The next morning, Tyler sat in his usual spot in the dark alley, the faint rays of sunlight barely reaching the shadows. He was lost in thought, refining his plans, when a small voice broke his focus.
"Sir... I have something to report."
Tyler turned, momentarily startled. Standing before him was a child no older than eight, his clothes tattered, his face smudged with dirt, but his eyes sharp and determined. Tyler hadn't expected any of the children to participate in his scheme so soon, but this was a pleasant surprise.
"You've got something for me already?" Tyler asked, crouching to meet the child's gaze. His lips curled into an approving smile as he patted the boy's head. "Good job. Tell me, what is it you've learned?"
The child hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a hushed voice. "I heard something... about the mayor's wife. She's been meeting the leader of the Black Fang at night. They meet every other day, and... I think they're having an affair."
Tyler's smile widened. This was far more useful than he had anticipated. The Black Fang was a shadowy, dangerous organization, and a connection to the mayor's wife? That was leverage, a crack in the armor of power he could exploit.
"Excellent work," Tyler said, his tone genuine. He needed to keep the boy motivated. "This is valuable information. Come back here the day after tomorrow, and I'll have money for you, alright?"
The child's face lit up with a hopeful smile. "Okay, sir. Thank you."
As the boy scampered off, Tyler leaned back against the wall, deep in thought. This piece of information was gold—perhaps even more valuable than the boy realized. It was time to put it to use.
He pulled out a scrap of paper, stained but serviceable, and began to write. His penmanship was deliberate, bold, and without error:
Mayor of Elmsworth,
If you value the sanctity of your household, you'll want to hear what I know about your wife. She's been meeting someone—someone dangerous, and it's happening right under your nose. I can tell you everything, but information like this isn't free.
If you want the truth, bring a hefty sum of money and come to the dark alley near the town gate tomorrow at dusk. Alone. No guards, or the deal's off.
Satisfied, Tyler folded the note and sealed it with a scrap of wax he'd saved from a candle. Now he just needed to ensure it reached the mayor without revealing his hand.
Late that night, Tyler slipped out of the alley and into the quieter streets of Elmsworth. The town was still alive with activity, but the backroads were less crowded. After a quick survey, he spotted a courier—a young man carrying a satchel stuffed with letters and packages.
Tyler approached him, his posture confident. "Excuse me, friend. Could you deliver this note to the mayor? It's urgent, but I can't deliver it myself."
The courier raised an eyebrow, eyeing Tyler's appearance. "What's in it for me?"
Tyler grinned and handed him a silver coin—one of the few he'd managed to procure through his early dealings. "For your trouble."
The courier nodded, took the letter, and vanished into the night. Tyler watched him go, satisfied.
As he returned to the alley, his mind buzzed with anticipation. If the mayor took the bait, this could open doors. Money was only one aspect of what he needed; power, influence, and chaos were his true goals. And this world, just like Earth, thrived on secrets and lies.
Tomorrow at dusk, Tyler would see just how far he could push Elmsworth's mayor—and how much control he could wrest from the shadows.