After the names of the top ten trainees were announced, the trainees disbanded, meaning Haruya could now move freely.
Watching the 104th Trainee Corps graduates head toward the restaurant, he stopped.
The top ten trainees had the privilege of choosing to join the Garrison Regiment, responsible for reinforcing the walls and defending the towns; the Survey Corps, which ventured outside the walls to challenge the Titans at the risk of their lives; or the Military Police Brigade, which maintained order among the people under the king's command.
For now, Haruya was just an ordinary graduate trainee. What if he was assigned to the Garrison Regiment or the Military Police Brigade? That would only push him further away from his mission.
Regardless, Haruya thought it was time to figure out how to solve these problems.
He didn't need to always be at the center of events of course, but staying too far from the main cast would mean missing many opportunities...
"Then, the only chance is at that moment…"
The only way to prove his worth was to achieve something notable when the Colossal Titan breached the wall.
However, to do that, he would have to learn how to use the 'Omni-Directional Mobility Gear' (ODM Gear), which is also known as 'Vertical Maneuvering Equipment' (VME), and master the art of slicing the nape of a Titan's neck...
Although Haruya's identity was that of a graduate trainee, he had never used the ODM Gear before. Who knew what would happen?
Even if the setting implied he had passed all the courses, could he really perform in actual combat?
Even with his unlimited 'Save Scumming' ability, being eaten or crushed by Titans repeatedly was something Haruya couldn't accept.
The 104th Trainee Corps graduates were preparing to return to their dormitories and then head to the restaurant for dinner. Haruya decided to check out the weapon maintenance depot.
If he could get his hands on the ODM Gear from the seniors, he could practice at the training grounds.
But before that, he needed to figure out where that place was.
Since randomly asking people might raise suspicions, he simply followed a crowd.
In fact, even if he did raise suspicions, no one would think, 'You're from another world!' right?
"It's great that the top ten get to choose which regiment to join. People like us will probably be sent to the Garrison Regiment, right? Will the Survey Corps even take us?"
"Who knows? The Survey Corps is indeed elite, but they have to go beyond the walls..."
"Joining the Survey Corps is a mark of being elite, but on the other hand, it's also a form of suicide…"
Two new recruits sat on the stairs, drinking water and talking.
In this world, for the people, the walls were the dividing line.
Outside... a land filled with Titans and death...
Inside... peaceful towns and survival...
However, this belief would soon be shattered again by the Colossal Titan.
"Can I ask where the weapon maintenance depot is?"
Haruya interjected at this point, and the two recruits looked at him with some surprise.
"After all this time, you don't even know where the weapon maintenance depot is? Besides, what are you going there for?"
"Well, I have some things to do. Can you tell me which way to go?"
"Over there. Have you been drinking? When this was still the interior, there were often pranksters stealing bottles from the brewers."
The recruit who spoke chuckled bitterly, gazing at the fifty-meter-high wall and reminiscing about the past.
Speaking of the walls, there were three of them.
Wall·Maria, Wall·Rose, and Wall·Sina...
Now, Wall·Rose had become the outermost wall.
"I wish I could choose which regiment to join. I want to join the Military Police Brigade."
"Me too. The Garrison Regiment is dangerous, and the Survey Corps is just asking for death."
The two recruits nodded in agreement.
Haruya looked at the stairs the recruit had pointed to and said before leaving, "But isn't the Survey Corps there to understand the Titans and gather information? Maybe they'll find a way to defeat the Titans."
""You're definitely an idiot.""
The two recruits didn't hesitate to declare this in response to Haruya's words.
"If you think the Survey Corps can find a way to defeat the Titans, then four years ago, when humanity sent 20% of its population to launch a full-scale attack to reclaim their territory, what happened? Most of them ended up in the stomachs of the Titans. How many more people will have to die to take back the territory? The information the Survey Corps gathers is completely useless."
"Stop talking. Be careful, the officers might hear you. This guy's just a naive fool."
After saying this, the two got up and left, disappearing into the night.
Following one of their directions, Haruya began walking down the stairs.
The weapon maintenance depot should have ODM Gear, blades, and gas, right? Hopefully, he could use them for training.
Arriving at the main road, Haruya saluted a few older soldiers as he passed by.
Thinking about it now, playing a role wasn't as easy as it seemed.
Just as he passed through a corridor, Haruya heard someone's voice:
"I'm joining the Survey Corps."
Hiding to the side, he saw that the people sitting on the stairs at the entrance of the restaurant...
Mikasa, Eren, and Armin.
"Hey, are you really joining the Survey Corps?"
"Eren, I've already decided. I don't want to be a burden to everyone."
'This conversation sounds familiar…'
Since things were unfolding as expected, Haruya couldn't help but recall the upcoming plot, "The Colossal Titan's next attack isn't far off. I have to train..." he muttered.
"You, what did you just say?"
The icy tone made Haruya, who was leaning against the wall, reflexively run back the way he came.
"Stop!"
Looking back during a gap, Haruya saw that it was Mikasa, who had been with Eren and the others.
'How did she even hear me?'
Looking for an escape route, Haruya felt his shoulder grabbed in the next moment.
"I was just joking!" he quickly said.
Shaking his shoulder, Haruya used the momentum of his run to lean forward, then tried to roll on the ground with his hands...
Midway, his movement was interrupted.
It was a joint lock…
Mikasa's right hand reached out, passing under Haruya's arm. Her left foot stepped forward quickly to stabilize herself, and her right foot swept Haruya's legs out from under him.
She then pressed down on Haruya's body with both hands, "I heard you very clearly..."
"Ugh…"
With his left cheek pressed against the ground, Haruya looked up at Mikasa under the moonlight.
Was she going to be his biggest obstacle?
Then, making up his mind...
<< Checkpoint: Reload >>