Chen Si felt the abundant "mana" flowing through his body.
Woohoo. Takeoff. Time for me to go on a killing spree.
He quickly realized that his vertical maneuvering gear was completely out of gas. No flying for now—he'd have to move on foot and save his lightning for critical moments.
A faint worry surfaced in his mind. This time, Carla hadn't died. According to what he understood about Titan transformation, one needed sufficient resolve and a clear goal to transform. He didn't know whether Eren would still be able to become a Titan under these circumstances.
Chen Si frowned. But what worried him even more was Mikasa.
"I was out for quite a while. Armin's usually so careful—how did he panic and just assume I was dead? If Mikasa shuts down and Eren doesn't transform, we're in trouble."
Electric arcs suddenly crackled across Chen Si's body. He accelerated violently, turning into a streak of lightning that shot straight up from the ground to the rooftops and vanished into the distance.
Mikasa lay in an alley, staring blankly at the sky. There was no light left in her eyes.
"It's happening again… this feeling… losing family… losing the most important person…"
Gripping the only blade she had left, she slowly stood, took two steps—then fell to her knees.
"That same heart-rending pain again… Is there… still a chance… to start over…? Brother… I don't want to stay in this world anymore…"
She had lost all will to live.
In the distance, a pot-bellied seven-meter Titan slowly approached and reached out to grab her. Mikasa did not move.
The giant hand closed in—
Suddenly, a flash of electricity flickered across her blade.
Mikasa jolted awake. She swung instantly, severing the Titan's arm, then leapt aside.
The Titan raised its other hand and smashed downward. She dodged again.
Was that… Brother? she glanced at her blade. Does he want me to live…? But…
The Titan's arm regenerated. It raised both hands and slammed down. Though she narrowly avoided the direct hit, the shockwave blasted her across the ground.
Coughing in the dust, Mikasa struggled to stand.
There's no meaning left in living… Why am I even getting up?
"Mikasa, I will always protect you."
"Mikasa, fighting is the only way to survive in this world."
"Mikasa, I want you to be happy."
Fragments of Chen Si's words echoed in her mind. She suddenly turned around—the earth shook violently. Another Titan was approaching from behind.
"At least… you can still live on in my memories. Aah!!!"
Holding her blade in one hand, Mikasa screamed.
"Titan—damn you!!!"
In that instant, a thunderous roar tore through the air.
Like a storm ripping the sky apart, a colossal bolt of lightning descended from above. In less than half a second, the Titan before her had its head blown apart, its upper body exploding into shredded flesh. The blade in Chen Si's hand shattered into dozens of fragments.
Blood splattered across Mikasa's face. Shockwaves battered her as she stabbed her blade into the ground and gritted her teeth to endure.
When the smoke cleared, Mikasa opened her eyes.
Chen Si stood with his back to her, massive arcs of electricity coiling over his entire body.
"Brother…"
Her eyes widened, tears spilling out.
"Sorry, Mikasa. I'm late."
He pulled her blade free from the ground.
She shook her head through tears.
Chen Si looked at the second Titan ahead. That flashy move just now—partly anger, partly for show—had consumed sixty percent of his mana. A waste, honestly. And it had splattered blood all over Mikasa.
Maybe I should name that move? I used a 'Thunder Breathing' name before. This time… something local. Let's call it Thunder Roar. Sounds similar to the Rumbling.
A small arc of lightning drifted from him to Mikasa. It softened from violent crackling to gentle warmth, evaporating the Titan blood from her face—and even clearing the grime from her pores. Her skin looked fairer and smoother.
Chen Si tightened his grip on his blade. The ground beneath his feet exploded as he vanished and reappeared in a blink.
The Titan in front of him took two steps as if nothing had happened—then suddenly collapsed sideways, crushing part of a nearby wall. Its nape had been severed in an instant.
Chen Si scooped Mikasa up in a princess carry. Her face flushed bright red.
"Brother, I—I'm fine. I can walk."
"What, you don't want your brother to carry you?"
She blushed even harder and buried her face in his chest—silent acceptance.
A loud crash echoed nearby as another wall collapsed. Chen Si, lightning crackling around his legs, blinked to the side.
There stood a Titan with long bangs and pointed ears, repeatedly stomping the head of another Titan that hadn't yet evaporated.
Eren's mom didn't die this time, but he still hates Titans that much? He's even stomping the corpse…
"Why is a Titan killing another Titan?" Mikasa asked in shock.
"It's fine. From what I've observed, Titans are probably humans. That one's a bit too bloody—let's go."
"Okay."
"Mikasa! Chen… Chen Si?!"
Armin finally found them, descending from above. His eyes lit up in disbelief.
"Chen Si, you're alive! That's great!"
"Relax. I'm not dying to some weakling Titan."
"Weakling…?"
"Never mind. Our gear's out of gas. Get us out of here."
"Right! I'll carry you both!"
Armin tried to lift both Chen Si and Mikasa at once.
"Chen Si… you're too heavy…"
Chen Si's face darkened. Mikasa chuckled softly.
"Take off your gear. I'll fly us."
Armin immediately removed it and handed it over.
After putting it on, Chen Si initially planned to carry Mikasa in his arms while grabbing Armin one-handed, but Armin felt awkward—and unsafe—like that.
So reluctantly, Chen Si let Armin sit on Mikasa's lap while he held both of them.
If it were some other guy, he'd refuse outright. But Armin looked almost like a girl from a distance—and Chen Si trusted his character.
After flying a short distance, they ran into Connie.
"Chen Si! I knew you wouldn't die so easily!"
"Of course."
Chen Si passed Armin over to Connie.
"We need to hurry."
At that moment, Eren—transformed into the Attack Titan—clashed head-on with another fifteen-meter Titan.