Nathaniel's Point of View**
The trial raged on in the arena, and with Pyun's second test underway, we had to reach the far arena across the island. She let us flee before unleashing her monstrous rabbit beasts. Alone, with no one willing to team up, I headed out.
Other applicants surged past, some advising retreat. "Kid, go back—this trial isn't for you."
"You're insane—do you want to die here?"
I knew they were right, but their words stung—were they concerned or just mocking my humanity? Pausing to catch my breath, my body ached, no surprise given my frail stamina.
"Hey, you've barely run two minutes and you're winded? The arena's still in sight!" Melon chided.
"What can I do? I'm gasping—long runs aren't my thing," I grumbled.
I couldn't stop, so I trudged on. Melon warned my slow pace risked missing the time limit, suggesting I use Ataparag's copied Crimson Item. "Perfect, let's try it," I agreed.
Clueless about using a Crimson Item, I relied on Melon's guidance. It activated by will—if I desired speed, it would work. Grasping this, I tested it, breaking into a run. Incredibly, within five seconds, I'd covered 100 meters—then collapsed, breathless, my body screaming with double the fatigue.
"My muscles ache—cramping from that!" I groaned.
Melon explained the strain came from lacking energy to bolster my human frame against the item's toll. "So, it's useless unless I master energy control?" I asked.
He added another hurdle—my Earth origin sealed my energy source, limiting output. Even if unlocked, it wouldn't aid combat much. "Fine, I know I'm weak—give me some way to grow stronger," I pleaded.
Melon suggested methods like Rei, the famed human warrior, who used Magic Crystals—energy batteries replaceable when drained. "But those are rare and expensive here," I noted.
"True, but you need them—many Crimson Items require energy," Melon replied.
I walked on, listening, as he advised using the item every five minutes to reach the arena. "No rush—the distance isn't far; the real threat is those rabbit beasts," he said.
Soon, explosions and shouts echoed—those rabbits were close. Panicked, I overused the Crimson Item, trembling as my legs gave out. "Argh! I can't move!" I panted.
"Your fault—I warned you not to overdo it," Melon scolded.
I rested, dreading a beast encounter. Five minutes later, I passed wounded applicants battling rabbits. "Bad luck—we took the wrong path."
"Nothing to do— that's the route to the arena," they muttered.
Avoiding their fight, I veered off, only to face a swarm of small rabbits. Terrified, I ran, tripped, and fell. Expecting an attack, I froze—yet they ignored me, charging past to assault others.
"What's happening? Why aren't they attacking?" I wondered.
Melon's eyes glowed, using Great Sage. "Those wild rabbits are drawn to energy, turning aggressive. Without it, you're invisible to them."
"Lucky me, thanks to my weakness," I sighed, relieved despite knowing pain, not death, awaited here—Nyabu's kick proved that.
"So, I just need the right path," I mused.
"Don't worry—I'll guide you," Melon assured, though I worried—his Great Sage was limited to five uses daily, two already spent.
He promised alternative ways to navigate. Minutes later, I pressed on, passing warriors clashing with giant rabbits, ignoring their cries for help—those beasts could flatten me in one swipe.
"Amazing—how do those giants move so fast despite their size?" I marveled.
A shadow loomed as I looked up—massive rabbits leaped high, crashing down, shaking the ground. Panic seized me; I fled as they crushed applicants mercilessly.
"This is brutal—do they mean to kill us?" I gasped.
The rabbits spared the unconscious, perhaps sensing no threat. Running, I met a group held by rabbits. They paused, staring as I approached—awkward, but I hurried on. "Uh, keep fighting, ignore me," I mumbled, dashing off.
Overusing the Crimson Item again, I collapsed, growing accustomed to the cycle of rest and bursts. Reaching a river, I cheered, "Finally out of the forest! Melon, can I drink this?"
"It's a normal mountain stream, safe for beings, but like Earth's water, it has microbes," he warned.
"Who cares about microbes? I'm dying of thirst!" I drank eagerly, savoring the relief.
The arena loomed ahead, my knees trembling—I couldn't risk the item. I quickened my pace, hunger gnawing. Melon suggested fruit from nearby trees, safe to eat.
While picking, applicants battling rabbits stopped, stunned. "Huh?"
"Hehe, don't mind me, carry on," I said, grabbing my haul and leaving.
Their faces showed awe—a unscathed human amidst the chaos.