The district had descended into complete chaos.
Countless people were running for their lives.
Countless people were trembling in terror.
Everyone scattered in every direction like headless flies.
Some rushed into houses, some dove into underground tunnels, and others even leapt into rivers.
Human survival instinct was on full display.
But the smart ones ran toward the inner wall, the only place not yet breached.
If they could reach it and board a boat heading toward the second wall, they might survive this nightmare.
Evan Cross understood this well.
He had watched Attack on Titan. He wasn't a hardcore fan, but he remembered the major events.
But even though his destination was the inner gate, he didn't follow the panicked crowds.
In disaster movies, sticking together meant death.
In horror movies, splitting up meant death.
But in a Titan invasion?
The best escape method was avoiding crowds entirely, finding a quiet path alone.
That was the proper survival route.
Reason one: big groups attracted Titans first.
Reason two: crowds caused deadly stampedes.
Thus, Evan chose a route through a residential area on the southern side of the district.
The dense houses blocked Titan sightlines perfect for slipping away.
Thanks to his enhanced body, Evan was faster than most people. Running as if his life depended on it, he quickly lost a chubby Titan that had spotted him earlier.
"Great, perfect, everything's screwed! Not even a second to think!"
Sweat streamed down his face like rain.
Even though several streets lay between him and the Titans, he could still clearly see those massive, terrifying grinning faces.
Those smiles like twisted clowns toying with human lives etched fear deep into the heart.
Screams echoed everywhere.
The air itself felt tinged with blood.
Evan didn't dare imagine what the streets behind him looked like, probably nothing but crushed limbs and pools of red.
Panting heavily, he yanked out the transformation device from his pocket.
He stared at it, struggling internally.
Then, after several seconds
He shoved it back into his pocket.
"If someone wants to play the hero, let them do it! I'm running for my life first!"
He turned a corner and found himself on a wide main road, about three to four lanes across.
And at the end of that road stood a towering white wall, the inner wall boundary.
"If I can just reach that wall, I'll make it to the inner gate!"
He sped up again, legs moving like the wind.
But before he got far
He felt a tremor behind him.
Instinctively, Evan glanced sideways.
A ten-meter female Titan with long black hair was slowly following him.
Slow strides, but enormous legs meaning she was still fast.
"You've gotta be kidding me! Don't follow me!"
Cold sweat drenched his back.
He had been so focused on reaching the wall that he didn't notice how exposed he was on the wide road.
No houses.
No cover.
Just him fully visible.
"Damn it!"
With a Titan on his tail, Evan pushed himself even harder.
From an outside view, his legs were practically blurring; his speed was unbelievable.
Behind him, the Titan also sped up, its grin widening, its massive footsteps pounding like drums.
Each strike hammered against Evan's nerves, shaking his sanity.
In twenty years of life, who had ever seen something like this?
No wonder he was scared half to death.
Suddenly
"Help! Help my mom! Please! Someone, please help my mom!!"
A desperate cry hit Evan's ears.
He looked ahead.
Near the collapsed remains of a shattered house, a black-haired boy with yellow-toned skin stood crying tears streaming, eyes filled with despair waving frantically at Evan.
Beside him, a long-haired girl with a red scarf knelt on the ground, desperately trying to lift the rubble crushing someone beneath it.
"Please! I'm begging you! Help us! Please help my mom!"
His cries were heart-wrenching.
No decent person could ignore that.
No one could just walk away.
But Evan's mind was screaming conflict.
He didn't want to get involved.
Call it selfish. Call it cold.
Evan had always been painfully ordinary.
With a Titan chasing him, he wasn't even sure he could save himself, let alone someone else.
Running closer and closer to the black-haired boy, Evan bit down hard.
He made his decision.
"I'm sorry… I really can't "
Then he froze.
His voice stuck in his throat.
Because he finally saw the boy's face clearly.
"Eren…!?"