Chapter 12

"Everyone... let's get on the carriage and get out of here!!"

Like prey in front of a predator, Nike's voice was filled with urgency. If she got caught by Levi, she'd return half-dead. And to make matters worse, Annie had provoked him, the reaper in the "Attack on Titan" universe.

Therefore, Nike urgently shouted to the 104th Cadet Corps members, sweating profusely, insisting they needed to escape immediately. Everyone listened to her.

However, listening and understanding are two different things. Armin, who was sitting on the carriage reading a tactical manual, was a prime example of this.

Those like Armin, who hadn't heard the conversation between Nike and Annie, were confused by Nike's pale and frantic demeanor.

Armin stepped forward and asked Nike,

"Why do we need to run right now?"

"Annie messed with Levi..."

"What...?"

Armin's face twisted in shock.

Levi was a driving force in the Survey Corps simply by his existence.

With his title as humanity's strongest, his impressive kill count, unparalleled maneuvering skills, and overwhelming combat abilities, his name was known wherever the Survey Corps operated.

Annie, unfamiliar with the customs inside the walls due to her time outside, didn't understand the danger Levi represented.

'What the hell is going on?'

Annie began to realize something was terribly wrong.

But it was already too late.

The status window, obscuring part of Nike's vision, indicated Levi was on his way.

'We need to run before he gets here!!'

They had to run first and think later about how to apologize to Levi without getting beaten. Although, given how badly Annie had messed up, forgiveness seemed unlikely.

'Should I offer him tea? Give him a new maneuvering gear? Or use Eren as a shield?'

Nike couldn't figure out the right answer. Levi's personality wasn't exactly forgiving. Even a proper apology wouldn't change the fact they'd get beaten. Resentment towards Annie started to grow in Nike's heart.

Nike wanted to curse out Annie, who didn't even realize her mistake.

Getting beaten by Levi was something she could manage. But if Levi caught her, Nike would face something she never wanted.

Another point added to femininity.

To Nike, who had only been concerned about the number of people eaten by Titans, this was a shocking development.

"Femininity points... NOOO!!"

No, not that. Anything but that!

Nike's current thought was to escape from Levi at all costs.

'The area is a plain, so he can't chase us with maneuvering gear! We just need to get on the carriage and leave!'

Filled with thoughts of escape, Nike started walking towards the carriage, even if it meant saving only herself.

But as the saying goes, those who seek to save themselves end up in more trouble. Misfortune was always lurking nearby.

"Hey, did any of you go into my room?"

The reaper's voice could be heard. Even though she had never heard it before, Nike instinctively knew. Levi had arrived. She was doomed.

The status window emphasized femininity. Did this crazy window want her to become more feminine? Nike felt deeply resentful.

But the immediate priority was escaping this situation.

"I-I don't know anything!"

Nike spoke on behalf of the cadets to Levi.

Levi then turned his gaze towards a nearby Survey Corps member.

That Survey Corps member was supposed to eavesdrop on Nike's conversation as per Erwin's orders. And Levi had been right next to him when the order was given.

The member initially tried not to speak. Depending on his choice, 13 cadets could be implicated. But seeing Levi's cold eyes, he confessed honestly.

Annie Leonhart had done it, and Nike had planned to escape with the others.

"...So, you're all accomplices for hiding a criminal?"

The surrounding Survey Corps members quietly disappeared. Perhaps they didn't want to see their young cadet comrades getting beaten. The dozens of members who had been tending to their horses vanished.

Nike also realized the grim reality. They were all doomed.

Now, there were only two choices left for them. Or rather, only one choice for Nike.

'We have more people on our side...'

Including herself, there were 13 of them. If Armin, Christa, and Ymir surrendered first...

That still left ten people. On the other hand, Levi was alone.

Moreover, Levi was only the best in maneuvering gear. Maybe, just maybe, he could be overwhelmed by numbers in hand-to-hand combat. Clinging to that hope, Nike clenched her trembling fists.

"L-let's fight!!"

It's not over until it's over! You short little man!!

Determined to somehow defeat Levi and claim victory, Nike clenched her fists tightly.

...

The fight was over in less than a minute.

Only half of them actually followed Nike's lead.

The rest chose to surrender.

And the status window was brutally accurate.

[Quest Failed. Femininity increases by 1.]

[Nike Zackly (11)

Charisma 3

Intuition 2

Luck 5

Trust of Surrounding People 4

Femininity 1 + 1

People eaten by Titans 49021 / 50000]

[Femininity has increased to 2!]

[Femininity has increased. The probability of experiencing a certain event within 10 years has significantly increased.]

"...Damn it."

What on earth does that even mean?

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