Okoro pushed himself up from the dirt, his large form rising with an almost animal-like power. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his face scrunching in focus.
I could see the intensity in his eyes; he wasn't backing down. In fact, he looked even more determined.
"Not bad, Obinna," he grunted, a slight grin curling on his lips. "But I'm not going to make it that easy for you."
The crowd was buzzing, their voices a mixture of excitement and awe. They had seen Okoro fight before, and most of them knew just how strong he was.
But now, they were witnessing something different. They were seeing a side of me that I hadn't revealed before.
I kept my stance wide and low, my body ready to move at a moment's notice. Okoro was still catching his breath, but it wouldn't be long before he was back on the attack.
I needed to be prepared for whatever he threw at me next. My mind was clear, focused only on the movements around me. I could feel the heat of the crowd's gaze on me, but that held no pressure.
Without warning, Okoro lunged again.
Okoro's attack came at me fast, too fast to avoid entirely. But I wasn't trying to dodge it all. I just needed an opening. As he reached for me, I slipped to the side just enough to avoid his grip, then grabbed his wrist once again.
The shift in his balance was subtle, but it was enough for me to use it.
I twisted his arm and, in one smooth motion, threw him toward the ground. The crowd's surprise was clear, but I wasn't about to get cocky.
Okoro stumbled but didn't stay down for long. He regained his footing quickly, more composed than the last time. But I knew I had the edge now, even if it was just for a moment.
His eyes locked with mine, and there was a flicker of respect there, but his focus didn't waver. He came at me again, fast, hands reaching for me, but I was already in motion.
I ducked under his arms, slipping around his side. He was strong, but his size worked against him. I stayed light on my feet, watching for the next move.
When he lunged forward again, I saw it coming. I dodged just enough to wrap my legs around his, pulling him off-balance again.
This time, I didn't just throw him, I used the same technique I'd used earlier, the one that worked before. A quick twist and, in an instant, he was back on the ground.
The crowd erupted.
Okoro hit the dirt hard, struggling to catch his breath. I stood over him calmly.
He lay there for a second, catching his breath, before he let out a low chuckle. "You've got some tricks, Obinna. I didn't expect that."
I reached down and pulled him up. "Got a few more in store," I said with a grin.
As we stood there, the rush of victory wasn't the only thing I felt. There was something else. A sense of growth. This fight had pushed me in ways I didn't expect, but I knew it wasn't over.
Okoro wasn't the strongest in the village, he was just one more step.
The crowd slowly quieted as the match ended, but my mind was already focused on the next challenge.
If I really wanted to prove myself, I had to face the strongest: Nze Amaechi. The challenge was clear now, and I couldn't walk away from it.
Then, the system notification hit my mind:
[DING]
Strength +1
Endurance +1
I smiled in delight. That was exactly what I needed.
The increase in both strength and endurance felt like a confirmation. I wasn't just proving myself to Okoro or anyone else. I was proving to myself that I could go even further.
The moment Okoro stood up and acknowledged my win, the crowd started to quiet down. But the excitement was still in the air, and I could feel their energy shifting.
However, I wasn't done yet. I had something bigger to prove, and there was one person left who could give me the challenge I needed.
With the increase in my strength and endurance, my body returned to its peak state and without wasting a moment, I turned to face the crowd and raised my voice. "I challenge Nze Amaechi."
The declaration hit the air like a clap of thunder.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, processing what I'd just said.
Whispers ran through the onlookers. Some were shocked, others intrigued.
I could see the older men in the back exchanging looks which were a mix of curiosity and concern. They probably weren't sure what to make of this challenge, especially so soon after my battle with Okoro.
I stood my ground, feeling the weight of their gaze on me.
Nze Amaechi was standing at the far side of the crowd, his posture as intimidating as always. The older men around him watched me with suspicion, but I was focused on one thing: him.
Amaechi's eyes met mine, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence.
The intensity in the air thickened. He wasn't the type to be easily impressed, and everyone knew that. But what caught me off guard was the faintest smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Why now?" His voice sounded across the clearing, steady and full of authority. "Why challenge me right after a fight with Okoro?"
I glanced around, taking in the faces of the crowd, then back to him. "Because the time I spend resting is time one of our brethren out there is being sold off for some meagre sum. I don't have time to rest while that happens."
I made sure the words hung in the air heavily. There was a collective intake of breath from the crowd, followed by a murmur of awe.
The older men around Amaechi shifted uncomfortably, clearly impressed by the fire I'd just shown. But it wasn't just the words—it was the resolve in my voice.
The meaning behind them.
That was my Charisma working.
Amaechi stood still for a second, and then he laughed.
Not a mocking laugh, but one of genuine admiration. The sound of his laughter was deep and powerful, almost like the roar of thunder that echoed in the sky after a storm.
The intensity of it sent a wave of respect rippling through the crowd.
"Interesting," Amaechi said as he stepped forward, his massive form moving toward me with a calm intensity.
When he reached me, he stopped and looked down at me, his eyes boring into mine. "You know, I never really liked how the past Obinna spouted words like that without the strength to back them up."
The air between us seemed to freeze, the entire crowd waiting for the next words to spill from his mouth.
Amaechi's eyes narrowed, but there was something different in them now. Respect. Maybe even a little fear. But it wasn't for me.
"You," he said, his voice quiet but heavy with meaning, "They say you've been brought back by the spirits. They've given you strength." He paused, as if to let the weight of his words sink in. "If you truly manage to best me... then I promise this. I will be the first to take a blow from any enemy before they can reach you."
I couldn't help my eyes from widening at the declaration.
Even the crowd erupted in excitement, and I could feel their eyes burning with curiosity. The older men murmured among themselves, clearly impressed by Amaechi's words.
They knew what that promise meant—it wasn't just about fighting anymore. It was about something bigger. Something deeper. The bond between a warrior and his people.
My heart thumped loudly. I wasn't backing down now. This wasn't about just winning anymore, it was about proving something greater.
"Then let's make it happen," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.
Amaechi smirked, the fire in his eyes matching my own. He didn't move right away, just stood there for a moment, assessing me. Then, with a slow nod, he dropped into a fighting stance.
The crowd's roar reached its peak as the two of us prepared for what could be the greatest battle yet.
This was it. The test. And no matter what happened, I wasn't going to stop until I won.