"It's alright, Mikasa. Don't force yourself. I'll handle the fighting. I'll protect you for the rest of your life. I just want you to be happy."
Hearing Chen Si's words, Mikasa's mind filled with the image of her parents' brutal deaths. She looked at the back of the boy who, though she had only known him for a short time, was now her only remaining family. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Chen Si was facing away from her. If he had seen her expression, he would have comforted her immediately. As for Eren—he could endure a little longer without air.
That's enough. If I don't move now, Eren's going to suffocate.
Chen Si burst forward. The wooden floor exploded beneath his feet yet again. He drove a heavy punch into the man's back and swept his legs out from under him. The tall man crashed to the ground. Eren fell backward onto his rear, coughing violently.
Chen Si had no formal fighting skills—no training whatsoever. He simply relied on overwhelming speed and strength, copying moves he had seen others use. The results were shockingly effective.
He stomped hard on the man's back.
Crack.
The sound of ribs breaking reached his ears.
Strength really is useful.
He grabbed the man by the head and smashed his face into the floor. Only now did Chen Si get a clear look at him—this was the same man he had punched in the jaw earlier. The man's face was already grotesquely misshapen; now it was even worse.
Earlier, while Chen Si had been unconscious, this man had wanted revenge—but the fat trafficker had stopped him, arguing that damaged goods wouldn't sell for a good price.
That had been his last chance.
"You brats… I'll sell you to the Underground in the capital and let you—"
Before he could finish, the familiar sound of splintering wood rang out.
A dagger plunged into his heart.
He stared in disbelief at the seemingly fragile little girl before him.
"Brother… I'll protect you too, from now on," Mikasa said firmly.
In that moment, the law of this world—survival of the fittest—took root in her heart.
"Good! I'll protect you, you protect me! Let's see who dares bully us!" Eren exclaimed.
Seeing that Mikasa had killed as well, his perception of her changed. Chen Si noticed the shift in Eren's gaze and felt speechless.
So Eren's been battle-hungry since childhood… Grisha and Carla are so gentle—how did they raise such a fierce son?
That night, Grisha Yeager returned with members of the Military Police.
The soldiers stared at the three blood-soaked corpses. One body was barely recognizable.
"Did three children really do this?" the soldiers muttered, pale.
"Eren," Grisha said sternly, "didn't I tell you to wait at the foot of the mountain? Do you understand what you've done?"
"I eliminated evil! They were beasts wearing human skin!" Eren shot back stubbornly.
Chen Si nodded inwardly.
He's right. They deserved it.
If Eren hadn't been brave enough in the original story, Mikasa would have been taken away. Not every child could do what Eren did.
In fact, no child his age could.
As the protagonist, Eren truly was different. Even Chen Si, before transmigrating, doubted he possessed such courage.
"If I'd waited for the Military Police, they would've moved already. It would've been too late!" Eren argued.
"Even so, you only succeeded because you were lucky!" Grisha said gravely. "I'm telling you not to recklessly endanger yourself!"
"Doctor Yeager is right," Chen Si suddenly said. "But Eren wasn't just lucky. He has courage that most people can't even approach. Not just children—many adults couldn't have done what he did. This wasn't simply luck."
Mikasa turned toward Chen Si, lips slightly parted, struck by his mature words.
Eren's eyes shone with gratitude, faint tears gathering. He felt as though he had finally found someone who understood him.
Grisha fell silent for a long moment, glancing thoughtfully at his son. Then he approached Chen Si and Mikasa.
"You're Mikasa's brother?"
"Yes. I was taken in by the Ackermans. I'm her brother," Chen Si replied firmly.
Mikasa looked at him, light flickering in her eyes.
Grisha nodded and turned to Mikasa. "Mikasa, do you remember me? We met a few times when you were little."
Mikasa lowered her head, grief clouding her voice.
"Doctor Yeager… we don't have a home anymore. It's cold…"
Chen Si walked to Eren.
"Eren, may I borrow your scarf?"
Eren, whose affection for Chen Si had soared, immediately removed it and handed it over.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Chen Si gently wrapped the scarf around Mikasa's neck. Her eyes gradually brightened as she watched him.
"Mikasa, Uncle and Auntie are gone. But evil still exists in this world. They're gone—but I'm still here. Wherever the two of us are together, that's our home. From now on, you're my closest family. I'll always stay by your side."
Every word carved itself into Mikasa's heart.
Tears burst from her eyes.
Something within her—like a half-open genetic lock—shattered completely.
The Ackerman bloodline awakened fully.
At this moment, Mikasa was already stronger than Chen Si, whose own power was not yet completely unlocked.
She suddenly threw herself into his arms with such force that Chen Si nearly lost his footing.
In his embrace, she cried loudly.
She had found the person she would cling to for the rest of her life.
Chen Si held her tightly, gently patting her back, offering his shoulder as her harbor.
To Mikasa's innocent heart, this simple gesture crystallized into something eternal.
Chen Si, however, did not realize the weight of his words.
In his previous world, even the most moving declarations of love often failed to break through hearts hardened by reality. Love there burned fiercely—but briefly.
He had loved before. He had given everything, and been surrounded by love in return. He could not call it false—but he understood it was like flame: passionate, yet fleeting.
What he did not realize—what he perhaps could never comprehend—was that an eternal love he had never believed in was quietly closing in around him.
After Mikasa's tears subsided, she lifted her head from his shoulder. Seeing the wet patch on his clothes, she blushed and avoided his gaze.
"Chen Si. Mikasa. Come live with us," Grisha said gently.
Mikasa froze.
Chen Si thought inwardly: Finally.
"You've suffered greatly. You need a place to rest and recover," Grisha continued.
"Yes, Chen Si, Mikasa—come live with us," Eren said, taking both their hands. "Come home with us."
Mikasa was touched—but compared to the emotional foundation Chen Si had already built in her heart, Eren's kindness carried less impact.
Because now, in Mikasa's world, Chen Si was the most important person.
"Alright. Thank you, Eren," Chen Si said. Then he turned to Grisha. "Thank you, Doctor Yeager."
He looked at Mikasa.
"Mikasa, let's go home."
"Mm… home."
Tears shimmered again at the corners of her eyes.