Levi's eyes widened as a massive explosion of smoke and dust erupted from the street. The Void Hounds froze mid-snarl, coughing and staggering.
As the debris cleared, four figures emerged, walking calmly through the haze:
Aizen Takahiro – the captain, katana in hand, the air around him shimmering as if slicing reality itself.
Hikari Senzou – blonde streaks flashing, blades gleaming, moving faster than the eye could follow.
Renjiro Kaede – living steel glinting on his arms, stomping the ground like a walking juggernaut.
Akane Misora – crimson sigils spiraling around her, blood chains curling like snakes toward the monsters.
Levi froze, awe and terror gripping him. Even in this teenage body, he could sense their overwhelming power.
Aizen's eyes locked on him.
"Keep moving," he said, voice calm but cutting through the chaos like a blade.
The remaining Void Hounds hesitated, already sensing their defeat, as The Vanguard—the informal nickname for the ACBT—moved with lethal precision through the wreckage.
The Vanguard – Strike in Action
From the clearing smoke, The Vanguard struck as one: a storm of precision and power.
Hikari "Flashwind" Senzou vanished into streaks of light, slicing through Whisperers before they could whisper madness into the nearby children's minds.
Renjiro "Iron Titan" Kaede slammed his fists into the ground, sending a shockwave that smashed Bloodfang Boars into walls like ragdolls.
Akane "Crimson Witch" Misora spun her dagger, blood-red chains erupting from her sigils to coil around Eclipsed Serpents, restraining them midair.
Aizen "Voidblade" Takahiro stepped forward last, his katana humming with dimensional energy, slashing Hollow Ravens from the sky, their wings scattering in the wind.
The street fell silent again. Dust and smoke swirled, revealing The Vanguard standing tall four figures against a world gone mad.
Levi's jaw dropped. If these are humans… what the hell am I supposed to become?
Then he remembered Miss Shoko. He scanned the chaos and found her still guiding the last children toward safety. At least she's safe… for now.
Coughing from the dust, Shoko shouted, "Haruto!!"
"Yes! Miss Shoko, I'm coming!" Levi screamed, sprinting toward her.
As he reached her, she gasped, relief flooding her eyes.
"Oh, thank goodness you're alive!"
---
Levi leaned against a wall, catching his breath. Quietly, he whispered:
"System… open."
[System Activated]
"Open rewards," Levi muttered. "Now let's see what this is about."
[System: Status Tamer Explanation]
"Tamer status allows you to tame any Corrupted Beasts under your current level."
Levi's eyes narrowed. Well, I'm only level 2… pretty useless for now.
Meanwhile, ACBT continued their relentless sweep.
Hikari "Flashwind" streaked through the remaining Whisperers, dismembering them before they could strike.
Renjiro "Iron Titan" sent Bloodfang Boars flying with crushing shockwaves.
Akane "Crimson Witch" bound Eclipsed Serpents in her crimson chains.
Aizen "Voidblade" cut through Hollow Ravens before they could reach any civilians.
Levi, seeing the carnage and precision, tried to take on a few stragglers—smaller Void Hounds or weakened Corrupted Beasts using the System to gain EXP while staying out of harm's way. Every strike, every dodge reminded him: I have a long way to go… but I can catch up.
---