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Chapter One: The Starting Point
Silence…
Then a sudden noise.
Ragged breaths, as if the air itself was too heavy to inhale.
Military boots echoed against muddy ground, mingled with sharp commands and the gasps of humans struggling to stay balanced.
Reign opened his eyes slowly.
The gray sky above felt like a closed ceiling, crowded with heavy clouds.
He sat up with effort, then looked at his hands—small, youthful, clean… unfamiliar.
"These aren't my hands…"
His gaze dropped to his body: smaller frame, shorter hair, lighter skin.
His memory was still hazy, but it told him one thing for certain—this wasn't his original form.
And suddenly…
> [Destiny System Activated…]
He froze.
The voice didn't come from the outside—it came from within.
Clear. Robotic. Completely devoid of humanity.
> [Current Profile:]
Name: Unknown
Status: Recreated
Personality Trait: Cold-blooded killer, no ties
Condition: Beginning
He looked around, cautiously.
He was in an open field, where dozens of young faces stood in neat rows.
All wore gray uniforms, marked by two crossed wings on their backs.
Another voice whispered in his mind:
"Training Corps… 104th Cadet Division."
He knew this scene.
He'd seen it before… in a distant world.
But now, he was in it.
He was inside the world of Attack on Titan.
---
As he struggled to absorb the shock, a friendly-looking boy with a warm smile approached him.
"You were watching us quietly, huh? I'm Marco."
He extended his hand for a shake, and added gently:
"You haven't told us your name yet, right?"
Reign hesitated.
His eyes locked on the outstretched hand… he wasn't used to this kind of kindness.
But slowly, he took it.
"…Reign."
Marco smiled and said,
"Nice to meet you, Reign. You seem calm… I thought you were the quiet, loner type."
He chuckled—not mockingly, but with genuine warmth.
Reign didn't reply. He simply nodded.
> [Choice Recorded:]
Interaction: Handshake – First human bond initiated: Marco
[+1 Human Curiosity Point]
A small notification appeared before his eyes—visible only to him.
"Don't worry, everyone's a bit weird at first."
Marco gestured toward a nearby group:
"Come on, I'll introduce you to a few others."
---
Reign walked behind him, steps hesitant.
Inside, an old voice screamed:
"Don't get close… Don't form bonds… Don't repeat the pain."
Yet his feet moved anyway.
"That's Eren. He's always angry, but his heart's in the right place.
And that's Mikasa—don't annoy her, she'll break bones without a second thought.
And this is Jean… he thinks he's ridiculously handsome, but we usually just ignore that."
Marco laughed again.
Reign looked at them.
None of them knew him.
No one paid special attention.
No judgment. No hatred. No expectations.
Just a blank slate… among familiar faces.
Eren eyed him warily.
"Who's that? I don't remember seeing him talk to anyone."
Marco replied casually,
"His name's Reign. We just met. He seems quiet, but he's a good guy."
Eren narrowed his eyes, while Mikasa simply stared—measuring his soul with her gaze.
Reign said softly,
"…I'm new."
The words felt like the first ones he'd spoken in ages.
---
> [System Update:]
First meaningful human interaction established
Emotional State: Unstable
Chosen Path: Beginning of Connection
Optional mission will be delivered within 24 hours
---
That night, Reign sat on his wooden bunk in the training camp.
Moonlight crept through the gaps in the window panes.
The soft breaths of his fellow cadets filled the silence.
He stared at the ceiling, thoughts whispering:
"Is this… real?"
He didn't feel anything clear.
But something faint… quiet, unfamiliar…
Something like warmth…
Rested still in his chest.
And perhaps…
He wasn't entirely dead after all.
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End of Chapter One
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English is not my native language