CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
📅 June 15th, 2005
The arena was still buzzing from the moment Duran "The Diamond" Cortez made his thunderous return.
He hadn't been seen since Bronson crushed him to take the BWF Championship months ago. Now, with Bronson dethroned and Malik "M.K. Jr." Smith reigning supreme, Duran wasn't here to play nice.
The lights dimmed.
Spotlight hit the ramp.
🎤 Duran's Theme: "King With No Crown" hit.
He strutted to the ring with the same arrogant swagger, shades on, jawline sharp enough to cut steel, mic in hand.
Duran:
"So this… this is what took my spot? A kid with muscles, a catchphrase, and a good barber?"
"I didn't come back to shake hands. I came back to take back what's mine—that title—and remind everyone who built this ring before you started doing jumping jacks on it."
The crowd booed, but Duran smiled. He was used to it. He fed off it.
Malik stood center-ring, title draped over his shoulder, unfazed.
He lifted the mic slowly.
Malik:
"You talk like you're a legend. But legends don't get replaced… they get remembered."
"And right now, Duran, the only reason your name's trending is because it's next to mine."
Crowd: OOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!
Malik walked closer.
Malik:
"You want this belt? Acknowledge me first. Because that's what they all do before they fall."
The crowd erupted.
"ACKNOWLEDGE HIM! ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!"
Duran stepped closer, nose to nose.
Duran:
"Careful, kid. That ego might break before I do."
Malik:
"Nah. But your spirit might. July 30th. Next Pay-Per-View. You. Me. One title. One table... and I sit at the head."
🔥 SYSTEM ALERT: MATCH SCHEDULED
📆 Main Event: Malik "M.K. Jr." Smith vs. Duran Cortez
📍 BWF Summer Supremacy – July 30th, 2005
🎯 Title on the line: BWF World Championship
Reward: 6points allocation
200xp
Duran laughed, nodded, then faked a handshake—only to swat the mic from Malik's hand.
But Malik didn't flinch.
He simply pointed to the sky.
The crowd rose with him—unified.
Malik:
"This… is the island of relevancy. And you, Duran... you're just a tourist."
Cue music.
Cue hype.
Cue the warpath to Summer Supremacy.
[End of Chapter 33 – "War of Words"]