Chapter 3 - Babysitting Level: Nightmare

"So, where are we going?"

"Central Branch."

"Oh, okay. Cool. Central sounds official. Do I get a welcome package? Maybe a T-shirt that says 'I'm an Anomaly'?"

"No."

Elren Vayne didn't even glance at me as he strode ahead. His steps were silent, his presence sharp like the edge of a freshly honed blade. The black coat draped over his shoulders flared slightly with every movement, and somehow, it looked both effortless and terrifying.

Okay, Ava, be cool. You're walking with the human embodiment of a locked door. No big deal. Just keep it together. No screaming. No panicking. No—

"So, how long have you worked in the high-risk unit?"

"Long enough."

"Cool, cool, super specific. Do you like it? Is it fun? Do you have hobbies? Do you drink tea or are you more of a black coffee 'don't talk to me' type?"

Silence.

Oh, so you're choosing the 'ignore her until she shuts up' strategy. Bold. Let's see how long you can last, sir.

"Are you always this talkative?" Elren asked, not slowing his pace.

"Only when I'm nervous! Which is pretty much all the time right now!"

"Control it."

"Sure. Let me just reach into my magical self-control pocket. Oh wait, it's empty."

"Obviously."

Oh? Was that sarcasm? I heard that. I definitely heard that.

"So, what exactly happens if I don't have a ledger?"

"You shouldn't exist."

"Yeah, I got that part. But—like, will I explode? Will I melt? Will I get evaporated by the universe's delete key?"

"Sadly, no."

Did he just say 'sadly'? Oh, he is so done with me already.

"So I'm just… a glitch?"

"An anomaly. A risk."

"Cool. Love that label. Really rolls off the tongue."

We reached the transport vehicle—sleek, black, and heavily armored. Elren opened the door and gestured for me to get in.

"Do you always travel in such style? This looks like it belongs in a spy movie."

"In."

"Okay, but like, does it have cup holders?"

His jaw ticked. Just slightly. I was winning.

The ride to Central Branch was not a quick trip. It took hours, and Elren didn't seem interested in filling the silence.

The world outside the vehicle—it was strange. Towering structures, some gleaming and some abandoned. Winding roads overgrown with ivy. Streets that looked like they had been evacuated years ago. Rusted billboards, cracked screens, and entire districts swallowed by creeping vegetation.

Yet there were also areas buzzing with life. Markets, tightly guarded compounds, moving hunter patrols.

This world… it feels like it's stitched together from two timelines—one where civilization advanced, and another where it collapsed.

The sky was a pale silver, streaked with faint trails from long-distance transports. The air seemed cleaner than the city I ran from, but also colder—like even the weather knew to keep its distance.

"So, how far is Central anyway?"

"Still a few hours."

"Seriously? What is this, the scenic route?"

Silence.

Oh, he's doing the silent game again. Cute. I can win that. Probably. Maybe. Not really.

I stole a glance at him.

He looked about thirty to thirty-something. Which would make him what, five to seven years older than me? But with the way he carried himself, he seemed like someone who had compressed a lifetime of battles into those years. His back was too straight, his gaze too sharp, his steps too controlled.

Do you ever relax, Elren? Do you ever take naps? Do you even own casual clothes?

"Hey, you look like you don't believe in weekends."

"I don't."

"Oh, come on. Not even naps? Afternoon tea? Funny cat videos?"

"I'm reconsidering the value of naps."

Ah, he's starting to crack. Slowly but surely.

I slumped in my seat, watching the landscape shift from abandoned sectors to densely guarded city walls.

"So, Central is safe, right? Like, no sudden Grave attacks?"

"Relatively."

"Oh, I love that word. It inspires so much confidence."

"Your sarcasm is not as charming as you think it is."

"Wow, he talks! And he critiques! I'm so proud."

He sighed. Audibly this time.

"Silence would be appreciated."

"Yeah, you keep saying that. Still not happening."

We finally pulled into Central Branch hours later—a fortress of gleaming metal and reinforced gates, surrounded by tall barriers lined with sentry guns.

"So, Central Branch. What should I expect? Grim faces? More scary hunters? Maybe someone who actually has a personality?"

"Silence would be ideal."

"Yeah, yeah… silence is golden, bla bla."

Is this a survival tactic? Absolutely. If I stop talking, I will probably start screaming. Gotta pick my poison.

As we walked through the gates of Central, the atmosphere shifted. The other hunters moved efficiently, their eyes sharp, their postures rigid. Everyone here looked like they had seen things—things that would make your average person curl up and cry.

When they saw Elren, they nodded and quickly stepped aside. When they saw me, they stared like I was an exotic bug that accidentally landed in their soup.

"Wow, I'm really making an impression," I muttered.

"You are," Elren said without looking back. "The anomaly without a ledger."

"Do you guys have to keep calling me that? It's starting to feel like a slur."

"It's accurate."

"It's rude."

He sighed again, a little longer this time, as if regretting all his life choices.

Elren led me to a briefing room and gestured for me to sit.

"Wait here."

"Will there be snacks?"

"No."

"Okay, noted. Worst hospitality ever."

He left the room without another word.

I slumped in my seat, staring at the ceiling.

Okay, Ava, let's review: I'm in a world where broken promises spawn monsters. I have no ledger, which apparently means I have no receipt of existence. Graves are attracted to me like I'm some kind of cursed donut, and my assigned handler is a man who probably schedules emotional breakdowns into his calendar as a five-minute task. Great. Just great.

A screen on the wall flickered to life. Surveillance footage. Oh, they were definitely watching me.

Should I wave? No, that's probably too much. Or maybe just enough?

I raised my hand and gave a tiny, obnoxious wave.

Nothing happened. Rude.

After a while, the door opened and Elren returned.

"Follow me."

"Don't I get a tour? Maybe a brochure?"

"No."

"Right, silly me."

He walked briskly and I jogged to keep up.

"So, Mr. Babysitter, is this like a long-term arrangement? Are we going to be besties now? Should I start planning our friendship bracelets?"

"You're here until we understand what you are."

"Oh, I can help with that. I'm Ava. I'm from another world. I like tea, I hate running, and I tend to talk too much when I'm nervous. There. Mystery solved."

"That's not sufficient."

"What, do you need me to fill out a questionnaire? Rate my panic on a scale of one to 'someone help me'?"

He paused. "Do you ever stop talking?"

"Probably not."

His lip twitched. Barely. Almost a smirk. Almost.

"You're loud."

"Thank you. I try."

He kept walking. "Try to keep up."

"You know, you say that like I'm not already struggling to match your Olympic power-walking speed."

Perfect. New world, no powers, terrifying monsters, and now I'm stuck as a sidekick to Captain No Chill. How hard can this be?

Answer: Very.