Chapter 9: Battle Assignments

With the appearance of the Colossal Titan, a breach large enough for titans to pass through was torn in the Wall Rose. All the titans that had been outside the wall surged toward the gap, making it only a matter of time before Wall Rose was completely overrun. Fortunately, thanks to the support of the Garrison Regiment's vanguard squad, the cadets working atop the wall, including Si Kongxu, were able to retreat safely. Yet Si Kongxu knew that in less than half an hour, all those vanguard soldiers defending the wall would be wiped out. After that, it would fall upon them to face the titans.

Sure enough, half an hour later, following a fresh supply of gas, Si Kongxu and all the new recruits from the 104th Cadet Corps were summoned by the Garrison Regiment's captain, Kitz Weilman, to an open space. This captain seemed to harbor a deep-seated terror of titans; his eyes were sunken, and an ever-present gloom clouded his expression—a direct result of his fear. Of course, most present wore similar looks; the majority of the 104th's recruits fared slightly better, having never truly fought titans before.

But the Garrison's veterans were another story. Most had clashed with titans, and some had even witnessed them devouring people alive. So, upon learning they would soon be fighting these monsters, despair spread across their faces—a feeling that infected even the recruits. The one affected most was Armin, who had lived through the fall of Wall Maria five years ago.

Eren was in a better state, his hatred suppressing his fear, but Armin trembled uncontrollably.

"Why... Why does it have to be today? I could have transferred to the interior tomorrow!" muttered Jean Kirstein, who had long harbored feelings for Mikasa and constantly butted heads with Eren. He covered his face with a trembling hand after the captain's briefing.

Perhaps under the influence of the Garrison veterans' despair, most of the 104th's recruits were overwhelmed by the same emotion. Many squatted where they stood, curling up and shivering.

"Hey, hey, this won't do! If this is how you act, how can you fight titans at all?" Si Kongxu frowned. He knew this had happened in the original story too, but he still hoped they'd rally. Otherwise, who knew how many would fall to the titans soon?

His own mission's second trial included an additional objective: to protect the 104th's new recruits. Their survival directly affected his mission's completion and evaluation. And bonus objectives—surely their rewards would rival the main quest!

Si Kongxu did his utmost to rouse the crowd's spirits, but with little effect; not everyone could face their fear head-on. Even he only managed to suppress his terror thanks to his mastery of the Infinite Martial Arts.

"Everyone, think back!" Si Kongxu, determined to fulfill his side mission, shouted, "Remember how many times, over these three years, we've stared death in the face! Some have died, others have fled or been expelled—but we are the ones left standing! Aren't we?"

"Today will be the same. We can survive this!"

His impassioned words gradually lifted everyone's spirits. Fear still lingered on their faces, but at least they were no longer so dejected.

Indeed, the protagonist's line from the original story worked wonders! That speech was meant for Eren to say to Jean, but Si Kongxu shamelessly stole it. If Eren ever found out, he’d surely sue for plagiarism!

"Xu." At that moment, Mikasa called out to him. "If the fighting grows chaotic, stay close to me. Eren, you too."

Huh? Wasn’t that supposed to be for Eren? Why tell me? Si Kongxu wondered, a strange thrill running through him. Did this mean his relationship with Mikasa had grown so close? The thought alone was exciting.

But Eren, oblivious as ever, immediately retorted, "Hah! Mikasa, I’m not in your squad."

"In chaos, we can't stick to the rules!" Mikasa replied, undeterred. "I'll protect both you and Xu!"

Si Kongxu had nothing to add. With his Infinite Martial Arts, he was confident that these lesser titans couldn’t kill him. Even if surrounded by a dozen, he could escape. Perhaps not even the Captain could match him now.

"Cadet Ackerman, you've been assigned to the rear guard. Come with me," a Garrison soldier interrupted, addressing Mikasa.

"What!" Mikasa's reaction was immediate and intense. "My skills would only slow them down!"

It was the first time Si Kongxu had seen her so agitated. Clearly, she cared deeply about Eren—and perhaps about him, too.

"I didn’t ask for your opinion," the soldier replied coldly. "Evacuation efforts are behind schedule. The civilians need more elite soldiers at their side."

"But—"

"Hey! Calm down! Even you’re rattled? This is a crisis for humanity! How can you think only of yourself?" Eren cut her off sharply before she could say more.

Damn it, scolding my goddess right in front of me! Am I invisible?

"Eren, shut up!" Si Kongxu strode forward, grabbing Eren by the collar. "We've known each other for years—don’t you get what Mikasa means? She’s worried about your safety!"

"Xu." Mikasa, seeing Si Kongxu losing his temper, quickly tried to calm him. "Xu, it’s all right. I wasn’t thinking clearly."

"I don’t need her protection!" Eren, ever impulsive, snapped back. "Let her protect you, you underachiever!"

"You brat..." Si Kongxu's grip tightened, anger simmering between them, the air growing thick with tension.

Yet, just as tempers threatened to explode, Si Kongxu regained his composure. He knew that, in a moment of life and death, anyone might want to vent—especially someone as hot-headed as Eren.

"Don’t you dare die on me," Si Kongxu said, releasing Eren and turning away, leading Mikasa off without a backward glance.

"Hmph, I won’t die. I won’t die so easily in a place like this..." Eren muttered with a hint of stubborn pride as he and Armin, now assigned to the same team, hurried together toward the battlefield.