CHAPTER ELEVEN
The sun was barely up, but Malik was.
Finals day.
His body was buzzing. Not with nerves — but purpose. Every moment had led to this.
Before stepping out, he tapped into the glowing interface of his SYSTEM one last time.
📲 SYSTEM MISSION LOG – FINAL CHECK
✅ Completed:
• First Win Mission – 300 XP
• Second-Round Survival – 300 XP
• Training Milestones – +500 XP total
• "Make an Impression" Promo – Charisma Boost
• "Acknowledge Me" Fan Tier Unlock
• Gym XP Grinds (x5) – XP Accumulated
🔄 Ongoing & Pending:
🟡 "Claim the Crown" – Win the Final Match
Reward: +300 XP, +10 Charisma Unlock Passive: Hype Engine Unlock Gimmick Evolution: Tribal Chief Tier 2
🟡 "Voice of the People" – Reach 50 Charisma
Current: 43/50 Reward: Passive Slot Unlock, Promo Power-Up
🟡 "Tactical Ascent" – Counter 3 Finishers
Current: 2/3 Reward: +5 Technique, Signature Move Slot
🟡 "Heart Over Hype" – Relationship Growth (Vanessa)
Progress: Flirting-But-Focused Reward: Tag Chemistry + Romance Arc Unlock
📊 STAT SHEET — LEVEL 8
• Strength: 22
• Agility: 16
• Endurance: 19
• Charisma: 43
• Technique: 17
• Unspent Points: 20
• XP to Next Level: 40 / 1000
Malik grinned, fists tightening.
"Almost everything's done. One more match… and I become undeniable."
🔔 School Arrival – Suplex Star Status
The moment Malik walked through the front doors of Eastwood High, the energy changed.
Students froze mid-convo. Teachers glanced over glasses. Phones were up in seconds.
A chant started somewhere in the hallway:
"TRI-BAL CHIEF! TRI-BAL CHIEF!"
Someone actually threw glitter.
Malik smiled, soaking in the noise like it was entrance pyro.
Even the seniors who used to clown him for chasing "fake wrestling dreams" were now trying to shake his hand. Girls who never spoke to him were asking for selfies.
He walked through the school like a man entering his kingdom.
But even kings had enemies.
🎭 THE FINAL RIVAL — RYDER KANE
At the far end of the hallway, leaning against a locker like a final boss in a high school anime...
Ryder Kane.
Tall. Arrogant. Perfect fade and venom in his smirk. A second-year senior with a wrestling record longer than most rap sheets.
In Malik's first life, Ryder wasn't just a bully — he was the reason Malik quit wrestling the first time.
Trash talk. Cheap shots. Public humiliation.
Ryder was the ghost Malik had buried.
Until now.
"Didn't think you'd make it this far," Ryder said, eyes glinting. "Thought you'd be back in gym class crying after round two."
Malik didn't flinch.
"Funny. I thought you'd be better at hiding fear."
Ryder's jaw twitched — just slightly.
Then he stepped forward, voice low:
"You're not ready for the main event, Junior."
Malik grinned.
"I am the main event."
📢 SYSTEM UPDATE:
🆕 Rival Encounter Detected — Final Boss: Ryder "Ruthless" Kane
Style: Dirty Technical + Powerhouse Signature: Guillotine Driver Finisher: Kane Cutter (Modified Jumping Neckbreaker) Crowd Control Level: High
🎯 Bonus Objective Added: "Break the Cycle"
Defeat Ryder Reward: 500 XP, Passive "Mental Fortitude" (Resists debuffs/tilt)
🎵 The Entrance – Crown Me
The gym was packed.
Lights. Cameras. Posters. Roaring students. Even the principal looked like he was waiting on popcorn.
Coach clapped Malik's shoulder backstage. "Showtime, Chief."
Malik stepped out, fog machines blasting behind him. His entrance music — a mash of tribal drums and heavy rock — kicked in like thunder.
He was shirtless. Black pants. Hair loose. Eyes cold.
A custom shirt flung into the crowd read:
"ACKNOWLEDGE THE FUTURE."
And the crowd?
They did.
Everyone stood.
Phones up. Voices loud.
"TRI-BAL CHIEF! TRI-BAL CHIEF! TRI-BAL CHIEF!"
Vanessa stood in the front row, arms crossed, hiding a smirk. But when Malik made eye contact, she gave a small nod.
He was ready.
He stepped through the ropes.
Faced Ryder across the ring.
The final chapter of this arc had begun.
And Malik?
Was about to write history in blood, sweat, and a sky-high SKYFALL JUDGMENT.
[End of Chapter 11]