See? That’s how you narrate!

  …

  …

  Just keep going.

  It took everything Cassius had to not approach the bar. He didn’t really have time for that, not yet at least.

  I’ve got to find a low level guy from a gang. I’d prefer it to be a more violent one. Easier to manipulate. I hate Robin Hood types.

  The general populace of this district didn’t seem to be interested in violence, more in sex and alcohol, but those three were hand in hand.

  Cassius finally saw it. A perfectly dark, out of sight alley. Appropriately gloomy and grimy. His masterpiece.

  As expected of a 10 time agent of the month. Heh.

  Cassius leisurely strode to the mouth of the alley, waiting for the moment the concealed thugs would strike.

  Maybe they’ll jump on top of me, from the roof? Or surround me and pack me in? Either way, I can’t wait! I’m gonna—

  Cassius felt a small pull on his pant leg.

  A dirt covered girl wearing rags looked upward at Cassius expectantly, holding out her hands. He smirked at her.

  “Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be out begging this late? Foolish girl.”

  She kept looking right into his eyes, boring into him with childlike innocence. He groaned.

  “Ok, Ok. You win. I’ll give you some money if you lead me to the guy or gal that runs your little operation.”

  She looked at him quizzically.

  “Please, kid. A girl as little as you couldn’t be out here without some association with some serious criminals. I just know stuff like that. Heh. Where’s your boss?”

  She gave him a blank look, then gestured for him to follow. Cassius obliged. The girl led him down the alley as he whistled a Lifliyan war song. The quiet alley seemed to be covered in eyes. Cassius could sense the gazes of tens of people on his back, looking for any weakness they could find.

  Fortunately, a 10 time agent of the month doesn’t have any weaknesses. The gazes quickly withdrew.

  Hahahahahahahahaha! Pathetic fools! You have to be at least a 6 time thug of the month to compete with me!

  Cassius resisted the urge to start flexing his impressive muscles and instead smirked into the darkness. He knew they were still watching, but there was an absence of killing intent. 10 time agents of the month like Cassius can sense that shit.

  Anyway, the two of them had finally reached the end of the alley. It was a dead end, surrounded by walls tens of feet high. The little girl rapped her knuckles 3 times on the left building, then pushed a brick, opening a hidden door further through. Cassius smirked.

  I’m dealing with a pro. This girl is good. She totally wants me to think that was cool.

  Cassius and the girl shared a knowing look between former employees of the month and continued into the building. Cassius had to duck under the doorframe.

  Admittedly, for a thug hideout, this place is pretty cool.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Our protagonist was correct. The building was, indeed, pretty cool. It had the hustle of a farmer’s market packed into a smaller space. A lot of littler children were here. They seemed to leech food and shelter out of the place, while it, in turn, utilized them for labor and scams. Think of a fantastical version of a bazaar, but with little kids.

  You’re such a shit narrator.

  Fuck you. That’s a hard place to describe. How about you try it?

  ….

  That’s what I thought.

  Anyway, the girl had led our foolish protagonist to his target, a young woman in her early twenties. Her red hair drew eyes to her in a sea of black and blonde. She stood out even without it, though. Her beauty was very evident to Cassius, at least. She constantly had people asking and questioning her, wondering about their pay, their lives, and their future.

  Looks like she runs this thing.

  The little girl started to look at him again. She looked just like his little brother when he was younger. Damn kids. Cassius couldn’t resist and started to fish around his pack for some money, finally stopping when he felt some coins.

  Cassius looked at the little girl. “Now, what do we say when we want something?”

  “Please!” The girl blurted out as quickly and desperately as possible.

  (Yes, this is your protagonist. Antagonizing 12 year old beggars. What a gentleman.)

  Cassius handed the girl a silver coin, and her eyes bulged out of her head.

  “Yeah, kid. I give out silver coins like I give out candy. Bow before me! Hahahahahahhahaha.”

  The little girl frantically bowed, bobbing her head up and down like a woodpecker.

  Cassius shook his head urgently.

  “Nonononono. No. No. I meant that as a joke.”

