My Scumbag System Chapter 496: Victory Has a Vested Interest

"Satori Nakano. The Stray Dog who bit back. The Scumbag Sovereign who refuses to die. The boy who went twelve rounds with La Sirena and walked away grinning."

I remained seated, my breathing controlled. "And you are?"

"Nike." She spoke as if the name should be common knowledge. As if everyone should know it. "Victory herself. The reason warriors offer prayers before combat. The voice that echoes in the hearts of champions when all hope seems lost."

My eyebrow arched. "Okay. A dramatic entrance. Very theatrical. But I doubt you materialized in my dorm room in the dead of night just for introductions."

Her lips formed a shape that was not quite a smile. "No. I came because you are on the verge of entering a situation that will either cement your legend or shatter you completely. And the outcome is of great personal interest to me."

I rose slowly, a protest from my ribs accompanying the movement. Across the room, Bartholomew ceased his quiet consumption of lettuce to pay attention, exhibiting more focus than he had shown in weeks.

"The tournament."

"The tournament," Nike affirmed, her wings rustling with a sound akin to wind through a grove of metallic trees. "Tomorrow morning, you and sixteen other individuals will enter the Crucible Arena. Five guilds, all ravenous. All desperate. All prepared to employ any means necessary to secure the crown."

"I am aware." I crossed my arms, a wince escaping as my shoulder protested. "That is precisely why I was meditating, rather than being pleasured by my harem or dealing with a catgirl who believes my lap is a royal seat."

Nike’s smile widened, revealing her teeth. "Indeed. Your harem. Five women, all bound to you at Rank Ten. Each would gladly perish for you. Some would actively kill for you. One is currently devising seventeen distinct strategies to eliminate anyone who casts an inappropriate glance your way during the opening ceremony."

She was undeniably referring to Natalia.

"And one of them," Nike continued, her voice deepening, "is the President’s sister. Seraphina Vance’s most cherished possession. The young woman she has meticulously cultivated for sixteen years to embody the perfect leader, the ultimate weapon, the ultimate symbol of VHC supremacy."

My stomach churned. "I am acquainted with Cel’s identity."

"Are you?" Nike advanced, causing the room's temperature to rise noticeably. "Do you comprehend the implications of binding her soul to yours? You have seized the singular entity Seraphina cherishes above power, above control, above her entire dominion, and you have transformed it into . . ."

I met her gaze directly, refusing to yield. "Cel made her own decision."

"Did she?" Nike tilted her head, scrutinizing me as if I were an incomplete puzzle. "Or did your Nectar precipitate the choice for her? Did your Siren’s Gaze impair her judgment? Did your Silver Tongue persuade her that what you offered was liberation, when in reality, it was merely a more aesthetically pleasing confinement?"

"Be cautious," I warned, my tone turning frigid. "I provided her with more candor in a single night than she received in eighteen years. I disclosed the unvarnished truth regarding the System, the bonds, all of it. She affirmatively chose to remain."

"Yes. She did." Nike’s wings drew inward slightly, a palpable easing of tension. "Which explains my presence. Because an individual who selects the monster, even after witnessing its full array of teeth, is indeed noteworthy."

She approached my desk, retrieving the silver dagger bestowed upon me by the First Tree. The blade emitted a soft luminescence in her grip, seemingly acknowledging a divine connection through her touch.

"Tomorrow, you will confront your inaugural genuine trial as a leader," Nike declared, idly twirling the dagger with practiced ease. "Not against solitary adversaries. Not against unthinking monstrosities. But against meticulously organized teams possessing months of rigorous training, professional mentorship, and the immense prestige of their guilds propelling them forward."

"And you are here to offer assistance?" I maintained a tone of distinct disbelief. "Or to ensure the spectacle remains sufficiently captivating?"

"Both." She placed the dagger down, re-engaging my gaze. "I am Victory. My existence is predicated on individuals striving for matters of consequence. Championships. Sovereignty. Unadulterated glory. The opportunity to validate that all the shed blood, ceaseless effort, and profound sacrifice culminated in something meaningful." She paused. "However, I also operate as a businesswoman. And I perceive within you a latent potential. A potential that extends far beyond the confines of a mere student tournament."

I remained silent, awaiting further explanation.

"You command five women linked to you via soul-level covenants. You possess a System that transmutes hardship into formidable power. Your hidden statistics would elicit despair from veteran Hunters. And you harbor something more." She indicated my chest. "A primal essence. An entity that comprehends the meaning of profound hunger. The desperate desire to burn the world asunder simply to claim what is rightfully yours."

Kaelen. She was referring to Kaelen.

"What is it you desire?" I inquired directly.

"I wish to extend a quest to you. A real one. Not the deceptions Aphrodite weaves with hearts and bedrooms, nor the gambling dens masquerading as divine assistance from Apollo. This is about triumph. Pure. Unadulterated. Absolute."

A new window materialized in my vision, unlike the standard blue System interfaces. This one shimmered with bronze and gold, adorned with intricate laurel wreaths and elegant wings.

[Special Quest Available: Nike’s Challenge]

[Sponsor: The Divine Court of Victory]

[Difficulty: Mythical]

I absorbed the details, then read them again. A third perusal confirmed I wasn't mistaken.

"You desire me to secure the entire tournament victory," I stated, my voice measured. "Not merely to endure or achieve a respectable placement. You want first place. Undefeated. Every single bout, every trial, every task completed."

"Precisely," Nike’s voice resonated with irrefutable conviction. "And not just victory, but utter dominance. Make it appear effortless. Instill in the other guilds a deep-seated understanding that they never stood a chance. That the Onyx Hounds were always destined to claim the championship."

A chuckle escaped me, uncontrollable. "That's preposterous. The Argent Sentinels have reigned supreme for seven consecutive years. They boast Julian, Aaron, Cassandra, and Daniel. The Cobalt Vipers have Kenjiro, the unnerving silent type who unnerves even Braxton. The Scarlet Phantoms are led by Reyna, who we both know possesses S-Rank potential and considerable professional backing. The Verdant Strikers are—"

"Insignificant," Nike interjected sharply. "When contrasted with the potential you could achieve by accepting my proposal."

I paused, my gaze fixing upon her. I truly observed her.

Her eyes blazed with a fervor that transcended mere confidence or arrogance. This was the profound certainty of one who had witnessed every conflict, every triumph, and officiated every crowning of a champion throughout history.

She perceived the conclusion before the beginning had even unfolded.

"The rewards," I prompted, reopening the quest parameters.

The compensation offered was nothing short of astonishing.

[Success Rewards:]

2,500 Schema Points

Unique Title: [Champion of Nike] - All combat-related abilities receive a 20% effectiveness increase during competitive matches. Allies within 100 meters receive a 10% stat boost.

Mythical Trait: [Victor’s Crown] - When facing opponents with higher official rankings, gain progressive stat increases proportional to the gap. Maximum bonus: 50%.

Divine Item: [Nike’s Favor] - A single-use token that guarantees victory in any one challenge, regardless of circumstances or opponent strength.

Bonus Objective Reward: If Satori personally defeats Julian Valerius in single combat during the tournament, receive an additional Divine-tier ability: [Unbreakable Will].