Chapter 82: Kaye's Trial

"How long will it take to reach the Land of Trials, Nuwar?"

On the way, Kaye asked Nuwar, who was leading the way.

"It's here~~ and it's oh~~!"

Nuwar replied lively, and she seemed to be in a good mood.

"Kaye, there's the smell of a stubborn beast up ahead!"

Sniffing its nostrils, the multi-way beast's small paws pointed ahead.

"Really? Multi-way beast. ”

"It's true!"

The multi-way beast said happily, full of anticipation for the trial.

"I don't know what the trial is, but I'm sure we can overcome it."

"The multi-way beast is really energetic."

Kaye was relieved that the multi-way beast was somehow worth learning from.

Soon, Nuwar led Kaye and the Beasts to the Cavern of Trials. The stubborn beast was standing there, too, and seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

"It's a stubborn beast!"

The multi-way beast was right, the stubborn beast was really there.

"Yo! Stubborn beasts, I brought them here! ”

Seeing his acquaintance, Nuwar waved his hand and beckoned to him very enthusiastically.

"Thank you for your hard work."

The stubborn beast smiled. Then, with a serious expression on his face, he looked at Kaye and the multi-way beast.

"Hmm"

Being stared at by the other party all the time, Kaye's expression also showed a little nervousness.

"Stubborn beast, what is that trial?"

"Enter this cave and gain strength through trials."

His answer was simple.

"Is it to make us stronger by fighting?"

The multi-way beast raised its little paw and asked, as it remembers, Digimon grew stronger through combat.

"No, all you need is to accept a trial. It's not just combat that gets stronger. ”

The stubborn beast said earnestly.

"If you can comprehend, the trial will be considered a success. So, Kaye Kaye, it's you who really need to be tested. ”

"Huh?! You mean to let me go into the cave alone? ”

Kaye was taken aback by the answer.

"Why!? The multi-way beast wants to be put to trial with Kaye! ”

Out of concern for his partner and disappointment that the trial didn't include himself, the Dormon objected.

"Multi-way beast, believe in the stubborn beast! He's a very reliable Digimon, so he won't hurt Kaye! ”

Nuwar trusts the Stubborn Beast completely.

"But can I really do it by being alone in the trial?"

Kaye was a little uneasy, he wasn't a very capable person.

"You should have your own goals, and if you're a man, don't back down!"

At the voice of the stubborn, Kaye and the multi-way beast cowered in fear.

"Haha, the loud voice still hasn't changed."

Putting down her hands covering her ears, Nuwar spread her hands helplessly.

"Kaye, you understand the current state of the digital world. You must want to stop the catastrophe that humans have brought to the digital world, right? ”

"Of course, because of my uncle's extremism, the unrelated Digimon have been harmed, and someone has to stop them."

Clenched into fists, Kaye couldn't forgive his uncle for his actions.

If it's to stop him, even if it's a difficult trial, you have to accept it. If my father was still alive, he would have thought so.

"Stubborn beast, I'm going to be tested."

His voice was full of determination.

"Kaye, is this really good?"

The multi-way beast looked at Kaye worriedly.

"It's okay, multi-way beast. Because this is my own trial, of course I want to complete it. ”

Smiling, Kaye touched the head of the multi-way beast.

"I'm a man, how can I back down in the face of difficulties?"

"Good!"

The stubborn beast nodded in satisfaction, then continued.

"Trials are quite harsh. If you accept the trial in a half-toned mindset, you will inevitably end up with self-destruction. Even so, are you going to be tested? ”

"Of course!"

Kaye's answer was even more affirmative.

"Very conscious! Kaye, let's go with this momentum! ”

With a wave of his hand, Nuwar slapped Kaye on the back.

"We await your successful return."

"Thank you."

"Kaye, you must succeed!"

The multi-way beast also encourages its partner.

"Yes!"

Then, heading into the Cavern of Trials, in the darkness, Kaye ran in—

―1―

The cavern was pitch black, and Kaye held D-ark in his hand, leaning against the screen to emit a faint light, and cautiously moved forward.

