Keith Shadis, A Man Of Many Words

The field was dark as the night sky shimmered with shining stars, The full moon was evident but that was not the major focus of tonight-

"W- Why?"

Eren stared at the blond haired boy with bright crimson eyes, Blood trailed down the side of his mouth as a Sword was lodged in his chest.

As Mark expected, steam wrapped around the blade which was signifying the healing but the wound couldn't heal because the Sword was there.

"The Screen wants you dead," Mark said, the glow in his eyes intensifying… "You're one of them, aren't you? It's because of Titans like you that the wall was destroyed,"

Mark was hurting, Why wouldn't he? His aunt had died in the fall of Shiganshina and it was all because of the Titan… that was under his blade.

Eren gritted his teeth as Mark drove the blade deeper, more blood escaping from his mouth.

"I want to kill… Titans," Eren barely managed to say.

Upon hearing that, Mark pulled his sword out of Eren's chest letting the billowing steam envelop Eren's chest…

Only for the sword to come stabbing back in, prompting blood to shoot out of Eren's nose.

"You're a Titan and you want to kill a Titan? How stupid," Mark commented, He twisted the sword and Eren grunted a bit.

After that, Mark pulled the sword back and let blood flow out from the wound.

"Goodbye, Eren Yeager,"

Those were the last things Eren heard before his head was sliced off.

Mark looked at the gruesome scene but he felt no emotion, his body wasn't reacting to him.

[Host has gained a new skill, Dark Determination [A-grade]]

[Skill name: Dark Determination]

[Skill Description: This skill grants the user the ability to do anything he sets his heart to, without any reaction or pain although the Fatigue stat will rise faster since it takes a lot from the brain]

The skill 'Dark Determination' was like his own version of the Warrior's Determination although it taxed his FATIGUE.

Killing Eren had its benefits as he would simply earn 2, 000, 000 Gold.

'But Eren didn't use Titan shifting?' Mark thought, 'Is it possible that he isn't one of the-'

A dangerous glint crossed Mark's eyes as they turned lifeless.

'It's not possible,' Mark thought. Unlike the others, Eren had Two Titans and therefore he was a more threatening foe.

…

[Mission: Kill Eren Yeager]

[Description: End the life of Eren Yeager, he is far too dangerous to keep walking on the planet]

[Rewards: 2, 300, 000 Gold, Titan Conversion (S-grade skill) (Collect)]

[Punishment for Failure: Death by Titan]

…

The bounty was completed and Mark immediately hit the Collect button, collecting the rewards from the Blue screen.

[Titan is in sight… Would you like to use the Titan Conversion Skill?]

Unlike Mark's other skills that could be activated with a mere thought, This one seemed to be connected to the Screen… in a way?

Mark's eyes went to Eren Yeager who lay on the ground motionless and saw a blue outline on his body.

"Yes," Mark said.

Eren's body was soon highlighted in a bright golden hue as sparks of golden lightning erupted from his body into Mark's free hand, slowly but surely, It was materializing into something.

The lightning died down seconds later and revealed an Orb, highlighted with golden and emerald colors.

His right eye let loose a bright blue glow as he appraised the Orb.

…

[Item: Titan Essence Orb]

[Description: This orb contains the essence of the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan, Consume to gain the power that lays dormant within]

[Durability: ??? / ???]

…

Mark had been suspecting it but there was no mistake now, Consuming the orb would let him gain the power of Titans…

He looked contemplatively at the orb in hand, He could gain the power of the Titans and then- Would he be different from the others?

With a thought, a small portable blue portal appeared and Mark placed the Titan Essence Orb in it, as well as his Steel Sword.

He also deactivated his Dark Determination skill and left the scene, after tucking his shoes into his Inventory as well, He wanted nothing that would implicate him to Eren's death.

#####

Mina looked at her friend who leaned against the wall, dressed smartly in his Cadet uniform. There was only little time before they met their head instructor, Keith Shadis but the death of Eren Yeager had taken everyone by surprise.

Especially Mikasa, who was roaming around the halls like a lifeless corpse…

"Was Eren your friend?" Mina asked.

She could see that Mark was brooding over something, and looking so damn handsome while doing so.

"I barely knew him," Mark replied.

How could he tell her that she was the one that ended his life?

And for some strange reason, He didn't feel regretful about a single thing. It was just that he could become a Titan upon consuming the Titan Essence Orb… He didn't know what to think about it.

"Then why're you sad?" Mina asked.

"I just- I'm just feeling tired, my roommates didn't let me get enough sleep yesterday," Mark said.

"Oh, For me, Sasha is a good roommate," Mina said and then took Mark's hand, "Come on, Let's go to the field,"

#####

'Fate is a bitch,' Mark thought as he stood right on the place where he had put an end to Eren's life.

