Helluva Boss: The Better Boss

Authors note—

Okay guy I just watched Season 2 episode 11 of helluva boss and that shit was peak. I might unironically change my mind about stolas because of that episode broadened the world by a ot and gave some character development to Beelzebub and Asmodeus, I used to think they were pretty meh but dang was that episode good. Or is it just recency bias? Whatever it is it's definitely changed my story for the better. Although I don't have an outline for it trust me and don't underestimate the impact of that episode!

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As we stepped back through the portal, the familiar oppressive heat of Hell embraced us like an old, unwanted friend. The office of I.M.P. greeted us with its typical chaos—a cacophony of noise filling the space as old papers fluttered through the air like lost souls, and the flickering fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. But this time, things felt different. We weren't just stepping back into a failed business; we were returning home as a team that had completed a successful mission.

"Okay, that was exhilarating!" Millie exclaimed, her eyes alight with adrenaline. "Did you see how I took down that guy? I felt invincible!"

"You did well, Millie," Moxxie acknowledged, his voice tinged with proud disbelief. "But I really thought we were going to die back there for a moment."

Loona waved off Moxxie's worry while still immersed in her phone. "Relax, you knew we wouldn't. Besides, Blitzo turned out not to be a total disaster — for once."

I couldn't help but smirk at her remark. It felt good to see my team coming together, even if Loona's sarcasm was a constant reminder of how much I still had to prove.

"Let's regroup and debrief," I said, clearing my throat and trying to channel the newfound leadership role I felt. "We need to talk about what worked and what we can improve for next time."

The team settled around the battered table, the collective air of triumph mixed with anticipation.

They were curious to hear what I had to say, and that was a start—a promising one. I surely wasn't the chaotic Blitzo they were used to; I was someone who wanted to cultivate order with ambition.

"First off," I began, looking around the table, "let's celebrate this victory. We pulled off a difficult job while keeping our heads on straight. But we also saw how quickly things can spiral. The unpredictable nature of the underworld means we need to stay on our toes."

Moxxie nodded slowly. "So, what do we do to be better prepared next time sir?"

"Systems," I stated firmly. "We need to start developing protocols for our operations. It's not just about executing the mission; it's about making sure our approach is strategic. For example, we need to have clear roles for each of us, established before we even walk into a job. We'll also need a solid exit strategy."

"Like a plan B!" Millie chimed in, excitement coloring her voice.

"Exactly," I replied, nodding at her. "Right now, we're still seen as just the chaotic fiasco of Hell. But if we want to gain credibility, we need solid reputation—a framework they can count on."

Loona chimed in, peering briefly away from her screen, "And what's the tech solution for this?"

"Glad you asked, Loona," I said, feeling the rush of ideas come together. "I want your help creating a system to manage tasks. Maybe a shared app, something that lets us document every job, including intel we gather, tasks, our exit and entrance routes, and any intel we've tracked. It'll be a living document we can refine over time."

"Sounds like a ton of work," she grumbled, but I could see the spark of interest in her eyes. "But I guess it'd help keep things organized. I'm in as long as I can still scroll my phone."

"Fair enough," I grinned. "And Moxxie, I want you to take the lead on the training sessions. We need to work on tactics, situational awareness, and keeping the chaos at bay during missions."

Moxxie's eyes widened, and he sputtered, "Me? A leader? But I'm the one who always panics!"

"Exactly! You have the drive and the moral compass. It's time to turn that panic into productivity. You know what's at stake if things go wrong. Use that knowledge," I encouraged, firm in my belief in him.

Millie nodded enthusiastically. "I'll back him up! I can help with the combat drills and push us to stay focused!"

"And I need you to remind him to lighten up sometimes," I teased.

"Shut it, Sir!" he shot back, but the young imp could barely hide his blush.

"Loona, can you get to work on the tech side as soon as possible?" I directed. "Let's aim to have a prototype ready by the end of the week."

"Sounds doable," she replied, now more engaged. "And what about the clients? We need to establish our standards, too."

"Right," I said, thinking back on our previous jobs. It was clear we had to raise the bar. "From now on, no more reckless ones. If it doesn't sit right with us, we don't accept it. We'll build relationships that matter."

"And what about the work we just wrapped up?" Moxxie asked, still processing our success. "We can use that case as a benchmark."

"Great idea! We'll evaluate that job for what we did right and where we stumbled. Feedback is key," I said, feeling the warmth of optimism wash over the room.

As we delved deeper into the planning sessions, the initial tension from the battle melted away, revealing the uncharted excitement of what we were about to build. This was more than just a job; it was a fresh start for all of us—an opportunity to rewrite our narrative in Hell.

But just as we were about to dive into the next phase of planning, my phone buzzed uncontrollably in my pocket

A profile picture of Stolas popped up