While training his men, Roger hadn't been idle himself.
Ever since he'd discovered the secret of the "black markings" on his body back at the Survey Corps dormitory, he had been testing them, intentionally and otherwise. By now, he was almost certain—the markings were tied to his Titan power. When the Titan was active, the markings appeared.
But when he shut down the Titan power, the markings didn't vanish right away.
They lingered, strengthening his body.
Yet if that went on too long, they would backfire, like parasites devouring his body instead—leading to the side effect of "losing the five senses."
Roger understood this well and carefully practiced keeping it in check.
As long as he didn't push too far, he could exploit the loophole, turning it into a skill to bolster his body.
To that end, he honed precise control over his Titan power.
Cutting himself anywhere, focusing his will, he could summon the transformation. By adjusting the strength of that will, he could choose how much, or which part of his body, transformed.
Now, footsteps pounded closer from below.
His men panicked, slamming at the locked door.
But even if it opened, outside was a wall of guns. They'd be shredded.
Some fell to their knees in prayer.
Some cursed, glaring daggers at Roger's back.
Some broke down, huddling in corners, arms around their knees.
From below came shouts, the metallic clatter of bullets being chambered.
Someone suggested grenades—only to be shouted down. Too risky. The stairwell would collapse, burying them all.
So they hid, rifles aimed upward, fingers tight on triggers.
A pebble skittered down the steps.
The two groups, separated only by a bend in the stairwell, held their breath.
Then—
Roger slashed his palm.
Shhhk!
Blood splattered. Golden light flared from his arms, swelling them.
Titan muscle spread from his shoulders down. From his fingertips extended five deadly claws.
In moments, his torso thickened, swelling until he nearly filled the stairwell.
"What—"
"Boss?!"
"Gods…"
His men gaped as their leader grew into a two-meter monster before their eyes.
"Monster!!"
"No—it's a Titan!"
"Our boss is—"
Roger drew a long breath, forcing control, shrinking his form back down. He kept his frame larger than normal, the claws exaggerated, a grotesque arm dragging an oversized talon.
His teeth had sharpened into fangs. He looked like some vampire fiend.
"Still not full control."
He sighed, but the flaws didn't matter now.
"Wait for my signal. Then follow."
He turned back.
His men, stunned into silence, nodded at once.
Flexing his claws, Roger vaulted down the stairwell.
The black markings writhed across his body, scattering wildly like they couldn't find a target.
Boom!
He landed at the bottom, glaring into the eyes of the casino guards.
They flinched at the sudden monster, stepping back, rifles trembling.
"What the—?!"
"What is that thing?!"
"Don't just stand there! Fire!!"
At the order, they clenched teeth, pulled triggers.
Bang! Bang bang bang!
A storm of bullets tore into him, riddling his body.
But he did not die.
Unfolding the claws shielding his head, Roger roared and lunged.
His talons drove into a man's chest, ripping him in half.
His shoulders hardened, Titan armor swelling into a partial plate.
He barreled forward, smashing three men into a wall, cracking it wide open.
Crunch!!
The stone split apart.
He seized the last guard and crushed him against the shattered wall.
Turning, he faced his trembling men, stretched as though bored, then said simply:
"Let's go."
The markings healed his wounds as he spoke.
"Yes, boss!!"
They followed, shaken, their awe mixing with terror as they stepped past mangled corpses, blood, and entrails.
It was like walking through hell.
But with their monstrous boss leading, they felt strangely safe.
Boss was too strong.
---
Outside the casino.
The hourglass still had plenty of sand. It wasn't time yet. But the fire group already heard gunshots erupt inside.
Their hearts sank.
"It's over."
"They've been exposed."
"What do we do?"
"Retreat!"
They hesitated, some already slinging rifles onto their backs to flee.
Then a voice cut through.
"We can't retreat!" Tours shouted, chambering a round. "Boss is in danger! We have to fire, draw them away!"
"You idiot, you want us all dead?!"
"Yeah, boss said if it wasn't time, and we got exposed, we retreat."
"Exactly!"
Tours' veins bulged, gripping his gun, silent for a moment before forcing words through clenched teeth.
"Boss didn't say that. You cowards stay—I'll go alone!"
He dashed out, face grim, raised his rifle, and blew a guard's head apart.
"Ahhh!!"
Civilians screamed in the street.
The casino's alarms howled to life.
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