The target was obvious: Marcus Webb, Alex's former roommate who'd made his life miserable for two years. Marcus was a gambling addict who owed money to dangerous people—the perfect victim for Alex's new abilities.
*PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE: MARCUS WEBB*
*FEAR: FINANCIAL RUIN, PHYSICAL HARM*
*DESIRE: EASY MONEY, RESPECT*
*WEAKNESS: DESPERATE, EASILY MANIPULATED*
Alex found Marcus in the campus casino, down to his last twenty dollars and sweating nervously.
"Rough night?" Alex asked, sliding into the seat next to him.
Marcus looked up, surprised. "Alex? Dude, you look... different."
"I've been working out. Listen, I heard about your money problems."
Marcus's face went pale. "I don't know what you're talking about—"
"The loan sharks, Marcus. Tony Brennan's guys. I heard they're looking for you."
"How do you—" Marcus started, then stopped. "What do you want?"
Alex smiled, and for the first time, it felt genuinely predatory. "I want to help. I've got a business proposition that could solve your problems permanently."
*MANIPULATION SUCCESSFUL*
*+10 VILLAIN POINTS*
*TOTAL: 90/100*
Thirty minutes later, Marcus had agreed to be Alex's "investment partner" in exchange for paying off his gambling debts. What he didn't know was that Alex's "business" was building a protection racket targeting local small businesses.
*QUEST COMPLETE: RECRUIT YOUR FIRST MINION*
*+50 VILLAIN POINTS*
*TOTAL: 140/100*
*LEVEL UP! VILLAIN RANK: AMATEUR → APPRENTICE*
*NEW ABILITIES UNLOCKED*
*NEW QUEST: ESTABLISH TERRITORY*