Sharpening the Blade, Preparing for the Storm

The silence after battle always felt unnatural. The Survey Corps had returned to headquarters, weary but victorious. The operation had been a success—Annie Leonhart, the Female Titan, was captured. Yet, even as Erwin and the higher-ups debriefed the mission, I couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't over. Not by a long shot.

A System Reward Worth the Bloodshed

[Mission Complete!] [EXP Gained: 12,500] [Level Up!] [New Level: 20] [Skill Upgrade: Reiatsu Augmentation → Advanced Reiatsu Augmentation (A-Rank)]

The rush of leveling up flooded my body with renewed energy. My Reiatsu had evolved, becoming more condensed and potent. It was no longer just a simple enhancement—it was a refined force, like tempered steel compared to raw iron.

And then another notification popped up.

[Special Reward Unlocked: New Skill Draw] [You have obtained: Getsuga Tenshō (B-Rank)]

I blinked. No way. That was Ichigo Kurosaki's iconic attack in Bleach—a devastating crescent-shaped slash of compressed spiritual energy. With my current build, it was going to be lethal in close combat.

I clenched my fists, feeling the static crackle of Reiatsu humming beneath my skin. My body was changing, growing stronger with every battle. But I wasn't going to be reckless—I needed to refine my control, push my limits in a controlled environment. And I had just the place for that.

Training in the System Farm

After the debriefing, I slipped away unnoticed. Historia had been watching me a lot lately, but thankfully, she was occupied with the aftermath of the mission. I found a secluded spot and activated the system.

[Enter System Farm?] [Y/N]

I selected 'Yes,' and the world shifted. The cold stone walls of the Survey Corps HQ vanished, replaced by the vibrant expanse of my personal training ground. Lush green fields stretched in every direction, the air crisp and clean. A place untouched by war or Titans—perfect for honing my craft.

I unsheathed my knife and took a steady breath, centering myself. My new skill needed testing.

[Activating Getsuga Tenshō (B-Rank)]

A surge of power gathered at the edge of my blade, crackling with dark energy. I slashed forward, and a crescent-shaped wave of condensed Reiatsu shot outward, tearing through the earth. The force behind it sent a shockwave rippling across the field, uprooting plants and sending dirt flying.

I exhaled, a slow grin spreading across my face. This was going to be fun.

For the next few hours, I refined my control over Getsuga Tenshō. Unlike Ichigo, I wasn't wielding a massive sword, so I had to modify my approach. Instead of swinging with raw force, I focused on efficiency—shorter, faster slashes that delivered precision strikes. I also experimented with condensing the attack into smaller bursts, using less energy but maintaining cutting power.

[Skill Mastery Increased] [New Variation Unlocked: Getsuga Burst] [A compact version of Getsuga Tenshō that can be fired in rapid succession. Less powerful but faster and consumes less Reiatsu.]

That was exactly what I needed—something I could use without draining myself in long battles.

Refining My Reiatsu Control

Once I had the new technique down, I shifted my focus to my Reiatsu itself. With Advanced Reiatsu Augmentation, my energy had become more refined, but I needed to push it further. If I could control it better, I could increase my overall combat efficiency without relying too much on brute force.

I sat cross-legged in the center of the field, closing my eyes and focusing inward. My Reiatsu was like a wild storm, powerful but untamed. I needed to shape it, guide it like a flowing river instead of letting it explode outward aimlessly.

Minutes turned into hours as I practiced control. I cycled the energy through my body, directing it to different limbs, testing how it enhanced my speed, strength, and reflexes. With each cycle, I gained more finesse.

[Reiatsu Mastery Increased] [New Passive Skill: Reiatsu Flow] [Your Reiatsu now strengthens your body naturally, increasing durability and stamina over time.]

A passive boost? That was exactly what I needed. If I could maintain a constant flow of Reiatsu through my muscles, I'd be able to fight longer without exhausting myself. This was a game-changer.

A Conversation with Historia

After returning from the System Farm, I found myself wandering the halls of HQ. Most of the Survey Corps was resting, but a familiar presence stopped me in my tracks.

Historia.

She stood near one of the windows, arms crossed, looking out at the city below. When she noticed me, she sighed. "You disappeared again."

I smirked. "Missed me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Just… wondering what you're up to. You always vanish after big missions."

I leaned against the wall beside her. "Had some things to think about."

She studied me for a moment before speaking again. "You're different, Akira. Stronger. But… also distant."

I didn't respond immediately. I wasn't the type to open up easily. Instead, I shifted the conversation. "You handled yourself well out there."

She scoffed. "Barely. I felt useless."

I shook my head. "You're stronger than you think. And you're only going to get stronger."

She bit her lip, as if debating something, then finally said, "Just… don't die, okay?"

I grinned. "Not planning on it."

Preparing for What's Next

The battle with Annie was over, but the war wasn't. I knew what was coming—the next major confrontation wasn't far off. The Beast Titan, the basement, the secrets that would unravel everything.

I wasn't here to play hero, but I wasn't going to stand on the sidelines either. The stronger I became, the more freedom I had to shape my own fate in this world.

As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I checked my system notifications one last time.

[Stats Updated] [New Skill Acquired] [Next Dungeon Available Soon]

A new dungeon, huh? That meant more experience, more skills, and more chances to grow.

I closed my eyes, a smirk on my lips.

I was ready.

...................

Guys, what's your choice for the next dungeon after AoT? 

A. Demon Slayer – More swords, more blood, now with demons. 

B. Harry Potter – Chill a bit, learn magic, maybe mess with Snape. 

C. Tokyo Ghoul – Eat or get eaten. Simple. 

Comment below if your choice is not listed here.

What's the vibe?