BRDM 105

chapter 105

“Seriously, no matter how hard I think about it, I just don’t get it.”

As he arrived at the rendezvous point—a park—ASTRA operative Donovan Black tilted his head.

Special Esper Response Unit, ASTRA. At that moment, Operations Commander Michael Shepherd looked up.

“What don’t you get?”

“Your name is Michael, right, Colonel? Then why is your patron archangel Gabriel instead of Michael?”

“……”

“There’s no way Archangel Gabriel of Revelation wouldn’t know that. Which means……”

“If you’ve got time for nonsense, then keep your eyes on whether those Blue Thunder bastards are coming!”

“You’re just taking your frustration out on me again.”

Donovan grumbled, but he followed Michael’s orders to the letter.

They weren’t here for fun.

They had plenty to deal with: monitoring the Committee, assessing Jet’s strength, and judging the possibility of Blue Thunder’s revival.

In truth, Donovan and the others had been on edge these past few days, watching Lee Hyun and the Blue Thunder unit in action.

If we were ordered to pull off the same kind of missions, it’s not like we couldn’t do it. In fact, we’d probably do it even more professionally.

You could clearly see the four years of rust in their execution.

Honestly, if it were us, there’s no way we wouldn’t have noticed an enemy foothold festering in our backyard for over a decade.

But the more missions they took on, the faster that four-year gap shrank.

Especially Jet… it’s undeniable he’s made a full comeback. He practically took down Qing Shaona and the Shuang twins by himself,

and it’s confirmed he was the one who captured Zhang Baiyan too.

But how the hell did someone who hasn’t even reached High Ranker manage to bring down a High Ranker?

That was the puzzle ASTRA couldn’t solve.

Just as the gulf between Hunters and Rankers was vast—so too, the gap between Rankers themselves was even greater.

A regular Ranker couldn’t touch a High Ranker, and High Rankers couldn’t reach Top Rankers.

The density of the deeds and stories that each rank embodied was simply on a different level.

A Ranker has only begun carving their name onto the Celestial Tablet.

But a High Ranker engraves their entire narrative. That means many Logos—cosmic observers—can witness it.

The more attention and patronage from Logos, the greater the power a Ranker receives.

That’s why Top Rankers, whose narratives have a complete arc, are so extraordinary.

But Jet has managed to leap across that divide—just like he did back during the Gangneung incident.

And now, with White Burn behind them? This isn’t something we can afford to ignore.

ASTRA took pride in being the strongest in the world.

But because of that, they were also drilled never to fall into arrogance.

They couldn’t allow anyone to stand on equal footing with them.

Years ago, it had been the Central Heroes Committee. Now, it was White Burn.

Our top priority: keep the Committee from gaining any more ground in Korea. And curb White Burn before they step in too far.

Michael repeated the orders handed down from above.

Secondary objective: evaluate Jet, decide his fate, and prevent Blue Thunder’s resurrection at all costs.

Michael even considered swaying Jet and the other former Blue Thunder members to their side.

For Jet in particular, he was prepared to offer the status of national hero.

But first, we need to clip their wings. Just once, firmly.

Conveniently, one of the Z-Team members they were scheduled to meet today was an old colleague they all knew well.

If he played this right, Michael might be able to paint the picture he wanted.

This mission will reveal the truth for sure.

Michael’s eyes deepened.

Why were all passages related to Jet in Gabriel’s [Revelations] deleted—no, erased completely?

It was a secret even his squad didn’t know. He was chewing on it when—

Bzzzt.

『They’re coming.』

Michael turned his gaze toward the park entrance.

Familiar faces were approaching.

Lee Hyun stared at Sun Wukong.

Revealed in his true stature after so long, he felt completely different from the playful monkey child Hyun first met.

It’s suffocating.

Every move, every little habit—

Even the arch of his brow sent faint ripples through the air.

The sheer spiritual pressure pressing down on all sides was immense.

Just facing him was draining Hyun’s mana significantly.

But…

It wasn’t as crushing as when he first encountered Wukong in the Monkey’s Den.

Difficult, yes, but now he could at least meet his gaze.

“This blasted coffee… I still don’t get it. How do people drink something this bitter?”

Clink.

Wukong set down the cup with a scowl.

Hyun chuckled.

“You should have gone with hot chocolate like you usually do.”

“I was going to. But that damn Wujing said coffee looked better if I wanted to keep up appearances… Tch, I should just stop talking.”

With a dismissive wave, Wukong asked:

“So. How does it feel being here?”

“It’s still strange.”

“Humans are different, demons are different. Everyone sees the world through their own lens. Closing that gap isn’t easy.”

Wukong’s lips curled.

“But if you overcome it, you’ll gain more than you can imagine. Gaps often point toward a new path.”

“Yes. I’d like to thank the deceased ones personally someday.”

“Suit yourself.”

Wukong brushed it off, though his lips softened into a smile.

“You must have a mountain of questions, yet you’re holding back.”

“I’m only curious about what this trial will be.”

“That’s a good mindset. You’re always prepared.”

Wukong spoke slowly.

“For that attitude alone, I owe you thanks.”

“……”

Hyun couldn’t recall Wukong ever saying that so openly. Not even during the rescue of the Demon Horse King.

“I’ve wanted to talk to you one-on-one. But with Wujing and Ruxia always around, there was never a chance.”

Hyun sensed this was where the real conversation began.

“Do you have something to tell me?”

“No. I want to hear your thoughts.”

“My thoughts…?”

“Yes. Tell me. What was it like awakening the senses of a demon?”

Hyun noticed the golden light of Wukong’s Fiery Eyes shone especially bright.

