Bab 4: Chapter 4
"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."
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone