After returning to her body, Moss didn't hurry to leave. Instead, she continued testing the Sheep Talisman—or more precisely, soul-related abilities.
Like the ability to see souls.
Moss's soul returned to her body, while Angewomon's soul floated outside. Yet she could still see it. "Although it's a bit faint, I can definitely see it."
Maybe it was due to the keen perception of Digimon, or the soul-based magic she had studied. Or maybe both. Or perhaps it had something to do with her life form being closer to that of a demon in this world.
Whatever the reason, Moss could indeed see Angewomon's soul.
A soul outside the body could pass through walls, send dreams—but didn't have any other powers.
"It's time to go."
Moss flapped her wings and flew out the window. Using the Rabbit Talisman's power for supersonic flight, she reached the Dark Hand headquarters in no time and walked down the stairs to the room with Shendu's statue.
This was also Valmont's office. Valmont was there, as well as a red-haired strongman—Hak Foo.
Moss had a vivid impression of this "Black Tiger Hak Foo" with his endless named moves—especially that "Crows Fly a Plane."
But Hak Foo was seeing Moss for the first time, and demanded, "Who are you?"
Valmont really wanted Hak Foo to teach this angel a lesson, but he was also afraid Hak Foo couldn't handle her. In the end, he chose to avoid conflict and said, "Hak Foo, let's step outside for a moment."
Hak Foo hesitated but had to follow the boss out.
Moss looked at Shendu and took out a talisman. "Shendu, you need this little sheep, don't you?"
"Sheep Talisman!" Shendu was instantly excited.
Among the Twelve Talismans, there were two that could give him freedom.
One was the Rat Talisman—animation. It could bring him back to life on the spot.
The other was the Sheep Talisman. It couldn't resurrect him, but it could free his soul.
"Here, take it." Moss tossed the talisman.
Shendu's statue had twelve octagonal slots. The Sheep Talisman flew right into one and fit perfectly.
"Ah, I'm free!"
Shendu's spirit floated out of the statue and stretched like he was yawning.
And then...
He shrank right back in.
Moss stared, speechless. Hands on her slim waist, she said, "Shendu, now that you're spiritually free, shouldn't you go find some talismans?"
Shendu replied, "The ones in Section 13 are already as good as ours. The rest are Valmont's problem."
In the original series, Shendu suspected that Jade's body was empty due to astral projection, so he possessed her and tried to take the talismans from Section 13.
But now?
With Moss as an "inside agent," the talismans at Section 13 were within easy reach. As for finding the others...
Even though Shendu got the Sheep Talisman early in the series, he never once used astral projection afterward to search for talismans.
Moss couldn't allow Shendu to laze around. She said, "Shendu, you can now astral project and travel the cosmic void. With your help, searching for the remaining talismans will be twice as effective."
Shendu replied confidently, "You're right, but jobs should go to the right people."
I, Shendu, am a ruler.
How could I run around like some lackey?
Moss said, "But you are the right person for this job."
Come on, go find the Tiger Talisman! That was Moss's true thought.
"No." Shendu still refused.
…Looks like this needs some persuasion.
Moss had already prepared for this. After Shendu flatly declined, she said softly, "Shendu, you wouldn't want to go back to Hell and see your siblings, would you?"
"—!"
Shendu's eyes glowed red. That topic came out of nowhere and hit hard.
Can you even make small talk?
Shendu was about to cover it up—
But Moss pressed on: "If I smash this statue, your soul will fall back into the Demon Netherworld. What do you think your seven siblings will do to you there?"
...She knows?!
Shendu's mind froze. This angel apparently knew something about his strained relationship with his siblings.
He definitely did not want to see those seven again.
But he also couldn't let himself be threatened!
Shendu growled, "If I fall back into the Netherworld, you won't get the Book of Ages either."
Moss chuckled, "Shendu, you're not my only option."
Shendu felt a jolt. "What other options?"
"The Pan'ku Box," Moss said meaningfully.
Shendu was shocked—she knew about that too?!
At the same time, he figured out Moss's real plan.
In ancient times, the Eight Immortal Sorcerers sealed the Eight Demon Sorcerers, including Shendu, into the Demon Netherworld. The Pan'ku Box could open the eight gates to that world.
All eight demons knew the Book of Ages' location. In other words, Moss had at least seven other candidates besides him.
"…"
Shendu was furious, but once again cornered. He could only mutter, "This isn't what we agreed on!"
...You care about deals now?
Moss almost laughed. "Actually, I'm doing this for your own good."
"For my good?!"
Are you joking?!
Shendu nearly exploded.
Moss replied, "Of course. Look into my honest eyes."
Shendu: I can't even see your eyes!
Moss continued, "Laziness is bad. I'm helping you correct it. Once you're revived, you'll be a hardworking ruler. The people will love you. No one will overthrow you."
Shendu thought: I want to be a tyrant! A tyrant!
A hardworking ruler? What even is that?
Moss added, "Go now, Shendu. Find me a talisman in three days—or I'll send you back to Hell."
Her tone was calm, but her words were terrifying.
Shendu shouted, "This is how you help me find talismans?!"
Moss nodded. "Yes."
So shamelessly proud!
Is she really an angel?
This is sacrilege!
"Argh!" Though just a statue, Shendu still spit fire in frustration.
Moss blocked it with her wings, calm as ever. "Seventy-one hours, fifty-nine minutes, thirty seconds left, Shendu. Time's ticking."
As an immortal demon, Shendu usually didn't care about time.
But now?
That down-to-the-second countdown hit differently—like the clock ticking toward his doom.
"Can I get an extension? Three days is too short!" Shendu pleaded.
Moss replied, "Procrastination is the thief of time, Shendu. With this kind of attitude, what great deeds could you ever accomplish?"
"But…"
Moss cut him off with a wave, and said seriously, "True potential is forged in crisis. Shendu, don't you feel the power rising from within?"
Shendu was furious. Are you the demon, or am I?
Moss added, "I really am doing this for your own good. Dear Shendu, believe me, my heart is just as heavy as yours."
—Like hell it is!
Fuming, Shendu projected his soul to begin the search for talismans.
He had no choice. He really didn't want to face his siblings in Hell.
Hmph! Just wait till I find the Rat Talisman and get my body back! You'll see what this demon is capable of!
----------
Each 10 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)
BONUS (were at 110 powerstones)