Chapter 76 A New Goal in Levi's Squad

"Yes, since you've joined the Levi Squad, we'll be partners from now on. Let's work hard together," Elder King said warmly. "I'm Elder King, this is Genta Schultz, and that guy over there is Oluo Bozart. Don't be intimidated by his tough demeanor—he's actually quite amusing!"

As the squad gathered, they welcomed Ryo and Mikasa into their fold.

Ryo extended a polite smile, shaking hands with each of them. "Hello, seniors. We're new here, and we hope to learn from you and work well together."

Mikasa followed his lead, bowing respectfully, and her composed demeanor impressed the group.

Seeing their humility and good manners, the members of Levi's Squad exchanged relieved glances. They had worried that Ryo and Mikasa, being exceptionally skilled, might cause trouble or have inflated egos. However, their respectful attitude eased those concerns.

Elder clapped Ryo on the shoulder. "No problem at all. We're teammates now, so no need to be overly formal. Let me show you around and explain a few things about our squad."

He led Ryo and Mikasa through their quarters, explaining the team's duties. "Our primary task is to handle the most dangerous Titans, like the Aberrants. These are faster, smarter, and deadlier than the average Titan. Eliminating them is critical to ensuring the safety of the main force during expeditions. Because of this, our squad sees more battles than any other."

Elder's words were meant as a warning, but Oluo saw an opportunity to boast. "Bah, Elder, you're making it sound too grim. Listen, rookies! The Titans aren't that tough once you've got skill. Take me, for example—I've personally taken down 39 Titans! Impressed, aren't you?"

Mikasa's eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed, but Ryo maintained a calm expression.

"Thirty-nine Titans? That's quite a record," Ryo acknowledged, though his mind was elsewhere. He already knew of the incredible feats achieved by Levi's Squad, and Oluo's boasting wasn't surprising. What intrigued him was the captain himself—Levi Ackerman.

"And what about Captain Levi's record?" Ryo asked, tilting his head inquisitively.

Oluo's smug grin faded as he realized Ryo wasn't giving him the praise he had hoped for. "Why do you care so much about the Captain's record?" he muttered, clearly annoyed.

Ignoring him, Ryo turned to Petra. "Sister Petra, do you know?"

Petra chuckled lightly. "The Captain's record? No one knows the exact number. He's been fighting Titans long before any of us joined. But one thing is certain—the number of Titans he's taken down is greater than all four of us combined."

Her voice carried a tone of admiration, and her gaze softened when speaking of Levi. It was clear she idolized him, and perhaps there was even a hint of unspoken affection.

Ryo nodded thoughtfully. "That's incredible. Truly awe-inspiring."

As Petra continued to talk about Levi's unmatched skill, Ryo's mind drifted briefly. He remembered her tragic fate in the original timeline, the unyielding loyalty that ultimately led to her end. Seeing her now, full of life and enthusiasm, filled him with determination to change the future.

"Well," Ryo suddenly said, breaking the moment of reflection. "Since surpassing the Captain isn't measurable, I'll set a smaller goal for myself."

The squad turned their attention to him, curiosity lighting their faces. "What goal?" Elder asked.

Ryo grinned, his voice confident and steady. "For my first expedition, I'll take down 100 Titans."

The room fell silent. Then, after a moment, Oluo snorted. "One hundred Titans? Kid, don't get cocky."

But Petra and Elder exchanged knowing smiles. There was something about Ryo's tone and demeanor that made them believe he wasn't joking.

"Well," Petra said, "if anyone could do it, it might just be you."

Ryo's grin widened, his determination evident. "Let's see if I can make it happen."

The atmosphere in Levi's Squad was lighter now, and Ryo felt a spark of camaraderie forming. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he was ready to face them—with Mikasa by his side and a squad he could count on.