Reincarnated Monkey King

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The entrance to the dungeon loomed before them.

A massive stone gate, cracked and ancient, covered in faded runes that pulsed with a faint, eerie glow.

Cold air seeped out from the darkness beyond.

Tian shivered. "Yeah, this totally screams 'death trap.'"

Lily gulped. "Are we sure about this?"

Wukong grinned, resting his hands behind his head. "Come on, what's the worst that could happen?"

Tian stared at him. "You could literally die."

Lily elbowed him. "Or worse—"

Tian paled. "What's worse than dying?!"

The hooded mage chuckled. "Well, if he fails, he'll probably just be consumed by the dungeon's guardian and erased from existence."

Tian threw his hands up. "See?! THIS is why normal people don't do this stuff!"

Wukong ignored him and stepped forward. The moment his foot crossed the threshold—

The gate slammed shut behind them.

Darkness swallowed them whole.

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A Cursed Dungeon

The torches lining the walls flickered to life, casting an eerie blue glow.

The air was thick with something unnatural—like the dungeon itself was… watching.

Lily clutched her staff. "Something's wrong. I don't sense any normal mana here."

Tian frowned. "Then what's keeping this place alive?"

Wukong smirked. "Guess we'll find out."

BOOM.

The ground beneath them shook.

A deep, guttural growl echoed through the halls—low, hungry, and ancient.

Lily's face paled. "Wukong, I think we just found your monster."

The hooded mage smiled. "Not just any monster."

From the shadows ahead, two glowing red eyes opened.

"That… is a Primordial Guardian."

Tian's voice cracked. "I HATE THIS JOB."

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The Guardian Awakens

A massive figure stepped into the dim torchlight.

It was a towering beast, four arms lined with black, armor-like scales. Its body was draped in chains, and runes burned across its titanic form.

But the most terrifying part?

A crimson crystal throbbed at the center of its chest—the very core they needed.

Wukong's eyes gleamed. "Bingo."

The Guardian's voice rumbled like an earthquake.

"INTRUDERS."

It raised one of its massive fists—

And swung.

BOOM!

The entire hall shook as the Guardian's fist crashed down.

Wukong barely dodged, rolling to the side as the stone floor shattered beneath the impact.

Tian yelped. "NOPE, NOPE, NOPE—"

Lily grabbed her staff. "Wukong, this thing is out of our league!"

Wukong cracked his knuckles. "Only if we play fair."

The black mist around his arms flared to life.

Time to hunt a god's mistake.

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The First Clash

The Guardian charged, its four arms swinging like wrecking balls.

Wukong dodged left—barely.

He ducked—too slow!

BAM!

A backhand strike sent him flying, slamming him into the wall.

Tian winced. "Oof. That looked painful."

Lily scowled. "FOCUS! We need a plan!"

The Guardian roared, its core pulsing. Chains slithered out from its back, twisting like serpents—

And lashed toward them!

Lily raised her staff—a barrier formed!

CRASH!

The chains slammed against it, the impact shattering the magical shield.

Lily gasped. "It's too strong!"

Tian grabbed Wukong, shaking him. "Bro, wake up! We need an actual plan!"

Wukong grinned through the pain.

"Yeah, I got one."

---

A Monkey's Trickery

He wiped the blood from his lip and stood up.

Then—

He turned around.

And ran.

Tian blinked. "Wait—WHAT?!"

Lily paled. "You're running?!"

The Guardian roared. "COWARD."

It charged after Wukong, its massive footsteps shaking the dungeon.

Tian grabbed his head. "I KNEW THIS MONKEY WAS GONNA GET US KILLED."

But then—

The runes on the floor started glowing.

Lily's eyes widened. "Wait—this place is rigged!"

Wukong grinned. "Exactly."

BOOM!

The moment the Guardian stepped on the wrong rune—

A massive spike trap exploded from the walls!

The Guardian howled as enchanted spears pierced its limbs, pinning it in place!

Tian's jaw dropped. "DID YOU JUST—"

Wukong cracked his knuckles. "I may be a monkey, but I ain't stupid."

The Guardian struggled, its chains writhing—but it couldn't move.

Lily gasped. "It's vulnerable! This is our chance!"

Wukong dashed forward, mist swirling around his arm, forming a jagged blade.

He lunged straight for the Guardian's core.

The beast snarled. "YOU DARE?!"

Wukong grinned.

"Damn right I do."

His blade plunged forward—

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To Be Continued…

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