Chapter 43: Primary Giant Bloodline Potion

The clatter of hooves burst forth in tense cacophony. As the city gates swung open, the Survey Corps—hundreds strong—charged out in orderly formation, their route temporarily secured thanks to the soldiers inside the walls who had lured the Titans away in advance. Seizing this brief reprieve, Sikong Xu once more used his imprint to review the gains of the past few days.

“Cadet Sikong Xu has completed the hidden quest: ‘The Strongest Human Soldier.’”
“Quest Difficulty: Three and a half stars.”
“Quest Objective: Challenge the strongest human soldier, Levi Ackerman, and achieve victory. The method of challenge is unrestricted.”
“Quest Reward: Titan Bloodline Serum (Basic)”

Titan Bloodline Serum (Basic)
Type: Item
Description: Upon ingestion, grants the basic Titan bloodline, enabling transformation into a regular Titan and access to all Titan abilities, but without the urge to devour humans.

Another hidden quest completed! After obtaining the basic Titan bloodline serum, Sikong Xu laughed wildly for an entire night. He understood clearly that the value of this serum far surpassed the rewards of any previous missions.

Once they had left the city walls behind, the massive Survey Corps arranged themselves into an enormous formation. Hundreds of steeds traced long arcs across the wilds, raising clouds of dust in their wake. The sight of so many horses thundering together was nothing short of magnificent.

This formation, known as the “Long-Range Scouting Formation,” was the result of Erwin’s careful deliberation. When soldiers formed this pattern outside the walls, each person’s chance of survival increased dramatically. The vanguard was deployed in two semicircular arcs, while the rear was organized into a diamond shape, maximizing the range for reconnaissance and information relay.

Yet the formation had a clear weakness: insufficient support. For scouting or relaying information, a single member could be dispatched from a squad. But if support was needed, sending one person wasn’t enough; dispatching more would disrupt the formation. Thus, the “Long-Range Scouting Formation” lived up to its name—ideal for reconnaissance, ill-suited for battle.

But constant combat would betray the Survey Corps’ purpose. Despite their overall strength, if they ventured beyond the walls to fight Titans head-on, they would be overwhelmed within hours, making any investigation impossible.

Therefore, when the Survey Corps operated outside the walls, they relied on scouting and avoidance. Once scouts detected Titans, the information was swiftly relayed throughout the ranks, prompting the main force to change course and evade the threat. Only when confrontation became unavoidable would the Corps engage in battle.

Within the formation, hundreds were divided into numerous smaller squads, enabling effective local action. Sikong Xu and the other new recruits were positioned toward the front-middle of the formation. While not the most dangerous spot, it carried a weighty responsibility: transmitting information at the earliest moment.

Their squad was just behind the scouts. If a scout spotted a Titan, a red signal flare would immediately be fired to alert Sikong Xu’s group, who would then relay the signal onward, passing it down to Commander Erwin at the center of the formation. Upon seeing the signal, Erwin would make a decision and fire a green flare to direct the corps, avoiding direct confrontation with Titans.

This method was simple yet highly effective. With every member mounted, they could easily outpace any pursuing Titans, making it perfectly suited to the Survey Corps.

When a streak of red flare smoke appeared overhead, Sikong Xu arched his brow and quickly addressed Lance, who rode behind him, “Lance, the signal flare!”

“Huh? Oh!” Lance, whose angelic gentle features betrayed her clumsy nature, fumbled anxiously at Sikong Xu’s command but managed to fire the flare.

“Sigh…” Watching her endearing awkwardness, Sikong Xu rubbed his forehead in resignation. He had insisted on leaving the Special Operations Squad to avoid trouble, but after escaping one hassle, another had appeared.

The new recruits were split into three squads, and Sikong Xu was the leader of one. Fortunately, he was grouped with Mikasa; otherwise, he might have lost his composure entirely.

“Squad Leader, is there anything else you need?” After firing the flare, Lance beamed sweetly at Sikong Xu. Truth be told, Lance was universally recognized as the goddess of the 104th Training Corps; her smile alone could penetrate anyone’s heart. Sikong Xu found himself momentarily entranced.

“What is it? Is… is there something on my face?” Noticing Sikong Xu’s heated gaze, Lance’s cheeks bloomed with a rosy blush. Her pure heart had never experienced such intensity.

“Hey, Sikong Xu, don’t you dare look at our Lance like that. You’d better keep those masculine thoughts to yourself.” Suddenly, Ymir appeared, blocking Sikong Xu’s view. Ymir, also a top ten graduate, was very close to Lance and had always dealt sternly with those who tried to bother her.

“That’s a bit much. What do you mean, ‘masculine thoughts’?” Sikong Xu grumbled.

A sharp pain shot through his waist as a slender hand twisted the flesh there a full one hundred eighty degrees.

“Ah…” Sikong Xu cried out, sweat breaking across his brow. Turning, he saw Mikasa standing quietly behind him—the slender hand was hers.

“Mikasa…” Sikong Xu forced a twisted smile.

“Cheating…” Mikasa’s cold face barely moved, her soft lips parting to utter the accusation.

Sikong Xu had no rebuttal left.

At that moment, the green command flare was finally fired from the rear. Sikong Xu glanced over and said, “Everyone, follow me. The commander is changing our direction.”

He tugged the reins, turned his horse, and moved toward the direction indicated by the flare.

But as Sikong Xu led his squad to shift course, fate seemed to play a cruel trick—a fifteen-meter Titan suddenly charged at them from nearby.

“What’s happening! How did a Titan get this close?” Sikong Xu was startled. At some point, the scouts’ signals ahead had become chaotic; something was happening.

“Was it a mistake, or…”

As the Titan appeared, Sikong Xu’s squad members immediately spotted it. Thankfully, none panicked. They looked to Sikong Xu, awaiting his orders.

Sikong Xu took a deep breath. “Everyone, head toward the green signal flare. Mikasa, cover the rear. I’ll stay behind to block the Titan.”

“Yes!”

These new recruits were all graduates of the Training Corps and knew Sikong Xu’s prowess. None objected to his command—not even Mikasa, who trusted that a regular Titan posed no threat to him.

“Everyone, move!”