Levertsen City.
A sprawling metropolis with over 20 million people.
Its towering buildings scraped the clouds like steel monuments. Neon signs buzzed on every corner, casting streaks of blue and crimson across the restless streets. The traffic was endless, and the crowds were thicker than ever.
This was Jack's home.
Triner: Velvet Apartment, it is?
Jack: Yeah. That's where I want to go.
Triner: Guess we're close to your place, huh?
Jack, who had escaped that dark dimension alone—leaving Eren behind—was now returning.
A dark portal had appeared in the massive, empty room where he'd extracted some kind of mysterious power. That portal had led back to the real world.
As Jack watched the city through the car window, his eyes landed on a giant TV screen mounted on a skyscraper.
It was broadcasting news—something that had taken over every media outlet.
"Emergence of the Portals."
It wasn't just this city. It wasn't just this country. It was the world.
Everyone was talking about it.
Jack had been lucky to catch a ride on the highway.
The portal he exited from was around 30 kilometers away from the city.
Triner: It's a hot topic, you know.
Jack: The news spread worldwide?
Triner: Yup. It's all over.
Seven portals appeared across the globe. Seven investigation teams were sent inside.
One for each.
None returned.
Jack: When were they deployed?
Triner: Three days ago.
Jack: So now they're... presumed dead?
Triner: Most likely.
Jack: That's... surprising.
Triner: A global press conference is happening in Garthend. World leaders, presidents, prime ministers—everyone's gathering. All because of these portals.
Jack: I was one of the people who got dragged in, unintentionally. I just jumped in to save someone else.
He was thinking of Eren.
In Jack's eyes, Eren was weak. Jack had done most of the killing. Eren's only contribution was pointing out the beasts' weaknesses—something that helped Jack kill them more efficiently.
Still, he lacked the strength to survive on his own.
Jack: I took advantage of his advice and helped us stay alive by doing the fighting. But…
Back when Jack was extracting that strange power, guided by the stone tablet's instructions, Eren had suddenly disappeared.
Jack: Where the hell did that guy vanish to?
The car turned right.
Velvet Apartments was in sight.
Triner: We're here.
Jack: Take me to Apartment Section 7.
The car rolled forward, heading for the destination.
Velvet Apartments—divided into nine towering buildings—was the largest apartment complex in Levertsen City.
Jack lived here with his family.
The car came to a stop. Jack stepped out.
Jack: Thanks for the ride! I owe you one.
Triner: Nah, no need. Besides, I live in the same complex.
Jack: Huh!?
He's heading to the same place as me!?
Triner: I live in Section 1, 6th floor. Apartment 164.
Feel free to drop by—I'm a pretty lonely guy.
Jack: Thanks. I'll visit you sometime.
Triner: Alright. See ya.
Jack: Bye!
It was 9 PM when Jack returned.
His family would be waiting—he rushed inside the building and headed for the elevator.
He was lucky. It was already on the ground floor.
He stepped in and hit the button for the 7th floor.
The doors slid shut, and the elevator began its slow ascent.
As the elevator ascended, Jack stood in silence, thoughts spiraling in his mind.
Jack: I survived. I should be glad. But… what about Eren?
His reflection flickered faintly in the elevator's metallic wall, a reminder of the guilt weighing on him. Jack clenched his fist slightly, feeling the weight of Eren's sudden disappearance.
Jack: He had a family too. People waiting for him, just like I did.
He leaned against the side of the elevator, eyes fixed on the changing floor numbers.
Jack: I never liked weak people, but I could still sense something in him. Eren was one of them. A fragile kind of strength...
A pause lingered in his mind.
Jack: Who's going to say now that Eren's dead… if I never even saw it happen?
A dull pang hit his chest. The elevator dinged, nearing the seventh floor.
The elevator dinged as it reached the 7th floor.
Jack stepped out and walked to apartment 771.
He pressed the doorbell and waited silently for it to open.
Jack: She's definitely going to yell.
The door swung open. A girl with striking white hair in a neat ponytail stood in front of him — beautiful, but her glare was anything but welcoming.
Aria Vetragoad: THERE YOU ARE, MISTER! YOU FINALLY DECIDED TO RETURN!
Her tone made it clear — she wasn't exactly thrilled to see him.
Aria: GET IN HERE, NOW!
Jack: Can we skip the shouting? And... please don't hit me. I'm seriously exhausted.
Aria: You should be glad I'm even letting you in.
Her voice softened as she stepped aside, finally allowing Jack to enter his home.
The apartment was spacious—seven rooms in total. The drawing room stood out with its large TV, a sleek table, and plush couches arranged neatly. A comfortable silence lingered in the air, contrasting the chaos outside.
Jack slipped off his shoes and collapsed onto the couch, his body sinking deep into the cushions. Exhaustion weighed heavy on him after everything he had been through.
Jack: Surprising how you greeted me this time. So, where's mom?
Aria looked down, a hint of disappointment on her face.
Aria: She hasn't returned yet.
Jack: What?
Aria: She hasn't come back.
Jack: She hasn't returned?
