Several disgruntled old soldiers who had grown increasingly displeased with Lin Yi, the wealthy merchant, now wore grim expressions on their faces. Since they weren't responsible for Lin Yi's protection during this journey, they moved without caution or haste.
As they were on the verge of reprimanding Lin Yi, the ground beneath them began to tremble.
"Boom boom~!"
The rumbling grew louder, steadily approaching from a distance.
Even Erwin, usually composed, rose with anxiety. On the horizon, dark silhouettes gradually emerged, growing larger and clearer by the second.
These were Titans, sprinting rapidly, their numbers so vast that counting them at a glance proved futile.
"What… what's happening?!"
Confusion and shock filled the soldiers as they witnessed this scene.
Despite their many investigations, they had never encountered such a spectacle before.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
Erwin's voice strained as he shouted at the top of his lungs.
Even before his command could be fully heard, the others were already fleeing on horseback. Trapped by the overwhelming number of Titans, they found themselves with no escape route.
A feeling of unease gnawed at Lin Yi. These Titans' appearance seemed far from coincidental. The scarcity of Titan attacks on their journey now made sense. Someone had intentionally lured the Titans here, waiting for the Survey Corps to arrive.
Hanji quickly located her horse, mounted it, and just as she was about to gallop away, she noticed Lin Yi standing frozen in place.
Recognizing him as an ordinary individual, overwhelmed by the sight before him, Hanji gritted her teeth. Urging her horse forward, she reached Lin Yi, lifted him onto the saddle behind her, and directed him, "Hold on tight!"
With a firm grip on the reins, Hanji spurred the horse, which responded energetically. However, carrying two passengers hindered its speed, causing it to fall behind the rest of the group.
"Watch your step," Hanji cautioned Lin Yi as his hand dangerously grazed her chest.
In response, Lin Yi mentally protested, explaining that maintaining balance was tough due to the horse's bumpy ride.
"Can you blame me?" Hanji couldn't be bothered to retort, her focus still on the dire situation.
Suddenly, a soldier's agonized scream pierced the air.
Abnormal Titans, particularly those over ten meters tall, moved almost as swiftly as horses. Slower or poorly-mounted soldiers became easy prey, meeting obvious fates.
"Accursed creatures," Hanji muttered under her breath, forcing herself not to look back.
But soon, even these concerns faded. Another abnormal Titan appeared from the side, lunging at Hanji with its massive hand.
In a split second, Lin Yi's quick reaction led him to grab Hanji and roll off the horse, avoiding the incoming strike.
The Titan's attack sent the horse hurtling through the air, and it tumbled several times before lying on the ground, never to rise again.
Covered in dirt and sand, Lin Yi and Hanji managed to regain their composure.
Thanks to Lin Yi's swift response, Hanji remained unharmed.
"This must be my fate," despair welled up in Hanji's eyes. In her desperation, she hardly cared about Lin Yi's situation anymore.
The towering Titan cast a shadow over them, its presence almost obliterating the sunlight.
Enduring pain, Hanji stood up, shielding Lin Yi. Drawing her blade, she prepared to make her last stand.
However, using three-dimensional maneuvering gear in the open field, fighting Titans proved exceedingly challenging.
More Titans rushed toward them from the distance.
Suddenly, an ugly, abnormally-sized Titan swatted the horse aside, disregarding it entirely. For Titans, only humans drew their attention.
Then, fixing its gaze on Hanji, the Titan lunged at her with its massive hand.
Fear-stricken, Hanji raised her blade, but in reality, her eyes were squeezed shut in terror, her hand trembling.
After moments that felt like an eternity, she realized the anticipated impact had not occurred. Tentatively, she opened her eyes.
The towering Titan loomed before her. A blood-red line materialized on its neck, and blood gushed forth like a spring.
With a resounding crash, the ten-meter Titan collapsed, life extinguished.
Hanji couldn't comprehend what had just transpired.
A figure came into view as the fallen Titan's shadow retreated. It was Mr. Lin.
"There are so many Titans... someone deliberately set a trap here," Lin Yi wiped his sword clean in a swift motion, his gaze icy. At that moment, thoughts of pursuing women were far from his mind.
"I wonder if it's for the Survey Corps or for me," Lin Yi mused.
If aimed at the Survey Corps, such elaborate planning would be unnecessary.
But if targeted at him, when had the Marley side become aware of his presence?
Recalling that he hadn't revealed his strength, except during the incident with Eren, Lin Yi realized there had been no witnesses around. Except for one instance.
Lin Yi chuckled, recognizing that he had let a small mouse escape right under his nose, unwittingly leaking his information.
It appeared that during the day he slew the Armored Titan, Marleyans were close by, just beyond his reach.
"Now that the trap is set, the hunter should be nearby," Lin Yi's gaze shifted to an open area several miles away, dense forests stretching there.
Within the woods, a shabby man with tousled blond hair and glasses felt his pupils constrict, retreating in fear.
"Don't scare yourself out. I'm far away; he couldn't possibly find me."
…
"First things first," Lin Yi advanced toward the group of Titans, his sword radiating a red glow. Blood-red feather-like blades shot forth, easily piercing Titans' skin, muscles, and fat, penetrating their throats and causing them to fall.
Titans in the front row fell, losing their lives one after another.
Watching this unfold, Hanji stood in shock, her gaze vacant.
To Lin Yi, these Titans posed no threat.
Jörmungandr emitted a red light as Lin Yi swung his sword into the ground. The Power of the Titans brewed in his hand.
"Get lost," the Titans suddenly froze, seemingly under a spell. Many lowered their heads, oblivious to Lin Yi and Hanji. They turned and ran toward the forest at full speed.
~~~
Every 300 PowerStone is a Bonus Chapter! Please send me Stone!!! Also Sponsor Me!!!!!
Check out the New FF! Fanfic about LOTM Beyonder's Power, Multiverse Travel (First World: Harry Potter) Name: The Mysterious Journey
Patreon.com/Bleam
— 50 Advance Chapters!
Discord Server:
— https://discord.gg/JPwBJPcUzR
(I post Trial Chapters of FanFic I think I would post or not in Discord. We also have Minecraft Server for "Reborn with Steve Stand")