-- O son of man who has come to seek trials. ――

Suddenly, a deep voice rang out all around.

- Why do you seek strength? ――

Kaye looked around, but couldn't find the Lord of Voice.

"I'm here to stop the strife between humans and Digimon. It's also about protecting the digital world! ”

Despite not being able to see the Lord of Voice, Kaye spoke out of hope.

- Son of Man, is this world really worth sacrificing everything you have to protect? ――

A calm voice asked.

"I don't really have the courage to sacrifice everything to protect the digital world"

Perhaps because of his weak heart, Kaye lowered his head slightly.

He's just an ordinary person, and his family and friends are invaluable to Kaye. If you had to sacrifice everyone to protect the digital world, Kaye really couldn't do it.

But

"But it's because the people around me are so important to me that I can't afford to be self-conscious. I love both humans and Digimon, and I need to be empowered to avoid strife, to keep my father's friends awake, and to protect everyone. ”

- Is this really the answer from your heart? ――

The tone of his voice changed, and there was a hint of teasing and seriousness in his inquiry.

"Of course."

Kaye asserted without hesitation.

After hearing Kaye's answer, the owner of the voice finally responded after a moment of silence.

- So, open the door and meet your trial. ――

As he spoke, a door appeared in front of Kaye.

"My Trials"

Swallowing his saliva and suppressing the tension in his heart, Kaye twisted the handle and slowly opened the door.

※※※※※

On the lawn of the park, the father plays with his son.

"Daddy! Father! ”

"Huh?"

The boy's childish voice caught Kaye's attention, and Kaye, who wore a baseball glove on his left hand, looked at the young boy standing not far away.

(Isn't that me when I was a kid?!) ）

"Daddy! I'm going to pitch! ”

The boy wears a baseball glove in his left hand and holds a baseball in his right hand. He was waving his hand at his dad excitedly, and then threw the baseball hard.

(I remembered that this was the day before my dad set off, and my dad and I played the last time we played catch-and-catch)

"Caught it!"

Dad quickly caught the boy's pitch and looked at his son with a smile.

(I see.) Am I becoming a dad? ）

Kaye suddenly understood that the trial seemed to be related to his father.

"Daddy! Throw it over! ”

As a young boy, Kaye shouted to his father with a happy face.

"It's going to be steady!"

Seeing that his son was having a good time, Ah Hai's heart was also very pleased. He threw the ball over again.

The pitching and catching were repeated several times, and the sweaty Kaye had a slightly tired expression on his face. This does not affect the enjoyment of his game. Because, it's really fun for Dad to play with him.

"Daddy! Father! Pitch the ball! I want to continue! ”

"Is it really good? Kaye, you look a little tired. ”

As a father, Ah Hai expressed his concern for his son.

"No problem! Daddy, pitch the ball! ”

Kaye, who is keen on games, said without hesitation.

"Then I'll vote! Pick it up, Kaye! ”

With a wry smile, Ah Hai threw the baseball again.

"Ahh Ball!! ”

Unfortunately, Kaye didn't catch it, and the thrown baseball flew over his head and landed on the grass in the distance.

"Daddy, I'm going to pick up the ball!"

Looking at the baseball that landed in the distance, Kaye quickly ran over to pick it up, and then ran forward as fast as he could, but accidentally tripped and fell to the ground.

"Woo woo woo woo"

My knee was scraped and it hurt. Kaye cried as he fell.

(When I was a kid, I was a crybaby.)

Watch as Kaye keeps tears falling to the ground. The big round eyes were as red as the rabbit that cried when it fell into a trap.

"Kaye, stop crying, stand up. You're a man! ”

Ah Hai walked over and said earnestly.

"Yes"

Rising from the ground, Kaye wiped her tears with her hands and quickly stopped crying. Seeing his appearance, Ah Hai smiled bitterly and squatted down and touched Kaye's head.

