<< Checkpoint: Reload >>
Nangou Haruya died...
An utterly unexpected death at that...
The cause? During Eren's battle with the Titans, the ground shook violently, causing Haruya to slip and fall from the third floor of the headquarters.
Since his ODM Gear was being refilled with gas, he wasn't equipped with it, leaving him unable to use his hooks.
Mid-air, a Titan snapped him up, biting his body in half.
How should he describe it? The sensation of being chewed up by a Titan was... peculiar.
In that moment, he felt no pain, only the thought, 'Ah, I died again...'
Many might find Haruya's actions strange. Why didn't he use his ability before dying?
There were two reasons. First, he might not have had time to react. Second, he wanted to understand the cause of his death, the process, and the object that killed him.
Only by understanding these could he avoid repeating the same mistakes. Otherwise, he would remain trapped in the shadow of his previous death.
In short, to alter the timeline of his death, Haruya would use 'Save Scumming' after dying, then change his actions to avoid the same fate.
Before falling and being crushed by the Titan, Haruya saw the shocked and horrified expressions of the trainees. To them, he was already a strong fighter, yet he had died from a mere slip...
"What misfortune..."
After loading a Checkpoint, Haruya watched Eren's battle with the Titans while stepping away from the broken third-floor wall. He quickly retrieved his ODM Gear.
As expected, Eren's Titan form swiftly defeated the surrounding Titans, roaring in fury.
Every punch, every kick, landed brutally on the heads and torsos of the Titans, splattering blood and flesh across the battlefield.
Eren's rage fueled his strength, and every Titan in sight fell to his attacks. But more Titans were closing in.
"Let's move! Use the shotguns to fight!"
With Titans breaking into the headquarters, the group devised a plan.
One team would take the freight elevator down to the shaft, using shotguns to draw the Titans' attention. Once the Titans were close, they would fire to blind them.
Another team would then strike from behind, slicing the Titans' napes.
This approach would maximize the efficiency of eliminating Titans while minimizing risk.
Of course, the latter team, the ones cutting the napes, needed exceptional skill and calm judgment. Otherwise, if the Titans regained their sight, the team in the freight elevator would be in grave danger.
Haruya was naturally assigned to the latter team.
"Everyone, get ready!"
"Will this really work?"
"It's our only option."
"I... I understand..."
Some of the trainees in the shotgun team looked visibly nervous.
Once everything was set, Haruya and Mikasa's team positioned themselves on the beams above and waited for the right moment.
The Titans that had broken into the headquarters were drawn to the humans, surging toward them.
"Can we fire yet?!"
"Wait, not yet!"
Some were breathing heavily, others looked tense. The Titans were now less than three meters away from the shotgun team.
"Fire!!!!!"
The rapid gunfire signaled the start of the plan. The Titans, blinded by the shots, lost their vision. This was the chance!
Haruya and the others leaped from the beams. Without using his ODM Gear, he identified a Titan's nape below and slashed down with both blades.
With the familiar sensation of his blades cutting through skin and muscle, the Titan Haruya struck collapsed.
Without hesitation, Haruya fired his hooks into another Titan that hadn't fallen yet.
Pulling himself closer, he sliced its nape, saving a teammate.
"Th-thank you..."
"No problem." Haruya shrugged.
"Huff, huff..." Sasha, who had made a mistake earlier, leaned against a wall, pale-faced.
Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, it's time to regroup with the main force!"
Once on the rooftop with their gas canisters refilled, they no longer had to worry about running out of gas mid-fight.
As they planned to regroup, Eren's Titan form was surrounded by other Titans, pinned against a building and being torn apart.
Mikasa, considering whether to help, was stopped by Armin. For now, regrouping and planning the next move was crucial.
Standing on the rooftop, Haruya surveyed the surroundings. The ruins left by the Titans' destruction were a stark reminder of the world's cruelty.
"Hey! Look at that!"
Amid the steam and smoke around a Titan's nape, Eren appeared.
"Mikasa!"
Mikasa was the first to move, rushing over to carry Eren away.
Armin followed closely.
Haruya stood among the crowd, while the other trainees began to piece together the only possible explanation.
"That Titan... could it be Eren?"
…...
The events unfolded just as Haruya had expected. This "accident" would lead to Eren's trial.
Humans hated Titans, and Eren was now seen as a 'human who could become a Titan', making him a target.
"But this also brings me closer to my mission..."
After Eren demonstrated his ability to transform into a Titan; the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan would take notice, and the Female Titan would soon appear as well.
All Haruya could do now was wait.
After regrouping, Eren and the others were surrounded by the military at a corner of the wall.
The situation would undoubtedly play out as expected, so Haruya decided to leave and find somewhere to pass the time.
After all, the subsequent events wouldn't change much.
"Hey! You there, trying to run away?"
"Huh? N-no, that's not it."
"Get over here!"
Haruya, who had only taken a few steps, was grabbed by an officer and warned that desertion would result in execution.
Staying within the crowd, Haruya watched the situation unfold.
Now, it was Armin's turn to speak. His goal was to prove Eren's value to everyone.
"If we use Eren's Titan power, we can definitely turn the tide!"
Wanting to expedite the mission, Haruya gently pushed past the officer, "I agree!"
""Huh?"" Everyone turned to look at this sudden outburst from a trainee.
