Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

"This, how is this possible?"

The soldiers watched in disbelief as the Titan actively shielded the back of its neck. It was a sight they had never seen before. Titans never exhibited such behavior—defending their weak point as if aware of its vulnerability.

"This guy actually knows his weakness?"

"It's not an ordinary Titan. This one is… smart," someone murmured in shock.

The revelation sent ripples of unease through the ranks. If Titans could learn such tactics, humanity's survival would face an entirely new level of threat.

Commander Levi's expression turned grim. The implications of such intelligence in a Titan were too dire to ignore. "Kill it. No matter what. None of these creatures can escape today," he ordered, his voice cold and resolute.

Hanji, standing nearby, was brimming with excitement. "Amazing! This behavior is unprecedented! I need to study it—"

Levi cut her off sharply. "Not now. If this behavior spreads, we're finished. Focus on eliminating it."

Meanwhile, Ryo stood atop the Titan's back, undeterred by the creature's defensive stance. Instead of frustration, a sly grin spread across his face.

"Hah! You think this will stop me? I'll show you what I'm capable of."

The Titan remained focused on protecting its neck, leaving its offensive capabilities diminished. Ryo seized the opportunity, diving headlong into battle with renewed confidence.

---

Before his attack, Ryo had made a calculated decision. He had been holding off on something critical—a system upgrade. He accessed it now, knowing the time had come.

**"Ding! The host has reached Level 10. Promotion to Private achieved!"**

**"Ding! Standard private equipment unlocked. Auto-equipped."**

**"Ding! Title unlocked: Little Combat Expert. Strength increased by 5 points!"**

The upgrades were instantaneous, coursing through Ryo's body like a surge of pure energy. His movements became sharper, his reflexes faster, and his strength surged to a new peak.

"Perfect timing," he muttered, feeling the enhancement.

He dropped his three-dimensional gear temporarily, opting instead to charge on foot. The Titan, noticing his approach, stood tall and straightened up, attempting to shake him off.

"You're smarter than the average Titan, but that's not enough to stop me!" Ryo said, his voice steady and determined.

As the Titan swayed to throw him off balance, Ryo's instincts kicked in. He leaped across its shoulders with precision, gripping his blades tightly. The Titan reached for him, but Ryo anticipated the movement, using the momentum to swing himself onto its back.

Once again, the Titan's protective stance blocked its nape. It guarded itself fiercely, leaving Ryo momentarily unable to strike the fatal blow.

"Let's see how long you can keep this up," Ryo muttered.

The soldiers on the ground were in awe. The spectacle of Ryo's agility and strategy gave them hope in the face of what felt like an impossible enemy. Many of them began cheering his name, their voices echoing across the battlefield.

---

As Ryo continued to analyze his opponent, he began piecing together the truth. The Titan's behavior wasn't random—it was calculated.

This isn't just a typical Titan, he thought. It's being controlled.

The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. This had to be the work of an Intelligent Titan—perhaps even the Beast Titan himself.

"Looks like I'm fighting more than just this big guy," Ryo murmured under his breath.

Summoning every ounce of his enhanced strength, Ryo launched himself at the Titan's back once more, determined to break through its defenses. **This ends now,** he thought.

The fight was far from over, but one thing was clear: Ryo would not back down.