Chapter Sixty-Five: The Candle Beast's Choice

"Let's go. It's no longer safe here; the minions of the Ape Beast could show up at any moment."

Brushing off the sand that had clung to him while hiding, Qin Fei prepared to wander around, hoping to encounter some unsuspecting Digimon that could provide Loretta Beast and Black Doru Beast with more data samples.

Loretta Beast and Black Doru Beast had no objections, and Candlemon, considering itself a subordinate of Qin Fei, followed obediently.

Thus, the group once again stepped into the boundless desert.

"Candlemon, how long have you been stuck in this form?"

Seeking to break the silence of their monotonous journey, Qin Fei struck up a conversation.

"I don't know, it's been a very long time. I can hardly remember what kind of Digimon I was before I evolved."

After a brief moment of thought, Candlemon shook its head in frustration.

"How many battles have you fought?"

Qin Fei continued to probe instinctively.

"Well..."

Finally, Candlemon replied, a little embarrassed and nostalgic, "It used to be Revolver Beast who protected me and Ore Beast. Now..."

Its expression grew forlorn.

"Qin Fei, look out!"

Just as Qin Fei and Candlemon were quietly conversing, Loretta Beast's warning rang out.

At some point, the sand beneath their feet began to ripple, the fine grains swirling more and more violently, forming a strange circular zone.

Qin Fei realized he was caught in quicksand, his body sinking precariously.

"Scarlet Fragment!"

A flash of red—an axe plunged into the sand beneath Qin Fei. Instantly, the sinking quicksand seemed to freeze in place.

A familiar hiss echoed, and a pair of fierce, orange-red mandibles burst from the quicksand, hurling Qin Fei away.

"Ah! It's Ancient Beetlemon!" Candlemon cried out, clearly frightened by the giant red insect.

"Qin Fei!"

Loretta Beast rushed over anxiously to check on Qin Fei.

"Cough, Loretta, I'm fine."

The sand had cushioned his fall well, sparing Qin Fei from serious injury.

Qin Fei spat out a mouthful of sand, then stopped Loretta Beast, who was about to charge Ancient Beetlemon again. "Let Candlemon fight on its own. Unless absolutely necessary, don't intervene."

Loretta Beast paused, then nodded in understanding. Clearly, Qin Fei wanted to give Candlemon a push.

Having been thrown aside, with Loretta Beast and Black Doru Beast chasing after Qin Fei, Candlemon now found itself closest to Ancient Beetlemon, its legs trembling.

"D-Don't come any closer!"

As the fearsome insect drew nearer, Candlemon cried out and cast a desperate glance at Qin Fei, pleading for rescue.

But Qin Fei simply stood up calmly, silent, watching.

Even Loretta Beast, who had been raging against Ancient Beetlemon moments before, had become unexpectedly composed.

"Why are you all..."

Candlemon's heart skipped, a sense of dread creeping in.

"I'll give you two choices..."

Qin Fei spoke suddenly. "First, you can ask us for help—Loretta Beast can easily defeat Ancient Beetlemon. But after that, we part ways. You'd do well to find a safe place and enjoy the rest of your life."

Ancient Beetlemon moved closer, uncertain whether the weak Candlemon was the one who had inflicted that painful blow moments ago.

"Second, you fight Ancient Beetlemon yourself. If you can hold out for two minutes, I'll let Loretta Beast assist you. Then I’ll acknowledge you as a companion."

Candlemon hesitated. The terrifying, monstrous Ancient Beetlemon seemed to urge it toward the first choice. How could someone as weak as Candlemon possibly survive two minutes against Ancient Beetlemon? It would be suicide—the huge mandibles, the sharp claws, the powerful legs—it could finish Candlemon easily.

It feared death, feared battle, even feared pain.

So it had always lived under the protection of Ore Beast and Revolver Beast. But now, they were gone.

How could it survive Ancient Beetlemon's assault alone?

Just one plea to the Chosen Child, just once—and it could survive.

Yes, to survive, anything was worth it. Evolution, revenge...

"I choose..."

Countless thoughts flashed through Candlemon's mind before it finally made its decision.

"I choose the second."

"Bonfire!"

Just as Ancient Beetlemon lunged, Candlemon dodged by a hair’s breadth, a small fireball striking Ancient Beetlemon's forehead and causing it to shift its head.

Candlemon’s eyes changed, becoming fierce and determined—a look ready to fight for its life.

"Click, click..."

Ancient Beetlemon grew ever more enraged, its giant mandibles crossing and clashing with dangerous sounds.

"Slash."

"Molten Wax!"

Dodging again, Candlemon hurled blobs of grayish wax at Ancient Beetlemon’s joints, attempting to lock up its movements.

But it forgot the difference in their strength.

The wax did stick and harden at the joints, but Ancient Beetlemon shattered it instantly with brute force.

A swing of its claw struck Candlemon squarely beneath its abdomen.

"Ah!"

Candlemon spun through the air, crashing heavily to the ground. Luckily, the loose sand softened the impact.

Climbing out of the sand pile, Candlemon’s gaze remained unchanged. Fireballs gathered from its candle flame, shooting again at Ancient Beetlemon.

Though the attacks barely harmed Ancient Beetlemon, Candlemon persisted, spitting fireballs as if venting its pent-up frustration.

"Phh, click, click..."

Ancient Beetlemon’s shell unfolded, vibrating wings lifting its massive body into the air.

Then, swinging its monstrous mandibles, it stabbed at Candlemon on the ground, whipping up a rush of wind.

Seeing the orange-red insect descending swiftly from above, Candlemon felt a surge of despair.

"Metal Cannon!"

A crisp sound rang out. A silvery metal ball shot through the air, hitting Ancient Beetlemon and knocking its massive body from the sky.

"What?!"

Candlemon, whose hope had nearly vanished, now saw a flicker in its eyes. It knew that the brief scuffle with Ancient Beetlemon had not lasted two minutes.

Why had the Chosen Child intervened early?

Black Doru Beast ran over, standing beside Candlemon, exuding a fierce fighting spirit toward the slowly rising Ancient Beetlemon.

"Candlemon, that's enough. The moment you faced Ancient Beetlemon without retreat, I already acknowledged you as my companion."

Qin Fei brought Loretta Beast over as well, shielding the battered Candlemon behind him.

He smiled and offered his hand.

"Waaah, that was so terrifying!"

Having finally found someone to rely on, Candlemon clung to Qin Fei's arm and burst into tears.

Seeing Candlemon regain a bit of its true nature, Qin Fei shook his head helplessly, then turned his gaze to the now-recovered Ancient Beetlemon.

"Black Doru Beast, stay alert. This Digimon is yours."