Starting from a Koromon! [56]

“DigiSoul?!”

A power born from human emotions, bursting forth and transforming data into flames—this kind of blazing force usually needs human emotion to activate. It’s a power born from humans and Digimon together—a “miracle” itself!

That should have been how it was. But now, the fiercely burning black flames enveloping that servant girl gave off nothing but a deeply unsettling feeling.

The scene instantly descended into chaos. Zero had barely thought to move before dozens of hulking bodyguards burst out from every corner of the hall.

Speaking of which, no one had even noticed them before. Who knew where they’d been hiding?

Clearly, these were security personnel brought by each of the three attending groups. Most were likely outside, with only the most trusted close-protection guards in here.

When their presence wasn’t required, not even their shadows could be seen. But the moment they’re needed, they’re instantly there.

The guards rapidly coordinated their movements. Half of them formed a human barrier, separating the big-shots and the possessed maid. Another seven or eight burly men charged forward, fierce as wolves.

In theory, the delicate-looking maid stood no chance against these 6-foot-plus bruisers. Even one-on-one, these men could subdue her with a single hand.

But clearly, the current situation was far from “normal”…

The maid, holding her head, lifted her face in agony and let out a piercing scream. The black mist surging around her back abruptly erupted, forming a ragged pair of pitch-black wings.

A single flap—and a violent gale swept through the hall out of nowhere. The seven or eight towering bodyguards were hurled through the air as if tossed aside like garbage bags!

The remaining guards froze for a split second, clearly startled beyond comprehension. But being experienced, battle-hardened international mercenaries, they quickly reached into their jackets, ready to pull out their weapons.

But by then, the maid had lowered her hands. Her expression was blank, as if completely overtaken. Eyes flooded with crimson, she raised her head and fixed a stare at the people before her.

In that one glance, everyone in the hall felt their heart skip a beat—like frogs paralyzed under a serpent’s gaze, bodies frozen, unable to move an inch.

For a moment, even the bodyguards and those VIPs present were locked stiffly in place.

Including Zero and Hajime…

…Zero had noticed things turning bad and was prepared to rush in, even if it meant exposing himself, just to guarantee Rina’s safety.

But who would’ve thought—just one look from the maid immobilized Zero, whose DigiCore strength was already nearing Ultimate-level?!

…What the hell kind of thing are you?!

The black mist around the maid thickened further, stretching a long shadow beneath her feet. The shadow, with its unmistakable silhouette—wings sprouted, horns atop its head—looked painfully familiar…

It’s that endlessly haunting Devimon again!

…Fuck! Why won’t you stay dead?!

Zero nearly shouted aloud. Your DigiCore shattered already, how are you still causing trouble?

It seemed Devimon’s lingering grudge first possessed Hajime, then rode along to the Real World, lurking until it found a new human host.

…A Digimon can possess a human body, absorbing their emotions to gain strength!

Some Digimon even took advantage of this to achieve evolutions normally impossible to reach…

If a human and a Digimon’s hearts align and emotions unify, their bodies and wills synchronize, achieving something akin to a “fusion”—or as seen in Digimon Tamers, the Ultimate Evolution of Tamers and their partner Digimon.

But if their emotions can’t synchronize, the stronger side devours the weaker.

Clearly, this maid’s will was nowhere near Devimon’s match, becoming utterly corrupted by his resentment.

At that moment, fully in control of the maid’s body, Devimon’s face twisted into a triumphant grin.

“It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here! Such sweet taste—fear, anger, hatred—all of it becoming nourishment and strength, endlessly pouring in!”

Exactly as Devimon said, due to his actions, most people here now harbored some negative emotions. All of that negativity was now flowing into Devimon, becoming DigiSoul and fueling his power.

“Hahaha… To think I struggled for so long on File Island, yet all that effort can’t even compare to these few short minutes!”

It had been said countless times before that human emotions could help Digimon evolve. But emotions weren’t restricted to positive feelings alone—negative ones worked just as well.

In the original story, Myotismon invaded the human world to spread terror and gather negativity, completing his Ultimate Evolution. Now Devimon was clearly employing the same strategy.

And yet, the negativity from just these few humans here was enough for a mere lingering grudge to almost fully repair his shattered DigiCore, returning his power to its peak on File Island…

…What if he could dominate a city, a country—or even the whole world?

Just imagining it was enough to fill Devimon with wild excitement.

So, becoming stronger…was this simple…

“Who are you?”

Devimon’s self-indulgent speech was interrupted by a voice filled with authority. The chairwoman of the Aether Foundation, Lusamine, was somehow struggling through the paralysis, placing herself protectively in front of Lillie.

It was barely two steps, a painfully labored effort—but she’d managed something even the seasoned bodyguards couldn’t. Her willpower was simply astonishing.

“Oh? So humans…have quite a few impressive individuals as well.”

As Devimon casually remarked, he calmly raised his right hand, black flames gathering rapidly as he slashed forward in an instant!

“Watch out!”

At the same moment, Zero and Hajime broke free from their paralysis, data washing over their bodies as they swiftly evolved into Agumon and Gabumon, rushing forward.

With a flash of claws, both were immediately knocked flying—but at least they’d deflected Devimon’s attack slightly.

“Zero! Hajime!”

Rina also managed to break free. Without hesitation, she pulled out her Digivice, not even caring if she exposed their identities now—

But just as DigiSoul appeared over Rina’s hand, preparing to help Zero and Hajime evolve, Devimon’s sinister voice echoed out.

“I won’t underestimate the same enemy twice, human… You’re the source of these two brats’ power, aren’t you? So then, all I have to do is…”

Rina froze. In the next instant, her body was violently hurled backward, a warm spray of red scattering through the air. Zero and Hajime, who’d just struggled back to their feet, witnessed it clearly.

“RINAAAAAAAAA!!!”

Amidst the chaos, Lillie’s face turned deathly pale, her knuckles white as she gripped the strap of her bag. Inside her bag, a red-and-black mark—two inverted triangles overlapped—glowed faintly…

In the next instant, Zero’s roar filled the entire hall, erupting into a wild, deafening howl—

AGUMON—WARP DIGIVOLUTION!!!

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This is a fan translation of从滚球兽开始 by 魔王丘比. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!