Chapter 5

Eren and Jack took down the giant wolf-like creature, striking its core to end the fight.

Jack, though badly wounded by a claw swipe, recovered swiftly.

Eren's sharp mind spotted the weakness, and together, they claimed the key to the massive door in the center tunnel.

Jack : Let's head back to the middle tunnel now. Shall we?

Eren : Let's go then!

Both of them walked back to the junction, already knowing where to head next.

It was the middle tunnel—the place where the huge door stood.

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Eren : We're finally here.

Jack : It took us a while to reach here.

Don't you something unusual?

Eren : Huh? What is it?

Jack : The distance, it seems changed.

Eren : Actually, I don't feel like it.

Jack : Well, whatever... just open this door.

Eren inserts the key into the lock of the huge door. A noise echoes as it unlocks.

Jack pushes the door.

Both of them see another door ahead.

Did it have another lock or not?

Who knows.

Jack : You're kidding me... there's another door!?

It revealed a room empty except for a path leading to the next door.

Pillars supported the ceiling.

But why was there a clinking sound when no monsters were in sight, and only two unarmored people stood there?

Eren : Your hearing that?

Jack : Yup,... seems like another trouble gonna rise.

As expected, two armored knights emerged from the pillars.

They had likely been hiding, waiting to strike once the two reached the door.

These creatures, clad in armor, resembled knights, each wielding a sword.

Eren : And their even holding swords? How are we supposed to fight those things when we don't even have a shield!

Jack : Hey, seems like they are approaching us.

The knights slowly approached, likely planning to slaughter them.

They seemed like beings with no intention to speak—or perhaps, unable to.

Jack : Hey Eren, you think you can find the weak spots of these knight looking figures? And can I have that dagger?

Eren : Your planning to engage in combat?

Jack : Yup.

Eren : Then have it, I'll need time to figure out.

I was trusted by him just to find out their weak spots? Ughh... no wonder I didn't contributed anything in combat other than acting as a clueless guide...

Eren hands his dagger to Jack.

Jack removes both scabbards from the daggers and hands them back to Eren.

Jack puts his hands to Eren's shoulder and speaks—

Jack : Please don't take that much time finding the weak spots. You'll technically guide me and I'll defeat this two knights while risking my life.

Eren : He indeed trusts me!?

Uhmm... alright!

Both of our lives are dependent on him!

Eren felt disappointed that he couldn't slay anyone.

Even the goblin-like creatures, possibly weaker than the wolf-like beasts, had to be killed for self-preservation.

Jack did it to protect his life, but Eren was frustrated with his own weakness, unable to contribute in these moments.

Eren : Right... how must I have forgotten that we both teamed up to escape this place.

I was the one who made him fall into the trap, but I care about my life. I have to come alive otherwise he would be worried about me.

The pathway between the unlocked huge door and the one yet to be opened stretched about 30 meters.

The knights had appeared from the pillars near the locked door, and from Jack's perspective, he was only 10 meters away before he and the knights would clash in close combat.

Jack swallowed his dry saliva, unsure whether the two knights possessed intelligence or were simply programmed to eliminate intruders.

Jack : Here it comes!

The first knight swung its sword at Jack—and so did the second.

But Jack, luckily, dodged both strikes at once.

He countered with a dual dagger strike at the knight on the right, but the blades couldn't pierce or even scratch the metal surface.

Another slash came—he dodged again.

Now, his plan was simple: keep running until Eren figured something out.

Jack : FIGURED OUT SOMETHING!?

Jack's voice came out in a shocked tone.

Eren : Not yet!

Is there any cavities that can be found?

Technically, each knight's armor covered around 97 to 99% of their body, just like in historical records where knights fought for their empires.

That missing 1%? It was likely near the helmet.

A small cavity near the neck—that was the weak spot.

Eren's mind clicked, and he shouted back with the answer on how to defeat the knights.

Eren : HEY JACK, CAN YOU STRIKE NEAR THE NECK PART OF THOSE KNIGHTS?

Jack : ALRIGHT!

Jack was still running, dodging every sword strike thrown his way.

Yes, he managed to evade them all.

With Eren's answer ringing in his ears, he turned back and aimed straight for the neck of one knight.

