Chen Si and the others ran toward Eren's house. The streets were in complete chaos—tools abandoned on the ground, vegetables and fruit baskets scattered everywhere.
As Chen Si scanned the road ahead, he spotted a kitchen knife lying on the ground. He scooped it up with his right hand and kept running. A kitchen knife would probably be useless against Pure Titans—likely unable to pierce their flesh. The Survey Corps used specially developed blades for a reason. Still, having something in hand was better than nothing.
"Brother, there's a Titan coming in from the side," Mikasa said calmly.
After her Ackerman bloodline awakened, she seemed born for battle—cold, composed, without a trace of fear.
The streets echoed with terrified screams. Mikasa released Armin's hand—he was running too slowly, his trembling legs unable to keep up. She glanced at him briefly.
"Armin, go ahead."
Without looking back, she rushed after Chen Si and Eren.
Armin stood stunned for a moment, eyes shaking. Then he followed the flow of fleeing civilians, glancing back toward Chen Si and the others.
"A disaster is coming…" he murmured in horror.
When they reached Eren's house, they froze.
It was already reduced to rubble.
"Mom!" Eren screamed hoarsely as he charged forward.
Beneath a collapsed beam of the roof, they saw Carla pinned down.
Chen Si and Mikasa rushed in. The three of them tried to lift the massive wooden pillar trapping her. They strained with all their strength—but it didn't budge.
Damn it… this thing must weigh hundreds of kilograms…
They were still only nine years old. Even with Ackerman blood, there was only so much they could exert.
We need Hannes to get here, Chen Si thought.
At that moment, a blond, grotesquely smiling Titan approached slowly.
"We have to hurry!" Eren shouted.
"I'm trying!" Mikasa gritted her teeth. The pillar shifted slightly—but only slightly.
"We can lift it… but we need more time. And ideally another adult," Chen Si said through clenched teeth, watching the beam rise only a fraction.
But Titans didn't grant time—especially not Dina Fritz's Titan.
He cast a deep glance at the smiling Titan drawing nearer.
The Smiling Titan.
"The Titan's inside! Chen Si, take Eren and run! Mikasa, run! Don't worry about me!" Carla cried desperately. "My legs are crushed—I can't run!"
She already knew her fate. She only wanted the children to survive.
"I'll carry you!" Eren sobbed.
"Auntie, I won't give up!" Chen Si growled, still straining. Carla had treated him and Mikasa like her own children—without favoritism toward Eren. She was selfless. Kind.
Why is this damn beam so heavy?!
"Eren! Why won't you ever listen to your mother?! Chen Si, you've always been the most sensible! Why won't you listen this time?! At least this once—listen to me! Mikasa!"
Tears streamed down Carla's face.
Mikasa lowered her head, tears dripping silently. She felt as though she was about to lose family once again.
The Smiling Titan loomed close.
Suddenly—
Hannes arrived, soaring in with his ODM gear.
"Hannes! Take the children and run!" Carla shouted.
"Don't underestimate me!" Hannes roared, drawing his standard blade and charging Dina's Titan.
He owed Doctor Yeager greatly. This was his chance to repay that debt.
But when he stood before the twelve-meter abnormal Titan—
Fear shattered him.
The grotesque smile. The gaze that saw humans as ants.
He froze.
Then he turned, scooping up Eren and Mikasa.
"Chen Si! Run!" Hannes shouted, already retreating.
Hannes, you…
Chen Si felt a wave of helpless frustration—but he understood. Fear destroyed not only reason, but hope. Few could truly face it.
He did not move.
Hannes ran a few steps, then noticed Chen Si wasn't following. He stopped, panicked.
"Auntie, I won't abandon you. I won't give up hope."
The kitchen knife was useless against Titans. Even if it cut a few centimeters, it would probably snap.
But cutting wood?
That was possible.
"Chen Si! What are you doing?! Run!" Carla screamed in disbelief.
Then she saw it.
A faint blue light flickered in Chen Si's eyes—usually too subtle to notice. But now they were face to face.
Electric arcs crackled along the blade.
With one strike—
He severed the stacked wooden beam clean in half.
The weight split.
The blue light intensified in his eyes. He heaved the broken beam aside and pulled Carla free.
In the distance, Mikasa broke free from Hannes and ran back first. Hannes snapped out of his shock and hurried over.
Mikasa caught the swaying Chen Si before he collapsed.
Hannes lifted Carla onto his back.
Carla looked at Chen Si—pale, exhausted, nearly fainting—and scolded through tears:
"Foolish child! How could you risk your life like that?"
"Aunt Carla… you're the only family I have left in this world…"
Then Chen Si lost consciousness.
Hannes stopped Carla from checking him.
"We need to reach the inner gate first!"
Hannes carried Carla and held Eren's hand. Mikasa carried Chen Si.
They fled toward the inner district.
Eren looked back once more.
Dina's Titan was looking at him too.
In that silent exchange, something unseen seemed to shift.
Using his connections in the Garrison, Hannes secured them passage onto a boat heading toward Wall Rose.
As the ship prepared to depart, Hannes stood on shore, guilt consuming him. He clenched his fists.
I wasn't even as brave as a child…
Because of his cowardice, Carla had nearly died.
"Eren! Aunt Carla! Mikasa—you're here!"
Armin greeted them from the ship.
"Is Chen Si okay? Why is he unconscious?"
Carla limped over with Eren's support.
"It's my fault… I was too weak. Chen Si had to save me alone…" Eren blamed himself bitterly.
Carla checked Chen Si's pulse and forehead.
"He's fine. Just exhausted."
"Really?!" Eren cheered.
Mikasa finally relaxed, silently vowing to protect Chen Si from now on.
Carla frowned thoughtfully.
She remembered the blue light. The electricity. She knew Chen Si wasn't ordinary.
And she knew how much the royal government feared the unknown.
She resolved to guard his secret.
About ten minutes later, Chen Si slowly woke.
The ship was about to depart.
He felt refreshed—completely unharmed.
He realized he was lying on Mikasa's lap.
Warmth filled his chest.
He gently held her hand.
Mikasa jolted awake.
"Brother, you're awake!"
"Sorry to worry you."
Eren rushed over, words spilling out:
"Chen Si, you saved Mom! You were braver than the Garrison! You're amazing!"
Smack!
Carla flicked Eren's forehead.
"Chen Si needs rest. Stop shouting."
She handed Chen Si fruit that Armin's grandfather had brought.
"Eat. Replenish your strength."
"Thank you, Auntie."
He nodded to Armin's grandfather, who tipped his hat in greeting. Armin smiled and waved before coming over.
Chen Si took a bite—then offered some to Mikasa.
She took a bite too.
You one bite, me one bite.
A quiet, tender moment amid disaster.
The ship had just begun moving.
On the shore, crowds desperately pushed to board. Some fell into the river.
Ah… Reiner's about to make his entrance. This is his peak moment.
Chen Si sighed internally.
I need to kill at least one Titan soon. Passing out every time I use my ability is unbearable…
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The inner gate exploded.
Chen Si looked up.
A golden, armored Titan with short blond hair appeared—
Then vanished in a cloud of steam.
The Armored Titan had arrived.