---
Rumble.
The dungeon was falling apart.
Chunks of stone collapsed from the ceiling, dust and debris filling the air.
And in the middle of the chaos—
Wukong stood motionless, his body wrapped in a black-gold aura, his eyes dazed and unfocused.
The power of the core surged through him, but his mind was slipping.
Tian called out, "WUKONG! SNAP OUT OF IT!"
Lily reached toward him. "We need to get out before—"
SHNK.
A blade pierced Wukong's side.
His eyes widened in shock.
Behind him, the hooded mage grinned, his dagger dripping with blood.
---
A Calculated Betrayal
Wukong stumbled, clutching his wound.
The mage whispered, "Sorry, kid. But I needed that core."
Wukong's eyes flashed with anger. "You… planned this?"
The mage smirked. "Of course. I couldn't take it myself, so I let you do the hard part."
He reached for the glowing crimson core in Wukong's hand—
But before he could grab it—
THUNK!
A stone hit his head.
"Ow—WHAT THE HELL?!"
Tian stood there, panting. "You think we're just gonna LET you kill him and walk away?!"
Lily clutched her staff. "You traitor!"
The mage's expression darkened.
"Fine. Then I'll kill you too."
He lunged at them, blade flashing—
But—
Wukong moved.
Despite the pain, despite his injuries—he threw himself in front of them.
CLANG!
He blocked the mage's strike with his bare arm.
Blood dripped down his skin. His body was too injured, too weak.
The mage grinned. "You're done, monkey. Your power is spent."
Wukong gritted his teeth.
He needed just 1% of his true strength.
Just 1%.
He closed his eyes.
And called for it.
---
Awakening the Forbidden Power
The core in his hand trembled.
The black-gold mist around him pulsed.
Something inside him shifted.
BOOOOOOM!
A shockwave exploded outward.
The mage staggered back. "What the—"
Wukong opened his eyes.
They were now glowing gold.
His hair shifted slightly—turning from dark to a faint golden hue.
The golden mist around him solidified, wrapping around his arms and legs like armor.
For the first time since his reincarnation—
He could feel it.
A small fragment of his true power.
The mage's eyes widened in horror. "Impossible."
Wukong grinned.
"Yeah? Try me."
---
A Battle of Shadows and Gold
The mage vanished—reappearing behind Wukong in an instant.
SHNK!
His dagger plunged forward—
But—
CLANG!
It bounced off Wukong's arm, barely scratching him.
The mage's eyes went wide.
"That… should've cut through you."
Wukong grinned. "Yeah, not anymore."
Then—
He moved.
FASTER than before.
BOOM!
A single punch to the gut sent the mage flying across the collapsing dungeon.
He crashed into a stone pillar, coughing blood.
Tian's jaw dropped. "HE'S FAST AGAIN!"
Lily gasped. "Did he… unlock his true power?!"
Wukong rolled his shoulders.
"Not quite." He clenched his fist, feeling the raw energy burning within.
"This is just 1%."
The mage gritted his teeth, standing up.
"You think I'll let you win?"
His cloak burned away, revealing his true form—his arms covered in ancient runes, his eyes glowing deep red.
"I am no ordinary mage."
A dark aura flared around him.
Wukong smirked. "Good."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Then I won't hold back."
---
To Be Continued…
---