The morning sun bathed Shiganshina District in a warm golden light, casting long shadows from the towering walls that loomed over the town.
Inside the Yeager house, Grisha had already left for work, his responsibilities as a doctor pulling him away despite his reluctance. Patients needed him, and personal matters would have to wait.
Meanwhile Carla lingered a bit longer, quietly watching the two children in Eren's room. It was a rare sight—Eren, usually restless, slept peacefully with his hand resting over Mikasa's face.
Her arms were wrapped around his body, her head pressed gently against his chest. The scarlet scarf Eren had given her was snug around her neck, adding to the warmth provided by the blanket draped over them both.
For Mikasa, this was the first real comfort she had felt in a long time, a slumber that brought her much-needed peace.
Soon Carla retired herself to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, the house remained quiet, both kids still lost in their dreams.
But that peace was short-lived.
[Trial of Titans Starting in 3... 2... 1...]
A system notification snapped Eren out of his sleep. Before he could even process what was happening, the world around him dissolved, and he was teleported to an entirely different realm—the Paths.
"What the fu—?"
Disoriented, Eren barely had time to catch his breath when his eyes half open focused on three towering titans, each a terrifying 12-meter class, their grotesque forms lumbering toward him with deadly intent.
[Electric Shock Initiating]
A bolt of electricity coursed through Eren's body, jerking him fully awake. His eyes locked onto the approaching titans few hundred yards away, and another system notification appeared.
[Daily Quest Failure: Suitable punishment initiated. Slaughter the titans. Weak spot: Nape.]
Panic surged through him. "How the hell am I supposed to kill them? This is my first time seeing one damnit! Plus, I have no damn clue how to use an ODM gear!"
His voice cracked in frustration as his eyes darted across the endless dark landscape, illuminated only by the faint glow of the massive tree stretching into the horizon.
[Suggestion: Open the advanced gift]
Eren's heart pounded in his chest as the titans closed in, their thunderous steps growing louder. He felt his pulse quicken, his breath ragged.
"Open!" he shouted, desperation edging his voice.
[Advanced Gift Rewards:
ODM Gear Mastery: Level 1
One Punch (Recharge: 5 months)
100 System Points (10 points per attribute)]
"Eh? Odm Mastery" Eren's eyes widened as a wave of realization washed over him.
"Inventory! Open inventory now!" Eren barked, his eyes darting between the approaching titans and the system screen in front of him.
In a flash, the ODM gear he had stolen days ago appeared, materializing around his waist. It fastened itself with a series of metallic clicks, fitting snugly as if custom-made for him.
[Activating ODM Mastery]
Eren took a deep breath, his nerves steeling as the system's mastery took over. For the first time, he felt an almost unnatural confidence with the ODM gear—his mind understanding the intricate mechanics, his muscles instinctively knowing how to move.
"Alright," Eren muttered to himself, his grip tightening around the hilts of his blades. The titans were almost on him now, their massive hands reaching out hungrily.
"Let's do this."
With a hiss of steam, the ODM gear launched him into the air, propelling him toward his enemies, the wind whipping against his face.
An hour later
Mikasa stirred, clutching the pillow tightly before the distant chirping of birds pulled her out of her slumber. She blinked her eyes open, expecting to see Eren beside her, but the bed was empty.
Panic surged through her as she shot up, her breathing quickening. Her eyes darted around the room, searching every corner, but he was nowhere to be found.
Without a second thought, she turned the door knob and rushed downstairs, hoping he was already awake.
"Good morning, sweetheart!" Carla greeted her warmly from the kitchen as Mikasa hurried down the wooden stairs, her footsteps making the floor creak. But Carla quickly noticed Mikasa's distressed expression. "Is something wrong, Mikasa?" she asked softly, her voice calm and soothing.
"Er...Eren... Where's Eren?" Mikasa's voice was urgent, the worry clear on her face.
"Don't worry, dear, he's probably with Armin or somewhere nearby," Carla replied, giving her a gentle pat on the head to calm her. "He'll be back soon. Why don't you join me for breakfast until then?"
But Mikasa wasn't listening. Her mind was entirely focused on finding Eren.
Thud.
A sudden noise echoed from upstairs. Without hesitation, Mikasa bolted back up, her heart racing. She flung the door open and there he was—Eren, hunched over and breathing heavily, just finishing his punishment.
Mikasa gasped softly and ran to him, her arms wrapping around his torso like a lifeline, her face pressing firmly against his chest. Relief flooded her, the warmth of his body reassuring her that he was safe.
"Uh... what's going on?" Eren muttered, completely confused, just as Carla arrived, panting from running up the stairs after Mikasa.
"Honey, I told you a million times not to leave the house without telling me! And stop sneaking in through the window—use the door like a normal person!" Carla scolded, frustration seeping through her motherly concern.
"Thanks for covering for me, Mom," Eren thought, since this action had happened countless times and Carla anticipated that Eren did it again however, she was way off actually Eren just butchered 3 titans with zero odm experience.
Eren in his usual stoic behavior looked down at Mikasa, who still clung tightly to him.
"She was worried sick about you, Eren," Carla said, crossing her arms. "From now on, I want you to keep Mikasa with you wherever you go. Understood?"
