CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
📅 June 23rd, 2005
The bruises were fresh.
But Malik "M.K. Jr." Smith's resolve? Sharper than ever.
He sat in his apartment, sweat still drying on his chest, staring at the blinking notification on his SYSTEM HUD.
📲 SYSTEM PULSE…
📊 STAT SCAN – SYNCED
LEVEL: 13
XP: 300 / 7000
Strength: 33
Agility: 29
Endurance: 31
Charisma: 70
Technique: 30
Intelligence: 21
Money Maker: 16
🔸 Traits Active:
• 🧠Tactical Genius I
• 💵 Business Mindset I
• ⚡ Hype Engine (Passive)
• 💼 Side Hustler (Passive)
📘 "Stats are nice," Malik muttered, "but payback doesn't live on paper."
TRAINING ARC BEGINS
From that moment on, it was war.
📅 Thursday – June 23rd:
• Cardio at 5AM
• Muay Thai drills at 7AM
• Weight room at 10AM
• Film study on Duran Cortez by 2PM
📅 Friday – June 24th:
• Powerlifting session (PR: Deadlift – 475 lbs)
• Finisher practice – 30 reps of CROWN CRUSHER on heavy dummy
• Signature Combos in-ring with Coach Barker
📅 Saturday – June 25th:
• Simulated matches – 3 matches vs. mid-tier BWF opponents
• Midsection conditioning (50 weighted crunch sets, medicine ball slams)
• Chin-ups while watching Duran's old promos. "Know your enemy."
📅 Sunday – Rest day? Nope.
• Promo class with Vanessa – testing lines, eye contact, ring presence
• Evening shadow boxing session in the moonlight.
"Tribal Chiefs don't take Sundays off."
📅 Monday – Wednesday (June 26th – 29th):
• Final week of Hell Week prep.
• Stretching, recovery tanks, ring cardio
• 2-hour match simulation with steel chair spot rehearsals
By Wednesday night, Malik stood in front of the mirror.
Towel over his shoulder.
Bruised but built.
Tired but tenacious.
Beaten down? Never.
He looked himself in the eyes and whispered:
"Next time Duran sees me… he won't be walking out."
📢 System Notification:
🎯 NEW OBJECTIVE: "Get Payback at Clash Kingdom"
Malik smiled.
He was ready.
[End of Chapter 36 – "Iron Sharpens Iron"]