The morning sun had barely broken over Wall Rose when chaos erupted in the southern district. A Titan had breached the outskirts, sending civilians fleeing into the streets. Smoke from overturned carts and burning market stalls mingled with the frigid air.
Elias Kruger crouched on a rooftop, eyes scanning the pandemonium below. Beside him, Vince Carter held the ledger tightly, noting patrol patterns and escape routes.
"This is worse than I expected," Vince whispered. "The Titan isn't alone. Look—movement near the Wall's edge."
Elias's eyes narrowed. "We'll need precision. Any misstep could cost lives. Keep civilians in mind first—then the shipment, then the rest."
Predator's Hunger activated.
[Calories Consumed: 800 → Strength +0.4, Reflex +0.3]
His Ackerman instincts surged faintly, alerting him to threats before they became imminent. But this time, he would also need to think strategically, balancing combat with protection, while keeping his double life hidden from those who depended on him.
Sibling POV – Lila
Lila Kruger, Elias's youngest sister, clutched Finn and Otto as they watched the chaos from their small home.
"Big brother…" she whispered, voice trembling. "He's going to save them, isn't he?"
Finn's brow furrowed. "He always does. Remember when the thieves tried to take our supplies? He handled them all."
Otto, quieter and more reflective, nodded. "But… what if this time it's too much? He's just a boy…"
Lila's eyes filled with determination. "No. He's not just a boy. He's my big brother. He always finds a way."
Even from a distance, the siblings felt the invisible presence of Elias, a protective force they didn't fully understand but instinctively trusted.
Coordinating the Response
Elias leapt from the rooftop, moving with fluid grace. Vince followed, guiding citizens toward safer zones.
"Left flank, civilians here," Vince instructed, pointing to a narrow alleyway. "You take the right; I'll manage the center."
Elias nodded. "Good. Stay calm, move fast."
Ackerman Power Activated: Tactical Burst ×5
Time slowed. Each step, each dodge, each parry flowed like water. The Titan's massive hand swung down, crushing market stalls, but Elias's precision allowed him to save fleeing civilians without being noticed. Vince coordinated silently, ensuring no one was trapped or endangered.
[System Update: Mission 005 – Civilian Protection & Titan Evasion]
[Reward Pending: Swordsmanship +0.2, Tactical Acumen +0.15, Negotiation +0.05]
Political Intrigue
While Elias handled the immediate threat, the noble family of Leonhardt, humiliated by previous failures, began plotting more aggressive moves.
In a dimly lit manor, Leonhardt met with corrupt Military Police officers. "The cadet who disrupts our operations…" Leonhardt hissed. "We cannot let him continue unchecked. Intercept him, but do not harm civilians—public opinion must be used against him."
One officer smirked. "Understood. We'll make sure his influence wanes. But… what if he anticipates us?"
Leonhardt's eyes gleamed coldly. "Then we adapt. The Walls hide many secrets, but the cadet cannot hide everything."
Sibling POV – Finn
Finn clutched Lila's hand tightly as smoke curled into their street. "I… I wish I could help," he murmured.
Lila frowned. "We can't. But he's… he's strong. Big brother protects everyone."
Otto added quietly, "I wonder… what is he really like when we're not around? He always seems… different."
The siblings sensed the duality in Elias—the honorable cadet they admired publicly and the shadowy, calculating protector operating behind the scenes. Even without knowing the full truth, they trusted him implicitly.
Securing the District
Elias moved swiftly, navigating debris-strewn streets. Vince's calculations proved critical; civilians were guided into hidden passages while Elias intercepted smaller Titans moving toward the main crowd.
Predator's Hunger pulse amplified his strength and reflexes. Ackerman bursts allowed him to counter attacks with precision, neutralizing threats before they could endanger anyone.
By coordinating with Vince, Elias ensured that civilians were funneled to a safe zone near a reinforced section of the Wall. Each Titan was avoided or diverted, not killed outright—Elias could not risk revealing his full capabilities to the public yet.
