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- Nathaniel's Point of View**
The next morning, as I rose from my makeshift bed, I noticed the room's window ajar—a surprise, since I'd secured it last night. Standing, my foot slipped into a hole in the floor, startling me. "Wait, what's this?"
A ball-sized gap gaped in the wood, its origin a mystery. My bigger worry was explaining it to my companions. What happened last night? I patted myself down—no pain, just relief washing over me.
Could someone have tried to harm me? Nyabu, maybe, or others who despised my presence? Panic crept in until Melon scampered onto my head, reminding me he'd been with me. Maybe he knew something.
"Yes, I know what happened last night. I don't sleep—my body never tires," he said.
He recounted Ataparag entering my room, approaching me. Unsure of her intent, he described her form shifting. At one point, her mouth opened as if to devour me, but she stopped.
"What? Wait, are you saying Miss Ataparag turned into a beast?" I stammered. "She came to eat me?"
He didn't confirm she'd intended to, but her actions suggested it. Yet, she'd restrained herself, fighting the urge. "So, you're saying she held back?"
Even with that explanation, the truth gnawed at me—she'd come to test eating me. What was happening to Ataparag? I saw no issues when we were together, and she'd never hinted at trouble. Was she unaware of her actions? If she knew humans triggered her hunger, why insist I stay?
What was her true motive? I was thrilled to be near her, but unease clouded my mind, her secrets a riddle.
Hours later, I resumed my routine—post-exam, back to the dorm for study. When Ataparag returned, she invited me out to eat, her demeanor warm as if nothing had happened. My worry churned, though. I wanted to confront her, but how? What if she knew her night visits?
As I hesitated, Melon's voice pierced my thoughts, warning that her nightly visits threatened my life. "You think it's easy to ask if she plans to kill me? She's so kind to me," I whispered inwardly.
"You decide. You can't die here, but can you risk her life?" he replied.
He explained that if her beastly hunger resurfaced, her team might kill her. Her nightly attempts might stem from smelling fresh human flesh—me. I couldn't let that continue; my presence fueled her cravings.
I sighed, prompting Ataparag to ask if I was okay, sensing my distraction. Seizing the chance, I probed her reasons for wanting me on her team. If her motives were sinister, she might lie.
"Uh… Miss Ataparag, aside from helping me and the vice commander's order to place me on your team, what traits made me worthy?" I asked.
She blinked, thinking I joked, but I pressed on awkwardly. "Like, because I'm kind and determined?"
"Hahaha, that's one," she laughed.
"Loyal and fun to be with?" I added.
"No doubt," she agreed.
"Healthy and fresh meat?" I ventured.
"True, you look tasty," she replied warmly, then clapped a hand over her mouth, mortified.
I froze, her reaction betraying embarrassment. She bolted up, stammering about a vice commander's task, fleeing with her face covered. "Wait! Let's talk!" I called, but I didn't chase her, stunned by the revelation.
Her response suggested she knew about her nighttime urges. "I need the truth," I muttered.
Soon, a waiter approached with our bill, snapping me out of it. "Wait, she left without paying?" I whispered.
Hours later, I studied in the dorm, awaiting Ataparag's return. As dusk fell and soldiers trickled to their units, boredom drove me to my room, deciding to postpone my questions. I hoped to speak with her tomorrow, but at the morning meeting, she was absent. Soldiers said she'd gone to the base for urgent matters.
I accepted it, hoping for another chance. Hours passed—still no sign of her at the dorm or exam facility. Back at the dorm, I asked Nyabu, who predictably snapped, "Leader's busy with applicants. What, expecting her to babysit you?"
"Hey, human! You're just a stray we're tolerating. Don't think you'll stay because Leader likes you," she sneered.
"Nah, why so hostile? I've done nothing wrong," I protested.
She ignored me, rolling her eyes. "Her clan, the Katsuri, were famed mystics and nobles who saw humans as weak slaves. Maybe she thinks you'll disrupt things," Melon interjected.
"Huh… really?" I mused.
Curious how Melon knew this, I asked if he understood this world. He confirmed his creation to aid me granted him some knowledge, using his Great Sage power to learn. "A pity to waste it if you won't use it," he teased.
"Fair point—I'd like to try. But what do I do?" I replied.
Despite knowing Melon's power, I was clueless, distracted by trials. His abilities sparked ideas—could I become the mightiest warrior, defeating foes instantly to save Endoryo?
"You could get strong, but how, with your human limits—low energy, quick fatigue, no combat or strategy skills?" Melon countered.
"Too harsh—you're saying I'm brainless!" I retorted.
"Don't take it personally. If you want to ease your mission, why not wish me to free Suwi from prison?" he suggested.
Shocked he mentioned Suwi—unseen by him—I wondered why I hadn't. Perhaps without Melon earlier, I'd relied on my own plans. "Think freeing Suwi from prison is a good idea?" I asked.
"Do you think keeping her locked there is?" he shot back.
He mirrored my question, but I stood by keeping her safe under Sei, though outside risks loomed larger. "Joining Eskapa lets me watch her," I insisted.
He sighed, worried I'd join Eskapa, urging me not to rely on my comic's plot. It focused on Xxv's quest to give Suwi peace, not broader events. "You only know Sei from the Rampage scene, not what precedes it," he said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
I grasped his point—my comic skipped pre-Rampage events. His tone hinted at hidden tragedies. "I mean, you're clueless about the disasters before the Rampage," he clarified.
"Huh?" I gaped.
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