When the sobs died down and Xiong Huang let go of him, Bob let go of her and the two separated.

“So…what now, Bob?”

Bob shrugged.

“What do you want to do?”

Xiong Huang looked at the ground.

“...I’m not sure. I've...well...I just failed as a cultivator and at everything I was ever taught...so I don't know...”

"You know, you don't have to be an evil cultivator if you don't want to. Or a cultivator at all. You did already achieve everything they ever wanted, so no one can complain if you decide to change things up."

Xiong Huang just stared into the air for a second, standing in silence. Bob placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's Old Wei...isn't it?"

"...I...don't want to let go...of what he worked for..."

“And what would he tell you about this?”

Xiong Huang’s eyes quivered once more and she hugged her sides. She took a deep breath.

“...he always said…the mistress of the Eternal Night Sect is beholden to no one. She decides what she wants and takes it with her own hands. Such is the way of the Eternal Night.”

Bob nodded.

“Then I doubt he would want you chained to the past. If you want to keep running Eternal Night as it always has been...then you should. If you don't...then don't. It sounds to me like he would approve the most of you doing as you pleased.”

Xiong Huang slowly nodded her head.

“First things first though, could you let Londyn go now?”

Xiong Huang let out a sigh and her arm flickered, breaking the chains holding Londyn to the wall. Bob walked over to her as she rubbed her wrists.

“Are you all right?”

Londyn nodded.

“Somehow, thanks to you. But…”

Londyn turned to glance at Xiong Huang and Bob let out a sigh.

“She’s the one who destroyed the Concordat. By hand.”

“…I can believe that.”

“I know it’s messy but…can you let it go?”

Londyn let out a sigh.

“The ILS was attacked openly, Bob. Someone needs to pay for it.”

Xiong Huang just shrugged.

“I left Wu at the safehouse, your people should have him already. He’s the one who attacked you in any case. And no longer one of mine.”

Londyn just let out a sigh.

“...I’m not sure that’s enough.”

“It will have to be, mortal. For it is all you shall receive.”

Londyn just heaved a sigh. Xiong Huang kept her eyes on Bob, who shook his head and walked over to her.

“So…”

“Yes?”

“I need to go. My cultivation’s a mess now. And…I need to figure out what exactly I want.”

Bob nodded.

“I got it.”

“Come with me.”

Bob raised an eyebrow.

“Oh don’t play dumb, Bob. You promised you weren’t going to leave me alone, right? That means you can’t go dying in a few decades. We need to get you started on your training.”

Bob shook his head. Xiong Huang cracked her knuckles.

“Is that a no, Bob? Don't tell me you're going back on your promise already?”

“It’s not a no. Just…not yet.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Why not?”

“I still have work to do here.”

“So? Bring a phone and a jet, you can work on the side.”

“That’s not it. Power changes your perspective, would change mine. What I need to do here…it’s important that this job is done by someone who understands what it means to be weak. Once things are more settled…we can talk.”

Xiong Huang let out a sigh, then looked up, glaring into Bob’s eyes for a minute.

“Fine. I’ll let you play around as a mortal for a bit. But you better keep your promise. If I come back and find out you died while I’m gone…I’m destroying everything. Understand?”

Bob nodded.

“I promise.”

Xiong Huang let out a sigh.

“I’ll speak with the Sect. They won’t cause any more trouble until I get back. And you better call me if you’re in trouble.”

Xiong Huang glanced briefly at Londyn and sighed. Her hand flickered once more, something shot through the air. Londyn raised a hand on reflex and caught it. She turned her hand to look at it, finding a scroll in her hand.

“Mortal girl, your storage of the dragon fang is haphazard and idiotic. Find someone who can use that and seal it up properly, unless you wish to be responsible for a catastrophe.”

Londyn raised an eyebrow and turned to Bob.

“Is this some kind of apology?”

Bob let out a sigh.

“From someone like her…it’s practically a miracle.”

“I’m still here, you know. And I can absolutely change my mind about a lot of things.”

With that, Xiong Huang turned and left the room. Bob shook his head, chuckling softly, and started to leave as well.

“Bob.”

Bob turned around. Londyn stood there, taking a deep breath.

“...who are you?”

“...”