  The kid sighed in relief. She really didn’t want to bow like that, but a silver coin could feed her for a few years with no trouble.

  Cassius leaned down to talk to the kid face to face.

  “You know, kid, you’re pretty smart. You remind me of me when I was your age. A real go-getter, if you catch my drift. I feel like you’re rotting away down here. You wanna come with me when I leave in a few weeks? With me as a connection I’m pretty sure you could make age—Employee of the month in a few decades.”

  She looked at him confusedly.

  Cassius prepared to explain what an employee of the month was, but thankfully for all of us, the red haired woman interjected.

  “I’ve never seen you around here. Who are you?”

  Cassius stood up fully. “Isaiah Jostil here, at your service.” Hahahahaha. A great Codename from me, as usual. How do I do it?!

  The woman took in the massive scythe Cassius had around his back, and his expensive looking clothes and necklace.

  “Riiight. I’m Mileena. I guess you could say I run this place. So, “Isaiah Jostil.” What brings you here?”

  The air in the place shifted when she said the last few words. Cassius could almost hear swords being drawn!

  Of course, Cassius could deal with simple stuff like that.

  “To be honest, I’m here to find out who your boss is. This place is still too small for my liking.”

  A dark expression crossed Mileena’s face. “What makes you think I’m working under somebody?”

  Cassius wagged his finger. “Sorry, but I’m in a hurry. I’m sure you’d like to be rid of me by now, if the men massing on the far left by the cheese stand are any indication. Wouldn’t your boss be better qualified to take care of me than you?”

  The silent room gasped at the disrespect. A gunshot sounded out. Cassius heard it, of course, and saw it, but he remained still. The bullet bounced harmlessly off of his forehead.

  “Guys, seriously? Can’t you just show me to your superiors?”

  As expected, the children and older gang members were shocked. They hadn’t ever seen anything like this before. The bullet bounced into Mileena’s hands. She glanced at it before turning around, her expression blank.

  “Come with me.”

  Yes! I totally intimidated those kids! God, I’m so cool.

  She took him into a side room and called someone on a Relay device stationed on the wall. Cassius was a bit surprised a place like this could even afford a relay device, but he didn’t say anything. Cassius’s super high class hearing picked up most of the conversation. Mileena’s voice was breaking a bit as she pleaded with someone called “Red Drake.”

  She seems mortified. Must be Dragon Group I’m dealing with here, then. Great.

  Dragon Group was one of the three gangs Cassius had read about in his mission folder. They had quite a bit of control over illegal operations in Star City. They were the biggest, manpower wise, of the three gangs. Their higher-ups all had dragon tattoos and wore dragon-inspired clothes. Glorified cosplayers.

  An awkward silence ensued after she finished the call. Cassius considered striking up conversation, but he decided against it. I’m too high level an operative to need small talk. That’s for rookies and washed up bums.

  Cassius smiled at his completely untrue statement, causing Mileena to look at him strangely. Fortunately, he didn’t care. Cassius could tell the silence was getting to Mileena. Only high level operatives like him could endure awkward silences like this.

  She seemed to have mustered up the courage to initiate conversation. Cassius, as a pro, was laying in wait. He’d manipulate this woman!

  “So, uh. First time in the city?”

  Cassius resisted the urge to smack himself on the forehead.

  “Yes, actually. I’ve never been here before. I’m from far, far East, traveling as a merchant.”

  Mileena nodded knowingly. “That would explain the clothes. Sorry about earlier, by the way. Some of the boys can get a bit zealous with the firearms.”

  Cassius felt like nothing that he could possibly say could encompass his emotions, so he just nodded and stayed silent. The evil, malicious emptiness once again descended, but Cassius was prepared now. He’d deflect all questions until the boss got here. Mileena opened her mouth again. Cassius readied a counter, but the door burst open. A slightly built man of below average height entered the room. He wasn’t very noticable, until you saw the red dragon tattoo he’d embroidered on his face! He was flanked by two much taller men, noticeably missing any face tattoos.

  “You were asking about me, maggot?”