Haruya continued, "Let Eren who can transform into a Titan lift that boulder over there and plug the hole in the wall destroyed by the Colossal Titan!"
"What nonsense! How can we trust a Titan?!" The officer, Keith Shadis, grabbed Haruya by the collar, but before he could say more, the soldiers began to disperse.
"This trainee is right." The one who spoke was Commander Pixis.
Dot Pixis, Supreme Commander of the Southern Garrison... He continued:
"Though I've only just arrived, I've been briefed on the situation. You, take command of the reinforcements. As for me..." Pixis looked at the surrounded trio, "I'd like to hear what they have to say."
Then, turning to Haruya, Pixis added, "You, come with me. But first, fetch me some wine."
"Understood." Haruya nodded.
The immediate crisis was averted...
Haruya ran to the warehouse to grab a bottle of fine wine, then joined Pixis atop 'Wall Rose'.
Up there, Pixis was speaking with the trio.
Handing the wine to Pixis, Haruya sat down, catching his breath.
"Good work, Trainee Haruya. It's rare to have the chance to enjoy wine these days. Now... Armin, what you said earlier about 'using Titan power to reclaim the city', was that a lie to save your lives, or can it truly be done?"
"I–it's true..." Armin answered nervously.
"Don't worry, I'll protect your lives. And you Eren, can you really plug that hole?"
"I'll do it, no matter what!" Eren affirmed with vigour.
"Call the staff! We need to draft a battle plan!" Pixis shouted down the wall, "Make us proud, young soldiers."
Thus began the operation to reclaim Trost District.
With no technology to repair the wall, this operation was seen as a suicide mission by many.
It appeared the enemy wasn't just the Titans, it was also the soldiers below the wall...
Faced with what seemed like a reckless plan, the soldiers began to riot, their morale shaken.
However, Pixis shouted, "Attention!!!!!!!!"
His booming voice temporarily silenced the soldiers.
"The operation to reclaim Trost District begins now! We will plug the hole in the gate!" Then he continued, "Before that, let me introduce Trainee Eren Yeager. He is the successful subject of our Titan transformation experiments! He can control his Titan form at will! He will lift the boulder near the front gate and plug the hole in the wall!"
No one believed it. The soldiers weren't willing to throw their lives away.
At this moment, Pixis's following words stopped them in their tracks.
"I hereby pardon anyone who leaves here!"
He slowly glanced around them and continued, "Those who have succumbed to the fear of Titans can no longer fight them. Those who know the terror of the Titans, leave now!"
Then he said, "Those who wish for their loved ones to experience that terror, leave as well!"
The hesitant soldiers stepped forward...
Seeing the effect of his words, Pixis waved at Haruya, "Trainee Haruya, I have a small task for you."
"Huh?" Haruya was caught off guard.
"Though I don't know why you weren't in the top ten of your class, your achievements aren't just luck, are they?"
"Well..."
"You're strong. So, I want you to join them and protect Eren."
"Understood."
"Also." Pixis, as if seeing through Haruya, added, "Don't even think about sneaking away."
"Ugh..."
...
After checking his equipment, refilling his ODM Gear, and replenishing his blades, Haruya followed the Garrison's vanguard, the elite squad along the wall.
Leading the group were Ian Dietrich of the elite squad and Rico Brzenska, the messenger.
"This is the spot!"
Jumping off the wall, they used their ODM Gear to head toward the boulder near the front gate.
Quickly closing the distance, Eren at the front bit his hand mid-air.
*Boom!*
A burst of gas erupted as his Titan form crashed into a building.
Emerging from the rubble, the group positioned themselves on the rooftops, waiting for Eren to lift the boulder.
But the next moment, Eren's Titan form swung its left fist at Mikasa.
"I knew it! There's no such thing as a human secret weapon!" Rico fired a red signal flare, indicating that the operation had encountered a major obstacle.
To everyone else, it seemed like the plan had failed.
"The operation has failed! Retreat now! A 6-meter and a 10-meter Titan are approaching!"
No, Rico corrected herself, "A 12-meter Titan is also coming! Ian, we need to leave!"
"Wait!" Mikasa stopped them, looking at Eren.
"Are we just going to leave Eren here?!"
"We've already lost hundreds of people for this so-called secret weapon!"
"But!" They had to save him.
At this point, Ian voiced his opinion, "Eren is humanity's last hope. As long as he's alive, we have a chance at victory."
"But don't you see the situation we're in?" Rico's expression was grim.
If they didn't leave now, they'd be surrounded.
Seeing the situation unfold, Haruya knew he had to buy time before Armin arrived.
Here's what he'd do...
Haruya stepped into the conversation, "You all stay here and protect Eren. I'll handle all the Titans around us."
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"Not at all." Haruya scanned the area, "I believe Trainee Mikasa knows what I'm capable of."
"If you're willing..."
Hearing Mikasa's words, the elite squad exchanged doubtful glances but ultimately agreed to Haruya's plan.
"Who is that trainee?"
In response to Rico's question, Ian recalled what Pixis had told him before they left.
Observing the situation, he replied, "Commander Pixis said that trainee Haruya... might just be the strongest graduate."
Meanwhile...
After counting, there were four Titans in the area.
"Time to prepare for a reload..."
As long as he could spam 'Save Scumming', Haruya could predict the future...
<< Checkpoint: Save >>