“It was… fun.”

“Fun?”

“Yes. Discovering how many colors the world hides, seeing intent and imagery… it’s fascinating.”

At first, the seven colors of light—the rainbow spectrum—had felt alien. But now he was used to it.

“What do you see in me?”

Hyun looked closely.

A deep blue aura swirled around Wukong.

“Blue.”

“And what does that mean?”

“Positivity, I think.”

Wukong nodded in approval.

“Correct. Honestly, I knew you’d do well, but not this well.”

“……”

Warm words again.

Hyun studied him with a strange expression.

Snrk.

Wukong gave a crooked grin.

“What? Getting awkward because this old man praised you?”

“Did you wrong me somehow?”

“…What?” Wukong scowled.

“Otherwise, why are you being so nice to me?”

“You little punk, even when I’m praising you—”

“I’m joking.”

“……”

Hyun smiled.

Wukong looked at him, exasperated.

“Didn’t I tell you not to pick up bad habits from Wujing? Once we’re out of here, I swear I’ll break your damn legs… tch.”

Grumbling, he continued:

“The Four Monkeys spoke well of you. Even Red-Bottomed Horse, despite his complaining, agreed. They said you’re ready to carry their legacy.”

Faces passed through Hyun’s mind.

Wise Stone Monkey, with his gentle smile.

Red-Bottomed Horse, lazy yet proud.

Wide-hearted, bold Tongbi Ape.

And…

…Six-Eared Macaque, who carried my brother’s scent the strongest.

Hyun smiled faintly.

Each of the four had tested and taught him differently, but they all shared one goal:

The revival of Mount Huaguo.

Their hopes all pointed toward Sun Wukong.

They had been scattered, their home stolen, forced into exile.

All they wanted was to return to that happiness.

And in them, Hyun saw himself.

Blue Thunder.

Mount Huaguo and Blue Thunder.

Wukong and Jang Hyun.

The same bridge connected them.

“What will happen to them when this trial ends?”

“…Who knows.”

“Pardon?”

Wukong gave a bitter smile.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what became of Huaguo after I fell from Heaven.”

“……”

“Some may have died like me, leaving only fragments of will. Others may still live but crippled. As for the common folk… I don’t know.”

Hyun nodded silently.

The ‘afterlife forms’ he met were too diminished to be the real thing. Maybe not dungeon quirks—maybe displaced spirits.

“You never asked them?”

“They didn’t want me to.”

“……”

“They don’t want to show me weakness.”

Wukong rubbed his face with a bare hand.

“And I was the same. To them, I am king and god. That means I’m obliged to grant their prayers.”

A king must always show an unbreakable image—because he was the people’s hope and light.

“So we never asked each other.”

“I see.”

Hyun began to understand why Wukong was saying all this.

He’s teaching me. The posture of a king.

Just as Hyun saw himself reflected in Wukong, Wukong saw himself in Hyun.

He wanted to show him how to endure and lead.

That was the relationship of god and apostle—light and shadow, self and avatar.

To be his apostle, I must have that posture.

And now, the god would ask his apostle directly:

Can you overcome the fate that binds you, and lead your people forward as their king?

“But despite what the Four Monkeys said, I still doubt you.”

In an instant, the blue aura around Wukong shifted to crimson.

A color blazing like fire—heavy with negative will.

The sting was palpable on Hyun’s skin.

“You still don’t trust me?”

“No. You’re doing well—better than I imagined. This is just my nature: I don’t trust easily.”

Wukong narrowed his eyes.

“This is what that seat entails. And if you’d be my apostle, you’ll sit in the same seat.”

“……”

“I will question you again and again. If your answer is lacking, I’ll tear it to shreds. I’ll keep asking until you answer properly—relentlessly.”

His lips curled.

“So be ready. My questions will be harsh. Got it?”

“What will you ask me?”

“Martial Arts Doctrine.”

Between his slightly parted lips, his fangs gleamed.

“The answer I found after giving up even my Buddha’s throne and chasing martial arts all my life. Yet even now, it remains unresolved.”

“……”

“I want to know if you have it too—or if you can pursue it.”

Hyun clenched his fists, tension written across his face.

At last, he would gain the Martial Arts Doctrine he’d longed for.

…Come to think of it, this is the first time Great Sage himself is truly teaching me.

Before, he’d given skills like Thunderous Cry—mere branches.

This was different.

This was Wukong asking if Hyun was worthy to inherit his life’s work.

It was the god revealing his true majesty.

Fsssh.

Beside Wukong, energy took on human form.

A mirror image of him—yet clad like an ancient king, in golden armor and helm, long staff in hand.

Hyun sensed it was on his level.

But—

The armament is incomparable. Ruyi Jingu Bang, Golden Fillet, Fiery Eyes… even the fabled Brocade Cloud Crown, Golden Armor, Cloud-Treading Boots. The Somersault Cloud itself.

A golden mist drifted around the clone.

And it was Wukong’s avatar. Not an opponent he could ever dismiss.

“Meet him. My clone, modeled after my past self—Zheng. For you…”

But Hyun had no time for introductions.

The clone vanished, only to reappear behind him, swinging the staff.

Hyun twisted his body and brought his axe up diagonally.

BOOM!!

The table exploded as golden lightning shot skyward, chased by bluish-white sparks.

Wukong brushed hair from his face with a grin.

“I was going to say you two could become good friends. But already fighting, eh? Youths these days.”

Watching Hyun unleash thunderbolts, he muttered softly:

“Now—show me the answer you’ve found.”

The Fiery Eyes blazed brilliantly.