How long has she been out for work? Did she call you?
Aria: Nope. I tried calling her… but she didn't pick up.
Jack: What the heck? It's already late and she didn't even inform when she'd be back?
Aria: Not at all. I don't even know if she's busy or not.
Jack: Damn... she was supposed to be home by 6 PM. It's been 3 hours... this is concerning.
From Jack's estimation, he had spent around 4 hours inside the dark dimension. Returning to the real world and making it back home took him another hour.
Under normal circumstances, he'd have arrived home before his mom.
But this time—despite being the one delayed—he was still back before her.
That was unusual. And worrying.
Jack: Guess we'll wait, then.
Aria: I haven't made dinner yet… My finals are killing me.
Jack: Then let me handle it. You focus on your studies.
He gently patted her head.
Jack: Don't stress. I'll figure something out.
Aria: …Alright. Thanks, Jack.
Jack: I just hope she didn't get caught up in anything portal-related… She has to come back tonight. If not... I'll have to skip college tomorrow.
Suddenly, a soft chime buzzed from Jack's pocket — a phone notification.
He pulled it out and read the message.
"College is suspended. Another portal has appeared near the main entrance. All students are advised to stay home until further notice."
Jack: Huh. Looks like I got myself an unexpected break.
Aria's graduation will be coming up soon too...
He glanced toward her room.
Jack: Guess I'm in charge tonight. That's what big brothers are for.
=============
A red-haired woman was running down the street — likely in a hurry.
Cynthia: There it is!
Cynthia's house came into view. A few boys were hanging out near the front — at least three of them.
Street Boy 1: You see that sexy girl running toward us?
Street Boy 2: Yeah... we should target her.
The third boy with them — Haiben — lived nearby. His hand trembled the moment he recognized who it was.
Haiben (Street Boy 3): Yo guys... if you think y'all can go against her, then be my guest. I'm out!
He turned and ran away without hesitation.
Street Boy 2: Why did he start running?
Street Boy 1: No clue...
She was only a few meters away when the two remaining boys stepped into her path.
Street Boy 1: Yo...
Cynthia stopped, facing them calmly.
Cynthia: What is it?
Street Boy 2: Let us mess wi—
He didn't finish.
A split second later, saliva flew from his mouth as Cynthia's foot slammed into his face. His body launched back into a wall with such force that a tooth came flying out. The impact cracked the wall.
Cynthia: I don't have time to waste on idiots. Move.
The other boy, frozen in fear, watched his friend crumble. He turned and ran, screaming.
Cynthia: Bastards...
She picked up speed again, sprinting the last stretch toward her house — barely thirty meters away. She reached the door and pressed the bell.
It was already 8:30 PM. A bit too late for her taste.
Thirty seconds passed. The door remained shut.
Cynthia: He was supposed to be in the living room watching TV... weird, I can't hear anything.
She pressed the bell again and waited, this time shouting:
Cynthia: Why is he late?
Dad!
Cynthia: Hey daddy, it's me, Cynthia! Open the door!
No answer. The door stayed shut.
Tch... Cynthia clicked her tongue, then walked to the side window and peered in.
The lights were on. The ceiling fan spun slowly overhead. But the TV — oddly — wasn't on. Her father was nowhere in sight.
She'd been standing outside for three minutes now.
Cynthia: This is concerning... He never ignores me like this. But if I break the door, he'll be pissed about the damage. Not like I've ever broken it before...
Despite her model-like beauty, Cynthia was known for her strength — strong enough to break a locked door without much effort, if needed.
Cynthia: He usually returns home earlier than me. Didn't even text me if he stepped out... And I can't stay out here much longer either.
She took out her phone and dialed his number.
A ringtone echoed from inside — from the living room.
Her father's phone was still in the house.
She peeked through the window again. The ringtone stopped after 30 seconds.
Cynthia: Guess I have to find another way...
She turned around and noticed someone down the street — Haiben, the boy who'd run away earlier.
Cynthia: Hey, you!
Haiben: Y-Yes?
Cynthia: Isn't your father a locksmith?
Haiben: Yeah?
Cynthia: Get him. I need this door opened. My dad isn't answering or opening up.
Haiben: Uh... sure.
He sprinted off toward his house. A few minutes later, he returned with his father.
Haiben's Dad: You the client?
Cynthia: Yeah. I need this door opened.
Haiben's Dad: One dollar.
Cynthia: Ugh... fine.
She fished a dollar from her pocket and handed it over. The locksmith knelt down, worked on the door for a moment—
Click.
Haiben's Dad: Done.
Cynthia: Thanks for the service.
Haiben's Dad: No problem.
He left, and Cynthia stepped into her home.
Cynthia: I need to check on Dad!
She ran upstairs — and then stopped.
Something caught her eye. The bathroom door was slightly open — about 20%. Through the narrow gap, a human hand was visible, lying limp on the floor.
Cynthia: What the—
She rushed forward, pushed the door open.
There, on the bathroom floor, lay her father — unconscious, saliva trailing from his mouth.
Cynthia: DAD!?