Chapter 68 of 100

Chapter 68

14 min read3,435 words

Thank you to the book friends "Ice Sword Knight" and "Rarely Register to Support Author" for becoming the stewards of this book.

...

"Krista! You're finally back. How was it? Did that guy touch you inappropriately? Your eyes are red, did you cry? That guy must have bullied you, right...?"

As soon as the two returned to the training ground, Ymir ran quickly to Krista, ignoring Mika's attempts to stop her, and began to question and examine Krista closely, making Krista feel quite embarrassed. She could only repeatedly say that she was fine.

Ymir, of course, didn't quite believe it, but since Krista said so, she had to let it go. If the situation allowed, she would consider undressing Krista and thoroughly examining her from head to toe.

Not long after Tang Cheng and Krista returned, the sound of hooves suddenly came from not far away. Soon, a member of the Survey Corps rode over on a horse, with another empty horse following. As the two horses stopped in front of the training ground, the person immediately said, "Class Leader Tang Cheng, Captain Levi has ordered me to deliver a message, telling you to return to the old headquarters immediately."

"Oh, is there something going on?"

"It seems to be related to the Garrison. I heard that four elite class leaders from the Garrison specifically applied to join this Survey Corps mission and want to talk to you privately." the person reported.

"Understood." Tang Cheng nodded, thinking to himself that they had come quite quickly.

Subsequently, he handed the training responsibilities back to Mika and rode the empty horse towards the old headquarters.

About half an hour later, Tang Cheng returned to the castle, where the Ordinary Youth was already waiting at the door. As soon as he saw Tang Cheng, he greeted him. After the Survey Corps member left, the Ordinary Youth led Tang Cheng to their temporary room.

"Speak up, what are your demands?" As soon as they sat down, Tang Cheng got straight to the point.

"Uh!" The four were immediately taken aback, seemingly not understanding what he meant.

Tang Cheng didn't play games and clarified for them, "You came to find me to participate in the final main quest, right... Actually, even if you hadn't come to me, I would have forced you out."

Hearing the word "forced," the four felt a chill, grateful that they had realized it early enough.

"But I'm a dictator. If you want to work with me, you must absolutely obey my orders. I also don't need weak teammates, so you must report your abilities and combat strength to me so I can assign you appropriate roles in the plan."

Tang Cheng's words made the Lady's eyes narrow, "We aren't your subordinates. You want us to obey your orders and reveal our secrets. What's in it for us?"

Tang Cheng shrugged, "That's why I asked you what your demands are."

"..." The four were speechless, realizing what he meant.

The Ordinary Youth smiled bitterly, "Brother Tang, your thinking is too quick for us to follow. Of course, we have thought about the issue you mentioned. Since we decided to cooperate with you, you should know we are sincere. We are willing to follow your orders, and for the sake of cooperation, mutual understanding is necessary. So, our demand is... we hope you can give us the right to kill the Female Titan and the Armored Titan."

In the cycle world, various main quests not only offer final rewards but also provide additional rewards during the quest. Sometimes, these additional rewards can even exceed the final rewards. For this main quest, although the reward for killing ordinary Titans is very low, the three Titans' strength is undeniable. These ultimate BOSS-level existences are already a significant reward in themselves.

Based on their experience, each of the three Titans is worth about 1000 survival points.

Tang Cheng looked at the other three, "Is this everyone's opinion?"

The three nodded.

"But there are only two Titans. How will you divide them among the four of you?"

"That's not a problem. The cycle space allows for the trading of items and survival points. As long as we survive and return, we can trade the rewards among ourselves." the Ordinary Youth said.

Tang Cheng looked at the other three again, pointing at the Ordinary Youth, "Aren't you afraid he might renege? You trust him that much?"

The Ordinary Youth almost spat out a mouthful of blood, thinking: Boss, do you have to be so direct? I know what you mean, but can't you be a bit more tactful?

Before the Ordinary Youth could respond, the Literary Youth stepped in, "Indeed, in such a non-binding cooperation, some greedy challengers might take their teammates' rewards, which is a common occurrence. However, even if one Titan is worth 1000 survival points, the other two would only lose 500 points each. While that's not a small amount, it's extremely unwise to offend a challenger of similar strength for 500 points. If this were exposed in the cycle space, even without substantial evidence, the consequences for the reward-stealer would be severe... at the very least, they would have to be prepared to be isolated by all challengers in the next world, and most teams wouldn't accept such a person."

