"All right." As soon as Annie spoke, the blade in her ring slid out and cut her finger.
A moment later, a bolt of yellow lightning shot straight into the dome overhead, and Annie transformed into the Female Titan.
Nearby, Eren watched the fully transformed Female Titan with an impassive expression. He took out a dagger and slashed his palm. The instant blood flowed, brilliant yellow arcs enveloped him. A second later, another bolt of yellow lightning shot into the dome, and the Attack Titan appeared.
Annie and Eren fought dozens of times afterward, with Eren winning far more often than he lost. Annie was astonished by his extraordinary fighting ability.
"How did you improve so much?" Annie asked through gritted teeth after emerging from the nape.
"Pain makes me stronger. Do you understand? You people who broke down the wall... do you understand?" Eren said calmly. He abruptly plunged back into the nape and swung at Annie with blinding speed.
Annie's gaze wavered slightly at his words. But as the Attack Titan's enormous palm descended, she dove back into her Titan's nape and raised her arms to block. She hardened both fists and crossed her arms in front of her, only for Eren to harden the full length of his own arms and tear hers apart.
In the battles that followed, Eren seemed utterly indifferent to his own life. He fought as though it were truly a struggle to the death, desperately trying to rip apart Annie's nape. Several times, even when Annie was about to tear open his nape, he continued attacking without a care. Annie had no choice but to switch to defense, leaving her at a disadvantage.
Annie sensed other emotions driving Eren's fighting. She refused to concede, but still struggled to defeat him.
Unwilling to