Chapter 15: Attack On Titans, Part 4

People die.

No one escapes death.

However, I am an exception. I possess the unbelievable fortune of Game Life.

I can live forever if I choose. And so can others, if they desire.

We gathered at our usual spot.

“What do we need to become Survey Corps soldiers?”

Armin’s question prompted me to consider what was necessary to survive in the Survey Corps.

‘Simple.’

The answer was simple: overwhelming power. Only overwhelming power could protect one from the Titans.

However, there was a problem. While the Titans posed no threat to me, and Mikasa would eventually become strong enough to handle most threats, Armin was different.

He was the most intelligent among us, but intellect didn’t always guarantee survival.

I would need to keep a close watch on him in the Survey Corps. His combat abilities were lacking.

“Strength, of course, but other things are important too.”

“Like what, Eren?”

I tapped my head.

“Your mind. Intelligence can help you navigate dangerous situations.

However, it’s not always enough.

Sometimes, even the smartest minds can’t overcome certain obstacles.”

Armin’s eyes lit up.

“Wow… That’s amazing, Eren. You’ve been thinking about this all along?”

“Uh, yeah…?”

“Eren, you’re the best!”

Well, it wasn’t from thinking, but from experience.

Facing constant danger had taught me the importance of strength in combat.

However, it might not be a problem for Armin.

He had Mikasa and me to protect him.

A week passed, and the day arrived.

The day the Survey Corps returned from their expedition beyond the walls.

Armin dashed off as soon as the bells tolled.

“Let’s go, Mikasa, Eren! We’re going to see it with our own eyes, the place we’re destined to go!”

Mikasa and I followed Armin to the road where the Survey Corps entered.

In the middle of the road, a mother clutched her son’s severed arm, wailing.

“My son was helpful, wasn’t he?! In humanity’s advancement!”

Her cries of grief were directed at Keith Shadis, the commander of the Survey Corps.

Sadly, Shadis had no victories to offer in exchange for her loss.

“I’m sorry! We achieved nothing! Nothing… It’s all my fault…”

His words plunged the mother into despair, and murmurs arose from the onlookers.

“This is pointless. What are we paying taxes for?”

“Tch. Why can’t they just stay within the walls? Then no one would die.”

I didn’t dismiss their words.

Unlike the original Eren, I understood their sentiment.

I observed the future leaders and members of the Survey Corps.

Erwin, Levi, Hange – those who would play crucial roles in the future.

‘What should I do?’

The three of them were undeniably capable, but they lacked the power to protect this island from the hatred beyond the walls.

It all came down to power.

This problem stemmed from a lack of power.

‘I have no choice…’

I was prepared to become ruthless to gain that power.

Time flew by.

The year arrived.

845.

The year the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan breached the walls.

I considered sneaking out and subduing Bertolt Hoover, the Colossal Titan, and Reiner Braun, the Armored Titan, but I discarded the idea.

Eliminating them wouldn’t solve the problem.

It would prevent some immediate casualties, but it would lead to greater losses in the long run.

Marley, the nation beyond the walls, would retaliate with airships to search for the missing Nine Titans.

Even if Paradis Island repelled them, they could forge alliances with other nations.

In that case, even a united Paradis Island would face inevitable destruction.

It wasn’t time to reveal my strength yet.

Even I, with the power of the Demonic God, wasn’t strong enough to face the entire world.

‘I have to inherit it… the Attack Titan…’

I had hoped to avoid it, but the circumstances left me no choice.

I had to inherit the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan.

While I knew the Titans would breach the walls in 845, I didn’t know the exact date.

So I lived each day in anticipation, until the day finally arrived.

The day everything changed.

As Armin, Mikasa, and I were leaving the house, the Colossal Titan appeared over the wall.

“50… 50 meters?!”

Armin exclaimed beside me, and Mikasa’s shocked expression mirrored our disbelief.

I told them to wait and ran towards our house, determined to save Carla.

In the original story, Eren had deliberately abandoned her.

Because Bertolt, the idiot, had miscalculated his landing and risked being devoured by a Titan.

I had a different approach. I would use my superhuman abilities to save both Carla and Bertolt, diverting the Titan’s attention towards myself.

I swung my hand at the debris falling towards our house.

A wave of energy sliced the debris in half, saving our house.

I wasn’t worried about being seen.

No one would be paying attention in this chaotic situation.

I burst through the door and grabbed Carla’s trembling hand.