Eren blinked, caught off guard by the demand. "Huh?" He wasn't sure how to feel about having to drag Mikasa along everywhere, even when hanging out with Armin. But being Eren, he wasn't one to complain, so he simply nodded.
"Um... Little girl, I really need to go to the bathroom," he said awkwardly, noticing how tight her grip was.
Mikasa flushed, embarrassed, and quickly let go, mumbling an apology.
Carla chuckled, playfully pouting at Eren. "Her name is Mikasa, just so you know. Try to be a little more sensitive, will you?"
Eren rubbed his head, still trying to shake off the lingering confusion from his earlier ordeal. Without another thought, he headed out of the room.
[System Notification
Daily Quest: Strength Training
1. Pushups (0/30)
2. Sq…]
"Shut up..." Eren muttered in frustration. The last thing he wanted was another reminder of the system after that brutal battle with the Titans which almost killed him.
He quickly washed up, letting the warm water rinse away the stress, and made his way downstairs for breakfast. His stomach growled audibly, begging for food. Mikasa and Carla were already seated at the table, patiently waiting.
"Good morning, sweetie!" Carla greeted him warmly, while Mikasa, seeing him fresh from the shower, flushed slightly, casting her gaze downward, her cheeks pink and her ears twitching ever so slightly.
"It's a bit late for that, Mom," Eren muttered, sitting down across from Mikasa, with Carla in between them. "Well, the food's getting cold," Carla replied, nodding toward the plates in front of them.
Eren grabbed his knife and fork, but his mind wandered. "View stats..." he thought, closing his eyes as the familiar blue screen flashed before him.
---
Name: Eren Yeager
Age: 9
Status: Hunter (Level 15)
Kill Count: 13
Attributes:
Strength: 28
Speed: 29
Intelligence: 20
Agility: 23
Health: 82/100
Endurance: 96/200
Skills:
One Hit Level 2 (1/1) — 5-month recharge
Weapon Mastery Level 1
Beginner Thrower — Range (0/10m)
Beginner Healer — Restore Health: 4 HP
ODM Gear Mastery: Level 1
---
Notification:
200 system points to be allocated.
(10 points per each attribute)
---
"Kill count, huh. That's new.. Well whatever." Eren's thoughts raced. "Increase strength by 8, speed by 6, intelligence by 4, agility by 2," he commanded mentally, distributing the points across his attributes as the screen vanished.
---
Notification:
Stats updated
Attributes:
Strength: 36
Speed: 35
Intelligence: 24
Agility: 25
Health: 87/105
Endurance: 106/210
---
As Eren's eyes fluttered open, he saw both Mikasa and Carla watching him. Carla, curious but used to Eren's deep thinking, simply smiled, while Mikasa's concern was more palpable—her eyes never leaving him, as though silently ensuring he was okay.
"Everything alright, Eren?" Carla asked gently.
"Nothing special." Eren replied, shaking off the remnants of his system dealings, and digging into his meal, the warmth of the food calming his nerves.
"I should focus more on agility," Eren thought, recalling how sluggish he felt in the last fight. "I wasn't fast enough when fighting titans..."
Carla, noticing Mikasa's anxious glances toward Eren, reassured her gently, "Don't worry, sweetie. Eren's always been like this. He's not much of a talker." Eren, breaking from his deep thoughts, glanced at Mikasa.
Mikasa quickly averted her gaze, hesitating before focusing on her food again. Thankfully, she seemed distracted from the terrible events of yesterday.
"Eat up. I'll introduce you to my friend after this." Eren said in his usual calm manner before standing, gathering his empty plates, and heading to the kitchen to wash them.
"O... Okay..." Mikasa's voice trembled, but she hurriedly ate, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Carla noticed the subtle change and smiled back, relieved to see Mikasa looking more at ease today. Yesterday's sorrow seemed to have faded for now.
However, Eren's mind wasn't on any of that. His focus was already on the next mission ahead.
---
System Notification
New Mission Alert:
Kill 5 titans outside the bounds of Shiganshina before midnight.
Rewards:
ODM Mastery Level 2
Intermediate Gift
50 System Points
Beginner Healer — Restore Health: 6 HP
20% Strength Boost Potion
10% Health Recovery Potion
Warning: Failure to complete the main mission will result in your immediate death. The key to exit Shiganshina has already been stored in your inventory.
---
"Huh. Isn't that a bit too much for someone like me?" Eren exhaled sharply, his determination hardening as his gaze locked onto the glowing screen before him.
The weight of the mission bore down on him, but it fueled something deeper within—rage, purpose, and the burning desire to tear apart every last titan that stood in his way. He clenched his fists, the weight of his resolve heavy yet clear.
He'd butcher every last one of them, no matter how many lurked beyond these walls. Not just for his sake but for Armin too, and for the freedom they had been denied for so long.
He would see the wonders this world had hidden—he'd break through to the other side, no matter what it took.
With his mind set, Eren knew this was only the beginning. The titans had no idea what was coming for them.
————————————
Just got an idea for a brilliant ending for this story it's gonna be a blast and rn I'm crying just thinking of how fucked up it's gonna be just wait y'all you'll love it.