Chapter 21: Launching the Final Assault

The corpse of the abnormal titan slowly toppled, and as its heavy body crashed onto the ground, a muffled boom echoed out, sending tremors through the earth and leaving behind several terrifying, worm-like cracks that made one’s heart quiver. Yet no matter how much fear lingered, the abnormal titan was dead.

Though the duel between Sikong Xu and the abnormal titan had been decided in a mere instant, the danger was far from simple. Had he faltered even slightly at any step, Sikong Xu would likely have been the one to die.

He shook his head, flinging off the blood clinging to his steel blade, and glanced warily at the titan’s corpse, still shaken by what had just transpired.

As the abnormal titan died, thick white steam began to billow from its body, carrying a faint heat that swept over Sikong Xu’s face, causing him to frown slightly.

Upon death, every organ and tissue in a titan’s body would dissolve into voluminous, scalding vapor until nothing remained—a trait common to all titans. This very trait, in fact, had long hindered humanity’s research into the titans. If one could not study their remains, the only way to learn about them was to capture a living titan—an endeavor fraught with peril. But this was not a concern Sikong Xu needed to trouble himself with.

“Abnormal titan slain. Award: 10 academic credits.”

The cold, mechanical voice rang in his mind the moment he felled the abnormal titan. With this, Sikong Xu’s accumulated academic credits finally reached a proud total of 250—a number he found auspicious.

A faint smile played at his lips. The exhilaration of possessing such power was a pleasure he had never known before; for a fleeting moment, Sikong Xu even felt as if he alone could rule over heaven and earth.

But he quickly suppressed the sensation. He understood this was merely an illusion born from his sudden transformation from a useless weakling to a titan-slaying powerhouse.

Such illusions were perilous. If he let himself be swept up in them, he risked losing his mind, causing his mental state to lag behind his growing power and turning him into a madman obsessed with strength, willing to do anything for greater might.

He took a deep breath. Thankfully, he possessed the “Infinite Martial Refinement” ability, which perfectly blended mind, technique, and body. This power had elevated his mental state to its zenith; otherwise, he might truly have lost himself to the intoxication of newfound strength.

“No wonder the academy established a special psychology course for students. It’s to prevent them from losing themselves in the sudden surge of power,” Sikong Xu mused. Life at Dawn Academy was far more than just trials in the world of fantasy.

In order to cultivate versatile warriors capable of opposing hostile realms, Dawn Academy naturally offered various courses—not only those focused on combat, but even classes on the cultures of enemy worlds. Each was taught by specialized lecturers. As for the fantasy world trials, their nature was more akin to an examination. Ultimately, every aspect of Dawn Academy served one fundamental purpose: to forge students into warriors fit to battle hostile realms. Even the 250 credits Sikong Xu now possessed were awarded with this goal in mind.

By now, Mikasa and several other capable trainees had also dispatched the titans that had followed behind the abnormal one.

Titan Eren, too, had dealt with his previous opponent. His turquoise eyes flickered, searching for a new target.

Yet this time, Eren’s hopes were dashed—for after the ordeal wrought by Sikong Xu and the others, nearly all the surrounding titans had been slain.

Still, Titan Eren would not abandon his hunt just because of this. His turquoise eyes widened as he suddenly caught sight of a magnificent, imposing structure in the near distance: the supply depot.

It seemed that Sikong Xu and his comrades’ efforts had not been in vain—Titan Eren’s attention was now fixed firmly on the supply depot.

“Excellent, he’s moving toward the supply depot. If he can take out the titans over there, we’ll have a chance to break through!” Without his omni-directional mobility gear, Armin was being carried by Connie. Seeing the situation shift in their favor, his spirits rose once more.

With a thunderous roar, Titan Eren chose his next target. His cry reverberated far and wide, successfully drawing the attention of the titans encircling the supply depot—who now set their sights on him as an enemy.

Ordinary titans would never attack one of their own, instinctively only hunting those with a human scent. But Titan Eren was an anomaly. Born of a human transformation, traces of Eren’s scent lingered on his body. As soon as the regular titans detected it, they naturally turned on him.

Even if they hadn’t attacked him, Eren would not have spared them. Although his consciousness had yet to seize control of the titan’s body, his deep-seated hatred for the titans compelled him to lash out at them regardless.

Thus, Titan Eren charged forward, his fury now the fuel that drove him. The turquoise fire in his eyes blazed as he rushed toward the supply depot.

Bang, bang, bang—

Titan Eren continued to ignore the trainees, striding lithely through the town’s streets on his long legs. At one electrifying moment, his speed reached its peak as he barreled straight at a titan lingering near the supply depot, slamming his fist into it with crushing force.

With a sickening crunch, the unlucky titan had no chance to react to Eren’s lightning-fast assault. Before it could even lift a hand, its head exploded under Eren’s punch, the blow bursting its nape in a spray of blood—dead beyond all doubt.

That titan’s death was like a match to dry tinder, instantly igniting the rage of every titan around the supply depot. With howls and roars, they surged toward Titan Eren in a frenzy.

“Everyone, follow behind that titan! Move out for the supply depot!” Seeing Eren launch his assault on the titans near the depot, Sikong Xu wasted no time, barking orders to the troops behind him.

A resounding cheer broke out. Having witnessed Sikong Xu’s overwhelming strength as he struck down the abnormal titan with thunderous might, morale was at its peak.

Now was the moment when their fear of titans was at its lowest, so Sikong Xu seized the opportunity to issue the order to break through.

“As soon as we reach the objective, begin the breakout at once. Be bold! Mikasa and I will handle the titans interfering nearby. The top ten graduates will cover the rest as they break through!”

His gaze sharpened, and he roared, “Now—begin! Offer up your hearts!”

“Yes, sir!”