Kaye is a gentle, but crying child. Today is the last day he spends with his family, and in the future, Kaye may still cry because of something. Although he has repeatedly taught Kaye that he can't cry easily as a man, he always fails. Crying may also be the nature of children.

But, no matter what, Ah Hai doesn't like to see crying children. It's not because I feel weak and useless, and it's not because I hate it. It's simply the idea that children should laugh. A crying child can only be sad.

"Kaye, I'm going to the Digital World tomorrow."

After Kaye stopped crying, Ah Hai suddenly put away his smile and looked at his son.

"The digital world?"

Kaye looked at his father in confusion.

"It's a very strange world, and I'll set off with my friends. It may take a long time to go, so when Dad is away, Kaye must be a good boy and not let Mom work too hard. ”

"I see, Daddy"

Nodding obediently, Kaye continued to ask.

"Why did Dad go to the Digital World?"

"Because Dad's friend also has an important family, and their child went to the digital world by accident, in order to find the child, we decided to search together. It's a tall order."

"Well, the child's parents must be very worried about him."

Not understanding the specific reason for the incident, Kaye simply sympathized with the child who had been separated from his family.

"yes, so Daddy needs to help too."

"Daddy is amazing! I'm sure dad and friends will find that kid! ”

Kaye looked adoring, and his father was a hero.

"Haha, I'll do my best, before I leave, I'll give this to you."

As if thinking of something, Ah Hai took out a goggle from his satchel.

"Goggles?"

Kaye didn't understand why Dad gave him goggles, but they looked cool and didn't hate them.

"Haha, because Kaye is a crybaby, it's not good for boys to cry all the time. So, if Kaye wants to cry, wear goggles so no one will see you cry. ”

Ah Hai said with a wicked smile.

"Daddy liars! I'm not a crybaby! ”

Hearing Ah Hai's words, Kaye looked surprised and unconvinced.

"So, if you don't want to be a crybaby, Kaye must be a man."

Ah Hai said with a smile, and in that gentle voice, there was a kind of warmth full of tolerance. He placed the goggles on Kaye's head with a satisfied expression.

"Perfect for you, Kaye."

"Really?"

Kaye subconsciously touched the goggles on his head.

"It's really suitable, Dad won't lie to you."

"Alright, let's go home! Mom and Sakura are still waiting for us! ”

"Good!"

So, Ahai lets Kaye ride his neck. Begin to trot in the direction of home. Kaye also screamed a little excitedly because he felt the excitement of the vibration on his father's neck.

"Whoa, oh, oh! It's so high, so high!! ”

This is the last time Ah Hai plays with his son-

※※※※※

Without a Digimon partner, the Digital World is truly a brutal world for adults who are on an expedition for the first time. Not every Digimon has a docile personality and hates fighting. It can be said that the luck of the adults is not good, and most of the places they pass through are filled with ferocious Digimon that value their territory. So, it's really hard to survive in an unfamiliar world.

Kaye Uejo witnesses everything that happens through the vision of his father, Umi Uejo.

Whether it's Mina and Ryder's parents expressing their thoughts about their children, Mr. Lee, who brings a cheerful atmosphere to the team, Julia who records life in the digital world, Kamijokai who encourages everyone, and Tomoshi Osawa who is a little taciturn but always thinks about everyone.

In order to survive in the unknown world, everyone is really hard. It is not uncommon to be hunted down by Digimon as food and to brush up with death.

But that won't be an obstacle for adults to find the missing child.

What's more, through his father's vision, Kaye knows everyone's story. Especially my uncle, because of the shadow of the past, my uncle hates Digimon very much, but he will never hurt Digimon easily.

Moreover, as a friend of his uncle, his father has always been by his uncle's side to guide and comfort him. Only for the father will the uncle open his heart.

It wasn't until the truth of his uncle's statement came out that Kaye continued to witness the whole thing through his father's vision, that he understood how desperate his uncle was at that time, and how his father was feeling at that time.