The Monster Within?

Akira stood among the scattered bodies and debris, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The battle had been fierce, but the Titans weren't done yet. The Survey Corps and the remaining recruits were barely holding on, and the sense of dread in the air was almost suffocating.

He stole a glance at Eren, who had just been swallowed whole by a Titan. The scene was burned into Akira's memory, yet he had to act as if he didn't know what was coming. His clenched fists trembled, not out of fear, but out of restraint. If he interfered too much, things might spiral beyond his control.

System Notification: [You have gained 1,500 XP for surviving a large-scale Titan attack.]

System Notification: [New Title Earned: "Battle Survivor" - Slight boost to stamina recovery in combat.]

Akira exhaled sharply. The system always had a way of throwing in rewards that seemed minuscule but were bound to stack up in usefulness later. He focused back on the battlefield. Armin was frozen in place, staring at the blood-soaked ground where Eren had been. Mikasa, on the other hand, looked completely blank—a sign of an impending storm.

"I have to find Eren," Mikasa said suddenly, her voice eerily calm.

Akira stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Right now, we need to survive. If we die here, we won't be able to do anything for him."

Mikasa turned to look at him, her dark eyes burning with intensity. "You don't understand. I can't lose him."

"I do understand," Akira responded softly. "But you're not the only one who cares about Eren. We all do."

For a moment, Mikasa hesitated before nodding. She took off in the direction of the remaining forces, looking for a way to push forward.

Meanwhile, the Titans continued their relentless assault. Civilians screamed in the distance, and the stench of blood filled the air. Akira tightened his grip on his blade. Despite the chaos, he remained eerily calm, analyzing everything around him.

He activated Observe on the nearest Titan.

[Abnormal Titan - 8 Meters Tall]

[Strength: High]

[Speed: Moderate]

[Weakness: Nape]

[Status: Engaged in combat]

'No unique traits,' Akira thought as he moved swiftly, slicing through its Achilles tendon before delivering a precise cut to the nape. The Titan collapsed instantly. The system pinged him again, but he barely paid it any attention.

Armin was struggling nearby, his hands trembling as he tried to reload his gas canisters. "Akira!" he called out desperately. "I—"

Akira was already moving, dashing past Armin and skewering the Titan that was reaching for him. The blade cut cleanly, spraying steam as the Titan disintegrated.

"Stay close, Armin," Akira said firmly. "I'll cover you."

Armin nodded shakily, his fear evident. But there was something else in his eyes—determination.

As the battle raged on, a massive explosion shook the area. Akira turned in time to see the colossal form of a new Titan emerging from the remains of another—Eren's Titan.

Mikasa skidded to a stop next to him, her eyes widening. "Eren…?"

Akira kept his expression neutral. This was it—the turning point.

System Notification: [Event Triggered: "The Rise of the Rogue Titan"]

System Notification: [Special Quest: Observe and Survive - Survive the appearance of the Rogue Titan and witness its actions. Reward: +3 to Intelligence, Rare Skill Scroll.]

'Interesting…' Akira mused. The system had begun adjusting itself to major story events.

"Stay back," he warned Armin and Mikasa. "Let's see what happens."

They watched as Eren's Titan form roared, tearing through the enemy Titans with ease. For the first time, the tide of battle shifted in humanity's favor.

Akira narrowed his eyes, analyzing everything. This was no ordinary transformation—this was a declaration. The era of passive survival was ending, and the true war was about to begin.

As he gazed at the chaos before him, his lips curled into a slight smirk. This world was only getting more interesting.

The battlefield quieted slightly as the remaining Titans faltered in their assault, confused by the appearance of the Rogue Titan. It was almost poetic—humanity's greatest enemy now fighting in their defense.

Akira surveyed the area, his sharp mind calculating their next move. This is the perfect time to regroup.

He turned to Armin. "We need to get everyone still standing and retreat. The Titans are distracted, but that won't last forever."

Armin hesitated before nodding. "Right. I'll find the others."

Akira turned to Mikasa, who was still staring at Eren's Titan with a look of disbelief mixed with longing. He gently nudged her shoulder. "He's alive. That's all that matters right now. Let's not waste this chance."

Mikasa exhaled and finally tore her gaze away. "You're right."

As they moved, Akira spotted a group of soldiers cornered by an Abnormal Titan. Their gas was depleted, leaving them defenseless. Damn it.

System Notification: [Side Quest Triggered: "Hero's Intervention" - Save the trapped soldiers. Reward: +2 to Dexterity, Uncommon Equipment Drop.]

Akira didn't hesitate. He adjusted his trajectory and shot forward, his blade cutting through the wind. He landed behind the Titan, slicing through the tendons before driving his weapon into its nape.

The soldiers looked at him in shock as the massive body collapsed.

"You're still alive?" one of them gasped. "We thought we were done for."

Akira smirked. "Not today. Can you still fight?"

"We're out of gas."

Akira checked his inventory and tossed them spare canisters. "Then reload fast. We're getting out of here."

One of them, a young recruit, fumbled with his gear before looking up at Akira in awe. "Who are you?"

Akira merely grinned. "Just another soldier trying to survive. Now move."

They regrouped with the others, and as they escaped the battlefield, Akira noticed something curious—his Affection Meter had updated.

[Armin: +15 Affection (Grateful)]

[Mikasa: +10 Affection (Trusting)]

[Random Soldier: +5 Affection (Respect)]

So that's how it works, huh? Akira chuckled to himself. Entertaining, indeed.

As they reached the safety of the inner walls, the weight of the battle settled over them. They had survived—barely. But this was only the beginning.