BRDM 108

chapter 108

The titles and nicknames for Sun Wukong were countless.

Great Sage, Victorious Fighting Buddha, Handsome Monkey King, Pilgrim, Slayer of Demons, Golden-Haired Immortal Ape…

But—

The one title Wukong cherished most of all was different.

Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.

The mighty being who had subdued the Heavens themselves.

Originally, it was nothing more than self-praise, a title he gave himself after storming the Heavenly Court and raising havoc.

But now, “Great Sage, Equal to Heaven” had become inseparable from the name Sun Wukong itself.

And…

It also became the symbol of Sun Wukong once again rebelling against all of Heaven.

That was precisely the position Lee Hyun said he wanted to inherit.

He expected Wukong to explode in anger and tell him to know his place.

Or dismiss it as nonsense.

But Lee Hyun never spoke lies.

He was serious.

Not a mere apostle, but a disciple.

He hated the simple relationship of believer and god.

…The Great Sage has things I don’t.

It wasn’t just about overwhelming strength to overturn Heaven.

It was his confidence—arrogant even.

The unshakable self-belief that he could accomplish anything.

Hyun wanted to learn that firm will and driving force.

He wanted to resemble the way Wukong faced the world.

And such things could never be learned in a cold, official god–apostle relationship.

It had to be something closer. More personal.

Honestly, I’d like to leave the position of apostle for my brother instead.

If he took it for himself, there would be no place left for his brother.

—If it’s you… you could become something greater than a mere apostle.

Moon Suchan’s voice seemed to echo in his ears.

But—

“…”

Contrary to Hyun’s expectations, Wukong showed no reaction.

The excitement on his face had vanished completely. He didn’t even show an emotion.

“Since when?”

“…Pardon?”

“When did you start thinking that way?”

“Ever since the day I first learned Eung-Roe from you.”

“Eung-Roe? You mean when I first taught you Keraunos?”

One of Wukong’s brows twitched in surprise.

Hyun nodded.

“Yes. That was the first time I caught a glimpse of how you faced the world.”

“…”

“At the time, the world was nothing but something I had to defeat. It felt like everything was trying to drag me down.”

“…”

“I assumed you must feel the same way I did.”

“…”

“But you didn’t.”

Hyun could never forget that moment.

Even as he struggled desperately to draw sparks of lightning from the oni’s breath,

Wukong was already grumbling but also worrying about how best to teach him the next step.

“You didn’t have that anxious fear others carry.”

Wukong snorted, arms crossed.

“Who in this world has no fear? Even I—”

“Yes, maybe a little at the back of your mind. But not enough to rule you, right?”

“…That’s true.”

“If you failed, you’d just try another way and shrug it off.”

“…”

“You lived earnestly, gave your all each day, but if things didn’t work out, you used that as a springboard to leap again. That was something new to me.”

“…”

“Because I didn’t have that.”

The golden light of Wukong’s Fiery Eyes reflected Hyun.

How did he appear inside those eyes?

Hyun couldn’t tell.

“So from then on, I wanted to learn everything from you—your outlook, your purpose, even your actions. All things I lacked.”

The freedom and independence contained in his fighting style were the same.

They were things Hyun, always bound by circumstance, never had.

And Hyun wanted to put that into his own martial arts.

“So you want to inherit my seat?”

“Because I want to resemble you.”

“…”

“To do that, I thought I had to become someone worthy of receiving your mantle at any time.”

The Great Sage still gave no answer.

Even peering with his golden eyes revealed nothing.

Colorless.

His surroundings were pitch black.

I can’t see anything.

Was it because someone of his level could hide his very intent and spirit?

Hyun didn’t know.

Time dragged on in suffocating silence—

“…I understand your thoughts.”

Wukong finally spoke in a flat, emotionless tone.

“But your request is denied.”

“Great Sage…!”

“The seat of the Great Sage is mine alone. I will not pass it to anyone. I don’t have the luxury of raising successors.”

“….”

“But—”

“…?”

Wukong’s fiery eyes locked onto Hyun.

“I could at least serve as an advisor, teaching you things now and then.”

“…!”

“Would that be enough for you?”

Hyun blinked wide, then gave a wry laugh.

“Isn’t that what most people call a ‘disciple’?”

“Shut it. Always bringing me problems I never thought about. What kind of brat are you… haah.”

Wukong ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.

His former blank expression was gone.

What was he thinking while looking at me like that?

Hyun couldn’t tell. Only that Wukong had recalled someone.

Still, the tips of his ears were faintly red, betraying embarrassment he was trying to hide.

For someone like him, he really can’t be honest in these moments.

Hyun smiled faintly and pretended not to notice.

“Disciple, apostle… I don’t see much difference from what we’ve been doing anyway. But if you truly want to learn formally—”

Wukong’s aura blazed like fire once again.

