Politics

Up until now, the balance of the United States was held because of the "association" between the Four Kings of the Underworld and the bigger superhero corporations.

This was why they weren't slaughtered or the villains weren't as rampant as they were in other countries. They recorded crime but the majority were low profile and never threatened the economy of the country.

But all that changed, that very day, Ethan released a very public list of wanted super villains even going as far as placing bounties on their heads.

This was something that was generally avoided except those villains did something heinous that threatened the economy of the nation.

This list contained petty criminals that they otherwise turned a blind eye to some of the more popular ones that no one dared to touch.

The list was long and seemed endless, everyone was surprised that so many bad guys resided in the United States.

Percepta wanted to shut it down but once again, the public welcomed it and this only helped in boosting Percepta's reputation as they were seen as the only corporation that cared for the people.

Naomi was furious because she knew of the implication that this would have in the balance that they had worked so hard to maintain but she was surprised that Ethan went this far.

He had personally given the greenlight for superheroes to hunt down the villains but what worried her was the fact that the villains could be taken in dead or alive.

This wasn't how they did things and there was nothing she could or anyone in the corporation.

Naomi bit her nails frantically, she was frightened by the prospect of an all-out war breaking out between the supernatural because she didn't have the means to protect herself.

She was expecting to meet the President of Percepta because this was something that threatened their way of life.

The President never left his secluded place of residence showing just how dire the situation was. He was fine with Ethan's action of interfering with human affairs because it meant that they could monopolize the average human workspace increasing their revenue and influence.

Ethan had now crossed a line that should never have been crossed, it existed for a reason.

Naomi's landline soon rang and she picked it up almost instantaneously.

"Mrs Naomi, he is here," A woman said over the phone and Naomi gave her the go-ahead to let her guest in.

She was nervous because this would only be the second time she was meeting him ever since working here. She wanted to put up the best possible appearance and this made her button up her shirt that was revealing the top of her cleavage.

Naomi adjusted herself quickly before she saw her door open, she hastily stood to welcome the man.

He didn't come alone as expected and a man in black suit and dark shades opened up the door for the President to enter. This was his security and he had two in number.

Naomi gulped the moment he came into view, he had slicked-back white hair with a Cuban cigar in his mouth. He was dressed in a red suit, black undershirt and white tie.

He had tattoos around his knuckles that spelt a name with a golden Rolex watch strapped around his wrist.

"P-President!" Naomi stuttered, she didn't know how to react because this man had an intimidating aura despite only being a human.

She was more frightened of him than she was of Ethan and that said something.

The man clearly took care of his physical health and this was evident by his muscular body.

Naomi suddenly looked timid as the man took a step and another towards her.

He just stared at her through his glasses and Naomi left her chair.

This was a power play from the President because he had no interest in sitting on the chair that the others before him had sat in because Percepta was something that he had built himself.

He walked towards Naomi's chair and sat on it as she sat on the chair that her guests usually sat on.

"Have you lost control of the merchandise?" The man asked straight up, skipping formalities as he had no interest in conversing with Naomi as she had failed woefully in keeping things under control.

"I-I have it under control…" Naomi stuttered as a puff of smoke entered her airway.

He didn't need to say another word before Naomi rephrased what she had just said.

"I will get it under control, sir," Naomi said and the President inhaled his cigar the moment he heard this.

"Tell me, do I need to get rid of him?" the President said, releasing the smoke trapped in his lungs.

"Get rid of him?" Naomi asked, confused because there was no way he was referring to the Apex Protector as he had a reputation as the strongest hero.

"Ethan, do we need to get rid of him?" the President asked once again but his tone was stern and decisive.

"I have it handled Mr. President…" Naomi said once again but for some reason, she couldn't look him in the eyes and had it fixed to the floor throughout their conversation.

The President had no reason to doubt her but this told Naomi that he was willing to step in to do what was necessary should the need call for it.

Ethan might not be as invincible as she once thought but this also made her curious as to what was going on. She was in the dark and didn't like it.

The President was glad about this, Naomi was finally carrying herself like a Vice-Presidnet.

What Ethan did could be corrected, it wasn't a big deal in of itself because a Wanted List would also put the Underground Kings on guard despite their power and influence.

This man saw an opportunity in this, if he could somehow disrupt the influence of these Kings then his wealth and influence would climb in folds but he needed to know that Ethan was under control. He was more than a hero, he was a symbol that people looked up to and the day they lose control over him is the day that Percepta loses its monopoly.

This was something that this man couldn't let happen, even if it meant killing that symbol.