Was She... A Traitor? | Levi X OC

Chapter 17: The Day was Finally here!

Early morning light filtered through the trees as Levi and his squad gathered their things, preparing to head back to the main camp. The 57th Expedition was set to begin soon, and the tension in the air was palpable. Inside the HQ, the team members were busy packing and making final checks.

Kat, who had already finished packing her gear the previous night, decided to take a walk outside. Her mind wandered back to the conversation she'd had with Levi the night before. A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she recalled the way he had ruffled her hair, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone with his hardened demeanor.

But her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice that snapped her out of her daydream.

"What are you so happy about, Kid?...oh sorry....Levi's kid!"

Kat froze. She looked up sharply to see a man leaning casually against a tree, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sporting a small beard. Her heart skipped a beat. That's... Kenny.

She didn't hesitate. Instinctively, she reached into her pocket and drew out a small knife, her muscles tensing. Kenny, however, seemed unfazed. He raised his hands in a lazy gesture, his voice calm and unbothered.

"Oye, matte, matte, matte," he said, as if speaking to a child. "I'm not here to cause you harm. Just wanna talk."

Kat didn't lower the knife. She knew better than to trust him. There was an ease to his posture, a casualness that only made her more wary. His eyes glittered with amusement as if her wariness was just part of the game.

Kenny smirked. "You know, me and Levi... we go way back." His tone was laced with sarcasm, clearly trying to paint himself as some kind of old friend. Kat wasn't buying it for a second. She kept her grip on the knife, ready for whatever he might try.

Kenny noticed and let out a low chuckle. "You don't trust me. Smart girl." He pushed off the tree and started to pace slowly around her, like a predator circling its prey. "But here's the thing—I'm not here for a fight. At least, not right now."

Kat's eyes narrowed. "Then what do you want?"

His smile widened. "Ah, there it is. What I want." He made a show of thinking, rubbing his chin as though the answer wasn't already on his mind. "Well, it's simple. You're gonna stay out of that little trap plan you've been cooking up the past few months with the squad."

Kat blinked, thrown by the sudden shift in conversation. Stay out of the trap?

She gripped the knife tighter, refusing to let her guard down. "Why would I do that?" Her voice was steady, challenging.

Kenny shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze drifting away as though the conversation was no big deal. "Let's just say... if you don't, something unfortunate might happen."

Kat's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to stay calm. "What are you talking about?" she demanded. "What do you mean by 'unfortunate'?"

Kenny glanced back at her, his smirk still in place but with a dark gleam in his eyes now. "Well, if you don't listen, I've got someone inside your precious Scouts. Someone who'd make sure Levi doesn't come back from this expedition. You get what I'm saying, right?"

Her blood ran cold. Heichou—her mind spun, and for a brief moment, panic threatened to overwhelm her. "How does that help you?" she asked, her voice sharper now, trying to regain control.

Kenny shrugged again, as if the answer didn't matter much to him. "Oh, I can't tell you that right now," he said with a sly smile.

Kat's resolve hardened. "Then why should I listen to you?" she challenged, her eyes blazing. "You can't even give me a real reason to stay out of it."

Kenny paused for a moment, then began to walk away, heading back into the shadows of the trees. As he strolled away, he looked back over his shoulder, a smirk still plastered across his face. "Then don't listen," he said casually.

He took a few more steps, and then, without turning back, added with a laugh, "But then your sweet Heichou dies. Haha."

Kat stood frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest as Kenny's chilling laughter faded into the distance. Kenny had also warned her—don't tell anyone about this, or on my word alone, Levi's neck will be slashed. That threat echoed in Kat's mind, leaving her with a sinking feeling of helplessness.

Meanwhile, Levi had stepped out of the HQ, searching for Kat. His sharp gaze caught sight of her, standing behind a tree, talking to someone. He couldn't make out the face of the man she was speaking to, but he noticed his tall frame. Levi narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Who is that?

By the time he made his way toward her, the man had already vanished into the shadows.

"Kat," Levi's voice cut through the stillness.

Kat jumped, startled by his presence. For a split second, her face betrayed guilt, though she quickly forced a neutral expression. She hadn't exactly done anything wrong, but keeping her encounters with Kenny hidden from Levi weighed heavily on her.

"Hai, Heichou," she replied, her voice trying to sound steady.

"Nanishiterio? (What are you doing?)" Levi asked, his tone casual but laced with a hint of suspicion. His gaze shifted to where the man had been standing moments earlier. "Who was that guy?"

Her heart raced. Oh no. What do I say? She forced a tight-lipped smile. "Oh, no one. Just a far-off relative... came to wish me luck for the mission."

I lied. The realization struck her hard. She hated lying to Levi. But now wasn't the time to tell him the truth—that she knew Kenny, that they had crossed paths before, and that Kenny had warned her not to mention it to anyone. Especially not Levi.

Levi's eyes narrowed, clearly unconvinced. "Far-off relative? Huh?" His thoughts churned. Isn't she an orphan? He didn't voice it out loud, not wanting to make the moment any more awkward, but his doubt lingered.

Kat, noticing his suspicion, quickly added, "Oh, you know, I meant the people I'm close to at the market. They're like family to me now." She forced a chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.

Levi's expression softened, though the unease didn't entirely leave his face. Something about her answer felt off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. All these years, none of these so-called relatives have ever come to HQ... he thought to himself.

Still, now wasn't the time to dig into her personal life. They had an expedition ahead of them, and his focus needed to be there. "Gather up. We'll be leaving shortly," he said, his tone commanding but calm.

"Hai!" she responded quickly.

As she walked back toward the HQ, her mind was a chaotic mess, replaying Kenny's words over and over. Who was the traitor in the Scouts? Was Kenny telling the truth?

Should I stay out of the trap, like he said? What if Levi's life really is in danger? Kat's thoughts tumbled one after the other in confusion. But then another idea surfaced. If Heichou stays with us the whole time, there won't be any chance for someone to kill him, right? We're only going to be with our squad anyway, aren't we?

The conflicting thoughts tangled in her mind. And wasn't this expedition just about finding a new route to Shingashina Gate? Why did Heichou teach us that trap? It doesn't make sense.

Then a darker realization hit her. Why is Kenny so certain we'll have to use that trap on this expedition?

The weight of these questions and uncertainties pressed heavily on her as they prepared for the mission ahead.

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Authors note: The 57th Expedition outside the walls finally begins in the next chapter, marking the start of the main storyline.