Nangou Haruya believed he was a very methodical person, and the reason was simple: he liked to rehearse his actions in his mind beforehand, analyzing possible scenarios and thinking of countermeasures.
This wasn't an innate trait, but rather something he developed over time, all thanks to his inherent misfortune.
Originally, Haruya thought that with this kind of luck, he might one day encounter a nun hanging from a balcony or become a hero who shatters the unrealistic dreams of his enemies...
But in reality, it was his own dreams that were shattered...
Aside from his unusual Checkpoint ability, Haruya had never experienced a 'cliché encounter'.
He couldn't become a protagonist, nor could he become a savior. He was just an ordinary person constantly killed by a malicious world...
Of course, the "being killed" part wasn't exactly ordinary.
In short, Haruya was just an ordinary person with a Checkpoint ability. In every other aspect, he was no different from any other human.
He felt pain, he worried, he suffered, he cried. But now, those emotions had gradually faded.
It wasn't that repeated deaths had numbed his emotions; it was just that Haruya realized that panicking wouldn't help him achieve anything.
Therefore, he had to stay calm. He had to view the entire story and events from a third-person perspective.
In other words, he had to play the role of a detective, understanding the thoughts and actions of those around him.
Additionally, Haruya's advantage lay in his knowledge of the upcoming events. However, if the plot changed, he would need to reassess.
In short, panic and fear had no place in this world.
But ultimately, most human crises and difficulties were caused by humans themselves.
It wasn't just this world that was cruel; even the original world he came from was cruel.
In Haruya's past life, whether it was people he knew, strangers, or the couple living downstairs, they were all aimless.
They didn't pursue dreams or strive for anything; they just drifted through life.
But most people were like that. It was a way of survival.
Just as he had once found solace in light novels, seeking some joy to make his mundane life more interesting.
Therefore, even though he had encountered many unfortunate accidents, Haruya didn't dislike his current situation.
No annoying classmates, no noisy car horns. The only thing he needed to do was survive...
Not just him, but everyone around him had the same thought, including the veterans and new recruits of the Survey Corps.
There was also one more important issue to address: Haruya hadn't found any opportunity to use his Titan transformation ability...
If he tried to go outside the walls, it would definitely raise suspicions.
If he tried to go to the forests inland, it would take too much time.
No matter which option he chose, there were significant limitations, leaving Haruya no chance to practice his Titan transformation.
"Just let it be..."Haruya muttered.
"What do you mean 'let it be'? You're way too calm about this!"
The person who responded to Haruya was Connie Springer, riding on his horse.
Since the two lived in the same dorm, they had become somewhat familiar by now.
Haruya's eyes were fixed on the high walls, then shifted to the Survey Corps' main force ahead. The gate to Karanes District was about to open.
"Only a 50% survival rate. That means about half of us will be killed by Titans during this expedition..."
"Connie, Connie, that's just a statistical probability. It doesn't really prove anything. You'll definitely survive."
"I will survive! And don't you die either! You stole my bread before, didn't you?!"
"Ugh... I said I'd pay you back. Who told you to try hitting on female trainees outside?"
"That wasn't hitting on them! Anyway, pay me back. Come back alive."
Nodding, Haruya heard the voices of the soldiers on the walls.
"Commander! Almost there! Most of the nearby Titans have been driven away. Thirty seconds until the gate opens!"
A trainee reported this, and an officer raised his right hand.
"We're finally setting out! Humanity will take another step forward! Show me the results of your training!"
"""Yeah!!!!!"""
The gate began to open, and the 57th expedition beyond the walls commenced.
Just outside the gate, a 10-meter Titan approached the main force from the left.
"10-meter Titan approaching from the left!"
"Don't panic! Leave it to the support team! We just need to keep moving forward!"
And so, the Survey Corps' main force began its advance into Titan territory.
...
"Spread out! Long-range reconnaissance formation!"
Erwin gave the order.
As planned, after leaving the old streets, the troops dispersed, forming a long-range reconnaissance formation.
Second row, center command: Commander Erwin;
Third row, third position communication: messengers;
Fifth row, center standby: Eren and the Levi Squad;
Second row, third position communication: messengers;
Second row, fourth position communication: Armin and others;
Third row, fourth position communication: Jean and others.
The new recruits were positioned between the supply wagon escort team and the reconnaissance support team, advancing with the reserve horses and relaying messages.
If they encountered a Titan, they would fire a red signal flare. Upon receiving the signal, Commander Erwin would use a green signal flare to change the entire army's direction, avoiding the Titans.
If they encountered an Abnormal Titan, they would fire a black signal flare.
Haruya was assigned to Armin's group, scouting at a certain distance.
"I can't see the details from here."
The sky was still a clear blue, the grasslands stretched endlessly, and there were occasional dilapidated houses and scattered trees.
Haruya, riding his horse, looked around. He could see distant figures, though they were somewhat blurry.
Putting on his hood, he urged his horse to pick up speed.
Suddenly, a black signal flare shot up from the right.
"An Abnormal Titan?"
'It's about to begin...'
Haruya took out the signal gun from the military bag at his waist, confirmed the ammunition, and pulled the trigger.
The black smoke shot into the sky, hopefully reaching its destination.
Thinking this, Haruya rode toward the right, where Armin should be.
But halfway there, his horse suddenly stopped, neighing and thrashing violently.
Caught off guard, Haruya was thrown off, and the horse, as if terrified, began foaming at the mouth.
