Chapter 27: A Standoff of Gazes with Reiner

"Xu, Mikasa!" Seeing the two on the lift platform, Armin rushed over, his face alight with joy.

"Are you alright...? I... I should have gone down with you... I'm sorry..." Armin bent forward, squeezed his eyes shut, and spoke heavily.

"Well... it's fine, I don't mind," Sikong Xu said with a gentle smile, lifting Armin upright. Everyone has their own choices, and Sikong Xu could hardly interfere in the roads others chose—he only asked that no one trouble him.

Armin straightened up, though his face still bore the mark of guilt. When his friends were in danger, he hesitated—more than once—and the remorse threatened to overwhelm him.

Sikong Xu, however, was unconcerned with such matters. His mind was occupied only with Mikasa, and, of course, the trial's mission.

"I'm so glad you both made it out safely," Lance said, patting her small chest with relief as she saw the two unharmed. Her sincere gaze held not a trace of pretense.

"Thank you for your concern," Sikong Xu replied, walking over to gently touch Lance's head. He found the petite and adorable girl quite likable.

"Sikong Xu, what happened down there? Did you escape, or..." Jean voiced the question that weighed on everyone's minds.

His tone trembled, clearly eager to know what Sikong Xu and Mikasa had done in the basement—though the phrasing was a touch ambiguous.

"You're asking about those seven smaller titans," Sikong Xu said, waving his hand dismissively, his voice laced with contempt. "Killed them all."

"Killed them all... So even you couldn't—what!"

Jean interrupted himself, dumbfounded.

"You mean... you..."

"Yes, yes, that's right. Killed them all," Sikong Xu pointed at the lift, indicating that Jean could see for himself.

"How is that possible!"

Sikong Xu's words ignited the crowd, and the group erupted in disbelief. Few could accept what he claimed—it was simply too incredible.

In the cramped basement, the vertical maneuvering gear was useless. Sikong Xu had battled the titans relying solely on his own body. To survive in such conditions would have been impressive enough, yet Sikong Xu claimed to have defeated them all!

How could anyone not be astonished?

Seeing the faces around him, Sikong Xu spoke impatiently, "If you don't believe me, go down and see for yourselves."

"This..."

At the suggestion, hesitation swept through the crowd. They longed to verify the truth with their own eyes, but if the titans hadn't truly been dealt with, they wouldn't be able to return. The group began to chatter, their discussion quickly centering on who would be chosen to descend.

"Cowards," Sikong Xu muttered in annoyance as he observed them.

No wonder, in the original story, so few cadets from the 104th training corps survived this war. All cowards and weaklings—how could they hope to live through it? If not for Sikong Xu and Mikasa gathering everyone together, these people would already be in the titans' bellies.

"I'll go take a look," a voice cut through the noise.

The speaker had yellow hair, stood nearly six feet tall, and his strong build gave him an imposing presence. He was Reiner Braun, second in the training corps graduation ranking, and a friend of Eren.

"I'll go down. If anything happens, I should be able to escape with my abilities," Reiner said sternly.

Of course you could escape—even if surrounded by titans, you’d have no trouble. Sikong Xu glanced at Reiner, knowing well his true identity from the original story: the Armored Titan, one of the intelligent titans, just like Eren.

With Reiner volunteering, the crowd fell silent. Someone had stepped forward; there was nothing more to say.

"Perhaps we should go too," Armin whispered, glancing repeatedly at Sikong Xu, clearly still troubled by earlier events.

"No need. One is enough. Too many will only complicate things," Reiner replied, stepping onto the lift and exchanging a glance with Annie nearby.

Reiner had his reasons. He, Annie, and another top graduate, Hoover, were undercover agents sent by the titan faction within the walls.

If Sikong Xu truly had the ability to defeat seven small titans without the maneuvering gear, their plans would need revising.

Such strength could easily disrupt their long-standing scheme—if the basement scene was genuine...

A hint of coldness flashed in Reiner’s eyes.

Thanks to the "Infinite Martial Refinement" and its derivative "Heart's Eye" ability, Sikong Xu immediately sensed Reiner's sudden hostility toward him. Yet he paid it little mind.

Sikong Xu cared little for how events would unfold—two more main missions, and he could return to reality, bidding this world farewell. He had no desire to stir up more trouble.

But if the other party deliberately provoked him... Sikong Xu's gaze fixed on Reiner, who met his eyes. Their stares clashed, and Reiner froze. A chill surged unexpectedly in his chest.

That look... Had his identity been exposed? Impossible... Reiner was startled. He was sure he was on good terms with Sikong Xu—so why did the other meet him with such murderous eyes?

He shook his head to dispel the cold unease and glanced back at Sikong Xu, only to find him now looking warmly at Mikasa, his demeanor completely changed.

This man... truly terrifying! That was Reiner’s deepest impression of Sikong Xu.

...

The lift descended, and after a few minutes returned. Reiner stood atop it, his expression one of utter disbelief.

At a glance, everyone knew Sikong Xu had spoken the truth.

"Wonderful! I never thought Sikong Xu was so powerful!"

"Yes, yes, he saved us all this time!"

"Hurry down to refill your gas—I can't wait to scale the wall!"

"We’re finally saved!"

The group, grateful to Sikong Xu, began heading for the basement one by one.

Watching them, Sikong Xu shook his head. He had already led them to resupply their gas; from here on, their fate was no concern of his. Besides, Eren’s battle should be ending soon.

Main mission two was about to begin.