Chapter 23: The Heart That Dares to Challenge

Under Sikong Xu’s command, the trainees of the 104th Cadet Corps finally broke through the siege and made it to the supply room. According to plan, all they needed to do was reach the gas chamber beneath the supply room to refill the gas for their vertical maneuvering gear. With enough power to scale the fifty-meter-high walls, they might just survive this brutal war by a stroke of luck.

But reality proved far harsher than any expectation. After Sikong Xu questioned the supply squad members, a thunderous blow shattered the fragile hope that had just begun to grow among the trainees, plunging them back into despair.

There were seven three-to-four-meter class titans lurking in the underground gas chamber.

Though Sikong Xu had previously slain mid- and even large-class titans, ranging from eight to fifteen meters, one could not afford to underestimate these smaller titans. For, no matter how weak they seemed in comparison to their kin, they were still “titans.” The chasm of power between them and mere humans was insurmountable. What’s more, their “smaller” frames granted them an agility that ordinary titans lacked, making them even more formidable foes.

If a seasoned veteran with years of titan-slaying experience had to choose between hunting a small titan or an ordinary one, he would, without hesitation, pick the latter. Besides, in the confines of a basement, the vertical maneuvering gear would be all but useless. Surrounded by solid walls, reinforced far beyond ordinary structures for underground stability, even the specialized blades meant to fight titans would struggle to leave a mark.

This was a monumental problem. Humanity’s only edge against titans was the agility granted by the maneuvering gear. While titans were fast, they lacked flexibility, and it was this difference humans exploited to barely hold their own. Take away the gear, and humans lost their only means of bridging the abyss of power. To face titans without it was sheer folly.

“Why… We risked our lives to break through…”
“Why do the titans have to be in the basement…”
“We’re finished… All that’s left is to wait for death in here…”

The news of seven small titans in the basement was enough to extinguish any remaining fighting spirit. As word spread, the optimism and courage that had propelled them this far evaporated, replaced by despair and lethargy that seeped through the ranks.

In this situation, neither Sikong Xu nor Mikasa had any good solutions. After all, Sikong Xu was no “talk-no-jutsu” master from a certain ninja tale; he couldn’t think of any stirring words to reignite morale.

“What now?” Mikasa’s clear eyes fixed on Sikong Xu, her grip tightening on her blades. Her meaning was plain—if Sikong Xu gave the word, she would charge into the basement and fight those titans, regardless of the risk.

“Mikasa, you…” Receiving her unwavering gaze, Sikong Xu managed a self-mocking smile. “It’s not that there’s no way…”

Right now, the best plan Sikong Xu could recall was the one Armin had devised in the original story: send the cadets down to the basement via the suspended bridge to draw the titans’ attention, then have seven skilled cadets drop from the beams to slay the monsters.

It was undoubtedly the best method for dealing with the titans below, but Sikong Xu was reluctant to use it. He had always been one to embrace challenges—his previous life’s obsession with conquering countless hellish games was proof enough. Now, with abilities far surpassing those of ordinary men, his thirst for challenge had only grown.

He could sense that, with “Dimensional Summoning” and “Contract Summoning,” he was destined to become truly powerful. Yet that was not his ultimate goal. Power was a foundation, but it also broadened his horizons.

Sikong Xu longed for challenge after challenge—against himself, against the world—until he earned the title of “the strongest.”

“Ha…” He suddenly grinned, a sense of clarity filling his heart. Turning to Mikasa, he said, “There is a way to deal with those titans, but I prefer something a bit more direct!”

“Xu! You mean…” Mikasa heard the implication in his words. He nodded, understanding passing between them.

Then Sikong Xu turned to address the trainees, who were sinking into despair. “I know how you all feel right now. The seven titans in the basement are a devastating blow. But you are the pillars of humanity, our sharpest blades against the titans, the final shield that protects us. If even you succumb to despair, what hope can humanity have?”

He paused. He didn’t want to speak at length to these cadets. If not for the ties of camaraderie and the last dregs of sympathy, he might well have ignored them entirely and escaped with Mikasa.

“I’ll handle the seven titans in the basement. As for you—just don’t get in my way.”

At those words, many raised their heads in anger. Sikong Xu’s statement clearly belittled them. Yet that anger quickly turned to shock and disbelief.

Was Sikong Xu really planning to face those seven fearsome titans alone? Had they heard him right? Without the maneuvering gear, he still dared to confront them? Was he insane?

A clamor rose among the crowd. It simply beggared belief that Sikong Xu had both the courage and the strength to face the titans without any equipment. Even if he was powerful enough to slay titans with ease, that only applied when using the maneuvering gear—without it, a single titan could end him.

Still, a few people in the crowd grew solemn. Among them were those who had exchanged maneuvering gear with Sikong Xu and Mikasa, as well as Armin, Jean, Connie, and others who had witnessed Sikong Xu battle a large titan without any gear. Although that titan had ultimately been taken down by Eren in titan form, Sikong Xu’s performance had been utterly astonishing.

Further, among the trainees, Annie and Reiner—deeply concealed as infiltrators from another faction—were also paying close attention. Now, having witnessed Sikong Xu’s formidable power, they were considering the potential threat he posed to their plans.

“Well, in any case, just wait for me to come back,” Sikong Xu said, waving them off, leaving no room for further discussion.

“Xu, I’m going with you.” Mikasa knew Sikong Xu’s strength better than anyone, but her nature would never allow him to face the titans alone.

After a brief consideration, Sikong Xu smiled. “Alright.”