“Then you’ll need to prove your heart is desperate enough, and that you’re a vessel worthy of inheriting my ways.”

Hyun felt his gaze change.

Not that of a distant god above his servant, but of a partner—equal, bound by bonds, like family.

Hyun realized he had finally been welcomed into the “family” Wukong always spoke of.

“Couldn’t you just give it to me? I’ve fought six matches in a row. I’m tired.”

“Shut it, brat! You think I want to come up with more test ideas? You’re the one refusing to take things as they are!”

Wukong scowled at Hyun’s teasing smile.

He was back to being his usual self.

“Just kidding.”

“…Whatever. Once we’re out of here, you’ll see. I’ll work you to the bone.”

With an irritable gesture, Wukong ripped out a handful of hair and blew on it.

Whoosh—

[A sudden event has occurred!]

[Moved by your plea to be a disciple instead of an apostle, ■■■■ ■■■ has modified the trial into a new test.]

[■■■■ ■■■ wishes to test your discernment. From now, find the real ■■■■ ■■■.]

[“Apostle Trial” has changed into “Sudden Event: Disciple’s Recognition.”]

Bang! Bang! Puff!

The scattered hairs became countless Sun Wukongs.

One sat yawning lazily in a chair. Another stood with hands behind his back. One dangled upside down from the ceiling. Others just stared blankly.

Dozens of Wukongs, each with different postures and expressions.

The real one was nowhere to be seen.

“Now, find the real one.”

“Now, find the real one.”

All the copies spoke in unison.

“If you truly want to resemble me, you should find your great teacher easily enough, right?”

“Find me, and I’ll accept you—at least as an unnamed disciple.”

Unnamed. A term for disciples not formally recorded.

But Hyun was satisfied even with that.

After all, Wukong had never had a proper disciple, heir, or even apostle.

To reach that point meant becoming the successor of the Great Sage.

He’s just too embarrassed to admit it outright.

“Easy. I was worried the final trial would be grabbing your collar or landing a punch.”

Hyun smirked as he looked at the many Wukongs.

“Cocky brat. Think you can really find the real me among us?”

“You don’t actually think we’ll just stand still, do you?”

The dozens of Wukongs gave incredulous looks.

And indeed—no aura sense could distinguish them. All shared the exact same spiritual presence.

Flash!

The copies darted about, mocking him, some whipping up gales with tricks, others brandishing Ruyi Jingu Bang, ready to fight.

But—

“Yes. It’s easy.”

Hyun lowered his axe and poured in power.

Clang! Crackle!

The sound of ringing steel.

Lightning flared fiercely, charged with not just Yeouisoe but even the divine force of Geumganghoa.

“It’s too obvious.”

Hyun’s gaze wasn’t on the Wukongs around him.

But on the ceiling.

“No way!?”

The copies all looked shocked.

“You’re too late.”

Hyun swung his lightning-charged axe straight upward.

[The Oni’s Phantom erupts!]

Krrrraaaack!!

Blue-white lightning tore the ceiling apart.

Crash!

The tower roof collapsed, revealing beyond—

Another Sun Wukong.

Enormous, like a giant.

With vast eyes like suns, wide with surprise.

And reflected inside them was Hyun, smiling brightly.

No… it’s the opposite. Wukong didn’t grow. I shrank.

Rrrrummble!!

The entire Tower of Five Elements shook violently before collapsing—no, dissolving.

Because each floor had been Wukong’s fingers.

Yes.

From the start, Hyun had been in Wukong’s palm!

『…Heh.』

All the rampaging clones vanished instantly.

Only the colossal palm remained, with Hyun standing in its center.

The giant Wukong chuckled awkwardly, not expecting to be discovered so soon.

“See? Easy to find, wasn’t it?”

Hyun smirked proudly.

The legend of Sun Wukong sealed beneath the Five Elements Mountain for 500 years—revealed as Buddha’s palm.

Now Hyun stood in the exact same situation.

『When did you realize it?』

“From the very start.”

『From the start? How?』

“As I climbed, your aura only grew stronger. It would’ve been stranger not to notice.”

Hyun grinned.

“I told you, didn’t I? I’ve been chasing after you, wanting to resemble you.”

『I see…』

Silence fell once again.

Then—

Pfft.

Wukong gave a crooked smile.

Suddenly—

Flash!!

Golden light burst from his giant eyes, like twin suns.

『Good. Then—』

Hyun felt it—the overwhelming pressure he had first sensed when meeting Wukong, bearing down on him again.

[Combat Sense (S+) warns of danger!]

『Try blocking this.』

Rumble…!!

The giant Wukong raised his other hand and brought it crashing down onto the palm where Hyun stood.