"Bastard!"
Mikasa and Ymir changed direction simultaneously, rushing straight toward the giant's back. Their blades aimed precisely for the nape—cutting through that flesh was the only way to kill a Titan.
If they succeeded, Christa would survive.
"Haaah!"
Using her ODM gear, Ymir leapt high above the giant's head, muscles tensed, and brought both blades down with full force.
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
Zzzrkk! Sparks flew as her blades scraped against the Titan's yellow armor.
Ymir froze—she couldn't cut through! It was like striking solid steel.
Before she could swing again, her gear's recoil yanked her backward. Grinding her teeth, she shouted, "Mikasa! His nape's covered in armor!"
Mikasa's eyes hardened. Summoning her Device: Narukami, golden lightning coiled around her blade midair.
Bzzzt!
Her entire body turned into a flash of light as she dived toward the Titan.
CRACK!
Thunder split the air as her sword struck the armored nape.
"ROOAAARR!"
The Armored Titan bellowed in pain, twisting his massive head as electricity crackled across his body.
But Mikasa's current strength wasn't enough—the blade failed to cut through completely.
The Titan paused for only a moment before realizing he wasn't in danger. His fist turned into an open palm and came crashing down toward Christa.
"…"
Christa stared up at the descending shadow. So this was it… her end.
The end of "Christa Lenz." The false identity she had built for herself. She was born on the Reiss family's northern estate, the illegitimate daughter of Lord Rod Reiss and his maid. Her real name—Historia Reiss.
She had never known her father. Her mother despised her. Her grandparents only taught her the bare minimum, never showing affection.
She grew up surrounded by animals—they were the only ones who didn't hate her.
When Wall Maria fell in year 845, her father finally appeared, revealed her true identity, and said he would take her and her mother away.
But before they could leave, a squad of black-clad men appeared, murdered her mother, and threatened to kill Historia as well.
Rod pleaded—if she lived under a new name, hidden from the world, they would let her live.
And so, she became Christa Lenz, joining the 104th Training Corps, hoping a new name could rewrite her cursed life.
Yet even now, death had found her again. Living… was just too hard.
As her eyes slowly closed, she thought: Let me leave quietly. Let me fade away.
That was the real Historia—a hollow girl unloved since birth, unwanted by anyone,
a life that perhaps should never have existed.
But… the end she awaited never came.
"Christa!!" Ymir's frantic voice drew closer.
Christa felt warmth—safety —a feeling she had never known before.
When she opened her eyes, she saw stars. Not in the sky, but reflected in a pair of golden eyes.
Ymir pointed her blade straight at the newcomer. "Who are you?!"
Tatsuki descended gracefully, still holding Christa in his arms. He set her gently down and raised a brow. "Isn't it obvious? The one who just saved your friend."
Ymir turned to see the Armored Titan frozen mid-motion, hand still raised for the strike. Her brows furrowed deeply. "He's just… standing there? Is he working with you?"
"You've got quite the imagination," Tatsuki chuckled lightly. He lifted his hand—
"Move."
The Armored Titan's hand resumed its descent—then Tatsuki flicked his wrist again.
The Titan froze solid once more.
Ymir's pupils shrank in disbelief. She had seen it clearly—its muscles flexed, its arm pressed down with full strength—and yet it suddenly stopped, completely motionless.
How?
Mikasa landed beside them, withdrawing her blades. "Thank you," she said curtly.
"Mm." Tatsuki smiled faintly, then looked to the side. "Miss Tingyun, you seem a bit late."
A figure appeared where his gaze fell.
Ymir and Christa stiffened—the woman's appearance was unlike anyone they'd ever seen. Elegant, alluring, fox ears crowning her head, and a fluffy tail swaying behind her.
A cosplayer? No… she felt real.
Tingyun narrowed her golden eyes and spoke softly, her fan fluttering. "My lord jests. It is this humble lady's first time in such a strange situation—naturally, I needed a moment to think."
Her gentle tone carried grace and melody, and Tatsuki couldn't help but find her voice pleasant. But despite her charm, he needed to be sure.
His golden pupils gleamed—peering directly into her mind, rifling through her memories. Nothing connected to Phantylia.
Still, he went further—his Eyes of Death Perception flared open.
"!!!"
Tingyun's instincts screamed. Every hair on her body bristled as pure killing pressure enveloped her soul.
She forced a trembling smile. "My lord… have I said something to offend you?"
Tatsuki withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly. "No. I like how you speak, and you're very pretty. I meant no harm. I was just confirming whether someone had possessed you, that's all."
"Possessed?" she repeated softly, puzzled. Who could possibly possess her? A Denizen of the Abundance, perhaps?
Tatsuki didn't elaborate. Explaining about Phantylia would only complicate things.
At least for now, her memories and death lines confirmed she was indeed Tingyun—not Phantylia.
Ymir and Christa couldn't understand their exchange. Mikasa glanced at the chat and immediately recognized Tingyun's name—the new recruit.
Tingyun saw that Tatsuki didn't intend to explain further, so she let it go. Instead, curiosity sparkled in her eyes as she observed the battlefield.
Her gaze landed on the Armored Titan's awkwardly frozen stance, and her fan paused midair. "What sort of giant creature is that—and why is it frozen like this?"
Tatsuki waved casually. "Just a little time-stop trick."
"Time stop? A trick?" Tingyun blinked, her long lashes fluttering. She didn't sense any deceit in his tone—but such a power was beyond comprehension.
Christa and Ymir, who overheard, stared at the immobile Titan in shock. If one looked closely, even its breathing and blinking had ceased—as though someone had pressed a pause button on time itself.
Before they could recover—
BOOOOM!
A deafening quake rolled through the forest. The Colossal Titan, radiating waves of blistering steam, stomped closer—each step shaking the earth and crushing the trees.
Its glowing eyes locked onto the Armored Titan.
Tatsuki smirked. "Ah, friendship goals, huh? Since you're both here, you might as well stay."
Activating the Chrono King's power once again—time froze around the Colossal Titan too, mid-step.
Remembering Furina's desire for a "stage play," Tatsuki leisurely opened a stream.
[Ding! Tatsuki has started a livestream!]
[Furina has entered the stream!]
…
"Waaah!!"
Furina nearly jumped from her seat.
The moment she entered, her vision filled with towering, skinless giants looming in terrifying realism.
Her heart pounded.
Yes, she had spent centuries acting as the Water God, pretending to be elegant, poised, divine—but that was just theater.
In truth, she was only human. She could laugh, cry, fear, and falter like anyone else.
And right now, she was absolutely terrified.
Quickly quitting the stream, she looked around—still safely seated in the courtroom.
"Phew…" She exhaled, patting her chest. "Goodness… what kind of monsters were those?!"
After calming down, curiosity got the better of her.
Furina: "Can someone tell me what 'livestream' means?"
Reinhard: "A livestream lets you see what the broadcaster sees in real time. You join to watch their perspective."
Grateful for the explanation, Furina's eyes sparkled. She re-entered the stream—this time, smiling brightly.
The colossal battle no longer scared her. Instead, it was… thrilling.
Furina: "What a magnificent performance! Will there be more acts to come? I'm truly looking forward to it!"
....
For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]