Forging the Path Ahead
The battle with the Female Titan had left us shaken, but there was no time to dwell on our losses. We had barely escaped, yet the looming danger was far from over. The Survey Corps had regrouped at a makeshift camp, licking our wounds and preparing for whatever came next.
A Moment to Recover
Night had fallen, casting long shadows over the camp. Despite the exhaustion, none of us could truly relax. The weight of our failure hung heavy in the air. Levi's squad had taken a hit, and while we had managed to escape with Eren, it was clear that our enemy would not stop here.
I sat by the fire, staring into the flickering flames, my mind running simulations of possible next steps. The Female Titan wasn't just a foe; she was an anomaly. A deviation in expected Titan behavior. That meant there were variables I hadn't accounted for. I needed more data.
Historia sat beside me, her usual gentle demeanor tempered by an unreadable expression. The others were scattered around, patching up wounds, sharpening weapons, or simply resting in silence.
"You look lost in thought," Historia finally spoke, her voice quiet but firm.
I glanced at her. "I'm always in thought. Just trying to piece things together."
She sighed. "You always seem like you know exactly what you're doing."
I smirked. "That's just an illusion. Intelligence is less about knowing everything and more about adapting when you know nothing."
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before she smiled slightly. "That's… reassuring, in a way."
The System's Harvest
After some time alone, I activated the Farm System. The Titans I had slain in Trost had yet to be fully utilized.
[Farm System Harvest Complete!]
[Harvested from slain Titans:]
250 System Coins 3 Skill Scrolls (D-Rank) 2 Lottery Tickets Titan Essence (Can be used for crafting or enhancements)]
I quickly used the Skill Scrolls, integrating new abilities into my arsenal.
[New Skills Acquired!]
Silent Step (D-Rank) – Your movements become quieter, making it harder for enemies to detect you. Quick Draw (D-Rank) – Increases speed and precision when drawing a weapon in combat. Weapon Mastery (D-Rank) – Increases proficiency with all melee weapons slightly.
Then, I turned my attention to the Lottery Tickets.
[First Lottery Draw…]
[Congratulations! You have obtained Advanced Combat Awareness (C-Rank)!]
[C-Rank Skill Acquired: Advanced Combat Awareness – Heightens perception and reaction speed in combat situations. Slightly improves prediction of enemy movements.]
[Second Lottery Draw…]
[Congratulations! You have obtained Reiatsu Augmentation (B-Rank)!]
[B-Rank Skill Acquired: Reiatsu Augmentation – Temporarily enhances physical capabilities by channeling Reiatsu through the body. Increases strength, speed, and durability for a short duration.]
I exhaled as a surge of power rushed through me. This was exactly what I needed—something to push me beyond my limits.
Strengthening Bonds
After checking my abilities, I returned to the others. Historia was still by the fire, but this time, she seemed lost in thought.
"Still thinking?" I asked, taking a seat beside her again.
She looked up, startled, before relaxing. "Yeah… about everything. My past, my future… what I should do."
"You've got choices," I said. "You just have to decide which one you want to take."
She hesitated. "And if I don't know which one is right?"
"Then take the one that gives you the most control over your future. Overthinking things will only slow you down."
She chuckled. "You make it sound so simple."
I shrugged. "It's not. But standing still never helped anyone."
She looked at me again, a soft expression in her eyes. "You're different from the others, Akira."
I raised an eyebrow. "That a good thing?"
She nodded. "I think so."
Preparing for the Next Fight
The next morning, Erwin gathered us to discuss our next move. The Female Titan was still a looming threat, and we needed to prepare for another battle.
Erwin stood at the center of the camp, his sharp blue eyes scanning the group. "We underestimated our enemy. That won't happen again. The plan is simple—we lay a trap, force her into an enclosed space, and neutralize her ability to transform or escape."
Levi crossed his arms. "Which means no screw-ups. We move at dawn. Be ready for anything."
As I checked my updated stats, a smirk crossed my lips. I was ready.
[Name: Akira Kurogane]
[Level: 18]
[Reiatsu: 180/180]
[Strength: 55]
[Agility: 65]
[Endurance: 60]
[Skills:]
Shunpo (C-Rank) Reiatsu Pressure (C-Rank) Rapid Regeneration (B-Rank) Reiatsu Augmentation (B-Rank) Advanced Combat Awareness (C-Rank) Silent Step (D-Rank) Quick Draw (D-Rank) Weapon Mastery (D-Rank)
The war against the Titans was far from over. But this time, I wasn't just fighting to survive—I was fighting to take control of the battlefield itself.