Escape?
Annie looked at Ethan Walters in confusion.
What did he mean by escape?
Where could she escape to?
No... she could escape, at least for now!
Annie remembered the scenes of this world.
Peaceful streets, bustling traffic, no fear or worry.
There were no giants here, no Marley, no Paradis.
If that's the case, escape was indeed an option.
Observing Annie's expression, Ethan knew she had figured something out.
"Open the portal, and I can bring your father to this world, so you can escape."
"Escape from everything: giants, Marley, everything can be left behind."
"After that, I'll find a way to strip you of your giant power, and then you'll be free."
Annie was taken aback for a moment.
What she dreamed of most was returning to that home, to her father.
And now, a choice a thousand times more perfect than a dream was before her.
A beauty once unimaginable was now within reach.
It seemed... there was no reason to refuse.
So, Annie nodded slightly, indicating her choice.
Ethan let out a long breath.
After all, Annie hadn't been completely brainwashed.
If it were Gabi in her place...
Not even Ethan, or any persuasive giant, could have swayed her.
Annie's cooperation would be crucial for containing the giant world and its talents.
Ethan didn't want to execute Annie.
"Since you've chosen, I'll release your restraints, but no transforming into a giant, understand?"
Ethan instructed.
Annie nodded slightly.
Seeing her cooperation, Ethan reached out and untied the elastic band around her mouth.
Then he removed the handkerchief.
Hmm... it was already soaked.
Ethan set the handkerchief aside, slightly embarrassed.
At the same time, he watched Annie's behavior.
If she intended to transform into a giant, now was the time.
If she bit her tongue, she could still inflict a wound and transform.
However, Annie made no strange movements and remained cooperative.
Only then did Ethan remove all of Annie's restraints.
Once freed, Annie sat up on the bed and rubbed her arms where the restraints had been.
"My name is Ethan Walters, pleased to meet you."
Ethan introduced himself, extending his hand in a friendly gesture.
Annie looked at the hand before her.
She stood up and stretched her limbs.
Then... with lightning speed, she kicked Ethan's calf.
Ethan:!
After being transformed by the black light virus, Ethan's reaction and perception far surpassed ordinary people.
The kick was fast for others, but not difficult for him to handle.
He leaped up, dodged the kick, then blocked Annie's ensuing jab.
Taking the opportunity, he twisted her arm and subdued her again.
Ethan said helplessly, "Didn't we have an agreement?"
Annie, pinned by the arm, retorted, "This is personal!"
Ethan:?
"You jerk, what were you doing just now!"
Ethan:!
He coughed lightly, awkwardly explaining, "That... was a necessary action to collect features."
Clearly, such an explanation didn't convince Annie.
"I'm going to kill you!"
After being subdued more than ten times, Annie lay on her back, exhausted.
Ethan wasn't even out of breath.
After the black light virus transformation, his physical strength far exceeded human limits.
Without using giant powers, Annie was no match.
"After a while, you can go to the bathroom to freshen up. The water heater has instructions, so read them."
"There are new towels in the cabinet. Use mine for now; we'll buy new ones later."
"I'm going to tidy up the side room. You'll sleep there tonight. The bedding is all new."
"That's all for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the plan for the giant world."
While speaking, Ethan left the room.
The sound of tidying up came from the next room.
Annie lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, a bit of confusion in her blue eyes.
The ceiling seemed surreal, almost unreal.
Was that it?
All the troubles that had plagued her life, causing so much pain, just dissipated so easily?
After a while, Annie got up and walked to the bathroom.
Eldia and Sakura were similar, something to celebrate.
Maybe because they were both island countries?
Annie looked at the water heater instructions and tried operating it.
Hot water flowed from the shower quickly.
Caught off guard, Annie's clothes became completely soaked.
Helpless, she removed her training uniform with the crossed swords logo and her sweater.
In truth, it was Annie's first time taking a hot shower.
In Marley, her status as an Eldian was low, and even cold water was a luxury.
On Paradis, the situation was worse.
Compared to Marley's World War I technology, Paradis had a medieval level of technology, except for some black tech.
Closing her eyes, she faced the warm water.
Annie, usually cold-faced, couldn't help but smile slightly.
As she was enjoying it, a voice came from outside the bathroom door.
Annie crouched subconsciously, a rare panic.
But the door didn't open.
"Annie, there's shampoo and body wash on the shelf, like soap, use them according to the instructions."
"Although it's impolite, you seem a bit... ripe."
Annie:! ! !
Though a soldier and cold as ice, Annie was only fifteen or sixteen years old. (The timeline is when they breached the wall, joined the 104th Cadet Corps, and started training.)
Even Annie felt embarrassed hearing such blunt words.
But... she knew he was right.
As a cadet on Paradis, personal hygiene was indeed... lacking.
Picking up bottles on the shelf, Annie carefully read the instructions.
Half an hour later, Annie emerged from the bathroom in an ill-fitting sweater.
Ethan only had his clothes at home.
His clothes were oversized, making Annie look like she was in pajamas.
Speaking of which, Annie seemed fond of sweaters, as most of her clothes were sweaters.
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