"I spoke with Satsuma about you. I heard you escaped from Kurata. Kurata created those things called 'Biomeric Digimon.' And then, when I saw you using DigiSoul… I thought you might be one of them."
Spencer Damon explained why he had asked Moss to punch him. "I didn't understand why you could generate DigiSoul, but now I can confirm—you're not a Biomeric Digimon."
"So?" Moss prompted.
Spencer continued, "You're trying to use DigiSoul to achieve Ultimate Evolution, aren't you? I can tell you how."
"Please do." Moss leaned forward in anticipation.
Spencer took a deep breath and said seriously, "To reach Ultimate Evolution, you need to push DigiSoul beyond its limits. Different people have different ways to achieve that."
That… was a completely useless answer.
Moss inwardly rolled her eyes.
Spencer then added, "However, I know one simple and universal method."
Moss asked, "And what's that?"
Spencer raised his right fist and said, "Throw punches!"
"…Punches?" Moss looked confused.
Spencer nodded. "Yes. Keep throwing punches.
"No matter how tired you are, don't stop.
"The exhaustion will crush your distractions, making you feel the presence of your 'limits' more clearly. And once you do—focus your DigiSoul and break through!
"Remember the feeling of surpassing your limits. That's what 'Ultimate Evolution' is!"
Hearing this, Moss was silent for a moment before sighing. "It's certainly a simple method. But it's anything but easy."
It was just like the classic "How to put an elephant in a fridge" three-step joke. Simple in theory, but in execution?
Yeah, not so much.
Spencer Damon and BanchouLeomon left, heading into the vast Digital World to hunt down Kurata.
Meanwhile, Moss, Captain Satsuma, Kudamon, and the group of Digimon—including Astamon, Goblimon, Mushroomon, Otamamon, Gekomon, and Kunemon—returned to the same location where they had arrived in the Digital World the previous day.
As soon as DATS HQ opened a gateway, they stepped into the light and returned to the Command Center.
DATS HQ had a small stadium designed for its agents to train.
It even had a boxing ring—a facility built specifically for Thomas H. Norstein, the world boxing champion.
"..."
Moss looked around at the various training equipment.
To others, it might seem like she was choosing an exercise program.
But in reality…
She was zoning out.
Angewomon, sensing her uncertainty through their shared mind, asked, "Are you trying to decide which training method will push your body to its limits?"
Moss stayed silent for a while before softly answering, "No. I'm thinking about whether I should push my body to its limits."
Angewomon was puzzled. "Why are you even considering this? Reaching your limits and surpassing them is the key to Ultimate Evolution. That's exactly what we're aiming for."
Moss let out a quiet sigh. "That's true, but… If I use exhaustion to push my body to its limits, I'll become extremely vulnerable in the process."
Angewomon noticed the hesitation in her tone. "Why are you so afraid of being vulnerable?"
Moss hesitated, then finally said, "It's not a question of whether I can do it. It's whether I dare to do it."
Angewomon pressed on. "And why is that?"
Moss thought carefully before responding, "For someone who lacks a sense of security, willingly making yourself weak is like stripping naked in a snowstorm."
Lack of security?
So that was Moss's true inner self.
Angewomon had always known about the system panel Moss possessed, but Moss had never mentioned her past.
Now, Angewomon finally understood.
Maybe she had always been alone.
Maybe she had always been afraid.
Feeling a sudden surge of affection, Angewomon spoke gently, "I will always be with you. We will never be apart."
"Mm. Thanks."
Moss felt a warmth spreading through her heart, and her anxiety slowly faded away.
After a while, Angewomon suddenly said, "I see… So your whole 'perverted' personality is actually just a defensive shield to hide your insecurity."
"Oh, no, that part's real."
"..."
"Alright then," Moss said, her confidence returning. "Time to reach my limits!"
She first transferred all her magic energy into the sacred ring on her left leg, instantly lowering her stamina by a level. Then, she sent Astamon to call over Marcus, Thomas, and Yoshino.
When they arrived, they asked, "Angewomon, what do you need us for?"
Moss declared, "Train with me. And as the Digital World's official diplomat, you cannot refuse."
The three exchanged glances.
Marcus grinned. "I don't know what this diplomat thing is about, but if it's a fight, then Marcus Damon is always ready!"
"Hold on." Thomas raised a hand to block Marcus.
Marcus frowned. "Thomas, what's your problem?"
Thomas said, "Angewomon may be a Digimon, but she's still a lady."
Marcus froze.
He had fought countless battles, but he had never hit a woman before.
Moss smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "You're quite the gentleman. But I really don't care."
Thomas chuckled and turned to Yoshino. "Yoshino, you should go first."
"Huh? Me?!" Yoshino was caught off guard.
She hesitated, then reluctantly put on protective gear.
Moss suggested, "Actually, don't wear the gear. Fist-to-fist combat will strengthen your DigiSoul more effectively."
The moment she said this, Marcus's eyes lit up.
Thomas also seemed thoughtful.
During the Kurata Raid, they hadn't been able to contribute because their DigiSouls weren't strong enough.
Looking back, they still felt frustrated about that.
Yoshino, however… still wore her gear.
Sure, she wanted to strengthen her DigiSoul too.
But she wasn't about to take a beating just for that.
"Go, Yoshino!" Lalamon cheered from the sidelines.
Yoshino forced a smile.
Her opponent was Angewomon—a Perfect-level Digimon!
Even if the data said Angewomon wasn't a melee fighter, Yoshino wasn't exactly feeling confident.
"Go, Boss!"
On Moss's side, her crew also started cheering.
The first to yell was Goblimon.
Then Mushroomon, Otamamon, Gekomon, and even Kunemon all joined in.
Even though Kunemon couldn't speak, it waved its tiny arms enthusiastically.
Astamon cleared his throat. "Ready… Begin!"
The moment his voice fell, the two figures in the ring charged at each other.
In the blink of an eye—
Yoshino was sent flying out of the ring.
She landed flat on her butt.
"YEAH!"
Goblimon, Mushroomon, Otamamon, Gekomon, and Kunemon all cheered in celebration.
"Yoshino!"
Lalamon rushed over to help her up.
Just as Yoshino was about to complain about the pain, a rainbow-colored light flew toward her, merging into her body.
"The pain… Wait, it's gone?"
That rainbow light was a Healing Light—thrown by Moss.
"Thanks," Yoshino said.
Moss smiled. "I won't let any of you get injured, so don't hold back."
She then looked at Marcus and Thomas.
"So, who's next?"
"Me!"
Marcus leaped into the ring.
This time, Thomas didn't stop him.
And Marcus wasn't wearing protective gear.
"Go, Boss!" Agumon S cheered.
"Boss is undefeated!" Goblimon shouted.
Mushroomon, Otamamon, and Gekomon all echoed, "Yeah! Yeah!"
Agumon S growled, "What?! No way! Marcus won't lose!"
Goblimon and the others all turned to glare at him.
Agumon S stared back.
You staring at me?
Yeah, I'm staring at you.
The air crackled with tension.
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Each 10 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)
10 Advance Chapters: patreon.com/milezen