"Hey, hey, did you eat something bad?!"
Soon, the horse collapsed, twitching a few times.
"..."
Misfortune had struck...
There were no Titans in sight, but Haruya was still far from Armin's group.
"Ah!"
In Haruya's field of vision, a deserted village appeared.
If his memory served him right, the Female Titan would pass through that village.
Seizing the moment, Haruya rushed toward the village before the Female Titan arrived.
Along the way, he tried using the ODM Gear to latch onto trees to increase his speed. This method reminded him of the Just Cause game series.
Not dwelling on irrelevant thoughts, he reached the village and began searching for a suitable ambush spot.
Based on the information Haruya had gathered, if he could achieve the same speed as Levi, he could slice through the Female Titan before she could harden her skin.
Unfortunately, Haruya knew he couldn't reach such superhuman speed.
"But if I choose a good spot and attack at maximum speed, it should be possible."
As long as he remained hidden, he could buy more time to make the cut.
Thinking this, Haruya entered the attic of a deserted house, located at the village's exit, the path the Female Titan would ultimately take.
On the right, there was a large broken hole.
At that moment, green smoke signals appeared in the sky, heading in another direction.
It was about to begin.
Just as Haruya guessed, the sound of hooves and ODM Gear echoed.
*Thud, thud, thud!*
The Female Titan was closing in, her rapid strides bringing her closer to Eren's group.
Hiding in the attic, Haruya peered through the rotten wooden window. Scouts surrounded the Female Titan, trying to stop her.
Smelling the mildew in the room, Haruya waved his hand in front of his nose. A Survey Corps soldier on horseback appeared in his view.
"Over here! You monster!"
He fired a signal flare, but the Female Titan dodged it.
Of course, his goal wasn't to hit her but to distract her.
"Now!"
Letting others seize the opportunity to attack.
But the Female Titan blocked her nape with her left hand. Facing the trio's combined attack, she grabbed one soldier's wire with her right hand and leaped into the air.
"What?! She jumped!"
As the soldier exclaimed, the unbalanced soldiers were dealt with... one was crushed under the Female Titan's foot, another was kicked onto the roof of the house next to Haruya's, and the last had his spine broken by the centrifugal force.
"I need to report this to the others. There's actually such a..."
*Boom!*
With a single kick, the soldier and his horse were sent flying.
Just as the Female Titan was about to leave the village, Haruya jumped out from the broken hole in the house.
Using the ODM Gear to latch onto the Female Titan's shoulder, he gripped his blades tightly, aimed, and swung down with a half-rotation.
At the same time, noticing the ambush, the Female Titan turned, dragging Haruya with her.
Losing control of his body, Haruya's aim went awry. Instead of hitting his target, he severed the Female Titan's left tendon.
Her left arm hung limply, leaving only her right arm functional.
To avoid being caught, Haruya immediately used his hooks to latch onto a nearby building, pulling himself away to create distance.
"Huh?!"
Almost simultaneously, the Female Titan swung her right arm.
*Boom!*
The building was smashed, and Haruya dodged while using the ODM Gear to move to another spot.
He was shocked by the Female Titan's reaction speed, "Too fast! Is this the legendary sharpness of a warrior?!"
Her left foot crushed the ground with a loud...
*Boom!*
...Giving Haruya no time to catch his breath, "Damn it!"
The Female Titan closed the distance in an instant.
With her left arm temporarily disabled, now was Haruya's chance to strike.
Once she regained the use of both arms, she would become even more troublesome.
Jumping off the building, Haruya used his hooks to latch onto the nearest structure, pulling himself toward it. He saw the Female Titan lifting her right foot.
He retracted the hooks immediately.
"Too slow!"
*Boom!*
The ground cracked as Haruya's left ODM wire was pinned down.
Losing his balance, he fell toward the ground while the Female Titan reached for him.
"——!!"
Cutting the left wire, Haruya fired the right one into the Female Titan's shoulder.
This was Haruya's desperate gamble.
This time, he aimed for the Female Titan's eyes.
Twisting his body mid-air to dodge the Female Titan's right arm, Haruya appeared in front of her eyes in an instant.
Suddenly, the Female Titan closed her eyes and then—
*Boom!*
She headbutted him.
"Ugh!!!" Haruya was sent flying, crashing into a deserted house.
The impact caused a sharp wooden plank to pierce his abdomen, and his left arm was broken. The intense pain and injuries made Haruya spit out a mouthful of blood.
The steam from the Female Titan's left shoulder dissipated, indicating she had recovered.
She glanced at Haruya and then began walking toward Eren.
"W-wait!!!!!"
Haruya shouted with all his might.
"Wait! Annie!!!!!!"
The Female Titan actually stopped. Haruya could feel her body tremble slightly.
This was Haruya's first and only chance to be alone with the Female Titan.
Otherwise, Haruya couldn't think of any other scenario where he could face her alone, unless he deliberately invited her.
But that possibility no longer existed.
The Female Titan walked toward Haruya, crouching down to examine him.
"Listen..."
Ignoring Haruya's words, the Female Titan raised her right foot and, without hesitation, stomped down on Haruya...
*Boom!*
The building's debris was blown away, and a massive amount of steam erupted. The Female Titan stepped back, startled by the sudden change.
"I told you to wait."
...Haruya, standing behind the black Titan's arm, spoke.
Then, noticing something amiss, "Uh-oh..."
The result of Haruya's Titan transformation was... 'Just one arm?!!!!!!'