Nathaniel's Point of View**
In a dimly lit room, Eskapa officials watched the island's events unfold, monitoring each applicant's moves. Many were ensnared in webs, some wounded and carried back by soldiers for treatment. The response to the injured was swift, pulling them from the trial.
"I'm losing hope—few can handle those tarantulas," Ruri sighed.
"Better some than none—those spiders' numbers aren't a joke, even if they're easy to kill," Kyros countered.
A few applicants, mostly Beta-class with combat skills, returned with eggs. Minutes later, a soldier's shout broke the silence. "We have a problem—Red Star Giant Tarantulas are loose near the forest's edge, attacking applicants!"
They explained these Class A beasts, unlike other spiders, aggressively defended their territory. Recognizing the danger— these killers posed a threat—Kyros ordered soldiers to hasten evacuations and stop the tarantulas from claiming lives. "Commander, two Red Tarantulas are attacking!" a soldier reported.
"What? Show me on screen," Kyros demanded.
The feed revealed the tarantulas swatting the Wild Fox Spirit aside, crashing her into a tree. "Her situation's dire—hurry and help her!" Kyros barked.
"We're contacting nearby troops," a soldier replied.
"They won't make it," Pyun interjected grimly.
Helpless, they watched as a tarantula loomed over her. Then, a figure dashed toward it—me, running fearlessly. "Commander, a human's approaching the spider!" a soldier exclaimed.
"Huh? Him again? What's he doing now?" Pyun muttered.
"Hey, he's asking to die!" Kyros laughed nervously.
On screen, I stepped before the spider, blocking its leg with my body. Instead of piercing me, I was flung, rolling across the ground. "Wait, what happened?" they gasped.
Shock rippled as I rose, unscathed, as if the blow hadn't touched me. "This is strange—he took a direct hit but shows no damage," Ruri murmured.
Intrigued, they studied me, eager to unravel my power. Though silent, their faces betrayed fascination with my enigma.
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In the forest, I stood facing the towering tarantulas, heart pounding. "What have I gotten into? My plan worked, but how do I fight these?" I wondered.
Protected from lethal strikes, I'd survived, yet regretted my rash choice. Even if death eluded me, battling the spiders felt impossible— was my heroism worth it? I noticed my medallion, shattered by the leg's impact, lying in pieces.
"But I must save her first. Yes, I need to get her out," I resolved.
The Wild Fox Spirit, watching, gaped at the golden energy she'd glimpsed around me earlier. "What was that? A golden aura—my imagination? And why no wounds? That leg should've impaled him without protection," she thought, baffled by my reckless shield.
The tarantula moved to strike again. She tried to help but her legs wouldn't budge. "I can't move," she whispered. "Run! Leave me!" she shouted.
Its attack came fast. I activated my Crimson Item, dodging past her, slipping and falling—still unaccustomed to its speed. Scrambling, I reached her, helping her up. She saw my labored breathing, confirming my human limits, and noticed the glowing earring— a Crimson Item—yet knew I lacked control.
"What are you doing? I told you to leave!" she snapped.
"I will, but I'm taking you with me," I insisted.
Before she could argue, another tarantula lunged. I hoisted her onto my back, fleeing with the Crimson Item. I evaded the strike, but unaccustomed to carrying weight, I stumbled, both of us tumbling.
"Sorry," I apologized, wincing as pain shot through my feet from the fall. Still, I hid my weakness—we were short on time. "Climb on my back," I offered.
She refused. "We don't let humans like you touch us," she said.
"What nonsense— you're dying and still picky?" I retorted.
I explained my struggle to run while carrying her, suggesting my back was safer. "I don't know how long my Crimson Item will last—please cooperate," I urged.
A magical orb floated near, Eskapa's eye and ear in the forest. "You two, can you hear me?" it asked.
"Commander Kyros?" I replied.
"Yes—can you still run? Head east, cross the river out of their territory, and they won't follow," he instructed.
Relieved, I thanked him. "There's hope—let's hurry," I said.
She tried to move but her arms froze, the tarantulas' paralyzing venom taking hold. "Their poison's spreading—leave me and save yourself," she pleaded.
Shocked, I refused, frustrated by her insistence. "I risked my life, played the fool to save you—I won't let that go to waste," I argued.
She knew my weakness offered no guarantee of reaching the river, believing a human should prioritize survival over her, given her greater resilience. "You don't need to help me—you're weaker. Save yourself," she said, pushing my hand away.
"Huh?" I grimaced, dismayed by her stubbornness despite my efforts.
Time ran thin. Desperate, I cupped her fox-like cheeks. "Listen, I didn't come to die—I'm here to live long. So what if a human saves you? Race or strength doesn't matter."
I explained that helping the needy doesn't require power—compassion stems from the heart. "I'm weak, the lowest of beings, but humans can decide and save in our own way. I believe I must do this, even if it's madness."
"And it's not wrong to seek help. Instead of accepting death, trust me. If you're surrendering, entrust your life to me—I'll find a way to save you," I pleaded.
Stunned, she fell silent as I pulled her onto my back. Despite my resolve, my knees trembled, the earlier fall aggravating my foot wound. "My feet ache—I've got one run left, but I must save her no matter what," I thought.
I recalled her destined death by these spiders in my comic's trial account. "I'll save you and change your fate," I vowed.
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