He struck—though not much happened at first.

But then, black blood dripped from the spot where his dagger hit near the knight's neck.

Jack : Bingo.

Jack grins as he sees some kind blood like liquid coming out of its neck.

Jack : That boy have a good intelligence their. Hope I can use it to escape.

The unharmed knight slashed—but as usual, Jack evaded it.

Now, he was preparing to do the same thing again.

He came to the position where he can strike.

~"Shhhrrkk!"

Jack : Eren... your mind's something I can use. It's impressive.

A successful strike—one of the knights was decapitated, its head falling clean off.

That confirmed Eren's hunch: there was a cavity near the helmet's neck.

The second knight froze in place, possibly calculating its next move to kill Jack.

But then, its gaze shifted—locking onto Eren.

Eren : Why is it looking to me? Am I the target now?

Just after the knight looked at Eren, it changed its target.

Now, Eren—who hadn't even joined the fight—was its focus.

Even Jack was surprised that he was no longer the one being hunted.

Jack : I ain't the target now!

Eren : OH GOSH!

The knight charged toward Eren, sword raised to slice him down.

No wonder—they didn't just focus on the one fighting them.

Eren was the one who had figured out their weak spots.

Eren : I HAVE TO RUN!

But in that moment, as Eren turned his head back, black blood splattered onto his backpack.

The knight had been slain—Jack's strike landed clean on its neck.

Jack : Well... that comes to an end. Hope there's nothing to fight against now.

Eren : I hope so as well.

Jack : These knights also doesn't have scabbards for their sword as well. I don't think I want to carry this swords for the next time we are against something.

Give me the scabbards of the daggers as well. Pockets are something where these daggers can't be carried on.

Eren took out the scabbards of both daggers and handed them to Jack.

Jack sheathed the daggers and tucked them into Eren's backpack.

Then, Eren pointed toward the huge door.

Eren : Shall we go there?

Jack : We have to, no choice left.

Both of them approached the huge door, the one they were meant to unlock.

Surprisingly, it had no locks at all.

Eren : Guess we no longer need a key now to open this.

Jack pushed the huge door with all his strength.

In that moment, their eyes widened at what was revealed.

A room with a giant red orb floating in the center.

Eren : What is this place!?

Jack : I have no clue either...

In front of their eyes stood a statue, holding a large stone tablet.

And that sight shocked them.

The tablet had words written in English—and they were readable!

Jack : Hey Eren, is this place a trap?

Eren : I don't know as well...

"Behold the great crimson orb that lies at the heart of this realm. Its presence harbors a power beyond measure, a force reserved for those of the highest tier."

Jack : So that means? If we touch that glowing orb, we would receive some special powers that is reserved for someone that is somewhat strong like a God?

Eren : Guess we have to check it out.

Both Eren and Jack approached the giant crimson orb. But there, beside it, was another tablet, also inscribed in English, which read:

"Only one hand shall make contact with the crimson orb."

Jack : So only one of us should touch this orb then?

Eren : Hey Jack, I think you touch it. We are unaware about the fact that what could be the consequences when both of us touch this orb together.

Jack : You're right... but why you asked me to touch it?

Eren : It's better for someone like you who have protect pathetic people like me who couldn't contribute anything while fighting these creatures.

Jack : Don't say that,... you technically worked like a guide to me.

Eren : Those are some appreciation given to me other than him!?

I am glad to hear that...

In the end, Eren couldn't help but feel weak, always protected by Jack.

Jack had to slay all the creatures, while Eren could do little more than find their weak spots.

Yet, the fact that Jack still appreciated him warmed his heart.

Because Jack was only the second person in his life to thank him for something.

Jack : Alright then... guess I'll touch this orb then.

Jack placed his right hand on the orb.

The crimson orb began to glow brighter.

Lines appeared throughout the room, accompanied by mysterious sounds.

Jack's aura once again became visible from Eren's perspective.

Eren : It's that aura of Jack again emitting from his body. Could he still not see those radiating aura of himself?

But then, in that moment—

the floor darkened, almost as if it had turned into something one could fall through.

Unexpectedly, Eren began to fall.

But Jack… he wasn't. He was levitating.

Why wasn't he falling too?

Eren : JACKKKK!!!