“I…knew you weren't just an informant. I knew you were capable of a lot more. And I knew…you were hiding things from me. But this? You…knew…someone like this, someone who could destroy the League on a whim? And the way you spoke with her...she declared war on the League, all to get at you. Just…just who are you Bob? What are you trying to do?”

Bob let out a sigh.

“I’m just a man…doing what he can.”

“Bob…that’s not enough anymore. Look…I want to trust you. I want to believe that we’re friends. But as the Director of the League…to do this job that you gave me…I need to know if I can count on you. If I can trust you.”

Bob stood still for a moment before slowly beginning to speak.

“As the Director of the League…you shouldn’t completely rely on anyone. You should check and verify everything. You should always ask questions, play every angle you can, and never allow yourself to remain at the mercy of a single source.”

Londyn frowned and grit her teeth, and started to lower her gaze. At that moment, Bob turned around, looking her in the eyes.

“But I do consider us friends. And I do want you to ultimately succeed. That much…you can believe.”

“...I see.”

Londyn took a deep breath and looked Bob in the eye.

“...I’ll let you handle this girl…for now. Not that I have much of a choice. But…I’m going to protect the League, and the world. Whatever it takes. And whoever I need to fight to do it. So if you're playing your own game here Bob...I can't protect you as a League asset if things go south.”

Bob nodded.

“That’s why you’re the Director.”

Bob turned to face the door.

“...and Londyn. If you’re in trouble…if you’re hurting…don’t hold it in. You’re only human. As the Director should be.”

With that, Bob left the room. Londyn clenched her hands into fists for a moment before exhaling a deep breath. Then she looked up and followed after him.

The grav-jet landed at the ILS Headquarters. A group of ILS staff and bandaged heroes crowded around the hanger as the jet’s exit ramped lowered. Out stepped Director Green.

“Director Green! You’re alive!”

Londyn nodded to the group.

“Yes, somehow.”

“Director…what happened?”

“I had some help.”

“And what about the enemy?”

Londyn let out a sigh.

“She’s handled, for now.”

Everyone’s eyes widened. Someone whispered.

“...that’s the Director for you.”

“All right everyone, out the way, give her some space.”

Londyn nodded to Captain Hot Devil as the others cleared out. The Captain and Linda stepped towards her.

“Thank you, Captain, I’m glad to see you on your feet.”

The Captain nodded.

“Likewise. So from what you said…she’s still out there, isn’t she?”

Londyn nodded slowly.

“Yes, she’s no longer hostile for the moment, but we can’t rely on that.”

The Captain frowned.

“What are you going to do?”

“Everything I can. Linda, what’s the status on our projects?”

Linda looked over a tablet.

“...The academy is almost completed but we’re still looking to fill the roles.”

“I’ll take care of that. And the others?”

Linda frowned.

“A small delay, so we’re falling a bit behind.”

“Not good enough. Get ready, Linda, we’re working overtime this month. If we’ve learnt anything lately, it’s that the ILS is woefully unprepared for what’s lurking out there, and our enemies are not going to wait for us. So we need to step up our game. Can I count on you two?”

Linda nodded and the Captain gave her a salute. Londyn narrowed her eyes.

“Good. We’re going to protect the world. Whatever it takes.”

Bob sat at a round table. Chris, George, Minh, Tina, Cikizwa, and Sergei sat around it with him.

“So what are we doing next, boss-man?”

Bob let out a sigh as he flipped through his notebook. He knew he said make it rain…but did Markus really need to approve everyone?

“Cleaning up the mess.”

Bob looked up around the table at his subordinates.

“I’m worried a particularly troublesome villain may slip through the cracks with the ILS as busy as it is, and a bunch of these villains are designing tech the world’s not ready for as well. Midnight’s been compromised. Eternal Night won't be rebuilding it anytime soon…even if they were the ILS is aware of them now. Which means we need to do this ourselves. George, Minh, Tina, you guys are on investigation. Take what we know and help Cikizwa find their bases of operation. Chris, Sergei, you guys are on demolition. Make sure we’re ready to clean up those sites quickly and thoroughly once Nemesis clears the way.”

The minions nodded at Bob. They all slowly stood up and began to work. Bob let out another sigh.

With Midnight gone, he would have to do this the hard way if he wanted someone on the inside.

Which meant he couldn’t just leave it all to the newbies still on payroll.

Job searching is so annoying.