The moon cast a ghostly glow over the neon-lit city, its silver beams illuminating towering skyscrapers and the dark alleys below. The scent of rain mixed with street food, and the distant hum of expensive cars racing through the avenues filled the air. Beyond the city's extravagant clubs and lavish mansions, an underground arena pulsed with energy—a place where only the strong survived.
Here, in the heart of the Eight Provinces Martial Arts Challenge, warriors clashed for dominance, their fists writing history with every battle.
And tonight, an unknown name would shake the very foundations of this world.
Ochieng stood at the entrance, his plain clothes and quiet demeanor making him invisible among the wealthy spectators. Their mocking whispers filled the air, but he remained still, his gaze fixed on the stage ahead.
He had endured enough. Tonight, the world would remember his name.
---
The grand arena roared with excitement. Powerful martial artists, ruthless crime lords, young masters from noble families—all had gathered to witness the bloodbath. The stage was set, and warriors from every corner of the provinces stood tall, their auras exuding dominance.
At the center of it all was Jin Hao, heir of the prestigious Hao family. A 4-Star Martial Master, his name alone struck fear into the hearts of opponents. With a smirk, he scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on Ochieng.
"Who let a beggar in here?" Jin Hao laughed, his voice laced with arrogance. "This isn't a place for street rats."
The audience erupted in laughter.
Ochieng remained silent.
"Let the battles begin!" the announcer declared.
---
Jin Hao's first opponent was a 3-Star Martial Master, a young prodigy from a hidden sect. The fight was swift and brutal—lightning-fast strikes, shadows flickering in midair—but in the end, Jin Hao shattered his opponent's defenses with a single palm strike, sending him crashing into the ground.
The crowd cheered in excitement.
Jin Hao scoffed. "None of you are worth my time."
Then, the next match was called.
"Ochieng vs. Liu Kang!"
A murmur ran through the crowd.
"A beggar is fighting?"
"This will be over in seconds."
Ochieng stepped forward.
Liu Kang, a proud Martial Master, 2-Star, sneered. "I'll send you back to the gutters where you belong."
The fight began.
Liu Kang launched forward, his golden energy-infused fist aimed at Ochieng's chest.
But just as his strike was about to land—
Ochieng vanished.
The crowd gasped.
Liu Kang's eyes widened. "What—"
BOOM!
Liu Kang was sent flying, his body collapsing like a broken doll.
Silence.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
"What… just happened?"
Even Jin Hao's smirk disappeared.
Ochieng dusted off his sleeves. "Weak."
---
Ochieng advanced through the tournament, defeating every challenger.
His movements were effortless, like flowing water. He dodged deadly attacks by inches, countering with devastating force. His opponents—many of whom had trained for years in secret sects—fell like leaves in a storm.
The mockery from the crowd faded.
"Who is this guy?"
"How is he winning so easily?"
Even the top masters in the VIP section leaned forward, intrigued.
By the time Ochieng reached the final round, the once-laughing audience was dead silent.
---
Jin Hao stepped onto the stage, his aura surging like a violent storm.
"You're good," he admitted. "But you're not better than me."
Ochieng's eyes remained calm, unreadable.
Jin Hao attacked first—his fists like thunder, his strikes like crashing waves.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each blow shook the ground, leaving behind deep cracks.
But none of them landed.
Ochieng weaved through the attacks like a ghost.
Jin Hao's frustration grew.
"STOP RUNNING!" He roared, unleashing his strongest technique—Dragon King's Palm!
A terrifying shockwave of energy erupted toward Ochieng, powerful enough to obliterate a mountainside.
Everyone held their breath.
Ochieng sighed.
Then, he moved.
A single palm strike.
CRACK!
Jin Hao's ultimate move shattered like glass.
A moment later—he was on his knees, coughing blood.
Silence.
Then—chaos.
The audience erupted in shock.
"Ochieng… won?"
Jin Hao stared up, disbelief filling his eyes.
"You… who are you?" he whispered.
Ochieng turned, his voice cold.
"The one you all looked down upon."
From the shadows, powerful figures watched.
"This boy… is dangerous."
A mysterious man in the VIP section smirked.
"The Eight Provinces have a new king."
And so, the legend of Ochieng began.
---