Why Digimon Appeared in the Real World

"I think he has a real talent for becoming a wizard, so I'm planning to teach him."

Mo Yan spoke as the three children looked on in confusion.

"Um, who are you?"

Takato Matsuki pulled out his D-Ark and looked at Mo Yan in bewilderment.

[Wizardmon, Champion level, Data attribute, Wizard-type Digimon.

A high-level Wizard-type Digimon that came from a Digital World in another dimension.

In its home Digital World, Witchelny, it mastered fire and earth magic (high-level programming languages). Aspiring to become a great sorcerer, it came to the Digital World to train.

It has a somewhat mischievous personality, but also a shy side, and never reveals its true face.

Its special move is "Thunder Cloud," which summons thunderclouds to unleash a powerful lightning strike.]

A screen of light appeared above the red D-Ark, displaying Wizardmon's information.

"Right, you probably don't recognize me looking like this. Let me change."

As he spoke, Mo Yan changed back into his angel-child form.

"Huh? How can you turn into other Digimon?"

Seeing Mo Yan become the Digimon they had fought earlier, Takato Matsuki was intensely curious.

Rika Makino and Li Jianliang were just as curious.

Unlike Takato Matsuki, however, neither of them would ask outright.

Still, after spending some time with him, they were both certain that Takato Matsuki would ask directly.

All they had to do was wait for the answer.

"Oh, that.

It's an ability my boss, Qinglongmon, gave me.

By switching between different DigiCores, I can turn into different Digimon."

With a beckoning gesture, Mo Yan summoned eleven DigiCores around him.

"Wow, that's amazing (???_??)?!"

Takato Matsuki gazed in admiration at the eleven DigiCores glowing with different lights around Mo Yan.

He even reached out to touch them, but Li Jianliang stopped him.

"Then, counting the DigiCore inside you, doesn't that mean you have twelve DigiCores?"

Standing on Li Jianliang's shoulder, Terriermon counted on his fingers as he asked.

"Yes, exactly."

Mo Yan nodded, confirming Terriermon's guess.

"Qinglongmon? I think I've heard that name somewhere."

Renamon, who had remained hidden behind Rika Makino, appeared and spoke.

"That's part of what I was going to tell you.

It concerns Digimon and the Digital World. Are you ready to learn about them?"

Mo Yan looked at Renamon, then at the children, and smiled as he spoke.

"Sorry for the trouble."

Li Jianliang, who had the best manners, promptly bowed.

Takato Matsuki and Rika Makino also turned toward Mo Yan and bowed politely.

"Let me make this clear first: don't get your hopes up too much. I can only share fairly common knowledge. There are still secrets I can't tell you."

Faced with the children's expectant looks, Mo Yan immediately waved a hand as he spoke.

There were some things he had to establish beforehand.

Otherwise, if the children asked something he didn't want to answer, wouldn't he be contradicting himself?

Although they didn't quite understand what Mo Yan meant, respect and their upbringing kept the children from objecting.

Then they each found a place to sit.

Of course, before sitting down, Takato Matsuki woke Guilmon in a "very friendly" manner.

Once the children were all seated, Mo Yan began his explanation.

After all, he had promised them he would.

Before he began, though, Mo Yan changed back into Wizardmon, much to the children's confusion.

"The Digital World is a world born from computer networks.

Although it originated from computer networks, it transcends them.

As for exactly how, you'll find out in the future."

At that point, Mo Yan left them in suspense.

The children had the sense not to press him, though anticipation stirred in all their hearts.

"Digimon are intelligent life-forms that live in the Digital World.

Our bodies are constructed from data, and then the Digital World gives us life."

As he explained how Digimon were formed, Mo Yan noticed Takato Matsuki's expression.

"Then does that mean Guilmon is a collection of data too?"

Takato Matsuki looked a little downcast after hearing his explanation.

"Takato, Guilmon is Guilmon."

As though sensing Takato Matsuki's feelings, Guilmon offered some clumsy comfort.

"Terriermon is made from data too. Look, I can laugh and make funny faces."

Lying on top of Li Jianliang's head, Terriermon spoke adorably.

"Takato, what are you feeling so down about?

Strictly speaking, humans are just collections of carbohydrates too.

What makes life life is our ability to produce a range of responses to changes outside ourselves.

Emotional responses, physical responses, and so on."

At that moment, Mo Yan seemed possessed by SageMon as he slowly recited what he had read in books.

The children, who were only fifth graders, half understood his words, but they no longer dwelled on how Digimon were formed.

"Okay, let's get back to the subject."

Seeing that Takato Matsuki had recovered, Mo Yan continued.

"Digimon may originally have come into existence because of humans.

But through constant growth and evolution, we have broken free of our original constraints and reached a new stage.

That was also how our own gods came into being.

Leaving everything else aside, this Digital World is currently guarded and ruled by the Four Holy Beasts.

They are:

Qinglongmon, who guards the east and commands the power of lightning.

Zhuqiaomon, who guards the south and commands the power of flame.

Baihumon, who guards the west and commands the power of steel.

Ebonwumon, who guards the north and commands the power of water.

And my direct superior, the one I serve, is Qinglongmon, guardian of the east."

Mo Yan paused, as if giving the children time to digest that information while also laying the groundwork for what came next.

"According to my boss, Digimon appear in the real world because the barrier between the Digital World and the real world has been damaged.

As a result, the real world and the Digital World have become connected.

That is why Digimon can appear in the real world.

And because the passage is incomplete, and certain rumors have spread, the Digimon who reach the real world attack humans and destroy everything they see."

The children all looked astonished at Mo Yan's words.

Qinglongmon had never told Mo Yan any of this. These were conclusions he had drawn from the six-part series.

"Then... then what should we do?"

Takato Matsuki instinctively hugged Guilmon tighter as he asked nervously.

"The more opponents, the better. They'll be perfect for helping my Renamon evolve."

Rika Makino folded her arms across her chest and spoke with complete confidence.

Only Rika Makino herself knew what she truly thought.

Mo Yan could only shake his head at that.

Sure enough, she would have to suffer a few more setbacks before she learned humility and honesty.

"Earlier, you called us the chosen children. Is that connected to this?"

Thanks to his father's guidance, Li Jianliang was good at thinking things through and had his own views on matters.

Hearing Li Jianliang's question, Mo Yan couldn't help reflecting that having a researcher for a father really was a good thing sometimes.