“Let’s go, Mom. The Titans are here.”

“Titans?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

I pulled her along as we ran.

We saw Armin and Mikasa running towards us.

“I told you to run!”

Mikasa yelled.

“How can I?! Am I supposed to lose you again? Without doing anything? I won’t just stand by and watch!”

Ah, right. Just as I cherished Mikasa, she cherished me too. She couldn’t bear to leave me behind.

I had forgotten.

That I was also precious to someone.

“Mikasa’s right, Eren. How can we leave you behind? If we run, we run together.”

I sighed. It wasn’t a bad feeling. It was actually quite pleasant.

It was heartwarming to know that others cared for me.

“Haa… You’re right. Armin, if you’re in danger, I…”

Thump

We turned towards the sound.

Standing there was Dina Fritz, Grisha’s first wife, in her Titan form. In the original story, she would have devoured Carla, but now, driven by instinct, her attention was elsewhere.

I had forgotten that I was the one who had drawn her attention. The realization infuriated me.

“Run!”

At my command, Carla, Mikasa, and Armin ran.

I followed behind, bringing up the rear. I was the only one capable of fighting the Titan.

We ran for what felt like an eternity.

Thankfully, the Titan lost interest in us, shifting its focus to a bewildered bystander.

I didn’t look back.

I had no desire to witness a human’s demise.

I extended my senses, confirming the most important thing.

‘He’s alive.’

Bertolt, the Colossal Titan, was alive.

Relieved that everything had gone according to plan, I continued running.

Thanks to our swift escape and my connection with Hannes, a veteran of the Garrison, we secured passage on a ship heading to the safety of Wall Rose.

Upon arrival, we were housed in a warehouse.

As we received our daily ration of bread, Armin asked, “What will become of us now?”

I replied, “We’ll join the Survey Corps. Why are you surprised? We made a promise, Armin.”

“Right. We did. That was a silly question.”

Armin slapped himself, regaining his composure.

“Let’s enlist as trainees next year.”

Mikasa asked, “Together?”

“Together.”

With our decision made, I stood up.

I needed to speak with Grisha.

“Where are you going, Eren?”

“I’m going to see Dad.”

“Alright.”

I went to where Carla was staying. Grisha had returned from within Wall Rose after hearing about the Titan attack.

“Eren! Thank goodness you’re all safe!”

Seeing my father, Grisha, welcoming me, I hesitated.

I needed to ask him to inherit the Attack Titan.

I decided to be a good son, just for now. I couldn’t discuss this in front of everyone.

Night fell. When everyone was asleep, I woke Grisha.

“Eren? What is it?”

“I need to talk to you, Father.”

Grisha’s face hardened at the formal address.

“Alright, let’s go.”

I didn’t usually call him “Father.” I always called him “Dad.”

Using the formal address indicated the gravity of the situation.

We went to a secluded area on the mountain.

“Eren, what did you want to talk about?”

“You have to kill the Reiss family and steal the Founding Titan. Then, you have to pass it on to me. That’s the only way to save our family.”

“What are you talking about…? Eren, how do you know about…?”

“It’s the power of the Attack Titan’s final inheritor.”

Normally, I shouldn’t have known any of this. But as an outsider, I knew everything. That’s why I could say these things. And I had an irrefutable argument: I was the Attack Titan’s final inheritor.

It wasn’t strange for me to have other abilities.

The reason I brought this up was Grisha’s complacency. He seemed to believe they could survive, unlike in the original story, because Carla was alive.

But they couldn’t survive. Not unless I inherited the Titans.

“E-Eren, let’s find another way! There has to be another way! I can’t die yet… I can’t leave Carla…”

Seeing Grisha on his knees, I said, “Stand up. Fight! This is the story you started, Father.”

Grisha looked up. I continued, “This story began the day you took your sister beyond the walls.

So take responsibility! You’re a father!”

His expression changed. It was the face of a father, ready to protect his family.

“I never thought I’d hear those words from my son…”

He stood up.

“Alright, Eren. I’ll take responsibility. But promise me one thing. Promise me you’ll protect everyone!”

I answered without hesitation, “I will protect everyone!”

“Good… That’s all I needed to hear.”

Grisha descended the mountain and returned shortly after.

“Eat me, Eren! It’s up to you now!”

I gazed at my father, memorizing his face.

Then, I injected myself with the serum he had given me.

Darkness consumed me. I regained consciousness after inheriting the Attack Titan and returning to human form.