### Chapter 2: Data-Driven Information

Throughout this entire experience, Kiba maintained a low profile, adhering to a principle of staying under the radar to maximize his own safety.

The fat man and the fire-wielding youth might be riding high now, but when danger truly strikes, they'll be the ones who have to take the heat. That guide, Tiger, is no pushover, and it's almost laughable how the two see him as a caretaker.

However, it was something the guide said that made Kiba pay extra attention.

Others might not notice, but how could a seasoned reincarnator like Tiger not know what *Attack on Titan* is? His tone didn't convey the frustration of ignorance; instead, it seemed like a resigned sigh, as if he really knew nothing at all.

A bold thought began to form in Kiba's mind. It seemed improbable, but given that something as absurd as crossing over into another world had happened, what could be impossible?

He was just about to ask when the fire-wielding youth turned to Tiger, confusion written all over his face. "Brother Tai, what do you mean by 'story protagonist'?"

For this gifted newcomer, Tiger remained patient—though that might have something to do with the fact that they hadn't yet entered the story world.

Kiba noticed that the room was enveloped in a milky white dome, separating them from the outside world, much like a dimensional barrier. It seemed no one outside could perceive them, allowing for a moment of casual conversation.

"The so-called 'story protagonist' refers to a special character protected by the narrative world," Tiger explained. "It could be a group, but most of the time, it refers to a specific individual."

"They often possess the ability to turn calamity into fortune. No matter what happens, the protagonist's life is never truly at risk."

At this point, Tiger paused, his tone becoming wistful as he continued, "Take, for example, Genya Shinazugawa from the *Demon Slayer* world—a man who could devour demons. This is a prime example of someone blessed by fate."

Perhaps realizing he had said too much, Tiger abruptly ended the discussion with a gruff humph and waved his hand dismissively. "Enough. If you still have the energy to ponder these questions, you should focus on how to survive being devoured by Titans."

The newcomers exchanged glances, instinctively turning their gaze to the window.

A series of booming sounds echoed in the distance, interspersed with the screams of humans, all of which heightened the tension in the room.

Even without seeing the enemy, the mere mention of "Titans" was enough to spell out the dire situation.

While everyone else was fixated on the scene outside, Kiba was lost in his thoughts.

"He's right; he did mention Genya Shinazugawa. But isn't he just a peer of Tanjiro?"

"If you had said Zenitsu or Inosuke, I'd understand. Even Nezuko fits the role of a protagonist better. But Genya? That's ridiculous."

What puzzled him most was that none of the others seemed to find this strange. Kiba had carefully observed the group, and not a single person appeared to be questioning Tiger's words.

There were only two explanations.

First, Tiger was deliberately deceiving everyone.

This possibility seemed unlikely, as it made no sense from any angle. Most of the group were young people, some of whom might be familiar with *Attack on Titan* and *Demon Slayer*. A lie like this would be easily exposed and serve no purpose.

Second, none of them—including Tiger—knew anything about *Demon Slayer* or *Attack on Titan*.

But could that be possible?

Tiger had just admitted that his information was based on hearsay, indicating that others shared his limited understanding.

Genya Shinazugawa as the protagonist of *Demon Slayer*? If Kiba had heard this yesterday, his friends would have mocked him endlessly.

Focusing on the mission log, Kiba quickly pulled up the information about the story world.

**[Over a hundred years ago, "Titans" suddenly appeared in the world. The remaining humans retreated to a location where they built three massive walls. They enjoyed over a century of peace in this isolated environment until one day, a 60-meter "Colossal Titan" appeared, destroying the gate with overwhelming force and then vanishing. The savage Titans swarmed inside, hunting humans.]**

"Yes, this is exactly the plot I know."

Rubbing his temples furiously, Kiba muttered to himself, "Eliminate all the impossible scenarios, and no matter how absurd the final answer may be, it must be the undeniable truth."

At that moment, the milky white dome surrounding the house vanished, and a wave of terror washed over the group, causing their hair to stand on end.

Spinning around, Kiba found himself staring into a massive eye, looking right at him.

Even though he had mentally prepared for this, he couldn't suppress the primal fear that gripped him.

The Titan before him had gray, charred skin, as if it had been burned. Its face was expressionless, but its eyes were particularly striking. Kiba could even see his own reflection in them.

He was just an ordinary manga artist. He had never killed anyone, let alone a rat, and had certainly never encountered such a terrifying scene.

He expected his emotions to spiral out of control, but he suddenly realized that the situation wasn't playing out as he had imagined.

Despite being terrified, his body moved on its own.

He grabbed the pen on the table, took a short run-up, and launched himself at the Titan's face.

The pen plunged into the Titan's eye, and with a pop, the giant eyeball burst, spraying him with foul-smelling, scalding blood that blistered his neck and wrists.

**[Combat log activated. You can choose when and how much detail to display based on your needs!]**

**[Your stab dealt 5 points of critical damage to the Titan. Titan trait "Regeneration" activated; it will recover a total of 45 health points over the next ten seconds.]**

**[You have suffered 1 point of burn damage from the Titan's blood.]**

Kiba found himself in a bizarre state—his mind was paralyzed with fear, yet his body continued to fight on its own. It was strange; just moments ago, his legs had been trembling in terror, but when he drove the pen into the Titan's eye, he was overcome with a surprising sense of satisfaction.

"So many strange things are happening, I don't even know which one to prioritize," he thought, as he quickly released the pen and retreated back to his teammates.

The very next second, the Titan's hand smashed through the door. Had he hesitated even a moment longer, he might have ended up crushed in the giant's grasp.

While the others were still frozen in shock, Kiba's swift reactions stood out, earning him a rare compliment from Tiger. "Courageous. It seems your perception attribute isn't weak."

Then, Tiger added a word of caution, "But remember, perception isn't infallible. It can be used, but don't rely on it too much."

Perception? 

A realization began to dawn on Kiba. He had sensed the danger just before the Titan attacked, which is why he had instinctively pulled back in time. It seemed that the ability Tiger referred to as "perception" was indeed at work.

Before he could delve further into this new understanding, a figure descended from the sky and swiftly took out the Titan.

"Cadets, arm yourselves quickly. The front lines need your support," the man said, raising his blade and pointing towards a room in the corner.

When they opened the door, they found ten sets of vertical maneuvering equipment neatly stored inside.

(End of Chapter)