That'll Cost Extra!

South wall, breach area.

A fierce wind howled, and amidst the charred ruins, countless giants were slowly moving forward.

As if drawn by some sound, they gathered wave after wave from the depths of the distant grasslands toward the breached city wall.

The heavy footsteps trembled the ground, and the broken tiles and iron pieces in the ruins clanged and rattled.

The Survey Corps' temporary defensive line was forced to retreat.

"The number of Titans is beyond our expectations," Hange muttered, sweat beading on her forehead. "And not just the regular types... We may be on the verge of a massive wave of attacks."

"Mikasa." Levi didn't say a word, only glanced at her.

Mikasa nodded, quickly activated her Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, and sped off to scout the movements on both sides.

Armin frowned and stared into the distance.

"They... are still here."

Hange picked up the binoculars, and through the lens, he saw the two "unidentified individuals" standing in front of the breach, covered in blood but showing no signs of fatigue.

Hidan, beaming with excitement, cupped his chin in his hands. "Whoosh~ There are even more of these guys than yesterday!"

"Old man Kakuzu, shouldn't we break 100 tonight?"

Kakuzu remained expressionless, casually pulling a mask-like heart from his body; the sound of Chakra circulating echoed softly in the air.

"At this density, it won't take an hour."

"You clear the east flank, I'll take over the west."

"If there are intelligent types, mark them first."

Hidan grinned, instantly swung his scythe, and leaped into the air with a powerful kick!

"Work's starting!! Hehehehe--!!!"

"Thump!!!"

The fifteen-meter-tall giant had barely taken a step when Hidan, like a blood-red meteor, crashed down on its head!

The three-edged scythe sliced through the air, bringing with it a fierce gust of wind as it slashed down!

"Pfft!!"

The giant's shoulder was sliced off diagonally, and half of his arm fell off on the spot!

Hidan used the Hidan pull of his short sword, he instantly slashed his arm!

"Hehehehehe!!--Feel the blessings of the Night God!!!"

The blood-red array lit up.

Boom!!!

The three giants exploded from their chests almost simultaneously and fell to their knees!

Hidan, like a ghost, swept past the corpses, leaping onto the higher spire of the ruined building, his crimson smile brighter than flames, "Next! Next!!"

On the other side, Kakuzu had already initiated the suppression process.

He landed cross-legged, and four heart-shaped masks simultaneously rose into the air, forming a closed formation.

"Wind."

"Thunder."

"Fire."

"Earth."

"Initiate - Array-level Cleanup".

Black lines snaked across the ground, and before a giant that had just charged out could even roar, it was pierced through the ground by countless spikes!

The next instant, the sky suddenly brightened!

Lightning Release: Lightning Barrage!

"Boom boom boom!!!"

Dozens of electric arcs crisscrossed the entire street!

The acrid smell mingled with the burning flesh, and the air suddenly became hot and sticky.

Fire Style: Blazing Tornado

A fire dragon swept through the middle lane, burning all the giants in front of it!

The Survey Corps soldiers stood atop a distant high-rise, staring in disbelief at the scene.

"That's... Chakra? That ability is... magic?"

"No, those two aren't even from our world," Hange shook her head, "But they're cleaning up the giants."

"And they're ten times faster than us."

Armin whispered, "They mean us no harm... at least not yet."

Eren clenched his fists, his throat bobbing slightly.

Levi spoke coldly:

"Let them do it first; we don't need to get involved."

"... keep an eye on them."

As time passed, under the crimson twilight, the entire breach area had become a mountain of giant corpses.

Hidan stood atop the highest tower, arms outstretched, head thrown back, laughing heartily:

"Hahaha--!! We've broken 100!!"

"Today was truly exhilarating!!"

Kakuzu emerged from the remains of a giant, his outer garment charred, but his expression remained indifferent. "Total kills confirmed: 117."

"Lack of intelligence."

Hidan rolled his eyes. "What a downer... isn't there a single one who can fight?"

Kakuzu whispered, "I sensed a slight interference... very faint."

"It's like—someone is restricting something."

"It wasn't them." He looked up towards the direction of the Survey Corps in the distance.

"It is this world."

Hidan grinned. "Another riddle? I hate these the most."

"If we keep cutting, won't we be able to force out the real thing?"

Kakuzu said calmly, "That's right."

"Once you've killed enough, it will naturally come out."

Just then, a messenger from the Survey Corps approached, but dared not get too close, raising his hands to indicate that he meant no harm.

"Those two soldiers over there—!"

"Squad Leader Hange has something to say!"

Hidan glanced at him sideways. "Speak, stop talking nonsense."

The messenger swallowed hard. "We've also discovered a similar horde of giants in the northern city wall area. If... if you'd like to assist..."

"We can arrange supplies, intelligence exchanges, and shelters..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hidan yawned.

"Supplies? We're not hungry."

"Intelligence? We don't even look at maps."

"A shelter? Are you insulting us?"

The messenger looked embarrassed and didn't know how to answer, but Kakuzu calmly spoke up:

"Giant tides also exist in the North?"

The messenger nodded. "Yes, sir."

Is there a bounty?

Kakuzu couldn't help but ask.

The messenger hesitated for a moment, "The bounty... there's no definite figure yet, but we can try to get it..."

Kakuzu sneered, "No numbers? That won't do!"

"They want us to cleanse the giants..."

"You have to pay more!"

The messenger scratched his head awkwardly and stammered, "I... I'll report to my superiors immediately and try to get a bonus!"

Upon hearing this, Kakuzu immediately turned to Hidan: "Let's go, things are more urgent over there!"

Hidan's lips twitched slightly, then he perked up again. "Huh? We're going to work again so soon?"

"Wait, let me have some blood drawn to celebrate!"

He slashed his arm, blood splattering on the ground. The next second, a small blood array formed, and he hopped into it.

"Aww!! Lord Jashin --I was fucking awesome tonight!! Hahahaha!!"

The messenger was so frightened that he took three steps back.

Kakuzu ignored him, carrying the bundle containing the mask and heart, and slowly walked towards the North Gate.

Hidan followed, licking the cut on his blade while laughing like a madman.

"I really hope some big guys come from the north!"

"I love things that can flatten me!"

In the distance, Levi crouched by the broken wall, watching them leave.

Hange frowned and whispered, "They're even more enthusiastic about killing giants than we are, even more... enjoying it?"

Levi said calmly:

"It's not enjoyable."

"It's their mission."

Hange was stunned.

Armin added in a low voice, "They didn't kill anyone... nor were they hostile towards us. Perhaps, it's because..."

Mikasa suddenly spoke, her eyes cold:

"Didn't you feel it?"

"That person just now—that self-harming lunatic—when he looked this way, for a moment... I couldn't move at all."

Hange's eyes widened. "What?"

Mikasa said slowly, "I feel... if we harbor murderous intent, we might die."

The air fell silent instantly.