The scent of fresh dirt and dried blood filled the air as Levi tightened his ODM gear, his sharp eyes scanning the clearing. The towering trees cast long shadows, and the distant bird calls felt out of place for what they were about to face. “Oi, Levi,” Furlan called from a nearby tree, adjusting his blades. “You sure this is worth it? These guys don’t have their act together.” “They don’t,” Levi replied coldly. “That’s why we’re here. For now.” Isabel swung her legs from a branch, her fiery hair catching the sunlight. “C’mon, Furlan, isn’t this what we wanted? A shot at something bigger? And the gear—this stuff is incredible!” Furlan scoffed. “Yeah, bigger—and more dangerous. You saw what happened to the last group.” Levi’s gaze shifted to a group of veteran Scouts ahead. “They’re sloppy. They’ll get themselves killed.” “Then we just make sure we don’t,” Isabel said brightly, landing beside him. Furlan muttered, “You’ll need that attitude when dodging Titans.” The green flare rose in the distance. “We’ll make our move when the time comes,” Levi muttered. Isabel grinned. “Right behind you!”