I whistled low. "That's a lot of power."
"Yes."
"Which means the failure penalty is going to be equally catastrophic."
Nike's smile turned sharp. "Smart boy."
[Failure Penalties:]
Loss of 1,000 Schema Points
All Ensemble bonds drop by one rank
Permanent Title: [The Pretender] - Combat abilities permanently reduced by 15%. Enemies instinctively recognize you as a false threat.
Nike's Curse: For one full year, you will taste defeat in your mouth before every battle. Your confidence will waver. Your allies will doubt. Victory will feel like ash even when you achieve it.
I sat back down on my bed, the weight of the quest settling over me like a wet blanket.
"This isn't just about the tournament," I said, connecting the dots. "You're testing whether I'm worth your long-term investment. Whether I can actually do what I claim. Build an empire. Become someone who matters."
