Going to visit a mysterious person who sent her vaguely threatening emails was . . . probably not the smartest thing Emily had ever done. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It was the biggest thing making her rest the night before troubled, and what had been at the center of her mind the entire time she was in class.

Teddy yawned and rolled off the bed. “Why didn’t you just start with that?” she said.

Emily turned away as Teddy got undressed and started to put on her shorts and bear-print T-shirt. She only turned back when she heard Teddy having a hard time tying her shoes.

She was putting all her hopes on the back of a girl who didn’t know how to keep her shoes on. That was not terribly reassuring.

“C’mon,” Emily said when everything was done and Teddy’s shoes had acquired a nice pair of bows. “The faster we get there, the faster this will all be over.”

“Cool. Can we grab a bite to eat, Boss?” Teddy asked as her hand slipped into Emily’s.

Emily nodded. “Certainly. On the way back.”

The walk out of the dorm was done in silence. Emily stepped out into a cloudy afternoon where the weather had taken a distinct turn toward the chilly. Not so cold that it was uncomfortable, but the sort of cold that reminded everyone that winter was right around the corner.

She had to pull her phone out to Oogle the address of the Dark Cup. It was supposed to be about four blocks away from the campus. Close enough that calling a taxi would feel like an indulgence, but far enough that she was afraid that she might work up a sweat on the way there.

Emily slid her phone into her purse. “Okay,” she said.

New Quest!

The Mark of a Villain

Impress upon the people of the Dark Cup that you are a Villain to be feared.

Reward: +1 Skill Upgrade point per person terrified. Villain +1 per success!

Accept? Refuse?

New Quest!

A Rogue Delight

Make an offer they cannot refuse.

Reward: +1 Skill Upgrade point per person intimidated. Scoundrel +1 per success!

Accept? Refuse?

Emily read the two quests. They seemed pretty similar to her at first glance, though one was definitely less evil than the other.

She shut them off and both were removed from her line of sight. She didn’t want to play the system’s game of Villains and Rogues. She wanted . . . she didn’t know what she wanted, but she knew what she didn’t want.

“Come on, Teddy,” she said.

“All right, Boss,” Teddy agreed.