---
The Mage Hunters moved silently through the slums, their black cloaks blending into the night.
They weren't ordinary soldiers.
They were specialists—trained killers who hunted rogue mages like wolves hunting prey.
And right now, they were hunting Sun Wukong.
---
"We need to run."
Lily's voice was urgent. She gripped Wukong's arm. "We have to leave. Now."
Tian nodded furiously. "Yeah! These guys are legendary. They don't just kill rogue mages, they erase them. No one even finds the bodies!"
Wukong just grinned. "Sounds fun."
Lily shoved him. "I'm serious! These aren't common thugs! We need to—"
"—Stay put," Wukong interrupted.
Lily stared at him. "What?!"
"I said we stay," Wukong repeated. He stretched his arms like he didn't have a care in the world. "I wanna see what these guys can do."
Tian gawked. "You're actually insane."
Lily clenched her fists. "Do you have a death wish?"
Wukong smirked. "Nah. I just don't like running."
Lily groaned. "Fine. But when you die, I'm not burying you."
Tian gulped. "If he dies, we're next!"
But it was too late.
Because the Mage Hunters had already arrived.
---
The Hunters Strike
Five figures stepped into the alley, their movements precise.
The leader, a tall man with a jagged scar, raised a gloved hand. His fingers crackled with violet energy.
"We know you're here," he said, his voice cold. "Surrender now, and we will make your death painless."
Tian whimpered. "Not comforting!"
Lily tensed, ready to bolt.
But Wukong?
He laughed.
The Mage Hunters hesitated. The leader narrowed his eyes. "Something funny?"
"Yeah," Wukong grinned. "You guys really think you can kill me?"
The leader frowned. "You are a rogue mage. You are nothing."
Wukong's grin widened. "Alright, then. Come prove it."
The leader scowled. "Kill him."
The Mage Hunters moved.
---
A Monkey's First Real Fight
The first Hunter lunged, a blade of pure mana forming in his hand.
Wukong sidestepped effortlessly. The blade barely grazed his shirt.
The second Hunter fired a bolt of lightning.
Wukong tilted his head, letting it crackle past.
The third tried to grab him with shadowy tendrils.
Wukong jumped, flipping over them like he was dancing.
Lily and Tian stared in shock.
"H-He's dodging everything!" Tian gasped.
Lily's eyes narrowed. No, he's not just dodging.
He's playing with them.
---
Monkey Tricks
The fourth Hunter rushed in, swinging a glowing dagger.
Wukong caught it with two fingers.
The Hunter's eyes widened. "What—?"
Wukong grinned—then snapped the blade in half with his bare hands.
The Hunter staggered back. "Impossible!"
The leader's frown deepened. "You are no ordinary rogue…"
Wukong dusted off his hands. "Took you long enough to notice."
The leader raised both hands.
A massive magic circle appeared beneath him, glowing with deadly power.
"Enough games," the leader said coldly. "Perish."
The ground erupted with violet flames.
---
A Monkey Awakens
For a split second, Lily's heart stopped.
She thought Wukong was done for.
But then—
The flames parted.
A golden aura surrounded Wukong, flickering like a sun trying to wake up.
Lily and Tian gasped.
The Mage Hunters froze.
The leader staggered back. "What… are you?"
Wukong looked down at his hands.
The aura flickered—weak, unstable.
But it was there.
And he remembered it.
A piece of what he once was.
A piece of the Monkey King.
Wukong grinned.
"Oh," he said, cracking his knuckles. "You're screwed now."
---
To Be Continued…
---