Chapter Fifteen: The Third Card

Everything unfolded naturally, as if it had all been destined.

Watching as Garurumon reverted back to Gabumon, Qin Fei allowed his slightly tense heart to settle once more.

"You figured it all out?"

This time, it was Loretta-mon who was taken aback.

"Come on, let's go give Ahe our blessings."

Nodding, Qin Fei glanced at the small island that had been pushed back by the rampaging school of Gomamon, and walked over.

"Qin Fei, you’re so lucky you didn’t get on that train. What just happened was so dangerous—it scared me to death."

Having just come down from the island, Mimi couldn’t wait to complain to Qin Fei, as if eager for his comfort. Realizing her tone might be a bit off, her cheeks flushed and she swallowed the rest of her words.

Even Mimi herself hadn’t noticed that she seemed to care for Qin Fei in a way different from the other children.

"As long as you’re all safe, that’s what matters."

Qin Fei reassured Mimi, then turned his gaze to the others.

"If I’d known, I would’ve stayed on the shore like Qin Fei. Who knows what else is in the lake? Let’s find a place further away from the water to rest."

As soon as he landed, Joe flopped onto the ground, unwilling to move, but remembering the dangers in the lake, he gritted his teeth and got up again.

The others, faces weary, gathered in small groups beneath trees farther from the lake, each wary that another monster might burst out of the water.

"At least everything turned out fine in the end! Haha, and Ahe’s Gabumon evolved too—that’s good news."

The ever-optimistic Tai remained cheerful, showing no fear despite nearly being swallowed by Seadramon earlier. He shot Gabumon and Ahe a couple of extra glances.

"I’m exhausted..."

Finally reaching the edge of the woods, Sora lay down on her side, so drained she couldn’t move a finger.

"Why did only Gabumon evolve this time?"

Izzy was still pondering, his curiosity undimmed despite his fatigue.

"Maybe... they only evolve when we’re in danger?"

"That must be it."

Encouraged by Izzy’s reasoning, Sora propped herself up again, eager to support his theory.

Tai nodded instinctively; he and Agumon seemed to have a similar experience.

"I’m so sleepy~"

Ordinarily meticulous about cleanliness, Mimi no longer cared about the dirt, overwhelmed by exhaustion. The others, too, succumbed to a deep and irresistible sleep, one after another.

"You all did well today. Let me take the night watch. Get some rest."

Qin Fei said to Tai, who was struggling to stay awake.

"Thanks, I’m dead tired."

Hearing Qin Fei volunteer for the night watch, Tai was of course delighted. But as the gentle sound of the harmonica drifted in again, both glanced toward Ahe in the distance.

Takeru and the Digimon were already fast asleep beside him.

"Really now..."

Tai and Qin Fei exchanged a smile, then chuckled together.

...

Night deepened, and even the energetic Tai and Ahe eventually drifted off. Other than the crackling of the campfire, all was silent.

Qin Fei and Loretta-mon sat by the fire, as if awaiting something.

"I can sense it—Seadramon was gravely injured, but still alive."

Staring into the dancing flames, Loretta-mon spoke quietly, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Qin Fei understood her meaning.

"Be careful. If anything seems off, come back right away. To me, you’re what matters most."

Loretta-mon immediately beamed with happiness, then slipped silently toward the lake.

A faint splash reached Qin Fei’s ears, but he didn’t look up, continuing to feed twigs into the fire.

...

It didn’t take long for Qin Fei to know the battle beneath the water had ended. There was no trace left, no sound at all—quiet as a pantomime performed in perfect silence.

Only the card gradually forming in his hand declared the official death of Seadramon.

"Seadramon, Champion level, Data type, special move: Ice Arrow..."

This time, it was a regular Digimon card.

A small, drenched figure appeared beside the fire, holding her wet clothes up to the heat. Though soaked and disheveled, her expression was one of utter contentment.

As if she had finally vented all the pent-up violence in her heart.

"Loretta-mon, you... Never mind, are you hurt?"

Seeing her relaxed face, Qin Fei silently took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Her fine dress, now soaked, clung tightly to her figure, revealing her graceful shape.

"A half-dead Seadramon couldn’t hurt me. Luckily, it hadn’t hidden itself too deep; if it had gone any deeper, I’d have been in trouble—my swimming’s not that great."

Loretta-mon spoke with pride, but after Qin Fei wrapped the jacket around her, she became a bit bashful.

"My hair’s all wet—do you mind?"

She suddenly asked teasingly.

"Uh, not at all."

Qin Fei was a little lost.

No sooner had he spoken than Loretta-mon’s damp hair leaned against him.

Qin Fei: "..."

Seeing that Loretta-mon had already closed her eyes, Qin Fei could only smile wryly, letting her rest against his arm, even if it meant one of his sleeves became soaked.

He tossed a few more logs into the fire, making it blaze brighter, and began to ponder again where the future might lead.

If he had to name a goal, it would be the factory where Andurou-mon resided. There, he wanted to see if he could create something.

...

"Ah! Qin Fei, why didn’t you wake us up? Did you keep watch all night by yourself?"

In the misty morning light, Ahe and Sora looked at the slightly haggard Qin Fei with concern and a hint of reproach.

"Ha, it’s nothing. Last night, when you were all in danger with Seadramon, I couldn’t help at all from the shore. If I couldn’t even let you rest well, I’d feel terrible."

Qin Fei waved it off, signaling that it was no big deal.

Mainly, he had noticed Loretta-mon’s clothes were still wet, so he kept the fire going longer to help her dry them.

"Well... thank you, anyway."

At this point, the others had little more to say. They couldn’t afford to linger here any longer; each of them had to press on.

"Let’s get moving."

With their things packed, everyone, spirits restored, prepared to leave.

"Joe, take these, would you? Your bag’s the biggest."

Qin Fei said suddenly, placing a bundle of half-dried smoked fish before him—his night’s work, along with some leftover unknown fruits.

Only Qin Fei knew how tough the coming days would be and how scarce food would become.

"As for water, bring as much as you can carry. I have a feeling we’ll need it soon."

Qin Fei smiled, for if nothing unexpected happened, their next stop would be Flamebeast’s lair—the very place where they would first encounter the black gears.

For some reason, hearing the earnestness in Qin Fei’s words, the others all felt his advice was sound.

Even the usually particular Mimi filled a large bottle with water from an empty container Qin Fei had brought.