Attack on Titan: Core

Chapter 23: The Defeated and the Retaliated

Y/n wrote it in his journal about strange phenomena he's been feeling and saw in this world. Gunther noticed his journal but he shifted his focus to her.

Gunther: Whatever the case, I'm glad we're all fine. Although...

Y/n then sighs as he tells them, unknown to him, that Levi is watching him behind the Gundam.

Y/n: Even if you try to tell your families that you're alright, it won't convince them as the people of their neighborhood will only tell and care about the expedition results.

They were shocked about that but Levi's been on expeditions many times and they were the same as ever. Only cares about results and not even concerned about how their life in the Walls is much scarier than being out there seeing the cruel reality.

Y/n: They don't care about the reality that we've been doing for years just to preserve their lives in this cruel world. They are blinded to what their lives have become. But as for us out here, we're trying to find the meaning of this expedition and at the same time protect humanity.

Petra and his friends can hear and see it in the boy's eyes that he sees the dark side of the people in the Walls ever since he was born.

Unlike Eren, he was calm and collected yet it has that malice and dangerous persona of becoming a deterrent for the world to focus on and make them see and open their eyes for the cruel lie they lived.

Y/n: They should be glad that despite the expedition failures- they're still alive as other soldiers tried to do their best to protect humanity. Yet, here they are: The Wallists, Government and the people of the walls...

Levi then silently left as he felt his words compelled him. Y/n then looked at the injured Levi Squad. His mind is thought about the irony of him and other Build Divers or Fighters labelling as Creator by Eldora.

Y/n: The irony is that the Creators can also be Destroyers.

Erwin heard the report of the Scout Captain who was assigned his team to pick up the bodies of the dead.

???: We're just about done. There were about 5 bodies we couldn't recover though.

Erwin: Not even a part of them?

???: We could for the ones not near any Titans. But for those, I believe it'd be better for the families if we left them.

Erwin is still stoic but deep down he's frowning about his decision.

Erwin: Put them down as MIA.

???: Yes, sir. We spotted several titans near the forest, but there aren't any heading this way yet.

Erwin: We're moving out at once. Relay the order.

But some stubborn guy decided to intervene on Erwin's order.

???: I refuse to accept this, Commander Erwin!

???: *worried* Hey, you...

???: We should recover them! Ivan's corpse was right in front of us!

???: So was the Titan right next to him, remember? We could've lost another life.

???: If we attack, we can simply kill them, can't we?!

Another guy who was a friend of Ivan's pleaded to Erwin.

???: Ivan's an old friend that we grew up with. I know his parents too.

???: At the very least, I want to bring him home!

???: Don't be selfish!

Levi: Quarreling brats?