Shadows of the Past, Storms of the Future

The days after Annie's capture passed in a strange haze. The Survey Corps had barely caught their breath, yet the tension in the air remained thick, suffocating. Victory had come at a cost, and with Annie frozen in her crystal, too many questions remained unanswered.

For me, it was the perfect time to prepare.

The System's Call

[Necessary Dungeon Progression Detected] [Difficulty Increasing] [New Threats Incoming]

I frowned at the notification. New threats? That wasn't good. My actions were already altering the dungeon's evolution. The system was pushing back.

[Titans are no longer your only enemies. Beware the hands that move in the shadows.]

I exhaled slowly. So, it begins. If things were accelerating, that meant the conspiracies, the true war behind the walls, would be creeping in sooner. Kenny's squad, the political upheaval, and, eventually, the truth hidden beneath Shiganshina. The Beast Titan wasn't far off either.

I needed to get stronger. Fast.

System Farm: Beyond the Limits

I entered the System Farm immediately after receiving the notification. The air was thick with residual energy from my last training session. My Reiatsu was stronger than ever, and my mastery over Getsuga Tenshō had improved. But I needed more than just brute force.

[New Training Mode Unlocked: Combat Simulation] [Would you like to battle AI-generated opponents?]

I grinned. Perfect.

I selected 'Yes' and the farm shifted, morphing into a battlefield. Three figures emerged—each one a replica of an ODM-equipped soldier, armed with dual blades.

They attacked without hesitation.

My knife met their swords with a sharp clang, sparks flying as I dodged, weaved, and struck back. Unlike Titans, these enemies were fast, unpredictable. I could handle them, but they forced me to refine my Reiatsu Flow—pushing me to blend raw power with calculated movement. Every slash, every step became sharper, more efficient.

[Combat Adaptation Achieved] [New Passive Skill Unlocked: Reiatsu Combat Sense] [Your Reiatsu now instinctively enhances your battle awareness, predicting attacks before they land.]

I exhaled, my heartbeat steady. This was what I needed.

Unavoidable Encounters

After leaving the System Farm, I stepped out into the real world, only to run into Levi.

His sharp gaze studied me, calculating. "You're different."

I met his stare, unfazed. "People change."

"Tch." He crossed his arms. "You fight like you've seen more battles than you should've."

I smirked. "Maybe I have."

He didn't press further, but I knew Levi wasn't the type to let things slide. He'd be watching.

I wasn't the only one getting suspicious looks. Historia had been keeping an eye on me, and I could feel her gaze whenever I moved through HQ. Something told me she'd ask questions soon.

For now, I had other things to focus on.

The Shadows Move

The first sign that things were escalating came in the form of a missing Scout. Disappeared during routine patrol. The second sign? Increased Military Police presence.

Then came the inevitable.

[New Quest: Survive the Assassins] [Objective: Evade or eliminate the Anti-Survey Corps Operatives]

I barely had time to react before I heard the faintest sound of movement—too fast for a normal soldier.

I dodged just as a blade sliced through the air where my neck had been.

Three figures in black cloaks, ODM gear gleaming under the moonlight. Assassins. Not Titans. Human threats.

I grinned, adrenaline surging. Finally, some real opponents.

The fight was brutal, fast, and unlike any battle before. They weren't mindless beasts—I couldn't overpower them with raw strength. They fought with precision, trying to kill me in a single, clean strike.

I adapted quickly, my Reiatsu Combat Sense flaring. My body moved on instinct, dodging the first strike, countering the second. My knife met steel, parrying a lethal thrust before I struck back with Getsuga Burst.

A dark crescent of energy shredded through the air, forcing them to retreat.

"Who sent you?" I asked, my voice calm.

They didn't answer. One of them vanished into the night, while the remaining two lunged again.

I didn't hold back this time.

By the time it was over, one assassin lay unconscious, the other barely breathing. I loomed over the survivor, pressing my blade to his throat. "You don't get to die yet. Talk."

He coughed, blood trailing from his lips. "T-this isn't over…"

I felt a shift in the dungeon—like a storm was coming. And I knew he was right.

This was just the beginning.

The Path Forward

The next day, Erwin called for an emergency meeting.

"We have enemies within our walls," he said, his voice firm. "Titans are not the only threat. Be prepared for anything."

His eyes met mine briefly. He knew something was off about me. But like Levi, he didn't press—not yet.

As I left the meeting, Historia caught up to me. "You disappeared again last night."

I gave her a half-smile. "I have my reasons."

She hesitated. "Be careful."

I nodded. "You too."

System Notification

[Dungeon Evolution Complete.] [Next Major Event: The Beast Titan Approaches.]

I clenched my fists. It was happening sooner than expected.

Good.

I was ready.