The Merchant Network Under Siege
Meanwhile, rival merchants, emboldened by the chaos, attempted to claim resources under threat of both Titan activity and noble influence. Elias's underworld network had to act quickly.
"Vince, contact the merchants on the east side," Elias instructed. "Tell them to secure the resources and avoid the main street. We can't let Leonhardt's influence spread during this chaos."
Vince's careful, thrifty approach ensured the shipments were moved efficiently, avoiding both nobles and Military Police patrols. "All shipments rerouted. No losses reported," Vince whispered.
Elias nodded. "Good. Keep monitoring. We're not finished yet."
Conflict Escalates
Suddenly, a second, larger Titan appeared, drawn by movement near the Wall. Civilians panicked, guards faltered, and the corrupted Military Police began attempting to assert control, complicating the situation.
Elias's eyes hardened. "Vince, stay close. This is going to get messy."
Ackerman Power Activated: Family Trigger ×10
Strength, reflexes, and tactical perception multiplied. He moved through the chaos like a phantom, disarming rogue officers, guiding civilians, and evading the Titans' massive hands. Vince's caution and observation kept the group coordinated and safe.
[System Update: Mission Progress – 50%]
Sibling POV – Otto
Otto peered through the broken window of their home. "I… I can see him… Big brother…"
Lila whispered, "Stay quiet. Don't distract him. He's… he's doing everything for us."
Finn added softly, "I wish I could fight alongside him. He's so… amazing."
Even from afar, the siblings felt the raw presence of Elias's power—the Ackerman instincts, the quiet confidence, the unshakable determination to protect them. It was inspiring, frightening, and awe-inducing all at once.
Coordinated Strike
Elias and Vince worked seamlessly. Using rooftops and narrow alleys, they funneled the Titan away from civilians while neutralizing hostile officers. Precision strikes, calculated diversions, and Ackerman-enhanced reflexes allowed them to maintain safety.
Predator's Hunger activated again: Calories consumed 900 → Strength +0.45, Reflex +0.35
The Titan, finally diverted into an empty district, thrashed harmlessly. The nobles' enforcers were incapacitated without fatalities, their schemes thwarted for the moment.
[System Update: Mission Progress – 100%]
[Mission Completed: Reward – Swordsmanship +0.35, Tactical Acumen +0.25, Negotiation +0.15, Nobility Influence +0.1]
Aftermath and Reflection
Back in their safehouse, Elias and Vince cataloged every detail. Vince's meticulous notes ensured that future threats could be anticipated.
"You handled everything perfectly," Vince said, admiration in his voice. "I don't think anyone else could've managed both the Titans and the nobles at once."
Elias shook his head. "It's not perfection. Every decision carries risk. But we adapted, and we protected those who matter most. That's enough for now."
The siblings' thoughts lingered in Elias's mind. He knew they admired him, yet they didn't understand the full scope of his double life. One day, perhaps, they would—but for now, he would remain the honorable Garrison cadet in their eyes.
Lila, Finn, and Otto slept peacefully that night, unaware of the danger that had surrounded them, but instinctively feeling the protection of their big brother. In their hearts, he was invincible.
Elias allowed himself a rare moment of reflection. The Wall stood silent, Titans beyond, scheming nobles within, and a world that tested him at every turn. Yet he was stronger now, more capable, and increasingly confident in his ability to protect his siblings, his network, and the people within the Walls.
He glanced at Vince. "We're just getting started. The Walls are full of shadows, and every step we take must be precise. But together… we can handle it."
Vince nodded, eyes sharp, ready. "Then let's prepare. The next threat will come sooner than we think."
Elias turned to the window, eyes on the distant horizon. Snow fell silently, blanketing the city in white. The journey was far from over. The Titans, the nobles, and the Military Police would all continue testing him. But Elias Kruger, the boy with a shadowed past, a secret power, and unwavering loyalty, would face them all.
And his siblings would sleep safely, unaware of the invisible shield their big brother had cast over their lives.