Chapter 101 The Record Breaker

"That's about right. It matches the reports I've received from other eyewitnesses," Petra nodded, smiling. "And after examining the Titans' wounds, it all lines up. The evidence confirms the accuracy of their statements."

Defeating six Titans in one battle was an impressive feat. With over 200 soldiers in the Survey Corps taking down 70 Titans in total, Oruo alone accounted for nearly one-tenth of the kills. This achievement solidified his position as one of the most efficient Titan killers in the squad.

Oruo's strength was undeniable. While not quite on par with Captain Levi or Ryo, his boldness and knack for identifying Titan weaknesses set him apart. His reckless yet effective combat style enabled him to land devastating blows when it mattered most.

For this reason, when Levi was unavailable, Oruo often served as the tactical core of the squad, while Petra handled command responsibilities. With his experience and instinct, it was no surprise that his subjugation record remained unmatched among the team.

"Thirty-nine subjugations plus the six from this battle. Oruo, congratulations on defending your first place!" Petra said with a grin as she updated the tally in her notebook.

Oruo exhaled a small sigh of relief, grateful to maintain his lead. But he couldn't ignore a nagging worry—Ryo. This new recruit was fighting outside the city for the first time, yet he had already proven himself by taking down multiple Titans, including abnormal ones. Oruo knew that if Ryo kept up this pace, it wouldn't be long before his record was overtaken.

"Heh, you're incredible, Oruo. Aside from Captain Levi, you're probably the first in the Survey Corps to surpass 40 Titan subjugations!" Elder teased, nudging him playfully. "Such a big achievement deserves a celebration, right? A feast? Drinks on you?"

Oruo snorted. "Not happening. My salary barely keeps me afloat. You think I have money for that?"

Elder laughed but then asked, "Alright, but who's in second place?"

Historically, second place had always belonged to Captain Miche. Though second only to Levi in strength, Miche wasn't focused on subjugation numbers, leaving his record slightly behind Oruo's. However, his assist count was unparalleled—128 Titans killed with his support, a record unlikely to ever be broken.

Petra flipped through her notes. "Let's see... Captain Miche defeated three Titans this time, Captain Levi got 12, Mikasa defeated five, and Ryo—wait, 21? Is this number correct?"

Her voice faltered as she read the number aloud, and everyone nearby froze. Even the usually quiet Gunther spoke up, "Twenty-one Titans? In one battle?"

Petra hesitated. "I'm not sure... We'll need to confirm it with him. Oh, look, here he comes now. Perfect timing!"

Ryo had overheard their conversation as he approached on horseback. "Twenty-one?" he thought. The number seemed excessive, but he had lost track during the battle.

"What's going on, Petra?" Ryo asked as he rode closer.

"How many Titans did you kill in the forest battle?" she asked directly.

"Uh..." Ryo scratched his head. "I didn't keep count, but it's probably around 18 or 19."

Petra tilted her head. "Eighteen or nineteen? You're not sure?"

"I don't really focus on numbers during a fight," Ryo admitted with a sheepish smile. "But yeah, that sounds about right."

The others exchanged stunned glances. Even Oruo's usual smug expression faltered, replaced with concern.

Petra then asked, "When you kill Titans, do you use a dual-sword technique that creates V-shaped cuts?"

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's right. My left hand isn't as strong, so I use a pressure-slash method. It leaves a V-shaped wound."

Petra nodded, her suspicions confirmed. She had examined several Titans' corpses and noted the unique wounds. While only a few in the Corps could wield dual blades effectively, none had left marks quite like these. It had to be Ryo.

As Ryo rode off to tend to his duties, the group was left in awe. Oruo, especially, seemed troubled. For the first time, his position as the top Titan subjugator felt genuinely threatened.

Meanwhile, Ryo wasn't thinking about rankings. Instead, his mind wandered to practical concerns. "Do they reward us for killing Titans? Maybe with money?" He chuckled quietly to himself, thinking about his financial troubles. He still owed money for the engagement ring he had purchased—an obligation he refused to neglect, no matter how tight his funds were.

And so, as the Survey Corps prepared to regroup, the numbers were clear: a new contender had emerged, one whose potential could shift the balance of power within the squad.