"Found them!"
Jean, along with Marco and the others, carried several equipment crates out from the warehouse.
Everyone gathered around.
"These were kept by the Military Police. The dust on top is extremely annoying, but the weapons inside should be useful," Jean said.
"Oh? They're not that outdated. This gun actually feels pretty solid," Chen Si said in surprise, running his hand over it.
"Because they belong to the Military Police, they've always had access to the most advanced weapons inside the Walls," Armin explained.
"These are shotgun shells. Will they really be effective? And can guns even kill Titans?" Jean asked with a frown.
"If we're close enough, the destructive power of buckshot should be sufficient to injure a Titan," Mikasa said, glancing at the firearm schematics.
Armin nodded.
"Yes. If it's just the seven 3–4 meter Titans in the supply room, then even with this level of firepower, it's not impossible to take away their vision simultaneously in an instant," he analyzed.
"So basically, we shoot out their eyes, right? Then what exactly do we do?" Connie asked.
At that moment, Sasha quietly slipped next to Chen Si, held out a handful of peanuts, and whispered:
"Zap them for me and I'll split them in half with you."
Chen Si took the peanuts into his palm. A small arc of electricity flashed, crackling softly. After a brief burst of sparks, he handed them back to Sasha.
"Ahh, smells great!" Sasha exclaimed happily, immediately running over to Armin while eating and listening to the plan.
Chen Si stared blankly at the three peanuts left in his palm.
"Half…"
He didn't bother arguing and tossed them into his mouth. Gotta admit—electric-roasted peanuts taste pretty good.
Armin continued:
"First, we'll use the lift to lower a large number of people from the ceiling. Then we open fire simultaneously at the seven 3–4 meter Titans, injuring their eyes and taking away their vision.
"In the next instant—the most critical step—seven people hidden on the ceiling beams will coordinate their timing and simultaneously strike the Titans' weak points, killing them.
"In other words, this operation will be decided in a single blow. It's a mission that puts everyone's lives on the line. Seven people must kill seven Titans in one strike. We'll need the seven with the strongest mobility and highest success rate to carry it out."
Armin lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry… for placing everyone's lives in your hands."
"No problem," Reiner said with a smile.
"No matter who carries it out, failure means total annihilation. The risk is the same," Annie said calmly.
"But… my proposal…" Armin began to doubt himself again.
"Believe in yourself, Armin," Mikasa said firmly.
"Actually, it doesn't have to be that complicated. Did you forget about me?" Chen Si grinned, flashing eight teeth and pointing his thumb at himself.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"I can take them all out by myself," he said confidently.
"The space here is so cramped. Are you sure you can still do what you did before?" Annie asked. She seemed to attribute Chen Si's power to the acceleration of falling from above.
"Yeah, Chen Si, how can we let you bear all the risk alone? We're comrades!" Marco clenched his fist.
"Besides, even if we don't understand the exact mechanism of your ability, it must consume something," Armin added.
"You don't get to hog all the cool moments. Give us a chance to show off too," Jean said.
"Chen Si, let me show you the hunting skills of the finest hunter from Dauper Village!" Sasha declared, raising her fist.
"You guys…" Chen Si paused, feeling their concern and unity. His heart warmed slightly. At that moment, he truly understood what comradeship meant—and he accepted them.
"Brother, teamwork strengthens bonds and helps them grow," Mikasa said quietly beside him.
"Alright! Then we go together! The 104th wins!" Chen Si raised his arm and shouted.
"The 104th wins!" everyone echoed.
They began preparing to execute the plan.
"The lift is ready!"
"All weapons loaded!"
They started descending the stairs.
"But without ODM gear, can we really handle Titans?" Connie asked anxiously.
"It's fine. They're only 3–4 meters tall. Easy targets," Reiner encouraged.
"Right. Their size doesn't matter. Our target is the spot just below the back of the head," Jean said.
"Vertically one meter, horizontally ten centimeters," Sasha added precisely—true to her hunter's training.
"Or use this and cut off their buttocks. That's their other weak point," Reiner said, drawing his standard long blade.
"I didn't know that was an option," Connie said in surprise.
"First time I've heard that too," Sasha quickly memorized it.
Annie glanced subtly at Reiner.
Chen Si also looked at him.
Looks like Reiner's still in his soldier persona. That 'butt' weakness must come from Marley's Titan research association, Chen Si thought to himself.
"Reiner, that might end up being your last words," Jean said dryly.
"My bro Reiner? No way he dies that easily," Chen Si laughed.
"Haha, of course not," Reiner replied with a grin.
Yep. Solid soldier persona.
The lift slowly descended. Tension began to rise.
"Brothers, don't be nervous. Just go for it!" Chen Si said quietly.
"Yeah!" everyone responded.
The lift reached the bottom. The Titans wandered aimlessly, the ground trembling slightly beneath their steps.
"No increase in numbers. Proceed as planned!" a squad leader called out from the lift.
Standing on the ceiling beam, Chen Si suddenly felt like he'd forgotten something.
Wait… didn't my system say my ability can still level up? I think I need to kill a hundred Titans…
Crap. I can't let these kills go to waste.
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Si decided to steal the kills.
Electric arcs began crackling around his body. He closed his eyes, gathering power.
"Hey, Chen Si, it's not time yet," Reiner warned.
Annie turned her head, staring slightly blankly at the electricity enveloping him.
Mikasa glanced at Chen Si, calculating the number of Titans on his side, tightening her grip on her blade.
"Fire!"
Gunshots rang out.
"Seven-shot volley!"
A bolt of lightning burst forth with a low shout, streaking through the air in seven jagged arcs.
Seven sprays of blood erupted almost simultaneously.
With a thunderous crash, all seven Titans fell at once, steam rising from their bodies.