As they stood in attention, Mark's eyes went to the Titan shifters and he subconsciously gritted his teeth.

He would kill them if it was the last thing he did!

But he hadn't decided what to do with Annie, The screen hadn't given him any bounty for the Female Titan and her reputation was low too, Since she hadn't done anything wrong, Maybe the screen wouldn't warranty her.

Or it could be the other way too? She could be a girl that the Screen wanted him to conquer.

'I better focus on fully conquering Mina first,' Mark thought.

If he focused on two girls at a time, the result would be disastrous in his opinion since unlike some very smooth playboys, He didn't have much experience relation-ship wise.

"Hey, Mop-top!" Keith shouted out, knocking Mark out of his thoughts.

"Sir!" Armin let out, taking his salute.

"What do they call you, Maggot?!" Keith asked.

"Armin Arlert from Shiganshina sir!" Armin replied.

"Wow, seriously, why would your parents curse you with such a dumb name?!" Keith asked.

"It was my grandfather, sir!" Armin replied.

"Cadet Arlert, Why is a runt like you here?!" Keith asked.

"To help Humanity overcome the Titans!" Armin replied fearfully.

"That is delightful to hear, You're going to be a great light snack for them," Keith said while patting Armin's head.

"Row 3, Turn around and face the back!" Keith ordered and then moved on to his next sorry victim, Thomas Wagner.

"What do you call yourself?!" Keith asked.

"Sir, My name is Thomas Wagner from the Trost district," Thomas replied.

"I can't hear you!" Keith shouted.

"I'm from Trost sir..."

Mark quickly averted his attention from Keith, he was ignoring certain people.

His eyes flickered to Mikasa's figure and a deflated frown formed on his face, She was different than when he met her for the first time, Upon seeing Eren Yeager, she had that smile that graced her appearance.

But now, she had a dead emotionless look… and it was because of him.

Mark opened the Shop interface with a thought and started scrolling through, using his mind of course- If he used his hands to touch something that people couldn't see, they'd think he was an idiot.

…

[Item: Love Aphrodisiac]

[Description: Upon consuming this item, the target will fall in love with the Host]

[Durability: 20 / 20]

[Cost: 30 Gold]

[Accept / Decline]

…

He already had insurmountable amounts of gold so buying this was for Mikasa's own good.

He accepted and the Item instantly appeared in his Inventory, Mark gazed at Mikasa once again before thinking how he was going to give her this Aphrodisiac…

She surely wouldn't take anything from someone she didn't know, but she knew Armin right? He could ask Armin to give it to her, after submerging it within liquid of course.

Suddenly, Mark felt a tug on his chest and felt himself being lifted up by Keith Shadis.

…

[Name: Keith Shadis]

[Title: Ex-Commander of Survey Corps, A Walking Nightmare]

[Race: Eldian]

[Reputation: 10, 000]

[Strength: 25]

[Speed: 20]

[Endurance: 19]

[Agility: 10]

[FATIGUE: 43]

[Skills]

[Fear's Accomplice [B-rank]: An Innate ability that allows one to instill fear in whoever has weak will]

…

Narrowing his eyes at the Ex-commander, He wasn't really anything great. His stats were below that of Titan shifters, probably because of his growing age.

"You think you're hot stuff, huh?" Keith asked.

Only to be met with the lifeless gaze of Mark's crimson orbs, He had activated Dark determination and the aura around him changed drastically.

"Let me go," Mark said, his voice low.

But his eyes let off an eerie glow, even the Ex-Commander felt his heart tremble as he let Mark go immediately.

Mark deactivated Dark Determination and Keith, in a bid to not lose face narrowed his eyes at the Cadet.

"What's your name?!" He asked.

"Mark… Mark Brock," Mark replied.

"Nice, You'll make an excellent snack for the Titans," Keith said, much to Mina's dismay.

The girl was shaken, It seemed Keith had been shouting at her before him. As he narrowed his eyes at the back of Keith Shadis, He grunted slightly.

'I should have snapped his arms when I had the chance,' Mark thought, Activating the Body Strengthening skill would have boosted his stats greatly and then snapping the man's arms would not be hard.

"Are you Okay?" I asked and Mina caressed her hair a bit.

"Just a bit shaken up, I didn't expect the man to shout so much," Mina said.

"Sorry," Mark said and Mina nodded, giving him a small smile.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Mina said and then everyone heard something…

A peculiar sound, one of crunching?

'Holy fuck,' Mark thought as he saw Keith's next target, a red haired girl who was munching freely at a Potato.

-

Author's Note:

Sasha Blouse~

Don't worry, Just because the MC is focused on conquering Mina Carolina doesn't mean he isn't going to cultivate friendships with other girls.

If you want to immerse yourself in more chapters ahead of my fics, head over to Patreon.com/izana07!

I know it's late but Happy New Month and Happy Easter Day!