CHAPTER SEVEN
It was the night before the tournament.
The air felt heavier. Charged.
Like something big was waiting just around the cornerโฆ or in Malik's case, just beyond the gym doors.
Malik stood alone in the wrestling room, mats cleaned, lights low, system screen glowing softly in front of him.
ThenโPING.
๐ฏ TOURNAMENT ARC UNLOCKED:
โข Eastwood Wrestling Invitational โ Single Elimination Bracket
โข Reward for Victory:
+300 XP
+10 Bonus Charisma Points
+Unlock Custom Gimmick Evolution
His eyes narrowed.
This was it. His first official shot to prove he wasn't just talk, sweat, and internet memes.
He was here to win.
And that meantโฆ he needed a move.
Not just any move.
A finisher.
System Prompt: Design Your Finisher
๐ฅ SYSTEM: Signature Detected โ POWERBOMB (Standard).
๐ Do you wish to customize a Finisher Move based on your Signature?
โ YES
โ NO
Malik tapped YES without hesitation.
๐ ๏ธ FINISHER CREATOR UNLOCKED
Base: Powerbomb
Choose Upgrades:
โข Velocity
โข Height
โข Setup Move
โข Name
โข Crowd Impact
Malik cracked his knuckles and got to work.
Finisher Blueprint:
๐ Name: Skyfall Judgment
๐ Setup: Fake-out clothesline into a surprise gut kick
๐ Lift: Full double-underhook scoop
๐ Execution: High-angle powerbomb delivered with a half-turn twist โ
Slams opponent flat on their back like thunder hitting pavement.
๐ Impact: Ring shake. Camera shake. Soul shake.
๐ Crowd Rating: 11/10. Kids scream. Coaches stand. Even janitors pause.
๐ Style Notes: Point to the sky before impact โ adds drama, and makes for killer highlight reels.
๐ FINISHER STATS:
โข Power: โ โ โ โ โ
โข Showmanship: โ โ โ โ โ
โข Reliability: โ โ โ โโ
โข Cool Factor: ๐ฏ
SYSTEM MESSAGE:
โ Finisher Created: SKYFALL JUDGMENT
โข Bound to Malik Smith Jr.
โข Unlocks Boosted KO Chance in Tournament Matches
โข Can Evolve with System Level Ups
Malik grinned, standing tall over the mat.
"This? This is the move that ends careersโฆ and starts legends."
Tournament Eve Hype โ Locker Room Tension
Backstage, the buzz was electric.
Every wrestler in Eastwood was either pacing, shadowboxing, or trying to pretend they weren't absolutely freaking out.
Malik entered the locker room in full gear:
Black pants Bare chest Hair down Tribal war paint (courtesy of Vanessa, who insisted it was "for intimidation AND aesthetics")
A few heads turned.
"That him?" one freshman whispered.
"Yeahโฆ the 'Acknowledge Me' guy."
"I heard he powerbombed a vending machine for not giving him his protein bar."
(Malik didn't correct them. Let the myth grow.)
Then the SYSTEM gave him one last surprise:
๐ข MISSION RECEIVED:
๐ฏ WRESTLING INVITATIONAL โ TOURNAMENT ARC
โข Win All Rounds
โข Deliver At Least One Finisher in Every Match
โข Avoid Disqualification or Count Out
๐ REWARDS IF COMPLETED:
โข +300 XP
โข +10 Charisma Points
โข Unlock New Passive: "Hype Engine โ Crowd Energy Restores Stamina"
โข Unlock Gimmick Evolution Tree: Tribal Chief Tier 2
Malik's eyes gleamed.
"Let's eat."
Final Thoughts Before the Bell
As he stepped out toward the arena lights, Caleb clapped him on the back.
"You ready to go full boss level?"
Malik rolled his shoulders.
"I'm not here to play matches. I'm here to write history โ one Skyfall Judgment at a time."
The crowd roared.
The lights hit.
The music thumped.
Malik Smith Jr., the Tribal Chief of Relevancy, had entered the tournament.
And whether the crowd booed, cheered, or stared in stunned silence...
They would remember his name.
[End of Chapter 7]