CHAPTER TEN
The finals were days away.
But the war had already started — not in the ring, but in Malik's heart, his muscles, and his mind.
This wasn't just about winning anymore.
It was about becoming.
SYSTEM STATUS CHECK — LEVEL 8
Malik blinked open his system interface, glowing faintly in his room like a portal to destiny.
📲 STAT SHEET — LEVEL 8
• Strength: 22
• Agility: 16
• Endurance: 19
• Charisma: 43
• Technique: 17
🟡 Unspent Points: 20
🧠 XP to Next Level: 40 / 1000
🎖 Recent Bonuses:
Tournament Match Win x2 Fan Favorite Status Achieved Streak of the Suplex God Style Evolution: Power + Technical Unlocked
🎯 Upcoming Mission:
🏆 "Claim the Crown" – Win the Final Match
• Reward: +300 XP, +10 Charisma
• Bonus: ??? (Hidden Title Unlock?)
Malik whistled low.
"I'm not a rookie anymore," he murmured. "I'm a problem."
With finals approaching, he saved his stat points — not out of hesitation, but strategy.
He'd spend them just before the match. Let his opponent prepare for the old Malik.
They wouldn't be ready for the evolved one.
Family Time — The Champion in the Kitchen
"Boy, don't think muscles mean you don't do dishes," Grandma barked from the kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am," Malik replied, apron barely fitting around his frame as he washed plates like he was prepping for WrestleMania: Dishwasher Edition.
Uncle Tony was on the couch, watching Malik's last match on replay.
Every time the crowd chanted "THIS IS AWESOME!", he grinned like a proud coach who never played a day in his life.
"You hit that move on concrete?"
"Yup."
"You stupid?"
"Probably."
But it was all love.
Loud, unfiltered, proud love.
Hearts, Hints, and Text Threads
After dinner, Malik's phone buzzed.
📱 Vanessa "Viper" Cruz:
"Heard you got mobbed at the gym again. You signing autographs now, Superstar?"
📱 Malik:
"Only if the marker's venom-proof."
📱 Vanessa:
"Ha. Cute. Don't let that crowd hype get in your head. Finals ain't a TikTok dance."
📱 Malik:
"I know. But I've got good coaches. Even if one of them pretends to hate me."
📱 Vanessa:
"Shut up. Maybe."
He chuckled.
She was sharp. Focused. Dangerous in the ring.
But lately… she texted first.
Asked about his matches.
Told him when he looked "ridiculous" in a cool way.
Was it just wrestling talk?
Or something more?
He didn't know yet.
But for the first time in a long time… he wanted to find out.
The Fanbase Awakens
The next morning, Malik stepped outside and nearly walked into a crowd of neighborhood kids with printed signs.
"M.K. Jr. = GOAT!"
"Tribal Chief Energy!"
"SKYFALL JUDGMENT 4EVER!"
A couple of them had drawn their own "championship belts" out of cardboard and glitter glue.
One little girl handed Malik a poster that read:
"ACKNOWLEDGE OUR HERO."
He didn't cry.
But something in his chest swelled.
📢 SYSTEM UPDATE:
🎯 "Local Legend" Fan Tier Achieved
+5 Charisma
+10 XP
🗣 Influence Level: People now see you as a leader, not just a fighter.
Mental Training – The Shadow Match
That night, Malik didn't sleep.
Instead, he stood in his garage-turned-training-room, facing nothing… and everything.
He shadow-wrestled.
Not just practicing strikes — but recalling every opponent, every weakness, every pain.
He imagined the final match.
Visualized his moves.
Anticipated reversals.
He became his rival.
Then defeated him again and again — in his mind.
He was readying not just his body…
But his soul.
And Then... Quiet
Before bed, Malik sat alone at his window, hoodie pulled up, music low.
He watched the streetlights flicker.
Listened to the hum of the world.
He wasn't scared.
Not anymore.
But he was hungry.
Not just for a title.
But for meaning.
For the cheers.
For the suplexes.
For the girl who might actually like him.
For the family who never stopped believing.
For the boy he once was… and the man he was becoming.
He opened his system one last time before sleep.
"I'm ready," he whispered.
[End of Chapter 10]