Chapter 15: Terrifying Execution Efficiency

Inspired by Sikong Xu’s heartfelt words, the cadets of the training corps all raised their steel blades, activated the maneuvering gear on their backs, and charged toward the cluster of Titans gathered near the supply room. Among them, Sikong Xu and Mikasa were the swiftest. Using the walls of the surrounding buildings and their maneuvering gear, they soared rapidly through the streets. Even if a Titan happened to block their path, it would be felled in an instant by the thunderous strikes of Sikong Xu or Mikasa.

The scene, which should have been one of brutal and desperate struggle, changed subtly under the influence of Sikong Xu and Mikasa. Because the main force of the trainees followed closely behind these two, their group faced hardly any attacks from the Titans along the way. Whenever a Titan appeared ahead, it was as good as dead within seconds, courtesy of the pair’s lethal precision. Even if a Titan attempted a sneak attack from the flanks, it would be held off by the others and slain by Sikong Xu or Mikasa at the first opportunity.

“These two are terrifying…” Jean couldn’t help but exclaim after witnessing Sikong Xu and Mikasa’s feats. It felt as if they were simply clinging to the legs of giants—what fearsome Titans, what taste of death? At this moment, Jean even found himself thinking that perhaps Titans were not so dreadful after all. He was surely not alone in this quietly dawning realization.

They had all sworn to fight the Titans to the death, to make a glorious sacrifice if need be, yet in the end, they were little more than bystanders. The Titans seemed almost too weak…

With Sikong Xu and Mikasa leading the way, the looming threat of death began to recede, and the trainees’ nerves eased. Some even began to chat as they advanced.

“Hey, Ackerman and Sikong Xu are monsters! Those are Titans, you know! Even the elite garrison soldiers need three or four to bring down a single Titan!”

“You’re right. Ackerman’s the top cadet—it’s no surprise she’s so strong. But Sikong Xu? Wasn’t he always at the bottom? When did he get so powerful?”

“Haha, with Sikong Xu and Ackerman this strong, we’ll fight our way to the supply room in no time!” Connie exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement.

“No! That’s not right!” Armin alone wore a grave expression as the others relaxed.

“They’re too fast—at least twice our speed,” he said uneasily. “Moving so quickly means their gas consumption will skyrocket. They’d already fought before this, so their gas must be running low. At this rate, they could run out at any moment.”

At Armin’s words, everyone’s faces fell.

Of course! They had been so dazzled by Sikong Xu and Mikasa’s one-sided slaughter of Titans that they’d forgotten about the crucial resource—maneuvering gas.

Armin continued, “They’re skilled, but if they run out of gas and lose their mobility… there’s no way humans, with our small bodies, could withstand a Titan.”

“Damn it! If it weren’t for those useless guys in the supply squad, we could’ve wiped out all the Titans!” someone cursed in frustration.

Tension, which had momentarily eased, gripped the group once more.

Swish! After one more exhilarating, Spider-Man-like swing through the air, Sikong Xu finally encountered a bit of trouble: two fifteen-meter Titans suddenly blocked the road ahead, appearing from behind the buildings to bar the only available path with their massive forms and the flanking walls.

Because these two Titans faced Sikong Xu directly, and the buildings on either side hemmed him in, maneuvering behind them to strike the nape would be much more difficult. Attempting to go over the rooftops would mean losing the mobility afforded by the gear, as there were no anchor points above. A frontal assault risked being intercepted or injured.

They’d picked a good spot, Sikong Xu noted inwardly—but this minor obstacle wouldn’t stop him.

“Mikasa, let’s each take one. We’ll go low and cut their tendons first.”

“Understood,” Mikasa nodded slightly.

Attacking from below to sever the Titans’ Achilles tendons and render them immobile before delivering the killing blow—this was the best solution Sikong Xu could devise in an instant.

Whoosh!

The two extended the cables of their maneuvering gear, bodies pressed close to the ground, so close their toes could nearly brush the street. In the blink of an eye, they closed in on the Titans’ colossal feet. The Titans, of course, noticed the sudden shift in altitude from their would-be prey. But, lacking intelligence, they didn’t think to protect their legs—instead, they simply raised their feet to kick at the “bugs” darting at their ankles.

Ordinary Titans truly had no wits at all, knowing only to mindlessly prey on humans. Faced with this situation, any thinking creature would instinctively guard its feet. Not only did these Titans fail to defend themselves—they actually aided their enemies by kicking downward.

Sikong Xu and Mikasa exchanged glances, amusement flickering in their eyes.

Whoosh!

The Titans’ power was overwhelming, and though their kicks missed, the resulting gust of wind was fierce, sweeping up clouds of dust and bits of debris from the street and nearby buildings. For a moment, Sikong Xu and Mikasa’s forward momentum wavered.

But only for a moment.

They swiftly stabilized themselves and, blades flashing, slashed with practiced precision at the passing tendons of the Titans’ feet.

Slash!

The sound of steel slicing flesh rang out, accompanied by twin fountains of blood arcing three meters high. Then—

Boom! Boom!

With thunderous crashes, the two Titans collapsed to the ground, helpless as Sikong Xu and Mikasa finished them off with clean strokes to the nape.

The two Titans blocking the way—eliminated.