The morning sun sliced through the narrow streets of Shiganshina, glinting off the icy patches along the Wall's base. Elias Kruger adjusted the crisp collar of his uniform and exhaled slowly, eyes scanning the cadets lining up for the day's training. Today wasn't a simple drill—it was a real assignment: the first supply patrol beyond Wall Rose.
Around him, whispers rippled between the cadets. Some were eager, others visibly anxious. Elias noted every movement, every subtle nervous twitch. Fear was familiar; he had seen it countless times in his past life. Patterns revealed themselves quickly, and he always prepared accordingly.
His gaze landed on a boy stumbling with a wooden sword during warm-up exercises. His movements were off, the stance awkward. Uniform ragged. The boy's hands shook slightly as he adjusted the grip.
"You're off-balance," Elias said, approaching him quietly. "Your stance is fine, but you're leaning too far forward. You'll tire yourself out before completing the patrol."
The boy looked up, eyes wide but honest. "I… I don't have much experience," he admitted humbly. "I'm… not like the others."
Elias studied him. There was something rare here: humility, caution, and honesty—a willingness to listen. "Then pay attention. Stick with me. I'll show you the proper way. You'll last the patrol if you follow my instructions."
The boy nodded eagerly, a small spark of determination in his eyes. Elias had already decided: this boy would be his right-hand man. This was Vince Carter.
Training Together
The cadets moved to the obstacle course, wooden swords in hand. Vince followed closely, absorbing every tip Elias offered. When a series of balance beams tested their coordination, Vince stumbled but Elias was there, steadying his elbow mid-step.
"Good," Elias said softly. "You're improving faster than I expected. Focus, not strength, is the key."
Vince smiled faintly, catching his breath. "Thank you… I'll keep trying."
Elias didn't respond, but internally he calculated potential. Honest, cautious, thrifty. A cadet like this, if trained properly, could become invaluable—not just in combat, but in logistics and strategy. And Elias would need someone he could trust implicitly in the dangerous days ahead.
The Patrol Begins
By mid-morning, the cadets assembled for the actual mission. A supply wagon had to be escorted through abandoned districts to a small outpost near Wall Rose. The snow had begun to melt, leaving ice patches and mud. Cadets slipped and cursed under their breath, instructors shouting over the chaos.
Elias scanned the formation. Beside him, Vince moved deliberately, careful not to stumble, quietly observing the environment.
Predator's Hunger activated.
[Calories Consumed: 420 → Strength +0.15, Reflex +0.1]
It wasn't a massive boost, but it sharpened perception and reflexes. Elias's eyes caught the glint of a metal trap partially hidden beneath snow—something a cadet would have missed.
"Vince," he said quietly. "Left side. Watch your step."
Vince adjusted immediately, moving with precise caution. Elias noted the boy's quick learning, a rare and valuable trait. He would need Vince's prudence during riskier operations.
First Encounter
Their quiet observation was interrupted by a sudden shout. A group of thieves attempted to ambush the supply wagon. Cadets panicked, some frozen in fear.
"Move aside! Clear the path!" Elias commanded. He stepped forward, wooden blade swinging in practiced arcs. One thief went down; another lunged.
Ackerman Power Activated: Business Trigger ×5
Time seemed to slow. Elias moved with preternatural efficiency, neutralizing the attackers before they could land a blow. Vince, positioned slightly behind, observed and followed instructions carefully. When a cadet tried to engage recklessly, Vince intercepted, pulling them back and preventing an accident.
By the end of the skirmish, the supply wagon was intact. Cadets stared in awe, but Elias only glanced at Vince, who nodded silently in acknowledgment. The bond between them was forming: trust without words, a shared understanding that each relied on the other.
Shadows of the Underworld
Night fell, and the streets grew quieter, though danger never truly vanished. Elias shed the public persona of the honorable cadet and moved under his alias into the hidden world of trade and black-market operations.
Vince accompanied him, assisting in counting goods, monitoring shipments, and observing rival merchants. The boy's cautious nature proved invaluable—he spotted a potential ambush from a rival merchant before it escalated and quietly helped reroute the delivery.
[System Mission Update: Mission 001 – Supplies secured]
[Reward: +0.2 Swordsmanship, +0.05 Tactical Acumen]
Elias noted the subtle improvements in his own stats, but also valued Vince's presence. The boy's honesty and loyalty were rare commodities, and Elias would need him as a constant ally.
Nobility and Military Police Watch
Unseen observers were beginning to notice. Nobles whispered about a cadet gaining influence quietly but rapidly. Military Police scribbled in ledgers, noting unusual activity in the markets.
Elias's eyes narrowed. This game had begun in earnest. He would need Vince not only for physical support but as an extra set of eyes and hands—someone who could manage resources and spot threats while Elias handled combat and strategy.
A Threat Near Home
As snow fell again, an informant approached with troubling news: a rival merchant had sent thugs toward Elias's neighborhood, likely testing the family's defenses. Elias clenched his fists.
"Not tonight," he whispered.
He ran through the streets toward home, Vince at his side. Their movements were silent, calculated. The siblings were unaware of the danger approaching, but Elias felt the familiar surge—the one that came when those he loved were at risk.
Ackerman Power Activated: Family Trigger ×10
Time slowed, reflexes sharpened, strength surged. Together, Elias and Vince neutralized the attackers efficiently, using precise movements to avoid unnecessary casualties. Vince's caution kept the situation controlled; Elias's power ensured it ended decisively.
By the time the last thug fled, Lila clung to Elias, and Finn and Otto stared wide-eyed.
"You… you saved us," Finn whispered.
Elias smiled faintly. "That's my job. Always."
Vince stood quietly beside him, nodding. No words were necessary. He had proven himself a loyal companion in the heat of battle.
Reflection and Strategy
Later, as they returned to their modest home, Elias allowed himself a rare moment of contemplation. Predator's Hunger pulsed faintly, reminding him the system was a tool—but growth came from discipline, cunning, and loyal allies like Vince.
His double life remained intact: the elegant, honorable Garrison cadet and the shadowy underworld operator. The first mission had tested him, and Vince had proven invaluable, a rare constant in a world full of risk.
Elias knelt beside Lila, brushing her hair gently. "Rest well. I'll keep you safe."
Vince, standing slightly behind him, watched the scene silently. In that moment, Elias realized he had found more than a right-hand man. He had found someone he could trust implicitly—someone who would survive the Walls alongside him.
The snow continued to fall, blanketing the city and streets where danger lurked. The Titans beyond the Wall, the nobility, and the Military Police Brigade were all threats to be managed. But with Vince by his side, Elias felt prepared to face whatever trials awaited.