In the real world, the smoke of battle had yet to clear. The Colossal Titans stood motionless, seemingly no longer under anyone's control.
Mikasa, Armin, Connie, and the others finally broke through the obstacles and reached the spot where the Founding Titan had fallen.
Seeing the enormous Titan body lying still, they fired the hooks of their Vertical Maneuvering Equipment without hesitation, climbed up its cold skin, and finally entered through the Founding Titan's mouth.
The hiss of steam from the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment pierced the dead silence. Mikasa burst through the Titan's half-open mouth, the cold gleam of her Snipe Knife slashing straight toward Li Tetsuhiro's face.
The scar at the corner of her eye trembled with rage-she had seen Eren kneeling numbly before two unfamiliar men.
One wore red armor and had a gentle air about him; the other carried an unquestionable authority beneath his arrogance. He stood with his arms folded, studying them.
"Eren!" Mikasa cried out.
Eren slowly raised his head. When he saw them, he forced a bitter smile. "You came after all."
"You idiot! Why did you leave us behind and go onto the battlefield alone?" Armin demanded, frantic and furious.
Before he could finish, Mikasa had drawn her Snipe Knife and slashed at the man in red armor with chilling killing intent. "Eren, run!"
Clang! Tetsuhiro did not even turn around. He casually raised his index finger. The instant the blade struck his knuckle, Mikasa felt an immense force explode through her arm. The skin between her thumb and forefinger split open, and the Snipe Knife nearly flew from her hand.
But her gaze remained resolute. She tightened her grip instead and slashed again.
"An impatient little girl." Tetsuhiro shook his head lightly, his outstretched index finger not moving an inch. "Your judgment