CHAPTER 83: NEXT LINES OF ACTION(BONUS CHAPTER)

The gentle whirring of tires on pavement announced the return of the Chevrolet SUVs as they rolled through the gates of the USOV premises. The agents sent on the special mission had completed their assignment and returned. The vehicles came to a stop in the front lot, engines humming to silence as doors opened and operatives emerged one by one.

Team A stepped out of the first SUV while Liam exited from another. Nacht had not followed them back to headquarters, as another SUV from his faction was already waiting at Detroit Metro Airport to collect him. He had also decided to abandon his inquiries about Liam’s true nature, knowing that whatever the young man was would eventually reveal itself in time.

As they walked into the main building, Liam noticed the relative quiet. It appeared most of the other agents were out on missions today, but he paid little attention to this detail. He and Team A made their way toward Director Grey’s office, ascending the stairs in steadily.

Jin then knocked on the door, and Grey’s voice called for them to enter. They filed in one by one, with Amira closing the door behind her as the last to cross the threshold. Kent stood at the director’s side, maintaining his usual stoic silence, while Grey adjusted himself in his seat before beginning his debriefing. "Quinn has briefed me on how everything went," Grey said, his tone measured but pleased. "I must say, this mission exceeded our expectations. We suffered no casualties and all victims were rescued."

The team nodded in acknowledgment, and Grey continued after a brief pause. "Liam, I was told about your encounter with the Quillforte and how you faced it alone, that was exceptional work. I also believe our suspicions have been confirmed."

Liam remained silent, his expression unreadable, simply meeting the director’s gaze. Grey stood from his chair and walked past Kent, positioning himself at the front of his desk.

Leaning against it slightly, he turned his head toward his assistant. "Have you made the transfers?" Kent immediately retrieved his smartphone, tapped the screen for several moments, then slid the device back into his front pocket. "It’s done, sir."

As soon as Kent spoke, everyone’s devices buzzed simultaneously. Grey’s face broke into a rare smile as he nodded toward the team and gestured with his hand. "Go ahead and check."

They all looked at their phones, and soon expressions of delight spread across their faces, all except Liam, who maintained his composure despite feeling a flicker of satisfaction. After all, who wouldn’t be pleased to see two hundred thousand United States dollars deposited into their account, and completely tax-free

Once Grey confirmed that everyone had received their transfers, he said, "Thank you all for your service," and then moved back toward his seat behind the desk. After settling into his chair, Grey dismissed them with a simple, "You may go."

Each team member expressed their gratitude individually—Kevin, Amira, and Jin each saying "Thank you, Director" before filing out one by one. However, Liam remained.

Grey looked up, noting his continued presence. "Is there a problem, Liam? Was the bonus not sufficient? I can assure you it was more than twice what the others received."

"It’s not about the money," Liam interjected quickly, stepping closer to the director’s desk. Kent couldn’t help but notice the deliberate movement. "I’m grateful for the payment—in fact, it’s the first time I’ve had such an amount to my name."

"Then what is the problem?" Grey asked, his tone indicating genuine concern.

Liam’s voice carried unwavering determination as he spoke. "We know the Family Head that took Yae, and if I learned anything from this mission, it’s that each family has branches across the nation—across the world, for that matter."

"What are you trying to say?" Grey asked, wondering where all of these was heading to

Then Liam said, "I want information on all Somnahira branches. My sister could also be in any one of them and I’d ask for help from this shadow group under USOV, but if I can’t get it, I’m prepared to take them down myself."

The director exchanged a startled glance with Kent before returning his attention to Liam. "I understand your need to find your sister and I acknowledge your recent performance, but that was only your first mission. It’s too early to expose yourself further and I don’t think the path you’re proposing is the wisest one.."

"I don’t need it to be wise, Director," Liam replied, his resolve absolute. "I just need to be strong enough to handle my own shit. If you can’t provide what I’m asking for, I can easily search them up on Google right now and they’ll all appear, starting with the ones closest to me."

It was clear that Liam intended to proceed with or without the director’s support. He was done waiting for USOV as it had been over a week since Yae’s disappearance, so he had to take matters, further into his own hands.

Grey sighed deeply, finding himself in an impossible position with little control over the situation. While Liam operated under USOV’s banner, he was far from being under their direct control, especially regarding this matter, and a simple order to stand down would no longer suffice.

"Even if we provide you with the locations," Grey said carefully, "we don’t know what kind of people you’ll encounter in these places, their magical power levels, or the types of abilities they command. Taking this on alone is an enormous risk."

"Who said I’m going in alone?" Liam asked, a grim smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

The director immediately understood the source of Liam’s confidence and audacity, and he sighed in resignation. "We’ll mail you a list by the end of the day, along with any other information that might be helpful." This concession was primarily to buy time while Grey figured out how to handle what felt like Liam’s inevitable march toward a series of potentially fatal missions.

Liam nodded in satisfaction, then turned to leave, stepping out of the office and closing the door behind him. Kent turned to face the director. "What do you intend to do, sir?"

"I don’t know yet," Grey replied, staring ahead in deep thought, his hands clasped together. "But I’ll have to get Lucien on the line for this one."