"Oh, I see." Tang Cheng nodded, "Since that's the case, I have a more suitable method for you."

"What method?"

"Give up the reward for killing the three Titans."

"Damn!" the Lady cursed.

The Clown Youth's eyes flashed with anger, "Do you want to take it all for yourself?"

Afraid of a conflict, the Ordinary Youth quickly intervened, then said with a bitter smile, "Brother Tang, we four only take the reward for killing two Titans, while you take one. We won't quibble over this, but now you want to take all three, which seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?"

"Who said I want to take it all?" Tang Cheng countered, "I never said the three Titans would all be killed by us challengers."

"Eh?" The four were stunned. The Ordinary Youth instinctively said, "If not by us, then... Ah! Did you trigger a side quest?"

As soon as he said that, the other three finally understood. If it were just the main quest, no challenger would let go of the reward for killing the three Titans. But if Tang Cheng had a side quest, it wouldn't be surprising. After all, this main quest doesn't explicitly require killing the three Titans; just eliminating their threat is enough.

However, triggering a side quest is usually extremely difficult and vague. They had gone through four world instances and never triggered a side quest, while Tang Cheng succeeded on his first try. Regardless of what the side quest was or how much reward it offered, it was enough to make people envious and resentful.

Should we say, he truly lives up to being a five-star challenger?

After a moment, the Literary Youth spoke, "So, because of your side quest, we must give up the reward for killing the three Titans?"

"Yep." Tang Cheng nodded matter-of-factly.

"Are you kidding? What's in it for us?" the Lady said indignantly, "We work hard and risk our lives, and in the end, all the benefits go to you. I won't agree!"

"How can there be no benefit? You can still get the main quest reward." Tang Cheng shrugged and smiled, "Or do you think you can kill the three Titans without my help?"

"..." The four were speechless. Ultimately, they were the ones who needed his help.

"Can you guarantee that you can kill the three Titans without our assistance?" the Lady retorted sarcastically.

Tang Cheng nodded without hesitation, "Of course."

The Lady was flabbergasted. What kind of person was this? He was so confident, almost like a male version of Sister Feng.

Despite her thoughts, she couldn't refute his confidence. Finally, the Ordinary Youth said, "Actually, giving up the reward for killing the three Titans isn't completely out of the question, but before that, we want to hear your plan."

"No problem."

Then, Tang Cheng spent an hour explaining his plan in detail.

After listening, the four were shocked, and their faces showed nothing but shock. Tang Cheng's plan was a series of actions, and even without him explicitly stating it, they could infer the general content of his side quest from the plan. Such a task would offer a reward no less than the main quest, which explained why he was willing to give up the reward for killing the three Titans.

Of course, what shocked them even more was not the crazy content of the side quest but the fact that Tang Cheng was willing to share his entire plan with them. After all, if they refused to cooperate and instead betrayed him, it would make it very difficult for Tang Cheng to achieve his plan.

The Ordinary Youth couldn't help but ask, "Are you not afraid we might betray you?"

Tang Cheng looked at them, his expression even stranger than theirs, and countered, "Do you want to die that much?"

"..."

Damn!

Hearing this, the four were in tears. It wasn't that Tang Cheng was too naive, too relaxed, or trusted them enough; it was that... this guy didn't take them seriously at all!

"Alright." Under the overwhelming counter-question, the four finally agreed to Tang Cheng's proposal. After all, besides cooperating with Tang Cheng, they had no other options. Most directly, with Tang Cheng's current status, a single word from him could make the Garrison and the Survey Corps start causing them trouble. They could join the Military Police, but that would put them completely at odds with Tang Cheng.

Choosing to offend a five-star challenger for 500 survival points or giving up 500 points to gain a five-star challenger's favor was a clear choice.

After the cooperation was confirmed, the four didn't return to the Garrison but stayed in the castle. This was to show their sincerity and to further understand each other's strengths, making the plan easier to implement.

Then, while training the new recruits, teaching the future queen, interacting with the four challengers, and making detailed plans with the Survey Corps, occasionally teasing someone 1.6 meters tall... time passed harmoniously and relaxedly, and soon a month had passed.

On this day, under the leadership of Commander Erwin, the Survey Corps set out from the eastern side of Wall Rose, the Karanes District, heading towards the Shiganshina District.

"The 57th expedition outside the walls begins... Forward!!!"

With Commander Erwin's loud cry, the warriors rushed to the battlefield.

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