappiness on Loretta Beast’s face and deciding he should explain.

“Thought through?” Loretta Beast’s eyes were full of disbelief.

“This world is far more dangerous than the one we came from. Even the gods of the Digital World might stand against us.”

“The gods of the Digital World?”

“That’s right. Not just the gods, but the Royal Knights, the Seven Demon Lords… All these powerful beings may descend. So we can’t afford to be complacent.”

Listening to the names Qin Fei listed, Loretta Beast could sense just how terrifying those Digimon must be. This time, she didn’t argue—she only lowered her head, lost in thought.

“That’s why I hope to find companions I can truly trust—to face the crises that are sure to come. The few of us alone aren’t enough to stand against the powerful foes of the future,” Qin Fei continued. That, too, was why he so craved Digisoul and wanted Gatomon in their group.

With Digisoul, he might have at least some power to protect himself in this world, so he wouldn’t be a burden hiding behind Loretta Beast and the others when battles broke out. His human body was simply too fragile against Digimon.

“…”

“Are the Royal Knights really that strong?” Suddenly, Black Gatomon—who had been silent—spoke up, something about the name stirring distant memories.

“Black Gatomon will be strong too one day—maybe even stronger than the Royal Knights,” Qin Fei replied, not answering directly, as if wary. He didn’t know what Black Gatomon’s true future form would be, or if it would return to that… destiny.

“Qin Fei…” Just then, Loretta Beast, who had been lost in her thoughts, finally spoke.

“If one day I evolve to become truly powerful—so strong that you’ll never have to fear any Digimon again—would you… would you let me be the only one by your side?”

“…”

Looking at Loretta Beast’s eyes, filled with hope, Qin Fei was stunned—at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.