"Listen carefully, you two-legged beasts! You're nothing but a waste of food. From now on, you'll endure hellish training to prove you're worthy of survival!"
The instructor's harsh voice cut through the humid afternoon air, his words striking like a whip against the ears of the recruits.
His insults were merciless, designed to ignite anger and determination in their hearts—a necessary fire for those training to face the horrors of the Titans.
It was a grim reality. The destruction of Wall Maria two years ago had robbed humanity of its peace. One-third of their land and one-fifth of their population were lost in the blink of an eye, leaving survivors crammed within the remaining walls. For the training corps, there was no room for leniency anymore.
Harsh drills had become the norm, with an unprecedented number of recruits enrolling to join the fight for survival. But with more recruits came stricter standards, and the elimination rate soared.
"All members, prepare for a 15-kilometer jungle march! Your goal is the camp beyond the distant mountains. You have three hours. If you fail to arrive on time..." The instructor let his words hang ominously in the air.
The recruits exchanged uneasy glances, the challenge ahead of them clear. A three-hour limit was brutal, especially considering the mountainous terrain they had to traverse. Carrying over 20 kilograms of gear—including weapons, food, and camping equipment—only added to the difficulty.
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin stood among the crowd, their faces a mixture of determination and concern.
"Connie, you're from the countryside, aren't you? This should be easy for you," Sasha teased, her confidence evident. "I've been hunting in the mountains with my dad since I was a kid. This is nothing!"
"Tsk! I'm not worried," Connie retorted, his competitive streak flaring. "I'm going to join the Military Police and return to my village. This is just another step in the process."
Meanwhile, Eren turned to Armin with concern. "Armin, this march is going to be tough. Are you sure you're up for it? I can carry some of your gear if you need."
Armin shook his head, his eyes resolute. "Thanks, Eren, but I'll manage. I have to prove I can do this, too."
Eren hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, but stay close. We'll get through this together."
Ryo Akira, standing a few meters away, quietly observed the exchange. He had no intention of getting involved. Eren and Armin's friendship was admirable, but Ryo's focus was elsewhere.
The instructor's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You bunch of idiots! Even a pig could move faster! Get ready, now move!"
Ryo adjusted his backpack and joined the march. Despite the weight on his shoulders, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him. His system upgrades had enhanced his physical abilities, making the march feel almost effortless.
His novice equipment—though unassuming—offered significant advantages. The lightweight boots reduced impact on his joints and improved his grip on the uneven terrain. His agility and stamina had improved noticeably, giving him an edge over the other recruits.
The group of over 200 trainees started compactly, but as the march progressed, differences in physical abilities became apparent. The formation stretched out, with some recruits already lagging behind.
Ryo's eyes scanned the path ahead. He had no interest in being among the stragglers. His goal wasn't just to finish the march—it was to finish first.
A sudden notification from his system caught his attention:
**[New Task: Finish the Jungle March in First Place. Reward: +10 Stat Points.]**
Ryo's lips curled into a smirk. "This is going to be fun."
---
"Ding! The system prompts: Field training for new recruits is one of the three major training programs. It's a crucial course for all recruits to master. Only those who perform best in field training can become the strongest soldiers!"
"Mission requirements: Get first place in this armed cross-country race!"
"Mission reward: Completing the mission grants 10 experience points and a designated piece of novice equipment!"
Ryo Akira had been wondering how to quickly complete missions and level up. As if on cue, the system delivered a new task!
Although 10 experience points wouldn't be enough for an upgrade, novice mission rewards were typically small, so 10 points was already generous. More importantly, this mission promised a piece of novice equipment. That caught Ryo's attention.
Currently, Ryo had four pieces of equipment. While functional, having more would improve his chances on the battlefield. He was particularly eyeing the **Novice Gloves**, which could increase strength stats, enhancing power during combat. Such gloves would be vital for delivering deeper and more precise strikes against Titans, especially during simulation training.
Mikasa Ackerman held the record for the deepest and most accurate cuts, earning her an A+ rating. To surpass her, Ryo realized he'd need every advantage, including those gloves.
With the new task in mind, his focus sharpened. He bolted from the middle of the team, swiftly advancing toward the front.
---
Meanwhile, chaos broke out among the recruits.
"Sasha, I can't... I can't run anymore!" Connie gasped, struggling under the weight of his backpack. "There are two baked sweet potatoes in my bag. If you carry it for me, they're yours!"
Sasha, always motivated by food, perked up. "Tsk, didn't you say you'd be fine earlier? You're hopeless." Despite her words, she eagerly took Connie's bag, the allure of sweet potatoes too tempting to resist.
Suddenly, a dark figure sped past them like a gust of wind.
"Uh… Sasha, did you see that?" Connie asked, bewildered.
"All I see are your gross socks stuffed in this bag with food. Seriously, Connie?" Sasha retorted, not even noticing the blur that passed.
---
Up ahead, Jean Kirschstein was determined to secure first place.
"I can't let Eren beat me," Jean muttered, pushing himself harder. His goal was clear: to join the Military Police Corps. Their safety, privileges, and distance from Titans were what motivated him. To achieve that, he needed a top ranking.
Jean's relentless pace caught the instructor's attention.
"Jean Kirschstein, good mobility, though a bit brash. Solid physical strength," Instructor Keith noted, observing the recruits' progress from horseback.
Just as Keith finished writing, a whirlwind of speed zipped past him, startling both him and the nearby recruits.
"Who is that?" one trainee exclaimed, awestruck.
"Must be a freak of nature," another chimed in, their disbelief evident.
When the recruits saw the figure's back, realization dawned.
"It's him... Ryo Akira."
"If it's Ryo, there's no use competing," one admitted, a mix of awe and resignation in their voice.
Instructor Keith narrowed his eyes. "So, it's him again," he muttered. He had been keeping an eye on Mikasa, Eren, and Annie, but Ryo was proving to be an anomaly—a recruit whose capabilities went beyond expectations.
---
For Ryo, this wasn't just a race; it was an opportunity to prove himself and get closer to his goals. The adrenaline coursing through him, combined with his enhanced physical attributes, allowed him to maintain a blistering pace.
"Only halfway done," Ryo noted, his stamina still intact. He adjusted his backpack, feeling the weight as a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits the mission promised.
Behind him, the gap between Ryo and the rest of the recruits grew wider. The murmurs of awe only fueled his determination.
"I will finish first," Ryo thought, his resolve unwavering.
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GOT IT